3) Spend some well earned quality time with his family, travel the world, and get some distance from the game, so that he can come back fully rejuvenated for the 2013 season.

This might actually end up being a blessing in disguise, because it has been widely speculated that SP might retire from football after his current contract with the Saints runs out. But this year away from the game might just allow him to charge his batteries and give him the drive he needs to coach the Saints for another decade.