Saints start making defensive changes

The Saints defense will have a new look next season. Coach Sean Payton will have at least two new coaches on that side of the ball with DC Gary Gibbs being let go yesterday and DL Coach Ed Orgeron leaving to go to Tennessee.

According to the Times Picayune, former Buffalo Bills head coach Gregg Williams has already been brought in for an interview. Williams is one of the hot names for DC openings this offseason and he has been rumored to be a candidate for the Packers opening as well. With all the openings around the league for head coaches and coordinators, the Saints need to act fast if they want Williams or another of the hot names out there. They are already behind the 8-ball by waiting a week and a half after the season to part ways with Gibbs.

Williams will likely demand a lot of money, so it will be interesting to see if the Saints pony up for him or go with another rising defensive mind. The Picayune gives other possible candidates as Washington secondary coach Jerry Gray, Eagles secondary coach Sean McDermott, Titans assistant head coach/linebackers coach Dave McGinnis, Buccaneers linebackers coach Casey Bradley and Jaguars secondary coach Donnie Henderson. Former Saints head coach Jim Haslett also could be available.

The Saints will also be looking for a new defensive line coach and the only name that I've heard that they want to speak to is Denver Broncos line coach Bill Johnson.

When I heard Gibbs was let go, besides being happy that a change will be made, ny first thought was how will this affect our chances to retain Jonathan Vilma? Vilma said that he enjoyed his first season in New Orleans, but how will he feel about coming back and learning a new scheme? If he goes elsewhere in free agency, he'll also have to learn a new scheme, so now it will likely come down to who will pay him the most money.