Spaggs vs Williams 2011 Def rankings

Or is it impossible to pry coaches away from Pittsburgh? He has been the LB coach there since 2003

We need coaching with a new mind set. The Saints are not going to eat up the clock with an offense that will keep the defense on the sidelines. They will put up big numbers and score points fairly quickly. They will have 3 to 4 minute drives of less, rather than clock eating 7 to 8 minute drives. Therefore, we need a coach that looks to be able to rotate players with little to no drop off in talent. Rather than 6 or 7 horse, 5 or 6 good players and a bunch of fill in players, we need 24 to 28 good players of comparatively even skills. Let’s look at what we have:

defensive line: Smith, a very good end, who suffered under the blitz happy GW. He needs to given his head and let him create, like he has done in the past.
Sed Ellis is a stud, who also suffered under GW. He is a runstopper with good to very good rushing skills, who can be given more to do under a creative coach.
Shaun Rodgers, a former all-pro, who was wasted last year as a role player.
Turk McBride has done before and can do it again, if he is not used to cover tes and rbs.
There is some good material in the backups in Charleton, Franklin, Johnson, and Galette. Heck, I think Charleston could develop into one hell of a pass rushing specialist.

Linebacker is the place I feel, we need some help. I hate Scott Shanle, not because he is a bad player, but because he is limited in ability. He’s to small and too slow. Vilma is great, but he is having trouble staying healthy, because he has to do too much without being protected by his front four. Our new coordinator must design a defense that let’s Vilma and Smith freelance a little. i like the fire in Dunbar, but he is too small at 226. He gets run over by big backs and tight ends. He would make a great backup though. Ditto Casillas. I like Wilson as a backup middle, he has great measurables and works hard. I would like to see us run a little more 3-4 with Smith, Rodgers and Ellis up front and both Vilma and Wilson on the inside. However, we do need to quality outside linebackers, preferrably one that can pass rush off the STRONG SIDE.

Corners: Here, we are set with Patrick, Porter and Greer, all studs, who need to be let loose on ballhawking a little. I think they were more worried with breaking up the pass than intercepting it.

Safeties: I am torn here. I love Jenkins and Harper, but they are not used correctly. Harper, couldn’t cover my eighty year old mother with altiemers, much less a good tight end or running back. However, at rushing the passer and supporting the run, there is none better. I think a smart defensive minded coach could utilize his skill set. Jenkins is a great free safety, who can’t catch cold. He needs to work on his hands. He needs to be trained to catch the ball in the open and in traffic. Amaya is too small, I hate small safeties, they have trouble tackling the big men and safeties have to be able to tackle, if nothing else. Abdul-Quddus on the other hand could be the one to replace Harper as a cover safety. These two could be used as a single player, put into the correct situations.

All and all I like our present players on defense and think a smart defensive coordinator could use the talent he has with the help of two new outside linebackers.