Earlier this week, Saints running back Reggie Bush told our good friend Monty of Sporting News Radio's The Monty Show that Bush believes the Saints can go undefeated.
On Thursday, coach Sean Payton was asked about Bush's comments.
"I think if you really pay attention to the interview. . . . Sometimes we fail to do that," Payton said in comments distributed by the team. "If we pay attention to the interview, the comments in the context they were taken, don't bother me. But that's the nature of how news is made. Honestly, if you listen to any of our players, Reggie included, myself included, each week we have to focus on the next opponent. We're two weeks away from being even at the halfway point. . . .
"He and I talked about it. There are a lot of games left. We have a lot of football left with good teams, starting with this week's team. We know Atlanta's a very good team, 4-2 right now. We have to get ready for this week and get our schedules adjusted. To answer your question, he and I talked about it."
So Payton has demonstrated the ability to talk while saying nothing, something that players like Bush would be wise to learn when trying to answer potentially tough questions.
Though Payton would never say it publicly, he surely was upset with Bush. But calling Bush out isn't the best way to manage a player who embraces a supporting role despite his persistent belief that, someday, he'll be named the league's MVP.
Sure, no one believes what Payton said. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that Sean Payton said nothing that would compromise his relationship with Reggie Bush.
Sean Payton talks about Reggie Bush's recent comments
Posted by Mike Florio on October 29, 2009 6:13 PM ET
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I can't believe this is even a legit discussion in the NFL. The Dolphins and Patriots are an aberration. We'll likely never see it again, but hey, people love to talk about it I guess.
Reggie Bush Sucks
what reggie said is exactly in line with what maurice jones drew said, that they go out there every sunday WITH THE MENTALITY that they can go undefeated. neither man was making a predicition. I think your reaching on this one, Florio...bigtime!
"So Payton has demonstrated the ability to talk while saying nothing, something that players like Bush would be wise to learn when trying to answer potentially tough questions."
Is there anything more disingenuous than a lawyer turned NFL blogger who will take a player to task over speaking his mind, yet gleefully print the statements and refer back to them quite often?
Hey- speaking of shooting one’s mouth off- how is that Redskins pick doing for ya?
I believe he was asked "can" you go undefeated... what was he supposed to say "no"? I realize he could have said something like - probably but we are just focused on next week - personally I don't see what the big deal is... so what if he thinks that way doesn't mean anything except for the superstitious.
I did not hear (or read) any guarantees come out of Reggie Bush's mouth. He said "when", he never said now, or this year/season.
This article and surrounding drama about otherwise innocuous comments is case in point as to why it is so difficult to go undefeated. After a team gets to 6 or 7 wins so much attention gets thrown their way that it is almost impossible to maintain focus. The team trying to stay undefeated has to play in a "Mini-Super Bowl" every week because the media attention is multiplied and the opposing team wants to be the first to knock off the team that hasn't lost. I almost think it would be better for their actual Super Bowl chances to lose one or two just to shrink the size of the circus. But it makes for great television (and rumor mill articles.)
Bush hasn't had much to talk about since he came into the league. He's a part-time guy making full-time wages, running his mouth about running the table and being MVP. He should shut up and work harder.
Sean Payton is an idiot. Talk to him about what? That the kid is motivated. I'm not a Reggie Bush fan by no means but come on, would it be better if he says he thinks they are not good enough to go undefeated? That they have been luck so far?
Take it for what it is Payton. If anything, talk to him about how you expect him to back it up by putting forth a 100% and instilling the same into his team mates.
get over yourself florio what was he supposed to say?oh wait you already told him what he should say since you know have been in his position many times.we get you don't like him and once a guy lands on your bad side tht's it he is always on it but in this case I don't see how what he said was wrong in any way. he didn't say the other team or players sucked or anything derogatory,just that he believed his team would go undefeated.what's so wrong with beliving in your team or your own ablilities?
You will lose Monday Ain'ts, so don't worry about being undefeated chumps.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!
Reggie Bush is a good player but.... he NEEDS to contribute more for the Saints and make the MOST of his skills. Let's see what he can do against the Falcons?
Words of wisdom from Atlanta Love...
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!
Payton is such a blowhard wannabe. I can't wait until he gets his comeuppance.
And when that doesn't happen, are you gonna man up Tuesday and admit on here that you were wrong? Didn't think so. The Saints are hardly going to slow down when they run over your birds. Geaux Saints.
Lets be honest aside from being an ESPN darling before and after being drafted, what has Reggie Bush done in the NFL? And why are we still paying attention to anything he says. He is a prime example of mediocrity after the hype! Does this mean we will have to go through the same thing with Sanchez?
so in the first half of the commentary bush is a pompous arrogant punk for speaking his mind in a business known for drab and cliche banter.....
and in the second part, sean payton is criticized for his tight lipped style of information distribution....
and you wonder why most refuse to engage the media.....
Reggie Bush is the most frustrating player the Saints have ever had. He'll do five bad things, then make one fantastic play....frustrating.
Am I the only one that thinks Sean Payton looks a bit like Andy Bernard?
Go Falcons.
Hey, Florio (and the rest of you guys), here's the complete interview with Bush:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2009-10-28/qa-saints-rb-reggie-bush
So please, tell me where he was "running his mouth" or showing that he's NOT working hard or any of the other accusations that you're making.
Thanks!
Payton's comment:
"I think if you really pay attention to the interview. . . . Sometimes we fail to do that," Payton said in comments distributed by the team. "If we pay attention to the interview, the comments in the context they were taken, don't bother me. But that's the nature of how news is made.
Allow me to act as translator here.
Translated comments from coach speak to regular Joe speak:
"You are trying to make a news story by taking the comments out of context. The comments in the context they were taken don't bother me. You are a failure as a reporter. If you had paid attention to your own interview you would have seen there wasn't a story here. Either that or you were trying to make a story out of nothing. You are a failure in any case. You fail. You are a failure."
Guys, Reggie Bush plays more of a roll then you may think. A player does not need to ball in his hands at all to still be effective.