Sean Payton Quotations

We've acquired some players because it was an area we felt like we needed to improve and whether or not it's finished there, it's probably too early to say. Some of these guys we've been able to sign we're getting a good look at now and some have more experience than others.

When I was introduced last week I said that I wanted to bring teachers in who were looking to work hard, enjoy their work and be part of a team with everyone moving in the same direction. Gary defines that description. Getting him in New Orleans sets the tone for the rest of the additions to my coaching staff.

We're hoping by that next official mini-camp in early June that you're going to see him spinning the ball around and throwing it. Now to what degree and how hard and how deep, I can't tell you. I don't know that yet.

We have to get some of these heavy guys up to speed quick.

Obviously, Gary and I are familiar with Scott from our time in Dallas. Scott defines the type of person we are looking for, a dedicated veteran who has been a starter and knows what it takes to succeed. Scott understands the system that Gary is putting in place and we are extremely pleased to have him on the roster as we move forward.

Obviously 2005 was a traumatic year for this area, it was a tough time for this team.

I worked with Joe at the Eagles and the one thing you can say is that his players always excel.

I don't know what's going to happen. It's going to take a few days to see what direction we're going with the coordinators or if anyone will come with me.

From a coaching standpoint, it's about measuring what kind of condition they're in right now, where we're at in each position group, but for this city ... I think there's a little bit more to it.

For this area and this region, symbolically, it's important to have their team back. It's significant for the city and the region. We welcome them out.

We can impact people's lives in a positive way as they go through this transition. I think this area, this community, this region is tough, and our team better reflect that, too.

We talked about that. I enjoy coaching that position. I enjoy being involved in the offense. I would certainly look forward to being involved with that development.

What I?m looking forward to finding out is which sideline Archie?s going to be on.

Our turnover ratio last year was at the bottom of the league. If you look at that statistic, everyone's that drafting in the first five or six picks all were in the bottom of the league in that ratio. It's a won-loss deal. If you don't correct it, you'll lose again.

I think one of greatest compliments you can give a coach is to say that someday you want your kids to be coached by them and I can say that about Lou. He has a real good handle on what he wants. I think the world of him.

I think this was different that the situation in Oakland two years ago. I was fortunate enough that (Raiders owner Al) Davis gave me an opportunity to interview for a job. It was the first time I had ever gone through that process. After two weekends with him, I felt like I could interview with anybody. It really helped me grow a little bit. I think the timing today, the timing now, the timing this year was right, and I took advantage of the opportunity.

I think this was an opportunity unique to the NFL.

We haven't told him anything. We're in the process of staying in touch with his agent and it's a process that's probably not unlike maybe a lot of teams at this time with a handful of players that just haven't been signed yet, so there's really nothing there.

Those aren't by accident. That track record at this position is, I think, critical in the evaluation process. He's a player that makes great decisions. He's a high-character person. He's everything you look for at the quarterback position.

We are putting together a staff of dedicated coaches who know how to relate to players and are teachers.

We've worked hard to fill our coaching staff with assistants who know the game and have excelled at educating players on doing the little things that make a difference.

We thought about it a long time. We felt like it was in our best interest, so we did it. It's permanent, and I know there'll be a lot speculated about the draft.

We're not in real good shape right now. ... There are a lot of guys struggling with the reps and we've got to get some of these heavy guys up to speed, quick. We're going to press them hard.

To say, 'Hey, that's a certain position that should be drafted,' I think it's too early, at least right now, to comment on.

Tom Brady ran just I think a 5.2 40 at the combine, and just kind of spit the ball around a little bit. All of a sudden, he's what we're looking for.

The timing was right this time. I'm not a young naive coach. I'm excited about this opportunity. It's a challenge.

Some people would say: 'Stay in Dallas. The situation there is good.' We're three-quarters of the way through building a brand new house in Dallas. Hopefully I'm not viewed as a young, naive coach coming into a situation here. I'm excited about this opportunity. I know it's a challenge and we're going to roll our sleeves up.

Specifically, I just think we're not in real good shape right now. I think we've got a lot of work to do. There are a lot of guys struggling with reps.

A poorly conditioned football team gets penalties, a poorly conditioned football team holds, a poorly conditioned football team turns the football over. The other way to look at it is, if your not in shape, you can lose games, so I think being in shape is a must. You need to have stamina ... you need to have some staying power in the fourth quarter to win football games and if you're not I think you're going to lose.

That's how you've got to practice. The message I had for them last night was be prepared for our tempo. They'll get used to that and I think players want that by and large and I think it'll pay off in the long run. But we've got a lot of work to do and a lot of guys sucking some air right now.

There's a process involved. It's important that you're a part of the process. It's a group effort.

It's too early to think about that now. We have plenty of work to do before (the draft) and my job is not just on offence, but to lead the team.

It's hard to look at their talent now, compared to their record, with all of the circumstances and things that they've gone through. It's a team that's certainly shown that they can be competitive, and I would look forward to that challenge.

It's an exciting time, and I'm looking forward to it. I've enjoyed my three years in Dallas, and I've learned a lot from working with a coach like Bill Parcells.

I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I'll have more to say about it tomorrow.

If you're talking about characteristics in a quarterback, you're looking for guys that are winners. They come in all shapes and sizes. They have to have leadership qualities, and he's gotta be tough.

Gary stresses the fundamentals and has a sound philosophy on what he expects from a defense. But he doesn't allow that to take away from aggressiveness that you look for that is necessary to make plays.

You've got a young ascending player who's proven at this level he can win.

The first thing we need to start doing is winning some football games.

You learn a lot more about all the things that are necessary to be the leader of a team and so there's day-to-day hands-on training that you get and you might not even be asking for it. You try as best you can to be organized, have a plan, know exactly what you want from a schedule standpoint, have an idea of what you would want in a staff.

I think there's a prototype we're all looking for, whether it's Brett Favre or Troy Aikman. And everyone's got that picture in their mind of the prototype at the position.