Rob Ryan rips Saints, blames scheme for firing

10:10 AM ET

Rob Ryan said his last two years as the Saints’ defensive coordinator were “a waste of time” because he was “sitting on my hands” when New Orleans decided to try to copy the Seattle Seahawks’ scheme.

“There are two years that don’t have my signature on them, and it’s the last two years in New Orleans. And that’s just the truth,” Ryan said during an interview with The MMQB.

Ryan, who was fired by the Saints last November, said his biggest regret was that he didn’t speak up to coach Sean Payton when New Orleans changed its scheme after a successful 2013 season.

“I should have gone into Sean and talked to him. Sean is a good person. I didn’t, and I just let it happen, so I deserve what I got,” Ryan said. “Look, I have been fired before. But I get pissed in New Orleans because I know I am better than that. I am a way better coach than I was allowed to be, and that’s just the truth.

The Saints finished 31st in the NFL in total defense under Rob Ryan in each of the last two seasons. AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman

“Oh, we are dead last in defense. Well, yeah, you are going to be dead last playing this bulls— defense. But it is my fault because I didn’t say anything. I never stood up and said, ‘F you, I ain’t coaching this.’ I promise you I’d say it now.”

Payton, who was asked about Ryan’s comments during a Friday interview with PFT Live, said that “the idea that it wasn’t his defense, or that he wasn’t in charge of it, is silly.”

Payton acknowledged that the Saints …

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