Jeff Duncan: Saints problems go beyond the coach or QB [mod edit] (1 Viewer)

[Saint Spud]

Maybe I missed the part about him saying why he retired, I don't ever remember him making any definitive remarks on why.....

I happen to believe that there was a power struggle but it's just a guess.....

I don’t think there was a power struggle. Payton had all the power. It was:

1. Payton had been here a long time and (like Parcells) was always weary of things getting stale. He had showed interest in other jobs before.

2. Covid seasons were brutal and took a lot out of him

3. Drew was done and Jameis suffered a devastating injury after starting off pretty hot.


Combine that with an aging roster and it all made sense.

 

[sfidc3]

I don’t think there was a power struggle. Payton had all the power. It was:

1. Payton had been here a long time and (like Parcells) was always weary of things getting stale. He had showed interest in other jobs before.

2. Covid seasons were brutal and took a lot out of him

3. Drew was done and Jameis suffered a devastating injury after starting off pretty hot.


Combine that with an aging roster and it all made sense.

I disagree that there wasn't a power struggle, but above is certainly a plausible theory....contributing factors.....

 

[Hedon James]

Maybe I missed the part about him saying why he retired, I don't ever remember him making any definitive remarks on why.....

I happen to believe that there was a power struggle but it's just a guess.....

The only thing I've ever heard CSP say is "it was time", with his coy "i know something you don't know" smile. All Saints fans know that smile.

I don't know why he left. I just know it was more than he's saying. I've speculated on what I think it might have been...connecting the dots I see in a manner that I think explains it. But I'll be the first to admit that is like looking at stars trying to see constellations....someone else could connect those dots in a different way, and see a different constellation. When/if CSP ever writes his next book, I hope this story is in there, because I'll buy that one too. And my $$$ is on the scenario that Mr. Benson passed away, which resulted in an internal power struggle, and Mr. Benson wasn't there to offer support. CSP recognized that the river was flowing different without Mr. Benson at the helm and decided to swim to shore. If that isn't it, I'll be surprised. But I do hope to learn the TRUE story someday, at least the truth as CSP saw it. That was one of the strangest exits I've ever seen from a HC.

 

[Saint Spud]

I disagree that there wasn't a power struggle, but above is certainly a plausible theory....contributing factors.....

Who was the power struggle between?

 

[Saint Spud]

The only thing I've ever heard CSP say is "it was time", with his coy "i know something you don't know" smile. All Saints fans know that smile.

I don't know why he left. I just know it was more than he's saying. I've speculated on what I think it might have been...connecting the dots I see in a manner that I think explains it. But I'll be the first to admit that is like looking at stars trying to see constellations....someone else could connect those dots in a different way, and see a different constellation. When/if CSP ever writes his next book, I hope this story is in there, because I'll buy that one too. And my $$$ is on the scenario that Mr. Benson passed away, which resulted in an internal power struggle, and Mr. Benson wasn't there to offer support. CSP recognized that the river was flowing different without Mr. Benson at the helm and decided to swim to shore. If that isn't it, I'll be surprised. But I do hope to learn the TRUE story someday, at least the truth as CSP saw it. That was one of the strangest exits I've ever seen from a HC.

Payton has constantly gone out of his way to praise Mrs. Benson. And says Loomis is still his best friend.

Again, I don’t see who would be involved in these power struggles. Payton had full control. He had also been looking for other opportunities for years (Including the colts with Andrew Luck)

 

[sfidc3]

Who was the power struggle between?

CSP and ML.....and it's my belief, not claiming to "know".....

 

[sfidc3]

When/if CSP ever writes his next book, I hope this story is in there, because I'll buy that one too. And my $$$ is on the scenario that Mr. Benson passed away, which resulted in an internal power struggle, and Mr. Benson wasn't there to offer support. CSP recognized that the river was flowing different without Mr. Benson at the helm and decided to swim to shore. If that isn't it, I'll be surprised. But I do hope to learn the TRUE story someday, at least the truth as CSP saw it. That was one of the strangest exits I've ever seen from a HC

I agree with all of this.....had Tom Benson lived longer I think CSP would still be here.....

 

[Hedon James]

Payton has constantly gone out of his way to praise Mrs. Benson. And says Loomis is still his best friend.

Again, I don’t see who would be involved in these power struggles. Payton had full control. He had also been looking for other opportunities for years (Including the colts with Andrew Luck)

Those are fair points. And I don't know you're wrong.

I'll listen to what people SAY, but I pay more attention to what they DO. In this case, I personally believe the words are inconsistent with his actions. If we are to believe CSPs words, he left a HC dream scenario (a wonderful owner and front office relationship) in the middle of his contract. That's the part I have a problem with. IMO, it's "inconsistent."

And I'd expect him to only say good things about the organization he's leaving. He wanted a future opportunity, and a malcontent isn't going to get that if he trashes his old organization on the way out the door. And he won't do it now, because he's in the middle of his Broncos tenure, and he's not going to burn any bridges until he's CERTAIN he's done coaching. JMO...

The only other scenario I can imagine that makes sense (to me, at least) is that CSP was looking for his "next challenge." He had already resurrected the Saints from the ashes once....maybe he considered it a given (in his mind) that he'd be able to do it again. Maybe he considered a new team a bigger challenge? Parcells tree! I find this explanation quite plausible also, but can't reconcile him walking out on his contract after having signed an extension so recently. So I give the nod to an unseen power struggle. JMO....

You may be right. I just hope we learn more someday.