New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - NewOrleansSaints.com Sean Payton talks about facing the Detroit Lions

New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton
Post-Practice Media Availability
Wednesday, October 15, 2014

What is the challenge of replenishing assistants especially when you lose a lot of good ones like you guys have?

“I think we’ve tried to not limit it to someone with NFL experience. We’ve been able to hire guys from the college ranks. We’ve hired guys that have coached in the NFL and really (are) just looking for guys that we think are good teachers and then also guys that are good staff guys, that compatibility issue I think is important. You grow to appreciate that more and more.”

Do you almost keep a depth chart almost like you do for free agency?

“No I would say this though, from having done this a long time, you have certain, not necessarily resumes on file, but you are mindful as to where guys might be if a position opened up. Sometimes there’s past experience (in working with the person), other times there is not. Again, you are really trying to not bias yourself one way or the other.”

Can you talk about how the Lions defense sacks the quarterback a lot and on offense the quarterback gets sacked a lot?

“Starting with their defense, their front is outstanding. They get the push inside from the tackles. Both of the ends are very active players so that combination, they give you enough pressure looks where it is not just a four man rush and yet if they are not pressuring they do a very good job of quickening the pace of the quarterback with just four guys rushing it. That ultimately makes it the most challenging because now you are throwing in two coverage looks as opposed to blitz looks. Offensively I just having seen some of the tape, I think they like us, have had their share of injuries and yet you can see they are playing a complementary game. They’re doing a good job with balance, third downs, some of those things. I think that topic of pressure hurries is very important especially when it pertains to a road game like this.”

Can you talk about going up against two of your former running backs here in Reggie Bush and Joique Bell?

“When you watch him (Reggie Bush) he’s very explosive. He’s just as dangerous as a pass receiver as he is a runner. You see his explosive plays. You have to make sure you’re fitting the right gaps and he’s also someone that can bring a play back or create, if you will, a misdirection play he is that sudden. Joique’s (Bell) someone who’s really a natural runner and he has found a real good niche there. Shoot, we were counting today, there are eight different people, coaches included that are currently with them now that have been here in the last six or seven years so there is some familiarity with both the players and some of the coaches.”

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