SI.com: Jeff Diamond

It's obvious the Saints will greatly miss the on-field leadership and offensive creativity of Sean Payton during his suspension for the bounty scandal that has enveloped his team over the last month. After all, we're talking about a Super Bowl-winning coach who has led his team to the playoffs in four of his six seasons at the helm.

'Tis the season for NFL scouts. With two weeks until draft day, teams are making their lists and checking them twice -- and more. As the old carol goes, they've "got to find out who's naughty and nice."

When the Colts selected Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish with the 253rd and final selection in the NFL Draft Saturday, it signaled the start of the undrafted free agent frenzy. In my years as GM of the Vikings, we called this John Randle time.

There's an old adage in sports that great players rarely make great coaches.

If Mike Shanahan is feeling any extra pressure as he approaches this season -- his third with the Washington Redskins -- he certainly doesn't show it.

My first Vikings training camp was in 1976 at Mankato State University, 10 days after my wedding. We worked virtually non-stop in Gage Hall, our dorm, for seven weeks.

This August has basically been business as usual for New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis -- long training camp days full of practices and meetings, hoping for no key injuries through dull preseason games, studying players as he and his staff prepare for roster cutdowns. In short, getting the Saints ready to defend their NFC South title in a year in which Super Bowl XLVII is in the Saints' home dome.

After the Monday night Hail Mary debacle in Seattle, the 1-2 Packers stood in the company of five other 2011 playoff teams who have losing records through Week 3. The unlikely list includes defending AFC champion New England, Pittsburgh, Denver, Detroit and the lone winless team of the group, who also happens to be the Packers' opponent on Sunday in Lambeau -- the New Orleans Saints.

He's the NFL's most exciting player, the favorite through Week 6 to be Offensive Rookie of the Year and, yes, he's even in the conversation for MVP. After all, who has meant more to his team than Robert Griffin III, the player the Redskins paid a king's ransom to acquire before last April's draft?

I apologize to you, Adrian Peterson. Mea culpa for my questioning your ability to return to top form this season after your offseason left knee ACL and MCL surgery.

Jeff Diamond: Loomis' intangible impact on Saints will be missed most of all

Jeff Diamond: Teams must weigh Jenkins' talent over any potential headaches

Jeff Diamond: No rest for teams thanks to frantic pursuit of undrafted free agents

Jeff Diamond: Success as players a plus for Titans coaches, but there's more to it

Jeff Diamond: Redskins' Shanahan not sweating as important season approaches

Jeff Diamond: Training camps becoming more player-friendly, but at what cost?

Jeff Diamond: Loomis has high expectations for Saints with suspension nearing

Jeff Diamond: McCarthy's poise will help guide Packers through tough week

Jeff Diamond: On- and off-field, 'Skins' deal for RGIII a winning one ... so far

Jeff Diamond: Vikes' Peterson a true throwback