I don't get you guys...

If you've been watching Saints football the last three years, there should be several distinct markers that showed up this season...

Our defenses essentially shut teams down in the second halves of games...

Our secondary really limited the big pass plays compared to previous seasons...

We had three areas that glaringly led to losses this season...

Kicking game directly led to three losses - so McMahon and Kwan were dismissed...

Pass rush, front four were not a threat through most of the season, even when Rankins returned and Onyemata started leveling up - so the defensive line coach was dismissed...

Our first round pick from last year was essentially benched and unable to "grasp" the game - after years of my incessant arguing that Vitt was a liability, my hope was answered and he was dismissed...

Payton is loyal to his guys and those firings emotionally have had to wreck him - they would have for me (and I had to let a close friend go this past year in my business who I had to face was a problem)...

Payton is doing exactly what is necessary, he just has to close the deal with the right hires as he had made last season...

Look at the improvements in the offensive line and defensive secondary - those guys are the argument that not just head coach but assistants should win Coach of the Year...

We're all upset with the record and underachievement this season after another stellar Brees' effort...

The injuries were horrendous and Payton could have used it to sidestep any dismissals - but he's a bright football guy who faced and acknowledged changes to the coaching staff were needed...

You think Jim Mora would have done them? This is Payton's first head coaching gig and he's been fortunate in many regards but this team is headed in the right direction and I for one am really excited about next season...