Santa BAW dishes out gifts for Tom Benson, Sean Payton
Santa BAW dishes out Big Easy presents
In keeping with a time-honored tradition started years ago in the Big Easy, it's time again for my annual Christmas presence -- and presents to the New Orleans Saints.
I am Santa BAW, a year older, not necessarily wiser, definitely poorer but never giving up Ho-Ho-Ho-pe for a brighter tomorrow, squeezing down the Sun Herald chimney tonight.
Without further adieu:
To Saints owner Tom Benson:
A winning football team again; pardon my French but losing sucks and Who Dat Nation deserves better.
A relevant NBA team.
Loyal executives inside your billion dollar sports empire who have your best interests at heart.
A peaceful ending to the Benson Family Feud.
To Saints coach Sean Payton:
A top 15 defense.
A better return on your annual $8 million salary; back-to-back sub-.500 seasons and missing the playoffs in three of the last four seasons is unacceptable.
A prosperous 2016 in New Orleans or wherever life takes you (Indianapolis, Detroit, Miami, Tennessee, New York, San Diego/Los Angeles ... wink-wink!).
To Saints general manager Mickey Loomis:
A contented, highly-motivated Sean Payton in 2016 or facsimile if one is needed (wink-wink!).
20/20 vision when evaluating your team in the coming months and refrain from looking through rose-colored glasses.
The courage to make tough personnel decisions and the creative genius to stretch the restrictive salary cap.
To Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen:
Twenty-five players with the necessary "want-to'' to play defense.
To Saints quarterback Drew Brees:
Be amenable to rework your contract to reduce the projected $30 million cap hit in 2016.
To Saints cornerback/flag magnet Brandon Browner:
An antidote for "yellow fever.''
Saints tight end Benjamin Watson:
If I had a vote, you'd get mine for NFL "Man of the Year.''
To Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux and running back Tim Hightower:
Keep living your dream and "Never Give up!''
To Saints veterans Marques Colston, Jahri Evans and Zach Strief:
If this season marks the end of your 10-year run in New Orleans, thanks for the memories!
And finally to former Saints fullback Hokie Gajan, the popular color analyst for the Saints flagship station WWL radio:
Keep fighting the good fight against cancer. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family this holiday season.
Until next year, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
--Santa BAW
This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 9:15 PM with the headline "Santa BAW dishes out gifts for Tom Benson, Sean Payton ."