Saints Sideline Blog

Payton and Gruden

Thursday, August 6th, 2009      Email Print

A year ago they were on opposite sidelines, but on this afternoon they were back to being good friends. Sean Payton welcomed one of his coaching mentors, Jon Gruden to Training Camp on Thursday where its clear these guys have a lot in common.Both guys are offensive gurus, both have thick and complicated playbooks (even though Gruden says Payton's is harder to digest) and both worked their way up the old fashioned way---they earned it!

The year was 1997, it was Sean Payton's rookie year in the NFL, rookie in the coaching sense anyway. Gruden was the Eagles' Offensive Coordinator and a 34 year old Sean Payton was hired as the team's Quarterback coach. The two guys hit if off right away, they both loved to watch film and be creative with their gameplans. They didn't love their accomodations though. As the story goes back at the old Veterans Stadium, allnighters were common place in an office which would see Gruden get the spacious desk while Payton received a spot on the couch or according to Payton "the corner of the couch."

Its those kinds of experiences that mold NFL coaches, you pay your dues, you learn what works and what doesn't. Its clear the respect Payton has for Gruden as he said coaching under him was the equivalent of "getting a law degree." You could tell Gruden was envious of his former peer as Chucky would love to coach a QB like Drew Brees, the kind of talent he never had in Tampa Bay. When I asked Gruden how much he misses coaching, he told me for now he is looking forward to hitting the Monday Night Football airwaves where Payton says he has the potential of another John...Madden!

Both guys have come a long way from chasing rats out of their small offices at "The Vet." Gruden has a Super Bowl ring and a super new gig. Payton is in search of his first but appreciates his "super" mentor. Gruden met with Payton and Drew Brees for three hours before Thursday's workout and spoke to the team at their hotel later that night. Payton seems to have a great appreciation of his old mentor, who is out of the game for now but you get the feeling not for long.

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

OFFENSE SHARP: Good News Saints fans Drew Brees isn't slowing down, he's once again picking up where he left off. In Thursday afternoon's practice he was as sharp as we've seen this camp throwing darts to many different targets.

TWO MINUTE WARNINGayton liked the physicality of Thursday's practice where he installed the 2 minute offense and defense for the first time this camp.

HIT OF THE DAY: In one on one drills, the fans got a front row seat to the hit of the day when linebacker Jonathan Vilma simply leveled fullback Heath Evans.

WHAT ABOUT BOB?? Another day, another solid performance for Robert Meachem who is catching everything downfield and showing off a leaner build.

INJURY UPDATE: Randall Gay sat out Thursday's workout with a bursa sac below his right Achilles Heel. He remains questionable for the Black and Gold scrimmage on Saturday.

MALCOLM WATCH: First Rounder Malcolm Jenkins has nearly missed a week of training camp, but Sean Payton remains optimistic a deal will get done soon.

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

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