New Orleans Saints wary of Houston Texans' improved defense

strato · 09-23-2011, 08:43 AM

In January 2009, three NFL teams with top offensive juggernauts fired their defensive coordinators after failing to make the playoffs - the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans.
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Obviously, it worked out brilliantly for the Saints and Packers, who went on to win the next two Super Bowls with new coordinators Gregg Williams and Dom Capers. Not so for the Texans, who wound up switching defensive coordinators again this year, firing Rick Smith and replacing him with longtime great defensive coach Wade Phillips.
So far, this second attempt seems to be having the desired effect.
Phillips brought in a 3-4 scheme and a more aggressive, attacking approach. And through two weeks, the 2-0 Texans are giving up the fewest points (10 per game) and yards (271 per game) in the NFL, albeit against middling offensive teams Indianapolis and Miami.
"Could it be the missing link?" Saints quarterback Drew Brees asked rhetorically as he prepares to find out firsthand how well the Texans' new-look defense can play against a top offensive foe Sunday in the Superdome.

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http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf..._improved.html

09-23-2011, 08:43 AM	#1
strato Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: "Little Ole Town in Tejas" Posts: 7,586	New Orleans Saints wary of Houston Texans' improved defense In January 2009, three NFL teams with top offensive juggernauts fired their defensive coordinators after failing to make the playoffs - the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans. . Obviously, it worked out brilliantly for the Saints and Packers, who went on to win the next two Super Bowls with new coordinators Gregg Williams and Dom Capers. Not so for the Texans, who wound up switching defensive coordinators again this year, firing Rick Smith and replacing him with longtime great defensive coach Wade Phillips. So far, this second attempt seems to be having the desired effect. Phillips brought in a 3-4 scheme and a more aggressive, attacking approach. And through two weeks, the 2-0 Texans are giving up the fewest points (10 per game) and yards (271 per game) in the NFL, albeit against middling offensive teams Indianapolis and Miami. "Could it be the missing link?" Saints quarterback Drew Brees asked rhetorically as he prepares to find out firsthand how well the Texans' new-look defense can play against a top offensive foe Sunday in the Superdome. Read the rest http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf..._improved.html Attached Thumbnails