Williams Bringing New Attittude, Playing Style to New Orleans Saints

Attitude and swagger; two words that have become clichés in sports but in reality their worth is unmeasurable. The Miami Hurricanes had them in the '90s, as do the Southern Cal Trojans now, not to mention Michael Jordan, Mariano Rivera had them in spades and now the New Orleans Saints are ready to bring them to the NFL.

The New Orleans Saints?

Yes, the New Orleans Saints.

After a disappointing 2008-2009 campaign the Saints are getting ready for a new identity. The Saints have recently measured themselves via Sean Payton's trickery and offensive scheming but it's clear that the front office in New Orleans has decided that identity is not going to cut it anymore.

The Saints were soft at best on defense last year and the front office has decided it is high time to change that perception and reality. The front office also decided that there was only one man for the job, Gregg Williams.

Williams has bounced around the NFL for most of his career but he is most famous for an unsuccessful stint as the Buffalo Bills head coach and successful stints as a defensive coordinator for many different teams, including the 2000 Tennessee Titans who lost to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Williams is known around the league for aggressive defensive schemes that focus on pressuring the quarterback and forcing turnovers.

That was the kind of attitude New Orleans head coach Sean Payton was looking for in a coordinator.

"A lot has gone into this decision, and we targeted Gregg as the coach we’d like to hire after our first interview because he was so impressive and prepared," Payton said when the team announced Williams' hiring.

“As an offensive coach, I have game-planned against his defenses in the past, and I know the problems they create. He’s an aggressive coach, but his units are always sound fundamentally. We have some pieces in place for him to work with, and I know he’s excited to get started."

"Gregg is a tremendous addition to our coaching staff," New Orleans Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis said. "We were looking for a coach with experience, a proven track record of success and a clear philosophy on where the improvements needed to be made on our defense and that process."

Sure enough, New Orleans had found him. Williams' defenses have put up stunning numbers.

During his time with Tennessee his teams consistently set franchise records by running a 4-3 scheme centered on different blitz packages and aggressive downfield coverages. However the Titans' defensive performance under Williams in 2000 went one step farther.

On the way to the Super Bowl the Titans allowed only 191 points over the course of the season, the third fewest in a season since the league picked up a 16-game schedule.

In the same role with the Washington Redskins from 2004-2007 Williams designed schemes that consistently frustrated opponents. Over his four year stay in the nation's capital the Redskins ranked sixth in the NFL in total defense, allowing only 306.6 yards per game, and ninth in scoring defense, allowing only 19.4 points per game.

Since his arrival in The Big Easy his colleagues and players have sung praises of the new play style and play calling. Though the Saints have yet to practice full pads, a clear difference from years past to this season can already be felt.

"Certainly they're trying to build a confidence and a swagger," Saints quarterback Drew Brees told the media after the team's third organized team activity of the off season. "We don't have pads on, but you'd think it was a padded practice with the way guys are flying around."

Payton could also tell a difference, not only on the field but also in working with Williams off the field. Williams brings an intensity and passion to his life that translates into a better defense on the field.

"He’s a good leader," Payton said at the same OTA. "He’s a guy that outside of the scheme aspect of football, his defenses have played real hard. That’s something you can see on film and it’s something that we’re having a chance to see now and that’s one of the reasons why we wanted to hire him."

Williams has already changed the way that the defense practices and now he'll move on to changing the way they play. Brees, who is known for his ability to be familiar with and read a defense, is positive that Williams attitude and passion will translate over to the players in no time.

"Certainly I think his style of football is one that breeds confidence and almost borderline arrogance out there that we’re going to come after you and get you," Brees said. "I love that attitude."