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New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton
Post-Practice Media Availability
Thursday, December 5, 2013

Opening Statement: “I know it is Thursday, but for us we really treated it exactly like we would a base Wednesday with our installation and scouting report meetings in the morning.”

What are you looking to improve on offensively?

“Shoot, pretty much everything. There will be some key elements to this game, conversion on third down. I think both teams are converting third downs. Both teams defensively are getting off the field. I think that will be an important statistic that will lead to time of possession that will lead to scoring opportunities. There are a number of things but that third down statistic will be important.”

How has Cam Newton evolved and improved?

“Number one he is protecting the football extremely well. They do a great job with their giveaway, takeaway ratio. They are one of the top teams in the league (in the category). I think that he is very instinctive when it comes to, people say well he can make plays with his feet, I think that the thing that is very difficult is him on the move making decisions down the field or deciding to run. I think that he has very good instincts when it comes to finding receivers, extending plays. I think that he has a very good command of what they are doing offensively and most importantly he is winning.”

In the offseason you talked about how to prepare for mobile quarterbacks such as Cam Newton who you will face on Sunday, do you think a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 defense is better to defend a quarterback like that?

“I think that it is not specific to the quarterback, maybe it is more specific to what personnel they are in. When you are seeing zone read, seeing some of these plays that force you to really be on top of your gap, your assignment, and your fit. I don’t know that it’s as much 3-4 or 4-3 or under or whatever the front you prefer to play. You do have to understand force patterns. You do have to understand fits specifically (in) the running game because he is someone, in generally someone running that offense they have someone that can keep the football and that can extend the run. They become a runner. That was kind of a big point of emphasis for us and I think a lot of teams in the offseason. These guys do a very good job of it and yet it is not just the only thing they do. They do a number of things in a conventional fashion. He does as well, the quarterback Cam (Newton). They do those very well.”

After forcing 15 turnovers in the first seven games, you have two in the last five games. Is there any reason why all of a sudden your defense isn’t forcing other teams to turn the ball over as much?

“I don’t know specifically. We’ve had our opportunities. We’ve had our hands on a handful of balls. Hopefully they come and we get a clump of them this weekend. I think that statistic is important. I think that protecting the quarterback and affecting the quarterback is going to be a key element. It is (an) important game and I think when you look at, I mentioned third down, I mentioned the turnovers, those are all things that are going to really point to the team that wins.”

Are you confident in the offense’s ability to bounce back?

“Absolutely. I think I am confident because I know the group we have. We have guys that are experienced, guys that understand what is at stake. It is a big game. I think we are pretty good at that window of whether it is a win or a loss, moving past it.”

You have never seen Luke Kuechly in person. Has he impressed you?

“I think, shoot, half the teams we are playing I haven’t seen in person. He is obviously playing extremely well. He’s very active. He’s around the football on every play. He has great instincts and awareness. You can see him key in diagonals formationally as well as anyone. See formations and understand what he is going to have to defend. He is a great tackler. He is playing outstanding.”


Read more: Sean Payton: Luke Kuechly is around the football on every play

More from NOS.com: Drew Brees talks Carolina Panthers

SloMotion

Their whole linebacker corps is playing pretty well.

Danno

I'd kill for LB's like the Panthers always seem to get.

Under Payton, the highest picks we've spent on LB's is a
3rd Wilson (no longer with the team)
4th Arneaux (no longer with the team)
7th Bussey (no longer with the team)
7th Mitchell (no longer with the team)

We haven't even drafted a decent LB since 1995, Mark Fields.

Mardigras9

Their DB's have shown to be the weakest link, just have to be able to get to them, and we have the best chance to do that at home.

hagan714

Ok here is a scary statement from me. Rob Roy does know his LB. he has done a solid job almost every stop on his NFL tour. remember that was his bread and butter for years. so i am ready to see what he does here.

though i still say the Wilson release was a load of crap. completely miss used and 3 years at 3 different position under three different DC makes me pause on saying bust. so i hope he does well and is given the time to prove himself.

saintsfan1976

Agreed on RR

Wilson's talent wasn't in question. From what I understood, it was his "smarts"

papz

I like Wilson and would love to see him succeed. That said, Oakland recently cut him so maybe we overrated him. We fell in love with his size and speed. We all know just having those two traits don't make a good football player. If it did, everyone would be stars in the NFL.

|Mitch|

Considering Wilson was picked up off waivers and didn't stay on the Raiders team a full month, I say he has the problem not us...

TheOak

If Wilson is or was what some people think he is, he wouldn't have bounced from position to position... Then he couldn't cut it in Oakland...

I know stats do not tell the entire story but he has racked up 0-0-0-0-0-0 in Oakland and Dallas.

“See the ball, get the ball, play and react,” he said. <--- Sort of Mongoesque.
Martez Wilson Signs; Ready To Play Former Team

Rugby Saint II

That's interesting Danno.