After making a $100+ million bet on a mid-career QB turnaround story and making a high risk first round pick on a guy with minimal game tape betting on another turnaround story, its great to know that we feel so confident about the analytics element of both those decisions that we kept the guy leading them around for a few weeks before parting ways before the season even began.

If we thought this guy gave us such a big edge I am sure we could make it worth his while to move if we needed to. If we couldn't, can you think of any job that would be easier to do remotely than analytics? This guy could make graphs from Miami. Software runs in Miami. Its very very possible to present a chart and data table on zoom. Analytics is not hands on. Algorithms don't require a personal touch. Numbers can be emailed in many types of attachments. The most reasonable reading of this is that either we weren't confident in him even though he was just involved in crucial franchise altering decisions, or he does not feel confident in Saints management and wanted to distance himself, or there was a big disagreement and the team went against its own analytics in recent big moves and forced a breakup.

My guess is that Payton's comments on the Broncos analytics department hit deep with the franchise and they are looking to go in a new direction with a fresher approach to analytics. Out with the old and in with the new. The only constant is change.

I think the missus had more to do with his not renewing his contract than any difference in philosophy between the Saints and himself. LOL! She had to have been getting a bit tired of his commuting to and from Nola to their home in Miami.

If Michael Thomas can do his job remotely, surely an analytics guy can? How much harder can it be to email a spreadsheet than to email a reception?

If Michael Thomas can do his job remotely, surely an analytics guy can? How much harder can it be to email a spreadsheet than to email a reception?