You're 0/3 on the above comments. Tell me how Brees' team was doing last year without Payton (who is now calling plays again, and low and behold... the offense is back to 2009 or 2011 level). Belichick had success in his coaching career long before Brady... whether it was with the Giants, Jets, or even his time in Cleveland... where he laid the foundation for the Baltimore Ravens' extended run of success (and he trained Ozzie Newsome in front office dealings; he's now possibly the best GM in football).
The Saints offense last year was #1 in the NFC. They averaged slightly more yards and points than they are doing this year.
It isn't fantasy football. Efficient offense is very different than playing from behind and slinging it around. But yeah, I think the addition of Peyton may be overstated. The defense is the key. And not so much that Peyton coming back is so great (it is though), but more so that losing Peyton when they did was such a big and surprising blow. Losing Sean Peyton, DC & players - causes disruption - net gain is incredibly bad. Gaining Sean Peyton - things back to normal - net gain is good but not as drastic of a net change as when you lost him.
And Rob Ryan's cowboys defense wasn't playing anywhere near the level the Saints are now. You guys act as if Payton has nothing to do with the overall team mindset, preparation, and as if he has zero input on the defensive game-plan. Also, its pretty easy to be slinging it around more when you're playing from behind constantly. The Saints offense after just 4 games has been far more efficient.
You said the offense was improved and functioning like 2009 or 2011. The 2013 offense so far is more similar to 2012 than either of those. The defense is a whole different story. Where did I suggest that or even say anything about the defense at all?
They've been far less one-dimensional in the play-calling... which when you're not playing from behind every game is easier to do. Again, last years numbers end up being flukeish due to the amount they had to throw the ball due to being behind every game. They're putting up the same yardage/points while being in the lead for most of the first 4 games... much different implications for the stats. And the reason they're not playing from behind every game is the improvement of the defense... which is not entirely attributable to Rob Ryan (as we all know he's had somewhat mediocre defenses the last two years). The point was that Payton brings more to the table other than being a glorified offensive coordinator.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Jaguars&src=hash">#Jaguars</a> are trading OT Eugene Monroe to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Ravens&src=hash">#Ravens</a>, per source, for multiple draft picks. Pending physical</p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/statuses/385219302023909376">October 2, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I think it will be hard to really substantiate any effect that Payton/Ryan had on that defense, because that unit was such an outlier of crapiness. They were 57 yards per game worse than the 2nd to last Giants. And to put those 57 yards in perspective, if the Giants took off 57 ypg allowed, they would have been a top 10 defense. Of course Payton/Ryan get credit for improving that defense, that unit had nowhere to go but up, even with losing Smith in the preseason.
