There’s no doubt the New Orleans Saints have been a different team since Darren Rizzi took over as interim head coach. In addition to winning two straight games, the energy is back in the franchise. Of course, winning helps with that, but New Orleans is going about it’s business differently as of late.
Taysom Hill, who essentially put the Saints on his back in Sunday’s win against the Cleveland Browns, said something that explains why New Orleans has been a different team under Rizzi. The do-it-all veteran weapon said Rizzi has done a great job communicating with the guys. From addressing to the team to private meetings, Hill said Rizzi has a pulse in what the team needs, and guys are responding.
Taysom Hill: "I think Rizz has done a really nice job of communicating with a lot of guys in the locker room. We've had a lot of meetings, private meetings."
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) November 17, 2024
Says he has a pulse on what the team needs collectively. Guys have responded to it.
Darren Rizzi is turning the Saints around by communicating with players
This makes a lot of sense, and would explain why the players have so much belief in the interim head coach. He listens to them, so they trust his direction for the team, knowing they have an input in how things are moving forward.
All coaches should lean on their players, because no one has a better understanding of what’s going on than the the guys in the locker room. Turning to the locker room especially makes sense in New Orleans, because the Saints are a veteran team, with many guys that have been successful in the NFL.
Rizzi understands that, so he’s leaning on them. So far, it has resulted in two wins and a team that has their swagger back. Additionally, it has produced a team that’s ready to go to war for their coach and vice versa— that hasn’t been the case all year in New Orleans.
Ultimately, the Saints have only won two games under Rizzi, and are still 4-7, but they’re clearly moving in the right direction, as the players and coaching staff all seem to be on the same page.