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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

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