New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton - Conference Call with New Orleans Media - Friday, October 5, 2018
How have you seen the pass rush progressing the last few games?
"It's been huge for us. Last week, with the hurries, hits, three sacks, a fumble (recovery). It's huge in our game and especially if you can play with a lead and that team becomes a little bit more one-dimensional. That's when it becomes a little bit easier relative to rushing the passer. It's tougher on the early downs when you have a run-pass conflict. I think it's still (a) work in progress, but I think it was it was good last week."
When we look at how the run defense has played this year, is that kind of the epitome of when you talk about how you know areas need to be cleaned up communication wise and these guys being on the same page in terms of those things? Is that an example of success?
"I think the run numbers have been good. I think there's an element, you hear me talk about complementary football and time of possession and those and those things, but we've played some good run teams. This will be a challenge. This will be one of the better running teams we've played both with what they do and how they do it. So preparing for the gun-runs, preparing for some of the G schemes that we're going to see that they do so well are important to us."
What sticks out about the Washington defensive line?
"They have some new faces. I think they're rushing the passer well. They have talent in the tackle position. They returned some veteran players outside. (Ryan) Kerrigan's a guy from an edge that, obviously, you know gives you a lot of headaches. He gave us a lot of headaches a year ago. Preston Smith's playing well outside and (Daron) Payne of course as a rookie, (Jonathan) Allen (as a second-year player). This is a salty front and you know they'll two gap at times, the tackles. You know in the base, you will get an Okie structure and in the nickel you get more of a 4-2 look, but it is a real talented defensive front."
Will (Mark) Ingram's return have any impact on Taysom Hill's role on offense?
"I don't think so. It's a good question, but I don't think so. Look we try to each week to look at different ways that he can help us. I don't see a big impact there. Mark was here during training camp doing all of the things that we're working on."
