Payton: Hard to fathom bounties will taint title

Embattled New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton answered questions for about 18 minutes Tuesday morning in what might be his last media session for a very long time. The Super Bowl champion didn't duck a single inquiry. NFL.com's Steve Wyche reports that Payton confirmed that he will talk with Bill Parcells about possibly joining the team as an interim head coach.

NFL suspends Payton, Williams Latest news: » Payton confirms he'll meet with Parcells » Parcells: 'I don't think' I have urge to coach » Payton could coach during appeal process » Payton says Saints' legacy not tainted » Benson addresses owners over bounties  » NFL unveils series of unprecedented penalties » Goodell: 'Clearly, we were lied to' | Watch Video: » Will Payton appeal his suspension? » La Canfora: Latest on Parcells, Saints » Goodell talks Saints' "bounty" punishments » Who should coach Saints in 2012?

Perhaps the most telling answer came after a question about the Saints' legacy. Payton said it was hard to fathom that the bounty scandal would "taint" what the Saints have accomplished, including their Super Bowl triumph. There is a city of people in New Orleans that agree with Payton. The rest of this football nation remains conflicted at best.

Payton took responsibility for the punishments and didn't refute the allegations. But he also mentioned that he believed no players were seriously hurt by the team's bounty program. 

"In the two trips to New York, I made sure to do everything in my power to answer the questions honestly," Payton said.

It sure seems like NFL Commissioner Roger Goodellreached a different conclusion on that front. Payton has a lot to do before his suspension starts, and that will remain his focus in the coming days. He could appeal the suspension to buy some time. Payton was calm and poised with reporters during what has to be a difficult time. He was 100 percent confident he'll be back as the team's coach in 2013.

In the meantime, Payton won't be allowed to do what he loves to do most in the world. He admitted that he'll consider his options when it comes to television offers, but that's not where he wants to be.

"You're disappointed. You're disappointed in yourself that it got to this point," Payton said.

Manning eyes later-career push for Super Bowl glory

The cynical among us warn that hitching your wagon to a 36-year-old quarterback with a history of neck problems is risky business.

For Broncos team executive John Elway, an older, wiser Peyton Manning feels very comfortable.

That's because Elway won his first Super Bowl at 37. He was 38 and the oldest quarterback in NFL history to win a title when the Broncos dominated Super Bowl XXXIII.

Tom DiPace / Associated Press John Elway went out on top as a repeat champion at the age of 38 following the Broncos' victory in Super Bowl XXXIII.
Oldest Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks
Season	Super Bowl	Player	Team	Age
1998	XXXIII	John Elway	Broncos	38
1970	V	Johnny Unitas*	Colts	37
1997	XXXII	John Elway	Broncos	37
1983	XVIII	Jim Plunkett	Raiders	36
1977	XII	Roger Staubach	Cowboys	35
1967	II	Bart Starr	Packers	34
1969	IV	Len Dawson	Chiefs	34
2002	XXXVIII	Brad Johnson	Buccaneers	34
1966	I	Bart Starr	Packers	33
1980	XV	Jim Plunkett	Raiders	33
1982	XVII	Joe Theismann	Redskins	33
1989	XXIV	Joe Montana	49ers	33
1994	XXIX	Steve Young	49ers	33
* Unitas was relieved by Earl Morrall (who was 36)

In Elway's eyes, Manning has just begun his feel-good swan song -- but history is not a friend, even for a player as special as Peyton.

The average age of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks is 29.9, and only three starting passers have won a title after 35. Every one of them are legendary names.

Let's take a gander:

1. John Unitas was 37 when the Baltimore Colts won Super Bowl V over the Cowboys. Unitas was injured mid-game and relieved by Earl Morrall, who pushed the Colts through an error-filled affair (both teams combined for nine turnovers). Morrall himself was 36, a warrior/wanderer who played 21 seasons for six teams.

2. Jim Plunkett was 33 when he replaced Dan Pastorini during the 1980 season and led the Raiders to victory in Super Bowl XV. Three years later, a 36-year-old Plunkett came off the bench -- this time replacing Mark Wilson -- to win Super Bowl XVII (with a bow to Marcus Allen).

3. Roger Staubach nearly earned membership to this club, winning a second Super Bowl title with the Cowboys at 35, just days before turning 36. The following season, he lost Super Bowl XIII.

4. Elway took a beating in Super Bowls XXI, XXII and XXIV -- when he was 26, 27 and 29 -- but returned at a wise, old 37 years to beat Brett Favre and the Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. Elway never blew you away with the box score. He was 12-for-22 against the Packers, but what's etched in the mind is Elway's gritty, third-down run -- complete with helicopter spin -- that continued Denver's game-winning drive in heroic fashion. One year later, against the Falcons, Elway sizzled, throwing for 336 yards in his final NFL performance.

Elway’s career arc illuminates a point that Tim Kawakami of Bay Area News Group raised earlier this month: Quarterbacks win Super Bowls early in their career or late, but not both.

Manning, if anyone, is the quarterback to buck the trend -- having won his first at age 30 -- but it's not a given he'll get back to the show. History says this will be a challenge.

Tomlin doesn't expect more drama from Big Ben, Haley

The relationship between Ben Roethlisberger and Todd Haley remains in its embryonic stage, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn't expect the partnership between his QB and offensive coordinator to end with a back-alley street fight.

"I’m not going to anticipate tough times. I am a glass half-full guy," Tomlin told ESPN.com on Tuesday. "I’m excited about the change. I’m excited about the possibilities, and I think everyone has that at this point. We are not naive. We don’t expect smooth sailing. We don’t expect 19-0. It would be great. Maybe we will have a few bumps along the way."

Roethlisberger and Haley got off to a famously shaky start when the quarterback expressed disappointment when Haley didn't initially call him after getting the job in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger revealed he'd asked around the league about Haley and heard things "good, bad and indifferent."

The pair eventually did touch base. Tomlin acknowledges Haley has a different style and temperament than that of former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, a coach Roethlisberger didn't want to see leave. Tomlin said he wants Roethlisberger to play the same way regardless of who's coaching him.

“We all have swings in emotion. We all use different coaching techniques,” Tomlin said Tuesday,according to KDKA Pittsburgh. “I’d agree that he does have a reputation in that regard, but I’m not going to prejudge him. Like any good coach, I’m sure he’s prepared to be whatever the group needs him to be.”

An eight-year veteran with two Super Bowl rings, Roethlisberger is going to win almost any power struggle in the Steel City. This is a reality Haley would be wise to process before his relationship with the quarterback begins in earnest.

Seahawks' Carroll loves what he saw in Cam Newton

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll spent nearly five minutes Wednesday marveling at a young NFL quarterback with a promising future.

You'd think it was newly acquired Seahawk Matt Flynn who Carroll would've been raving about.

Instead, it was Cam Newton (Cam Newton?). Yeah, Cam Newton.

For nearly five minutes, according to the Charlotte Observer, Carroll couldn't stop talking about how much he loved what he saw from the Panthers' quarterback and reigning offensive rookie of the year.

“Look out for those guys. Holy mackerel,” Carroll said from the NFL Annual Meeting. “If he can just stay out there, they're going to be a fantastic team.”

Already, after just one season, Carroll sees something special in Newton.

"They did so many things with him. He handled everything, and he came out of an offense (at Auburn) where he didn't even call a play,” Carroll said. "If you watched him in the early interviews, he couldn't call a formation. 'OK, give us your formation and a basic play.' He couldn't answer the question because they signaled it in, and everybody got the formation.

"For him to come that far is only trumped by the fact that he went to Auburn and had no spring football and took over and won every game, became the Heisman Trophy winner and scored 50 touchdowns. That was the story before this latest story that was most remarkable to me.”

Flynn can only hope that Carroll is singing his praises like this next offseason.

Faulk: Parcells, Saints fit well in Payton's absence

If this happens -- if Bill Parcells winds up coaching the Saints next season, his close friendship with Sean Payton will be the deciding factor. (OK, along with Bill's desire to prove that, at 71, he can still win games.) Whether or not this is a good idea, Parcells assuming an interim role with the team has something to do with Payton's job security.

That's how NFL Network's Marshall Faulk sees it.

"Why Bill Parcells? I'd say this: Sean Payton knows that ... Bill might only do it for one year," Faulk told The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday. "We know Bill's not going to want to stay. Even if (Saints owner) Tom Benson decides, 'Oh, I really like Bill Parcells,' there's no way of talking him into keeping that job."

We enter strange waters if Parcells guides New Orleans back to the Super Bowl or falls in love with the long hours all over again, but it comes down to trust between Payton and his long-time confidant.

"I believe for Sean, Parcells has always been a sounding board," Faulk said. "A real mentor to Sean. So Sean understands that Parcells -- the direction of (Payton's) team -- Parcells can keep that team on the direction which Sean has led this group because there's no doubt, each year, throughout the year of the football season and the offseason, he's talking to Parcells about different things -- 'How would you do this, Bill, how would you do that' because he really respects Bill Parcells and loves how Bill conducted his teams."

If Parcells is a cultural fit for the Saints, hiring the two-time Super Bowl winner would accomplish something else. Parcells' arrival in New Orleans would immediately shift attention away from talk of bounties and penalties, to the talk of possibilities, something in short supply for the Saints these days.

Saints' troubles could open door for young Bucs, Panthers

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- In the past 60 days, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano's schedule has been understandably hectic, loaded with the responsibilities of a shiny new NFL head coach. You know, things like learning the names of his own players.

So no, Schiano isn't consuming himself with all of the possibilities that exist within his new division in the wake of the dramatic bounty punishments in New Orleans -- even if it might mean far more to him than he cares to know just yet.

"I've got so many things going through my mind," said Schiano when asked specifically about the potential of Bill Parcells winding up in the NFC South as Sean Payton's replacement in New Orleans this year. "I'll wait until things actually happen before I concern myself."

Fair enough. But we'll still go ahead and say it sooner: There isn't another division in football where a setback like this one -- particularly if Parcells doesn't climb on board -- will allow any of the other three teams to make a major surge forward.

The Atlanta Falcons, of course, need no help, one season removed from a division title in 2010. The Bucs and theCarolina Panthers, though, are both seemingly on the mend, anchored by young quarterbacks and trending toward a possible rebirth. Might this mean the parity within the NFC South is on the brink of strengthening?

At this point, because we don't know key factors like the potential punishment of defensive players and whether Parcells will indeed replace Payton, it's tough to predict how bruised the Saints will be. But we're still capable of assessing why the Bucs and Panthers should be able to close the gap regardless.

Tampa Bay, in addition to hiring a new coach, employed the services this offseason of three big names: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson, guard Carl Nicks and cornerback Eric Wright. They spent big to provide quarterback Josh Freeman with more weapons (Jackson) and protection (Nicks). And the Bucs will add another vital piece with the No. 5 overall pick in next month's draft.

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Carolina, meanwhile, was less active, instead relying on the expectations that last year's development of Cam Newton and a core of key veterans will bolster the team's overall progress this season. A second year under Ron Rivera should help, as will the few signings (like guard Mike Pollak) that Carolina made this year, along with whomever it selects ninth in the draft.

If the Falcons also see Matt Ryan take another step in his progression, you're talking about a division that's loaded with quality at quarterback -- and we all know how much that can mean to a team.

"It's now the strongest quarterback division in the entire league," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "I think all four quarterbacks are outstanding. Three of the four are young and are going to be great players for a long time."

This isn't to suggest the Panthers or Bucs have made it, nor does it mean they deserve yet to be spoken in the same playoff-contending breath as the Saints. Really, they still need to show they're capable of contending with the Falcons, too.

Reality check: The Panthers and Bucs, collectively, finished 10-22 last year.

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So before we go disrespecting the Saints to the point of belittling what they've accomplished during the past three seasons, it's going to take more than potential from two young teams to totally shift the balance of power. But it's still fair to say, regardless of the past, that Carolina and Tampa Bay have an opportunity to pounce in front of them.

As both teams improve, the Saints are facing a strange and unpredictable year ahead. Will it be enough to close the gap?

"I think what's going to come from this, as we move forward, the team that continues to develop and grow -- the team that doesn't get stagnant -- is going to be the team that ends up on top," Rivera said. "The teams that are able to maintain their development over a period of time are the ones that have success. As a young team, you'd like to think we can maintain that."

They'll soon have a prime opportunity to do just that.

Eagles could trade Samuel to Titans 'in next few days'

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Asante Samuel might be traded, and it could happen sooner rather than later.

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A deal between the Eagles and Tennessee Titans could come "in the next few days," Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, citing a league source, reported late Wednesday night. If the trade goes down, it would reportedly be for a conditional third-round pick.

Earlier on Wednesday, TitanInsider.com reported that Tennessee "had at least some interest" in acquiring Samuel.

“At this point, the Philadelphia Eagles are driving the train. They don’t have to do anything,” Samuel's agent, Alonzo Shavers, said. “They have always been very professional about their business, and we would expect them to continue to be.”

Samuel, 31, has 45 interceptions in nine NFL season, including 23 since joining the Eagles in 2008.

Why does nobody want to sign Mike Wallace?

The NFL Annual Meeting wrapped up Wednesday, and there wasn't a hint of a rumor regardingPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace. That surely pleases Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who isn't thinking about what would happen if another team signed Wallace.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it -- if we come to it," Tomlin said.

At this stage, there is no indication that any team will sign Wallace to an offer sheet. Here are the best reasons we can come up with:

It's too early

Teams have until April 20 to sign restricted free agents to an offer sheet. Unrestricted free agents get the most attention early in the process, and teams then start looking closer at restricted players. Perhaps a team is out there biding its time.

He's too expensive

There have been reports Wallace wants more than $100 million in a contract. He wants Larry Fitzgerald money. If that's true, the cost of the contract, plus a first-round draft pick, could make him too expensive.

He's not versatile

Wallace doesn't fit every offense. He doesn't go over the middle or help you on special teams likeDeSean Jackson. There is some question about his ability to transfer to many offensive systems. Antonio Brown is the far more versatile receiver. Wallace, you could argue, is a one-trick pony. Of course, it's a pretty nifty trick.

The logical teams don't need him

The San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots were rumored to be two possible fits for Wallace, but both teams signed multiple free-agent wide receivers and no longer appear to have a need. TheChicago Bears traded for Brandon Marshall. The Jacksonville Jaguars pick too high. The Cincinnati Bengals have two first-round picks, but perhaps they don't see A.J. Green and Wallace fitting together on the field. Or under the salary cap.

Where there's no smoke, there's probably a lack of fire. We think Wallace would be well worth a mid-to-late first-round pick and a handsome contract, but it looks unlikely to happen. That's exactly what Tomlin expects.

"Business will take care of itself, but Mike will report and be the guy that he's always been in my mind, and that's a guy that has a desire to be the best and a guy that's willing to work daily to be the best," Tomlin said Tuesday.

For at least one more year, it appears Wallace will be working in Pittsburgh.

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