the VG board football thread
If Mudd was allowed, I think Payton would be too.
Payton had more than a MCL tear. He also broke the bone in his knee.
As far as Mudd, I didn't notice him. Was he actually standing on the sideline or was he sitting on the bench? If he was on the bench because he had to be there, I can see why Payton would rather be in the press box where he can see and give input rather than sitting on the bench where he can't see anything.
At any rate, regardless of if Payton was on the sideline or not, that was not going to change the fact that we got a punt blocked and that Charles Brown just let Chris Long run by him on nearly every play. That's what cost us the game, not Payton being in the press box and not a lack of fire or desire. Sure, the entire team played lack luster, but if Brown even plays a decent game and we don't have the punt blocked, we win easily. And, no amount of desire or the presence of Payton on the side line is going to make Charles Brown block better or stop Amaya from getting run over. I really think people are over thinking this. It's about a lack of blocking and it really doesn't go any deeper than that.