It’s Super Bowl week and I have yet to hear much about the behind the scenes architect of the flashy, fast, high octane offense of the New Orleans Saints.
Everywhere he’s coached, he’s produced; save for maybe a small dip in success in New York.
From 1997-1998, Sean Payton was hired for the role of quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. Under his tutelage the Eagles’ quarterbacks passed for 4,009 yards in 1997.
When he was in dallas from 2003-05 he was the quarterbacks coach, and later Assistant Head Coach to Bill Parcels. While there he tutored no-name Quincy Carter, and old guys Vinny Testaverde and Drew Bledsoe to 3,000 yard passing seasons consecutively.
Now in New Orleans, he’s got a stud in Drew Brees, and countless other weapons such as Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey, and Marques Colston.
You give him just anybody, he’ll produce. You give him stars, he takes his team to the biggest stage in sports. His style is creative, exciting, and most importantly, successful.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2006, Payton lead the Saints to their first playoff appearance in 6 years with a 10-6 record while dealing with a tragedy unlike no other. He won Coach of the Year that season.
After two mediocre years in ’07, and ’08, Payton and the Saints have exploded back onto the scene with a 13-0 start. They are absolutely the feel-good story of the NFL.
After losing their chance at perfection, they have marched through the playoffs with a formula that spells doom for opposing defenses.
All the different formations, the spreading the ball around in the running and passing game. You can’t try to shut down any one player because 5 or 6 others will beat you.
Brees and his cast of stars deserve all the credit in the world, but let’s not forget the creator of the sequel to the greatest show on turf, Sean Payton.
► Read more articles written by Cheff.
