Coach P is still learning...and that's a GOOD thing (1 Viewer)

Pepper

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I remember hearing it every year during Haslett's tenure, "He's still learning to be a head coach", which was true. Except the learning part. He didn't seem to learn much, or at least didn't show any outward signs of changing his behavior year to year...and Rick Venturi was just the most obvious example.

It has been said in the last few years about Payton, in the same way. The "I like him, and here's a plausible excuse for his behavior".

Enter this year. He fired Gary Gibbs. He went out and did whatever it took to get the best coaching staff. He backed up his "We're committed to running the ball" with actions. He has visibly changed his playcalling style in certain situations. At least for now, the Saints are a completely balanced offense.

By all appearances, SP is doing what we've been saying the coach needs to do for 9 years...he's actually learning to be a HC. And he's putting what he learns into practice, which in the end is the most important thing.

Will we still see an end-around or a reverse (not a DOUBLE-REVERSE, mind you...it never is and never will be...) on 4th and 1? Maybe. But if we do, it appears we may only see it once or twice a season, instead of once a game.

And that's a GOOD thing.
 
Yeah! Payton has finally learned that, when you have a powerful offense, you don't need to run gadget plays on anywhere near a routine basis. Remember the pitch back to Reggie Bush that almost cost us the playoff game against the Eagles?

Anyway, a gadget paly completely out of the blue is what can really work to take the defense completely by surprise. While not a "gadget play", the onside kick against the Cowboys in '06 would be a prime example. Nobody was expecting that (certainly not the Tuna).
 
True, he is learning.

Before the Giants game, he actually said the team that ran the ball best would win the game.
That would have been a shocking statement a year ago.
 

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