Quick take on Spagnuolo's def scheme
 

Nice observation from a QB who played vs both:

Should division welcome Gregg Williams? - NFC West Blog - ESPN


Williams has become known for coming after opposing quarterbacks with abandon. The Saints sent five or more pass-rushers 51.1 percent of the time in 2011, most in the NFL. The percentage was a league-leading 49.5 in 2010 and a runnerup 48.2 in 2009.

The Rams, meanwhile, brought added pressure 32.5 percent of the time during that period, 15th-most in the league, according to John McTigue of ESPN Stats & Information.

Fans and players tend to favor aggressive play, but as the chart indicates, NFC West quarterbacks have carved up Williams' New Orleans defenses in the postseason over the past two years.

Matt Hasselbeck's four touchdown passes led Seattle past the Saints in the wild-card round a year ago. Alex Smith's four total touchdowns (one rushing) were the difference for the 49ers in the divisional round Saturday.

Most schemes will work with the right players, of course. In these cases, veteran quarterbacks made the Saints pay for their aggressive tactics. Hasselbeck and Smith fared well, in general, regardless of how many rushers the Saints sent.

Steve Spagnuolo's defensive scheme was the least of the Rams' worries, in my view.

"A lot of defenses are unsound in how they do things," Hasselbeck said when I caught up to him following his Tennessee Titans preseason debut, in St. Louis. "These guys (the Rams) are really sound. They might not lead the league in sacks up front, but they do a nice job getting pressure. They play together as a defense. They don't give up big plays. Even when you get them, it's for 20 yards instead of for a touchdown."

The Saints gave up a league-high 14 pass plays covering at least 40 yards during the regular season. The Rams gave up 12, but they also lost all their top cornerbacks to injury.


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As the years have passed, we found Gregg Williams to be what he is - a one trick pony. :brood:

Here's a look at Spag's base 4-3 depth chart in St. Louis. No more talent that the Saints currently employ:

St. Louis Rams 2011 Depth Chart - Base 4-3 D - ESPN

Notable defensive free agents:
Brian Poppinga UFA and C.J. Ah You RFA

I'd take it.

With Nolan out of the running, though he was my second choice anyway, I think Spagnuolo is our best option.

Spags D excels at getting pressure from just the front 4, occasionly bringing a 5th man if needed.
If he can get our front 4 to become dominant, if thats through free agency or the draft, we could leave men in coverage.
The stats showed that when he was in new York, the D line led the league in sacks and not by coincidence the defensive backfield was ranked 2nd in the league, if he can do something like that to our D, the turnovers and dominant play will return.

Del rio specializes in LB's mostly, we need help at all positions as far as fundamentals go so its which position each of you would like to see upgraded as to who you want as our new DC, i'd go with spags but not going to be unhappy if its del rio

At this point; I will be happy with anyone not named Williams...

As long as the new DC knows that you need to play zone instead of blitzing when your up by 3 in a playoff game with 1:37 to go, I really don't care who they bring in .... but yeah I like what I'm reading about Spags

I think maybe with a little coaching our D as is, with a few changes can be dominant. G.Williams was what he was....a one trick pony. I think he relied too heavily on the blitz and didn't harp on how to recover when the blitz didnt work. If opposing teams know you are going to blirz 50% of the time its easy for them to game plan for it.

Anything besides GW, seems like the league figured him out.

From Twitter
@howardeskin Howard Eskin (94 WIP / NBC 10 TV) says:

spags as DC and Del Rio as LB coach lol