Sean Payton announced that he plans to return as the Saints head coach next season, during a press conference in New Orleans, January 6, 2016. "I'll be here as long as they'll have me," Payton said. In recent weeks there has much speculation about Payton's future with the club. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI |
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METAIRIE, La. -- There's no question about what Saints coach Sean Payton wants to see out of his team in its third exhibition game Friday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Payton didn't need much time to get to the heart of the matter Wednesday following two uneven performances by his offense in losses to the New England Patriots 34-22 and Houston Texans 16-9.
"I want to see our (No. 1) offense do better," he said. "I want to see us play better in the (offensive line). I want to see us run the ball better. The third down numbers have been solid, but I would say that's important.
"There are a handful of position battles. It is still selecting that right group for the 53 and I would say there are a number of spots ... there are a handful of spots you're hoping that, in the third preseason game, you can see some guys step up."
In addition, the Saints ramped things up with their game-planning this week to get players ready for the regular-season opener on Sept. 11 against the Oakland Raiders.
"From a film study, a handout, a game plan book and a personnel report, (it's) more this week," Payton said. "It's trying to put everyone in that mindset as to how it will be when we get going here and start playing against Oakland."
--One of the position battles Payton was talking about is at kicker as incumbent Kai Forbath and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Connor Barth compete.
Payton suggested the battle will play out to the end after both kickers dueled at the end of Wednesday's practice.
Barth kicked first and was good on 4-of-5 attempts. Forbath followed and also knocked through four or five kicks before drilling a 54-yarder for the win.
Ironically, Payton groused about Forbath after he missed a 54-yarder in the fourth quarter of a 34-22 loss to the Patriots in the exhibition opener. The Saints trailed by nine points at the time and his miss sealed their fate.
"We have to continue in the next two weeks, next two games, to try and put them in situations where something jumps out," Payton said in acknowledging that the competition is close. "Both of them are handling it well.
"Hopefully, we receive more opportunities in this game. Whether it be field goals, PATs ... we're going to be looking at that position at kickoff more rather than have (punter) Thomas (Morstead) do that."