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New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma sounded off Wednesday morning about comments from an unnamed Saints player that said defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo should be fired.



Vilma wrote via Twitter about the player's comments saying, "don't give me 'anonymous source' bs" and "say who said it."

When asked by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune for reaction to the player's comments, Vilma said Wednesday morning, "No. I'm bothered you reported it. We're not the Jets who run to the media for everything."

Then when asked if the player's comments were wrong, Vilma said, "That's not the question or the point. If he's man enough to tell you, he should be man enough to put his name on it. And you should do the same."

A Saints player told NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune on Tuesday a "resounding" yes that Spagnuolo should be fired after the Saints (7-9) broke the record for most yards allowed in a season in NFL history and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

"Trust me all the guys were being politically correct this season when answering questions (this season)," the player said. "It's bad."

The player added: "To give up what we gave up can't be all talent. Look at where his units (have) been ranked before. I think one top 10?"

The Saints finished last in the NFL in total defense, last in run defense, 31st in pass defense, 31st in points allowed and tied for 29th in sacks.

"Players have no say in anything," the player said. "It was (a) complete opposite from before where it was a simple D that players had lot of control and say. We couldn't suggest (expletive)...Nothing ever changed. It was his way only.

"Don't even get me started on lack (of) ability to adjust during games. Bad, bad, bad."

The player also said every position group on defense was frustrated with Spagnuolo's scheme all season. "(It was) tough putting on a supportive, everything-will-be-OK face, for you guys (the media) all the time," the player said.

The player said it wasn't just wasn't Spagnuolo's scheme that rubbed players the wrong way. It was Spagnuolo as a coach and a person.

"He does have that good-guy persona, but he is a control freak and treats people like crap," the player said. (Spagnuolo has) no patience and zero personality. (He) has a way of pissing players and our defensive coaches off with how he says and does things. (I) think it's even harder after having (former defensive coordinator) Gregg (Williams), who guys enjoyed."

Saints interim coach Joe Vitt said Wednesday morning he did not have a comment on the report at that time. Attempts have been made to reach other members of the team for comment. We'll update the story as we get more information.

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NuNu318

Ok....Vilma didn't dispute the claims but he is right this

"That's not the question or the point. If he's man enough to tell you, he should be man enough to put his name on it. And you should do the same."


He has every right to be mad. If this is how the majority feels maybe they had an agreement amongst themselves to take it up with SP when he gets back AS A TEAM and all sit down and either work it out or agree to move on to a new DC.

None of this should be in the media.

Papa Voodoo

The D has tackled poorly, had no D-line pressure, and had spotty coverage since 2010. That is not Spags' fault. We need an Aldon Smith, Clay Mathews type of player on D.

jnormand

It's just more BS for the offseason. When a team fails or underachieves there is going to be some irresponsible ass who runs his suck because he's pouting. The reason the Jets were brought up was because they always underachieve and they always whine to the press.

Mardigras9

Call them out Vilma!!!!! I like it.
This guy said "Greg Williams who guys enjoyed", so as far as a judge of character, he has already failed.

SloMotion

Enough whining already. Players aren't supposed to have a say in anything, that's why they're players & not coaches. As a player, "yours is not to reason why, yours is but to do or die". You take your assignment & you carry it out to the best of your ability. If, by some chance, you perform your assignment at a high enough level to gain the recognition of your coaching staff, then & only then should you get the opportunity to express an opinion & it's a coaches perogative to not to give a sh#t about what you have to say at that point also!

I hope Vilma has a team meeting (within league policy) and rips the defense a new arse.

The fact the players are griping so much tells me Spags is on the right track to turning this defense around. Get rid of the anonymous players with the man-ginas and it'll be alright, Spags or no Spags.

Belair57

this team is a mess right now

Mardigras9

Yeh, can't wait till Dad gets home and the ass-whippings begin.

Brandon428

Whoever said that needs to be cut! We can't have that kind of insubordination. To say something like that about your coach you must not have any class at all,much less talent.

SloMotion

The defense anyway ... these guys need to get it together and knock this stuff off ... they sound as bad as the Lions for crissake!

It's understandable a few guys are gonna' lose their jobs next season, no need to act like junior high school girls and cry to the press, .

Nothing pisses me off more than dissention among the ranks, . Nip that stuff in the bud right off, before it spreads.