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Do you feel that there is any way for the Saints to replicate what they have done offensively under Sean Payton the last couple of years in Sean’s absence?

“You just take a look at what they have been doing over the last number of years, not just last year. They have been very effective, efficient, almost number one in every category. That is a combination of a lot of people on the same page. They will continue to do that. They have a system in effect, both in the running game and in the passing game. They have a philosophy, they’ve got their players back and that is what you try to do as a head coach. Sean (Payton) has done a great job of implementing that and having his coaches follow in his footsteps.”

What was your relationship with Jim Haslett before you hired him?

“I knew of Jim in his playing days and his coaching days, but we had not spent really any time together at all until the year I was out (of coaching). I spent a little time with Jim, just talking some football. When the opportunity came, I talked to Jim, I wanted to go to that type of defense. He was available and it worked out.”

How do you feel like you are going into this game at the running back position?

“To be honest with you, we haven’t had a lot of running backs. Most of them have been hurt. We didn’t get much of a look. We got a little bit with (Evan) Royster but he was hurt most of the preseason. (He) got a few reps. (We) got a chance to evaluate some of the young guys with (Antwon) Bailey and (Alfred) Morris, different guys that had just come in. We have some guys from last year, with (Roy) Helu Jr. and Royster, that are proven guys that I thought played well when they played last year. I thought Alfred Morris came in this year and did a good job as well.”

Do you get a sense of how good of a player Robert Griffin III can become down the road?

“Anytime somebody starts with their quarterback, the first thing you do is try to give him a good system and a good supporting cast, I think very similar to the situation that Drew (Brees) is in right now. Drew got a lot of experience when he was in San Diego and Sean (Payton) gave him a great system, a great supporting cast and he just took off. You are hoping you can do that for your quarterback in a good system. Any quarterback would love to be like Drew Brees.”

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st thomas

no bb material there.

SmashMouth

Can you talk about the development process of Robert Griffin III during his time in Washington?
“It starts out, obviously, with our offseason program. That was pretty well organized this year. I think everybody got a chance to spend some time with their draft choices in the eight to nine week period. I think it was better for most teams overall than it’s been the last couple of years, so I thought that was pretty good. (It was a) Typical regular summer schedule once you get to camp and go through the practices. Overall, I thought it was good.”

Is it difficult to keep young guys from getting too hyped before a season opener?
“I think everybody gets pretty well hyped for the first game of the season, no matter who you are, players or coaches. I think you are right. For a rookie coming in, getting an opportunity to start, especially on the road against a great football team, it is always added pressure. It is something that hopefully he (Griffin) looks forward to.”

Do you feel that there is any way for the Saints to replicate what they have done offensively under Sean Payton the last couple of years in Sean’s absence?
“You just take a look at what they have been doing over the last number of years, not just last year. They have been very effective, efficient, almost number one in every category. That is a combination of a lot of people on the same page. They will continue to do that. They have a system in effect, both in the running game and in the passing game. They have a philosophy, they’ve got their players back and that is what you try to do as a head coach. Sean (Payton) has done a great job of implementing that and having his coaches follow in his footsteps.”

What was your relationship with Jim Haslett before you hired him?
“I knew of Jim in his playing days and his coaching days, but we had not spent really any time together at all until the year I was out (of coaching). I spent a little time with Jim, just talking some football. When the opportunity came, I talked to Jim, I wanted to go to that type of defense. He was available and it worked out.”

How do you feel like you are going into this game at the running back position?
“To be honest with you, we haven’t had a lot of running backs. Most of them have been hurt. We didn’t get much of a look. We got a little bit with (Evan) Royster but he was hurt most of the preseason. (He) got a few reps. (We) got a chance to evaluate some of the young guys with (Antwon) Bailey and (Alfred) Morris, different guys that had just come in. We have some guys from last year, with (Roy) Helu Jr. and Royster, that are proven guys that I thought played well when they played last year. I thought Alfred Morris came in this year and did a good job as well.”

Do you get a sense of how good of a player Robert Griffin III can become down the road?
“Anytime somebody starts with their quarterback, the first thing you do is try to give him a good system and a good supporting cast, I think very similar to the situation that Drew (Brees) is in right now. Drew got a lot of experience when he was in San Diego and Sean (Payton) gave him a great system, a great supporting cast and he just took off. You are hoping you can do that for your quarterback in a good system. Any quarterback would love to be like Drew Brees.”

What do you think about your prospects defensively this year?
“Well, you just hope you are getting better. We got better (last year), we got an addition in free agency and the draft and did the same thing this year. Hopefully we make the same strides this year that we did a year ago. Obviously, when you are going against a team like New Orleans (and) how good they have been, it is really amazing to see the stats on what they were able to accomplish last year.”

What is your opinion on the Saints keeping five running backs on the active roster?
“I think it was a great move because if they didn’t keep all five of them, one of them or two of them would have been claimed. They are going to keep the best 53 players on their football team from their perspective and not lose any. It is really a tough decision. Sometimes you keep a few more players at one position because you are a little bit more loaded. Just looking at the running backs, I like all of them.”

What have you learned about Robert Griffin III that you did not know during the scouting process?
“I don’t think anybody knows anything about anybody until they start working around him or working with him. We had a little idea, the arm strength, the capabilities throwing the football, the obvious things you can see on film. Until you work with somebody on a day to day basis, see their work ethic or work habits and see how they react with the players (you don’t completely know). You get a much better feeling of that, obviously, over summer camp and the OTAs.”

How has he progressed in learning your system so far?
“He has done a great job. He is a worker. Even though he is very talented, he spends all the time that he needs to study, prepare and do all of the things that you ‘re hoping a quarterback would do.”

Do you curb expectations for him or does that matter from your perspective?
“I think if you take a look at the quarterbacks that have been selected early, a lot of them have had success right away, in the first year. I think that has a lot to do with the supporting cast, not just the quarterback. If you are going to have a quarterback that is successful early, especially in his first year, if you go through history, number one they have a great running offense and they have a great defense. They go hand and hand. You can’t put all of the pressure on the quarterback, not in his first year.”

What will Robert Griffin III have to do this Sunday against the Saints to be successful in his debut?
“For any team to win a football game, especially on the road, you can’t turn the football over. You have to minimize penalties and mistakes, especially with that type of crowd noise and you have to get turnovers against a great offensive football team.”

Do you feel that Robert Griffin III has an advantage since it is his first game and the Saints don’t know how he will be utilized in this offense?
“Honestly, we aren’t really sure what the Saints are going to do. They have a different defensive coordinator there and (there is) no telling what they have been working on. I think it goes hand and hand with all first games of the season, there are some unknowns but I think most people can guess what direction a team is going.”

Will you have to keep his emotions down because he is opening his career in front of his family where they were born and raised?
“I think he is going to be excited like all of our young players. I think they have been in this environment before even though not on the NFL level. They will be excited, ready to go, and hopefully they will handle the pressure well.”

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TheOak

Did someone say Haslett?

GoofySaint

I know we're playing against him and know we'll destroy the redskins but I still have HUGE respect for RG3. Good guy. He runs the ball when he needs to instead of just to showoff(looking at you Michael Vick). He's also accurate and has a good IQ.

IMO. I think he'll do better than luck.

Nonetheless, we're still gonna blowout the redskins on Sunday.

Stealthman

Some of the questions were pretty bad; others were pretty much: "Duh!"

Disappointed in the interview; didn't learn much of anything on our opponent. Just wasted about 5 minutes right there.

Stealthman

I'd like the game to be fairly close, but not "SCARY" close.

That way, I believe we'll be better prepared for the Panthers (on the road) the following week. We don't seem to be at our best coming off a blowout.

JMHO

GoofySaint

Would that be the best training for the defense? The less points the redskins make the better the defense is doing imo. And the defense is the thing that needs work. Not the offense.

Tobias-Reiper

I know what you mean. Had it been me asking the questions:
"Yo, Shanni. Ok. Lemme ask ya...
1. with all the scharole you make, why don't you buy a decent glass eye?
2. Hey, we know Haslett to be a stubborn *****.. since you are a stubborn ***** yourself, how's that working out for you two?
3. Have you prepared all your excuses for the post-game meeting with Snyder?"

Rugby Saint II

It's time to take off your diapers. You're playing with men now.