Gregg Williams was brought in to shore up a defense that did not generate pressure, turnover, or even crucial stops that are all key to winning football. In the very first OTAs we are seeing that he’s brought a different attitude and trying to convey that what happened last year is not acceptable.
When the question was put to the head coach Thursday — “What impresses you most about Gregg Williams?” — the first words out of the mouth of the head coach was “he’s a leader.”
As he watches the defense “flying around” — giving you the feeling “there is no gray area” when it comes to claiming loose balls, it’s more “the ball belongs to me” — Payton expects Williams’ traits as a leader to translate into turnovers.
What did he see in that December loss to Carolina?
Payton said he saw Delhomme “take one hitch, two hitches, three hitches, and he was back there for an inordinate amount of time.”
Now he’s looking for a coordinator’s leadership, more than schemes, to change an inconsistent pass rush.
What does linebacker Scott Fujita see in the new coordinator?
“Coach Williams is someone intent on getting you to maximize your talent, ” he said. “It’s more than Xs and Os. It’s a matter of creating a new culture.