Originally Posted by Danno (Post 474724)

Ain't that the understatement of the year? Greer, Robinson, Patrick, Jenkins and White all looked lost in Spags' zone schemes.

Originally Posted by FinSaint (Post 474735)

From the NOLA article:



New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton has fired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo | NOLA.com


Yeah, Shanle was probably told to actually play like he belonged on the field... explains why we didn't see him on the field during the latter half of the season. And anyway, why is he commenting on this like it was something that affected him... his playing days in New Orleans are over!

Originally Posted by CharityMike (Post 474738)

LOL..right!! The last person I want to hear anything from!

Originally Posted by CharityMike (Post 474738)

LOL..right!! The last person I want to hear anything from!

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 474743)

Don't confuse physical talent with knowledge of the game.

By all accounts Shanle is a very smart player and will likely be a very successful coach one day.

I totally respect his opinion on X's and O's. Too bad he's about as physically gifted as a punter.

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 474743)

I totally respect his opinion on X's and O's. Too bad he's about as physically gifted as a punter.

Originally Posted by FinSaint (Post 474747)

I've seen him blow too many assignments and drag the players around him down for too long to have any respect for him at the moment... but maybe that'll change once he's no longer "our" problem.

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 474760)

He was voted a team captain and defensive MVP by the players and had one very popular player (can't remember who) explain that a lot of those so called "blown coverages" by Shanle were not blown by Shanle at all.

He often recognized that someone else blew their assignment and he tried to recover for them, and was mistakenly blamed for a coverage he wasn't responsible for to begin with.

Originally Posted by alleycat_126 (Post 474705)

This almost shifts our whole draft strategy, is this 3-4 gonna have 4-3 principles or do we have to start looking for a nose tackle now....... Where's Norman hand when you need him.......

Originally Posted by Boutte (Post 474774)

Let's not gloss over the other good news, Flajoe was also fired. Other than 09 when was the last time our defensive backs looked anything but lost?

And maybe I'm ignorant on the subject but it seems to me that if a DB is athletic enough to play man to man there's no reason playing a zone should be any problem for him.

I guess going to a 3-4 means that we're not going to need as many defensive linemen but we're going to need more LBs? Seems like we've already had a problem finding quality players at that position. (Not that we're overflowing with linemen)

Originally Posted by Boutte (Post 474774)

Let's not gloss over the other good news, Flajoe was also fired. Other than 09 when was the last time our defensive backs looked anything but lost?

And maybe I'm ignorant on the subject but it seems to me that if a DB is athletic enough to play man to man there's no reason playing a zone should be any problem for him.

I guess going to a 3-4 means that we're not going to need as many defensive linemen but we're going to need more LBs? Seems like we've already had a problem finding quality players at that position. (Not that we're overflowing with linemen)

Originally Posted by CharityMike (Post 474693)

Saints fire Steve Spagnuolo, announce plans for 3-4 defense
Posted by Michael David Smith on January 24, 2013, 6:43 PM EST

APSean Payton is back as the Saints’ head coach, and his first act is to fire his defensive coordinator and reshape his defense.

The Saints have announced that Payton fired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and secondary coach Ken Flajole, and that Payton wants to shift to a 3-4 defense.

“I personally want to thank Steve and Ken for their contributions during what was an unprecedented 2012 season,” Payton said in a statement released by the team. “Philosophically we are changing our defense to a 3-4 alignment and right now is the best time to accomplish this transition.”

Spagnuolo replaced Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator a year ago, after Williams left for St. Louis — and before the news broke that the Saints had previously run a bounty program that would result in Payton being suspended for 2012 and Williams being banned indefinitely. Now Payton is back and Spagnuolo is out.

Rumor Mill | ProFootballTalk

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 474722)

I think it had more to do with talent on hand. Payton commented that we weren't playing to our guys' strengths.

I think our most athletic guys along the front 7 may be better suited for a 3-4. Junior, Martez, Hawthorne, Jordan, Bunkley and Hicks.

I'm curious as to whether we'll convert back to mostly man-to-man in the secondary. IMO every DB we have is better suited for man instead of zone.

Originally Posted by CharityMike (Post 474789)

One example..Jason David.

He was a zone CB trying to play man. Epic failure. There is a difference apparently, I just don't know what.

Originally Posted by lsutigerfan (Post 474800)

Rob Ryan? I love the move to a 3-4

Originally Posted by |Mitch| (Post 474801)

Rob Ryan is already with the Rams

Originally Posted by AllSaints (Post 474807)

THAT JUST HAPPENED ! ! !

Originally Posted by RockyMountainSaint (Post 474802)

LOVIE SMITH!!!!!!!!!!

Just got half a chub. Am I sick?

Originally Posted by atltillidie (Post 474808)

Whoa. Never evencrossed my mind that Spagnolu would be fired.

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 (Post 474812)

No. Neither is Man Tei.... :p

Originally Posted by RockyMountainSaint (Post 474813)

Great trade today for the Braves!
Love it!

Falcons still suck though. Y'all had the "Bye" season. HE'S BAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!