FanHouse GaryGibbs

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

Gregg Williams hasn't informed a free agent decision for New Orleans yet, hasn't hand-picked the inevitable defensive playmaker the Saints choose with their 14th-overall selection this year, hasn't installed a single scheme in a minicamp. Yet Williams' reputation has preceded him to the Crescent City, and his hiring as defensive coordinator is already considered one of the most important moves in team history.

After almost two decades of guaranteed defensive putridity, the last three of which have revolved around Gary Gibbs' lack of talent identification and bland scheming, the idea of Williams and his history of intelligent, hard-working, active, complex defenses coming to the Superdome is music to the ears. It also might finally push the Saints over the top.

Despite having a defense that has sabotaged a playoff-worthy offense and featured a player, Jason David, who Football Outsiders determined was less effective in coverage in 2007 than thin air, the Saints' defensive coordinator vacancy is actually desirable.

It didn't take long for the Saints to bring Gregg Williams in for an interview after the firing of Gary Gibbs. Apparently the team was interested, as Williams was in town that night. And cccording to his agent, after the interview, Williams has a "strong interest" in joining New Orleans.

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is right around the corner, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Drew Brees is, to me, the third best quarterback in the league. And that's not just because I have a giant man-crush on him. Say what you will about your Tony Romos and Carson Palmers, but I'd take Brees over those two, especially as he appears to be in the prime of his career. All he's done since arriving in New Orleans is put up gaudy numbers through the air, but he plays a heady game based on quick (and good) decisions. He's also a good guy off the field and the unquestioned leader of the team. Mark Brunell was brought in as Brees' backup while project Tyler Palko continues to develop, and while you don't want to see the old lefty play at all, his arm looks good enough in camp to sustain for a couple of weeks if need be. Anything more than that, though, and the Saints are in trouble. Heat Index: 9

Running Back: Running back committees are a bitch for fantasy owners, but none have encountered a mess like this, where four backs are going to get a fair share of touches. Exactly how the carries shake out depends on Deuce McAllister's health; ditto for the productivity of the group. All four backs -- McAllister, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, and Aaron Stecker -- are talented, but Deuce is the only pounder that can keep the running game glued together. If he's in the lineup, expect Bush to flourish, with Thomas making a solid impact as well. If he's not, Thomas takes on a larger role and, though he rolled up Chicago for over 200 yards from scrimmage in Week 17 last year, it remains to be seen whether he can be a full-time NFL back. Luckily, Deuce has looked healthy so far. Heat Index: 7

The Saints haven't really given any substantial hints as to their offseason plans, although they have noted that they plan on improving their defense (which needs it, badly, by the way). That has led most to assume that their first round pick, 10th overall, will be on defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs' side of the ball. But let's not rush to assumptions.

In GM Mickey Loomis' tenure, the Saints have traded up, they've traded back, they've traded picks for players and vice versa. But their one overarching credo has been "best player available." It's the reason they drafted Deuce McAllister when they had Ricky Williams and Will Smith when they had Darren Howard and Charles Grant. It's the reason they might eschew defense in the first.

Let's assume that the top four defensive linemen (Sedrick Ellis, Glenn Dorsey, Vernon Gholston, and Chris Long) are gone. If the Saints don't feel there is another player worthy of that pick, they won't reach. And the man they might take instead is offensive tackle Ryan Clady.

Of course, Clady might already be gone as well. But though Drew Brees' numbers are quite large, his yards per attempt dropped by 1.2 this past season -- a direct result of less time. Taking Clady would give them options -- put him on the right side in place of Jon Stinchcomb or move Jammal Brown to his natural spot and play Clady on the left. Either way, picking up a very good lineman is never a bad thing, and, in this case, sure beats reaching for an "if".

Five sacks and a number of pressures, including one that forced Matt Hasselbeck into a crucial interception. By watching the Saints last night, you'd have thought that this team had one of the best pairs of ends (Charles Grant and Will Smith) in the league, a stout defensive tackle (Hollis Thomas) capable of getting a push, and a do-it-all safety (Roman Harper) that resembles a poor-man's Polamalu.

Oh, wait. They do. So why did the team only have one sack entering last night's 28-17 win over Seattle?

They've simply refused to blitz. For most of the season, the Saints have run the most vanilla defenses possible. Defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs has been afraid to go all out because it might leave an already suspect secondary exposed. But a miraculous thing happened when Gibbs turned the defense loose -- they produced big plays. And the secondary actually held up. (Until the fourth quarter).

This defense has actually been making strides over the last three games. If they can continue to bring the heat as they did last night, they might make things easier on everybody.

To get you ready for the season, FanHouse is previewing all 32 NFL teams. Here's New Orleans' outlook.

2006 record: 10-6

2006 Offense: The #1 offense in the league. Drew Brees. Reggie Bush. Deuce McAllister. Marques Colston. Devery Henderson. All led by Sean Payton, who has proved to be one of the most innovative offensive coaches in the NFL after but one year. Yeah, it was pretty good.

2006 Defense: The Saints ran an unusual defense last year -- the break but don't bend variety (yes, you read that correctly). Their job primarily was just to get the ball back to the offense, either by forcing an early three-and-out or by quickly giving up the big score. And they succeeded one way or the other. They still finished with the 11th overall defense, but causing turnovers was a major problem.

2006 Special Teams: Between Lance Moore, Michael Lewis, and Bush, the team did well enough returning the ball. Kickoffs were a problem though, so much so that the team had to waste a roster spot on Billy Cundiff, a kickoff specialist who still couldn't boom touchbacks into the endzone. John Carney retained his accuracy, but lost even more distance on his field goals. From the blocked punt that sparked the Superdome reopening, to Bush's first NFL touchdown (a game-winning punt return against Tampa), this unit produced some of the most memorable plays of the season.

With NFL head coaching jobs beginning to open, we'll profile some of the candidates to fill those openings.

Name: Gary Gibbs

Current job: Defensive coordinator, New Orleans Saints

Past jobs: Linebackers coach, Cowboys, 2002-05; head coach, University of Oklahoma, 1989-94

Pros: Gibbs has a firm understanding of the 3-4 defense that the Cowboys' personnel is best-suited to, and he knows that personnel well after four years as an assistant in Dallas.

Cons: His tenure in Oklahoma was generally considered a disappointment.

Conclusions: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones interviewed Gibbs for the team's vacant head-coaching job on Saturday. If Gibbs gets the job, this wouldn't be the first time Jones has hired a former Oklahoma head coach -- remember Barry Switzer? -- but he'd be a surprising and uninspiring choice for Cowboys fans.