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MALAKA OF THE DAY: SEAN PAYTON
I usually leave the sports blogging to Dillyberto, Mr. Clio, Mr. Gloomy Pants and the late great Perfesser. They're better informed about the hometown NFL team than I am BUT Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has been making what the Brits would call a right prat of himself.
Payton seems to have sucumbed to what could be called "coaching genius syndrome" after signing his contract extension. In short, Payton thinks he's smarter than everyone else, which has led to his outsmarting himself. The Saints have now lost two games they should have won in part due to Payton's sense of papal infallibility, coaching division, as well as to the team's inability to run the ball.
The thing, however, that makes Payton a malaka involves his use or lack thereof of veteran running back Deuce McAllister. Deuce has suited up for all three games and has carried the ball only twice. By his own admission, Deuce is not the player he was in his prime BUT if he's 75% of the old Deuce, he's still a good player and one with more heart and hustle than Payton's pet, Reggie (Douchebag) Bush.
The short yardage situations in Denver screamed for a power runner like Deuce. Instead, he stood on the sidelines and watched the team fail repeatedly. Payton's response: Deuce's time will come. The Picayune's John DeShazier made an excellent point this morning: if Deuce can't help the team, why dress him? LINK. How much worse could he have done than Pierre Thomas? Of course, Pierre is one of Payton's guys and he inherited Deuce. Nuff said.
Payton should swallow his pride and stop strutting around like President Beavis on Mission Accomplished day. Payton had a great first season but is now 19-18 in New Orleans. That record hardly makes him the reincarnation of Vince Lombardi. So, Coach stop being such a malaka and either play Deuce or cut him. If he plays well, the team looks good and if he's washed up, as you seem to think, you'll be proven right about him, which you'll like since you always think you're right.
One more thing: I wonder when Jeffrey will start clamoring for Coach Soupy's head. He's in favor of Les Miles getting fired by LSU even *after* the national championship. Is he consistent or merely a contrarian? Look on the bright side, Pants, if Payton gets fired before the end of his contract, Tom Benson is out a bundle.
As we all know, I'm always on the lookout for arrogant genius coach
syndrome. And I do think that Soupy has a problem from time to time with
his pride in the cutesy offense he has so lovingly drawn up. But I'm not
quite ready to jump all over him regarding the Deuce issue. I don't quite
see Soupy holding Deuce out and throwing the ball too much specifically so
that he can spite his critics or malcontented players. And believe me... as
a Saints fan who lived through the Mora years, that is precisely the thing
I am watching for.
Miles is *always* lucky. I'm more skeptical about the Payton-Deuce issue
obviously. I did enjoy making you defend the status quo...
Napoleon ' was asked what qualities he was looking for in his generals, and
he said, 'just one--that they be lucky'.'
Payton reminds me more and more of Jim Haslett. Both coaches of the year in
their first year. Then a sophomore slump. Then dumb calls, frustration, and
anger towards the media in the third year. Payton was rightfully criticized
for being too innovative in his play-calling, then he responded by what
appears to be overly conservative play-calling on critical downs. There's a
lot to like in Payton, but we can now conclude that he does not possess the
magical powers that were attributed to him in his first year.
Anybody remember the Chris Collinsworth quote that ticked off Jim Haslett
so much? The one about the saints O-line not being that great because they
could only pass block. I thought it about on occasion two years ago, more
often last year, and I've thought about it much more often this year.
McAllister might, might have been able to push the line forward on the
fourth down play at the end of the first half, but Thomas got hit in the
backfield at the end of the game. Four or five years ago, I used to marvel
at McAllister's ability to gain yardage without help from his line, but I
doubt that he's still got the ability to get in the backfield and still
gain positive yardage. I don't know why the line can give Brees time on
obvious pass downs but can't get any push on running downs, but they can't.
i seriously doubt that Deuce can still do it on his own.
The Les Miles hatred needs to end. I honestly don't see how you can really
be a Tiger fan and hate Les Miles. He's not stupid or crazy, he's just got
Giant Tiger Balls of Fury . . . and he wins for fucks sake.
I *like* les Miles; he has a decent sense of humor, which is more than I
can say for Saban. I never liked Saban but never thought he should be
fired. Pants needs an intervention.
I don't think Pants is a true LSU Tiger football fan. If he was, the last 5
or 6 years would have made him more happy.