Oxnard, California - Defenders of the Saints of New Orleans "poured into a semi-darkness of their first meeting of training camp in late July, there was little mystery about the horror film could wait.
There on the podium, was very tense defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, is preparing to release a value of more than six months accumulating, lock-out oriented frustration.
There on the video screen, was the Seattle Seahawks half Marshawn Lynch (notes), preparing to break the Saints in a touchdown pass of 67 yards that landed in Seattle 41-36 playoffs surprising surprise of the defending Super Bowl champions in January.
Suffice to say that the beast has not been particularly well received by this panel.
"It 'was a classic Gregg Williams," recalls rear corner Tracy Porter (notes), one of eight New Orleans defenders, who had a clear shot Lynch, an agreement to play - and the only one who was armed with a brutal turf rigid Qwest Field. "He wanted to give us motivation to come this year. He wants us to be a season not know we had a bad taste in my mouth. He showed that the [PLAY], and certainly put us on the edge.
"Now is the time for payback."
Just as Porter knows how it feels to spend the offseason enjoying the luxury life out of all days - the 74-yard interception return for a touchdown and Peyton Manning (record) pass the Saints won the Super Bowl XLIV profit Indianapolis Colts 18 months ago - he and his teammates now understand the negative side in this equation. Williams, who also appears in various quotes from Lynch and the analysts projected a number of great play by Seahawks' of that game, will be responsible for preventing a continuation.
To this end, the Saints brought in some reinforcements in the project, the collection of former Cal defensive end Cameron Jordan (note) in the first round and former linebacker Martez Wilson Illinois (notes) in the third. A couple of tackles acquired through free agency, Shaun Rogers (notes) and Aubrayo Franklin (notes), displacement of Remi Ayodele (notes) (Minnesota Vikings), linebacker Danny Clark (notes) and veteran safety Darren Sharper (notes) are not re-signed.
The result is a revamped line of All Saints best player defensively in the third year free safety Malcolm Jenkins (notes), the big picture.
"We know, as a defense, we are on the verge of greatness," says Jenkins. "We think we have the pieces to do it."
Jenkins is not an accident, has not played in the debacle of the playoffs against the Seahawks after suffering a knee injury in the final regular season team, losing 23-13 to Tampa Bay. The decision not to rest his starters for the game Saints coach Sean Payton chased all season.
"I probably should have done differently," Payton said last Thursday in Oxnard, where he took the team during camp a week of training ahead of Sunday's preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. "I really thought about it, and which may have this wrong."
In defense of Payton, the Saints still had a mathematical chance of winning the NFC South and clinching home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Yet, in addition to defeat the Bucs, New Orleans would have had the worst team in the league, the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome anger.
By the time Payton did not happen - the Falcons cruised to a 31-10 victory - Jenkins, defensive back Chris Ivory and end Jimmy Graham (notes), a rising star - had been wounded keep them out the Seahawks game.
I just received an impressive 17-14 victory Monday night over the Falcons at the end of December, the Saints looked like a threat to the legitimate defense of its title. Then, at Qwest Field, the fourth in the league in total defense of 415 meters has enabled more than 100 above its average in the regular season.
Lynch was executed and when the game tent, pass defense in the league's No. 4 also fought hard, as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (notes) burned the Saints for 272 yards and four touchdowns.
"As a defense we played all year, and until we were going in that game - and how it started [in New Orleans, taking 10-0 lead] - we felt very pleased with ourselves," veteran Linebacker Scott Shanle (notes) says. "So things are messed up. This game was unlike anything that had happened during the season."
As a result, the Saints spent the offseason to deal with the fallout. Most have tried to avoid the highlights of the word Lynch, with little success. "I hated this year's ESPYs," said Shanle, who were the first to play Tackle.
Jordan, a shout-out to fellow alum Cal, urged his supporters to vote Twitter to launch Lynch to win a year's ESPY as "Best Game", he quickly e-booed by fans following the stress saints traumatic by the earthquake.
"I can not wear it," says Jordan. "This is blasphemy."
Jordan, the Saints 'coaches hope can help improve a pass rush this lack of consistency in 2010, which was one reason why the Saints' win total has fallen so sharply. After forcing 39 turnovers in '09, one of the NFL lead in New Orleans was only 25 last season, including nine interceptions lower leagues.
Williams, who has rejected the opportunity to interview the head coaching job in Denver (17-31 as the coach went to Buffalo Bills, 2001-03), let the defenders know they must improve in this area. The message seems to resonate. Payton said he noticed that the defense is "playing the edge" from the beginning of the field, and the man who makes it a crime in New Orleans' running both on board, too.
"They always play with a point," quarterback Drew Brees (Notes) tells of his counterparts on the defensive. "I think Gregg Williams of the stems.'s Self-proclaimed crazy. No doubt, gives an arrogance, an element of trust, and only a super-aggressive mentality. You can really see [this summer]."
The challenge for players of Williams is to achieve more of the intensity of the regular season, starting with the dreaded opens September 8 against Aaron Rodgers (notes) and defending champion Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
"I think there will be a slight advantage this year because we are hungry for the defense," Pro Bowl strong safety culture, Roman Harper (notes) says. "We know we can be better than what we showed last game. We must take advantage of one of the top offensive units in the league.
"We hope to make big splash and get people to stop talking about the way last season ended."
In the meantime, they can expect regular reminders of their defensive coordinator.
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