CHARLOTTE, N.C. – New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton was 37 years old in 2000 when he got his first job as an NFL offensive coordinator with the New York Giants. Seven games into his third season, with the team struggling at 3-4, coach Jim Fassel took away his play-calling duties.
The Giants had gotten away from the running game, instrumental to winning the Super Bowl in 2000, and Fassel felt that had to change. They immediately won three straight, averaging 144.6 yards rushing, 55.1 more than they averaged the first seven games.
Sound familiar?