There are a lot of the questions ahead for the Saints following the stunning retirement of head coach Sean Payton, but Bobby Hebert knows one thing for sure: It was a run that will go down in NFL history.
And the stats back that up clearly, the Cajun Cannon said on SportsTalk with Mike Detillier and Kristian Garic, shortly after the coach wrapped up his 92-minute press conference to announce his decision.
"It’s unbelievable what Sean Payton has done with the Saints. I think, truly, can you come close to repeating that? Now you would’ve wanted to win more Super Bowls. In 2011 ... at least three Super Bowls — we had that type of team — if not four," Hebert said. "So Sean Payton’s a living legend, and I don’t know what his future beholds, but I know he’s a winner."
Listen to Hebert's full commentary in the player below. Can't see the video? Click here.
And that take is squarely backed up by the stats from a run that ends with a record of 152-89, nine trips to the playoffs and a Super Bowl 44 title. The offensive duo of Payton and Drew Brees before the all-time great QB retired before the season ranks No. 1 all-time in points per game and yards per game, and the duo of Payton and Brees is No. 2 all-time in wins behind only Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
But is Payton really done with coaching? Hebert says no, it's more about "recharging the batteries." And Brees' retirement is a big a factor in what's drained those as anything.
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The Saints have questions at QB going forward, a factor that likely made it much easier to walk away for whatever comes next -- even if that means landing with the Cowboys in a few years.
"All I know is right now it’s gonna be the challenge for the Saints, and like a number of organizations, you don’t want to be the man to replace the man," Hebert said. "I’m gonna feel sorry for whoever the next coach might be, the expectations to live up to the consistency of being a winning coach like Sean Payton. Sean Payton to New Orleans and the Saints organization is like Don Shula to the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are still looking for the next Don Shula. I was playing when Don Shula was coaching. Think how long that is. You just don’t know.”
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