Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

"Linebacker Curtis Lofton said Wednesday he doesn't know what the system was before he signed with the Saints last March, but he does know from other players that the Gregg Williams system was more simple. Lofton made it clear twice during an interview that he fully supports Spagnuolo's scheme.


"It was his first year putting it in, and everything we went through, yeah I'm a firm believer in the system," Lofton said. "I think it's a complicated system, but at the same time it has an answer for everything an offense does. We will be successful in the future. ... Yes, there is some thinking that goes into it before the play and during the play, but once you've got a grasp to it, I really think this is a great system."


Lofton, who just finished his first season in New Orleans, said he's very surprised to hear a player's disparaging comments about the defense in the media saying, "This stuff goes on in other locker rooms and definitely not in the Saints locker room."


Lofton added: "You definitely should put your name on it, especially with those type of comments. Whoever said it is a coward. ... "I would just say throughout the season, a player and a coach never see eye to eye on 100 percent of things. But one thing I can say about Spags is that he definitely cares about us as a coach would care for you. Of course things this season didn't go the way any of us hoped it would go, but at the same time I'm a firm believer in the system that we're in and that we will definitely get things corrected.


"I'm definitely excited about the potential of this defense. The arrow is definitely pointing up. You take away those first four games, I really thought we took a step to improve the rest of the way. You can't say that it's all system and not the players itself. There has to be accountability on both parts. I don't agree with those comments. I feel like if something like that needs to be said, go directly to the coach and talk that out instead or airing in-house business through the media."

Jonathan Vilma takes issue with Steve Spagnuolo report: 'We're not the Jets' | NOLA.com

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

And that my fine feathered friends is all I needed to hear on the matter.

I'm liking the guy more and more.
Needs some more help around him at LB.

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

Lofton was one of the lone bright spots in the D, he's everything we signed him to be

He just needs help, much like brees needed a running game in 09 to win the Super Bowl

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

Reading between the lines Lofton is saying "this system works and has an answer for everything, some people are just too stupid to pick it up".

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

It just goes to I've been stressing with this quote right here

"Yes, there is some thinking that goes into it before the play and during the play, but once you've got a grasp to it, I really think this is a great system"


High IQ is a MUST in this system and A LOT of the talent we have DO NOT have a High football IQ...plain & simple. Spags just needs to get guys that can understand it. I know I'm not the only one who noticed that outside of guys like Lofton, Cam Jordan, Hicks and even Will Smith sometimes when he was moved around on the line...got better as the season went on...especially Cam Jordan. GWs guys like Harper, Jenkins, Ellis, Shanle....all continued to suck. That tells you that your starters aren't the High IQ players that GW claimed to have.

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

keep lofton and jordan...everyone else on D..buh bye

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

Tough to be a dumb jock nowadays ... although there are always exceptions.

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

I blame the educational system :-)

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

I thought that players like Galette and Wilson also made a much more convincing push to be considered true pass rushers as the season went along, and Hawthorne was another one who improved a lot as he was able to shake off the injury bug. As far as the front 4 pass rush goes, the biggest problem was the interior tackles, and the biggest problem of them all was Ellis. Ellis didn't even get doubled in most of the games, and in this last game - it was always Bunkley and Johnson who were getting doubled when they lined up next to Ellis, and still he sucked and kept getting pushed around opening those holes for the Panties' RB.

But, to get back on the topic, Lofton has shown that he is a true baller and a leader on and off the field. The Saints really needed a guy like that to take over for Vilma, and he'll be a key piece around which the FO will continue to build this defense on. And I do agree that players shouldn't vent out publicly, especially when done anonymously, about the inner working of the team. I also believe that Spags' system can and will produce success for the Saints' defense going forward, and I give him my full fan support... for now. ;-)

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

What was said???

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

I really like Lofton, absolute class act and a beast of a player.

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

It's complicated like the man said. It's not some gimmick GW defense that relies on crazy blitzing and stripping. I'm not knocking GW either, it worked at the time but it's going to take another off season to start refining what Spags is trying to do which is create a real defense, a smart defense.

I'm frustrated like everyone else but I'm also realistic. When he started moving the line around this pass year I knew there was going to be issues. Will Smith can barely play DE anymore yet he was trying to move him to DT on certain plays. That is not going to work but at least he tried. Get him a couple of new eager players to work with and it could turn around fairly quick.

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

Good for Lofton, call it like it is. Maybe Spags was using this season to determine which guys had football IQ and which guys didn't. Don't these guys all have college educations? Geez!

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

There were times I truly felt this way... Felt like Spags was putting the defense in rough situations to see how the players reacted...

I think Lofton has overtaken Vilma as leader of the Saints Defense. Glad to have him on board.

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

I'd take 9 more Vilma and Loftons

Re: Lofton's Comments on SpagsGate
 

Lofton is good but he doesn't check out of a play which is why we still need Vilma. And yes, I do believe our defensive players aren't very sharp.