"New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton confirmed the departure of one of his top assistants Tuesday and said the search for a replacement will be part of a meticulous evaluation of the entire club as it seeks a return to championship form in 2012.

Speaking three days after a crushing playoff defeat in San Francisco that left New Orleans once again short of its goal to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLVI, Payton said defensive coordinator Gregg Williams accepted an offer to fill the same position on the staff of new St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher."