How much longer can we keep Gregg Williams?

saintsfan1976 · 11-05-2010, 09:18 AM

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

Srgt. Hulka · 11-05-2010, 09:29 AM

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

TheOak · 11-05-2010, 09:41 AM

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.

xan · 11-05-2010, 10:17 AM

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?

saintsfan1976 · 11-05-2010, 10:38 AM

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.

Euphoria · 11-05-2010, 10:54 AM

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.

Beastmode · 11-05-2010, 11:49 AM

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.

AmishManjina · 11-05-2010, 11:56 AM

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.

TheOak · 11-05-2010, 12:09 PM

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.

Buffalo Bills

He earned his first head coaching position with the Buffalo Bills. As the Bills' head coach, his team was known for highly conservative calls, especially on offense. He was the inspiration for Gregg Easterbrook's designation of "the maroon zone" by frequently punting in opponent territory. Williams was 17-31 as the Bills' coach, and was fired after a 6-10 record in the 2003 season.

Gregg Williams - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gregg Williams - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ScottF · 11-05-2010, 12:19 PM

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

11-05-2010, 09:18 AM	#1
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,846 Blog Entries: 3	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

11-05-2010, 10:17 AM	#4
xan Professor Crab and Site Donor 2014 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Princeton Posts: 3,371 Blog Entries: 34	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?
	Calvin: "I wish I was a Tiger." Hobbes: "Common lament."

11-05-2010, 11:49 AM	#7
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126	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.
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126

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11-05-2010, 09:29 AM	#2
Srgt. Hulka 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 4,417	Well, all last season we all kept saying that the defense, especially the run defense, needs work. I guess Greg Williams heard us.

11-05-2010, 09:41 AM	#3
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,027	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.

11-05-2010, 10:38 AM	#5
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,846 Blog Entries: 3	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.

11-05-2010, 10:54 AM	#6
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	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.

11-05-2010, 11:56 AM	#8
AmishManjina AmishManjina Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lafayette Posts: 46	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.

11-05-2010, 12:19 PM	#10
ScottF 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 6,324	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