Crusader

Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing
Jeff Diamond>INSIDE THE NFL

This August has basically been business as usual for New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis -- long training camp days full of practices and meetings, hoping for no key injuries through dull preseason games, studying players as he and his staff prepare for roster cutdowns. In short, getting the Saints ready to defend their NFC South title in a year in which Super Bowl XLVII is in the Saints' home dome.

September, however, will be a departure from the norm for Loomis. That's when the eight-game suspension for his alleged role in the Saints' alleged bounty system kicks in. He must exit team offices after Aug. 30, the team's final preseason game, and have no contact with Saints staff members, coaches or players until he returns after the Nov. 5 game against Philadelphia. On top of that, head coach Sean Payton is suspended for the entire year.

While obviously not happy about the situation, Loomis is not overly concerned about the impact his impending absence might have on the team.

"In terms of timing, the hay will be in the barn on the roster, contract negotiations and the coaching staff decision on who will fill Joe Vitt's role [as interim head coach during Vitt's own six-game suspension]," Loomis said, without tipping his hand as to who the interim coach will be during Vitt's absence.

"I have a lot of confidence in our coaching and personnel staff here," he added. "We have a pretty good system in place and a lot of trust. I'm not overly worried. I expect they'll be able to handle anything that comes up."

Loomis has been the Saints' executive vice president and GM since 2002. He's already been with the team in tough times -- namely the 3-13 2005 season in which the team dealt with the immense difficulties caused by Hurricane Katrina. But in the wake of that season, Loomis put together the foundation of what has become one of the most stable franchises in the league, including the hiring of Payton as head coach and the signing of Drew Brees in free agency.

Loomis was named NFL Executive of the Year in 2006 for those efforts, and saw the work validated with 2009's magical Super Bowl run. The Saints have won more regular season and playoff games (41) than any other NFL team over the past three seasons.

Today, Loomis finds comfort knowing the stability he helped establish will get the Saints through this latest adversity. He'll look to director of pro scouting Ryan Pace, director of college scouting Rick Reiprish and director of football administration Khai Harley -- all experienced members of the front office -- to handle things in his absence.

What the Saints will miss most are intangibles that Loomis brings in terms of leadership, motivation and setting the tone for the organization, but he feels the team will overcome that.


Read more: Mickey Loomis thinks New Orleans Saints will handle bounty adversity well in 2012 - Jeff Diamond - SI.com

Great article IMHO. Sounds like he is taking a really good approach to his suspension, using it to get better instead of getting bitter.

W.T. Sherman is my favorite General. After all he did order Atlanta to be burned to the ground.

TheOak

Did not know this:

We are the winningest team in the last three years.

We are 31 W / 14 L with a .759 win ratio

The Saints have won more regular season and playoff games (41) than any other NFL team over the past three seasons.

Rugby Saint II

I didn't realise that Loomis has been here since '02. He really took off when Payton arrived on the scene.