ESPN: Saints Fire Steve Spagnuolo

[DCranon21]

Well I guess giving up a NFL record 7,402 yards on defense, this was the only solution. Also to note, they will switch to a 3-4 from a 4-3.

NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints have fired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo after one season -- a record-setting year in the wrong way.
New Orleans ranked last in the NFL in total defense and run defense, yielding the most yards (7,042) ever in a single season. The Saints went 7-9 this season and allowed 454 points; only Tennessee gave up more.


Head coach Sean Payton, who returned to work this week after a season-long suspension, announced Thursday that Spagnuolo was being released. Payton also fired secondary coach Ken Flajole.
"I personally want to thank Steve and Ken for their contributions during what was an unprecedented 2012 season," Payton said. "Philosophically we are changing our defense to a 3-4 alignment and right now is the best time to accomplish this transition."


Without Payton, who was suspended for his role in the Saints bounty scandal, and with linebacker Jonathan Vilma and end Will Smith in limbo for portions of the schedule while their suspensions were being appealed -- and eventually rescinded -- the Saints lost their first four games. They gave up at least 27 points 11 times, and surrendered 52 to the Giants, 44 to Carolina, and 40 to Washington.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/88...ve-coordinator

[Hiro]

Anyone else the sense that Steve Spagnuolo is incredibly overrated? He hasn't exactly worked magic on defenses since his stint with the Giants, and people could argue that one game put him on the map.

If there's one person who should have been MVP of the 2007 Super Bowl, it was Justin Tuck. He was downright unstoppable that game.

[Leonard Washington]

OP: looks like they are going to a 3-4

maybe they are making room for Gregggggg

[Hitman21ST]

OP: looks like they are going to a 3-4

maybe they are making room for Gregggggg

Williams never ran a 3-4. He's always been a blitzing 4-3 guy.

[Boss_Hogg]

Welcome back to Philty Steve.

No source just a hunch.

[Leonard Washington]

Williams never ran a 3-4. He's always been a blitzing 4-3 guy.

Doesn't matter, Gregg is a genius!

[Boss_Hogg]

Doesn't matter, Gregg is a genius!

That's what the extra "g" stood for...

Genius.

[MartinC]

Welcome back to Philty Steve.

No source just a hunch.

I hope so, I agree with those who think Spagnuolo is overrated. That's Saints defense might not have had a ton of talent but its was a total joke last year in all areas. Historically bad. I'd be quite pleased to see him as DC of the Eagles.

[Big Blue Joe]

Anyone else the sense that Steve Spagnuolo is incredibly overrated? He hasn't exactly worked magic on defenses since his stint with the Giants, and people could argue that one game put him on the map.

The Giants defense was 7th in the league in 2007 and 5th in the league in 2008. It would be pretty tough to argue that one game put him on the map. And it wasn't just because of the talent on the roster. The Giants went from 5th in the NFL in scoring defense in 2008 to 30th in 2009 after Spags left.

[Passepartout]

Well it seems that maybe the Giants could use Steve. As the team has fallen on hard times defensively since he left.

[visionary]

OP: looks like they are going to a 3-4

maybe they are making room for Gregggggg

Looks like Williams is going elsewhere:


https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter

Filed to ESPN: Suspended former Saints DC Gregg Williams already has met with Titans and is on verge of becoming Tennessee’s assistant HC.
7:29 PM