Saints: Sean Payton throws mini tantrum in Week 10 press conference
By Kristen Wong
Another week, another hole the New Orleans Saints couldn’t dig themselves out of. Head coach Sean Payton could hardly contain his annoyance in a post-game press conference after a Week 10 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Even without a number of their starters, the Saints had a good chance at winning this game.
But the 5-4 Saints now sit even more precariously in second in the NFC South with the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons close on their heels.
Whereas some coaches may put on a happy face or try to be somewhat optimistic in post-game press conferences, Payton did the exact opposite and was in no mood to talk to anyone.
I haven't seen Sean Payton that PO'd after a game in a while. He knew that was a winnable game they let slip away.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) November 14, 2021
We can’t really blame him. Watching that deflated Saints offensive performance would make any coach want to pull his hair out.
On top of that, the referees made a few questionable calls, including one roughing-the-passer penalty on Kaden Elliss that negated a Saints interception in the first half.
Sean Payton said he received no explanation from the officiating crew on the controversial roughing the passer penalty on Kaden Elliss.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) November 14, 2021
On the sidelines, Payton was absolutely livid at the officials, who nonetheless believed Elliss was a bit too handsy with Titans’ QB Ryan Tannehill.
Payton was also livid at a certain tight end who has been nothing but a nasty thorn in New Orleans’ side all season.
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton was in a foul mood after Week 10 loss
With steam still wafting out of his ears, Payton grouchily answered reporters’ questions the way he does best: curt and tight-lipped. He was, however, especially snippy toward Katherine Terrell of The Athletic, whose question about an in-game play completely ticked Payton off.
It was a possibly poorly worded question because if there’s any sort of silence he leaves and I was trying to figure out how to word a question to keep him talking but he was just Oscar the Grouch today in a way I haven’t seen in forever https://t.co/Vu2tTbieYT
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) November 14, 2021
Sean Payton was understandably still simmering in his post-game press conference. He said the coaching staff will consider personnel changes with players who continue to commit self-inflicted mistakes and fail to make plays.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) November 14, 2021
Payton also touched on cleaning up issues that continue to plague the Saints game after game. This could mean some key roster changes are in store for next week, targeting those players who “continue to commit self-inflicted mistakes and fail to make plays.”
Adam Trautman might want to keep his head down in NOLA for…the rest of his career.
After another disappointing Week 10 performance, the Saints don’t look like playoff contenders at all. Sean Payton knows it, and he’s understandably upset.
dark. Next. 4 quick takeaways from Week 10 loss to Titans
Maybe just don’t take it out on the reporters next time.