Rating: (0 votes - average)

The first big decision facing the New Orleans Saints when their offseason begins next week is whether to make any coaching-staff changes -- most importantly, whether to stick with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

As they have all season, Saints players continued to offer strong support for Ryan in the locker room Monday. Safety Kenny Vaccaro didn't even just say he wants Ryan to be back; he insisted he will be.
Despite the Saints' defense falling near the bottom of the league in several key categories, players are supportive of defensive coordinator

"Rob will be here," Vaccaro said twice in response to questions about Ryan. "Rob's my guy. I love Rob. I'll fight for Rob every game. I'm a Rob guy, so there's no point even asking me about Rob. He'll ride with me until the end. Year 17, he'll come get me off my couch and say, 'Come play with me.'"

Cornerback Keenan Lewis agreed.

"I want him back. I'm gonna ride with him, no matter what the situation is. A great coordinator," Lewis said. "You can't just blame him when things go wrong. I don't think none of the blame should go to the coaches at all. We're the ones out there playing. We've gotta find a way to get it stopped.

"You know, I've played for two good coordinators. I was fortunate playing for Coach LeBeau [Dick LeBeau in Pittsburgh], and I had an opportunity to play for Coach Rob, and I definitely feel as though he should be back."

When asked if players feel the need to convey their support for Ryan to the decision-makers, defensive end Tyrunn Walker said, "I think they know what they got. I think they know that he's a great coach and a great mentor."

Other veterans such as Curtis Lofton, Junior Galette, Parys Haralson and David Hawthorne, who have played with multiple defensive coordinators, have also passionately sung Ryan's praises in recent weeks.

Rest...

ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports

Cruize

With Ryan around taking all the blame for the bad defense, the players get a pass on their lack of talent and effort. I can understand why they want to keep him around.

Danno

I dunno, I'm conflicted about Ryan. Yesterday I wanted him fired, but I read these players thoughts and wonder.

Spags didn't get this kind of vocal support from his players.

Foot Stomper

Interesting. I happen to like him. Met him at Greenbrier and he was a great guy. If we had better talent would this be a non issue? Or is it a scheme issue and better talent would be voicing frustrations? I think it is a combination of poor position coaching, poor talent for sure. I am not sure if RR is a good DC or not. Maybe he is too laid back. Could a drill sergeant Defensive Coordinator come in here and make these slackers play better? What we have now is both sides taking blame for being bad. Protecting each others back side when what we need is someone who can just get results.

K Major

Change is imminent and necessary. I would be OK if Sean got rid of all of those assistant/defensive position coaches and kept the Big Lebowski.

Add a few pieces to the puzzle via FA & draft on D and we are back.

hagan714

ok we stunk up the joint. the boss says there will be changes.

Do you tow the company line?
or
Do you rock the ship?

I take it all with a grain of salt. a lot of pay check protection is going to happen after a year like this.

jeanpierre

Irregardless of the player support, Rob Ryan was handed his assistants, including Joe Vitt and his players...

Give him the tools and support to be successful...

Otherwise, you may be sending a bad message to other coaches who may be candidates someday for the Saints...

SmashMouth

Did he buy them a round of drinks at Ms Mae's?

Mardigras9

Ryan can't make the players on the field get through the blocks to get pressure. Hell 7 guys on the line couldn't get pressure most times. Can't blame Ryan, he had to dance with who he brought.

SaintsBro

This is the thing. This thread discussion is SO CLOSE to it, but everybody's still kinda tiptoeing around and not quite there yet. Yes, it is a coordinator issue. But it's more than just that.

The thing is, the Goodell bounty stuff is STILL in Payton's head. TO THIS DAY. His mind has been completely messed up, ever since it happened to him. Like when you put a prisoner in a dark box for a month or something, he's not the same man when he comes out. Payton is NOT going to easily give up control of the defensive side of the locker room, to some DC's personal assistants that Payton can't control. Those same old same old coordinators are in there for a reason, because they are Yes Men to Payton, and because he got railroaded, and the Bountygate stuff is STILL all up inside Payton's head TO THIS DAY. On one level, he is completely and totally paranoid. Control freak, yes. Perfectionist, yes. He always was one, but the aftershocks of the Bounty thing has made it spin off in weird ways.

I think maybe one or two coordinators may go, emphasis on MAY go, out the door. But a wholesale house cleaning, top to bottom? I don't see it happening, unless Payton is somehow forced to.