WARE, U.K. — The juxtaposition is striking.
Three years ago in London, co-owner Greg Penner stood at the Barrowboy and Banker restaurant and supported a hapless coach and defended a washed-up quarterback. The enormity of the challenge and organizational layers of dysfunction were laid bare as Penner awkwardly navigated explanations about a “disappointing” season two months into the new ownership group’s stewardship.
Friday, Penner comfortably walked up to the microphone at a North London manor and country club, praised the culture established by Sean Payton, beamed with pride over the team’s upset of the Eagles, the franchise’s biggest win since Super Bowl 50, and discussed how the team is prepared to handle goals that extend beyond getting blown out in a first-round playoff game.