Gregg Williams To St. Louis; Steve Spagnuolo A Candidate In New Orleans, Atlanta

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jan 15, 2012 11:33 AM CST in St. Louis Rams Hire Jeff Fisher

Saturday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers probably wasn't what Gregg Williams had hoped for in his last game as the New Orleans Saints' defensive coordinator. Touchdown drives of 80+ yards in the last four minutes against Alex Smith capped off what's otherwise been a pretty successful run with the Saints. Williams will, in all likelihood, be joining Jeff Fisher with the St. Louis Rams, replacing Ken Flajole as the defensive coordinator.

There are some key differences, and, for once, the Rams might have some advantages over the Saints in terms of defensive personnel.

There's already been some 140-character outbursts of complaint on Twitter about Williams coming to St. Louis after yesterday's game. New Orleans isn't loaded with talent on their defense. In fact, every Rams starter on the defensive line grades higher than the Saints front four according to the regular season grades from Pro Football Focus. All of the Saints' linebackers graded negatively. Compare Jonathan Vilma's -19.0 overall score with James Laurinaitis' 5.6 overall score.

My point: Gregg Williams comes to St. Louis already having better talent to work with than he did this season in New Orleans.

Here's Williams expressing his disappointment by kicking a stray football in yesterday's game.

via assets.sbnation.com

Speaking of the Rams' defense, former defensive coordinator, er, head coach Steve Spagnuolo is said to be a candidate to replace Williams in New Orleans, along with Mike Nolan, according to Adam Schefter. Spagnuolo is also said to be in the running for the Falcons' DC job. As for reports that Spags will head back to Philly, that could still happen as well.

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Comments

Forget Williams as DC

sign him as the PK

Who's faster home to first? Yadi or Torty?

by huja on Jan 15, 2012 11:40 AM CST reply actions

Can you give me a Link

to those grades? Thx

http://www.codex99.com/illustration/images/foster/songbird_sm.jpg

by Da Rookie on Jan 15, 2012 11:42 AM CST reply actions

These arent the exact stats as referenced in the article, but

here is a pretty good source for player rankings:
http://wp.advancednflstats.com/defenderstats.php?pos=LB
16 vs 104
I think you need an account to see certain stats on PFF.

by OkieWXman on Jan 16, 2012 3:53 PM CST up reply actions

I agree with you 100%

The biggest problem the saints had was that there front four could never get any pressure, which will not be a problem in St. Louis. I still think spags is a better d-coordinator and if he goes to the saints than that team is going to be scary next year, plus spags d is meant to protect the lead wich is exactly what the saints need. If spags does go to the saints it’s a good thing we don’t play them next year.

by ramsrdebest on Jan 15, 2012 11:43 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I was thinking the exact same thing last nite, regarding the Rams and Saints D's...

It’s not like there are many outstanding or even well-known players on the Saints D, wheras the Rams have a nucleus on the defense that are either improving each season (Long), will improve each season (Quinn), or will look to step up even more each season (JL55). This is going to be a good fit for everyone involved.

"Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet - I'm gonna break your face..." The Champ

by JoolzMF on Jan 15, 2012 11:43 AM CST via mobile reply actions

WELL SPIT ON MY DICK!

by joemammaz on Jan 15, 2012 11:43 AM CST reply actions

I didn't realize Vilma was that bad

I thought he was a stud

Sam Bradford

by Jombari on Jan 15, 2012 11:59 AM CST reply actions

maybe he can be our kicking coach lol

My two favorite teams, the St. Louis Rams and whoever's playing the winers.

by caliramsfan1 on Jan 15, 2012 11:59 AM CST via mobile reply actions

So people are excited about Fisher but outraged over the first big discision he's connected to

sounds pretty silly to me

by TheBirds on Jan 15, 2012 12:02 PM CST reply actions

Bring on Williams

Another respected proven coach that demands excellence out of his players and will let you hear it if you don’t perform well. Just what the Rams need. I am tired of clapping on bad plays. I am tired of not calling out players.

Sam Bradford

by Jombari on Jan 15, 2012 12:21 PM CST reply actions

I think

williams may be a good fit for us to work with. I’m glade to see us transforming or coaching staff.

(Love by many hated by most) St. Louis Rams

by J-RAD2 on Jan 15, 2012 12:29 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Williams will have more to work with here.

by look closer on Jan 15, 2012 1:36 PM CST reply actions

I’m all for this move. This is a guy that Sean Payton wanted so badly in NO that he took money out of his own salary so they could meet his demands. And that led to a Super Bowl Ring – make it happen here! :)

by Telephun on Jan 15, 2012 2:03 PM CST reply actions

Williams like to blitz and drop 7-8, he likes to keep the Offenses guessing

Id like to see us add an Upshaw style player who is good for a system involving LB blitzes and will also be athletic enough to cover in zone when we drop back. The key is Quinn and Long, they allow the rams to get a 4 man pressure that the saints cant

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Jan 15, 2012 2:07 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Williams has to be an upgrade over Spags or Flajole

Mediocre at best under Spags. Fisher will probably bring his son Brandon over from Detroit where he is on the staff as defensive assistant. Schwartz likes Brandon Fisher.
I’d like to see us bring in Torry Holt or Issac Bruce to coach up the receivers. Definitely need a QB coach no matter who we hire as OC.

by Mister T on Jan 15, 2012 4:12 PM CST reply actions

As

a DC there is no way Williams is an upgrade over Spags. the D played fine but just played too much because of the pathetic O

by RWRAMS28 on Jan 15, 2012 4:21 PM CST up reply actions

Williams as a DC is way better than Spags as HC

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Jan 15, 2012 4:40 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

+1

by jmo53 on Jan 15, 2012 4:48 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

Really? No way?? No way??

What did you like defensively about Spag’s tenure here in St Louis? The fact that we were in the bottom 6 teams defensively for 3 straight years, or the fact that we were ranked dead last (#32) over that combined three year span? Or was it our prowess against the run (dead last)?

"To crush the Seahawks, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of the women."

by STLRambler on Jan 15, 2012 5:06 PM CST up reply actions