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*** OFFICIAL New Orleans Saints Thread *** (2 Viewers)

it was yet another crummy game from both Drew and Payton. the defense didn't let us down this game - mostly - but we gave the game away again. i'd love to see Payton give up playcalling next year.

 
Personnel doesn't match the philosophy. It's a pass heavy team with below average WRs and mediocre at best tackles. Add to that an aging QB, and throwing 40+ times a game might not be the best idea.

 
saintfool said:
it was yet another crummy game from both Drew and Payton. the defense didn't let us down this game - mostly - but we gave the game away again. i'd love to see Payton give up playcalling next year.
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Leading late in losses at Atlanta, Cleveland and Detroit and 0-4 on the road. This end of game el foldo stuff distinctly reminds me of 2007-08. Can't close, can't "Finish strong", all that stuff.

 
Zigg said:
Personnel doesn't match the philosophy. It's a pass heavy team with below average WRs and mediocre at best tackles. Add to that an aging QB, and throwing 40+ times a game might not be the best idea.
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I would agree. For 2-3 years the coach has talked about tinkering with the offense but with the exception of adding Graham there hasn't been a change. This team all of the sudden feels like Dallas of the last few years in that it is uneven and bloated. There are some nice parts to the team, to be sure, but sum isn't greater than those individual parts.

 
Admittedly this is a mess, but 3 of the 4 losses are last second losses by a FG or less. It only would take just a little bit of improvement in 2-3 areas to get out ahead of things. Incredibly if the Saints win this week and Carolina loses the Saints are in 1st place via win%, 3-4.

 
With Cooks out, has anyone seen anything about who else the Saints are considering as options as returners? I assume Cadet is going to take over both jobs now, but any word on who might back up him up?

 
Homers: I've held Joe Morgan as a dynasty stash for quite some time now, in a League with pretty large starting lineups. Crucial game vs the Brees Owner coming up on Sunday. He finally saw action Sunday, and was the only other WR targeted besides Colston/Stills/Cooks. Anyone opinions on his role and predictions of his stats in the coming matchup vs the Ravens? TIA.

 
Faust said:
Rob Ryan on Saints' D: 'We're hurting our team'
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Everybody's ticked at the defense and Ryan but really it's the offense that is letting down their side of the bargain, the Saints have had poor to mediocre defenses under Peyton before. The concept is the offense is supposed to score enough to keep pressure on the other team's O.

The Saints have $160M committed currently to the 2015 cap, more than any other team, and several of the higher priced veterans on that sagging defense are not expected back. The team has sunk considerable resources in the draft and free agency into bolstering the defense in recent years, with middling results at best.
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http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24851213/aints-expected-to-find-new-dc-as-sean-payton-rob-ryan-rift-widens

Actually a name that is being left out of this is Mickey Loomis. There have been some poor personnel decisions and the offense's cupboard is looking mighty, mighty bare.

 
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flapgreen said:
Firing a bunch of people
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I said this further up:

Actually a name that is being left out of this is Mickey Loomis. There have been some poor personnel decisions and the offense's cupboard is looking mighty, mighty bare.
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The local press is so incredibly obsequious and then boom personnel changes and people are shocked. Well they shouldn't be. The Saints are also on the verge of cap hell.

Pace leaves for Chicago, in comes Ireland (maybe) and out goes the college scouting director. I have a friend who has a friend with ties to the Saints so I will see if can find out more but supposedly things have been blowing up inside the front office.

The Rob Ryan situation is weird, rumors of firing him then keeping him (but not definitely) and then oh look it's Dennis Allen, hey he's just here to help out, no worries Rob, say you need a hand with that, anything Dennis can do?

The Loomis situation is similar. I had the sense that Ireland did not do well at Miami or that he wasn't well liked there but it's kind of odd to bring in a former GM at this particular time.

Payton's playcalling sucked, the talent was lacking, they drafted Cooks to fill maybe 3-4 different roles, they let some old key personnel go without filling in their roles on offense sufficiently, the O-Line is old, the D-Line played terribly, they have a 3-4 DC with zero genuine LB stars past Lofton (sorry Galette fell short), and no real edge rushers, the hoped for top-3 defensive backfield turned into an absolute disaster, and Brees is about to turn 50 with his cap hit nearing 28 mill or something soon.

2013 seemed very promising and they had IMO a great final close in the playoffs, and then all of a sudden they're going 0-5 in the Dome, posting 30 TO's, losing clutch games and can't score.

The 2012 season ended with similar measures being taken, but this seems a bit more serious. One thing is clear, they have really got to draft better starting this year.

 
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WookieBooger said:
What's the real scoop with Rita benson-Leblanc getting ousted from ownership? What's being said around town?
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That's been pretty well known around town for a while - she's not there at work, she's an a33hole to staff, she doesn't like the public or people even though that's pretty much her whole job, she has a uh questionable personal life, and she's not particularly bright. But it's a major, major problem because she was the cornerstone to stability because the old man is obviously well old and you don't want a situation like in Buffalo where the team is too expensive to keep in a succession (estate), you want someone in-family to step in and take the reins. I wouldn't be surprised if there's some specific event underlying this that hasn't come out (this is NO, there's always a scandal) but when things are going badly having someone at the top who shows a pisspoor attitude at work is not good.

 
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i knew about her work issues. I was wondering if she was planning on moving the the team, was having raging parties on saints property, etc. we all know that in New Orleans your business is known to everyone , so was just wondering what the speculation/rumor on the street is

 
WookieBooger said:
i knew about her work issues. I was wondering if she was planning on moving the the team, was having raging parties on saints property, etc. we all know that in New Orleans your business is known to everyone , so was just wondering what the speculation/rumor on the street is
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No way on moving the team right now, though it would not surprise me if someone internal found out she would like to sell it after Tom goes. The team has gone from like $72 mill when Tom bought it as part of a group to like a billion now. - As for the personal stuff, I haven't heard anything specific about anything screwy like Saints property or any one particular incident but yes her personal life has had rumors like excessive drinking and supposedly a relationship with a certain female state legislator (NTTAWT, especially as she's very attractive, but I will add that Tom is extremely religious). Supposedly also Tom's relatively new wife and Rita do not get along at all, real enmity there supposedly. I have been working like an idiot of late so I'm admittedly not caught up but I will post if I hear anything new. I also don't frequent the Saints message boards, I'm guessing those things are buzzing right now.

- ETA - I'm guessing this is as simple as Tom picking Gayle, who is genuinely well liked, even loved, and is definitely more responsible and very charity oriented, over Rita as a future caretaker of the team and a far better local face and personality.

- ETA2 - apparently Rita has not only lost her position, she has been kicked out entirely, stripped of even her cell phone and all clearances, she is completely out the organization. The "power struggle" thing has been out there for a year I'd say, apparently it just finally came to fruition though who knows maybe Rita finally broke a camel's back. This SaintsReport thread makes for fun speculative reading.

 
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It sounds like there was some major problems at the saints office this year with Rita's mom and brother moving their offices i to the complex. That part of the family has STRONG ties to San Antonio and the speculation is that they were planning to either sell/ move the team there. Tom Benson got all three of them out of there and away from the Saints (Pelicans too?)

Did this affect game play this year?

Was this part of the reason the city lost the super bowl bid to Minny?

These things have a tendency to have a ripple effect throughout an organization.

 
This is so bad now it defies description - Rita has filed an exhibit in support, it's a personal typed note from her grandfather basically describing her and her siblings being thrown out of everything having to do with Benson's life - including even attending Saints and Pelicans games or even visiting any of the automotive facilities - saying:

"During the over 80 years of my life, I have built a rather large estate which was intended to mainly be for you all as my family. Suddenly after I remarried you all became offensive and did not act in an appropriate manner and even had arguments among yourselves which created a very unpleasant family situation which I will not stand for. It made me very unhappy and uncomfortable. This situation cannot continue at my age. Because of the facts set out above and the heart break you have caused me I want no further contact with any of you and you will not be allowed to enter the Saints' facilities or games, the basketball facilities or Pelicans games, the Benson Towers, the TV facilities or the automotive facilities in New Orleans and will have no right to give directions, orders or hire or fire any of the personnel. - Sincerely yours, your father and grandfather, /s."

 
To me what Benson brought the Saints was stability.

What we have now all of a sudden is the complete opposite.

 
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This is the press release I got about 8:00 am CT, from the Sr. VP of communications himself:

[SIZE=16pt]NEW ORLEANS SAINTS OWNER TOM BENSON RESTRUCTURES OWNERSHIP TRANSFER AND CONTROL OF THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AND NEW ORLEANS PELICANS TO HIS WIFE GAYLE BENSON[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]For Immediate Release: January 22, 2015[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]New Orleans Saints Owner Tom Benson has restructured the ownership transfer and control of the Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans. The transfer of ownership will not occur until the time of Mr. Benson’s death. At that time, Gayle Benson will assume control of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans, in addition to other Benson properties.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]“This is something I have thought about and prayed about for a while now,” said Benson. “Over the past 60 years, I have been fortunate enough to build a number of successful businesses not only in New Orleans but also in San Antonio. Throughout those years, I have included my family as well as a strong management team around me to run these businesses, whether they be banks, automobile dealerships, television stations or professional sports franchises. I want to continue this model of proven success. This is about the legacy of these two teams and everything we have done for the good of the city of New Orleans and our region –my primary goal is to give the organization the foundation to live on after me for many, many years.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]Benson added, “I agree that this is somewhat of a change in what has been formally declared but this is best for our teams and our community.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]The New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans will remain under the same management structure, with Gayle Benson serving as Owner that has seen both teams prosper and grow. The management structure of having a small team of senior managers oversee both the Saints and Pelicans will remain in place. The executive level management will continue to be led by Dennis Lauscha (President) and Mickey Loomis (Executive Vice President/General Manager). The senior level management team will remain in place with Greg Bensel (Senior Vice President of Communications/Broadcasting), Jean-Paul Dardenne (Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships), Ben Hales (Senior Vice President of Marketing & Business Development), Ed Lang (Senior Vice President/CFO), Vicky Neumeyer (Senior Vice President/General Counsel) and Mike Stanfield (Senior Vice President of Sales).[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]“Continuity is very important and this plan ensures that,” said Benson. “We have had the same management team in place that oversees both teams for a number of years. It has proven to be successful and it works. Dennis and Mickey will continue to run the operations as they have done day-to-day for the last ten years or so. They consult with me daily, but they will continue to have the same authority they have always had with making decisions, large and small and this will continue even when Gayle becomes owner. This is a good structure…the only difference is that my wife Gayle, will be in control of the Saints and Pelicans when I die, which I can assure you will not be anytime soon.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]Mr. Benson will continue to represent the Saints and Pelicans at the various league and owners’ meetings. And as has been the practice for many years, joining him will be Lauscha and Loomis, as well as Gayle Benson. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]“While I have slowed down a bit due to this bad knee, I am still very actively involved in every aspect of my businesses and take part daily in decisions that affect all of my businesses,” said Benson. “I enjoy it, I truly do. I love being in the office and being around the coaches and players and staff and being a part of what they are doing. I have just come to a point in my life where I need to make some tough decisions on how things are going to be planned out. My wife, Gayle, is very important to me. She is born in New Orleans. She has been a businesswoman in this city for many years and is actively involved in many charitable organizations, the Catholic Church, hospitals, schools and university boards, to name a few…I am very proud of her. She is the most logical and natural person closest to me that will ensure the continuity, the stability and the success of our Saints and Pelicans in the city of New Orleans for a long time. The future is bright and secure for both teams here in New Orleans. Plus, she will be surrounded by the best management team in sports in my opinion, just like I have been, who are committed to this community and committed to winning championships.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]“Finally, when family members are involved, decision are always tougher,” said Benson. “My family, as they have been their whole lives, will be very well taken care of, however, this is about making the correct decision as it pertains specifically to the future of the Saints and Pelicans and their long-term success in the city of New Orleans, where they belong.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]The NFL and NBA has been informed of the succession plans set forth by Benson. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]-30-[/SIZE]​
[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]​
[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=16pt]Question & Answer with Tom Benson[/SIZE]​
[SIZE=12pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]Why now? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]As I noted, with my knee and the few surgeries I have had on it during the past year, it has given me time to reflect on a number of issues that we will face in the distant future, not only with the Saints and Pelicans but also my other businesses like the banks, real estate, the ranch, the Benson Tower, WVUE-TV Fox 8 and of course my automobile dealerships here in New Orleans and San Antonio. This is a decision that I have decided was in the best interest for the long-term stability and success of our football and basketball teams. That is a lot to think about. And there are a lot of people and families impacted by decisions that need to be made and so I thought now was the right time. This is not something that came about overnight, but over time.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]How or why did you decide on the change in ownership structure of the two teams from your family (i.e. Renee LeBlanc, Rita Benson LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc)? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]As I noted, I have had time to reflect and figure out if we have the ownership succession plan correct after I die. And you know, my wife Gayle is my family too and a very important part of my life. You just know when the time is at hand to start to really think this through and make sure you have everything covered. It was documented that my daughter Renee, my grandson Ryan and of course my granddaughter Rita would have a large part of my estate, upon my death, including the two teams and other assets. However, this is a decision about the legacy of things that I have built in my lifetime – my family, including Renee, Rita and Ryan, just as they have been – will be very well taken care of after I die. But to finish my thought, this is based solely on doing what is right. I have spent the better part of my life building businesses and as a byproduct of building successful business, I have been fortunate enough in my life to be able to make sizeable donations over a long period of time that directly influence my community – the city of New Orleans. It is what I am most proud of in my life. And right behind that is the joy I get watching our fans after we win, and secure championships for our city. We have tasted that before and we want to provide that again. For that to continue we need to plan for the future and we need to keep the continuity and stability of what we have built at the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. My wife Gayle will ensure this. Her love for New Orleans and giving back to the community she loves is unmatched.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]Rita has been positioned for a long-time to be the eventual owner of the teams and represent them at league and owners’ meetings. What will be her role?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]Gayle will own the teams upon my death and as I noted Rita will not be involved in the ownership or management of the Saints or Pelicans. My family, just as they have been for their entire lives, will be well taken care of. The reason for my decision is about laying the foundation for the Organization to continue to be successful.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]What happens to the teams when Gayle Benson dies?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]Well, since I do not plan on dying anytime soon, and I think Gayle will be around a long time. I am not sure how urgent that question is…but there is a plan, without going into great details, for the team to be set long term here in New Orleans.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=16pt]Quotes From Gayle Benson, Dennis Lauscha, Mickey Loomis and Archbishop Gregory Aymond[/SIZE]​




[SIZE=14pt]“My husband is an amazing man and what he has selflessly done and built over his life is truly remarkable. What I have learned from him is that to build a strong community, you must first be willing to give, to help those in need and support those that are doing good, then and only then can community give back to you. The most important thing to me is to continue to secure his legacy in the city he loves, New Orleans, forever and we will do that.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]GAYLE BENSON[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]“We have built a strong foundation of success with the Saints and Pelicans on both the business side and the respective football and basketball operations. This will continue. Mr. Benson remains actively involved in the day to day operations of all of his businesses, addressing both the short and long term plans for the teams are always top of mind items and he decided now was the time to make this change. As President, employee, fan or stockholder of the Organization, you simply want committed and dedicated ownership who provide the resources, support and guidance to be a champion on and off the field. Mr. Benson provides these assets and this change will continue to strengthen his support. ” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]DENNIS LAUSCHA[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]President[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]New Orleans Saints [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]New Orleans Pelicans[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]“Our football and basketball operations could not ask for a better owner in Mr. Benson. We have nothing but his unequivocal support and that is important. We have been a successful franchise because of it. Nothing will change with that when Mrs. Benson becomes the owner. That stability creates an environment so that players and coaches want to come here.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]MICKEY LOOMIS[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]Executive Vice President/General Manager[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]New Orleans Saints[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]Executive Vice President/Basketball Operations[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]New Orleans Pelicans[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]"I am glad to be both friend and spiritual advisor to Tom Benson. Through that relationship, I can assure you he is a man who daily strives to live out the values of Jesus in his daily life. He is consistent in his decisions, both personal and business, that they are rooted in faith and integrity." [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]ARCHBISHOP GREGORY AYMOND[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14pt]Archdiocese of New Orleans[/SIZE]
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Only in New Orleans would an NFL team have a press release with a comment from the Archbishop.

 
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pretty sure Rita & her family had plans to move the team(s) once Tom passed, and he or his people got wind of it. in his statement above, he alludes to his love and commitment for New Orleans, so in addition to just being an all-around miserable person, Rita finally did the one thing he couldn't abide.

 
Wasn't Benson looking to move the team before Katrina hit and he was sort of forced to stay there because it would have been horrible PR to leave? Or am I not remembering that correctly?

 
You are correct. But since then the man has remade a true commitment to the area. His current wife is a big part of that (I think)

 
WookieBooger said:
You are correct. But since then the man has remade a true commitment to the area. His current wife is a big part of that (I think)
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Yeah, he did make a commitment to the area. Right after the state gave him bazillions in tax incentives, a huge piece of valuable real estate downtown, and basically the Superdome. Before that though, San Antonio was very much in play. Katrina just kind of forced his and the leagues hand when it came to staying as part of the "rebuilding" effort.

I don't dislike the guy, and I think that marrying Gale has done a lot to help his image, and I think she's the driving force in his loyalty to the city. At the same time, she just took control over a few billion in assets, and the kids aren't going down without a fight.

 
MICKEY LOOMIS

Executive Vice President/General Manager

New Orleans Saints

Executive Vice President/Basketball Operations

New Orleans Pelicans



"I am glad to be both friend and spiritual advisor to Tom Benson. Through that relationship, I can assure you he is a man who daily strives to live out the values of Jesus in his daily life. He is consistent in his decisions, both personal and business, that they are rooted in faith and integrity."
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That cracks me up. Loomis, who dated a woman (coworker of mine in Seattle) for 15 years and led her on as to the state of their relationship, basically left the kids up there to be raised by her when he first made the Seattle to NO move, then dumped her, married in Louisiana. He's a miserable human being. Spiritual advisor must not mean what it used to.


 
psychobillies said:
WookieBooger said:
You are correct. But since then the man has remade a true commitment to the area. His current wife is a big part of that (I think)
Click to expand...
Yeah, he did make a commitment to the area. Right after the state gave him bazillions in tax incentives, a huge piece of valuable real estate downtown, and basically the Superdome. Before that though, San Antonio was very much in play. Katrina just kind of forced his and the leagues hand when it came to staying as part of the "rebuilding" effort.I don't dislike the guy, and I think that marrying Gale has done a lot to help his image, and I think she's the driving force in his loyalty to the city. At the same time, she just took control over a few billion in assets, and the kids aren't going down without a fight.
Click to expand...
You are correct

 
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