New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan acknowledged Friday that he and his players got too caught up in the preseason praise and expectations.

The Saints have gone from fourth in yards allowed in 2013 to 31st in 2014.

“Obviously we drank the Kool-Aid a little bit too much, I think. And if they don’t think so, I think that’s wrong. I think that’s an honest opinion,” Ryan said, via ESPN.com. “I think we forgot how we had success [last year]. You know, the ‘Nola’ defense, where nobody likes our ass. That’s how we played better, when our backs were against the wall, when we had a lot to prove.

“I think we didn’t get soft in a year’s time, but certainly we could have played better and started faster. And it cost us early in some games, and then we’re treading uphill the rest of the year.”

Ryan said if he’s back with the Saints next season, the first thing he will improve is himself.


Read more: Rob Ryan: Saints 'drank the Kool-Aid a little bit too much'

That is so unprofessional. Really disappointing.

Really? I didn't think so. I think he called them out. I think he is trying to give them a chip for next year??

How can an entire football organisation get caught up in praise and hype and not understand that success takes hard work?

What this tells me is that they didn't do the work to bridge the gap between reality and where they perceived themselves to be (which was clearly much higher than reality).

That is an extremely poor attitude and a lot of this lies with the coaching staff. They are the ones that should have the insight to see this and act accordingly.