Saints head coach Sean Payton rewrote the offensive record book at Eastern Illinois. His career as an NFL quarterback was short, and undistinguished. He was a replacement player for Mike Ditka's Chicago Bears during the 1987 player strike.His final game was against the Saints, and his last pass was intercepted. Tony Romo broke many of Payton's records at the school. While serving as an assistant in Dallas, Payton called Romo to the attention of head coach Bill Parcells. ESPN reports the hall of fame coach has released a new biography, in which he reveals the Saints offered to trade a third round pick for Romo after hiring Payton in 2006. The cowboys wanted a second round pick and the deal fell through. Parcells also reveals he and former Raiders coach Jon Gruden talked Payton out of taking the Raiders head coaching job in 2004. Thank God!!