my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

ok we know how he has been here with limited talent so i did a little research on his past jobs to see if we might show improvement with talent improvement
in 2002-2005 he was a linebacker coach for Dallas in his first NFL job
He did real well at that role in Dallas, in my opinion.In 2001 He was DC at LSU
and Gibbs' defensive unit finished the year ranked 21st nationally in rushing yards allowed and also led the SEC in interceptions with 18, picking off at least two passes in six of 12 games. In 2000 While at Georgia, his defense ranked 19th in the nation in total defense and 12th in scoring defense, allowing just 18 points-per-game.1989-1994 he was head coach of Oklahoma During his six seasons as the head coach at Oklahoma (1989-94), Gibbs guided the Sooners to three bowl games and an overall record of 44-23-2. In his first three seasons after taking over the program from Barry Switzer, Gibbs continued the school's pattern of success, improving Oklahoma's record each season, from 7-4 as a rookie head coach, to 8-3 in the second year. A 9-3 season in 1991, his third year at the helm, included a 48-14 win over Virginia in the 1991 Gator Bowl. In 1981, Gibbs was named the Sooners defensive coordinator, and he held that post until taking over as head coach in 1989. During his tenure as Oklahoma's defensive coordinator, the Sooners captured the 1985 national title, and their defense led the nation in total defense three straight years (1985-87) and twice finished first in rushing defense (1986 and 1987).
ok through my research i have come to the conclusion that Gibbs has to be better than he has shown us. He has had success everywhere else. maybe just maybe we give him so good young players and he has success here.

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

I cant blame everything on Gibbs. He just need good players to get the job done. You really cant blame Gibbs for Jason David getting burnt, or safties or defensive linemen not doing their job right. Hes trying to make good things happen for the defense but the lack of talent is not showing the full potential of his work.

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

I've probably said a few things about Gibbs that was less than positive, but I really do not think he is a bad coach. He does have some serious shortages in the talent area. I do think he needs to get a little more creative with the play calling and schemes, considering that there are talent shortages. If and when the front office decides to make a run at improving the defense, personal wise, Gibbs should shine.

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

I think you would be amazed at what a hard-nosed REAL middle linebacker would do for the toughness on our defense saintmissile. I think that the type of players we have on D have more to do with how soft we are rather than coaching. I am of the opinion that defenses take on the persona of their MLB most of the time. How much softer can you get than Mark Simoneau?

And for the Venturi reference, when did he ever have talent either? I'm glad he's gone too, but we don't know how good he may have been if he had say the Ravens' defensive players in his arsenal.

Fact is, we have only had 4 steady performers on defense for the last few years: Scott Fujita, Will Smith, Charles Grant, and Mike McKenzie. On top of that, two of those players (Smith and Grant) haven't even really been that consistent. You can't have a good defense with only 4 good players, especially when 1 or 2 of them tend to disappear each game. Give us some playmakers and see what Gibbs does with them. If he fails, get his butt outta here!

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

It's even worse when it tastes like poop.

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

Logic and common sense is not allowed. :no:

:)

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

It kind makes me wonder what our def would be like if we had more talent that could cover our poor play at times. I promise you better linebackers will help the Dline and the DB play a heck of alot better

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

Was just curious about how the DC affects our soft defense? Are there defensive coaches who tell their players go out and hit hard? Then if you have a bad defense it is the coaches fault for telling his players go out there and try not to get anybody hurt. Did he tell his players lets make some stops but I dont want anybody hitting to hard?

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

The retirement home for wayward defensive players in the NFL is New Orleans. A Youthful id coming both in the draft and FA under the age of 28. Has to.
Imagine if you can what would have happened if Bush was pick at #1 and Hawk came here. The accelerated building of the offense would not have happened. Gibbs could do nothing about that one. So now we have depth on OL that is good enough for us to develope picks. That is a big plus. RB in limbo, WR at #2 and 4 are in limbo as is TE.
So where else can we go? DEFENSE!!!! Gibbs time has arrived. Now lets see what he does with it.
David is going to be great at the nickle, just watch. He gets LB and S help there. I am waiting to see the secondary and LBer moves this year. Ilove defense. I am almost as giddy as a little school girl.

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

DING DING DING DING DING DING

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

I'm not sure that's the definition of soft we're talking about. The Saints defense is soft in terms of allowing the offense to dictate what goes on the field instead of the other way around. Not a lot of QB pressure, not being physical with receivers and backs on the line of scrimmage, stuff like that.

So it's not necessarily that the players are soft, but that the scheme that they are playing in is soft.

Again. I don't think that's what is meant by soft. The Saints needs to put players in positions so that they can be physical. And a lot of times, their scheme is the opposite of that.

SFIAH

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

AMEN Brother!!!!!!!

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

name the Saints' starters on defense that would start elsewhere in the league

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

blah blah blah. When Gibbs starts having authority on who they draft, that will mean something. You haven't answered my question. It's simple: how many starters on last year's Saints' defense would be starting elsewhere?

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

OK, stop right there. According to you, the Saints have only one or two starters on defense that would start somewhere else. I think they have two more with McKenzie and Fujita, although Fujita could be argued. So, the Saints' starting defense consists of four starters and seven backups, and yet you can automatically pin the defensive problems on the coordinator and not personnel.

It's one thing for the coaches to put players in the position to make plays. It's another for the players to actually make the plays once in position. The coaches can't execute for the players as well, and there were MANY instances of the defensive players being in position and not executing.

Yes, I would say that the Giants had plenty of guys on defense that would have started for other teams at the beginning of the season. One team that most would have started for sure went to the NFC Championship game last year.

You stated that Smith and Grant were the only two legit starters on the Saints, and also stated that Gibbs does not get the most out of what he has. Gibbs took this same defense personnel-wise and made them the 11th best defensive team in the NFL in 2006. How is that not getting the most out of what he has. He takes nine backups and turns them into one of the better defenses in the league. He loses his starting DT, starts basically a rookie at Safety in Harper, and has one of his two legit starters slowed all year long by injury (Grant), and the second best CB on the team is (gulp) Jason David, and you blame the scheme? Come on.

You and I both know the Saints don't need "Ronnie Lott-type" players at every position in order to be successful, but you can't crucify a coach that doesn't control the personnel he has to work with, and expect him to have a top-5 defense with only two legit NFL starters.

I, like you, questioned why they didn't play Kaesvaharn as well, particularly after he showed effectiveness towards the end of the season. But the questions have to start at the top with Payton, not with Gibbs. Don't think for one second Payton is not calling any of the shots on defense personnel-wise just because he's an offensive-minded guy.

Look, I'm not ready to crown Gibbs the next Buddy Ryan, not by a long shot, and I'll be the first one to call for Gibbs' head if they upgrade the talent on defense, and they are still ranked in the high 20's on defense. But before we lump him in with Venturi, let's see if this franchise can figure out how to draft legit NFL defensive starters.

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

Too be honest the question should be ranked. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

We have players that could play as Starters on teams ranked in an order such as this but that is not the point. Looking at the defense we have some really smart veterans that just do not have the legs to keep up with these younger guys. when the influx of youth starts, they will be worth thier weight in gold for the knowledge they have.
I look at the defense and see a team that has great depth but lacks true starters. Our bench is solid. I really like the moves at LB. The addition of Evens and McCoy were solid moves. They may develope into starters or they may not. It does not matter. They are great additions to the special teams. If called apon they will serve well as backups.
This all I can point out at this time. The team has made strides in the backup players. The old timers now need some younger guys that will push them for playing time.
Gibbs is up and it is up to him to keep his job. Bullocks was given the same chance and failedto what extent that is yet to be determined.
So Kevin will probably become the starter next year unless their is a big change in Bullocks play in camp. Right now he is trade bait. Way to many tall, ball hawking CB in this draft to pass up. Many are good in run support to. If a CB/S is drafted that is 6+ feet tall and a bit slow for CB, look for Bullocks to be moved. The money just does not add up for him to stay. Let us see what new secondary coach Dennis Allen does.

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

Can't really comment on previous discussions you've had with other posters regarding FA or last year's draft other than to say that my "pick" is there is a serious deficiency of talent on the defensive side of the ball. I watched the Philly game, and watched Josh Bullocks two yards deep in the backfield with a clear shot at Westbrook on 3rd and short, and Bullocks flat out whiffed. Gibbs called the right defense, had his man in position to make a play, and his man didn't execute. I also watched Gibbs call plenty of blitzes, in which the Saints' defenders got to the quarterback one second too late, and watched the DB's get beat. I would be gun shy to blitz too if I didn't have the personnel to effectively blitz opposing QB's and got burned every time I did blitz due to no strength in personnel match ups. You give Martz as an example of what you would do in regards to firing. Based on your standards, you would have fired Jim Schwartz of Tennessee after 2006 for finishing with the 32nd ranked defense in the NFL. Tennessee's defense this year was ranked 5th this year. You would have also fired Steve Spagnola of the Giants, whose defense finished 25th in 2006. Giants defense ranked 7th this year and won the Super Bowl.

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

no one said the Saints need to get loaded with star talent, just better talent than what they have now. You are all over the place, and not making much sense. Bottom line, Giants run the basically the same defense scheme-wise. Difference is Giants front four get pressure, Saints front four don't. Same scheme, different talent. And like I stated in a previous post on this thread, if they do upgrade the talent, and the defense still stinks, I'll be the first to call for Gibbs' head. If you want to just throw out all of the facts and ignore the truth, then fine. Keep on railing against Gibbs if it makes you feel better, no matter how ridiculous you sound.

Re: my thoughts on Gary Gibbs
 

Once again, you blame the defensive scheme. The same scheme just held one of the best offenses in NFL history to 14 pts. What's the difference between the Giants and Saints? personnel, particularly the front seven. You claim that Philly could never be considered an offensive powerhouse last year. You are right, they were only the sixth best offense in the NFL.

You obviously think the Saints didn't do anything to upgrade their talent last offseason, correct? You keep pointing out how the Saints missed on personnel, yet you are arguing that they were good enough personnel-wise and that it was coaching. Did the scheme change from 2006 to 2007? uhh, no. Did the Saints start basically a rookie with Harper, and decided to let him go through some growing pains? yes. Was Charles Grant healthy all season long? no Was Bryan Young healthy all season long? no Was Jason David healthy all season long? no You claim that they played a weak schedule in 2006. The Saints played 8 teams with offenses ranked in the top 15 in 2006. The Saints played 6 teams with offenses ranked in the top 15 in 2007. Oops. Go look at the Saints drafts since 2001, and tell me how many starters they've been able to draft on defense? Compare them to the offense. I think you'll find one of the big reasons the offense is better than the defense when you do. You can't make chicked salad out of chicken dump.