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Sean Payton uses gut feeling to protect gut of Saints' offense in Jimmy Graham deal

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton addressed numerous angles Wednesday morning at the NFL owners meetings as to why the team traded tight end Jimmy Graham and a fourth-round pick to Seattle for center Max Unger and a first-round pick at the opening of free agency.

Payton said he used his gut feeling to protect the gut of the Saints offense.

"This would go for all of the quarterbacks in our league," Payton said Wednesday morning at the NFL owners meetings. "In other words when we go into a game, this spot two yards behind the center is like the most important piece of property in football. If we can occupy that spot, then we're going to win the game. Now that sounds kind of simple. ...

"That inside pocket is critical. Probably the most important play in the Super Bowl ... there's a third and like 15 and New England's down and Tom (Brady) steps, steps, steps and he hits that second window deep into I think it's (Julian) Edelman. The point I'm making is: Man, he's got that clean climb in the pocket.

"When that gets muddied, it gets tough to play that position."

Payton mentioned Wednesday that part of the philosophy behind much of the decision to deal Graham was to improve on defense. That leads you to believe the Saints will use the No. 31 overall pick on defense and the relief of cap space in the future can help secure more talent.

And yet the Saints picked up a two-time Pro Bowl center with securing the interior of the Saints' offensive line high atop the team's "must" fix list.

"Are we gonna be able to get value, where we consider equal value for a certain player? I mean, clubs are very guarded about, especially a first-round pick," Payton said. "Now be it with regards to Jimmy, a pick that's later in the first round and a player that we identified. So it's kind of two checks there.

"You're getting an interior lineman, which is one of these musts that we're discussing. You're also getting a first-round pick that you can hopefully help put towards one of your other needs or musts. Obviously we've gotta get better on defense. So there's a give and take there, and obviously there's that challenge in parting with a real good football player like Jimmy."

Payton comprehends how the Saints have to find offensive production elsewhere with Graham being the major focal point in the passing game with Drew Brees over the last four years. The Saints coach gushed over Josh Hill and seems like he'll be the main replacement for Graham along with Benjamin Watson.

"This Josh Hill is another player that I love," Payton said. "I love. When you look at his runs, jumps, height, weight, speed, you look at his measureables and he didn't go to the combine. Thank god.

"We were doing this study last year with the draft class talking about some of the top picks at tight end. ... Let's throw the numbers up on the board and compare them. ... Comparing him to the top guys in the draft, this guy is better. ... If I told you this guy was our third-round draft pick you'd be excited now. We've just got to get this jersey off his back that says, 'I came here as a free agent.' I think we feel like he has a bright future."

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