Originally Posted by The Dude (Post 942940) Thanks for everything Payton. You helped gave this city hope when there was very little hope in sight. Wish you success with future endeavors. I figured this would happen when he quit the competition committee. I think he’s over the refs, Covid protocol, and overall hypocrisy of the NFL. Sometimes a man needs to step away for a while. He will be back on the sidelines in 2023, just hope it’s in the AFC. I think this is the beginning of the end of NFL football in Louisiana. I hope Loomis doesn’t bail before he can help get out cap situation in better shape.

Originally Posted by darstep (Post 942851) If it's true...offense will continue to struggle so we definitely will need to keep playing Top-5 defense...Sign Allen as HC and at least 45% of what's required remains somewhat solid. There will be some moves and swaps on the defense but the template and the expectation stays in place.

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Full video: Sean Payton steps down as head coach of New Orleans Saints - YouTube

Originally Posted by ChrisXVI (Post 942953) Look on the bright side… the refs won’t hate us anymore!

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Originally Posted by RailBoss (Post 942975) I wouldn't count on that..

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Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 942990) I saw someone's analogy to Payton's stepping down that really made sense. They referred to Bill Cowher and how he left coaching. I had followed Cowher and his career closely over the years. I knew his late wife, Kaye, from covering NC State athletics (she and her twin sister Faye played basketball) and he was captain of the football team and team MVP. Cowher's message was extremely similar to what Payton said during his hour and a half press conference. He too had coached for some 15 years with the Steelers. He too said he felt it was just time to step away. He too said while he might consider coaching again someday he just wanted to enjoy life. He too mentioned staying involved with football via broadcasting. It's now been 14 years since Cowher retired and he's the happiest he's been since well before Kaye passed away. Payton is eight years older than Cowher was at the time. I would not be at all surprised if his coaching days are done, as well. There's nowhere he can coach where he had the freedom and support that he had in New Orleans. He absolutely doesn't need the money. He certainly doesn't need the pressure. His kids are both grown and could be starting families themselves. He said in his press conference that he and Skylene were staying in Louisiana and moving to a new property in New Orleans. It sounds as though he just wants to settle down. He appeared to be genuinely happy and relaxed. Just like Cowher.

Originally Posted by TheOak (Post 943002) You don’t know jack****. :bng:

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 943003) You are 100% correct! None of us do, Oak. I have my opinion just like others, though, right?

Originally Posted by neugey (Post 942955) If Payton is tired of Goodell's nonsense I wonder if his eventual return to coaching might be with a college team.

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One excerpt from Trotter's article above dealt with a part of what Payton said yesterday that also stood out to me.

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As he met with reporters for one final time, he looked both comfortable and pained. He didn't have the visor on his head, whistle around his neck, or Saints shirt or pullover that seemed a daily staple. Instead he wore a collarless gray shirt, because, he said, his late mother once told him the color matched his eyes. Those eyes clouded during parts of his address, like when asked: Why now?

"I just felt like this season -- it was challenging for everyone -- but, man, I felt like it was time," he said. "I kind of knew heading into training camp, but you don't share that with anyone. You think, 'Let's see how the season goes.' And we're working hard and ..."

Payton paused and reached for a water bottle. He took a big gulp, then continued: "I felt the time was right for me. It's something I've been thinking about. You have close friends in the industry; I've lost a few close friends in this industry in the last two or three years. And forget football, there's a lot of other things (that are important). There's a lot of sacrifices you make. Not many get to choose their terms, and I looked at it as an opportunity to see my kids more, to travel more, to get in better shape. ... The attention to details are so important they can be exhausting, and so I felt as this season was winding down that it was the right thing. The last week and half I've gotten comfortable with that."

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Originally Posted by darksoul35 (Post 943056) Im sick AF over this. Just please lets not go back to the paper bags.

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Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 943096) https://twitter.com/MichaelFazende/s...21099647131655

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 943097) Who the hell is Michael Fazende?

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Read down in this same link because there's another good article by Triplett ...

Or here's the direct link.

Sean Payton put the New Orleans Saints in a 'better' place, but what's next?