Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach

AsylumGuido · 11-06-2024, 05:30 PM

Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach

By Ross Jackson

11/06/2024

METAIRIE, La. — Usually when the media walks out to observe practice, a large portion is for the sake of taking attendance of the active roster and practice squad. But at New Orleans Saints practice on Wednesday, it was an absence among the coaching staff that was most notable.

Throughout practice on Wednesday, there was no sign of Defensive Line Coach Todd Grantham. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi updated that he has reorganized the defensive coaching staff a bit.

Grantham will no longer be coaching the defensive line. Instead, pass rush specialist Brian Young will lead the defensive line group. Grantham will instead serve as an advisor to defensive coordinator Joe Woods.

That side of the trenches has been under fire for most of the season because of its struggles both in defending the run as well as getting a consistent pass rush on opposing quarterbacks. In particular, the interior of the offensive line has struggled in both areas.

Young is a former Saints defensive lineman (2004-2008) who joined the coaching staff in 2009. He has been with the team’s staff for 15 years in various capacities, nine being as pass rush specialist.

Young and linebackers coach Michael Hodges will handle prepping the run game plan on defense while Woods and defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson will handle the passing defense side. Woods will call defensive plays.

Rizzi said that he and the organization would be looking at several aspects across the team beyond just the roster. His first point of order in addressing the coaching lineup on defense. He did say that the team will operate “status quo” on offense.

The interim head coach also announced that veteran special teams coach Marwan Maalouf will be added to the staff to help assist with the special teams area of the game while Rizzi takes on his additional responsibilities in his new role.

AsylumGuido · 11-06-2024, 06:24 PM

AsylumGuido · 11-18-2024, 06:50 PM

Several people have talked about Cam Jordan's reduced production. Well, it's hard to produce when Dennis Allen limits your snaps to ten. Be prepared for the defense to continue its resurgence of its better players.

AsylumGuido · 11-20-2024, 11:28 AM

mapcow · 11-20-2024, 12:08 PM

This fan is preferring to see how the rest of the season plays out before making any judgement of any kind towards Rizzi. What a golden opportunity for this man to make a name for himself.

iceshack149 · 11-20-2024, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by mapcow

This fan is preferring to see how the rest of the season plays out before making any judgement of any kind towards Rizzi. What a golden opportunity for this man to make a name for himself.

Fair. The Browns and Falcons aren't awesome but it's nice to finally win. It does seem like this team would rather play for Rizzi than they would for Allen and I get it. Allen doesn't appear to inspire men.

jnormand · 11-20-2024, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by iceshack149

Fair. The Browns and Falcons aren't awesome but it's nice to finally win. It does seem like this team would rather play for Rizzi than they would for Allen and I get it. Allen doesn't appear to inspire men.

I still have a hang over from how badly I was duped by that guy at the beginning of the season. Good riddance.

iceshack149 · 11-20-2024, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by jnormand

I still have a hang over from how badly I was duped by that guy at the beginning of the season. Good riddance.

I'm a bit guilty as well. When the Saints shut out the Bucs 9-0 in December 2021, Allen was HC while Payton was out due to the worst pandemic the world had ever witnessed. I thought DA might be a good option to replace Payton when he quit in New Orleans.

With defensive coordinator Dennis Allen standing in for Payton, who missed the game after testing positive for COVID-19, the Saints stymied the NFL’s No. 1 passing and scoring offense and ended Brady’s streak of 255 consecutive starts (including playoff games) without being shut out.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401326551
I was wrong.

AsylumGuido · 11-24-2024, 09:23 AM

Check the bit about changing practice schedules to help prevent injuries.

After the organization parted ways with Dennis Allen, Rizzi was a natural choice for the interim role, especially considering he was a finalist for the head coaching job two years ago. While Sean Payton’s positive influence remains within the organization, Rizzi has introduced his own approach, which has been well-received by players. He has focused on building strong relationships with team leaders and veterans, reorganizing the locker room to enhance player cohesion, and adjusting practice schedules to reduce injuries. He believes in a high volume of reps with less intensity during practices that players, including Derek Carr, have appreciated. He’s also allowing players an extra hour of sleep, a simple yet effective adjustment. An assistant coach shared: “Everything has a purpose with Rizzi.”

One veteran player explained: “We were thirsty for change, and Rizzi is bringing it.” There’s his “1/11th” philosophy, with the staff encouraging each player to take responsibility for their specific role — a Jersey version of “Do Your Job.” Rizzi wants the full-time job, and if he continues to win, owner Gayle Benson won’t be able to ignore a coach inspiring her locker room.

AsylumGuido · 11-25-2024, 09:50 AM

11-06-2024, 05:30 PM	#1
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach By Ross Jackson 11/06/2024 METAIRIE, La. — Usually when the media walks out to observe practice, a large portion is for the sake of taking attendance of the active roster and practice squad. But at New Orleans Saints practice on Wednesday, it was an absence among the coaching staff that was most notable. Throughout practice on Wednesday, there was no sign of Defensive Line Coach Todd Grantham. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi updated that he has reorganized the defensive coaching staff a bit. Grantham will no longer be coaching the defensive line. Instead, pass rush specialist Brian Young will lead the defensive line group. Grantham will instead serve as an advisor to defensive coordinator Joe Woods. That side of the trenches has been under fire for most of the season because of its struggles both in defending the run as well as getting a consistent pass rush on opposing quarterbacks. In particular, the interior of the offensive line has struggled in both areas. Young is a former Saints defensive lineman (2004-2008) who joined the coaching staff in 2009. He has been with the team’s staff for 15 years in various capacities, nine being as pass rush specialist. Young and linebackers coach Michael Hodges will handle prepping the run game plan on defense while Woods and defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson will handle the passing defense side. Woods will call defensive plays. Rizzi said that he and the organization would be looking at several aspects across the team beyond just the roster. His first point of order in addressing the coaching lineup on defense. He did say that the team will operate “status quo” on offense. The interim head coach also announced that veteran special teams coach Marwan Maalouf will be added to the staff to help assist with the special teams area of the game while Rizzi takes on his additional responsibilities in his new role.
	“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

11-06-2024, 06:24 PM	#2
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach Twitter

11-18-2024, 06:50 PM	#3
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach Several people have talked about Cam Jordan's reduced production. Well, it's hard to produce when Dennis Allen limits your snaps to ten. Be prepared for the defense to continue its resurgence of its better players. Twitter

11-20-2024, 11:28 AM	#4
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach Twitter

11-20-2024, 12:08 PM	#5
mapcow Just a Fan Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,793	Re: Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach This fan is preferring to see how the rest of the season plays out before making any judgement of any kind towards Rizzi. What a golden opportunity for this man to make a name for himself. iceshack149 likes this.
mapcow Just a Fan Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,793

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11-20-2024, 01:43 PM	#6
iceshack149 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 4,299 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach Originally Posted by mapcow This fan is preferring to see how the rest of the season plays out before making any judgement of any kind towards Rizzi. What a golden opportunity for this man to make a name for himself. Fair. The Browns and Falcons aren't awesome but it's nice to finally win. It does seem like this team would rather play for Rizzi than they would for Allen and I get it. Allen doesn't appear to inspire men. jnormand likes this.

11-20-2024, 05:07 PM	#7
jnormand 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Free State of Idaho Posts: 5,687	Re: Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach Originally Posted by iceshack149 Fair. The Browns and Falcons aren't awesome but it's nice to finally win. It does seem like this team would rather play for Rizzi than they would for Allen and I get it. Allen doesn't appear to inspire men. I still have a hang over from how badly I was duped by that guy at the beginning of the season. Good riddance. iceshack149 likes this.

11-20-2024, 05:45 PM	#8
iceshack149 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 4,299 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach Originally Posted by jnormand I still have a hang over from how badly I was duped by that guy at the beginning of the season. Good riddance. I'm a bit guilty as well. When the Saints shut out the Bucs 9-0 in December 2021, Allen was HC while Payton was out due to the worst pandemic the world had ever witnessed. I thought DA might be a good option to replace Payton when he quit in New Orleans. With defensive coordinator Dennis Allen standing in for Payton, who missed the game after testing positive for COVID-19, the Saints stymied the NFL’s No. 1 passing and scoring offense and ended Brady’s streak of 255 consecutive starts (including playoff games) without being shut out. https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401326551 I was wrong.

11-24-2024, 09:23 AM	#9
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach Check the bit about changing practice schedules to help prevent injuries. Twitter After the organization parted ways with Dennis Allen, Rizzi was a natural choice for the interim role, especially considering he was a finalist for the head coaching job two years ago. While Sean Payton’s positive influence remains within the organization, Rizzi has introduced his own approach, which has been well-received by players. He has focused on building strong relationships with team leaders and veterans, reorganizing the locker room to enhance player cohesion, and adjusting practice schedules to reduce injuries. He believes in a high volume of reps with less intensity during practices that players, including Derek Carr, have appreciated. He’s also allowing players an extra hour of sleep, a simple yet effective adjustment. An assistant coach shared: “Everything has a purpose with Rizzi.” One veteran player explained: “We were thirsty for change, and Rizzi is bringing it.” There’s his “1/11th” philosophy, with the staff encouraging each player to take responsibility for their specific role — a Jersey version of “Do Your Job.” Rizzi wants the full-time job, and if he continues to win, owner Gayle Benson won’t be able to ignore a coach inspiring her locker room.
	“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

11-25-2024, 09:50 AM	#10
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: Darren Rizzi makes first staff changes as interim head coach Twitter