New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Peter King: The ultimate tool?

This may be a conspiracy worthy of 08, God love him, but tell me if you think I'm WAY off base.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...aft/index.html

Quote:

And just so you'll be able to follow me this weekend, I'll be writing from the Saints facility on Saturday. I'll be filing a series of mini-blogs starting after the first five picks, with the latest news I can dig up. Then I'll have my normal columns on Monday and Tuesday.

Exhibit 1: Peter King is in New Orleans for the draft.

Exhibit 2: Peter King is writing a big article posted on SI.com less than 24 hours before the draft.

Quote:

Texans | Owner wants top pick signed before draft
Fri, 28 Apr 2006 09:00:30 -0700

John McClain, of the Houston Chronicle, reports Houston Texans owner Bob McNair wants the team's No. 1 overall pick to be signed before they make it official Saturday, April 29. McNair said North Carolina State DE Mario Williams is still in the picture and could end up being the top pick if he agrees to a deal before the draft. Meanwhile, Southern Cal RB Reggie Bush's agent, Joel Segal, has exchanged numerous proposals with the Texans chief negotiator, vice president of administration Dan Ferens.

Exhibit 3: The Texans want their pick under contract before making the pick.

Quote:

Texans | Talks with M. Williams heating up
Fri, 28 Apr 2006 14:40:47 -0700

ESPN.com's John Clayton reports talks between the Houston Texans and North Carolina State DE Mario Williams are heating up. The Texans are now offering more than the money paid to QB Alex D. Smith, the first pick in last year's NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Williams might feel comfortable accepting the offer to become the first pick in this weekend's NFL Draft.

Exhibit 4: The Texans appear to be close to a deal with a player NOT named Reggie Bush. Now I think this is probably just a tactic to put pressure on Reggie to take what Houston is offering. But a tactic like this only works if Houston is willing to walk away from the deal and take Williams #1. I have to believe that a guy like Bob McNair isn't bluffing--Reggie Bush won't get a blank check, no matter how good he is. I wouldn't play poker with McNair (one of the few owners that I think really has some business saavy).

Quote:

New Orleans has Bush No. 1 on their board. (taken from Peter King's article)

Exhibit 5: Why on earth does a guy like Payton who seems to be a Parcells disciple and doesn't give anything to the media, let Peter King see the draft board less than 18 hours before making the pick?

BMG's 08-worthy conclusion:
Fellas, I think this is the mother of all smokescreens. I think that Payton and Loomis are letting Peter King see and report what they want him to see and report. Peter King is a bigger tool than any of us probably knew. I think the Saints have put the whole league on notice: don't think that we pass on Reggie Bush and if you want him you're going to pay through the nose for him. It's not really news, but it is interesting that the Saints let Peter King report who's on the top of the draft board. This could be a stroke of genius. IF this is what the Saints are doing, kudos to the front office. And I never thought I'd say this. Thank you Peter King for being such a tool.