Will Bill Parcells coach the Saints in Payton's absence?
People are hailing it as a bad decision for all parties involved, but I'm not as sold. He's close to Payton--he won't come in a try to usurp Payton's hopeful return in 2013. He can get a taste of coaching Brees and an elite team, without having to worry about the long term. He's shown in the past that he can turn a team into a winner quickly -- what would he do with a team that's already elite? Bringing in a completely random outside hire, or even promoting an assistant coach, could throw the team off. It could disrupt everything that that Saints have worked for since Brees and Payton got there. (Speaking of which, they better hurry up and sign Brees.)
I really think this wouldn't be a terrible idea, despite what the media and bloggers are saying. It in a strange way could be a stabilizing factor for a team in distress. Payton's suspension won't be overturned this week. Not a chance, with the new audio of Williams telling his players to go out and get Frank Gore in January.
(Check out a summery of the limited audio available here Williams' Speech Details.)
Moreover, who else is there? Who else comes to mind who would want to be a head coach for a year and then give it up willingly? Who else is close to Payton and understands how his team runs? Who else's hand is strong enough to hold the team, without a GM, and keep everyone in line? Does it matter for the legacy? Only if he screws it up.
New Nike Uniforms
Well, they came out. Turns out all the uniforms that the world was panicking about online were fakes, or rejects. Who knows if they were old ideas that Nike floated out to see what everyone thought? If that is in fact the case, I'm glad they listened. Because they were awful. But I digress back into reality.
Here they are. Details about all 32 new uniforms (and pictures).
Nothing has majorly changed for most teams, with the notable exception of the Seahawks. But let's be honest, the Seahwaks' uniforms have never been particularly stunning. Nike was just trying to improve on a bad situation. Not sure they quite did, but it was an attempt. Other teams, such as the Panthers, have words on the inside of the collar. For the Panthers, it's "Keep Pounding", words uttered by cancer victim LB Sam Mills.
But Nike is really trying to tote them as state of the art. New fabric, new design, brighter colors. They say that the new uniforms will prevent holding, slip back into form easily after contact. All that film we see of players sticking their shoulder pads back into their jerseys will be gone. New V-shaped neck line, which appears looser but isn't. (That's a good thing.) Players are excited, or at least seem to be. The new uniforms are supposed to encourage a greater range of motion, be lighter and drier (good luck!).
However, the Packers are rejecting the new uniforms. They have requested that their uniforms remain the same in every way, fabric, colors, look and feel. The only change will be the Nike logo. Full Article on Packers' Decision. Overall, for a franchise steeped in history, it's not surprising. They might change their tune, but who cares? They're the Green Bay Packers, who basically invented football. They have said they are open to revisiting the idea after this season, but I'm glad for one that they aren't jumping on the Nike bandwagon. Because of my work, I've had a great deal of experience with Nike football gear. Nothing has ever jumped out at me as being better by far than the other equipment. That being said, I don't have the privilege of using most of it, but I do talk to the guys about it. I'll be interested to hear what the players say as the season gets under way.
Here's a complete break down team by team of the changes (or lack thereof.) Team By Team Breakdown.
