Sean Payton Injury Video: Head Coach's Move to Booth Won't Derail Saints' Play

After having surgery to repair a torn meniscus and fractured bone in his left leg on Monday, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is expecting to call plays from the booth when the Saints host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7.

Payton, who suffered the injuries after Saints second-year tight end Jimmy Graham crashed into him on the sidelines during Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is well-respected in the locker room and throughout the league. He did, after all, lead the Saints to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history in the 2009 season.

The question now becomes: Will Payton's absence from the sidelines derail the Saints moving forward?

Perhaps assistant head coach Joe Vitt said it best, via USA Today:

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"The core of our football team has won a world championship. The core of our football team has been through a lot, whether it's been displacement for (Hurricane Gustav in 2008), whether it's playing in London, whether it's playing in a Super Bowl. So the foundation is here and the foundation is strong, and when you have these types of players on your football team, they aid in getting over any mini crisis that you may have because of their maturity, because of their commitment and their accountability."

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It's worth noting that the Saints have a very well-balanced team when it comes to age. They not only have some young players, they boast veterans who command respect, including quarterback Drew Brees.

It's also worth noting that with Payton calling plays from the bench on Sunday they actually played better in the second half, outscoring the Buccaneers 10-6 in the second half.

The Saints' coaching staff has also been together for a while now and it's hard to imagine those under Payton's umbrella simply crumbling.

Of course, playing the 0-5 Colts at home helps, too.