Ryan’s “46” Could be Resurrected in New Orleans

06-26-2011, 06:46 PM

Although Gregg Williams only served as the Special Teams coach for one year under then defensive coordinator of the Houston Oilers Buddy Ryan, the inventor of the 46 defense (named for Chicago Bears’ starting safety Doug Plank since he would be a crucial element in the original defense as a surrogate linebacker), he studied Ryan’s defensive philosophies intensely and incorporated them into his own schemes over his many years as a defensive coordinator himself since that 1993 season in Houston.

Williams spent a total of seven years (1990-1996) with the Houston Oilers in his first professional coaching assignment as a Defensive Assistant, then Special Teams (’93) coach and eventually linebackers coach (’94-’96) before the team was moved to Nashville and became the Titans. From 1997-2000, Williams was promoted to Defensive Coordinator in Tennessee where the Titans led the league in total defense and only gave up 191 points, the third fewest in the NFL since the league adopted the 16-game schedule in 1978. That same Gregg Williams led defense also helped lead the Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000, after the 1999 season, where they lost to the St Louis Rams and “The Greatest Show on Turf.”

Full article below.
New Orleans Saints News

Danno · 06-26-2011, 07:09 PM

Gregg Williams’ defensive schemes are complex, to say the least, and I think too that most of the first two years have been spent working with the core group of players under his tutelage in order to get them fully familiar with his aggressive concepts and base-schemes before making the leap into more implementation of the true 46 defense into the mix.

My favorite part of a pretty well written article.

Also, if Casillas and Wilson progress as expected, Jonathan Vilma will be our slowest LB.

Wow. Williams loves speed, and he now has it at almost every spot on defense. Even Rogers is quick for a 350lb NT.

Fast and Furious should be our 2011 slogan.

|Mitch| · 06-26-2011, 07:10 PM

That article has me ready for some football. We need a deal soon!

realheavyd · 06-26-2011, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

My favorite part of a pretty well written article.

Also, if Casillas and Wilson progress as expected, Jonathan Vilma will be our slowest LB.

Wow. Williams loves speed, and he now has it at almost every spot on defense. Even Rogers is quick for a 350lb NT.

Fast and Furious should be our 2011 slogan.

Ok, thanks for the positive comment, but just "pretty well written" and not VERY well written? Come on now! I thought it was very good myself, although that's called patting yourself on the back since I wrote it, right?

Ya'll should feel free to post comments directly to the bottom of the article on isportsweb where they now have an updated comment system which allows you to post replies to replies in real-time.

Thanks again for all the reads of my latest Saints article on Isportsweb.com, by the way!

Danno · 06-26-2011, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by realheavyd

Ok, thanks for the positive comment, but just "pretty well written" and not VERY well written? Come on now! I thought it was very good myself, although that's called patting yourself on the back since I wrote it, right?

Ya'll should feel free to post comments directly to the bottom of the article on isportsweb where they now have an updated comment system which allows you to post replies to replies in real-time.

Thanks again for all the reads of my latest Saints article on Isportsweb.com, by the way!

You wrote that? Well done Derrick. I thought it was a mainstream sports news outlet.

papz · 06-26-2011, 09:28 PM

Jenkins makes a perfect backend safety on a 4-6 and we all know what Harper excels in. I'd have no issues if we were ever to morph into a base 4-6 D. Pressure pressure pressure!

realheavyd · 06-26-2011, 09:47 PM

I thought you had more than just one comment in here Strato. What happened to the others?

papz · 06-27-2011, 12:32 AM

Those comments "magically" disappeared... and we'll leave it as that.

MatthewT · 06-27-2011, 02:17 AM

Since Gregg Williams has been with the Saints, they have used the 46 formation from time to time. I do see the Saints using more of it, as they continue to adjust the personal. However, I do not believe the Saints (or any team) will be able to use it as a primary base defense. The problem with the 46 is the West Coast type of offense can easily rip it apart. Most teams these days do employ at least some variation of a West Coast offense. The 46 as a special package from time to time, can still be very lethal.

Marlboro Man · 06-27-2011, 02:19 AM

Originally Posted by Danno

My favorite part of a pretty well written article.

Also, if Casillas and Wilson progress as expected, Jonathan Vilma will be our slowest LB.

Wow. Williams loves speed, and he now has it at almost every spot on defense. Even Rogers is quick for a 350lb NT.

Fast and Furious should be our 2011 slogan.

I like it!!

06-26-2011, 06:46 PM	#1
Threaded by realheavyd 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 339 Rating: (0 votes - average) Although Gregg Williams only served as the Special Teams coach for one year under then defensive coordinator of the Houston Oilers Buddy Ryan, the inventor of the 46 defense (named for Chicago Bears’ starting safety Doug Plank since he would be a crucial element in the original defense as a surrogate linebacker), he studied Ryan’s defensive philosophies intensely and incorporated them into his own schemes over his many years as a defensive coordinator himself since that 1993 season in Houston. Williams spent a total of seven years (1990-1996) with the Houston Oilers in his first professional coaching assignment as a Defensive Assistant, then Special Teams (’93) coach and eventually linebackers coach (’94-’96) before the team was moved to Nashville and became the Titans. From 1997-2000, Williams was promoted to Defensive Coordinator in Tennessee where the Titans led the league in total defense and only gave up 191 points, the third fewest in the NFL since the league adopted the 16-game schedule in 1978. That same Gregg Williams led defense also helped lead the Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000, after the 1999 season, where they lost to the St Louis Rams and “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Full article below. New Orleans Saints News Last edited by papz; 06-26-2011 at 07:19 PM..
Views: 2643

06-26-2011, 07:09 PM	#2
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	Gregg Williams’ defensive schemes are complex, to say the least, and I think too that most of the first two years have been spent working with the core group of players under his tutelage in order to get them fully familiar with his aggressive concepts and base-schemes before making the leap into more implementation of the true 46 defense into the mix. My favorite part of a pretty well written article. Also, if Casillas and Wilson progress as expected, Jonathan Vilma will be our slowest LB. Wow. Williams loves speed, and he now has it at almost every spot on defense. Even Rogers is quick for a 350lb NT. Fast and Furious should be our 2011 slogan. 73Saint likes this.

06-26-2011, 07:43 PM	#4
realheavyd 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 339	Originally Posted by Danno My favorite part of a pretty well written article. Also, if Casillas and Wilson progress as expected, Jonathan Vilma will be our slowest LB. Wow. Williams loves speed, and he now has it at almost every spot on defense. Even Rogers is quick for a 350lb NT. Fast and Furious should be our 2011 slogan. Ok, thanks for the positive comment, but just "pretty well written" and not VERY well written? Come on now! I thought it was very good myself, although that's called patting yourself on the back since I wrote it, right? Ya'll should feel free to post comments directly to the bottom of the article on isportsweb where they now have an updated comment system which allows you to post replies to replies in real-time. Thanks again for all the reads of my latest Saints article on Isportsweb.com, by the way!
realheavyd 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 339

06-26-2011, 07:50 PM	#5
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	Originally Posted by realheavyd Ok, thanks for the positive comment, but just "pretty well written" and not VERY well written? Come on now! I thought it was very good myself, although that's called patting yourself on the back since I wrote it, right? Ya'll should feel free to post comments directly to the bottom of the article on isportsweb where they now have an updated comment system which allows you to post replies to replies in real-time. Thanks again for all the reads of my latest Saints article on Isportsweb.com, by the way! You wrote that? Well done Derrick. I thought it was a mainstream sports news outlet.

06-26-2011, 09:47 PM	#7
realheavyd 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 339	I thought you had more than just one comment in here Strato. What happened to the others?
realheavyd 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 339

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06-26-2011, 07:10 PM	#3
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	That article has me ready for some football. We need a deal soon!

06-26-2011, 09:28 PM	#6
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,753	Jenkins makes a perfect backend safety on a 4-6 and we all know what Harper excels in. I'd have no issues if we were ever to morph into a base 4-6 D. Pressure pressure pressure!

06-27-2011, 12:32 AM	#8
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,753	Those comments "magically" disappeared... and we'll leave it as that.

06-27-2011, 02:17 AM	#9
MatthewT 1000 Posts + Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,729	Since Gregg Williams has been with the Saints, they have used the 46 formation from time to time. I do see the Saints using more of it, as they continue to adjust the personal. However, I do not believe the Saints (or any team) will be able to use it as a primary base defense. The problem with the 46 is the West Coast type of offense can easily rip it apart. Most teams these days do employ at least some variation of a West Coast offense. The 46 as a special package from time to time, can still be very lethal.

06-27-2011, 02:19 AM	#10
Marlboro Man 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,469	Originally Posted by Danno My favorite part of a pretty well written article. Also, if Casillas and Wilson progress as expected, Jonathan Vilma will be our slowest LB. Wow. Williams loves speed, and he now has it at almost every spot on defense. Even Rogers is quick for a 350lb NT. Fast and Furious should be our 2011 slogan. I like it!!