Jeff Duncan: Inside the Saints Culture Issues

Over the years we’ve heard of coaches getting “their guys in the building”. I’ve seen this in many different levels of business too. People will focus on what they want to but I can only speak to what I’ve seen. The article mentions the vast majority of players staying on board. You don’t win 3/4 to make a late season run if there is a mass mutiny. This appears to be a limited problem.

I don’t think this disconnect is new either. You’ve heard various players speak about people needing to handle their business. It’s obvious that some in the building weren’t doing so. I’m talking players too. On field issues were easy to see.

Regardless of where the problem lies, you can’t run back the entire Payton thing without Payton. Whether it’s DA or a new coach, they will need “their guys”. When Sean got to Denver, I chided him for bringing in some lower end former Saints. The reality was, he was adding players to the building who he knew would respect his culture. By nature, every coach has his own way and it won’t work for everyone. When you’re taking over someone else’s team, you need some people who will buy In and establish the new culture.

Sean isn’t DA and DA isn’t Sean. Neither are the up and coming coordinator that could end up replacing them. When change happens, change needs to happen at many levels. Whoever the coach is here, it’s time to rebuild this roster. Sometimes good coaches struggle to get through and you hear teams say it was time for a new voice. Well, even if that ends up being the case, that new voice comes with roster changes.

Let’s fondly remember the past and just move forward with those who want to be here. Mickey speaks of an end of the year evaluation across the board. Well that will happen and I think we’ll get some insight as to where some of the problems came from.