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By Jeff Duncan / Times-Picayune
Q: You wrote that Payton was really relying on second half substitutions to keep fresh legs on the field in the second half game in Miami. Obviously that is always part of every game plan, but is Payton doing this more than usual compared to previous seasons or to other teams because of our depth? Is that something he was doing a lot of in the previous 5 games? And it seemed like neither Pierre Thomas nor Reggie Bush was really able to run in the first half. I know we weren't running the ball as much, but when we did were there blocking problems, running problems, good defense by Miami, or was it really just on Payton's shoulders? Isaac Byrne, New York.
A: Isaac, being a Saints fan in New York, I can only imagine how much you enjoyed the recent hat trick against the Bills, Jets and Giants. Two good questions. First, I think the platoon system is a recent phenomenon. It certainly is at linebacker, where Troy Evans and Jo-Lonn Dunbar are subbing for Scott Fujita. I think the running back rotation is Payton's way of getting all three of his backs involved and finding them role that play to their strengths. The Meachem rotation could be nothing more than circumstance. He's the team's best run-blocking receiver and plays in a lot of single-receiver running packages but the Saints rarely went to that package against Miami because of the score.
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