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Having read comments on this forum for many, many years, one thing is for sure...
Fans can be more critical of their team than anyone else. I have read some very strong 'venom-like' comments about players and coaches alike. Sometimes those comments are unjust and uncalled for. Sometimes such comments are based on limited knowledge of a given situation. But all too often these strong fan reactions are 'spot on' even when they may be in slight violation of this sites TOS.
That said, I had to wonder about the helpless feelings that coach Payton endured as he watched his team fall short in so many categories week after week of this past season. Knowing how I personally felt while witnessing some of these epic collapses, I can only imagine how Sean Payton's blood pressure rose as his team became less and less a factor for possible advancement into the post season.
But publicly it's rare to see a coach react the way most rabid fans do when their team is stinking up the joint. Post game interviews of losing coaches usually contain such worn out lines as: "We're/I am just going to have to work harder.", "Give some credit to our opponent for executing their gameplan." and "We have to find a way to cut down on our mistakes." While these phrases might get a coach through an interview, it doesn't do much for knowledgeable fans who can see every tree in the forest!
So this past year coach Payton got the opportunity to 'enjoy' the football season just like one of us. He felt the same frustrations that we felt. He watched the ineptness of players and coaches with regard to failed execution and schemes. The difference is, when us fans cry for change, that's all we can really do is 'cry'.
Now I'm not trying to say that coach Payton would not have been aware of these shortcomings had he been at the helm this past season. We all know that he is more aware of the pros and cons of his team than all the critical armchair coaches put together. After all, NFL coaches see every aspect of every player's performance from midweek practice to the Monday (or Tuesday) game film reviews. Coach Payton KNOWS what his team needs!
However, some coaches may be slow to pull the trigger when there's a need for major personnel changes. Sometimes coaches do what is akin to putting new Michelins on an old rusted Chevy that burns oil. Let's face it, there's nothing easy about telling your players and staff that their services are no longer needed, especially when you see on a daily basis how hard they are working along side you for the common goal of winning football games.
But now it appears that our beloved coach is reading the same handwriting on the wall that many fans have been reading all season long and it appears that some of his actions may be the result of having to view last season the same way we all had to watch it. Like us he saw the hopelessness. Like us he felt the helplessness from afar. Yet unlike us he knew that he would have the power to bring the broom with him and arrange his house in the way(s) needed to keep his winning tradition alive in our grand city!
Many on this forum have expressed the adage of : "In Payton We Trust"
To date coach Payton has given us plenty of reasons to live by that expression. Save for coach Mora(Sr) there has been few reasons to be proud or confident in what was going on at Airline Drive. Perhaps this is why so many Saints fans agonized over Payton's cancelled contract and the rumors of his being courted by other teams. Still other fans showed concern about the issues in his private life as to how this may affect his ability to be a decisive and effective head coach.
Well folks, I believe we have our answer to any concerns that we may have when we witnessed the way Sean Payton took control immediately after his league suspension was lifted. I for one am almost giddy to see the wholesale changes that IMHO was absolutely necessary to get the New Orleans Saints back on the podium to hoist another Lombardi trophy.
And what we're seeing now may have a lot to do with the fact that he had to watch the season like one of us.
Like a frustrated fan.
Fans can be more critical of their team than anyone else. I have read some very strong 'venom-like' comments about players and coaches alike. Sometimes those comments are unjust and uncalled for. Sometimes such comments are based on limited knowledge of a given situation. But all too often these strong fan reactions are 'spot on' even when they may be in slight violation of this sites TOS.
That said, I had to wonder about the helpless feelings that coach Payton endured as he watched his team fall short in so many categories week after week of this past season. Knowing how I personally felt while witnessing some of these epic collapses, I can only imagine how Sean Payton's blood pressure rose as his team became less and less a factor for possible advancement into the post season.
But publicly it's rare to see a coach react the way most rabid fans do when their team is stinking up the joint. Post game interviews of losing coaches usually contain such worn out lines as: "We're/I am just going to have to work harder.", "Give some credit to our opponent for executing their gameplan." and "We have to find a way to cut down on our mistakes." While these phrases might get a coach through an interview, it doesn't do much for knowledgeable fans who can see every tree in the forest!
So this past year coach Payton got the opportunity to 'enjoy' the football season just like one of us. He felt the same frustrations that we felt. He watched the ineptness of players and coaches with regard to failed execution and schemes. The difference is, when us fans cry for change, that's all we can really do is 'cry'.
Now I'm not trying to say that coach Payton would not have been aware of these shortcomings had he been at the helm this past season. We all know that he is more aware of the pros and cons of his team than all the critical armchair coaches put together. After all, NFL coaches see every aspect of every player's performance from midweek practice to the Monday (or Tuesday) game film reviews. Coach Payton KNOWS what his team needs!
However, some coaches may be slow to pull the trigger when there's a need for major personnel changes. Sometimes coaches do what is akin to putting new Michelins on an old rusted Chevy that burns oil. Let's face it, there's nothing easy about telling your players and staff that their services are no longer needed, especially when you see on a daily basis how hard they are working along side you for the common goal of winning football games.
But now it appears that our beloved coach is reading the same handwriting on the wall that many fans have been reading all season long and it appears that some of his actions may be the result of having to view last season the same way we all had to watch it. Like us he saw the hopelessness. Like us he felt the helplessness from afar. Yet unlike us he knew that he would have the power to bring the broom with him and arrange his house in the way(s) needed to keep his winning tradition alive in our grand city!
Many on this forum have expressed the adage of : "In Payton We Trust"
To date coach Payton has given us plenty of reasons to live by that expression. Save for coach Mora(Sr) there has been few reasons to be proud or confident in what was going on at Airline Drive. Perhaps this is why so many Saints fans agonized over Payton's cancelled contract and the rumors of his being courted by other teams. Still other fans showed concern about the issues in his private life as to how this may affect his ability to be a decisive and effective head coach.
Well folks, I believe we have our answer to any concerns that we may have when we witnessed the way Sean Payton took control immediately after his league suspension was lifted. I for one am almost giddy to see the wholesale changes that IMHO was absolutely necessary to get the New Orleans Saints back on the podium to hoist another Lombardi trophy.
And what we're seeing now may have a lot to do with the fact that he had to watch the season like one of us.
Like a frustrated fan.
