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Post-Practice Media Availability

Monday, September 16, 2013

Opening Statement: “This morning’s schedule was just a little different. These guys are in watching tape, lifting, and doing their routine that we would normally do, but on their own schedule. Tomorrow they’ll be off and we’re going to a normal week, getting ready for Arizona.”

What are your overall impressions on how your defense played yesterday?

“I thought they played well. I thought our third down defense was good. Going in, there were two things really: a real good running back, and two receivers that can get behind you and make some big plays. The challenge is really trying to mix things up. We knew that they were going to be wanting to get into some hurry-up offense, that’s something that we knew going into the game. But I thought overall we handled that well. I was concerned, going in, with potentially the heat and the snaps (and) with us being nicked a little bit inside at the defensive line position. I think the weather helped us in that regard. But, by and large, I was pleased. I thought we played with real good effort and energy. We came up with some big plays, some turnovers, and did enough for us to win the game. It especially comes down to that final series and getting that stop and forcing a field goal was critical.”

Only two games in, have you been happy with your defensive performance so far?

“We’ve played two different teams. Each week is another challenge. We continue to talk about playing the team and focusing on the challenge at hand that week. It might be different week to week as to how we approach a game, but I like a lot of things. There is certainly a ton of things we’ve got to clean up though, and we see that. We’ll continue to work and make the improvements. We saw a better offense two weeks ago than we did yesterday. Each week presents another challenge, so we look forward to it.”

Are you concerned about how much Drew Brees was getting hit yesterday?

“Yes, I thought yesterday there were some plays that even after the pass he took a good shot. We are always mindful of that.”

Do you have any update on Patrick Robinson’s injury status?

“No updates on any of those players.”

What are you priorities now to address with your offense coming off yesterday’s performance?

“I think a couple of things. I said this after the game, (but) just having watched it again, that goal line sequence is on me. I did a poor job of really giving our guys the best opportunity. We kind of had a plan going it, and I got off of that at the one yard line with a play-action pass. That’s something we will continue to work on. That was coaching; it wasn’t the players. There are a few penalties that put us in some long yardage situations that all of the sudden ended up in what was a field goal or a field goal attempt, rather that a drive continuing. There’s a lot that we have to look at and clean up. Fortunately, it’s coming off a win. But again, we are quickly trying to, as best we can, make the corrections and look for that consistency. We will continue to do that.”

Can you talk about your level of comfort and happiness with Mark Ingram? Sometimes people judge a player off of one play or sequence.

“That's a tough play. That’s on me. He had some good runs in that game. I think the balance and the mix of the players we have is going to be important for us, especially at the running back position. The fourth down call, we ended up getting an over front, a different defense than we were expecting. It was one that, however it was called on the field, if it was called a score or it wasn’t going to be overturned. They spotted it short, and it wasn’t going to be overturned either. He, like the rest of us, is working to improve in his game. There’s some looks though that I know we are going to be better at that are going to help him.”

Are you concerned that coming off of the Atlanta victory, it would be tough emotionally to get your team to the level it was at a week before?

“In week two, you’re not thinking about a letdown already. Obviously you play a team like Atlanta at home, but we kind of look at Tampa Bay much like Atlanta and Carolina. Those are division games. I think we wanted to make sure we were ready from the start, and the weather delay kind of changed that a little bit. I didn’t feel like we were going to have any type of letdown coming off the first game.”

Read more: Sean Payton reviews win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

homerj07

Old adage is often correct. Don't take points off the board.

I have to wonder what they see in Ingram that we have been missing.