ESPN's Chris Mortensen Says Saints' Intensity Impressive

On July 1, 1967, New Orleans Saints rookies and quarterbacks reported to the organization's first training camp—Fears' concentration camp as it was called, referring to the first coach in team history, Tom Fears. It was on the Cal Western campus in San Diego.

Some of the veterans said it was the most difficult camp they ever attended.

The Saints and Chargers scrimmaged twice—physical scrimmages by all accounts.

Ugggghhhhhhh. Booooooom. Baaaaaammmmmm. A thousand little car wrecks out there.

The Saints administered a lot of punishment to those San Diego Chargers, convincing players, owners, and reporters that this new NFL entry had a bright future.

Forty years later and we see the old adage "the more things change the more they stay the same" still applies today.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen called Saints training camp, "The most physical I've seen on my NFL tour and probably one of the most physical I will see."

Mortenson told WWL's Bobby Hebert Monday night something we have all known for quite some time now. This 2009 Saints training camp is all about a rockstar defensive coordinator named Gregg Williams, and Mortensen says the difference in the intensity level is noticeable from the start.

Williams is probably not a whole lot of fun to be around when that sweltering New Orleans August sun is beating down on you in sheets and he is screaming in your ear about what you didn't do right. Williams is more concerned about winning games than popularity contests. He says matter-of-factly that he is "job interviewing" for every position.

No assistant coach in team history has garnered this much attention. As ESPN's Mortensen pointed out, Williams carries the burden of changing the culture of this Saints defense. 

No way he will be intimidated. He is a proven winner having elevated defenses wherever he has been.

Williams is a swashbuckler. A risk-taker. Sort of what Greg Norman was to golf in the '90s.

"Gregg would blitz from the sidelines if it wasn't against the rules."

Intensity. Accountability. Attitude.

Defensive line coach Bill Johnson mirrors Williams' burning intensity. Mortenson cited Johnson's great reputation around the league. The Saints were one of the beneficiaries of the ongoing disaster in Denver these days when they snatched Johnson following Mike Shanahan's dismissal.

Johnson's predecessor Ed Orgeron was OK if you're into cornpone and bullshit.

Williams and Johnson aren't cornpone and bullshit kind of guys.

On Dec. 29, 2008, following the Saints' last game of a second straight disappointing season, defensive end Bobby McCray was polite and diplomatic when addressing the issue of embattled defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs, a reserved man whose defenses reflected his reserved personality.

McCray said of Gibbs and his style, "We had a good scheme this year. I would rather see if we could give them some new looks, just mix it up a little bit, kind of confuse the offense a little bit, just do some different things at times."

Eight months later, McCray is downright ecstatic about the change from Gibbs to Williams.

Said McCray this week: "The defense is completely different. He (Williams) has given us a completely different mentality and swagger right now. We're going to come at a lot of offenses this year attacking at different angles...You're going to sleep blitzes left, right, up the middle. He'd probably do it from the sideline if he could. Gregg would probably blitz himself if he thought he could."

Williams, himself, says he is a sinner not a savior. Just a part of the puzzle.

"I'm not into individual football. I'm so sick and tired of me, me, me; the me generation. Look at me, look at me, look at me. It's look at us. This is not about me. It's about the Saints defense."