jeanpierre

Look I really didn't like Williams when we hired him, nor while he was here...

Spagnuolo did have some success with the Giants and he did leave the Rams with a real nice defense in place...

The new linebacking corps has not had time to play together...

And as much as I hate to make excuses for the safeties, especially Harper, they need time with the LB corps as well as they learn to "exchange coverage" on receivers moving through their respective zones like a relay team passed the baton...

Now, for several years we haven't drafted as well in Round 1 on defense with the exception of maybe Patrick Robinson, that and Cam Jordan needs another year, maybe two to really grade accurately...

Gotta tell ya that as f**ked as this may seem - I was looking forward to Will Smith have the extra time off and this is why -

first, he'd be fresh later in the season and...

second, we could see what we really had in Junior Galette and Martez Wilson...

Wilson, in particular as, on paper, he's bigger, faster, stronger, younger than Smith...but he can't seem to get into the starting lineup; why?

Can Wilson not grasp the schemes and concepts? Skills? I mean this isn't rocket science or have we made it that? If rookies like Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, Von Miller, Andrew Luck can come in and have some success as much more complicated positions, what is the deal that Wilson can't overtake Smith, who I believe is too slow and small to be a game changer, consistently, for the salary slot he's paid...

And I'm tired of hearing of Junior Galette's ability - I really love his story coming from Stillman, but I want to see all of this 'potential' translate on the field or start looking for his replacement...

This is just rough because it was a rookie REDSKINS QB that came in and schooled our team at home, opening day...

Midseason, we should have a base line and some history and data to compare whether Spagnuolo is truly improving the defense...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

FinSaint

I said it before, and I still stand by it with fervor: hiring Spags to be the DC was the best offseason move the Saints' FO made this year.

It's crazy to condemn the man and his scheme based on one game, which was the season opener and the first time they presumably had their whole defensive playbook in use. And never mind the emotional turmoil many of these guys were going through because of all the things that have gone on in the offseason, and how that might've manifested in missed assignments and tackles on the field.

Also, going against a QB like RG3 was always going to be very difficult from a gameplanning standpoint, because you really didn't have any "real" tape on him yet - it'll be much easier for other teams after what they saw in this game. And for those who said that Spags didn't make any adjustments, I think that is bull. They made adjustments, but it was very difficult to keep up with the 'Skins's offense , because the Shanahans had created a very good gameplan against the Saints' D in that they pretty much did completely different things during their first three possessions. That made it really hard for the Saints D, because they were worn out fairly quickly trying to play catch-up almost the whole game through.

And I agree with what some others already said about the "problem" being more with the personnel than the scheme itself. Because if you look at the position where the Saints/Spags were able to make the most moves this offseason, in the LB corps, they seemed like the most solid bunch out there out of the d personnel. It'll take a while for the guys to really learn how to play within the scheme and suppress their old habits, but in the end, I think that we'll see a much improved Saints' D this season. Improving on the tackling will go a long way in assuring the Saints' D will have a better outing in the next game.

"I'm not bashing people, I'm bashing their opinions because in my opinion their opinion is wrong" - Danno

lee909

In Spags first two games as DC in New York they conceded 80pts
They started 0-2,well the season ended with a Superbowl.

44Champs

No, I'm the one that's sorry. I didn't realize that you had been promoted to Forum Quality Control. Obviously, the ability to voice an opposite opinion without being ugly or mature is not a pre-requisite. Good luck with that.

papz

Well now that you do, you're now a leg up from yesterday. The more informed you are, the better off you'll be.

On that note, nothing wrong with a difference in opinion. As long as there's rationale and logic behind it, preach on. Love to hear it. There's nothing I like more than to get in on a good debate. On the other hand, all the dooms day, whiny, jumping the gun, sky is falling crap isn't. If you want to continue on that road, I suggest you take it somewhere else.

I can stand Falcon/Bear/Panther/etc. trolls because that's expected. The one thing I absolutely cannot stand is a Saints troll. You keep that in mind as you continue to cry yourself a river and post.

This garbage thread is done.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.