Payton Speaks Out For First Time Since Suspensions Handed Out - East Idaho News
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Payton Speaks Out For First Time Since Suspensions Handed Out

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Getty S 32112 PAYTON?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1332859079638Chris Graythen/Getty Images(PALM BEACH, Fla.) — For the first time since the NFL handed down a year long suspension towards him, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton spoke to media about a variety of issues surrounding the team.

Since Payton’s suspension begins on Sunday, the search for an interim coach has been heating up. According to reports, Payton and general manager Micky Loomis will meet with former NFL head coach Bill Parcells today before Payton flies back to New Orleans. ESPN has reported that Payton has talked to Parcells about coaching the team on an interim basis in 2012.

Payton was suspended after the NFL’s investigation that the team had a bounty system that would financially compensate players for big hits or for hits that would knock players out of games. This was run under former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams from 2009-2011. Williams has been suspended indefinitely while Loomis has been suspended for eight games.

“But I made this statement earlier, as the head coach, anything that happens in the framework of your team and your program you are responsible for,” Payton said. “That’s a lesson I’ve learned. It’s easy to get carried away in regards to a certain side of the ball when we’re involved offensively and defensively. That’s something that I regret.”

Even though Payton will not be in the picture for the Saints in 2012, he did declare that he is “100 percent” confident he will coach the Saints in 2013.

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