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New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan admitted that he "got my feelings hurt" when he was fired by the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason. But he obviously feels like he landed on his feet, saying he hasn't felt this good since he worked under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots early in his career.

"It's awesome. I got lucky," Ryan said in his first interview session with the New Orleans media Thursday. "I'm fortunate enough to be with a great program like the Saints, led by Sean Payton. I haven't felt this way since I was in New England with Bill Belichick. So I'm working for the best and I hope to be a small part of our success."

Ryan's media session was brief following Thursday's OTA practice. So he didn't get too deep into many subjects. But he did touch on his ouster in Dallas, saying it helps him have the same kind of chip on his shoulder that the Saints defensive players and coaches have after their historically bad season in 2012.

"These guys have been well-coached before. They're smart. They're just ready to win," Ryan said. "I think we all have a chip on our shoulder after last season. I don't like getting fired. I knew I'd have a job in five minutes (his infamous quote right after the Dallas firing), so it was no big deal. I know I got my feelings hurt and so did our players. We're looking to do something about it. ...

"I just feel like a sense of urgency. I can't wait to give everything I have to this organization. I know everybody is on the same path. That big sign that used to be up there - 'Do Your Job' - I've heard those words before. I plan on doing it. I've got two Super Bowl rings, one of them won out here in sweet, live ass New Orleans in a great part of an organization."

More highlights from Ryan's media session:

(on being the third coordinator in three years for the Saints):

"I'm not worried about the other ones. I'm just worried about me. Obviously the biggest thing first of all, coming to the Saints, obviously you have a great head coach and also an incredible GM in Mickey Loomis. ...

"The big thing for me is I have the best assistant coach in football already here this side of Dick LeBeau in Joe Vitt. He never coached a single snap of defense last year. That's like getting a first-round pick. We've got Joe Vitt coaching defense. I'm part of that. Bill Johnson is part of that. I think we've seen a few huddles broke. We've got the No. 1 coach in college football in Wesley McGriff. And then we've got holdovers, three great ones, in Andre (Curtis), BY (Brian Young) and Marcus (Ungaro)."

(on judging how much he can install with a new group):

"You know, I think there's a fine line there. This is what the OTAs are for. You give 'em a ton of stuff and really get to know this team. Everybody knows 'em except me. So I want to be a part of this. I've got to push these guys mentally to the limit, see what they can and can't do. And I've been so impressed by these guys. I haven't taken over a defense like that - this is my 10th year coordinating in this league - one that's picked up things as fast as these guys have on the board. Now doing it out there on the field is a different thing. But I'm gonna get to know these guys. I know our successes, where that's been, it's been a pressure team, I know that. But I also know we can do more with our coverage, and we have to."

(on new secondary coach Wesley McGriff, from Ole Miss):

"He's been tremendous. I mean, this is a thing where Sean wanted to hire the best coach, not the one with the most credentials and this and this. He wanted the best coach. And we all sat down as an entire defense and Sean, and we picked the best one in Wesley. And it's been well-documented he was the recruiting coach of the year last year. But he was a better coach than he is a recruiter. So were fortunate to have him. He's outstanding on the field and he's excellent, he's sharp, he knows his coverages and techniques. So he's a huge addition just as our draft choices are."

(on undrafted rookie linebacker Chase Thomas):

"Well, he's from Stanford so we know he's a smart kid. He's proved that. He's got position flexibility. And we love the kids that are position-flexible. You can move him around in different packages, try to confuse the opponent but not us. So he's a nice fit. He's working hard. Our guys are all working. There's no set lineup. Everybody's busting their ass. We're competing, and we enjoy it."

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan says he got 'lucky' to land with New Orleans Saints | NOLA.com

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