NFL: Saints Bounty Thread

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Sean Payton contract talks expected to begin soon; New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis still confident

By Mike Triplett, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on November 29, 2012 at 3:43 PM, updated November 29, 2012 at 3:46 PM

From all indications, there still have not been any substantive contract talks between the New Orleans Saints and Coach Sean Payton. But General Manager Mickey Loomis said Thursday that he's "not anticipating any obstacles to getting a deal done."

Loomis declined to discuss any specific details about the contract talks or if they have begun. But according to league sources, the talks were delayed for a while because Payton and agent Don Yee wanted to receive specific written permission from the NFL to negotiate with the Saints. The NFL gave the Saints permission about two weeks ago. And a league source said they have since given Yee permission as well, but it's not clear exactly when.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday that the NFL and Yee are "finalizing conditions under which" Payton and the Saints can negotiate while the coach is under suspension and barred from having any other contact with the team.

Schefter said once the NFL and Yee agree to those conditions, the Saints and Payton are expected to commence discussions, according to a NFL source.

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Clearly, neither the Saints nor anyone on Payton's side trust anything that comes from the league these days and are demanding that nothing concerning any negotiations can hamper Payton's reinstatement.