Sean Payton on burning last timeout: Week 1 mechanics

METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints' second-half timeouts were put under the microscope after they ran out of them in Sunday’s 35-34 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Coach Sean Payton appeared to be frustrated on the sideline when he had to burn his last one with 6:07 remaining.

Payton explained Monday that he thinks the play clock may have started running while officials were still conferring about the wild play that took the Saints from their own 31-yard line to Oakland’s 2-yard line (Willie Snead fumbled after a 43-yard catch, then teammate Michael Thomas recovered and advanced the ball to the 2).

The Saints' second-half timeouts were put under the microscope after their loss to the…