Crennel, Cassel Preview Sunday's Contest in New Orleans
 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

What would you say were the main reasons why your team has struggled so far this season?

“I think our team is similar to your team defensively. Teams have been able to move the ball and score points and we haven’t been able to stop them enough. Offensively, we have had spurts and done well in spurts and then other times we haven’t done as well. We have turned the ball over a couple times. Those things always impact the game.”

Do you think the Saints look differently on offense without Sean Payton calling the plays?

“I look at the players and the personnel and they are running the same plays. Drew (Brees) is still the quarterback and he gets rid of the ball. You know the guys that he likes and he likes the playmakers in (Darren) Sproles and (Jimmy) Graham. You know the ball is going to those guys. I am not saying they look different, but anytime you lose your leader, that has an impact.”

As a defensive coach, can you talk about how difficult it is to play an unorthodox offense like the Saints have the past two weeks?

“Anytime you play an option offense, defensively you have to make some adjustments and be able to handle everything that is involved in that option. You have to handle the dive, quarterback, pitch and then if you have a quarterback that can throw the ball you still have to handle the passing aspect of it. That doesn’t allow you to do some things that you would normally do against a more conventional offense.”

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