For the first time since agreeing to become defensive coordinator for the Saints, Gregg Williams met with reporters at the Senior Bowl workouts in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 19.
Needless to say, Williams made quite an impression during a 30-minute interview in which he outlined his opportunity with the Saints and what he envisions for a defensive unit that ranked 26th and 23rd in total yards allowed, respectively, in 2007 and 2008.
The first day of Senior Bowl practices was the first day on the job for Williams, who was hired by Saints coach Sean Payton on Jan. 15. He took over for Gary Gibbs, who ran the Saints' defense for three seasons until he was fired 10 days after the conclusion of an 8-8 season.
During his meeting with reporters, Williams showed his passion for coaching defense, which included much discussion about his scheme and strategy and how to use the team's personnel to its advantage.
Payton certainly was attracted to Williams' aggressive and attacking style of defense, which should be a nice complement to an offense that has led the NFL in total yards two of Payton's first three seasons in New Orleans.
"I'm really excited," Williams said. "I think it's a perfect fit."
Payton thought so, too. He reportedly gave $250,000 of his salary to help lure Williams to the Saints and added Williams' oldest son, Blake, to the coaching staff in an unspecified position. That helped swing the deal for Payton to keep Williams from going to Green Bay or Tennessee.
But while Williams insisted that he's no savior and that the improvement he expects the Saints to make next season will come from the players themselves, fans are giddy about what he brings to the table.
Williams said his scheme is a "multiple hybrid form of defense" based primarily on Buddy Ryan's famed "46" scheme and influenced over time by other successful coaches.
He said the personnel packages are extensive and the pressure packages, especially in the way he can disguise which players are blitzing and which ones are covering, are very good.
"I've got 24 ways to add up to 11, 24 names that go into what group of guys we're going to put out on the field," Williams said. "We're able to utilize every single person that makes the team. We'll find a package and try to utilize the strength of that guy to try to help us win football games.
"We want to be a tough defense, we want to be a smart defense, and everywhere I've been able to play, we've been pretty nasty," Williams said. "We've been able to play with good aggressiveness. Those are the things that I think win you football games, tough close football games -- that's toughness and intelligence."
