My own take on it is that Payton does not have any communication with the team... here's why. Because in spite of the media's intent to paint him as "arrogant" or "cocky" or "guilty," there is plenty of evidence to show that Sean Payton actually does have a lot of character and personal integrity, as a person, as a man, a father, a leader, etc. Meaning if Sean Payton says he's going to do something, or if he's told to do something, he does it, and will keep his promise -- his word means something. That stuff is important to him, as it is to any good leader. Unlike say, Goodell, who flip-flops and twists in the wind whichever way is favorable to him.

Think about the way that Payton took responsibility for "what happened" but never admitted to lying or being guilty of any of the allegations that Goodell said he had done...because Payton knows what he did and didn't do. He knows it's a sham punishment. But his own personal INTEGRITY -- "yes, it happened on my watch, and I am ultimately responsible" -- is obviously very important to him.

It could be potentially CATASTROPHIC if Payton was communicating with the team, and it was somehow discovered. It would blow the whole thing out the water-- anything else the Saints or Loomis or Payton were ever accused of, the Bounty stuff, the wiretapping, the crime of being "arrogant" or "above the law," all of it -- it would all suddenly become TRUE, or make him "guilty," in the eyes of the world, because Payton's integrity and credibility would be damaged beyond repair.

Whereas right now, he and all the other Saints coaches and players in this are basically being punished, but maintaining their innocence, and smart people out there know that Payton is getting a raw deal from Goodell. Sneaking around behind Goodell's back would mess up that position of moral high ground against shifty, beady eyed Goodell. Because people who are innocent and railroaded, they take it with honor -- they don't sneak around behind people's backs, trying to get one over on the teacher. The kids who are actually guilty of something, always do that.


The same cannot be said for GREGG WILLIAMS -- I wouldn't trust THAT guy as far as I could throw him (not far at all) and I have a feeling that he is secretly communicating with the Rams and with Fischer through his son Blake, who is still coaching for the Rams right now. I just don't trust that guy. In fact, I think he and Fischer and Blake were cooking something up while Williams was still with the Saints, during the playoffs, communicating through back channels or acquaintances, even though they are supposed to get permission from the league to approach coaches on other teams about hiring them. It was all rather fishy, how fast that whole thing came together after the Niners loss. I mean they are all buddies, and Jeff Fischer could call Gregg Williams' WIFE and talk to her, on Gregg's cell phone, and technically not be in violation of the league rules.

A lot of people that say "he had to know and condone" bounty gate.. because he was the head coach do not understand that sometimes a person of intelligence will protect others.

KNOWING a head coach is OBLIGATED to do something about certain things means he doesn't need to know. If you get caught he maintains plausible deniability.

Its why cabinet members and middle management get burned for antics and a President or CEO walks away scott free.