"I'd say a B-minus," he said Monday when asked to grade his rookie season. "I felt like I came in...

"I'd say a B-minus," he said Monday when asked to grade his rookie season. "I felt like I came in and fit in the system. I felt like I gave all that I had with the tools that I have last year with things moving as fast as they did.

"But this year is a whole new year. Last year doesn't matter anymore. You have to take a step up that ladder and get better."

Sedrick Ellis
Times-Pic

over 2 years ago Dave Cariello 3 comments 0 recs |

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Bill Johnson v. Ed Orgeron

Here’s another reason to believe that the D will be better than last year:

Ellis said he has learned a lot from Johnson, a veteran of eight NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos (2001-06) and Atlanta Falcons (2007-08), in a short period of time. For starters, Johnson, who succeeded Ed Orgeron — now an assistant at the University of Tennessee — demands strict attention to detail.

“They have two totally different styles of coaching,” Ellis said. "Ed is more of a high-intensity guy. I think he cares more about your energy rather than the small technical aspects of the game. Bill seems to be more of a teacher and takes more time with technique and things like that.

Don’t overlook the replacement of Orgeron with Johnson. I was not at all impressed with Orgeron last year and believe the new coaching of Johnson and Williams will greatly improve the amount of pressure the D-line generates. It seemed like Orgeron mentally checked out at mid-season. Let’s face it, he was a coaching bust. He left the team right after the Bears game, so it seemed like he was already thinking about the move to Tennessee way before the season ended. This description by Ellis only adds to my ridiculous, “setting myself up for heartache” optimism for the new season.

Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.

by David "Satch" Kelly on Jun 16, 2009 9:46 AM CDT reply actions

I had real high hopes for Orgeron

Getting him seemed to be such a coup at the time. The sort of thing that might put an underachieving group over the top. Instead, he spent the whole time looking for a new job.

I want to have the same high hopes for Johnson; but I’ve used up all my high hopes for this season, and simply don’t have any more to spare.

This is OUR year!

by MtnExile on Jun 16, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions