There’s been a lot of talk about the poor play calling this season. It’s ranged from fans saying the duties should be handed over to Pete Carmichael Jr to feelings as strong as “Sean Payton has lost his stones”. My strong feeling all along is that the issues have been talent and roster based. Sure, Payton deserves blame for being ok starting the season with Tim Lelito at guard and Brandon Coleman as a top 4 receiver, but that’s a completely separate issue from play calling. I had optimism after the Carolina game, which was an impressive game plan considering Luke McCown was the quarterback, but the Falcons game took it to a whole new level. Sometimes the game plan won’t be enough to help a poor offensive line, an aging Hall of Fame QB and a relative lack of playmakers excel. Against the Falcons, though, Sean Payton clearly showed he still has “it”.
In this game the Saints were completely devoid of any semblance of a run game (81 yards on 25 carries) and after the Andrus Peat injury they were rolling with a hobo at left tackle. Despite this, they were a reliable kicker away from putting up 37 points (counting the blocked punt) on the previously unbeaten Falcons. Clearly Sean Payton saw something on tape he could exploit against this defense. Passing to the tight end resurrected Josh Hill’s season and made for a career day for Ben Watson. And finding that hitch was enough to create an entire game plan to build offensive success around. And Brees was one better throw away (or Watson was a spectacular catch away) from the offense putting up 7 more.
Who knows what happens after the season with Sean Payton. ESPN seems convinced he’s open to leaving if the Saints get satisfactory compensation. Never have they suggested the Saints would be open to him leaving, though. So that remains the big question. If Payton does remain, though, you should still feel good about the team’s ability to have success with him as the play caller. If he can game plan a result like this despite an offense so deficient in certain areas, a revamped and improved roster next year could mean great things. And you should have faith in that, too, considering the draft they just had with the help of Jeff Ireland. Remember, Payton has turned a losing Saints team into a playoff team three times already during his tenure. No reason to think he can’t do it a 4th time, potentially quickly.
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