Former Eagle Assistant Gets New Orleans Job

Sean Payton has logged a lot of time as an NFL assistant coach, including a stint with the Eagles. Now, he's getting his first head coaching job taking over the beleaguered New Orleans Saints.

Sean Payton probably deserves a shot at an NFL head coaching job. He's logged a lot of miles and garnered a lot of respect around the league.

One of Payton's assignments was in Philadelphia as the quarterbacks coach under Ray Rhodes in 1997 and 1998. In 1997, the Eagles rotated Ty Detmer, Bobby Hoying and Rodney Peete at the quarterback spot, but still finished second in the NFL in passing yardage. Of course, the following season, the Eagles employed the same three quarterbacks, but finished 30th in the NFL in passing.

In addition to his time with the Eagles, Payton has served as the quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach with the Dallas Cowboys and was the quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants when they won the NFC Championship in 2000.

In his introduction, Payton stressed discipline, preparation and attention to detail.

Payton replaces Jim Haslett, who spent six seasons as the Saints head coach and guided them to a 3-13 season in 2005. The Saints are perhaps in the worst position of any NFL team, after having to play their home games at different sites because of the hurricane damage in New Orleans. The organization appears in some disarray and will provide a challenge for Payton.