Saints Players Admit Sean Payton Ran Up Score On Rams

Sean Payton can have a kind heart when it comes to his players and his city, but the Los Angeles Rams learned what happens when betraying him.

For those who don’t remember, Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season. It was part of a series of punishments handed down by the NFL for what was known as BountyGate. This was an exposed program of paid incentives involving New Orleans Saints defenders intentionally trying to knocking opposing players out of games by trying to injure them. If successful they were given certain cash bonuses in a pot.

At the heart of this ugly program was former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. He was the man most directly behind encouraging his players to engage in this dirty form of play.

Williams and Payton developed a frosty relationship. Word was Payton felt the coordinator was a “rogue coach.” That’s why the Saints ended up firing him. That didn’t save him or GM Mickey Loomis from suspensions. Meanwhile Williams landed softly in St. Louis to become their defensive coordinator under Jeff Fisher, a job he’s held since.

One can imagine Payton resented his former colleague for basically hanging him out to dry. So when New Orleans finally got a chance to play Williams and the Rams, he made sure a message would be sent that could never be forgotten. The Saints crushed Los Angeles 49-21. Drew Brees and the offense piled up 555 yards of total offense including 300 passing and 200 rushing.

Right tackle Zach Strief later admitted to ESPN that Payton coached the game with even more fire than usual.

"“It does, it means something. There’s more there. So, good for Coach. I didn’t see anything out of him, necessarily. I just know better. The message all week was, ‘Our back’s against the wall. … There’s no room for error.’ At no point did he ever say or act differently that I could see. But I’ll be honest for him and say there’s no way [it didn’t matter].“And I understand why people can’t say that. Nothing was different in his actions that I could see, but I know better.”Added safety Kenny Vaccaro: “He was fired up. We all know why.”"

Keep in mind the game was well out of reach 42-21 going into the 4th quarter. Nonetheless Payton decided to send one final message and did so without any care for how it my be perceived as being flashy or running up the score.

It capped a sweet day of revenge for Payton and finished off the latest humiliation for Williams and his fast sinking team. Just goes to show that there is plenty of personal within the professional when it comes to the NFL.