How much longer can we keep Gregg Williams?
 

New Orleans Saints defensive success could mean upgrade for Gregg Williams


METAIRIE – If the New Orleans Saints continue to play lights out on defense, Gregg Williams could find himself back in the head coaching ranks in 2011.

At the midway point of the regular season, Williams’ defensive unit is ranked No. 3 in the NFL behind the San Diego Chargers and the New York Giants, yielding an average of 287.3 yards per game.

It gets better.

Subtract the five returns for touchdowns by the opposition and the Saints’ defense has surrendered 113 points in eight games, or 14.1 points per game.

I’m not ready to mention the 2010 Black and Gold defense in the same breath with the “Dome Patrol’’ defenses of the Jim Mora era, but this year’s “D’’ gets a mid-term grade of “A’’ from this grizzled correspondent.

New Orleans Saints defensive success could mean upgrade for Gregg Williams

Well, all last season we all kept saying that the defense, especially the run defense, needs work. I guess Greg Williams heard us.

If I remember correctly, our D was just like this last year for the first half of the season.

I am not sure being arguable the best D coach in the league, translates to that level of head coach... There is some offense required in there.

He's already a "head coach." He just doesn't have to manage the cameras like Payton. He might decide that the ego overrides the reality and Peter Principle himself up to a head coach. That could be disastrous, as x626 notes, due to all kinds of deficiencies (not that I'm suggesting GW has them.) He's getting paid a premium, he's got ultimate flexibility and authority and he' got very little downside. And the possibility of going for at least 3 more rings with this group. One more ring, he could be a Hall of Fame defensive coordinator, just like Dick Lebeau. Why risk immortality?

Only Gregg knows the answers to those questions. Is it possible we lose him? Sure. But as you've pointed out - his autonomy in New Orleans and the opportunity to build on a legendary legacy is in place.

I hope we never lose him, but I can't help but wonder if his desire is to prove to himself and others that he can be a successful HC in the NFL.

Greg's attempt at head coaching was a disaster.

He is a smart man and realizes head coaching isn't for him but a DC where he has full control of the D. A place where he can match wits with the likes of Payton.

Done and done. He isn't going anywhere soon.

All the butting heads with people, that's going to be difficult to adjust.
Then again, maybe people realize he was right all along and give him the control he needs like someone said. If he gets that opportunity I could see it as a strong possibility. He walked into a unique situation in New Orleans.
It would take another unique situation, but he would still have to make some compromises. Maybe he's learned that skill with the Saints.

I think Williams stays, but here is a little food for thought


It's being widely assumed that 2010 will be John Fox's final season as head coach of the Carolina Panthers. It's shaping up to be a reasonably amicable divorce, but a divorce nonetheless. As a free agent, Fox should be a highly sought after candidate for the vacant head coaching jobs this upcoming offseason. However, ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas developed an interesting hypothetical on Thursday.

If Fox finds himself still unemployed after all the head coaching jobs have been filled, and current New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams lands one of those jobs, then Yasinskas believes Saints head coach Sean Payton "would do anything possible to get Fox to come in and run his defense."

This would be a bit of a demotion for Fox; then again, several head coaches have gone back to being assistants before getting their next head gig.

A man with his (revered)intelligence does not ignore history, or his own personal experiences. I did not realize he was a head coach before, when i made my previous reply.

That being said, this is all I had to read and i am not worried about him trying it again.

why don't we just make him a super assistant like Garrett with the Cowboys? Throw him a ton of money and keep him happy

There a chance for him to go down as one of the greats if the Saints keep winning and he stays. I remember last year he said he wanted to stay here. As for Fox, if he's fired I could see Sean bringing him in in some kind of role but then you'd have to worry about having to many chefs in the kitchen

I agree on Shanle...... However GW lost a lot of his comfort zone when Sharper was not back there....

Also, ever thought that if your opponent knows you Blitz like crazy, and he spends all week preparing for that, not blitzing is the easiest way to throw him off?

Which somewhat reinforces my theory... A rookie QB will not be able to adjust at play time as well as a Vet. They prepared for the blitz...Hence the "lost"...

Hall had 168 yards passing, and McCoy had 74 lol.... I would say they WERE Lost!

I too was disappointed GW didn't blitz both those guys till their head's were spinning but the defense wasn't at full strength for either one of those games (Sharper) and IMO GW is alot more aggressive with Sharper is in the game just look at the Steelers game

Starting with the Kittens

GW loves having sharper back there, as you guys have said it let's him be way more aggressive AND now we will have porter and Greer back aswell. I too think GW stays with us, he is most successful in the role he's got now, he's pretty much like a defensive head coach, the same way Payton is an offensive head coach. It really works for him and I believe he is real happy here, even if smiling isn't in his job description lol

For GW having Sharper back is like having another Coach on the field. Also he had to deal with the loss of Fujita and a banged up secondary. But if he gets the big offer I think he is gone.

Well i think we got him at least till the end of 2011.. so we'll see what happens then..
I personally think Jerry Jones is eyeballing him strongly right now.

Benson has to realize that if he gives the guy a little raise along with Coach he might keep him around for another 4 to 5 years. Pay him like a head coach and we'll keep him forever.

I don't know about that wrath. I'm sure Jones is eyeballing a lot of people right now and GW may be one of them. But GW seems like the type that has to have total control over what ever he is hired for. Jones is not that type of owner. He tried that before. The guy's initials are BP. We see how long that lasted. I could be wrong though. I too think GW's time here is limited but if he really thinks about it he is in a perfect situation right now and should stay. JMO

My bet after last year was that he would not return. He did.

If he wants another ring in the next 5 years he needs to stay right where he's at and do what he does best.

In the NFL, rings equal greatness. He should keep a perfectly comfortable job like he has and not destroy any chance at coaching greatness by taking a head coaching job on a weak team.

If he goes, it will be all ego. He gets more camera coverage and mention right now than most head coaches and that should keep the ego fed for a while.

Alaska

He'll get paid more by next season to stay

thats a big 10-4 good buddy, lets hammer down the rest of the way.

Umm....., yes


I couldn't find Williams' contract info after hitting 5-6 sites, but remember that Payton ponied up $250,000 to get GW here.

Also learned the GW played QB in college. Interesting

Would Jones want a defensive head coach?

It isn't working out too well with Wade Phillips, why would he want to do that again?

I hear Brad Childress will be available.

Seriously, he could probably get Mike Martz.

GW is in the perfect position and many good points have been made here. I think the most important point is that we have a chance to repeat and get more rings. GW is smart but is he smart enough to know when it can't get any better? I hope so.