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http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nf ... /75867296/

The New Orleans Saints haven’t made any major changes just yet, but stay tuned.

Coming on the heels of a report Monday morning that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan had been fired, head coach Sean Payton said Ryan is “absolutely” still the team’s defensive coordinator, but wouldn’t rule out a change in the future.

“I do know this: Continuing along the same course we’re on right now is something we’re not going to do,” Payton said Monday from the team’s facility.

“I’m talking about us as players, as a staff collectively. You’ve got to look closely at what’s winning and what’s keeping you from winning.”

The Saints defense ranks last in the NFL in total yards allowed (424.7 per game) and in points allowed (31.5 per game). In particular, the last three games have been especially unproductive for New Orleans’ defense, as it has given up an average of 43.3 points per game to the Giants (5-5), the Titans (2-7) and the Redskins (4-5). The last two contests have ended up in Saints defeats.

Though Payton wouldn’t give Ryan a solid vote of confidence moving forward, he said that he and general manager Mickey Loomis would meet at some point in the next couple of days to discuss the future of the organization.

Rumor has it

Much like the Saints defense, the process of firing Rob Ryan took a long time to get off of the field...

Buddy's bumming somewhere.

Not so fast..

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/footb ... -1.2436477

The Saints are fresh off yet another disastrous defensive performance but still haven't fired Rob Ryan. Sean Payton said Ryan is "absolutely" the team's defensive coordinator on Monday morning — denying a Fox Sports report.

What is wrong with NO? Spagnuolo was historically bad with them when he's at least a mediocre coordinator. Ryan's nothing great but he's at least mediocre. But the Saints continue to be historically bad on that side of the ball.

moklerman wrote:What is wrong with NO? Spagnuolo was historically bad with them when he's at least a mediocre coordinator. Ryan's nothing great but he's at least mediocre. But the Saints continue to be historically bad on that side of the ball.

This is the question that makes me not too high on the idea of bringing in Payton to replace Fisher. He's a popular option these days as he's an offensive mind but he has historically had horrible defenses. Even Williams only had 1 or 2 good years there and nobody else has produced. Is it Payton? Is it the GM? Is it something in the water? Bottom line is for some reason New Orleans rarely has even an average defense.

Ryan got off to a fast start but his first year was his best. The Saints have a bye week this week.

Looks like it's official now:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14148 ... oordinator

Saints part ways with Rob Ryan; Dennis Allen takes over struggling D

The New Orleans Saints have fired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, coach Sean Payton confirmed on his weekly WWL Radio show.

The move came a day after the Saints allowed 47 points in a loss to the Washington Redskins.

Payton said the team arrived at the decision Monday afternoon. Senior defensive assistant Dennis Allen will take over Ryan's duties.

"He'll be handling everything from A to Z," Payton said.

Ryan was hired prior to the 2014 season with the hope of pairing a potent Drew Brees-led offense with at least a competent Saints defense, but the results have not been there.

"I'm disappointed for Rob it didn't work out," Payton said. "I'll tell you one thing now: He's a fantastic staff guy, respected greatly, not only in the locker room but by his peers. And we just had to look closely at some point to at least give this an option because the direction we were heading wasn't good. We really struggled with substitutions, getting lined up, getting guys on the field and being able to function."

New Orleans (4-6) ranks last in total defense and yards allowed per game (424.7) and is second-to-last in passing yards allowed per game (293.1). The 424.7 yards allowed per game would be the second-most in NFL history, behind the 2012 Saints.

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins torched the Saints' secondary for 324 yards and four touchdowns Sunday en route to a perfect 158.3 passer rating and a 90.1 Total QBR. New Orleans is on pace to shatter the NFL record for the highest opponents' passer rating allowed (116.5).

The Saints have allowed 14 touchdown passes the past three weeks. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Saints became the first team to allow at least four TD passes without an interception in three straight games.

Sunday's loss marked the second time New Orleans allowed more than 45 points in a game this season and the fourth time it allowed at least 30. The Saints are the only team in the league to average more than 30 points per game allowed (31.5).

Ryan is the first assistant coach Payton has fired in the middle of a season, and the decision comes as the team heads into its bye week. The Saints return to action Nov. 29 with a road game against the Houston Texans.

"Dennis and I have spoken at length and will continue to speak," Payton said. "I recognize it's a tough challenge mid-stride."

Ryan's Deficient Defenses

Since defensive efficiency began being measured in 2006, only once has a Rob Ryan-led defense been ranked in the top 10.

NFL RANK

2015 Saints Last
2014 Saints 30th
2013 Saints 11th
2012 Cowboys 29th
2011 Cowboys 17th
2010 Browns 25th
2009 Browns 26th
2008 Raiders 21st
2007 Raiders 26th
2006 Raiders 9th
-- ESPN Stats & Information

Earlier Monday, Payton had shot down a report that Ryan had been fired and said no such decision had been made, but he didn't rule it out as a possibility.

Ryan, 52, had immediate success when he was hired as the Saints' defensive coordinator in 2013. He lifted the Saints to fourth in the NFL in total defense that year as they went 11-5 and won a playoff game.

But the Saints' defense fell back to 31st in 2014, and the team went 7-9. It was almost a surprise when Payton didn't fire Ryan after the season.

Payton said he liked Ryan's passion and work ethic, but he chafed at the constant assignment and alignment errors, which have led to several sideline shouting matches.

Instead of firing Ryan, Payton demanded the defensive coordinator simplify his complex playbook and weekly schemes. Also, Payton brought in Allen to help lead the secondary.

The Saints overhauled much of their defensive roster, which includes three rookie starters, but the defense has been plagued by injuries.

Over the past 12 years, Ryan, the son of former NFL coach Buddy Ryan and the twin brother of Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan, has been a defensive coordinator with the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Saints. He was fired after two years in Dallas with similar complaints about his playbook being too complicated.

ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett contributed to this report.