There are a few reasons why the past three seasons revealed a Saint team that lost its so called "swager." First and foremost is bounty gate, a tale that the sports world and especially the New Orleans sports writers failed to tell the true nature of. The true story that was never told is that Sean Payton, head coach, acted irresponsible in allowing bounty gate to happen and was suspended for a full season.
The Saints were the only team that season to play with out its head coach. Two assistant coaches split the head coaching duties that season which was stupid. Continuity was lost and never returned when Payton came back. That irresponsible act on Payton's part affected the players even though they have not admitted it did so. As an organization, the Saints handled the Payton situation like nothing had happened. They should have disciplined Payton instead of giving him a big raise.
Mickey Loomis was also slapped by the NFL for allowing bounty gate to happen and the Times Picayune reported on 3/22/12 NFL commissioner Roger Goddel contended that Payton and Loomis orchestrated a web of lies to divert the attention of league gumshoes. Not a very flattering statement against two people with so much responsibility. The Saints organization failed the team big time. Every one concerned including the players continued to receive large salaries and said they were professionals, and would over come. Yeah, right. It never happened.
After the fiasco of the 2012 losing season New England showed the world how to control the Saints offense with a good defense and as of this writing the team has not been able to adjust when playing the teams with good defenses. Problems between the players and the coaching staff are evident and Payton's arrogance has rubbed off on a number of players. Individual stats have replaced the concept of team and it showed on the field of play.
The genius of Sean Payton (that is how sports writers describe him, not this writer) has worn off, only the arrogance remains. I wrote a commentary dated 3/22/12 titled, "The New Orleans Saints: A Tainted World Champion" and in the last two sentences wrote as follows: The Saints, their coaching staff and the players from this day forward will have an opportunity to demonstrate how well they will handle the future. The final chapter in this sad story will be written at a later date.
Will the ending of the 2014 season be that final chapter or will the Saints over come?
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
