Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Sean Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS —While many are sick of reading about the post-Hurricane Katrina love story between a wounded but great American city and its rebuilding NFL team, for those of us proud to call New Orleans home, romanticizing the connection between Sean Payton's Saints and the Crescent City is something we'll always find relevant....


Payton has been linked to potential NFL openings in Indianapolis, Philadelphia, New York (Giants) and San Francisco. I'm of the belief that if San Diego fires Mike McCoy, Payton would jump at the Chargers job -- especially if San Diego relocates to Los Angeles.

Heck, Peter King, of NBC Sports, even suggested last year Payton may have wanderlust, and may want a new challenge. Payton quickly denied King's report, calling it silly.

When reports of Payton coaching somewhere else in 2016 first surfaced this season I thought they probably originated from his camp.

I believed his agent (or a close confidant) was the person leaking the details to the media to make Payton, remains a hot name.

But more and more I'm thinking the Payton rumors are coming from Airline Drive.

I'm thinking Saints owner Tom Benson and his top lieutenants, Dennis Lauscha and Mickey Loomis, look at Payton as no longer being cost effective.

Payton is the highest paid head coach in the league, but unless the Black and Gold makes a miracle run, they'll finish with a losing record for the second consecutive season and that's not good enough.

Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Sean Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans | New Orleans - WDSU Home

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

I'm down with only 5 more games...

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

It's happening folks. You guys seem to think it's impossible but look at Payton on Sunday's and tell me he gives a crap about his current job anymore.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Lets play Grayson the last 5 games to give him some experience.
I'm sick of Payton, Loomis and the big mess this team is in. I don't know if Brees will stay or not & what kind of coach we will get. It feels like we are done for few years. The Panthers will win the NFC South for the 3rd straight year, something we didn't achieve in the last 10 years.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Two words on this article ...

Fletcher Mackel. Take it for what it's worth.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

"making sure Payton remains a hot name" That's FUNNY

Uh huh! Right!! The highest paid coach in the NFL needs publicity to keep him in spotlight!

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Possible head coaches with most to gain -- and lose - NFL.com.

The above is a list of potential head coaches.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

I had completely forget that Payton is the highest paid NFL coach. Yikes!

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

I'm starting to think Dennis Allen was brought in to be our next head coach. I think Payton knew he would be leaving soon so he brought in Allen in some vague assistant position to hand him the keys and start the transition.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Lol. And heeeeere we go again!

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

If SP goes then there is no real reason to keep Drew either. package deal?

seriously i am a huge fan of both and I would hate to see either one go through the mess that will follow if one or the other left.

get all that you can now and pray for the best.

me i want the two to walk into the sunset, hand in hand, as saints

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

I don't know what sort of validity is in anything Mackel is talking about, but as for Payton not being cost effective, I doubt THAT would be a reason he is ousted. We all know coaches salaries aren't under the salary cap, and Benson has more than enough money. It's about whether or not he's doing a good job. Technically, anyone who isn't getting the job done is not cost effective, but it's really only about being effective when you're working for a billionaire.

I have wondered as I watch such little imagination with play calling, if Payton even cares that much. But I don't know for sure. The people who work with him, however, should know. And if they can see he's got eye's on some other job, then he absolutely HAS to go. That being said, it's comical that Mickey Loomis should be the one to make any such decision. He has a lot to do with our problems.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

I hope not...
Allen is not head coach material. He has had only marginal success at best and would be one of the least qualified options available. I would absolutely hate that pick.

Payton is most likely gone and I feel the sooner the better. We need to stop the bleeding now and start to repair the wound, personally I do not feel Payton will be apart of the solution moving forward. Honestly would not mind Payton staying however all of his buddies need to go and he will not get rid of them.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

If he does end up leaving it won't be long before Brees ends up in a bears or broncos uniform.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Who says he is distracted and lost interest!

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

It's time for Payton to go, highest paid coach in the league and our Superbowl win seems all but a distant memory, nearly 6 years ago now.

I'd hate to see Brees go, but if Payton is pushed, Brees will most likely be traded for more picks which I think is a HUGE necessity to rebuild this team correctly.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

It's back to the Old Saints for now. It is an absolute shame what Loomis and this staff have done to this team. Personally I am also sick of the Benson's. I wish we could start from the owner and down the board from there. It is tough to watch and there is no accountability for us fans. They have been riding a high with us loving our team and padding their wallets. I feel as though we have been taking advantage of by this whole cast of characters and they did not own up to their part. We again will be the laughing stock of the league but it is something we are used to accepting. Bad it had to happen but let's pin the tail on the real donkey here.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

We don't need a familiar HC if Sean is repalced. We need someone that will come in and cut out the rot and ineptitude.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Someone with a defensive background. I am tired of watching 50 yard passes and 60 yard runs.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

No one will pay Brees 30 million a year. We are stuck with him weather you like it or not. SP is gone and they will fix that screwed up contract. Putting Grayson in now would just be stupid. Let's not ruin the Saints future cause we are pissed at the coaching staff.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Grayson needs to sit another complete yet and keep learning from a pro like Drew. He has the intangibles to have great promise.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

I won't enjoy the Saints until they win a game. I can't even watch a replay of these games. Ughh!!! However, Sean Payton isn't going anywhere......he's too busy rebuilding this team. With another good offseason the Saints will be back at the top.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Oh the bears will want it. And he's gonna have to restructure. Brees needs to ste u this offseason and not embarrass his ending career any further.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Oh the bears will want it. And he's gonna have to restructure. Brees needs to step up this offseason and not embarrass his ending career any further.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

If Brees goes, I seriously have the kiss of death. I bought a Graham jersey, and he gets traded. I buy a Brees jersey and......

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Same old song, different singer.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Payton stays Brees leaves. Payton leaves Brees stays. A parting of the ways is immenent. I think Payton would do better in a city without so much temptation.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Both stay, Payton's the highest paid coach with the most power, with the least amount of micro-management, where else ya getting that? Brees stays, I believe…….I'd hate to see him elsewhere.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

I hate to say, but the writing has been on the wall for a while now. Hate to see this chapter end myself, but it is inevitable.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

We have about 2 or maybe 3 more years of Brees. We'd be foolish to not go after a championship while he's here. Keeping Payton gives us the best opportunity to achieve that.

We're just a few players away from being at the top of the league talent wise.

Its too early to start over.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

trade Brees....love the guy but hes not getting any younger...he still has high value and could take some other team to where they want to go...get some picksand move on...its time to get a real defense. sure up the o-line...with Unger Armstead and Peat(move to left guard) and add a RT...Ingram and a returning KR next year we can move to a ground and pound game...Coleman cooks and snead(along with the TE we got from the Pats) are young and can grow with Grayson...we need old school football...running game and defense can travel and play in bad weather

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

FIFY

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

The problem is we have too much talent to be where we are. That's not to say we don't have wholes, however if you compare our roster to others around the league I would say top 10 easily. Payton might not be the issue but he is responsible for the coaches he puts around him, and those coaches are the WORST in the league by a wide margin.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

I agree with Danno

Getting rid of Sean isn't the answer at all. You have to look at the parts that are missing and who isn't doing their job. Many areas we need to improve at that getting rid of the one who got us a SB... its like creating a problem for ourselves rather than fixing the other problems.

Why create more problems?

I don't see us getting anyone this off season who could replace him that would make everyone happy.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

I still don't see him going, this year. Unless he himself decides he wants to go someplace else and comes up with a deal to do it.

Keep in mind, this is not the first time..... Fletcher Mackel has been doing this ALL YEAR LONG -- he even declared (and I quote) it was the "the end of an era for Saints football" when Brees injured his shoulder, for ONE GAME. Fletcher Mackel was out at the graveyard with his microphone, a lantern and a shovel, ready to bury Brees' career for good.


But I do think people "out there" are getting pretty... testy. If things really fall apart Sunday, or if they are not looking good by the second quarter, I would not be surprised at all if the Boo Birds and Angry Who Dats come out in force after two or three of those patented Saints 3 and outs. If the wheels completely come off in this game and it's a total blowout, I could definitely see that changing the landscape.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

Don't see anyone taking Brees salary, so he's not tradeable even if we wanted to. He would have to renegotiate his contract to be traded and if he is willing to do that it makes more sense to keep him.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

not without Sean it makes no sense. I don't trust Loomis has good taste in hiring coaches.

Re: Fletcher Mackel: Dear Saints fans, Enjoy Payton's final 5 games in New Orleans
 

i would not be surprised at all if sean is fired..he's not producing, and our cap is huge...that doesn't make sense. I think he might get fired