Spagnuolo fired

[Bigblue25]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/saints-fire-d-coordinator-spagnuolo-000156431--nfl.html

 

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- 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and end Will Smith in limbo for portions of the schedule while their suspensions were being appealed - and eventually rescinded - the Saints lost their first four games.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.

Spagnuolo was the Rams' head coach the previous three seasons, going 10-38. He coordinated the Giants' defense when they ended New England's unbeaten season to win the 2008 Super Bowl.

Flajole was with Spagnuolo in St. Louis and moved with him to New Orleans last season.

On Wednesday, Payton hinted at the moves that would occur after he met with his staff.

''This meeting we're going to have is going to be painful,'' Payton said. ''We've got a lot of tough meetings ahead. That's what 7-9 is. Those are our biggest challenges.''

[TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt]

Hopefully Crybaby Payton can never put the pieces back together... Maybe Steve's success with the Giants was a case of being in the right place at the right time with the right personnel some peaking, others peaked and yet others on their way to peaking. Sometimes its just lightning in a bottle...catch it once and it never happens again.

[gmenroc]

Hopefully Crybaby Payton can never put the pieces back together... Maybe Steve's success with the Giants was a case of being in the right place at the right time with the right personnel some peaking, others peaked and yet others on their way to peaking. Sometimes its just lightning in a bottle...catch it once and it never happens again.

 

I have to agree with Spags being in the right place at the right time given his accomplishments since he left. But at the same time, I think every coach needs guys who can perform the responsibilities the coach's system places on the player's position. You can rely on your secondary like the Eagles did for so long, and excel that way. You can rely on your pass rush to cover your secondary's inabilities like the Giants have in recent years. The best coaches adapt their strategy to fit who they have.

 

I like Spags as a coach and I think he would've been far more successful had he stayed on with us. That said, I think he's had a tough time adjusting to the talent he's had in St. Louis and New Orleans.

[TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt]

I have to agree with Spags being in the right place at the right time given his accomplishments since he left. But at the same time, I think every coach needs guys who can perform the responsibilities the coach's system places on the player's position. You can rely on your secondary like the Eagles did for so long, and excel that way. You can rely on your pass rush to cover your secondary's inabilities like the Giants have in recent years. The best coaches adapt their strategy to fit who they have.

 

I like Spags as a coach and I think he would've been far more successful had he stayed on with us. That said, I think he's had a tough time adjusting to the talent he's had in St. Louis and New Orleans.

 

Can't disagree with this...its a case also of maybe he should have waited to take the promotion for another year...going to the Rams was not a good opportunity for him. I think he should have gone AFC or tried to find a spot in the division...now he is tainted and it will be another 3-5 years probably before he gits another serious sniff at Head Coach..

[fringe]

Can't disagree with this...its a case also of maybe he should have waited to take the promotion for another year...going to the Rams was not a good opportunity for him. I think he should have gone AFC or tried to find a spot in the division...now he is tainted and it will be another 3-5 years probably before he gits another serious sniff at Head Coach..

could be, he's cut out to be a DC with a strong HC. Like Wade or Romeo.

[JMFP]

Hopefully Crybaby Payton can never put the pieces back together... Maybe Steve's success with the Giants was a case of being in the right place at the right time with the right personnel some peaking, others peaked and yet others on their way to peaking. Sometimes its just lightning in a bottle...catch it once and it never happens again.

 

The Saints defense was hot garbage, and they were clearly still butt-hurt over the Bountygate scandal, and having their beloved head-hunting DC fired over it....so Spags was probably the easiest scapegoat.

 

I guess they got pissed off when Spags tried to install a gameplan that didn't rely on cheap-shotting the opponent out of the game.

[TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt]

could be, he's cut out to be a DC with a strong HC. Like Wade or Romeo.

The Saints defense was hot garbage, and they were clearly still butt-hurt over the Bountygate scandal, and having their beloved head-hunting DC fired over it....so Spags was probably the easiest scapegoat.

 

I guess they got pissed off when Spags tried to install a gameplan that didn't rely on cheap-shotting the opponent out of the game.

 

Good points both of you...I tend to believe that he is more of a DC than HC at this point.