Overreactions: Saints vs. Buccaneers

In a recurring theme towards the tip of the season, the New Orleans Saints’ robust first-half efficiency fizzled out on Sunday afternoon. Their 2024 marketing campaign concluded with a 27-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who clinched their fourth straight division title and a visit to the playoffs.

Let’s focus on an overreaction following the Saints’ season finale:

Photograph by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Photos

Is Darren Rizzi being missed?

It’s shocking to see some followers utterly disregard interim HC Darren Rizzi on this low season’s interviewing course of. Whereas I perceive the necessity for New Orleans to totally consider outdoors candidates and nonetheless personally lean towards going with a recent perspective on the conclusion of this search, I’m beginning to really feel that Rizzi is being a bit missed.

Man after talkin with our media lemme restate, interim head coach Rizzi, did lots with what was given.

— Cam Jordan (@camjordan94) January 6, 2025

I’d say Rizzi is greater than deserving of an interview and would name it an overreaction to assume in any other case given the circumstances he was tasked with. At all-time low, Rizzi’s ardour and a focus to element supplied the Saints a desperately-needed spark—qualities that had been clearly lacking beneath Dennis Allen—regardless of taking on an injury-depleted roster within the midst of a seven-game dropping streak. The gamers have continued to talk extremely of Rizzi, making it clear there’s immense respect for him all through the locker room.

Darren Rizzi made a robust impression on this staff. Quite a lot of the leaders publicly and privately mentioned they’d like to have him again if that is the path the staff goes, they usually’d wish to see the employees he assembles himself.

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) January 6, 2025

Listed below are plenty of quotes from Rizzi’s ultimate press convention that stood out to me:

Darren Rizzi mentioned he has a newfound respect for head coaches after being within the entrance seat. He mentioned that the locker room assist he has obtained has been unreal.

— Tina Howell (@TinaHowellNOLA) January 6, 2025

Darren Rizzi: As you recognize it wasn’t a clean canvas after I took over that a number of portray had already been performed.

— Tina Howell (@TinaHowellNOLA) January 6, 2025

Requested Darren Rizzi what he hopes Saints and different groups take into account when evaluating him as a training candidate:

“I can sit here and confidently say I think I’m a good leader… Leadership, communication and relationships. Don’t think there’s a more important trio than those three.”

— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) January 6, 2025

Darren Rizzi: Change must happen. Cannot say how huge or small however it must happen throughout the board. He talked about their file (5-12) however mentioned there are a number of strengths on this constructing.

— Tina Howell (@TinaHowellNOLA) January 6, 2025

Darren Rizzi says the participant’s relationship with the coach has been one of the necessary classes he has discovered. Stated the folks aspect is necessary and the relationships he is developed over the previous a number of years has helped.

— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) January 6, 2025

Rizzi did affirm that he spoke to GM Mickey Loomis and does count on to undergo the formal interview course of with the Saints, although the date is TBD. However I’m curious—who’s your most well-liked head coach candidate?