WhoDat!656

METAIRIE, La. -- Rob Ryan stripped down his playbook last week as the New Orleans Saints' defense cut out all of their on-field checks and adjustments. And it worked great, as players said they were able to play faster and more decisive in a 20-9 victory against the Minnesota Vikings.

That can’t have been an easy choice for Ryan, a "film rat" who prides himself on being one of the NFL’s most sophisticated schemers. But he said Friday that it was the right choice for this team.

"I think here, in New Orleans, with the type of players we had (last year) and have, I think we do better when we have less checks," Ryan said. "Some teams I’ve had, we did fine, but it was all about the system. Here it’s all about the players. It’s not a check and balance. I think this is the way it is.

"When I was hired, I came into something special here. And I’m not going to screw it up. I’m going to work hard and make sure we get it right."

Rob Ryan: I’m not going to screw it up - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."

Jack Vegas

Best news I've seen this week. We have enough talent, we don't have to outscheme anybody.

For all the talk about "exotic" schemes last year, we really didn't do anything that wild. Man-to-man, press coverage, an extra safety instead of an extra corner, letting Vaccaro move around the field a lot. That's really not all that complicated.

NOLA54

I believe him till I don't. I hope he gets it right.

spkb25

Yeah I think he was being honest, and I really do believe him when he says what eh said. I'd expect he has a bone to pick with Jerry, my guess we do pretty well on D this week

WHODATINCA

If the D plays well -- we win this game. It's that simple.

WHODATINCA

Shaun O'Hara says KV is not playing well in the passing game. I haven't been watching him.

halloween 65

In all reality the only 1 has been White. P-Rob demoted, Byrd 30 yds. deep, Lewis getting beat, Bush not hitting the way he can. They have not looked that good to me at all. I'll be glad to see them play as a unit instead of looking lost. They might be a really good unit if they get their heads on straight whenever that may be.

RailBoss

We have got to get it right Sunday a loss could put us in a tailspin that we may never pull out of. The Vikings game was a start but we beat a backup QB. Romo and Company will be a much tougher game.

dizzle88

Prove it. Because this year so far has been a screw up.

Foot Stomper

This is as close to a must have win as there is. All of the games are important and some may say the must win label is BS but to me if we lose this and go 1-3 we are likely done. I base this on previous years 2007 & 2008 iirc where we were constantly digging out of a hole that we never recovered.

As for Coach Ryans comments I sure hope we get it right. He is a great guy and I think he is good for the team and the City but we have to have the Wins. Just play sound football. This scheme and that scheme seems to backfire more often than not. I want a dominate defense pitching shutouts but in todays NFL I don't think that fully exist. Look at how Seattle couldn't stop Manning followed by the Broncos in OT not being able to stop Seattle.

The Steelers did the same to a good/very good Panther Defense last week. But, the Steelers Defense also played one of the best games I have seen so far by getting to the QB and hitting him hard early in the first qtr. If we can do that to Romo we will be in good position to slow them down.

My point is the rules favor the offense moving the ball up and down the field and scoring but your Defense has to figure out a way to slow it down and get off the field. Then Drew HAS to put points on the board to put some separation on the scoreboard.

We need a win. Gotta have a win.