How Will Spagnuolo Fit With Saints?
 

This is a big victory for the Saints because I’m pretty sure Spagnuolo is the guy Sean Payton had targeted for this job, probably even before previous coordinator Gregg Williams left for St. Louis and a reunion with Jeff Fisher after the Saints lost in the playoffs.

If you want a picture of a Spagnuolo defense, don’t think too much about the St. Louis team he had been the head coach of since 2009.

Think more of the New York Giants, when Spagnoulo was their defensive coordinator in 2007 and ’08. The Giants won the Super Bowl in the 2007 season. Prior to that, Spagnoulo had a long run as an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, who played in four NFC Championship Games during his tenure. Spagnuolo worked for the Eagles from 1999 through 2006.

In short, his defense -- in theory -- is a lot like we’ve seen out of the Giants this postseason. It relies on a lot of pressure from the front four and not much blitzing. Spagnuolo prefers tall/angular cornerbacks that can play man-to-man coverage and also likes playmakers at safety.
How Steve Spagnuolo fits with Saints - NFC South Blog - ESPN

I wonder what players on the defense will stay and those unlucky enough to be sent packing?

I have to agree with article. The "Spagonator" runs a different type of "D". I don't think we have the guys up front to get the pressure he likes to put on the offense. Some of the young guys we have can possibly be "coached up". But I think he will try and get some guys from the Giants and the Rams, who are young and played under him for a year or two. He can bring them in and possibly work them into the system. If anything it will push the existing guys to "get it" or move on.

I think Coach Payton said something like this to Gregg Williams.

I'm not going to fire you. But if your buddy Jeff Fisher gets a head coaching job I suggest you go !

Welcome aboard Coach Spagnoulo. You do have big shoes to fill. He ( Gregg Williams ) did help bring us a Super Bowl.

Sounds like Jenkins, Greer and Vilma are the only safe bets to return in 2012.

Or the question how will the Saints fit with Spagnoulo.

i think spags will rejuvenate this defense that gw just frankly tired out and other teams figured out.

In all honesty there is not one player on defense I would be upset about letting go. Not one. Please name one player that could not be upgraded for the same amount of money if not less.

Tom Johnson

http://rlv.zcache.com/the_worlds_gre...9z85p0_400.jpg

Keep Greer. Williams put him on an island with all the blitzing we did and he held up quite well. Was great in run support too.

Greer was our best defender all season, you have to keep him.
Also keep pat Robinson, he showed improvement towards the end of the season and is a whole lot better than Tracy porter at this moment in time (didn't think I'd be saying that two years ago, when porter picked off manning)
Keep Quddus Aswell, I think he has some instincts at FS that could be used in spags defense

Keep your eye on Johnny Patrick.

Its going to be refreshing when we are able to prevent BIG plays!

You can't blitz all the time you have to keep them guessing and mix up the coverage. GW benefited because of Sharper and Sharper only.

Galette
Martez
Dunbar
Greer
Robinson
Patrick
Jenkins
Jordan
Amaya
Quddus
Bussey

All the young bulls, although I think Quaddus gives Jenkins a run for his money at safety this year.

I just wanted to throw this out there...

Remember Spags tried to sign Shanle to be a starter in St. Louis last season before he re-upped with the Saints.

Spags is a smart man. It's going to be a great season.

I don't give a crap who we keep and let go... JUST GET this BS turned around.


I would be disappointed the day Porter leaves us. I mean SB memory for all of time.

Yep, I'm excited to see how many of them develop.

The disappointments this year were mostly the stop-gap vets and aging players like Smith, Rogers, Shanle, Vilma, McBride and to a lesser extent Franklin. Franklin was pretty good versus the run.

At least we won't "live by the blitz" and most recently "die by the blitz". A more balanced D will make the whole lot look better. The front four better dedicate themselves in the off season or their days may be numbered.

Are you serious? Damn it, hopefully this was the Rams just trying to get him cause he was part of a team that won the Superbowl. Come on Spags cut this waste of space

I'd also add....

Casillas
Humber
Johnson
Romeus
Charleston (with some reservations)

I couldn't have chosen them better. I still feel like will smith should stay though. He has provided constant pressure on the edge which would open up opportunities for either himself or jenkins to pressure the quarterback. Ellis hasn't done crap since the championship and should be traded while he still has value. He kind of reminds me of. It Norman Hand when he was finished with the Saints. It would be nice to get somebody like Clay Matthews in that position. Who is available?

To answer the question asked.

(In my best Ace Ventura voice)

Like a glove!

Well Ellis has very little worth in my mind, since he has that 1st rounder contract going on without the productivity to go along with it... it would be a lower round pick or picks at best. Matthews plays LB and Ellis is a 3-tech DT, so it is hard to compare the two... also the fact that the other plays LB in 3-4 system and the other plays DT in a 4-3 doesn't really give an opportunity to make any fair comparisons in my mind.

WHEN???????????