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It's Now Or Never For Payton's Saints

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 1, 2007

NEW ORLEANS While earning NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2006, Sean Payton proved he could transform a losing culture and turn around the dysfunctional Saints.

A month into his second season, he was forced to do it again.

The defending NFC South champions could have folded after an 0-4 start that included blowout losses to the Colts, Bucs and Titans. The 1992 Chargers are the last 0-4 club to make the playoffs, but New Orleans (5-6) has a chance to make things interesting by beating Tampa Bay on Sunday at the Superdome.

Payton, 43, made it look all too easy in The Big Easy last year as the Saints bolted to a 5-1 getaway and displaced Dallas as America's Team in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Led by Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees - one of 11 new starters - New Orleans reached the NFC Championship Game and reconnected with a dormant fan base desperate for a feel-good story.

Then the 2007 season began and the good times stopped rolling.

"This is a tough business and it's a long season," Payton said this week as the Saints attempt to reach the .500 mark for the second time this year. "You keep plugging along. Some of those losses were difficult, but I think players are counting on leadership.

They're counting on you to be tough and resilient."

Brees couldn't find his rhythm through the brutal opening month, throwing one touchdown pass and nine interceptions.

Payton's multi-dimensional attack, which finished No..1 in 2006, could no longer bail out a pedestrian defense, and star running back Deuce McAllister was suddenly done for the year with a torn ACL.

It appeared the sun had set on the Crescent City.

"Coach Payton has such a way about him that he continually finds ways to motivate guys," said Brees, who threw 11 scoring passes and one pick during a four-game winning streak that promptly vaulted the Saints back into contention.

Without McAllister's running threat between the tackles, Payton adjusted. He went empty backfield, placing Reggie Bush in the slot to provide favorable matchups downfield. Lanky wide receiver Marques Colston, who has 19 receptions in his past two games against Tampa Bay, has overcome a sluggish start to regain his impressive '06 rookie form.

Most of all, Payton never lost faith - in his players or himself.

"Each week, you're always looking at what you're doing as a head coach," Payton said. "As an offensive play-caller, it's no different. We have to evaluate our message and how we're presenting it. And that starts with me."

Just when it looked like the Saints had overcome their turnover woes, they committed five giveaways in losses to the Rams and Texans before rebounding last week with a convincing victory at Carolina.

"I think Sean Payton is awesome," Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "He's really smart and the man runs a very explosive offense. Other people try to do it, but their players can't handle it. He's got to be a great teacher because their quarterback really knows what he's doing."

Bucs coach Jon Gruden was Philadelphia's offensive coordinator in 1997 when he brought Payton into the league as quarterbacks coach.

The Saints went from last to first in the division a year ago and Gruden has an opportunity to duplicate that feat with a strong December run.

"I really like Sean Payton," Gruden said. "It's not how you start in this league, it's how you finish, and he's got the Saints playing good football right now."

Payton may be a master motivator, but his current message is simple … and familiar.

"Last week was a must-win game for us at Carolina," Payton said. "We're at the point in the season where there's not much wiggle room for us. It's now or never for this football team, and I think our players understand that."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833 or ikaufman@tampatrib.com.

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