mjf150

Here is excerpt from an article on The Sports Network webpage:

Line of Scrimmage: Meet the New Head Coaches
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor

NEW ORLEANS

Out With the Old: Jim Haslett, who was 45-51 (.469) in six seasons, was fired on Jan. 2nd.

In With the New: Sean Payton, formerly assistant head coach with the Dallas Cowboys, was hired on Jan. 18th. Payton served as assistant head coach under Bill Parcells for three seasons (2003-05) adding quarterbacks coach to his title for two seasons (2003-04) and serving as passing game coordinator for one (2005). Prior to joining the Cowboys, Payton spent four years with the Giants (1999-02), including the last three as offensive coordinator, and two with the Eagles (1997-98). Before joining the pro ranks, the former Chicago Bears replacement quarterback filled assistant duties at collegiate stops San Diego State (1988-89, 1992-93), Indiana State (1990-91), Miami of Ohio (1994-95), and Illinois (1996).

Coordinator/Staff Situation: Payton himself will wield most of the power over the offensive scheme, but former Jets offensive line coach Doug Marrone will be the coordinator, at least in name. Marrone's Jets trench unit had a tough time in 2005 but helped Curtis Martin win the NFL rushing title in 2004. On defense, Payton brought Cowboys linebackers coach and former University of Oklahoma head coach Gary Gibbs with him from Dallas, and Gibbs will coordinate the defense. Payton's biggest-name hire was probably former Rams interim head coach Joe Vitt, who will serve as assistant head coach and tutor the linebackers.

Personnel Situation: Conventional wisdom suggests that Payton took this job in order to get an opportunity to work with either Matt Leinart or Vince Young, one of whom will likely be the Saints' selection with the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft. Chances are that it will be Leinart, since Payton has spent his pro career working with drop-back passers like Drew Bledsoe, Vinny Testaverde, and Kerry Collins. Former starter Aaron Brooks is as good as gone, though the Saints will probably target a veteran QB (perhaps Collins) via free agency. Elsewhere on offense, running back Deuce McCallister and wideouts Joe Horn and Donte' Stallworth are set to return. On defense, the team needs to find a pass rusher to replace the probably departed Darren Howard, and the linebacking corps could also use an overhaul, though luring free agents to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans could be an uphill battle for the franchise.

Level of Expectation: Haslett was temporarily hailed as a conquering hero when he led the Saints to their first playoff win back in 2000, and the Saints' ownership and fan base grew gradually more frustrated with the club's annual mediocrity thereafter. Most reasonable people can appreciate the fact that the situation Payton inherits is much more difficult than that of his contemporaries, so both the fans and Saints owner Tom Benson should give Payton suitable time to find his footing. Barring an extended period of non- contender status or a lack of progress, look for Payton to get a minimum of five years.

Prognosis for Tenure: Payton has his work cut out for him, with the current state of the Saints franchise hanging like an anvil above his head. The draft will be absolutely vital to a team that is simply not playing on a level playing field in the free agent game. Also, there is little reason to believe that the rumors of a franchise move to San Antonio or Los Angeles will die out in the near future, a distraction that the Payton regime could find it difficult to overcome. Other than sorting out the quarterback situation, Payton's tallest task in New Orleans will be keeping his team focused amid any off-the-field turmoil, something that Haslett, himself a highly-regarded assistant when he arrived in New Orleans in 2000, was unable to do.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default...ABN4004925.htm

FanNJ

I happend to hear an interview today while sitting in traffic on Sports Radio 66 with Tiki Barber. The point that I found optomistic is that he actually credits Payton for developing the offense and scheme to his strenghts that had allowed him to be the Giants all time leading rusher and that to me is pretty amazing. I can only hope he works the same magic with some of the tools that the saints have. I know Payton was only with the Gmen for three years, but one of the best rushers game today gave the credit back to our new head coach. It was good to here. I always felt that there was too much tinkering with the offense under Hasslett in recent years that ended up hampering what was once a strong point on the team.

For example the two tight end sets that were a disaster and lead to diminshed productivity from McAllister he was not the same runner without the fullback leading.

Don't know if this makes sence in this thread but anyway.

mjf150

I agree. One of the worst, and most overlooked, mistakes that the Saints did was to get rid of Terrelle Smith. He contributed to a huge part of the yardage that Duece garnered. The two seasons McAllister ran behind him, he gained a total of 3,029 yards and made it through 31 out of 32 games. The last two seasons without him Duece put up only 1,409 yards and lasted only of 19 games. Fullbacks don't seem to get the credit that they deserve.

FanNJ

Totally. loosing smith to Cleavland was a mistake. He was worth every dime. Duce was healthy and ran strong through the holes and was getting first contacts after 4 yards not in the backfield. He was hitting the hole instead of the hole hitting him.
I am actually pretty fond of Karney and I think he is going to be great, but remember when Lorenzo Neill left Tenn. Eddie George's production greatly diminished. Now LT is living the goodlife, Matt strong is so important to Seatle, Alstott in Tampa and so on. The two tight end sets were Stupid and that decision has plagued this team since. Great tight ends that could catch the ball, right when was the last time we had one of them....Boo was crap after the money got paid....and who is there to block??Can we get a blocking tigh end?

OK gotta stop ranting

mjf150

The only great Tight End, in my opinion, that we have ever had was Hoby Brenner (81-93). I could be overlooking someone, or there could have been one before my time.

FanNJ

Brenner could catch and Block. I only say the tail end of his carrer, but he new how to play the position

mjf150

I obtained this information from the Saints' website in the "Where are they now?" section:

"One of the top receivers to play for the Saints, tight end Hoby Brenner was a combination of an effective run blocker and a dependable pass catcher during his 13 seasons in the NFL, all with New Orleans.

He still holds the club record for receptions (267) and receiving yards (3,849) by a tight end. Both marks rank in the team's career top 10 in both categories."

For the full article, click here: http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news...?articleid=660

hagan714

remeber duce's best came with a bookend T Roaf, Turley, FB Smith and C joel. as they all left so did the holes for duce. This is problem with hasslet. he tried to get to much out of players that were playing out of position or different style of blockers. All the ones that left were all pullers and runners. now we got a mix of trappers and zone blockers.
Hasslet messed up the line. We can fix it with just a few moves. But we need to dump some of the high paid zone blockers. Duce is better on cut back of the tail of a pulling OL.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins