Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

METAIRIE, La. -- Defensive end Akiem Hicks was replaced by undrafted rookie Bobby Richardson during the second half of the New Orleans Saints’ 26-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hicks admitted he was “benched” when asked why he played only 28 snaps in the game. Coach Sean Payton disagreed with the term “benched” but acknowledged that he decided to go with some other guys for performance-related reasons.

“It’s pretty common to rotate defensive linemen,” Payton said.

“If he felt like he was being benched, then, hey. And after we did that, we had pretty good production defensively. In fact, very good.”

The Saints' defensive front played its best football in the fourth quarter Sunday against Tampa Bay with two sacks (one by outside linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha and one by defensive end Cameron Jordan) and two forced fumbles (by Kikaha on the sack and by defensive tackle Kevin Williams on a run). And they went with a smaller, faster lineup in general for much of the game with Richardson playing 40 snaps, backup outside linebacker Kasim Edebali playing 23 snaps and recently-signed rookie end Obum Gwacham playing eight snaps.

It’s unclear if the change with Hicks will be permanent. But it’s clearly a disappointing development for the Saints since Hicks ha such immense potential.

...

But the 25-year-old has not yet lived up to the potential he showed in 2013, when he had 4.5 sacks and 56 tackles. Last year, Hicks had two sacks and 41 tackles. This year he has no sacks and one tackle.

Hicks said he planned to speak with Payton later Monday afternoon to get more clarity on why he was replaced in the lineup. Speaking on the team in general, Hicks said, "I feel like there’s a lot of things we can do better, and that’s what were gonna focus on. Were gonna get in here and review the tape and hopefully find some answers to the problems were having."

New Orleans Saints DE Akiem Hicks replaced in lineup Sunday - NFL Nation - ESPN

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

If Hicks does go confront Payton he needs to choose his words wisely, 0-2 more than likely has Payton in a bad mood. I'm like what Ediboli and Kiki have done but our 31st pick (I still don't like the pick) needs to step his butt up Hawthorn is doing well so far. Richardson is hungry.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Hicks will not be a Saints next year...

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

I think you may be right.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Talking to Payton does npt have to mean confrontation. I hope they sort it out and he can be productive but if the other guys are outplaying him then hey.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

I believe I started a topic about this after the first game. Wise decision.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

I do not see an issue at all. not like Hicks went off the handle. Besides it is more a Rob issue than a SP issue. Reports were talking to the wrong person

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Just a thought ...put Hicks on the inside full time and see what he can do. I just don't know :rolleyes: ...he could be possibly the closest thing we have on the roster as a pocket collapsing DT. Assistant coaches need to be accountable as well.

Coach em up Bill Johnson.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Coach Sean Payton disagreed with the term “benched” but acknowledged that he decided to go with some other guys for performance-related reasons.

Sounds like benched to me.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

I think Hicks' problem is he just doesn't stay low. He'd get destroyed at DT.

Besides, KWilliams and Tyeler Davison have yet to post bad grades at DT.

I don't think he would be any better than Davison or Williams, and he may not even be better than Jenkins.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Hicks did play at DT the last few years. He was bad.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Yes he was. He plays too high for inside.

His size, measurables and skillset are nearly perfect for a 3-4 DE.

Why he and Cam Jordan (who's size, measurables and skillset are nearly perfect for a 3-4 DE also) don't absolutely dominate in a 3-4 set confounds me.

If I drew up two perfect 3-4 DE's on paper, they would look exactly like Jordan and Hicks.

I just don't get it.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Agreed. The last two years we supposedly were a 3-4 defense with Jordan and Hicks playing the 5 technique, but we never actually lined up like that. Then we gave up on it. I don't get it... But I'm positive putting Hicks at DE in a four man front is just dumb. More evidence of this team just not having any idea how to field a competent defense.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Well Johnson coaching is questionable and Vitt doesn't do any better with the lb.'s. Year after year our D is not very good at all under their way of doing things. I blame these 2 more than anybody. If our O line coach did as sad of a job as those 2 Payton would find someone to replace him, why don't Johnson and Vitt get the boot. I'm not high on Allen right now either. I'm all for getting rid of all of the D coaches and bring in some fresh people that can tune-up the D players, and as much as I like Ryan( he drew a bad hand) letting him go to.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Then you better hope Payton gets fired.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Paytons loyalty might be his down fall. Somethings got to give, a talent like Brees is hard to find and he's not a spring chicken any more.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...NY/sofuuny.jpg

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

They don't get the boot because they are Paytons boys. They will leave when Payton leaves.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

I don't understand what's wrong with our player development. Vaccaro, Jenkins, and Hicks all looked like promising impact players after their rookie years. There were also some other players that looked like they could be contributors for us as well and not only did they hit a wall, they've regressed significantly. Something has got to change if we continue in our downward spiral. As big as of a fan as I am of Payton, coaches come and go and are replaceable. Andy Reid, Mike Holgrem, Jeff Fisher, etc. were all top coaches that were eventually replaced. Sometimes a fresh start is best for everyone.

I hope we turn things around. Our window of realistically winning another championship has been shrinking by the day.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Can't say I disagree.

Re: Saints' Akiem Hicks was replaced in lineup Sunday
 

Somethings wrong with our player development

Malcolm Jenkins nearly led the league in picks the year he left us and Roman Harper almost beat his career interception total in one season.