Aaron Kromer makes good first impression as the New Orleans Saints' 'fill-in for the fill-in' head coach
 

It didn't take Aaron Kromer long to make his first call as Saints head coach.

Seconds after pretzeling his 6-4 frame behind the mic stand to meet the press for the first time, Kromer called an audible. "We need a bigger table," quipped Kromer, while craning his neck toward his chest.

The coaching staff hasn't played a real game yet but they've already been forced to make a year's worth of adjustments and audibles this offseason. Press conference ergonomics are only the latest precedent in this crazy, unprecedented campaign.

During his 15-minute briefing, Kromer accorded himself well. He said all the right things and maintained a positive outlook despite the extraordinary challenges ahead.

As first impressions go, Kromer looked and acted the part of an NFL head coach. There were no Jersey Joe Vitt one-liners or pursed-lip Sean Payton death stare but that's OK. Kromer knows Rule No. 1 in being head coach is to be yourself.

"I can't be Sean. I can't be Joe Vitt. I am going to be me," he said. "Whatever that is in the time, we'll see."

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Re: Aaron Kromer makes good first impression as the New Orleans Saints' 'fill-in for the fill-in' head coach
 

Next man up ! ( I am going to be me )

Re: Aaron Kromer makes good first impression as the New Orleans Saints' 'fill-in for the fill-in' head coach
 

Aaron Kromer will try to 'hold the fort'

METAIRIE, La. -- Saints offensive linemen Zach Strief and Jahri Evans tried -- and failed -- to think of a time when offensive line coach Aaron Kromer lost his temper and ripped into his charges during a game.

They've seen Kromer agitated by letdowns or mental lapses in practice, of course. But as far as they could recall, the man who will become the figurehead of New Orleans' coaching staff during the opening six games of the regular season has always responded to in-game adversity more rationally than emotionally.

"He's certainly a very calm sideline presence on game day, which players love," said Strief, the Saints' starting right tackle. "The last thing you want, when you're in the heat of it and you're trying to do as well as you can, is to have someone come and tell you, you didn't.

"I don't need someone to tell me when I got beat ... and (Kromer) is very good at saying, 'What happened? What did he do? What can you do differently?' He talks through things and he allows you to kind of figure it out, and it keeps us a lot more consistent and level headed. I think he'll bring a lot of that to the sideline."

New Orleans Saints' Aaron Kromer to 'hold the fort' in Joe Vitt's absence - ESPN

Re: Aaron Kromer makes good first impression as the New Orleans Saints' 'fill-in for the fill-in' head coach
 

Good choice. I guess he'll be the Belle of the ball next year when teams are looking for coaches.

Re: Aaron Kromer makes good first impression as the New Orleans Saints' 'fill-in for the fill-in' head coach
 

What if the Saints go 5-1 under his leadership?

Re: Aaron Kromer makes good first impression as the New Orleans Saints' 'fill-in for the fill-in' head coach
 

Then fire his ass. I want 6-0! :)

Re: Aaron Kromer makes good first impression as the New Orleans Saints' 'fill-in for the fill-in' head coach
 

Then we have what is generallly referred to as a "good start".