Not A Single Saints Official Or Employee So Far At The Nfl Owners Meeting

[falcon057]

By Pat Yasinskas

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Most of the NFC South has had a strong presence in the lobby of The Breakers on Sunday afternoon, except for the New Orleans Saints.

I have not seen a single Saints official or employee so far at the NFL owners meeting. Adam Schefter reported earlier that coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis are expected to attend the meeting. Ed Daniels of New Orleans television station WGNO has reported that a team official said the New Orleans delegation will be landing in South Florida late Sunday night. The meeting does not officially start until Monday morning.

The big question is if Payton and Loomis will discuss their three-year bounty program that led to the coach getting a one-year suspension and the general manager being suspended for the first eight games of the season.

The NFL has urged them to address the media at some point during the meeting, but the decision is ultimately up to Payton and Loomis.

I think it would be a good move for Payton and Loomis to step in front of the cameras. I’m sure Saints fans would like to hear what they have to say. I also think Payton’s case for reinstatement (his suspension begins April 1 and it will be a year before he’s eligible for reinstatement) would be enhanced if he steps forward and publicly apologizes.

I also think it would be a very good idea for Saints owner Tom Benson to address the media – not for the sake of the media, but for the sake of Saints’ fans – to speak publicly for the first time since this scandal started. Benson generally doesn’t do a lot of interviews and doesn’t seek attention. But this is one situation where he has to step forward and make some sort of statement.

Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt if Benson were to say who will take over as head coach while Payton is suspended.

[Falcons 'til Death]

I guess by not showing up their trying to parlay to their fanbase that they're just victims in all this . I think they didn't send someone because they didn't want the embaressment of having to explain themselves to the other owners .

[cdrw]

I guess by not showing up their trying to parlay to their fanbase that they're just victims in all this . I think they didn't send someone because they didn't want the embaressment of having to explain themselves to the other owners .

"Adam Schefter reported earlier that coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis are expected to attend the meeting. Ed Daniels of New Orleans television station WGNO has reported that a team official said the New Orleans delegation will be landing in South Florida late Sunday night. The meeting does not officially start until Monday morning."

[PapaJoe]

I hope the other 31 HC's boycott SP. LOL, that would be F'n funny and deserved.

[clownorg]

<p class="mod-header">

Clarification on Sean Payton's arrival

March, 26, 2012

Mar 26

10:31

AM ET

• Email
  
• Print
  
• Comments64
  

By Pat Yasinskas

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A quick update and clarification to our previous post. New Orleans coach Sean Payton has not arrived at The Breakers for the owners meetings just yet.

A team spokesman just said Payton is en route and will arrive around mid-morning. He’s expected to take part in a meeting with other coaches later Monday, according to the spokesman. It still remains uncertain if Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis or owner Tom Benson will address the media about the three-year bounty program the NFL said the Saints ran that led to their punishments.

It was Benson, not Payton, riding in the vehicles that were seen arriving earlier at the front of the hotel before pulling around back.

The only thing we know for certain is that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will address the media Monday afternoon and the Saints’ situation is expected to be a topic of conversation