The Debate: New Orleans' Defense

This afternoon, I take on our own Michael Lombardi as I explain why the New Orleans Saints are soon to be the class of the NFC South — thanks to their defense under new coordinator Gregg Williams. Can he turn New Orleans into a defensive town? I think he can.

Coaching?

Yes, folks, coaching.

As Lombardi wrote this morning, Sean Payton and Drew Brees are a match made in football heaven when it comes to NFL offenses. They have big-play ability and they can play with anyone.

But what about Williams, the new defensive coordinator? Yes, there have been members of the media who have taken turns blasting the Saints and Williams’ defense — already eliminating them from the NFC South race — but they have never seen him coach from my perspective.

Does that mean I’m biased and suddenly becoming a Saints homer today?

Not exactly, because I would be the first to tell you that Williams — whom I played for in Washington — struggled in Jacksonville, as did coach Jack Del Rio and QB David Garrard. But Williams is in New Orleans, and I can tell you from my experience with him in the NFL, this is what he’s been waiting for.

Why, you ask? Because he has a quarterback.

Yes, Williams is a master at defense at this level, but he has never had a quarterback on his side like Brees — ever. And I hate to break it to Patriots and Colts fans, but right now, Brees is in the same discussion with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Is he the best in the league? I don’t know that, but he is the best fit for this team and this city, and that’s why Williams is beyond hopeful for the ’09 season.

I talked with Chicago Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo the other day, and we got into a discussion about new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli — and his impact on their defense as a whole. I will have more about this in detail Wednesday, but when I asked Angelo if he thought a coach could be considered a team’s biggest offseason acquisition, he didn’t hesitate with his answer. “Yes.”

And that’s how I’m viewing the Saints and Williams.

What about players?

This is something Lombardi brought up this morning in his discussion of the Saints. Do they have the players who can generate a pass rush, and do they have the players who can make plays in the secondary?

Can defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith come off the edge? Can first-round pick Malcolm Jenkins and free-agent pickups CB Jabari Greer and FS Darren Sharper contribute?

I agree with Lombardi that the Saints couldn’t rush the passer with their front four last season, but I believe that this will change under Williams’ watch and in his system.

Williams runs a pressure system out of a 4-3 front that can become very exotic on third downs when he pressures with the best of them. If he can’t get the rush from Smith and Grant, you can bet that it will come from somewhere on the field.

He squeezes offenses, and he dictates the game to offenses. I played with both Greer and Sharper, and I can tell you that Greer is going to flourish in this system. Yes, a lot will be asked from him, but I would count on him making plays — and the same can be said for Jenkins.

Williams is as tough on rookies as any coach I’ve ever seen, and he will expect — no, demand — the best from Jenkins every day, including Sundays.

I agree that Sharper is purely a situational player now, but the way Williams handles his roster, he’ll see the field. As he used to say, “Everyone is a starter” in his defense because he incorporates so many different personnel packages that if you’re in a uniform, he will put you on the field.

And you’ll make plays in his system. The packages and schemes he comes up with cater to the players — not to him.

Making Plays

As Lombardi wrote, the Saints gave up too many big plays on defense and didn’t create many themselves.

I expect this to change.

Why? Well, we talk about the Bill Belichick defenses in New England all the time here at the NFP — because they’re very good — and I don’t see much difference in coaching techniques between Williams and Belichick.

Both men put their players in positions to make plays; this isn’t the Tampa 2 that Williams is bringing to New Orleans. His scheme is designed to allow DBs and LBs to jump routes and not sit back in coverage.

Like I said, he wants his players to dictate to the quarterback what he can do. Combo coverages, zone blitzes and the zero blitz. They will all come out under Williams.

Attack, attack, attack — because that’s what he does. Force the issue and fly to the football. Sure, I agree that it’s easier said than done, but I’ll be the first to tell you that these Saints players are seeing it firsthand in spring practice.

Can He Do It?

It will be challenging at first for Williams to walk into a program that’s known exclusively for its offense, and it will take time to teach this summer, but how great is it for his players to practice against Brees and Reggie Bush every day in camp?

It makes both sides better, and eventually, it will make this defense the class of the NFC South.

Changing the culture, changing the outlook and changing the way the defense plays the game and how it runs to the ball will be an everyday challenge for Williams.

He will have to ruffle some of the veterans to get his way, but over time, he will, and then we will all know why Williams was the biggest acquisition for the Saints this offseason. Williams will want New Orleans to be known as a defensive town.

Can you imagine the Saints with a defense that makes plays to go along with Brees and the offense?

I can. Where do I sign up for playoff tickets?

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