TallySaint

Payton eager to get started with Saints


05:57 AM CST on Wednesday, January 18, 2006
By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR and TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News



IRVING – Wearing a navy blue Cowboys sweatshirt, assistant coach Sean Payton said Tuesday he can't wait to start his new job as the New Orleans Saints' head coach.

Payton, 42, who accepted the position about 4:30 p.m., said a news conference to formally introduce him as the Saints' head coach will be held at noon today at the team's facility in Metairie, La..

"It's an exciting time, and I'm looking forward to it," Payton told The News as he left the Cowboys' Valley Ranch training complex. "I've enjoyed my three years in Dallas, and I've learned a lot from working with a coach like Bill Parcells."

Payton's new job means the Cowboys will probably be looking for a play-caller. They could also be looking for a couple of assistant coaches.

Payton has spoken to the Cowboys about allowing linebackers coach Gary Gibbs and offensive line coach and running game coordinator Tony Sparano to join him in New Orleans as coordinators. Each is under contract with the Cowboys, who do not have to let them leave even if the new jobs represent promotions.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Payton said. "It's going to take a few days to see what direction we're going with the coordinators or if anyone will come with me."


Owner Jerry Jones and Parcells could not be reached for comment.

If Parcells wants to maintain the same setup, he could move receivers coach Todd Haley to passing game coordinator. Or he could decide to let Sparano run the entire offense.

Another option is to hire an offensive coordinator and let Sparano focus entirely on the offensive line.

If he chooses that option, Parcells might select Chris Palmer.

Palmer, the head coach when the Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, was also the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator for three seasons. He and Parcells worked together in New England.

Payton replaces Jim Haslett, who was fired after six seasons. The Saints went 3-13 in a tumultuous season that saw them play home games in San Antonio and Baton Rouge, La., after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

Payton spent much of the day at Valley Ranch in staff meetings before serious negotiations on his multiyear package with the Saints began at 1 p.m. The negotiations continued for more than three hours before a deal was consummated.

Payton spent the next hour saying good-bye to members of the Cowboys organization.

"Sean is an excellent coach who definitely deserves this opportunity," quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. "I will miss him, as will our team and organization but we wish him well. I'm sure he will be successful and a great asset to the Saints."

Payton was an attractive candidate because of his ability to work with quarterbacks. He helped turn around Kerry Collins in New York, and in Dallas had three quarterbacks – Quincy Carter, Vinny Testaverde and Drew Bledsoe – pass for more than 3,000 yards.

The Saints, who have the No. 2 pick in the draft, are expected to release veteran quarterback Aaron Brooks and select Matt Leinart or Vince Young in the April draft.

"I've always been a big believer in Sean and his style and what he was doing," said tight end Dan Campbell, who also played for Payton in New York. "He's one of the reasons I came down here because I knew what type of guy he was."


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