Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

METAIRIE — Steve Spagnuolo wanted to make it clear he was sorely disappointed with his debut as Saints defensive coordinator, and that his unit recognizes the urgency to improve.

And quickly — it lines up across from Cam Newton in North Carolina on Sunday.

"We all to a man on defense feel like we let the football team down," Spagnuolo said Friday, his first meeting with reporters since last Sunday's 40-32 loss to Washington. "You score 32 points, you should win the football game, so we all feel that."

Spagnuolo added he felt he personally let down Saints owner Tom Benson, as well as suspended head coach Sean Payton and suspended assistant head coach Joe Vitt.

"Hopefully with a strong week of practice and some prideful men, which I do believe we have, we can get it straightened out," he said.

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Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

.... said Spags, understating the obvious ...


really?... a step slow?... GTHOH ...

:doh:

:rofl:

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Well the Redskins through something at them that they didn't expect. Saints D really didn't have an answer to counter it or slow to adjust.

They should have used a 3 - 4 split the two OLB's a little wider than normal so They could drop into the outside coverage and Safties sneak a little closer to the outside as well then Blitzs the outside CB's more. So when RG rolled out he would be running right into the CB's. I didn't see any CB blitz.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

It was stated by the coaches and players themselves that they were not staying in their lanes and were doing their own thing at times. That in fact will stop. Spags will not tolerate it. That alone would make them an average defense. We have decent enough talent on defense. Surely enough to keep teams from scoring 40 pts.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Also remember 2 of our starting LBs didn't practice all week or were limited...

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

I hope this can be corrected, but i really believe we just dont have the players on that side of the ball. No one is an elite player, we have some good ones, just no real threats. So i do hope that this coach can get the the best out of what he has to work with.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

well as of right now we have the worst defense in the league. We gave up more yards any week 1 than every other NFL team. Hope that changes...

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Agree, we don't have elite talent but there is enough to get it done. If they focus on their specific tasks and stopped trying to be heroes we will be fine. That's Spags job. Make them stick to their assignments. If he can do that we will be a a good disciplined defense, not great, but teams won't be putting up 40 pts anymore. Keep em' in the mid 20's and we will be in the playoffs.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

I don't like how he uses words like "hopefully". Just doesn't sound very positive, motivational. Its a mindset thing.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Haslett is someone smart enough to take out teams like the Saints, you can say the HC is Shanahan, but when you look at Washington under that current regime, they have overthrown many elite teams.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Curtis Lofton

Jabari Greer?

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

I hate to say this but considering our lack of depth at WR and our OT situation, I feel like we really need the D to pick it up this year. Considering the fact they have completely overhauled in many respects, I don't see that happening. This could be a long year for us.

The bright side is that if we get a solid D lineman and OT in the draft, and our young receivers (Tanner, Toon, Morgan) and Defense get a year to develop, we should murder people next year.

I know, I know it's only been one game but I just watched my Hokies get taken apart by unranked Pitt...my optimism tank is about empty right now. :)

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Well hmm how come we can find these star offense players... but Defense we just get a crap shoot.... ugh ! COME ON ! ! ! ! MANNNN !!!!

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Just "a step" slow?

Did he see Robinson jogging to the sideline? :)

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Jabari is damn good. He is one our best hands down Lofton is good, but have either one made the probowl? I know we have some back there who has made the pro bowl. We do have some good talent, but you cant say they are great.
That is all i am saying, I'm not trying to punch holes in our D. But it is what it is

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Why do you keep bringing those guys up? You act like these guys are all pros or something. They are good, and yes can be difference makers, but the two of them do not make up the entire personnel. They are probably the best two we have right now and both are only slightly above average. A lot of our other players might not even start for other NFL teams. With your logic a team like the Rams would be great because they have Steven Jackson.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

New DC
New scheme
Some new players
Plenty of injuries

I think the D will be fine. Good thing the "wake up call" came week one...

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

We could barely generate a pass rush with Gregg Williams blitzing his balls off all game every game, so I've been very skeptical that Spags would have success rushing four. I'm holding out hope, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

No it's not because Steven Jackson is not the whole rams team and the saints D isn't the whole saints team. You seem to forget that we still have an offense. I can name 5 promising D players right now.

I saw Jabari Greer ranked as the second best cornerback in the league(second only to Darelle Revis).

Curtis Lofton was ranked as the 10th best linebacker in the league.

Sounds like they could be pros to me. And like I said, if the system works then we'll see these guys carrying the defense. And maybe a few other like Malcolm Jenkins, Will Smith, Hawthorne etc.

When did I ever say that these guys were our entire personnel? I was merely saying that acting like our team has zero good D players is just BS.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Neither one has made the probowl because neither was used to the best of their abilities.

Lofton was used on a Falcons D with nothing around him and revolved around the falcons offense. I see proof of this in his comments about his old team.

And Greer was used in a GW system that just called for "blitz,blitz,blitz!"(not exactly something you can do when you're a cornerback). You think Revis was praised because of his sacks?

I saw Jabari Greer ranked as the 2nd best corner in the league(second only to Revis).

I also Curtis Lofton ranked as the 10th best linebacker in the league.

That sounds great to me.

Plus I only used those guys because they're our top guys.

There's also a few honorable mentions like Malcolm Jenkins, Will Smith, and Hawthorne.

It's not the dome patrol but it's more than enough to keep the 1# offense going.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

I said that Greer was maybe our best, Lofton we will just have to see how he is played out. He is also very good. .... Yes they are our top guys. Jenkins though... come on, Will Smith is never consistent, as of lately.. Hawthorne.. I do like. So lets put them in the good, I will go ahead and give you that.
I'm going to say that Cameron Jordan will have a better year than Will Smith this year.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Martez Wilson too, if they give him snaps...

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Where did you see this?

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

UM ::beer::beer

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

One of the amazing things about football, is that one little small change in your defense can be the difference between your opponent scoring 13 and 40.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Did it take watching 6 days of tape to figure that out?

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Panthers coach Ron Rivera, who once worked on the same staff with Spagnuolo in Philadelphia, said it would be short-sighted to underestimate Spagnuolo's ability to adjust whatever plagued his unit a week earlier.

"You have to be patient. Everybody wants to jump to conclusions after one game," Rivera said. "We've played one game this year and the big thing is the proof's going to be at the end of the year."

Rivera said that during the 2007 season, Spagnuolo's Giants defense showed substantial improvement as an eventual Super Bowl championship campaign wore on.

"After the third week (of that season), everyone wanted him fired and the next thing you know they go to the Super Bowl," Rivera said. "My whole point is if we're going to make judgments after the first game, a lot of crazy things happen."


sums it up in my book
too early to judge.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Hey Jenkins has spunk. He's a rookie but I think this will be his breakout year. Especially since he's out of GW's blitz system.

I slightly agree with the will smith comment. Though I feel his leadership will help, especially when the d line was our biggest problem.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

There was "Lindy's SPORTS 2012 preview".

And I believe "pro football weekly".

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

Yes, they were definitely a step slow. Guess what Spags? They still are.

Re: Spagnuolo: Saints defense was a step slow
 

OOOOOOOP's! No improvement from week one.