Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...7771157190.xml

While at Michigan State, Saban tried two convince Gates to play football instead of basketball, but he didn't, transferred to Kent State, and played b-ball until he wasn't drafted and went to the NFL. Now tell me that isn't an eye for talent. And we don't want this guy as our coach why?

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

Of course we want him -- the times picayune had an article saying we should open the doors for Saban. Since Baton Rouge is so close to New Orleans the Saints may have a better chance at him.

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

You may want him, and I know I want him, but a few people on this board told me there is no way we should take a shot at him cause he won\'t be any better. They pointed to his record at Michigan State and said \"we don\'t want that.\" I hope we open the bank to get him and give him whatever he wants.

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

I think Saban could be a good NFL coach, and (unlike some) I think he might even be willing to try, but what scares me off is the recent history of darling college coaches who\'ve flopped in the NFL. The big two:

Many expected Steve Spurrier to take the NFL by storm, instead he refused to accept the fact that his style of offense simply didn\'t work in the NFl, especially when he brought in many of his former underlings (instead of real NFL talent) to try and execute it. Danny Wuerffel? Come on, he couldn\'t even make it with the Saints!

Butch Davis has finally been put out of his misery in Cleveland, after earning great respect for resurrecting a troubled Miami Hurricanes team. But while he seemed a brilliant judge of talent in the college ranks, bad personnel decisions became his downfall in the NFL. Lousy draft picks, Davis\' inability to decide on (or to remain faithful to) starters at key positions (Tim Couch/Kelly Holcombe, Lee Suggs/William Green), and questionable FA moves (Jeff Garcia?) were some real problem areas.

This is not to say I believe Saban would suffer the same fate, but I fear he might. And of course for every Spurrier there\'s a Jimmy Johnson, I suppose. I certainly don\'t have the answer for our coaching woes, but I sure hope Benson does...

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

Mutey, Saban was on Belichek\'s staff in Cleveland, and is still a consultant and good friend of Belichek\'s. Like I told someone else, if Bill Belichek trusts his opinion, I sure as hell do. And the difference between him and some of those other college coaches is he has had some experience at the NFL level. He knows how it works. Makes him different than other candidates. We\'ll see what happens.

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

If Saban were to leave LSU, then I would prefer that he coach the Saints. But, outside of Crennel, wouldn\'t he have his pick of where to go? Clayton reported on ESPN radio that Saban wants complete control over player personnel as well. I\'m not saying that\'s a bad thing, especially for the Saints, since the head coach is over player personnel in it\'s current state, but would that hurt his chances? Does he want to take over for this team with all the drama that surrounds it?

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

Hmm, I had forgotten about that, but it\'s essentially the type of criteria I\'m looking for. I didn\'t remember that he\'d coached under Belichek, but I\'d sure rather we get someone with some NFL experience under their belt...

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

Hey BNB, I don\'t disagree with you. I think at this point, Saban and Crennel both have the pick of where they wanna go. The main problem is exactly as you outlined, will Benson be willing to make Loomis take a back seat and give Saban that much control? I hope he does. He has to know how much ticket sales would go back up with not just a coaching change, but Nick Saban??? The resurrector of LSU? He can\'t pick a better person to pin his hopes on. And, in your opinion, do you think that would change the attitudes some of those around Baton rouge have about the Saints and New Orleans in general? I think so. If nothing else, Benson should pursue Saban and give him the option to turn it down. That woudl convince me of an attitude change in the team.

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

LSU fans feel like Saban could walk on water, so yes, I think that would help change the persona of the team.
People bring up Loomis when referring to player decisions, more than I think they should. I know he structures the contracts, and he\'s very good at that. But I would be suprised if he had any input as to who they sign or who they pick in the draft, outside of, \"we can\'t afford him.\" I put together projects all day at work, but the one thing I\'m not allowed to do is sign off on them. That responsibility falls to my superior, regardless of whether or not she reads through them. I think the same thing applies here. They may require Loomis to sign off on all personnel moves, but from an evaluation of talent standpoint, I don\'t think, nor do I think he has any desire, to give any input as to the subject.

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

You could be right BNB, but I have read a couple of articles now that say Loomis has made some of the decisions. I too was under the impression it had fallen more to Halsett since Mueller was fired so I believe you are right. Whatever the case may be, whatever input he HAD should be strictly relegated to the cap, and hands off personnel altogether.

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

Yup yup, my sentiments exactly.

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

Saban is an interesting idea for two reasons:
1) He has been highly successful in a number of places.
2) He comes from the Belicheck school of rock.

The proximity to NO also gives the Saints some bargaining power I think, or at least a hand up on the competition.

That said, I still maintain that NFL coordinators tend to work far more often that college coaches making the transition. Give me Crennel or Weis over Saban... sorry.

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

Don\'t be sorry for that, WhoDat, you have too much else to be sorry for ;)
Like I said earlier, if Saban were to leave LSU, I would prefer that it would be with the Saints. I just can\'t picture it. If I were in his shoes, in my left hand, I would be one of the highest paid head coaches in Division I football, I\'ve already won a National Championship (all you USC suckers can shut the **** up), so I basically can do any damn thing I want for the next 20 years, as long as I keep it respectible. In my right hand, would be an open position, and yes, I would be competing against the best of the best making the same, if not more, than I am now. But with a few exceptions, and the percentages are rediculously small, my job is nothing more than being hired to eventually be fired. My ego isn\'t that big, though. No...really it\'s not, why are you laughing???

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

Speaking of the team BNB, do you know what the weather will be like in Dallas this weekend? It\'s not too nice here in San Antone right now and I hope I don\'t have to wear a big jacket. And no forecasts of arse whipping\'s on the horizon please. lol

WhoDat, this may be the first time we have disagreed, but it\'s minor. I really would push for Saban, but Romeo is my first choice after him. No doubt. I just feel Saban can get this ship righted. But they are all Bellichekees, so any should be a definite improvement over what we had.

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

The difference is that Saban will actually be available to talk to in January whereas I think poor Romeo will have exactly 2 or 3 days to talk to folks in the Pat\'s presumed off week. What damage can occur if Romeo isn\'t available until February 15th.

I could definitely work with that.

And as pitiful as player selection has been for the Saints, I wouldn\'t have a problem with Saban having the personnel role.

BAJ

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

Hey SFIAH, as I Showed BNB a few months ago, assistant coaches can now interview through the divisional round of the playoffs whereas before they could only do it for the wild card round.
Now this means an assistant would have to make a choice fairly quickly to get that second interview in, but it could be done. Long story short, Weis and Crennel have better chances of landing jobs this year than last year. The cool thing about ti is Belichek was the main person to lobby for the change. He wants his assistants to get head coaching jobs.

Saban has a connection to Antonio Gates??
 

I am not sole on Saban... I mean he can\'t win a National Championship for starters. He really isn\'t interested in the job at all.