"We certainly were among the leaders in bone-headed mistakes" - Sean Payton


"The best thing that ever happened to this organization was going 7-9 and not making the playoffs, If we would have slipped into the playoffs at 8-8 it would have been easy to say, 'Oh, we were right there. We were close.' ... No, we weren't. We were so far away."

"Leadership is more than just getting yourself ready or getting yourself in the right place. It's bringing everyone else along with you. We didn't teach the things that were expected (of teammates), we just assumed that they would know. Because for a while, enough people already knew. Culture is taught, and I think we got away from that (last year)."
- Zach Strief

The team's leading tackler, Curtis Lofton, was cut after Payton said he refused to take a pay cut or acquiesce to other unspecified requests.

It wasn't by accident that the Saints signed or traded for a veteran at every position group except quarterback and tight end this offseason. Each was strategically targeted and seeded to assist the returning vets in leadership responsibilities.

Dennis Allen, one of the most respected defensive coaches in the league, was hired to assist coordinator Rob Ryan in reducing and tweaking his scheme.

"I like our personnel on the back end," Payton said. "We've got to find ways to let them play, without splitting the atom on every snap. Let's go. Let's get them lined up and let them play fast. That starts with me as a point of emphasis with Rob."