Saints Hire Gregg Williams

It's apparently a good thing if the Green Bay Packers want you to run their defense. First, former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan spurned the Packers to become defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos.

Now, former Titans, Redskins, and Jaguars coordinator Gregg Williams has turned aside the overtures of Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy. Instead of going to Green Bay, Williams has decided to go to New Orleans and work with the Saints.

Williams takes over a unit that simply hasn't performed very well the last couple of years. The Saints have been in the bottom third of the NFL in yards and points allowed each of the last two seasons, and they've failed to make the playoffs either year despite having a top-notch offense.

Saints head coach Sean Payton, whose pedigree is on the offensive side, is understandably psyched.

"A lot has gone into this decision, and we targeted Gregg as the coach we'd like to hire after our first interview because he was so impressive and prepared," said Payton. "As an offensive coach, I have game-planned against his defenses in the past, and I know the problems they create. He's an aggressive coach, but his units are always sound fundamentally. We have some pieces in place for him to work with, and I know he's excited to get started."

Can't really blame Payton for being excited, as he surely understands that his team was a defense away from being a playoff team this year.

As for Green Bay, this means they're on to a third option for coordinator. The Packers Blog believes it's Jim Haslett, the interim coach in St. Louis. He's still in the running for the full-time head coach position in St. Louis, but not many people think he's really going to get it.

The longer this goes on, the more Packer fans better hope that former coordinator Bob Sanders really was the problem, as it's not often good when your team tries to replace a coach and whiffs on their first two choices.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-15-2009 @ 2:35PM

Jay said...

I am a die hard Saints fan so this is real encouraging but let me say this. The defense wasn't the total blame for our mediocre season. I hope Peyton realizes that we were a few missed field goals away from the playoffs. We also had a few short yardage situations where we just blew it. How could you have Deuce suited up and not have him in the game for crucial short yardage situations. If not for nothing but a decoy. I put this squarely on Peyton's shoulders. I watched Pierre Thomas get stuffed at least 4 times early in the season trying to get 1 funky yard. You just cannot tell me that Deuce wouldn't have been able to get at least two out of four. Sean Peyton is an arrogant S.O.B. I hope he can see the error in his ways and make better decisions with the play calling and personnel or you will start to hear fans calling for his head.

1-15-2009 @ 8:27PM

George said...

The current punter and place kicker and the new defensive coordinator should be good for 3-4 more wins. That might have been enough to win the division. I'm keeping my season tickets!

1-15-2009 @ 8:29PM

The new O-line coach may make those one yard plunges more make able for any runner. there's another game or so.

1-16-2009 @ 5:44PM

greek1658 said...

Who in there right mind would want to go to Green Bay with MM and TT in charge lets look what happened.
TT makes dumb player moves lets Grady Jackson and Corey Williams get away and now we cant stop the rush or get a pash rush so the defense struggles and 6-10.MM fires most of the defensive coaches so save his job which he is not qualified for maybe offensive coordinator at best.The real offensive mind was Jagazinski and Farve was able to continue that after he left.Rodgers had to listen and you seen what happened last year.
This will be MM and TT last year so why come in for one year as a coordinator.
Ive been a Packer fan for 40 years and if Murphy doesnt make changes at least fire TT I see a rapid decline.

1-16-2009 @ 9:46PM

JT said...

McCarthy fired the wrong personnel, should have looked hard in the mirror. But as long as Thompson is in Greenbay it will once again become a place no one wants to go either to play or coach

1-23-2009 @ 9:47AM

KANDI said...

I HAVE BEEN A SAINTS FAN FOR 25 YRS, I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE DEFENSIVE COORD. I AM HOPING NEXT YEAR WE ARE SUPER BOWL BOUND.....

2-02-2009 @ 9:16AM

Don said...

I have been a Saints fan since the Bum Phillips days.The one thing we're all tired of saying is,"maybe next year".Let Deuce retire with honor,pick up a bruiser running back,sign Pierre and Reggie,beef up the offensive line and please do the same to the defensive secondary to stop the"big plays" from happening as it does so often.Do this and we'll see the Super Bowl in 2010