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New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton on the sideline during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Pittsburgh. Saints won 35-32.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
Saints coach Sean Payton responded to various national media reports that ran before his team’s 35-32 win at Pittsburgh on Sunday, which improved New Orleans’ record to 5-7 and dropped the Steelers’ to 7-5. This is what he said about the reports, which concerned his relationship with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, his team’s supposed interest in controversial running back Ray Rice and that his organization was ready to draft a successor to Drew Brees in the offseason:
(On his relationship with Rob Ryan, after CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported there was a rift between Ryan and Payton that could result in Ryan’s dismissal this offseason)
“It’s been outstanding. But Jason gets his information from an old defensive coordinator. … (Ryan) and I get along … great.”
(on the heated verbal, sideline exchanges that television cameras have caught Payton and Ryan)
Payton raised his voice and said: “That’s me, man! Pick somebody — you ready? Pick (special-teams coordinator) Greg McMahon. Pick (cornerback) Corey White. Pick the game. That’s just me being fired up. Pick (linebackers coach) Joe Vitt. It’s more obvious when it’s Rob because the camera’s going to be on him more than it’s going to be on Greg McMahon or a player. Yeah, I get upset when there’s 12 guys on the field. It doesn’t mean I’m looking for another defensive coach. I’m going to be upset again. You’re going to see more clips of it. …”
(what do you like about Rob Ryan?)
“His toughness and his passion, he’s there ’til when the crickets are gone. It’s hard when you’re not winning in this league, but I love what he’s doing. Are there times when we have to look at things and I get involved? Absolutely. I’m the head coach. But, he’s doing an outstanding job. You really find out about everyone when we start losing a few games, and you go through a little bit of adversity because it really hadn’t happened around here in a while. Those are the things you appreciate as a head coach. When someone’s got passion for teaching and the next challenge, those are the things you appreciate.”
(on an ESPN report that the Saints were interested in acquiring Ray Rice, who was released by Baltimore earlier this season after an elevator surveillance video surfaced of him striking a woman who he’d later marry)
“Go to (ESPN’s) Adam Schefter and check with Adam. Because I think I would know if we were interested in signing any player. And so, but those are the Sunday splash reports. When you’re in this business, on Sunday, you’ve got to have something that everyone reads, regardless if it’s truthful or not. …
“We like our running back depth. And, if you would do a little research, (Saints running back) Khiry (Robinson)’s coming back next week. Any more splash reports I can answer your questions about?”
(Actually, yes, there is.)
“Go ahead. … But it sounds silly, it makes you look silly. But go ahead and ask it.”
(It’s a report from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that you’re unhappy with Drew Brees’ production)
“Is this where we’re at? Is anybody going to ask about the Steelers?”
A reporter asked about Saints running back Mark Ingram, and Payton moved on.
Note: The portions cited in this transcript did not occur in exactly this order. They were re-organized so that topics were grouped together.