To reference Tim Robinson’s stellar (and not safe for work) I Think You Should Leave sketch, “We’re all trying to find the guy who did this.” That’s what keeps coming to mind every time Sean Payton talks up his new Denver Broncos team over the New Orleans Saints squad he quit on a year ago.
Payton’s latest comments on the differences between the two organizations touched on the Broncos analytics department, which he said “Is on a different level here,” compared to what he was working with in New Orleans during his pre-draft press conference this week.
“I’m like that driver of a new car that still hasn’t figured out how to get the seat warmers on,” Payton continued. “It’s pretty impressive, and it’s new for me in a good way. I’m talking about the efficiency of the process. We weren’t as far ahead (in New Orleans) when we were looking at some of these players as to being able to pick up and access the information as quickly.”
What exactly that means remains to be seen. It could be as simple as the Broncos installing a fancy touchscreen big board like the Minnesota Vikings compared to the magnets and whiteboard used in New Orleans. Maybe Denver has just digitalized more of the process than the Saints to conserve paper and ink. Or they could have a high-tech database full of scouting reports, film clips, and advanced grading metrics. Who knows?
Either way, it isn’t the best look for Payton, who was responsible for many of the decisions the Saints made over the last 15 years. If he wanted to embrace the analytical side of the sport more strongly in New Orleans, all he would have had to do is ask. It’s too bad. Maybe a heavier emphasis on studying draft pick value would have swayed Payton from trading two first rounders for Marcus Davenport in 2018.
