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Mad Dog: Broncos GM George Paton has had an awful year! (1:29)

George Paton has been blamed for the Broncos' struggles this year. There is a time and a place for it.

According to sources, the New Orleans Saints gave permission for the Denver Broncos to interview Sean Payton for their head coach position.

Sources said that the in-person interview with the coach can't take place until January 17th.

After last season, the Saints had a new head coach. After 15 seasons with the club, the veteran coach decided to walk away after New Orleans won its final two games that season.

When the New York Giants made it to the Super Bowl in 2000, their offensive coach, Sean Payton, was with them. They won the Super Bowl.

The Broncos finished the year with a 4-7 record. The Denver Broncos were defeated by the Los Angeles Rams in front of a national audience.

The shortest tenure of any non interim head coach in franchise history ended with the dismissal of Hackett. The Broncos had one of the league's best defenses but an offense that simply could not be stopped by the new owners.

Penner said that a new direction would be in the best interests of the Broncos. The change allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach.

The Broncos will play the Los Angeles Clippers.