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Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is pushing back on Troy Aikman’s comments on the “Monday Night Football” broadcast during Saints vs. Falcons this week.
“Brandon Staley, he just simply doesn’t have any answers. And I think he knew it when we talked to him coming in,” Aikman said during the third quarter of the broadcast. “I think he knew. He didn’t tell us, but the guys that are out…their big edge rushers and guys who can play the run and set the edge, they’re not on the field, and they just don’t have that star defender that can erase mistakes for other people.
“This was a matchup issue coming into this game, and it’s proven true.”
The Saints allowed 45 points against the Falcons with five rushing touchdowns and 205 rushing yards, but came into the game without linebacker Kaden Elliss and edge rushers Carl Granderson and Anfernee Jennings.
“I did hear about those comments, and I have no idea what he’s talking about,” Staley told reporters Thursday. “It was a tough night for us, and certainly, I’m responsible. I’m calling the defense, but we’ve got a great group of guys. No one defended [Bijan Robinson] last year better than us. He’s a hell of a player. But our group defended him twice last year better than anyone through his time in the NFL.”
Last season, the Saints did hold Robinson to 103 rushing yards and five receptions for 47 yards with no touchdowns. On Monday, though, Robinson had 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Staley said he was bothered by the comments “because they’re not true.” He also went to bat for his players after Aikman said some Saints were “standing around watching the play, missed tackles, just bad football” on Atlanta’s fifth touchdown.
“Our guys have played the right way. And mainly that’s assignment, technique, effort, all in one,” Staley said. “I think the other night, we were missing two out of the three. Our effort was there.”
