Saints hire Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130209/rob-ryan-saints-defensive-coordinator/

Feb 10, 2013

Saints coach Sean Payton has chosen Rob Ryan as his new defensive coordinator, hoping New Orleans can overhaul a unit that was historically bad last season.

Ryan, the brother of New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, spent the past two seasons as Dallas' defensive coordinator. He was fired after last season, when his defense ranked 19th.

Just days after returning from his season-long suspension in connection with the NFL's investigation of the Saints' cash-for-hits bounty program, Payton fired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and said he would switch New Orleans' defensive scheme from a 4-3 alignment (four down linemen, three linebackers) to a 3-4. The Saints yielded 7,042 yards last season, the worst single-season total in NFL history.

Ryan has run 3-4 schemes for years.

Fantasy Impact:

Rob Ryan's defenses in the last 9 seasons (points allowed rank): 24, 16, 13, 22, 24, 26, 18, 25, 31 (yards allowed): 19, 14, 22, 31, 27, 22, 3, 27, 30. Ryan's actual production doesn't live up to his reputation.

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Saints RB Alvin Kamara off injury report ahead of Week 15

Tom Pelissero

1 hour ago

The Saints officially listed QB Derek Carr (left hand/concussion) as doubtful for Sunday vs. Washington. Jake Haener will make his first NFL start.

RB Alvin Kamara (illness) is off the injury report and good to go.

Related Players: Kendre Miller

Fantasy Impact:

It would have been an easy click for a Kendre Miller week if Kamara were forced to miss, but this puts the kibosh on that. Fire Kamara up as an RB2 this week in a game that may feature him even more than usual with no Carr.

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker Doubtful for Week 15

Ian Rapoport

1 hour ago

The Seahawks list RB Kenneth Walker III (calf) as doubtful for Sunday's game.

Related Players: Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh

Fantasy Impact:

Looks like a clear runway for another Charbonnet week in what should be a tightly contested game against the Packers at home. Fire him up as a fringe RB1/2.