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By Mike Triplett | ESPN.com

METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints opted for a rare approach after winning the coin toss inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome last Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. They deferred, opting to start on defense and take the ball in the second half instead.

In the past, Saints coach Sean Payton said he used to go with the simpler approach at home: “Hey, win the toss, we take the ball.”

But a couple things have changed his attitude recently. For one, he has continued to gain trust in the Saints’ defense, which has been downright dominant at times this season (and was again, starting with a three-and-out against San Francisco). For another, Payton realized that starting on defense can help sustain the home crowd’s pregame excitement.

Payton said a suggestion he received from a fan this past offseason helped drive that last point home.

“I receive a lot of letters in the offseason, during the season. And one letter I had was this guy [who] made an argument, ‘You had this crowd in a frenzy and then you take the ball and ask them to be quiet,’” Payton said. But he insisted the idea wasn’t completely fan-generated. “I’m not saying that suggestion was the reason, but it makes a lot of sense.”

Read More:
Saints morning report: Deferring to defense - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

AsylumGuido

It does make sense.

Danno

exile

I completely agree with this plan. It also gives us the zeal to double score (before the half, after the half).

Beastmode

Before this season our defense was a liability. Never wanted them on the field first. That was a sure way to take the crowd element out early. This season though, complete opposite.

Choupique

i trust our coaches, staff and players.

i don't trust talking heads.

it is called fierce undying loyalty no matter what the coaches decide upon. i trust them to do the best they can to make the right thing happen.

it is what fans from teams like atlanta do not have. loyalty. man, that has to suck.

be the difference. every day. have undying loyalty so you can truly call yourself a fan.

how many of you or the "journalists" have coached a team from the pits of katrina into a super bowl?

zip. nada. null set.

spread the word to LSU fans. help them learn about the concept of loyalty.

they're about as disloyal as a snake.