Drew Brees, Tim Hightower up for NFL’s FedEx Weekly Awards

That was the word Gus Bradley used to describe the Jaguars defensive performance in their 38-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Texans defeated the Saints 24-6. If they move on from Browner, they will add $5 million more.

“Sometimes, a lot of it is progression or what you are in coverage-wise”, coach Sean Payton said.

Payton, who recently built a new home in New Orleans, has repeatedly said he sees himself coaching the Saints beyond this season. Brees could be a victim of his massive, $30 million cap hit in 2016 and sources close to Payton note that he has his eye on potential landing spots should a change go down.

“No, I don’t”, he said on NFL Network Tuesday morning when asked if major changers are ahead for the 6-9 Saints. Since the National Football League has a salary cap and the New Orleans Saints are a struggling team with Brees, according to SB Nation, they are either going to expect Brees to take a hometown discount or get rid of him. This is purely guess on my part, but I can absolutely see the New York Giants enter the ring of suitors if they part ways with Tom Coughlin in the coming weeks.

For what it’s worth, Payton said last week that he “absolutely” assumes Brees will be back. “I think he’s tough to sack”. And the best the Saints can do is a 7-9 mark, which would match the subpar record they posted previous year.

Sean Payton is absolutely worth at least a first round draft pick. Spiller could be given another year as the third down back after a fully healthy offseason, whereas Hightower will likely look for a job elsewhere.

I don’t think the Miami Dolphins or Philadelphia Eagles offer a better situation, either in regards to power structure or the quarterback position.

Of course, it’s not the first time that Payton’s name has been linked to the Colts, as potentially their next head coach.

So many times this season you can tell this team just isn’t ready to play, especially on the road.

P Thomas Morstead: The Saints love Morstead.

The Jaguars haven’t been able to count on much defensively all season. But at some point, a highly paid punter might become a luxury they can’t afford.

On the other hand, it is money that the New Orleans Saints agreed to pay him and it is the reason that he made a decision to sign a five-year $100 million deal back in 2012.

G Jahri Evans: The six-time Pro Bowler is no longer in his prime, and he has been fighting through a series of nagging injuries in recent years. They’ll easily have as much devoted to players no longer on the roster as they will have devoted to Brees even in the unlikely scenario that he plays out his contract as it now exists. And yet both of their status’ with the team for 2016 remain in question. “Once I caught it, I had confidence in myself I could run it all the way”, Robinson said. I think we can push the envelope with that. “Trust me, I doubt if that happens”.

Bradley has a 12-35 in three seasons with the Jaguars, who are 5-10 this season going into their final game on Sunday against the Houston Texans. From there they moved the ball down the field and capped off am eight play, 80 yard drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Lee.

Asking Brees to take a pay cut when he’s not the root of the problem is a huge favor to ask by the Saints.