New Orleans Saints and NFL: Top News and Video Clips

"New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton acknowledged Tuesday he’s not sure what his own immediate future holds but that uncertainty does not extend to his team. The turmoil surrounding the Saints will only make them tighter, he predicted. Like most successful coaches, Payton is a master motivator and it was clear he is trying to use his full year suspension, along with other punishments Commissioner Roger Goodell imposed on the Saints last week, as something of a rallying cry."

"New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, who attended Naperville Central and Eastern Illinois, spoke candidly about his role in his team’s bounty scandal Tuesday morning at the NFL Owners meeting. “You’re disappointed in yourself that it got to this point then I think we’re trained as coaches to begin preparation right away, I find myself reflecting on it. You go through a lot of emotions. Payton was suspended a year for his role in the bounty scandal, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the coach has until April 2 to file an appeal."

"New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, holding his first interview since being suspended for the 2012 season for his team’s involvement in a bounty system, said he will decide in two or three days whether or not to appeal and plans to name an interim coach by the end of the month. Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis will meet with retired coach Bill Parcells on Tuesday before Payton flies back to New Orleans to finish planning for the 2012 season. Parcells, sources have told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, has discussed possibly coaching the Saints for the coming season."

"From the department of grim statistics: You have to dial it back to 2001 for the last time the Cleveland Browns had the same quarterback lead the team in passing three seasons running. That player was Tim Couch. Before him? Vinny Testaverde in 1995. Not an outrageously inspiring duo, and a burning-red indicator of Cleveland’s enduring troubles. President Mike Holmgren has preached consistency and if we’re to believe the messaging from team brass of late, the Browns appear content to stick with Colt McCoy under center."

"Embattled New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton answered questions for about 18 minutes Tuesday morning in what might be his last media session for a very long time. The Super Bowl champion didn’t duck a single inquiry. NFL.com’s Steve Wyche reports that Payton confirmed that he will talk with Bill Parcells about possibly joining the team as an interim head coach. Perhaps the most telling answer came after a question about the Saints’ legacy. Payton said it was hard to fathom that the bounty scandal would “taint” what the Saints have accomplished, including their Super Bowl triumph. There is a city of people in New Orleans that agree with Payton. The rest of this football nation remains conflicted at best."

"Going into this offseason, Jets coach Rex Ryan spoke of returning peace and a workmanlike attitude to a locker room that knew only building disarray and division during last season’s disappointing 8-8 campaign. One of the team’s more vocal nuisances, linebacker Bart Scott, was a question mark for 2012. The 10-year veteran was Ryan’s marquee import from Baltimore in 2009, bringing attitude to spare to the Jets’ defense. By the end of 2011, Scott had noticeably lost a step, pulled frequently on passing downs in favor of Josh Mauga."