Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said should Gustav forces the franchise out of New Orleans, the team won't move to San Antonio, Texas, the city New Orleans moved operations to in 2005 following Katrina.

The forecast for Gustav, currently a tropical storm but expected to be a hurricane, is that it will be near the Gulf Coast early next week.

"We have a number of cities that we have contacted as part of our contingency planning for hurricanes," said Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. "San Antonio is a city in which we are familiar and was a terrific host in 2005; however, our plans call for us to consider an alternate location at this time.

"This is a decision that I have made after consulting with our Head Coach Sean Payton and our football operations staff, keeping in mind our goal of giving the football team its best opportunity to prepare for the opening game.

"It is critical that not only the Saints but the people of our state have a plan in the event a storm enters the Gulf. Our goals are to implement our plan as efficiently as possible keeping in mind the safety of the people in our organization and their families. In the event we have to evacuate, we will return to New Orleans as quickly as possible to prepare for the 2008 season."

 When the Saints were forced to move when Katrina took aim on the Louisiana coast three years ago, the club moved to San Antonio and used the Alamo Dome as a home base.

Saints owner Tom Benson owns several car dealerships in the city and has close ties with San Antonio.

New Orleans hosts the Miami Dolphins tonight at 7 p.m. in its final preseason game, then is scheduled to host Tampa Bay on Sept. 7 in the season opener for both teams.