Jameis Winston Misses Saints’ Thursday Practice
Saints fans have certainly been spoiled over the last decade. A decade a long time coming for long-time Saints fans. Those of us who remember the likes of The Dome Patrol, Bobby Herbert, and even Jim Mora. Fans who remember the excitement of landing Mike Ditka as head coach. That excitement faded as that same Mike Ditka traded an entire draft for one player. So much hope... the Saints limped along for years, finishing 3-13 in 2005.
But, things changed in 2006. The Saints' then General Manager Mickey Loomis brought in a young head coach, trained by Bill Parcels. A former quarterback coach and offensive coordinator, Sean Payton is described as an "Offensive Genius". A head coach known as a "quarterback's coach." One of Sean Payton's first moves as a first-time head coach was to hire a young, relatively unknown quarterback, who had suffered what some thought might be a career ending shoulder injury while playing for the San Diego Chargers. Drew Brees went on to break just about every record in the books while playing for Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints.
Drew Brees and Sean Payton had a legendary professional relationship for the next 14 years, going on to win a Super Bowl. It was like they were two halves of one whole. Their success could be compared to that of the Cowboys with Tom Landry, the 49er's Bill Walsh, and the Dolphin's and Don Shula. But all good things must come to an end, and in 2020, Drew Brees turned in his cleats for a microphone, with Sean Payton signing his exit papers a year later. Which brings us to 2022.
Former defensive coordinator Dennis Allen took over the reigns as the Saints head coach for the beginning of the 2022 season, without his future hall of fame quarterback. Nope, no future hall of famer today. Today we have Jameis Winston. Jameis Winston, who threw three interceptions in the final quarter to close out a loss to division rival Tampa Bay. The same Jameis Winston who so famously bragged about "Eating W's"... whatever the hell that means...
This week, the Saints travel to London for a game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. And as the team prepares for the game, Jameis Winston did not practice again on Thursday. Offensive coordinator Pete Charmichael said a decision was made to keep Winston on the sideline during Thursday's practice.
“They are just making what was the best decisions for him today….so we’ll just see where we are at tomorrow,” said Carmichael.
Winston has reportedly been playing with several fractures in his back, as well as an ankle injury. If he's unable to start Sunday, Carmichael said backup Andy Dalton will take over. He couldn't do any worse... the 34 year old Dalton has thrown for 35, 279 yards and 226 touchdowns with 135 interceptions in his 11 year career.