New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton
Conference Call with Local Media
Wednesday, November 13, 2019

When you're playing a quarterback like Jameis (Winston) who throughout his career has been kind of prone to turnovers, does that make it kind of imperative to take advantage to the chances if you get them Sunday?
"Look, you spend a lot of time on takeaways and obviously each week you look at the opponents and you look at their numbers. We go through and we just finished going through them, whether it's fumbles or interceptions. You know that going in, you've got to somehow effect the quarterback regardless of where those statistics are. He is someone that's played well this year, he can get the ball down the field. Their passing numbers right now are outstanding when you look at third down, at what they're scoring. So changing up the looks, trying to affect him is important and then understanding, hey, how are the interceptions coming, how are the fumbles coming? All of those things you study and you try to have an impact on."

You guys just played this team maybe a month, month and a half ago. Have they pretty much stayed true to what they were doing in they were thinking that like to kind of throw it deep. Have they stayed true to what they were?
"I think Bruce (Arians) does a fantastic job. He's brought a confidence to these guys. You can see it on tape. There've been a few nuances (that have changed since the last meeting between the clubs). Jason Pierre-Paul's back. (Vernon) Hargreaves obviously was released. They are rotating both the running backs (Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones) that they have. There is a tight end that went on IR (Anthony Auclair). They are playing a little bit more jumbo. But, they're pretty much the same team healthwise when you look at them. Again, there's always a few little things, but I think Todd Bowles has done a great job over there on the defensive side of the ball. They are are first in the league against the run. They make it very difficult. A division opponent like this and you're playing them a month later, it's not unusual and I think it should help in both team's preparation."

What's the message to the team this week after a performance that's so sort out of character like that?
"You turn the page. Yesterday we spent a lot of time, two days ago, a lot of time on the corrections and now quickly you turn the page to this opponent and it's attention to detail from all of us. Coaches, making sure we put a plan in place and get ready to bounce back and play good football game."

With the emergence of (Chris) Godwin this season, does that change anything with what they're able to do with (Mike) Evans now that they have that kind of a big secondary option there?
"I think it does. I think depending on whether they are in two by two or three by one, but (Chris) Godwin's receiving a lot of his touches inside in the slot position, but he's a physical player, really good when he runs with it after the catch. Listen, it is a strong position group and it is a group that you have to mix the coverages up on. They are talented."

Any update on Keith Kirkwood and how he's progressing?
"He's doing well. There was no update, but he's moving well and running well. We will keep paying attention to that and keep working with him and getting him to where he's able to play."