neugey

It isn't the playcalling
It isn't being an offensive savant
It isn't being a QB guru
It isn't the 5-2 record

(though those things help)

It's inspiring a man on crutches to dance for you.
It's having an assistant coach run down the sideline and give you a noogie after a huge play.
It's tweaking the Superdome fans that they aren't being loud enough.

It's being more considerate and transparent to the press and admirably filling
the void after your undisputed hall of fame captain QB retires
It's finding a middle ground with Michael Thomas, when in the past you would have burned the bridge
It's moving on from Bountygate, the Minnesota Miracle and the Rams PI non-call and turning those disappointments into fuel for your team

It's standing your ground and earning loyalty from the players you saw something in (Kamara, Davenport, Deonte Harris) when few others did


Very few NFL teams - possibly no other teams - have the level of culture and buy-in Payton has manifested.


That is true growth, and genius.