The Saints are the professional sports team in New Orleans. The only team the city supports. That's why fans here expect the Hornets to leave soon. After Katrina the Saints were seen as a team that represented the city. However it wasn't too long ago that the owner was threatening to move the team. Before the hurricane there was a chance the Saints would leave the city. This is the only team the city pays to see and while there is one hell of a nightlife here there is much more to do in South Florida. However, that's no excuse. The Dolphins have roots in South Florida but they haven't won consistently in years.
As of this off season the team has tried to replace the head coach and will try to replace the staring QB.
I can't disagree with the Phins having fairweather fans. There are so many snowbirds and people from the Caribbean and other countries. There was very little of that here until after Hurricane Katrina. The Saints are New Orleans. I am a die hard Phin fan and would love to live there and see every game.
On Sunday during football season, during a Saints game you walk the streets naked. Everyone is at home watching the Saints. There is rarely another game on tv when the Saints play. People here are Saints fans as opposed to football fans.