New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis held his end of season press conference at the team's facility on Airline Drive Tuesday morning. We will post the full video and transcript from the interview and analysis by senior writer John DeShazier later today. Below are five takeaways from the 30-minute media session:
1. On LB Junior Galette's arrest: "We take this matter very seriously, we will let the legal process play out."
Loomis added if they feel they need to take action before the league or the legal system does, they will at the appropriate time. He said they have been in contact with the league on the matter.
2. On the coaching staff: Loomis did not comment on any reports about coaching staff changes but said "We will once we are done with the evaluation process." Loomis noted they aren't just evaluating the coaches but everybody, starting with himself.
"We have to be honest with ourselves in things that need to change and adjust," Loomis said. "We have to be concerned about every aspect of our football team, starting with me and the personnel department."
Photos of Mickey Loomis??? 2014 end of season press conference held on Tuesday, January 6, 2014. Photos by Matthew Sharpe (New Orleans Saints photos)
3. On NFL teams submitting requests to interview Saints Director of Player Personnel Ryan Pace for general manager openings: Loomis confirmed a couple of NFL clubs have reached out for permission to interview Pace. Loomis said he would certainly grant permission if Pace was interested in the opening.
"We would hate to lose (Pace) but he is ready for a GM job," said Loomis. "He's talented. I would expect to lose him at some point."
4. On holding training camp at The Greenbier: Loomis was asked if he felt holding training camp this season at The Greenbrier in West Virginia was a factor in the team's disappointing season.
"Training camp is about learning, recovery, taking care of our bodies and evaluating the roster," Loomis said. "I think the things we expected in West Virginia and the reasons we went there came to fruition. That's not the reason we were 7-9.
"We had good focus there. I am not concerned about the location of training camp being part of the problem."
Loomis said the plan is still to return to The Greenbrier for training camp next season.
5. On being one win away from winning the division and making the playoffs:Loomis said he's not concerned with the notion that had the team won one more game they would have made the playoffs: "We don't want to be 8-8, we want the No. 1 seed."
Watch his full press conference below...