ACCESS DENIED: The New Orleans Saints Are Becoming Quite Mysterious
The New Orleans Saints under head coach Sean Payton have been known to be unpredictable for the most part.
It goes beyond up is down and black is white because that is way too elementary by their standards.
The past few seasons have made even the most casual Saints fan ask, “What the heck is going on?”
Payton, who has always been a bit Bill Parcells-ish when it comes to the media, gives about as much information in a press conference as a top secret military briefing.
Sep 15, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants former head coach Bill Parcells is honored at halftime of the game against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
It reminds me of an old In Living Color sketch where they parodied the Operation Desert Storm pressers showing the infamous footage of laser guided bombs being dropped:
“You can see that this shows what may or may not be something that is dropped and it appears to strike something and then something happens.”
Comedian David Alan Grier, playing a military commander, gives a good response to a question asked, “I won’t tell, your feet smell, ask me again and you can go to hell.”
Jim Carrey, also playing a military commander, gives a response to a reporter’s question that many Saints fans are familiar with when listening to Payton’s press conferences:
“Could you repeat the question?”
(Reporter asks question again)
“I’m sorry could you repeat the question?”
(Reporter asks question again)
“(Pauses a few seconds) No comment”
This has been ironically what the Saints have become to Who Dats, which is a total shroud of mystery.
Even the local beat writers are having a tough time getting any type of information out of the team.
ESPN’s Mike Triplett drew the ire of Payton recently when he was asked about injuries in camp and Payton did his usual “Next question” then interrupted the next reporter to turn his attention back to Triplett to give a scolding on asking about injuries in training camp.
Of course the team is not required to talk about injuries in training camp and Payton has stuck to that which I can understand…to a point.
Aug 3, 2015; White Sulphur Springs, WV, USA; New Orleans Saints running back C.J. Spiller (28) carries the ball during training camp at The Greenbrier. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
For example, the recent picture of running back C.J. Spiller with his knee propped up with crutches by his side in Florida(not West Virginia) that surfaced over the weekend guaranteed a statement by Payton right?
Wrong…
When asked the next day about the buzz on the web over it, Payton simply said he hadn’t seen that report.
Haven’t seen the report? Wait…what?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter then confirmed that Spiller did in fact have arthroscopic surgery on his knee so now Payton surely has to give an update because the jig is up right?
Wrong…
Asked about the report by Schefter, Payton simply responded with(you guessed it), “Next question.”
This coincides with the absence of safety Jarius Byrd who has been more elusive than Bigfoot and when he is seen, tries to hide behind a hoodie while avoiding being photographed.
The only thing that has been addressed concerning Byrd is that he is allegedly on schedule to return and his rehabilitation has been going well.
May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints free safety Jairus Byrd (31) and free safety Rafael Bush (25) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
That might be a bit more believable if Byrd hadn’t participated in all of OTA’s and then for some reason hasn’t even suited up for one practice or even the recent scrimmage.
Mysterious moves are also being made following their recent preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
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The Saints worked out and then signed linebacker Justin Anderson which made sense with injuries to linebackers Dannell Ellerbe, Ramon Humber, and Ronald Powell.
This was followed by the release of long snapper Chris Highland who was filling in for an injured Justin Drescher which makes total sense right?
Not quite…
This was followed up the next day with the Saints working out another linebacker who’s identity still remains…yes a mystery.
At the post practice press conference yesterday Payton said that there were “two to three” transactions that they would announce “in about an hour, hour and a half”….notice I mentioned yesterday.
NOLA.com’s Evan Woodbery confirmed through a source that the Saints had indeed released Highland while WWL’s Kristian Garic found out that the team had released tight end Alex Smith.
Aug 28, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Alex Smith (81) against the Indianapolis Colts at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Smith had recently been signed for depth and was said to have a great practice that day so his release comes as a bit of a surprise.
But then that lead to the notion that the team obviously signed the mysterious linebacker that the team was working out because someone donned jersey #46 (which was previously worn by Highland) for the afternoon walkthrough.
Surely Payton would give up the goods at the morning post practice presser today right?
Wrong…
The Saints have altered their practice schedule and taken off today so there likely won’t be any news available on the transactions.
So who is this elusive Mr. #46? At this point it could be Aldon Smith for all we know…
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In all seriousness, it is likely an undrafted free agent or someone the Saints have already seen during mini-camp but we’ll find out soon enough..maybe.
Understandably Payton isn’t alone in his art of foiling the media with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick being he master of it.
But to say that this training camp has been mysterious is quite the understatement so it’ll be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks.
Or doesn’t happen…wait are they really having training camp or is it all a hoax?
Next question………
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