SmashMouth

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton on Friday dismissed the notion by former defensive coordinator Rob Ryan that he did not have a full say in how the defense was run, which Ryan said in an interview with theMMQB.com website.

"We tried to implement some schemes we thought would help our defense," Payton said in an interview with Pro Football Talk Live on NBC Sports Radio. "But the idea that it wasn't his defense, or that he wasn't, you know, in charge of it, is silly."



The interview was scheduled Thursday night, before theMMQB.com published the comments from Ryan.

"It's difficult when you're fired," Payton said. "We didn't have the success we wanted. He and I got along great. Ultimately, it really came down to just organization, getting the players lined up, getting the call and, I mean, there were a handful of things that ultimately led to that decision.

"He's extremely talented, he's a passionate worker. And I think we felt, clearly, I felt, it was best for our football program. Shoot, we were next-door neighbors."

Ryan said the biggest mistake he made with the Saints was "sitting on my hands and collecting a paycheck" as the Saints defense sank from fourth in total yards allowed in 2013 to near last in both of the next two seasons.

Payton lauded Ryan for the passion be brought to the job.

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