(Starts at 16:25)
PFT- "I understand the interest and skepticism, but this is where I plan on coaching,” Payton said. “I don’t envision myself coaching anywhere else.” Payton said that he didn’t have any contact with another team in the last few days and pointed out that it would have had to come via the Saints rather than directly to him. Payton thinks the “cart gets ahead of the horse a little bit” when it came to reports about his potential departure, but didn’t say it was out of the question when the discussions with Loomis started. He said he found it hard to believe that a team would have paid the compensation that Loomis was looking for while noting that he’d also have to sign off on going to coach a different team, a pair of things that led him to believe “in my heart of hearts” that he’d remain with the Saints. Along with the status update, Payton spoke warmly of his time in New Orleans and about the city in general while also comparing the team’s salary cap situation to a family “climbing out of debt” when discussing what’s to come for the team this offseason. Not much to say here. I am not the braggadocious type. Just want to point out that no one, other than Jay Glazer and myself, even entertained the possibility of Sean Payton staying in New Orleans. Again, no need to shower me with praise. That's what I am here for. To bring to light logical, rational thought when the rest of the sports media is running around chasing their tail. I don't want to make this about me. It's not. It's about Sean Payton. Well, it's also about the negligence of a large majority of NFL "insiders", but it's mostly about Sean Payton. What the old saying? The devil you know is better than the devil you don't? Sean Payton is far from a flawless Head Coach. With that said, the interest his potential departure drew from around the league speaks volumes. He is still very much an upper echelon head coach, and he's an upper echelon head coach that has undeniable chemistry with one of best quarterbacks in NFL history. The Saints have their issues, mainly the salary cap and a rebuild that is only partially complete, which Payton himself discussed at length. However, you don't cut off your nose to spite your face. What Sean Payton and Drew Brees have is irreplaceable, an atrocious defense is not. I'll admit, it got a little rough in the middle of the season. A home loss to the Titans. Getting their doors blown off by Washington and Houston. I wasn't always sold on seeing this plan through to it's conclusion. There were games in which Sean Payton looked disinterested. There were times when a disconnect seemed very, very real. However, this team managed to finish off the season winning 3 of it's last four, and showed some unquestionable promise in the process. They blew things up last year in an attempt to compete in the future, and it was Saints fans undying optimism that was really to blame for their disappointment this year. Half of the roster was brand spanking new. You don't win with type of turnover. This was always a long term plan, and it made no sense to get rid of the person they decided to let institute it. I am glad Sean Payton is back. I am glad that Sean Payton seems glad to be back. I am glad that his press conference today was filled with the same type of nervous energy (his words, not mine) that he felt when he first took over this Saints team. Hopefully that's a good omen for his future, because Drew Brees numbers were no accident. He still has plenty of good football left in front of him, and I can't think of one person better suited to get the best out of him than Sean Payton. P.S. Fuck you Ian Rapoport.
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