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Former defensive coordinator Williams returns to Washington with Saints Date published: 12/4/2009
BY RICH CAMPBELL ASHBURN --Reed Doughty got his first taste of Gregg Williams' rugged coaching style during one of the happiest occasions of his life. At least that made the moment, shall we say, memorable.Doughty had just been drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 2006 draft. He was celebrating with his family when he received a congratulatory phone call from head coach Joe Gibbs. Gibbs turned the phone over to Williams, who was the Redskins' assistant head coach-defense from 2004-07. And, as Doughty recalled this week, it was quite the introduction. "Are you in shape?" Williams asked him. "Yes sir," Doughty replied. "We'll see," Williams came back. "I'm going to make you puke." Welcome to the NFL, huh? But that's Williams for you. Similar stories have elicited laughter throughout the Redskins' locker room this week as Williams prepares to return to Washington on Sunday as the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints. And considering that owner Daniel Snyder fired Williams upon hiring coach Jim Zorn in February of last year, players believe Williams will be determined to help the undefeated Saints embarrass the Redskins. "Gregg wants to stick it to every offense," said linebacker London Fletcher, who played for Williams in Washington and Buffalo. "Do I think he'll want to get ours a little bit more? Probably, considering everything that transpired a couple years ago with him." Williams coordinated a top-10 unit in three of his four seasons in Washington. His aggressive defenses were a reflection of his personality. Ask players what they remember most about playing for Williams, and almost every one will cite his foul mouth. "As a rookie, I'm like, 'Is it even legal to say that?'" defensive tackle Kedric Golston said with a laugh. "Then I realized we were grown men, and it was all good." Williams took his colorful language to Jacksonville last season after the Redskins chose Zorn over him and a few other candidates for their vacant head coaching position. He landed in New Orleans last offseason, and it seems to be a perfect fit. The Saints' defense leads the NFL with 22 interceptions and a jaw-dropping seven turnover returns for touchdowns.
Date published: 12/4/2009
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