Saints Gab

The Saints fired defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs on Wednesday after the defense finished 23rd in the league this past season. The defense has been the source of much criticism this year as the Saints had a record-setting season for its offense but still finished the season 8 and 8. Struggling all year with injuries, the defense allowed several big plays by opponents against the secondary and was also criticized for its lack of a pass rush.

Gibbs came to the Saints in 2006 under Coach Payton with the defense finishing 11th that season. However, the defense declined in 2007 as they allowed over 348 yards per game and finished 26th. The defense did a little better this year, giving up 339.5 yards.

Before coming to the Saints, Gibbs had been the linebackers coach for the Dallas Cowboys for four years. Before coming to the NFL, Gibbs had been the defensive coordinator for both LSU and Georgia but was probably best known for his time at Oklahoma where he spent six years as head coach from 1989 to 1994.

From: Pro Football Weekly

Yet again, the Saints will head into the offseason looking to remodel a defense that failed to hold up its end of the bargain. Sources say head coach Sean Payton is likely to consider a few options — either keep the defensive coaching staff intact and make a philosophical change or fire D-coordinator Gary Gibbs. The Saints made five major additions, through free agency, trades and the draft, on defense last offseason, adding MLB Jonathan Vilma, CB Randall Gay, DE Bobby McCray, DT Sedrick Ellis and CB Tracy Porter to the mix yet despite that infusion of talent, the defense’s improvement has not been significant enough.

The New Orleans Saints showed that there is no question in how great their offense still is and will become in 2008. Even without Deuce, Shockey, and Colston playing last week. The Saints marched down the field for 80 yards and a touchdown on their opening drive.

The defense held their own, but still showed they are in need of improvement if they want to make a Super Bowl run this year. Vilma and McKenzie were missing last week, and it may be later in the month before they get onto the field. Even with the two high profile players out, the Saints defense will have to improve on unit cohesion, in the coming weeks.

A few things to look for when the Saints host the Texans this weekend will be if Meachem can duplicate his 4 catch 129 yard 1 TD game against the Cardinals. If he can, teams are going to be in trouble if they have to prepare for Colston, Shockey, Bush, Meachem and McAllister being on the field at the same time.

The battle is wide open still for the CB2 position; anyone can still make some plays and establish themselves as the weak side corner. Look for Usama Young, and second round draft pick Porter to step up their game.

Mark Simoneau is not going to give up his spot without a fight, but if Vilma is healthy he will not have a choice.

Most teams do not show allot in preseason, but Gary Gibbs is going to have to show something, if he wants teams to take notice of the newly overhauled defense. Or that may be his plan, to make teams think they are not better, and then surprise them come regular season. Of coarse that last part is just wishful thinking.