Monday Mailbag

DaMarcus Beasley got on the scoresheet for his club team in Mexico the other day. Is it just me, or does this guy disappear when he turns sideways? I mean, I know soccer is a sport for guys who are in shape and like to run, but this guy looks like he hasn't eaten anything in the last few years. - Cory L., Raceland, LA

Photo Credit: zimbio.com

ESPN.com lists Beasley at 137 pounds while standing 5'8", so he's certainly not a large man. But let's face it, that's not compared to England's Peter Crouch (Stoke City) who despite standing 6'7" only weighs 156 pounds.

What are your thoughts on this whole situation with Bill Parcells and the New Orleans Saints? - The Dude, Chesapeake, VA

Photo Credit: businessinsider.com

If I'm Sean Payton, someone like Bill Parcells is exactly the kind of person that I'd want stepping in for me. There's basically three scenarios that I can see happening: 1) New Orleans promotes from within, 2) New Orleans hires a proven coach still in their prime or 3) New Orleans hires a proven coach whose coaching career is over, but could be tempted into one last hurrah (i.e. Parcells). Scenario one seems ideal because you'd have someone stepping in who already knows the system, but what happens if the Saints go 15-1 and win the Super Bowl without Payton? Suddenly you've got a cheaper option who stepped in and was just as effective. Are you going to fire or demote him after that? I think not. You've gotta ride the hot hand, right? Scenario two is the same thing. I heard Jon Gruden's name tossed around, so we'll use him as an example. Even he was interested, a guy like that isn't going to come back for one year. He's going to want a multi-year deal or some guarantee that he's not going to be unemployed after the season's over. In scenario three you can basically have you cake and eat it too. Bill Parcells is 70 years old. He's a more than competent replacement, but he's not looking to resurrect his coaching career. He's got a great relationship with Sean Payton and when his suspension is up, there's reason to believe that there could be pain-free transition back to the way things were before bounty-gate. I think it makes a lot of sense when you think about it.


Special thanks as always to everyone who wrote in this week. And remember, as the great G$ Meyer says Reading is for Winners, especially when you read Smitty's Mailbag.

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