I really wanted Rizzi a shot at head coach but he shouldn’t be the hire now... (1 Viewer)

[St. Widge]

We need a complete overhaul of coaching staff. Keep not 1 of these coaches. Not saying that they all suck, but this team needs an overhaul.

Yep. Even Rizzi has to go. If for no other reason, I doubt a new coach wants the former interim coach looking over his shoulder and having the players look to him.

Also, Underhill just posted an article saying that Mathieu said for 3 years other than this last training camp, all practices were essentially at half speed and during the season they only run around 65 plays in practice per week where as a team like KC runs 200. If Rizzi was part of that, and he didn't change it, he definitely needs to go to.

 

[Bill]

Never was a yes for me. He is a very good coordinator, but it is clear that is his ceiling.

Even though he literally had no chance of winning out when he took over (primarily due to his depleted team), the declining finish in these final games along with a 3-5 record is going to close the door on his dream of being the Saints new head coach.

I’m not sure what his reputation is with other coaches around the league, but I have to wonder if he would be willing to accept the special teams coach job here even if offered. He seems to be really good in that role.

 

[Bill]

He better not be even considered. He did not show me anything.

His guys liked him and played hard for him. They simply ran out of talent to look like a real NFL team.

Also, he didn’t do any wholesale staff changes in him interim role. It’s hard to imagine that he would stay with the status quo if he became the new guy.

But to me he seems more like a cheerleader than a true nuts & bolts head coach. He’ll get an official interview, but I believe that Loomis already knows that the fans expect a premiere hire to trust that the Saints front office is serious about putting a contender back in New Orleans.

 

[SweetT]

Yep. Even Rizzi has to go. If for no other reason, I doubt a new coach wants the former interim coach looking over his shoulder and having the players look to him.

Also, Underhill just posted an article saying that Mathieu said for 3 years other than this last training camp, all practices were essentially at half speed and during the season they only run around 65 plays in practice per week where as a team like KC runs 200. If Rizzi was part of that, and he didn't change it, he definitely needs to go to.

65 plays compared to 200 is appalling if true

 

[Hedon James]

Yeah I was Team Rizzi and I get it with the injuries, but it would be really hard to sell anyone on the idea that he should be the HC through all of this.

Same here. I had high hopes for Rizzi but they haven't panned out like I hoped. Some were ready to give him the permanent job simply by beating the Falcons, and then winning 2 in a row by beating Cleveland. Others were ready to move on from him simply by losing his first game. He had an 8-game audition and I wanted to see his collective body of work. Joe Paterno used to say "you're never as good as you like when you win; and you're never as bad as you look when you lose." Allusion to the fine line between winning and losing....the "little things".

I said at the start, if he went 6-2 or better, I wanted him to get the job. I was even good with 5-3, if he stole a victory from a team we had no business beating...the Rams, Commanders, or Packers. Anything less was just going to be beating losing teams, and losing to winning teams....same as DA, but with more "fire." Now, we're looking at 3-5 or 4-4 if he can engineer a final hurrah. But he hasn't met the criteria that I mentally established to myself to champion his cause. That arse-whooping at the hands of the Packers was one of the worst beatings I saw since the Ditka era. And now the loss against the Raiders....acknowledged to be one of the worst teams in the league....just proves we are worse than we thought. I saw none of the Rizzi fire over the past 2 weeks. And I'm expecting the team to just roll over and hand TB the NFCS next week.

Admittedly, this isn't all on Rizzi. I didn't expect him to lead the Saints to the playoffs, but I did hope for improvement. I saw more "fire" and "grit" for several weeks, but this team continues to be plagued by the same issues we saw under DA....untimely penalties; poor situational game awareness and/or clock management; seeming lack of preparation; stunted or minimal development of backline players; and a comedy of injuries, like I have never seen before in my life.

Rizzi was dealt a crappy hand. You can't just fire positional coaches/coordinators and replace them mid-season; same with the roster. He's been handcuffed with DA's selections of coaches, and all he could do with player selection is churn the bottom of the roster. I wonder what he could do with HIS selections of coaches, players, and culture changes? What HIS vision would be....HIS plan to rebuild? But I temper that with the knowledge that I haven't seen much growth/development of rookies and backline players over the course of the season. Is that a reflection of the "wrong" players? Or the wrong coaches? I don't know, but neither are confidence inspiring for me.

I'm off the Rizzi train, for all these reasons. He's had more of an opportunity to stake his claim to the job than any other candidate we may interview, and has failed to SEIZE the opportunity. I'm not opposed to him, but I'm no longer hoping for him either. I'll be onboard with whomever gets the job, and hope like hell it's the next incarnation of CSP.

 

[tim martin]

shoulda never been considered. he is a fiery guy who may get guys to play hard but we need a culture change who is a whiz in Xs and Os