New Orleans, La. -- When it comes to the Saints, no stadium is too far away for fans.
"Why not? Come on, it's the Saints, it's pre-season, it's the first game. We're going," said Jean Drufner after she and her husband received their boarding passes at Louis Armstrong International Airport.
They were flying to Canton, Ohio for Sunday's game. The Saints will hit the football field against the Arizona Cardinals.
"The Saints are going to show what they're all about, they going make it work," said Doug Drufner.
Others traveling to the game reflected on the major developments during the off season. For starters, head coach Sean Payton is suspended for the entire season because of the bounty scandal. So among the excitement, there were not-so-fond feelings for the NFL commissioner.
"We're not going for the Saints, though, we're going to boo Roger Goodell," said Bob Doll before heading to the gate to catch his flight.
Miles from the airport, fans who will watch the game on television were flocking to the Black and Gold Shop in Metairie.
"Trash can, this is for my kid's room during. I'm doing it all Saints, the trash can, the rug," said Derrick Santacruze.
Inside the shop, business was teeming, as was optimism.
"I know we're going to win, first of all, and I would like to see Drew Brees because you know it's the first game back," added Santacruze.
"It's really been busy since Drew Brees signed, and now with the training camp opened up we've been really steady," said Pam Randazza, owner of the Black and Gold Shop.
And so far, Randazza said merchandise shipments are keeping pace with demand.
"Anytime between July and August is when it starts pouring in," stated Randazza.
Randazza said she has seen the fervor for the Saints explode over the years.
"You know, I opened here in '92 and people didn't wear stuff to the game, and they didn't care whether they were on TV or not... when the storm hit, everything just changed. And then, of course, when they won the Super Bowl," she said.
"Been waiting for it since the beginning of the off season," said Drew Hurst of Sunday's game as he and his family picked out team memorabilia. He now resides in Houston, but remains a diehard "Who Dat."
Despite the setbacks the team has weathered in recent months, fans are hoping for a winning season and a place in the 2013 Super Bowl at the Superdome.
"Hope that they can make it through the season without Sean," stated Doll.
"As long as we have Drew Brees and that offense, we're going to be a strong force to reckon with," Santacruze said emphatically.
"We'll do it, doesn't matter, always been a team that steps up," said Drufner.
