With temperatures expected to plunge below 30 degrees and a chance of snow looming for Monday night’s game at Lambeau Field, the New Orleans Saints have had to get creative to prepare for the unfamiliar conditions. For a team more accustomed to the controlled climate of the Caesars Superdome, playing in Green Bay’s iconic, frigid environment presents a unique challenge.
To help the Saints quarterbacks acclimate to the cold, quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko came up with an unconventional—and somewhat humorous—solution: practicing plays inside the team’s walk-in cafeteria freezer.
“This morning, Janocko took us into the cafeteria freezer, where it was like 10 degrees,” rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler revealed in an interview with ESPN. “We went through the whole script in there. Doing that helped a lot. Hopefully, it’s not 10 degrees out there, but we’ll be ready.”
Inspiration from the Movies
Janocko’s unusual idea wasn’t entirely his own. He admitted he drew inspiration from the 1993 movie Cool Runnings, where the Jamaican bobsled team trains for icy conditions in an ice cream truck.
“I think there’s something to be said about preparing for the cold so it’s not a shock,” Janocko explained. “It’s about making sure it’s not a surprise when the game starts. You prepare for the opponent, but you also prepare for the venue. So I thought this would be a fun way to shake things up.”
The approach seems to have had the desired effect, at least in terms of team morale. “Guys thought it was hilarious,” Janocko said. “The cafeteria workers think I’m out of my mind.”
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A Quarterback Challenge
Monday night’s game will be even more challenging for the Saints, as starting quarterback Derek Carr has been ruled out with a hand injury. This leaves rookie Spencer Rattler as the expected starter, putting him under immense pressure to lead the team in an environment few of his teammates are used to.
The Saints’ unconventional preparation might be crucial for Rattler, who has yet to play in conditions like those expected at Lambeau Field.
A Big Test
The Saints are currently in a heated playoff race, making this game critical for their postseason hopes. The Packers, known for their home-field advantage in cold weather, will be no easy opponent. For Rattler and the rest of the team, adjusting to the freezing temperatures will be as important as executing plays on the field.
While the walk-in freezer exercise may seem unconventional, it reflects the team’s willingness to adapt to any situation—an approach they’ll need to carry into Monday night’s game.
Whether this freezer strategy pays off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Saints are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for victory.
