New Orleans Saints reach contract extension with Sean Payton

The agreement between the franchise and the Head Coach will run for the next five seasons, giving continuity to the project that began in 2006 and already gave them their first Super Bowl ring in 2009.
New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has found in Head Coach Sean Payton the head corner stone to keep on building a winning tradition in town, reason why he was so pleased to let fans know that they have agreed on terms for a contract extension that will rule until the 2015 NFL season.

Payton took charge of the Saints in 2006, which represented his first head coaching experience, and he didn’t do badly at all in his debut, where the team clinched NFC South title. Ever since he has achieved a 53-33 overall mark, including the biggest achievement in franchise history: a Super Bowl championship ring in 2009 over the Indianapolis Colts.

A big part of Payton’s success is owed to quarterback Drew Brees, who also arrived in 2006 and together are marking an era in the Saints history books. His contract expires at the end of this season, but talks to ensure the future of their franchise player have just begun.

There were reports about Payton’s contract extension being tied to a new deal for the quarterback, which have been proven as wrong now that the Head Coach has agreed on a new 5-year deal meanwhile Brees waits for his turn.

Payton feels that since his contract extension was “a little bit simpler and less complicated” tha
Brees’ his future was solved first, otherwise it could have been the other way around, he said.

None of the parties involved released the terms of the contract, but it is evident that both ends are happy with it, otherwise they wouldn’t have agreed on a long term deal.

Questioned about the season opener game against the defending champions, the Green Bay Packers, on September 8th Payton made emphasis on the Lambeau Field experience, which he believes is “the most historic stadium in the our league,” with an environment that will be a great challenge to overcome for his team.

He rates the Packers as an unpredictable squad that can always match its opponents, with the potential to create at least two game-changer plays. Payton also expressed his conce
to protect the passer, as they will face a team that last year was second in the league with sacks, therefore keeping turnovers to a minimum will be key to win the game.

This will be the Saints third season opener game in five years, and they will have the chance to become the first team to beat the defending champions in the inaugural match.

Their last confrontation took place on November, 2008 at the Superdome, and it ended with 51-29 victory for the Saints.

We can definitely expect a big game on Thursday night, but we are doubtful that a score as high as that one will be repeated, for both teams defensive units have proven to be strong.

America’s favorite sport is back! Let the road to Indianapolis begin!