Sean Payton: Saints Coach Must Appeal Suspension for Bounty Program

Sean Payton has to appeal his suspension. It is what is best for the team and franchise.

This apparently is a conclusion he as yet to arrive upon. 

ESPN.com reported that Payton has not yet decided if he will appeal:

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Payton's agent, Donald Yee, said "no decisions have been made about an appeal" by his client.

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Payton has next-to-zero chance of winning an appeal. After all, it is NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that would hear the appeal, and he has been as adamant as a person can be about a decision.  

Why Appeal Is the Way to Go

What will happen, though, is that Payton's suspension, which is set to begin April 1, would be delayed while he appealed. 

Here is Goodell, from the same ESPN article: 

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I said in a letter they have to appeal by April 2, I believe. If he decides to appeal, I probably will allow him to continue and I would expedite the hearing and I would expedite my decision.

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Under this expedited timeline, Payton isn't going to buy a lot of extra time—he'd be lucky to get two extra weeks. However, every day is valuable at that time of year. 

This would allow Payton to be fully involved with the scouting process for the draft. The draft starts on April 26. So while Payton wouldn't be around for the event itself, he can help ensure that he is still instrumental in crafting the draft-day strategy. 

Nothing to Lose

Payton has nothing to lose by appealing. He will not face a longer suspension for attempting the appeal, and he will not be a distraction to the team, since they won't be practicing.

While this would carry the risk of spreading the perception that he is not taking the process seriously, he can erase that by fulfilling his suspension and doing what he can to help limit unnecessary violence in football.

In light of all of this, there is no reason for Payton to make any decision but to appeal.