RockyMountainSaint

Saints’ announcer tells about Payton’s ‘cleansing effect’

By Brinda Fuller Willis

JACKSON — Longtime New Orleans Saints radio broadcaster Jim Henderson told the Touchdown Club of Jackson that new head coach Sean Payton has had a “cleansing effect� since his arrival as head coach.

Henderson doled out a litany of personnel changes Payton made, getting rid of troublemakers to produce the new New Orleans Saints, who are off to a 5- start. Henderson’s list included Wayne Gandy, Lecharles Bentley, Kendall Jacocks, Donté Stallworth, Courtney Watson, Darren Howard, Dwight Smith, Boo Williams and Johnathan Sullivan.

“A lot of good guys were brought in to replace these troublemakers, beginning with Drew Brees and Reggie Bush,� Henderson said.

He said the Saints made a wise decision in hiring Payton, an ex-FBI agent, as their head coach.

“Payton holds players accountable for their actions,� Henderson said, adding that Payton tells his players, “playing in the NFL is not just your job, it is a privilege.� Henderson gave Payton kudos for how he treats sponsors, media and fans after every game, thanking them for their support and to make them feel they are a part of game and the Saints organization.

“Payton cares about New Orleans,� Henderson said. “I don’t think (former head coach Jim Haslett) ever really liked New Orleans.

“If coaches make mistakes on quarterbacks, it often costs them their jobs; I think it cost Jim Haslett his job. Haslett had too many favorites. Payton is very business-like and treats everybody the same … in a very matter-of-fact way. With Payton as head coach, it’s no longer Deuce, Deuce, throw to Horn and punt. Payton is letting Brees throw the ball even in some short yardage situations.�

Henderson spoke passionately about his thoughts on Hurricane Katrina and its effect on the Saints, “the Superdome wouldn’t have gotten redone and our fan base would surely have eroded even more with a 3-13 record.�

Speaking about the Saints’ training camp in Jackson this year, Henderson said, “We had a great bonding experience here in Jackson. No real complaints during camp except the heat. It was a hard camp, but I think the conditioning paid off with less injuries in the regular season thus far. The Saints will come back for training camp next year but I don’t think there will be another exhibition game … not a good experience with traffic and getting fans into the stadium.�

Henderson let the Touchdown Club in on some of his predictions and personal picks about the League, naming Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers as the best receiver in the NFL, Clemson has a great world of speed, Drew Brees is one of the least sacked quarterbacks in the League, Payton is probably on his way to be named Coach of the Year, the Saints are a team on its way to Los Angeles and jokingly … Cincinnati is the University of Miami in the NFL.

“I feel the Saints have made some good decisions,� Henderson said. “You see new stuff, something different, from Sean Payton every weekend.�


http://www.starherald.net/cnhi/starh...yword=topstory

I'm no one.
Who are you?

LSUJeremy

What the hell?

"the Saints are a team on its way to Los Angeles"

BJSim

Jeremy, I had to read that bit more than once too. Maybe the jokingly was put in the wrong spot.

hagan714

Knowing Jim, he will not let the issue go to the back burner. He will keep reminding us what is at risk here. The issue is not dead. we still have to get a new lease agreement soon and the nfl did make it cheaper for Benson to leave the state. do not forget this. that is why fan support is so important even in games like last week.

RockyMountainSaint

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

Chill please.
Los Angeles Saints will not happen.