"With coaching changes already occurring and more possibly on the horizon for the Saints, quarterback Drew Brees addressed the situation Friday.

Brees employed one of his favorite words to describe the hiring of former St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, 52, as Greg Williams' replacement as defensive coordinator, labeling it "awesome."

Spagnuola's Rams beat the Saints 31-21 in Week 8 this season, and Brees joked that game -- perhaps the Saints' worst offensive performance in the past two years -- flashed through his mind when he learned Spagnuolo and he were now essentially teammates.

"If you can't beat 'em, join 'em -- or have him join you," Brees joked Friday. "We recognize his talent and what a great coach he is, and man, his players play for him. I think he's a very talented, very sharp, very well-respected defensive coach. I've always had a ton of respect for him, and I feel like he is going to make us better instantly. His presence, his coaching ability, his scheme, with our players -- not only defensively but offensively, having to face that every day."

Brees heaped praise on Williams, too, whom he said unquestionably made the Saints' defense, and by extension the entire team, better during his tenure.

Spagnuolo is likely to retain some of the aggressive, relentless style Williams used with New Orleans while melding it into his own schemes that have, with the New York Giants and elsewhere, generally featured a more formidable pass rush than the Saints recently have mustered."