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Hiring Gregg Williams was New Orleans Saints defining moment
By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

Times-Picayune reporters Nakia Hogan and Mike Triplett and columnists John DeShazier and Jeff Duncan select the play they believe was the defining moment of the New Orleans Saints' 2009 Super Bowl season. Here's Triplett's pick, and check back later for the remaining choices.
The New Orleans Saints set the tone for their 2010 season less than two weeks after the 2009 season ended.

After missing the playoffs the last two years, the Saints weren't going to sit back and let it happen again. So Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis decided to fire defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs -- a man they liked and respected -- and they aggressively pursued the best defensive mind on the market, Gregg Williams.
The story has been told hundreds of times now, how Payton was so eager to land Williams that he offered to kick in $250,000 of his own salary to seal the deal. Though the Saints eventually repaid Payton that money, it spoke volumes about how determined the coach was to win at all costs this year.
The entire team went into this season with that mentality -- knowing they were better than the team that finished 7-9 and 8-8 the last two years, and knowing those seasons were wasted opportunities. They adopted the "Finish Strong" mantra, and every week they played like a team that wasn't going to let a single game get away from them.
Payton's aggressive mentality was just as evident on the field, especially in the Super Bowl when he dialed up an onside kick that will go down in history.
And Williams was the perfect fit. The fiery motivator and brilliant strategist changed the attitude and performance level of a defense that went from holding the team back to leading the postseason charge.
They were spectacular all season, ranking second in the NFL with 39 takeaways.
Then they were even better in the playoffs, shutting down Kurt Warner, beating up Brett Favre and stunning Peyton Manning along the way.
It was fitting that the Saints sealed their first Super Bowl victory with cornerback Tracy Porter's interception return for a touchdown. Although quarterback Drew Brees was named the game's MVP -- and rightfully so -- he clearly didn't do it alone. . . . . . . .

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