Danno

1. Parcells on Payton, Saints

The relationship between Saints coach Sean Payton and his mentor, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, has been much discussed throughout the years.

I got my hands on "Parcells: A Football Life," which is an authorized biography on Parcells written by former Sports Illustrated writer Nunyo Demasio. There are plenty of references to Payton in the book, which was released earlier in the fall, a couple of mentions of Drew Brees and Parcells' heavy pondering of the Saints' head coaching job just before Payton's 2012 exile connected to the bounty scandal.

Here are some of the highlights that caught my attention:

Parcells essentially cold-called Payton when Parcells expressed interest in having the then-Giants assistant join his Cowboys staff. The two had never spoken before the initial phone call.

Mike Shanahan and the Broncos offered Tony Romo more money to sign as an undrafted rookie in 2003 but Payton lobbied the Cowboys to sign Romo. Romo took $10,000 less in guaranteed money to join Payton and Parcells.

Payton bought a black suit and a silver tie in anticipation of his introductory press conference to become the Raiders' head coach in early 2004. Dallas' equipment manager cleaned out Payton's locker already when he arrived at the Cowboys offices the next day. Parcells put in one more call to Payton. Parcells asked about some of the opinions Payton received from his peers about the job. Payton said three coaches told him not to take the Oakland job: Jon Gruden, John Fox, Bill Callahan. Parcells added, "Well, put my name behind those three."

Parcells reminded Payton how he would be one of 10 new head coaches accepting jobs leading into the 2006 season. He told Payton only one or two of those coaches will have success and the others will fail. Payton and the Packers' Mike McCarthy are the last two standing from the class.

Payton wanted Tony Sparano to become the Saints' offensive coordinator, but Parcells blocked the move.

The Cowboys considered signing Brees that 2006 offseason. Drew Bledsoe's rebound season and Brees' "exorbitant contract requirements" pushed the Cowboys away from him.

The Saints offered a third-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for Romo. Dallas wanted a second-round pick. So the Saints were one round of one pick away from having Romo as their quarterback.

Parcells strongly considered taking over as Payton's temporary replacement as head coach before the NFL barred Payton from the Saints' facility for his season-long suspension connected to the bounty scandal. Even former Giants great Lawrence Taylor pushed Parcells to take the job. The Saints gave Parcells permission to contact Al Groh, then at Georgia Tech and former Jets and Virginia head coach, and Eric Mangini, an ESPN analyst at the time and former Browns head coach, about joining him as Parcells knew no one on the Saints' staff. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was described as being reluctant about Parcells coming in. "Who knows what Loomis really thought," Parcells said. "I don't have any idea. I don't know Loomis; I only met him once. But guys like me threaten guys like him." Ultimately, Parcells decided not to take the job. Taylor even called Parcells with disappointment saying, "Coach, I had never known you to (expletive) out on anything."

If you have any interest in Parcells, one of the greatest football minds ever, I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book.
Bill Parcells biography offers glimpse into his flirtation with Saints during Sean Payton's exile: First-and-10 | NOLA.com

neugey

I knew Parcells was a bit of a mentor for Payton, but didn't realize it ran that deep. Of course keep in mind it's solely Parcells' accounts, might not be 100% accurate.

SaintsBro

Interesting about Loomis and Parcells in 2012 during Payton's suspension. I was glued to the rumor wire and cheering for it at the time -- I think even with the defense we had, the 2012 team could have won a few more games with a real head coach like Parcells at the helm, instead of interim interim interim temp guys who lacked authority or discipline. Maybe even gotten them to the playoffs. A good head coach can really make the difference in the outcomes of about 4-5 crucial games a year. VERY interesting to hear that Loomis was the one who kinda blocked it. Always thought it would have been a perfect situation for both Parcells and the team, and I wondered why it never happened....

Mardigras9

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saintsfan1976

Nice find.

Crazy to think just how different the last 8 years could have been.

I'm lucky to have a mentor similar to Parcells in terms of success within a profession. I run a lot by him and - like Parcells - is rarely wrong.

I think it's so cool to see the types of guys Sean Payton has close to him - all winners, all stand up guys, all leaders of men. I'd take Sean Payton 100 times in a row over guys like Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh.

Rugby Saint II

Then you've got to read Payton's book "Home Team"( I have an autographed copy). He talks about offers to leave Dallas and how "The Tuna" told him he wasn't prepared for a larger role. Parcells talked him into staying longer and Payton said it was one of the best moves he never made. Payton must be easy to hangout with on his off hours. Home Team is well written and easy to read. I could hardly put it down and I read it twice.

Parcells also gave Payton his best advice when he was leaving......."Find out what's wrong with the organization and fix it fast from the bottom up."

saintsfan1976

I read his book as well.

Payton will grow to be one of the most influential coaches of all time.

Rugby Saint II

Yeah, I just wish he would get back his edge. But when life is good it's hard to stay edgy. He will most likely take a deep reflective look inside himself after the season is over and get back to his winning ways.


Also, I bought his book at TC and he was unavailable afterwards so I left it at his office with a note about special memories watching the Saints while I was in the hospital fighting cancer. He sent the book back to me over night with a lengthy note inside the front cover. I treasure it deeply.