Re: What changes would you make?
 

Short field or long field, with our defense it doesn't matter. We can't stop anyone. It's ridiculous how few 3 and outs we generate and our turnovers both for and against are a joke. This defense overachieved last year and we all (including them) thought they were as good as their ranking. The players liked the change up of scheme and personality but become complacent. After a few losses they lost confidence and the effort and ability to play proper technique and fundamentals left with it. They are a bunch of broken men. And the message from coaching has gone stale and on deaf ears.

I truly don't know whether booting Rob Ryan is the answer. He can't get anyone to step up right now but players at this level, age and salary should be responsible for themselves. They shouldn't need someone to force them to know and perform the basics. That to me speaks of issues with the players themselves. The only starting caliber guys I see personally performing a solid effort are Lewis (and he gets more props because he is fighting through injury), Lofton and Jordan. There are other guys but they are depth players and should not be starters. Guys like Gallette, Hicks, Jenkins, Hawthorne, Harylson, Vaccaro are just mailing it in. I would keep Vaccaro, Jenkins and Hicks only because I think their upside can be realized during good times and it's worth risking on them. The rest can be replaced with better, younger and cheaper alternatives.

On the offense I think we all know that our scheme is being disrupted by pressure up the middle. We have always been an offense that is built on the foundation of letting Brees step up in the pocket to a clear throwing lane. Grubbs, Goodwin and Evans are the problem here. We are completely disrupted by the inability to give Brees a step up pocket. It's not like defenses suddenly know to attack this. They have always known and we dictate the play by solid interior line blocking that thwarts the opponent. This is diminishing rapidly. Grubbs and Evans are deteriorating as their pay increases and Goodwin is comical. The three are aging and becoming less effective by the game. We need serious attention to the interior of that line. I think it would immediately open up and return everything else we have. We need to continue to develop WR prospects to overcome the fact that Colston may soon be gone. Stills and Cooks are nice weapons but we must add a new big #1 to the mix. I am fine with Ingram departing. We have an eye for RB talent and will always play the by committee stable of backs.

I think we would be foolish to allow Payton to leave. Fans are quick to forget how hard it is to find a good head coach and offensive mind. I am 100% behind trying to stay the course and recapture what should be our window of opportunity in this league. If we ever lose one or both of our HC-QB combination we will quickly recall what a decade of futility looks like. Stem the panic that is this season and get back to the plan with some smart personnel decisions and character guys.

Re: What changes would you make?
 

that was a good laugh..

Re: What changes would you make?
 

Re: What changes would you make?
 

Sean Payton gets a free pass for at least 10 years after what he has done for us. Even thought its a win now or what have you done for me lately league. What he has done... letting him go is moronic.

Rob is as good as gone. I don't think he gets it anymore. There was so much hype about this new improved D and there was NOTHING of it.

I think they need to re-think the philosophy that they have been living by and that is get these speedy guys and show pieces that make the hightlight reels and spend the money and pics on the big beefy guys up front. I think having a stellar OL and DL is way better than having a TE like Jimmy. You trade them when you can't afford them and give the money to the guys up front. If you don't have a line to protect Brees then Brees is mute. If you don't have a pass rush well then you got to score 50 plus a game. Build those lines this off season from the inside out.

Re: What changes would you make?
 

If Payton went i wouldn't be against Gruden.
Dont like Harbaugh at all,he seems to have lost his dressing room in San Fran too,his brother is a different matter.

Harbaugh is second on my major dislike list behind Jim Schwarz

Re: What changes would you make?
 

Dare I say it, but could Nick Toon be that big #1 guy?

And looking down the line at running back, some dudes are coming out (maybe) that look pretty dang good to plug-n-play with Khiry since I really don't see Ingram coming back either.

1) Gordon, Wisconsin, Jr
2) Coleman, Indiana, Jr
3) Cobb, Minnesota, Sr
4) Abdullah, Nebraska, Sr
5) Langford, Mich State, Sr
6) Artis-Payne, Auburn, Sr
7) Williams, Arkansas, Jr
8) Yeldon, Bama, Jr.

And that's just the Big 10 & SEC...didn't even bother to look at the ACC, PAC 12, Big 12, etc.

Re: What changes would you make?
 

I would really clean house at the end of the season and that means Ryan, secondary coaches, linebacker coaches, dl coaches and probably hire someone to teach fundamentals like you teach me to tackle and catch the ball. You teach me to football?

Re: What changes would you make?
 

If we are drafting players that dont know the fundamentals we have massive issues. Coaches at pro level shouldn't be teaching basics.

Re: What changes would you make?
 

I've mentioned this before about Harbaugh and his situation in SF bears me out. He's a great coach/motivator but is far more suited for the college level. His brand of leadership will produce immediate results but does not have staying power when dealing with professional athletes.

In college, you have athletes turning over every 3-4yrs. They'll put up with his rah-rah BS because they're either looking towards the NFL or leaving football after playing for him.

In the pros, you got players that stick around a team for 5, 6, 7 yrs, have been in the league & are at the pinnacle of success in their sport. Harbaugh's mannerisms are gonna' wear on them after a few seasons and the result is what you have going on with the Whiner's this season.

He just needs to head back to his alma-mater ... hey, whattya' know? There just happens to be a vacant H/C position! Perfect fit, :).

Re: What changes would you make?
 

Similar to Nick Saban's situation. His evil dictator tactics and tough love work on young men who need it, but simply doesn't work on pro athletes.