APWhen the Saints met the 49ers in the preseason, New Orleans blitzed like crazy, and after the game reports surfaced that Saints coach Sean Payton called for the blitzes because he thought 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh had snubbed him.
According to the reports, Payton thought Harbaugh should have called him to discuss how the two teams would play in the preseason so that both teams could get the right kind of work in. Such an agreement between coaches would violate league rules, but other coaches have openly acknowledged making such agreements with their opponents.
Now that Harbaugh is preparing to coach against Payton again in the postseason, the issue of the supposed preseason tiff has come up again. And Harbaugh says it’s a whole lot of nothing.
“I’m certainly not aware of any gentlemen’s agreement,” Harbaugh said. “I even asked my brother [Ravens coach John Harbaugh]: ‘Is there some sort of gentlemen’s agreement that you call a coach before a game, a preseason game?’ He wasn’t aware of any. And even if there was we wouldn’t do it anyway. We ask no quarter. We give no quarter. That’s how we approach things.”
Harbaugh also said he was glad the Saints blitzed in the preseason because it forced the 49ers’ offense to work on the protection problems that the Saints’ defense exposed.
“That’s what they do,” Harbaugh said. “As evidence of a full season to see what they do. Whether that helped us, it was effective in the game. It made us address it.”
So now that that’s established, we can focus on more important things. Like whether Harbaugh and Payton will have an appropriate post-game handshake.
Alex smith cant hit the broad side of a barn. Why do you think they attempted the most fgs in nfl history and only converted 29% of their 3rd downs. San Fran is a BREESy place ain’t it? I’ve never been.
seems like Jimmy Harbaugh has problems playing nicely with others. First he shakes Jimmy Schwartz’s hand too hard and almost makes him cry, and now we find out he has been accused of “No Fairsies” with Sean Payton – a serious charge.
Somebody needs to stop this guy before someone’s feelings get hurt.
I wonder if Harbaugh will sweep Payton’s bum leg and use an obscenity during the postgame handshake (a la Schwartz/Harbaugh handshake). I was hoping for a Schwartz/Harbaugh rematch after that great drama from last year. Hopefully Detroit PR man Bobby Lange will be in attendance to break it up after Payton chases after Harbaugh with his crutch.
Harbaughs are arrogant P.O.C.
Harbaugh, like he did in the preseason, did a nice job of deflecting this. He won’t make it a big deal in the press, a distraction. In fact, it was a Saints media guy who revealed the whole “phone snub” story to begin with, so perhaps Peyton didn’t properly get his ring kissed and he’s hurt about it? It’s his problem anyway, not the 9ers, they just had to deal with the blitzes, which was awesome actually, how often do you see that much of a team’s playbook in the preseason, then get to face them in January?
This is going to be a good game and I guarantee it will get very chippy. Thanks again to coach Williams for dumping about 35 blitzes on the 9ers, many of them exotic and not simple blitzes which showed a lot about their scheme. I guess he figured they wouldn’t be seeing the 9ers again in 2011. We couldn’t have bought a better tape of them from the Patriots..
It’s a game folks.
Chill.
Regardless of anything, the sun will still rise the next day and the day after and the day after..
John got all the class in that family.
Chris Collinsworth kept going on and on and on about how defensive coordinator Gregg Williams gave Jonathan Vilma “unprecedented freedom” in calling and/or changing defenses as if it were a good thing.
As if the Saints had a top five defense or something instead of a 24th ranked defense. I was thinking maybe Williams shouldn’t give Vilma so much freedom and just tell him “do what I say.”
What’s this new trend with all these sissy head coaches being so sensitive like they are 15 year old girls?
It’s football, man up and grow up.
seems like Jimmy Harbaugh has problems playing nicely with others. First he shakes Jimmy Schwartz’s hand too hard and almost makes him cry, and now we find out he has been accused of “No Fairsies” with Sean Payton – a serious charge.
Somebody needs to stop this guy before someone’s feelings get hurt.
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Sean Payton’s feelings got hurt because a rookie coach did not call him!! Talk about a over blown thing.
Just play the game. Who cares if they blitz the heck out of the niners. They needed to learn to handle it.
Regarding Schwartz, if you see him on the sidelines you’ll see he’s upset at everything…
If you ask any knucklehead they’ll tell you the 49ers haven’t really played any playoff teams other than Baltimore. However, they are 4-1 vs playoff teams this year, so maybe they have a chance vs the Saints after all.
Chris Collinsworth kept going on and on and on about how defensive coordinator Gregg Williams gave Jonathan Vilma “unprecedented freedom” in calling and/or changing defenses as if it were a good thing.
As if the Saints had a top five defense or something instead of a 24th ranked defense. I was thinking maybe Williams shouldn’t give Vilma so much freedom and just tell him “do what I say.”
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In our biggest game in franchise history vilma went toe to toe with the great check at the line Peyton manning. We are just perfectly happy with the results thank you.
Schwartz is freaking hilarious. Especially when his crooked eye gets moving in crazy directions. Ever since his demonstrative incomplete pass motion, which he directed at Dez Bryant (accompanied with a few F-bombs), I have been watching his sideline antics with giddiness. The guy is pure entertainment. A fight waiting to happen.
Maybe the Harbaughs aren’t aware of any “gentlemen’s agreements” because they aren’t gentlemen.
I am curious why these stories never mention the obvious connection between these two men.
Harbaugh was a QB for the 1987 Bears.
When the player’s went out on strike Payton was a scab QB for the 1987 Bears.
Think their might not be existing bad blood between them? Perhaps Harbaugh never forgave Payton for being a scab.
I found it amusing that Payton, who played 3 games in the NFL, found the need to say “welcome to the NFL” to a guy who played 14 years in the league.
So if Payton was concerned about how they were going to play the game, and knowing Harbaugh was a new coach and probably not aware of the preseason protocol, why in the hell didn’t HE make the call? Pouting about it and responding so childishly during the game is just par for the course for Payton and his gang of “Hoo Dat” idiots.
I think Sean Payton and that Schwartz nimrod in Detroit must be related in some way … they are identical in their punk attitudes.
Saints, please smack the crap out of those arrogant 49ers… They are almost as bad as the Jets
You need two gentlemen to have a gentlemen’s agreement.
Jim hasn’t forgot about it. We got them on Saturday. Lets go 49rs.
I don’t know how phones work in New Orleans, but in SF the phones can receive AND MAKE calls.
Here are some Classic Schwartz comments. I love the “protocol” comment from Schwartz. I think it should be noted that this is the second time Harbaugh is being called out for not following “protocol”. I want to see a presser like this from Payton and Harbaugh after their postgame fight at the 50. Heck, they should just skip the game and have a winner take all deathmatch. Harbaugh vs. Payton and his club (aka crutch). On to the comments from the out of control but always entertaining, Schwartz.
“I don’t know. (I) went to congratulate Coach Harbaugh and got shoved out of the way. (I) didn’t expect an obscenity at that point, so it was a surprise to me at the end of the game.”
“Like I said, I didn’t expect…After the game, went to shake an opponent coach’s hand. Obviously you win a game like that, you’re excited and things like that, but I think there’s a protocol that goes with this league.”
The Saints blitzed the hell out of the 9ers during that first preseason game, and very well could have injured Alex Smith. If the 9ers would have blitzed Drew Brees, the 9ers would have caught a lot of heat for doing it.
Niners are going down. Maybe not in the first or second but by the end of the game the Saints will blow them out. Yea the D is good but they won’t hold for 4qrtrs.
This is why we play the games anybody that thinks the Saints will roll on Saturday is in for a surprise!
Go 49ers!
“We ask no quarter. We give no quarter.” And that tells you all you need to know about how he turned that team around!
This further solidifies my dislike of Sean Payton. What a baby.
ajknox88 says:
Jan 9, 2012 5:48 PM
Saints, please smack the crap out of those arrogant 49ers… They are almost as bad as the Jets
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Just curious if you were one of those fans holding the Saints in high regard during the playoffs two years ago even though they played dirty against the Cardinals and the Vikings?
I love Harbaugh’s response. “We ask no quarter. We give no quarter.”
This is football.
I thought it was pretty lame to be sending exotic blitzes at a team two weeks into a new offense, but that’s the mentality of the Saints. They take advantage of any and every upper hand they have on an opponent. It obviously works for them. What works for Harbaugh is not kissing anyone’s ass that isn’t on his team. So far, it’s working for him. Each tactic will occasionally rub people the wrong way, but coaches aren’t paid by the number of friends they make.
And all this garbage won’t matter on Saturday. The team that plays the best will move on.
Looking forward to seeing both Harbaughs (especially John) lose before the big game in Indy.
Does anyone think any Harbaugh would no anything about something called a “gentlemen’s agreement”?
This BCS Championship game sucks hairy goat balls.
skippynj says:Jan 9, 2012 7:52 PM
Does anyone think any Harbaugh would no anything about something called a “gentlemen’s agreement”?
Does anybody think this guy is an idiot for attempting to spell “know” as “no”?
7pints is going to watch, just in case they kiss on the lips after the game.
@ tuscaloosasteve
Very good point, touche sir! Never knew that about their history, but makes perfect sense. If there is still bad blood, could easily see why a scab welcoming a vet to the league would be a slap to the face. Should make for a great game!!
Its the first big game for the Niners in 8+ years. Win or lose, Im proud of the Niners turn around. The Saints are a great team, let the best team win!
ajknox88: “Saints, please smack the crap out of those arrogant 49ers… They are almost as bad as the Jets”
Hey knucklehead, maybe you haven’t been paying attention. The Saints and their fans are the arrogant ones these days. Saints fans are the ones yammering on and on about all the points and TD’s. Niners are wearing gas station attendant shirts, working out and keeping their mouths shut. Everybody just luuuuuvves them Saints! Nobody has been paying any attention to or giving any respect to the Niners. But you know what? The Saints average about 23 points when they play outside and they haven’t faced a defense that gives up an average of less than 14 points. If you weren’t such nubes at rooting for a great team, you’d know enough to be worried.
Harbaugh has done an impressive job with the Niners this year. Very sensitive opposing coachs in the Lingerie , I mean the National Football League. Should make for an interesting post game handshake. Would be great if harbaugh hands Payton a hanky to wipe away his tears after the Niners win.
blitzing teams like crazy (in the preseason)
padding stats against rebuilding/garbage teams in the regular season….
yet no one from the media is calling Sean Peyton’s Saints “the evil empire!” ?
People must really not like Belicheck’s wardrobe then.
All harbaugh haters, i ask.. whats YOUR deal??
Message to all the Harbaugh haters on this board and to all those who think this current Niner team is “arrogant”: please do yourself a favor and watch this video. Jim Harbaugh does not like “arrogant.” Harbaugh wants his team to be humble. Watch this video and honestly ask yourself how any Niner fan wouldn’t be absolutely thrilled to be rooting for a coach like Jim Harbaugh and his team.
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/01/09/words-mean-something-to-jim-harbaugh/
After that first preseason game, I took part in one of these discussions and expressed the opinion that it was pretty bush league for the Saints to throw all those exotic blitzes at a team that was basically two weeks old. The Saints fans on the board laughed and called me a whiner. I pointed out that the first team Saints offense couldn’t even register a first down during the first quarter against the Niner’s first team defense and that Niner defense never did anything but vanilla-flavored D with no blitzing whatsoever and that if the Saints had to run multiple blitzes against a 2-week old offense, Saints fans shouldn’t really be too happy about that. They laughed me off; ridiculed me – cackled that the Niners would be lucky to go 8-8. I thanked the Saints for being such a low down, dirty rat team that would slap a new coach in the face like that. I thanked them because I said that experience would make them angry, make them tough. When the Niners came back in Philly from 20-3 to knock off the Eagles, I started thinking that there was a chance they’d make the playoffs this year. At that point, I started hoping they’d see the Saints again. I think it’s going to be a great game.
Bring it Saints. Your blitzers will get a face full of Frank Gore, the best blitz pick up back in the league.
Awe what difference does it make what happened in a stupid preseason game. It won’t make one bit of difference come Saturday afternoon. The more experienced team will win. Want to guess what team that is?
captain comeback will turn into captain crunch and pound peyton into the san fran wharf!
ajknox88 says:
Jan 9, 2012 5:48 PM
Saints, please smack the crap out of those arrogant 49ers… They are almost as bad as the Jets
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What a jackass comment. Haven’t heard a peep out of the 49ers all year. Every interview is humble and focused.
@ajknox88
Would love to hear your explanation of why the Niners are arrogant?
“It made us address it.”
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You had better address the secondary on ways to cover either Darren Sproles and/or Jimmy Graham, or its going to be a long day…the last thing you need to do is go at Sean Payton and that basketball team.
mrplow3 says:
Jan 9, 2012 5:40 PM
What’s this new trend with all these sissy head coaches being so sensitive like they are 15 year old girls?
It’s football, man up and grow up.
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What do you expect when they throw a fine every fifteen minutes after strong, hard, legal hits? If they go low the blow out someone’s ACL (like Harrison did to Eric Decker)
Of course they go sissy….now if they “grow up” and knock Drew Brees out of the game, then they’re called dirty.
Make you mind up….go hard or go home.
The Saints are coming……………..Get you house in order.
I sure do wish we had Jim Harbaugh in Philly. He is a hard nose old school coach. The league can use more like him. Im not a fan of either, San Fran or N. Orleans but since my team is sitting home watching, I would liek to see a good, hard hitting game.
I appreciate Jim Harbaugh’s exuberance, but he’s been around the game long enough to know the proper postgame protocol between coaches. If you win or if you lose, when the game’s over you shake hands with the opposing coach, perhaps exchange a pleasantry or two and move on.
They 9ers wont be able to close the window to stop the Breese,.,.,
35 – 13 New orleans,.
who dat
Baptism by fire for Harbaugh this pre-season! He has responded well, and here you are again, Sean Payton. Should be an exciting game with all the subtext.
Coach Harbaugh quoting Led Zep…”No Quarter”….love it. Go 9ers!!
Does anybody, other than 49er fans, really think the Niners have a chance against the Saints?
“We ask no quarter. We give no quarter.”
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…Except when you blitz our poor defenseless millionaire quarterback.
This is the playoffs, girls. If you need to reach back to a meaningless preseason game to get motivation for a trip to the NFC Championship game, you’ve got problems.
As for Sean Payton having hurt feelings about some “snub,” that was an anonymous report from the guy who does the Saints play by play, not from a beat writer or real reporter. Would not be surprised if the whole thing was baloney.
@joetoronto says:
Does anybody, other than 49er fans, really think the Niners have a chance against the Saints?
—————————————————— Seems Vegas is giving the 49ers a shot and they didn’t build those hotels being wrong.
joetoronto says:
Jan 10, 2012 11:56 AM
Does anybody, other than 49er fans, really think the Niners have a chance against the Saints?
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What’s to suggest they don’t? Let’s count the ways that the 49ers “have a chance” against New Orleans:
1. We know the Saints are not the same team on the road, especially on turf. Good, yes. Elite? No.
2. The 49ers defense has confused and slowed down numerous big passing games all year (Detroit, NYG, Philly). Let’s also not discount they beat the Lions in a dome, so they had no excuse.
3. Sure, Brees will have his yards, but the Saints RZ offense on grass is atrocious. Meanwhile, the 49ers RZ D is the best in the league.
4. The Saints don’t get turnovers, and the 49ers don’t give them up. 49ers O had 10 turnovers all year, #1 in the NFL.
5. The 49ers specialize in turnovers, and the Saints give them up. Brees can be a pick machine but that is routinely masked by their ability to overcome mistakes.
6. The Saints had huge success against the Lions because they could run the ball. That won’t happen against the 49ers, they just don’t allow it.
7. All the talk is about the 49ers “keeping up” with the Saints. Guess what? The 49ers objective will be to LIMIT their possessions. This game will come down to ball control, not big points. An equally fair question is, where are the Saints going to find 28+ points?
8. 49ers took Saints to the limit last year at home, under a poor regime in Singletary and Raye.
9. The 49ers have quietly won every game they were supposed to lose this year, with the exception of the Ravens, who they played on 3 days rest.
10. No one wants to see Jim Harbaugh after 2 weeks of preperation. No one.
So while a 49ers victory is no lock, it’s pretty easy to imagine them winning this game. In fact, any suggestion that this is a cakewalk for New Orleans clearly doesn’t have the first clue about football.
@Nevis
I am going to bookmark this and blow away all of your points after the game this weekend.
brettto73 says:
Jan 10, 2012 1:13 PM
@Nevis
I am going to bookmark this and blow away all of your points after the game this weekend.
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Why wait? What is the point in waiting until after the game. That’s a lily-livered approach.
Secondly, I did NOT say the 49ers would win — I don’t predict games, that’s only good for people who get paid to do so.
My only point is that it’s foolish to assume this is going to be an easy W for the Saints and if people think the 49ers aren’t at the very least equipped to beat them, they don’t know football.
As for who wins? It could easily go the Saints way. But it’s no guarantee and stranger things have happened, many times over, this year alone.
So go ahead and “blow away” my points.
Just as I thought, only 49er fans.
joe:
you still haven’t addressed why,if this game is such a mismatch,the saints aren’t an overwhelming favorite? granted the niners are the home team but that still makes it less than a td.
What’s to suggest they don’t? Let’s count the ways that the 49ers “have a chance” against New Orleans:
1. We know the Saints are not the same team on the road, especially on turf. Good, yes. Elite? No.
2. The 49ers defense has confused and slowed down numerous big passing games all year (Detroit, NYG, Philly). Let’s also not discount they beat the Lions in a dome, so they had no excuse.
3. Sure, Brees will have his yards, but the Saints RZ offense on grass is atrocious. Meanwhile, the 49ers RZ D is the best in the league.
4. The Saints don’t get turnovers, and the 49ers don’t give them up. 49ers O had 10 turnovers all year, #1 in the NFL.
5. The 49ers specialize in turnovers, and the Saints give them up. Brees can be a pick machine but that is routinely masked by their ability to overcome mistakes.
6. The Saints had huge success against the Lions because they could run the ball. That won’t happen against the 49ers, they just don’t allow it.
7. All the talk is about the 49ers “keeping up” with the Saints. Guess what? The 49ers objective will be to LIMIT their possessions. This game will come down to ball control, not big points. An equally fair question is, where are the Saints going to find 28+ points?
8. 49ers took Saints to the limit last year at home, under a poor regime in Singletary and Raye.
9. The 49ers have quietly won every game they were supposed to lose this year, with the exception of the Ravens, who they played on 3 days rest.
10. No one wants to see Jim Harbaugh after 2 weeks of preperation. No one.
So while a 49ers victory is no lock, it’s pretty easy to imagine them winning this game. In fact, any suggestion that this is a cakewalk for New Orleans clearly doesn’t have the first clue about football.
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11. Any homer can dig up 10 stats.
12. No one wants to see anyone after 2 weeks of preparation, except maybe Les Miles and Jordan Jeffereson. Doh!
13. Running the ball will be allowed. The 49ers will have to try and stop it.
14. Going to be real hard to limit Saints possessions converting 29% on 3rd down.
bobhk says:
Jan 9, 2012 5:42 PM
Regarding Schwartz, if you see him on the sidelines you’ll see he’s upset at everything…
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You would be to if you had to spend your winter in Detroit!