After the official announcement that Payton would be staying with the Saints a Times Picayune editorial and two articles written by Jeff Duncan and Larry Holder praised the decision and said to the effect it was the best thing that could have happened. All three articles were "apple polishing" in its content which has become SOP for New Orleans sports writers despite the fact there has been no progress made during the last four seasons.
All of the speculation the past few weeks of 4 or 5 teams looking with favor to talk about a head coaching job with Payton was a fairy tale. Those other teams remember "bounty gate" and could see the affect it has had on the team. Payton and the Saints are still in denial but the record tells the true story. In this writers judgement, retaining Payton was a bad decision and will play out that way.
The hype has already started by sports writers: defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has done a good job: that much used word keeps popping up again, "the foundation is there." One report in the TP of 1/10/16 reports on Drew Brees' 10 individual records that still stand. (He has more individual records than he has winning seasons) Is that supposed to improve the Saints record next year? The off season and preseason should be comical to watch and listen too but it won't change a thing.
Saint's management is well aware of the problems caused by "bounty gate" but too many people in the organization still turn their head rather than face the facts. It's hell when you can not admit your own failure. Greed consumes the NFL so don't rock the boat.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
