Gregg Williams' defensive aggressiveness pays off huge in Dallas
It may not have been the blitzes or defensive schemes that Gregg Williams calls on Sundays. It may not have been the game plan execution he desires of his defensive players. But, the Saints win over the Cowboys on Thursday in Dallas, it was the defensive smarts and toughness of Gregg Williams which made a difference for the team. The fortitude and clever thinking of Malcolm Jenkins had Gregg Williams written all of over the defensive play he made against the Cowboys WR Roy Williams.
Jenkins stated to reporters,
"Really the entire fourth quarter that was our mentality, that we had to get the offense another possession," he said. "Especially when the play breaks, if they get that field goal the game could be out of hand so my only thought was our only hope is to get the ball out. Honestly, that could have been a catastrophe. It was definitely huge for us."
Gregg Williams prepares his teams to aggressively strip the ball from opponents. The idea is to always create an opportunity for a Drew Brees led offense to get back onto the field. His defense responds and are true disciples of his defensive philosophies. Sean Payton two decisions proved huge for New Orleans on Thursday. One, pay Williams part of my paycheck and two, draft Malcolm Jenkins. A third decision looms large as well. That is to start Jenkins as the other Pro Bowl ball hawk watched from the sidelines, Darren Sharper.
Reggie Bush stated it well after the game.
"I would relate that play to (wide receiver) Robert Meachem's play last year against the Washington Redskins," said Bush.
The Saints are now 8-3 in the NFL and sit 1/2 game out of first-place in the NFC South behind the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons will put their record to the test when an Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay Packers team visits them on Sunday afternoon. Hence, Gregg Williams' mentality and Malcom Jenkins' heads-up play may have given the Super Bowl Champs the chance they needed to regain supremacy in the NFC South title race.
The great outdoors: There has been a lot of talk about how New Orleans’ offense is built for a dome and doesn’t play as well outdoors. But some numbers dispute that. According to ESPN Stats & Information, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees completed 61.9 percent of his throws of 21 yards or more down field during the regular season when playing outdoors. In indoor games, Brees completed only 50 percent of his passes of 21 yards or more.
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