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New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton addresses media Monday
By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune
October 05, 2009, 12:17PM
The Saints are 4-0 for the first time in 16 years, and there at least four major reasons for that fast start. Coach Sean Payton reviewed the highlights during his weekly Monday press conference:
1. Their defense is significantly better. Payton credited defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for changing the culture on defense, saying players have bought into the scheme and attitude he's selling. They've forced a league-leading 13 takeaways, winning the turnover battle in every game. Payton said the new personnel decisions and improved health on that side of the ball have also played into the sudden turnaround.
2. The Saints' personnel moves have almost all worked out, from the free agent additions of safety Darren Sharper, cornerback Jabari Greer, defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove and fullback Heath Evans, to the draft choices of cornerback Malcolm Jenkins and punter Thomas Morstead.
3. They're running the ball with great success. The Saints have been able to protect leads, run out the clock and wear down opponents in the fourth quarter all season long, whether the tailback is Mike Bell or Pierre Thomas. Who saw that coming?
4. They're healthy. Especially on defense, with ends Will Smith and Charles Grant playing faster and more disruptive than they have in years. They did lose left tackle Jammal Brown for the entire season, but so far they've been able to absorb that.
"So it's hard to point to one thing," said Payton, who is 4-0 for the first time in his 13 years as an NFL head coach or assistant coach.
Payton said he believes the team is confident in what it's doing on both sides of the ball but still knows it has a long season ahead following this week's bye -- starting with the Week 6 matchup against the New York Giants.
Players will have light workouts Tuesday and Wednesday this week before escaping for a four-day weekend.

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