OT Saints hiring Payton? http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2295741 NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints will hire Dallas Cowboys assistant Sean Payton to his first NFL head coaching job, sources close the Saints and Cowboys told ESPN's John Clayton. [SIZE=-2]Payton[/SIZE] A Saints' official speaking on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press the formal announcement wasn't expected until Wednesday. Payton has been a quarterbacks coach for three seasons under Bill Parcells in Dallas. He also held the title of assistant head coach. Before that, he was a New York Giants assistant, a stint that included that team's NFC Championship in 2000. Payton was one of five candidates interviewed by the Saints at the team's headquarters last week. The others were Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson, Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, former Green Bay head coach Mike Sherman and former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz. Payton will succeed Jim Haslett, whose tenure lasted six years. The Saints were 3-13 in 2005, a season in which all of their "home" games were played on the road because of Hurricane Katrina. The Saints were a .500 team during Haslett's first five seasons combined. Payton has said the Saints' poor showing in 2005 did not deter him from seeking the job. "It's hard to look at their talent now compared to their record with all of the circumstances and things that they've gone through," Payton said last week. "It's a team that's certainly shown that they can be competitive and I would look forward to that challenge." Payton's background as a quarterbacks coach -- he also had a very brief pro playing career at that position in the CFL and as a Chicago Bears replacement player in the 1987 strike season -- could serve him well in New Orleans, which is expected to draft a quarterback with the second overall pick in the NFL draft. Aaron Brooks, the Saints' starter for most of the past six seasons, had his worst season in 2005 and was benched for the final three games. If the Saints keep Brooks they would owe him about $6.5 million in salary next season. When Payton interviewed for the job, he declined to comment on whether he thought Brooks should stay or go, but he did say that the Saints asked him about developing a quarterback. "We talked about that," Payton said. "I enjoy coaching that position. I enjoy being involved in the offense. I would certainly look forward to being involved with that development." Payton could not be reached at the Dallas Cowboys' headquarters on Tuesday evening. This is the first coach hired by current general manager Mickey Loomis, who was promoted after team owner Tom Benson fired Randy Mueller in 2002. Mueller, now the Miami Dolphins' GM, hired Haslett. Payton is the second straight coach hired by the Saints with no head coaching experience. It worked well early last time as Haslett took the Saints to the franchise's first playoff victory in his first season. But New Orleans has missed the playoffs in the five seasons since.
hes actually a well respected guy across the nfl and is known as a hard ass which new orleans needs. haslett lost control of that team long ago. payton being a disciple of parcells and gruden has to be an upgrade in most areas. hes known to get a bit too carried away with his play calling cuz hes one of those non-stop dudes. he's ADD or something. i think hes a good hire if they didnt pay him 3 million + what some idiot said today. if benson paid that for some newbie he really is senile and should sell all his car businesses along with the saints. haslett is a shoe-in for the bills job. the owner there loved haslett when he played for them years ago. i think haslett can be successful but new orleans certainly is a dead end for most coaches. im actually surprised the saints didnt wait til they were the last team to hire with 30 teams looking to fill the position so it seems.
He also had the offense that took the Giants to the Super Bowl the year before. I think this is a good hire. Better than some coaching retread - I honestly don't know what the allure is of hiring an NFL coach who was fired from his most recent job.
well said. This guy fits in well with benson's plan for the team. I would of preferred martz and that is not saying much.
yeah jim fassell, the offensive guru of the Ravens? he shoulda listened to payton. :hihi: :hihi: i guess he takes credit for tutoring elway and simms since we know how raw they were. just another retread. like tigerfan alluded, give me the new blood any day of the week over the retreads.
