Saints, Sean Payton contract extension a big mistake, says CBS Sports

If you’ve looked for a reason to laugh or get the blood boiling today, then you absolutely want to check out this video about the New Orleans Saints and Sean Payton.

Before you watch, let’s bring you up to speed. Adam Schein, who is a NFL.com columnist and radio/television sportscaster, recently put out a video talking about what a mistake it was for the Saints to re-sign head coach Sean Payton. On March 24, Schein went as far as to say that the black and gold are the worst team in the NFC South this year.

Naturally, this claim got the attention of many, including safety Kenny Vaccaro.

The four-minute video, which features a lot of rambling and nothing real to his claim, talks about mass deficiencies with the team. However, it all centers around one Sean Payton.

“Every day is Mardi Gras for Sean Payton,” Schein said in the CBS Sports Network video after the news of the five-year contract extension Payton carried around in his briefcase broke.

“Honestly, I don’t think this is a good move at all for the New Orleans Saints,” Schein added. He talked about the past teams under Payton, and said, “His teams were fun to watch, but stress were fun to watch.”

Perhaps the funniest claim Schein brings up is around the offense. “Let’s be honest here. Not the same on offense thanks to age and talent defections like Jimmy Graham and Darren Sproles and more,” Schein said. That’s right. The second-ranked offensive unit in the NFL in 2015 without superstar tight end Jimmy Graham and first-ranked offensive unit in the NFL in 2014 without Darren Sproles sure has missed a step.

Schein blames Payton for the faults and shortcomings. “Sean Payton’s had a wandering eye for a while now. I think it’s fair to say that if the price was right he’d be coaching the Indianapolis Colts,” Schein added. He cites that he talked to a lot of people around the league about that. Schein said that Payton would have walked to the New York Giants or Philadelphia Eagles if they wanted him, and that Dallas and Los Angeles have been on the radar.

“Look, I’m a firm believer in a shelf life for coaches. I think that when you look at Sean Payton. I think it seemed like a forgone conclusion that he was gone at the end of the year…for all the right reasons. It was time.” Naturally, there was a ton of speculation that Payton was looking in that direction, and would not be back with the team. However, he ended up not going anywhere.

Payton has worked very diligently to help his squad this off-season, and you honestly get the feeling that his entire demeanor has changed for the better after going through a pretty big emotional roller coaster over the past several years. Payton’s been more involved with the media then he has been in recent times, and just carries around a genuine smile these days. However, Schein believes he’s not the answer for the Saints future.

“Sean Payton is not the guy you rebuild with,” Schein said.

Schein’s approach? Strip it down and build it back up, which includes the quarterback. But, he was quick to point out that it doesn’t mean the team should cut Drew Brees. However, he is definitely declining. “Brees is going the wrong way, and he’s getting older. This is a bizarre, band-aid solution for the New Orleans Saints,” Schein said in the video.

Schein emphatically points out that because of these things, the Saints are the worst team in the NFC South. Even after acknowledging the accomplishments of Sean Payton’s tenure, but in the end it’s all meaningless as he’s not the right guy for New Orleans.