Sean Payton has a thought about Zion Williamson and the Saints

Attached Thumbnails · 05-16-2019, 06:56 AM

Sean Payton can’t help but get caught in the excitement about Zion Williamson coming to New Orleans. The Saints coach on Wednesday (May 15) posted a Twitter message where he said he “Had a thought...”

Included in the message was a photo illustration that showed the former Duke basketball superstar wearing a Saints uniform with the same jersey No. 1 he sported for the Blue Devils.

The thought is an intriguing one. At 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, Williamson would be like few other skill players in football. He also would have a combination of size and quickness that is unique among athletes of any sport.

Payton is not the coach to consider Williamson’s fit on the football field. Eric Mateos was a tight ends coach under then-interim LSU football coach Ed Orgeron when he offered Williamson a football scholarship in 2016.

“I thought, hell, why not, he’s probably the best damn tight end to ever live,” Mateos told ESPN in November.

The former LSU assistant is now an offensive line coach at BYU. Mateos said in November he offered Williamson the scholarship after seeing some of his dunk videos on YouTube that first drew attention to the South Carolina native. Mateos made the offer with little expectation that it would amount to much.

“Honestly, I just thought it would be really fun and would be good exposure for LSU if we offered him for football," he told ESPN. "Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to be too (interested)."

Mateos said Orgeron told his staff to “go recruit the best athletes in the country, and that’s what I tried to do.”

Now, with the Pelicans unexpectedly landing the No. 1 spot in the upcoming NBA Draft, Payton will soon have nothing more than a parking lot between the two team facilities distancing him from Williamson, who averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds during his lone season at Duke.

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SmashMouth · 05-16-2019, 06:57 AM

foreverfan · 05-17-2019, 12:51 PM

There goes another 2 first round draft picks.

neugey · 05-18-2019, 09:29 PM

He'd be a great defensive end if things shook out differently.

QBREES9 · 05-18-2019, 11:34 PM

I was at work the night of the NBA draft. When Zion was drafted. A women I work with said, the Saints play basketball? I know they play football, because their your favorite team, but they basketball too. LOL LOl LOL.

vpheughan · 05-19-2019, 09:38 AM

There goes another 2 first round draft picks.

EAUX NEAUX!!! HERE WE GEAUX AGAIN!!!!

Rugby Saint II · 05-20-2019, 02:01 PM

I'm thinking he could play tight end successfully if not DE.

05-16-2019, 06:56 AM	#1
Threaded by SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,125 Blog Entries: 29 Rating: (0 votes - average) Sean Payton can’t help but get caught in the excitement about Zion Williamson coming to New Orleans. The Saints coach on Wednesday (May 15) posted a Twitter message where he said he “Had a thought...” Included in the message was a photo illustration that showed the former Duke basketball superstar wearing a Saints uniform with the same jersey No. 1 he sported for the Blue Devils. The thought is an intriguing one. At 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, Williamson would be like few other skill players in football. He also would have a combination of size and quickness that is unique among athletes of any sport. Twitter Payton is not the coach to consider Williamson’s fit on the football field. Eric Mateos was a tight ends coach under then-interim LSU football coach Ed Orgeron when he offered Williamson a football scholarship in 2016. “I thought, hell, why not, he’s probably the best damn tight end to ever live,” Mateos told ESPN in November. The former LSU assistant is now an offensive line coach at BYU. Mateos said in November he offered Williamson the scholarship after seeing some of his dunk videos on YouTube that first drew attention to the South Carolina native. Mateos made the offer with little expectation that it would amount to much. “Honestly, I just thought it would be really fun and would be good exposure for LSU if we offered him for football," he told ESPN. "Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to be too (interested)." Mateos said Orgeron told his staff to “go recruit the best athletes in the country, and that’s what I tried to do.” Now, with the Pelicans unexpectedly landing the No. 1 spot in the upcoming NBA Draft, Payton will soon have nothing more than a parking lot between the two team facilities distancing him from Williamson, who averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds during his lone season at Duke. more on NOLA Attached Thumbnails
Views: 1310

05-16-2019, 06:57 AM	#2
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,125 Blog Entries: 29	Re: Sean Payton has a thought about Zion Williamson and the Saints Twitter

05-17-2019, 12:51 PM	#3
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Sean Payton has a thought about Zion Williamson and the Saints There goes another 2 first round draft picks. QBREES9 likes this.

05-18-2019, 09:29 PM	#4
neugey Hu Dat! Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,697 Blog Entries: 13	Re: Sean Payton has a thought about Zion Williamson and the Saints He'd be a great defensive end if things shook out differently.

05-18-2019, 11:34 PM	#5
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	Re: Sean Payton has a thought about Zion Williamson and the Saints I was at work the night of the NBA draft. When Zion was drafted. A women I work with said, the Saints play basketball? I know they play football, because their your favorite team, but they basketball too. LOL LOl LOL. foreverfan likes this.

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05-19-2019, 09:38 AM	#6
vpheughan 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,520	Re: Sean Payton has a thought about Zion Williamson and the Saints There goes another 2 first round draft picks. EAUX NEAUX!!! HERE WE GEAUX AGAIN!!!! Attached Thumbnails
vpheughan 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,520

05-20-2019, 02:01 PM	#7
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	Re: Sean Payton has a thought about Zion Williamson and the Saints I'm thinking he could play tight end successfully if not DE.