Rugby Saint II

Sean Payton just signed a five year contract. If I'm correct that means we are going to pay him a salary for the next five years.......so, he's got a couple of more years before we need to start asking this question.

This team has been drafting better and hitting on inexpensive free agents. We are a young team on the upswing and improving steadily week after week on the defense. The front office needs to concentrate on the O-line in the off season and bring in some real linemen not some late draft pick that we hope we can coach up like Lelito. We can't build a dynasty like that.

We have cash to spend with a lot of dead money coming off the books after the season. I just hope that we aren't going to throw it at some big name free agent signing to solidify the DE's. Even if he's good we can't afford to take that chance. I still don't believe we know how to evaluate top tier talent even though we're great at finding late round and UDFA gems. We still need someone to reign in Payton and his willingness to gamble at draft time. It's in his nature and he needs a handler. So does Loomis because he is just Payton's yes man and bean counter. We can't afford to stay in the win now mode.

We are coming off a rough season with a lot of chest clutching finishes. We were a couple of special teams play away from several wins that just slipped away from us. We were playing second and third stringers to start the season while signing free agents off the street due to a rash of injuries. Fortunately we got back on track after an 0-4 start and watched Dennis Allen implement a good defense while making crucial half time adjustments. We got Ellerbe, Rankins and Breaux back on the field and making strong contributions. I know I say every 7-9 or 8-8 season but I believe next year will be awesome!

Edit: Having said that I'm still hoping for a fresh perspective with an infusion of some new coaching blood. Hopefully McMahon and other members of Payton's posse will get the boot and they find some fiery and hungry and young talented coaches. The organization seemed stale a few years back and we brought in some new blood and the results have been positive.