Should an evacuation order come down for the New Orleans metropolitan area, the Saints would temporarily move operations to Indianapolis, where head coach Sean Payton said the necessary facilities are available.

“The plan itself is not the hard part,” Payton said. “The dynamics of the location can change. What we need is a good hotel and an indoor facility where we can practice for the course of the week and we’ll be just fine.”

Alex Brandon / Associated Press

Sean Payton

Payton said the franchise looked at Atlanta, St. Louis and Indianapolis and the latter city had what they needed.

“We’ve got a hotel with meeting room space,” Payton said. “We’ve got a great facility that’s brand new that’s not being used at all next week.”

The Saints would practice at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis’ gleaming new facility where the Colts will play.

Payton stressed that the players would have most of Friday and Saturday off to tend to their families before flying to Indiana Sunday.

This isn’t the first time the Saints have had to come up with contingency plans. After Katrina, the franchise moved operations to San Antonio while New Orleans recovered from the monster storm.

For players like Deuce McAllister, who was on the team in 2005, tropical storms are always in their thoughts.

“It’s in the back of your mind at some point,” McAllister said. “At the same time, you have to play the game. Regardless of whether you’re playing here or playing there, you’re still playing. The thing you don’t want to have happen is the loss of lives.”

Officials did not say whether the Sept. 7 home opener against Tampa Bay would still be in the Superdome or be moved. They said it depends on what happens, but that the NFL would make any decisions related to location of the game.

David makes amends

The cheers came down from the stands near the seven minute point of the third quarter.

And Jason David could do nothing but likely breathe a sigh of relief.

Finally, a big play during the preseason in front of the home crowd.

David intercepted a Chad Henne pass midway through the third quarter and returned it 16 yards, his first pick in the preseason and a little bit of redemption after getting booed nearly two weeks in an exhibition game at the Superdome.

David came off the field to hugs and cheers from teammates.

“One thing I live by is that before the resurrection, there’s a crucifixion,” David said.  “I just go out there and make plays and have fun.”

A few plays earlier, David made his first standout contribution, shutting down a punt return for negative yards.

On Miami’s next series, David made a nice play, breaking up a long pass from Henne by diving and knocking the ball down.

“I was due,” David said.

Deuce gets good work

One of the players Sean Payton wanted a good look at Thursday night was Deuce McAllister, and he didn’t let anyone down.

He gained 30 yards on 11 carries and caught two passes for two yards.

While the numbers don’t stand out, the fact that he got up quickly several times after tough runs and hard hits was a positive. And when he juked a Miami cornerback before gaining seven yards, the fans delighted.

“I felt pretty good,” McAllister said. “There wasn’t anything I guess I didn’t see or feel comfortable with. There are just plays you want back as far as a step or two here.”

He added, “As the game wore on, I got better as the carries were going.”

Injury report

No one left with a major injury, giving head coach Sean Payton reason to breathe a sigh of relief. The preseason is over and no major injuries came out of it.

The only injury Thursday night: backup linebacker Troy Evans left with a tweaked ankle.

Other than that, the usual suspects sat out the game. TE Jeremy Shockey sat once more as he continues to heal his lower leg. RB Reggie Bush didn’t play as he continues to let his knee and thigh get better.

Others who didn’t play: QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston, RB Aaron Stecker, RB Pierre Thomas, WR David Patten and most of the starting defense.