Gregg Williams could join Fisher after season

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 8, 2012, 10:57 AM EST
Getty Images

Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ contract will quietly run out after New Orleans’ season is over. Well, the story isn’t quiet any more.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that many people around the league believe Williams will join forces with his best buddy Jeff Fisher in St. Louis or Miami after the season.

Of course, this could be another leverage game by a coach. Williams could be getting this message out there in order to get the Saints to raise their contract offer for him.

Williams would love to be a head coach in the league again, and we happen to think he could be a good one. But that doesn’t appear likely to happen this offseason, so perhaps he really could bolt New Orleans after the year.

A long playoff run by the Saints would certainly help Williams’ leverage in getting a big deal.

Permalink 29 Comments Feed for comments Back to top

29 responses to “Gregg Williams could join Fisher after season”

  1. Friend or no friend, why leave a dominant team for a perrienial loser? A dynasty is developing in the Big Easy and his legacy is growing

  2. Fisher is going to the Rams. That is why they let McDaniels out of the contract because Fisher is going to bring in kis own people and by letting McDaniels out of the contract to go to NE the Rams will not have to pay him. Otherwise he would have first been fired and then sign on with another team. The New England opportunity gave the Rams an out.

  3. So the head coach who is known for churning out mediocre teams year after year is going to hire a DC who is known for churning out mediocre to bad defensive units year after year.

    Exciting times in the Gateway City.

  4. As a Miami fan from day one I would love to see Williams come to Miami as head coach or OC, what a great upgrade that would be, we would go crazy seeing long passes late in the game instead of 1 yard and a cloud of dirt. Bill

  5. I don’t know that his legacy is growing. The reason the Saints are winning is offense. The defense is middle of the road at best. I wouldn’t be too bummed out if Williams left. If we get another decent DC to replace him, assuming he leaves, we’ll be fine.

  6. That would be dumb. You already have a winni g product that you put out on the field. Owners notice that. Why if you want to be a HC again, leave your winning team and go hang out with your best buddy.

  9. A “dynasty” is forming? Why are NFL fans so delusional? The Saints have all the earmarks of a “perennial contender,” but a true capitol D Dynasty hasn’t happened since the 1960s Packers.

    Between free agency, age, injury and ego, the clutchless shifts of the NFL will keep any team from doing more than New England has this decade, the Cowboys and Broncos did in the 90s, the Niners did in the 80s and the Steelers and Dolphins did in the 70s: a solid run with multiple Super Bowls.

    Anything more than that is ignorant hubris.

    As it is, the Saints aren’t even the team of the decade, and should win at least one or two more before their fans should proclaim them the team of this next decade, let alone a “dynasty” (which would take at least a threepeat, something not done since the 60s Pack).

  12. realitypolice:

    You are wrong, he does produce solid defenses every single year. Opposing teams almost always have to pass heavy against the Saints, because they run up the score. Gregg Williams should probably be a head coach of a team with a good offensive personnel GM. Or he should just stay on the Saints because they are a good match.

  13. thatobnoxiousguy says:
    Jan 8, 2012 11:02 AM
    Friend or no friend, why leave a dominant team for a perrienial loser? A dynasty is developing in the Big Easy and his legacy is growing

    ============

    I still cant believe people completely forgot the “Greatest Show on Turf” and their Super Bowl run in 2000. Why the hell couldnt they turn around a Ram team with Bradford, S.Jackson, Brandon Lloyd, etc.

    its like that never happened. Its like football didnt exist before Brady and the Pats in 2001.

  14. One problem Bill, Williams is a Defensive Coordinator.

    Good to hear from another knowledgible Dolphins fan !

  15. Who ever said gregg williams isn’t that great of a defensive coach, look at what he did in Washington, the guy had all the peaces and had a top 10 unit all but 1 year he was there. I dont know if NO is giving him the peaces he needs or what to make that a top 10 D but Williams is a really good defensive coordinator. He really got F’ed out of the job in DC I much would have rather had him then Zorn.

  17. Say what you will about Gregg Williams, but his defenses make the plays and get the stops when they absolutely must have them. As a Saints fan, I think it would be insane to let Williams go. Then again, I suppose I should wait for the outcome of this season before passing judgment.

  19. Not going to happen. Williams has said that:

    1. He tried to get Drew Brees when he was coaching in Buffalo, because coaching defense is easier when you have a great quarterback on your side (his words – look it up).

    2. He knows he’s a better D-Coord than a HC (again, I’m just quoting the man).

    This is probably just leverage in contract negotiations, like the article said.

  20. “A “dynasty” is forming? Why are NFL fans so delusional? The Saints have all the earmarks of a “perennial contender,” but a true capitol D Dynasty hasn’t happened since the 1960s Packers.”

    Ummm…Steelers? Niners?

  21. Great timing if this is a ploy by Williams for a raise.

    He’s a good DC – but as a head coach? Wasn’t he running his mouth during the Super Bowl run causing problems for Payton?

    He looks like a career coordinator to me.

    Has he had any rumors around him to get a HC gig? Seems a little unstable.

  22. Gregg is just playing a game to get a better contract. The only way he leaves the Saints is if he gets a head coaching job. IMO, if he demands to much they just might let him walk. Joe Vitt knows the game inside and out…he can coach the D.

  23. He could leave…. But I think he’d find calling defensive plays a lot more difficult when the opposing offense isn’t one-dimensional due to the fact that they’re down 2-3 scores and knows they need to throw the ball.

    Williams and his defensive scheme would come down to earth quickly if the offense weren’t so prolific. So he won’t leave, unless it’s for a head coaching job.

  25. What has this guy done that’s so great? All he does is teach his players how to be dirty and hit late. NO’s defense is terrible. If Brees didn’t throw for 400 yrds every game, they wouldn’t even be in the playoffs.

  27. Saints a dynasty ? Don’t forget they lost to the “perrienial loser” this season. But so did the Browns. So don’t feel to bad.

  28. nagaswan says:
    Jan 8, 2012 11:34 AM
    realitypolice:

    You are wrong, he does produce solid defenses every single year. Opposing teams almost always have to pass heavy against the Saints, because they run up the score. Gregg Williams should probably be a head coach of a team with a good offensive personnel GM. Or he should just stay on the Saints because they are a good match.
    ==========================

    Average defensive ranking of 17th = Mediocre

    Spin it any way you want, fan boy.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Not a member? Register now!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.