After all he did pilot the Saints to their best season in franchise history in 2006, he is the architect of the best offense in the NFL, and he was signed to a 5 year contract extension early into the 2008 season.

But after two disappointing seasons (7-9 in 2007 and 8-8 in 2008) will a third losing season propel Payton into the un-employment line?

Maybe so, but it’s a very tough call.

The NFL is a harsh business, you either perform well and produce positive results, or you find the door. It’s just that simple.

Instances of this are every where in this league as a slew of talented coaches will be sitting on their “couches” this season - Mike Shanahan, Romeo Crennel, Jon Gruden, and Herm Edwards among others.

Although Gruden did catch on as an analyst on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” show. (chuckle, chuckle)

An indication that Payton may be feeling the heat is the complete overhaul of the defense he has put in motion this off season.

Payton had to fire his friend and former defensive coordinator Gray Gibbs, who he brought to New Orleans personally in 2006.

He even took a pay cut so the Saints could afford to hire defensive guru Gregg Williams to replace Gibbs.

Clearly he knows he has to win now.

Personally I think Sean Payton is a great coach and an awesome offensive mind. The opportunites I have had to speak with him at OTA’s and training camp’s he has been polite and forthcoming.

If there is one criticism of Payton it’s that sometimes his play calling in certain situations can be puzzling, and it has cost the Saints a few games in the past.

Criticism aside, coaching is not an easy job. Everyone is entitled to make a mistake from time to time, but in the NFL things are magnified.

One slip up and your ticket is punched. We will see where Payton stands at the end of this season, hopefully it’s good as that means we are in the playoffs.

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New Orleans was a game away from a first round bye,  improving their record to 10-5 on the season.

Reggie Bush had a breakout night running for 126 yards on 20 carries averaging 6.3 yards a carry with one touchdown.

Meanwhile Deuce busted loose scoring a touchdown of his own while totaling 108 yards on 27 carries, a 4 yard per carry average.

Side Note: So far during these game previews I have called the Saints to win in every game. Do I expect them to go 16-0, no I don’t, but I do expect them to start strong next season. They have three home games in their first five games, and we know how well they play at home.

Next Meeting: Sunday, October 18th, 2009

Location: Louisiana Superdome

Series Leader: The Giants lead the all time series between the two teams, 12-9

Offensive Keys  To Success:

New Orleans did a phenomenal job running the ball on New York in their last meeting, totaling 244 total yards on the ground, and possessing the ball nearly 41 minutes of the game. The recipe for victory is much the same this go around as the last, the Saints must run the ball effectively. The Giants rush  D was pretty stout last year (9th in rush defense in 2008) so it will be a real test for the Saints backs. The only way to combat a power run team is to run your power game first - keeping their offense on the bench and out of the game.

Defensive Keys To Success:

The Saints decimated the Giants in 2006 - allowing only 142 total yards, forcing three turnovers, and giving up  one touchdown on a 55 yard Manning to pass to former wideout Plaxico Burress. Plaxico is no longer with the team, which creates a huge void in this Giants receiving core. Rookie Hakeem Nicks, amongst others, highlights the current group of receivers. The Giants will lean heavily on the run game because of this, so the Saints will have to be able to stop Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. If they can squash what was a league leading run game last season it’s a guarantee they will win.

Game Stats From Last Meeting: Stats

Prediction: If the Saints can stop the Giants run game I fully expect them to pull out the win against an NFC foe, especially at the Dome. Just like last time I want you Saint fans to tell me what you think the score will be.

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Time and time again McNair displayed gritty determination, playing hobbled and beaten, pushing through injury unlike any quarterback before him.

Possibly one of his most shining moments as as NFL quarterback came when he piloted the Tennessee Titans to mere inches of forcing overtime in Super Bowl XXIV against the Rams.

McNair singled handily carried the Titans down the field, essentially on one leg, only to be stopped on the goal line.

McNair threw a completion to recevier Kevin Dyson, who was stopped just inches from scoring the tying touchdown.

As a Saints fan I have seen Steve McNair play New Orleans only twice in his thirteen year career, once with the Titans and once with the Ravens.

In both games McNair displayed his leadership attributes and dogged determination to win,  securing victories in both.

In 2003, as a Titan, McNair lead his team to a 27-12 win over the Saints. He  completed 22 of 33 passes for for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Then again in 2006, as a Raven, he beat the Saints 35-22. McNair completed 17 of 23 passes for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown.

Both performances were indicative of the type of player he was and should be recalled as.

I hope that he will be remembered for his body of work on the football field,  not the mysterious circumstances surrounding his untimely death.

 McNair’s legacy is one of toughness, a dark horse that proved to the NFL that the boy from Alcorn State could play football.

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Police have not declared a motive for the crime nor have they released the identity of the female victim.

McNair, after 13 seasons in the NFL, announced his retirement in April of 2008 from the Baltimore Ravens after an illustrious career highlighted by three pro-bowl appearances.

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There is only 27 days left until the start of training camp, followed shortly by the start of the season.

 So hang in there guys and keep checking back for updates on the team - we will be covering a few of the Saints practice sessions during the upcoming camp.

Thanks for being a fan of the site and thank you for growing whodatdish.com into the premier place to be for Saints fans.

Who dat say they gonna beat them Saints, who dat who dat….

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Aaron Brooks threw three touchdown passes securing the Saints win 21-19, breaking the teams six game losing streak.

The win by the Saints would be their last that season as they continued to struggle losing the next four games, ending the season at 3-13. This of course set in motion the Brees and Payton era that we all enjoy now. The Saints would bounce back strong the next season reaching the NFC championship game.

Next Meeting: Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Location: Louisiana Superdome

Series Leader: The Saints evened the series against the Jets in their last meeting, bringing the all time series to 5-10.

Offensive Keys  To Success:

The Jets defense was no slouch last season, but the addition of Rex Ryan as head coach can only make them better. They ranked a pedestrian 29th against the pass, allowing 235 yards a game. On the flip side they were solid against the run ranking 7th, allowing only 95 yards a game. See where I am going with this? The Saints need to let their best player do what he does best, throw the football. Payton needs to let Brees throw the ball early and often. The Jets have made no real improvement in the secondary so Brees should have a monster day. Although Rex Ryan may have a few tricks up his sleeve.

Defensive Keys To Success:

Gregg Williams will need to rally the troops against the Jets. New York has a trio of talented runners in Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and rookie Shonn Greene. The Saints must find way to keep these runners in check and stop the run. The Jets are going to try to run the ball straight down their throats. It looks like the Jets coveted first round pick, Mark Sanchez, may be the signal caller going into this game. Sanchez is a talent for sure, but one I think the Saints new secondary can handle. Williams hybrid defensive scheme should dial up enough pressure to keep the young quarterback guessing.

Game Stats From Last Meeting: Stats

Prediction: The Saints played lights out last season at the Dome and I figure they can secure the win against the Jets there. I won’t say what I think the score will be, I want you Saints fans out there to tell me. Leave a comment and let us all know what you think.

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“Jason is a quality veteran player and we saw in him a chance to upgrade our kicking game,” Loomis said. “I’ve known him since we drafted him in Seattle and going up against him twice a year for the last eight seasons with Carolina, he has always been impressive. I’d also like to thank Kevin for nine seasons of excellent service to the Saints and wish him all the best in the future.”

Houser had been with the Saints since 2000 when they drafted him in the seventh round, he played in 144 career games.

Kyle has been in the league for 14 years, spending the bulk of his career with the Carolina Panthers (2001-08) starting in 120 consecutive games.

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Thanks Saints fans, or even non-Saints fans!

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His offensive prowess earned him his third trip to the pro-bowl, on top of being named the 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Even with Brees’ eye popping performance the Saints fell short of the playoffs for the second straight year, ending the season at 8-8.

There is a laundry list as to why this happened, and primarily the defense is to blame, but that’s another article.

Brees is as optimistic as he has ever been, confident that the 2009 season will be one to remember.

“We’ve assembled the right type of people in our locker room and I can say that even more so this year,” said Brees, “We’ve got veteran players who can help us win and help develop the young guys.”

“We’ve created an environment that is conducive to winning and being successful. Everyone has bought into the system, let’s hope all those things equal a championship.”

With a new DC, a re-tooled secondary,  and team wide dedication to winning, the Saints may re-capture some of the 2005 magic that took them to their first NFC Championship game.

Are you ready Saints fans?

On the leg of ex-saint kicker John Carney (4-5 on filed goals), the Saints prevailed beating the Bills 19-7, thus securing one of their lone wins of the 2005 season.

On a side note the Saints would end up winning only one more game that season finishing a dismal 3-13. This of course led to the firing of then head coach Jim Haslet, and the release of loathed quarterback Aaron Brooks. Sean Payton was hired to revamp the struggling franchise. Payton started by releasing half the team, brought in Drew Brees, and of course drafted Reggie Bush. The rest is history.

Next Meeting: Sunday, September 27th, 2009

Location: Ralph Wilson Stadium

Series Leader: The Bills lead the all time series between the two teams, 8-4, although the Saints have won the last two meetings.

Offensive Keys  To Success:

These were two very different teams when they last met. Buffalo’s D  is not the best against the pass so New Orleans will need to crank up Brees and that high powered passing game. I don’t see Buffalo being able to stop much of what Brees and this receiving core can give. Brees will have to get rid of the ball quickly to thwart the improved Bills pass rush, they did spend their top pick on rush specialist Aaron Maybin.  If they can jump out two a two score lead all they have to is eat the clock up with the ground game and secure the win. You know the Saints can put up some points.

Defensive Keys To Success:

The Saints re-stocked secondary will get a real test containing the Bills new receiving weapon of Terrell Owens. Owens will have to be played tough, its proven when he is, he crumbles. New Orleans has to dial up the blitz to frustrate young Bills quarterback Trent Edwards. If the Saints can supply enough pressure he will surely be rushed into poor throws - resulting  in turnovers. Most likely MarshawnLynch will be suspended for the first four games. The D line needs to win the war on the ground and should handle backups Jackson and Rhodes with ease.

Game Stats From Last Meeting: Stats

Prediction: If the defense can stop Owens and pressure Edwards into bad throws, they can get a win over a pretty good team, 27-17.

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