Saints Nation: Should Steve Spagnuolo Be Fired?
A nuclear bomb was dropped on Steve Spagnuolo and the Saints' coaching staff late last night while most of us were sleeping. Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune, citing an anonymous player of the Saints, gave the player's opinion that Spagnuolo should be fired immediately. What bothers me the most about these quotes is, well, pretty much all of it. Where to even start? Everyone hates him, he's not open to suggestion, he rules with an iron thumb, he's a poor communicator and he struggles mightily with in game adjustments. If any of that is even half true, he should indeed be fired immediately.
Of course, this is one player's word and he won't even reveal his name and stand behind his comments. It could be a prominent player on the team that is entrenched in the lineup, or a disgruntled player on his way out. If I had to guess, it's mostly likely the latter... and if that's the case you have to wonder if his comments are motivated purely by some sort of revenge, or if there's significant genuine sincerity to them. If the locker room does feel anything close to what is suggested, though, it's a really bad sign.
Even if you're not interested in hearsay or the word of one anonymous player, dealing in fact is enough to state a pretty significant case against Spagnuolo returning. If there was ever a justification for firing a coach after one season, this would pretty much be it. The Saints were the first team in NFL history to yield over 7,000 yards from scrimmage in one season. That's right, the worst ever. The Saints finished 32nd overall, 32nd against the run, and 31st against the pass. The fan base has generally leaned towards blaming the talent, or lack thereof, but this latest news could maybe shift that. I know it's made me question everything all over again, and when you consider that the defense didn't really improve as they saved their absolute worst performance for week 17 - maybe Spagnuolo should be sent packing. After all, the Saints were bad last year under Gregg Williams, but they weren't the worst ever. The talent this year was similar, if not better with Bunkley and Lofton.
Do you think Spagnuolo should be fired? Does this latest article change things for you?
If it was possible to get Lovie Smith, I would say yes no questions asked. However, maybe when Peyton gets back they can work out some of the issues, hit free agents and drafts and get this working.
No he should not be fired.
Any player that complains anonymously should not be quoted in a story!
As bad as the defense played this year, it's not like the offense was firing on all cylinders either!
It does.. Thing is... When he was hired I was like spaguano-who (see what I did there)? Then I was like fire him. Then I saw the defense improving and had hope for next year. However it had a way downfall this last game. Reason it didn't bother me, the reason I didn't ask myself what should change? I didn't care anymore. But this has emphasized the attention on him again. And now I realise the progression was based on luck rather then skill. The opponents just sucked I guess. Just like when Brees threw 5 ints.. that was not because the Falcons were so good.. Brees was bad, though Falcon players have you believe otherwise. Some goes for our defense? Was it really so good or were the opponents so crappy? I can recall Freeman being worse then Tebow against the Saints.
So what is really at the end of the day the result. Worst Defense Ever. Guys have been fired for less. Heck, EVERY defensive coach in the NFL EVER who has EVER been fired has done a better job then Spagnuolo. If I were the worst ever in my job I would be fired for sure.
So at the end of the day. Fire him! Just 1 player saying this is clear evidence (unlike circumstantial bounty evidence), clear evidence there is not unity in the locker room on the defense. If you suck you suck, but if you quit as a team it is the coaches fault. Spags may be ok somewhere else, but a team that had Williams last year has players that think they can get away with stuff since Sspags is way softer then Williams. So Fire his as. Defensive overhaul and make this a bloody 3-4 defense already!
