Saints DC Brandon Staley pushes back on Aikman's defense criticism: 'They're not true'
Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley said Troy Aikman's criticism of New Orleans' defense bothered him because the comments weren't true, and noted no one defended Bijan Robinson better last year
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New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley pushed back Thursday on criticism from broadcaster Troy Aikman, saying the comments bothered him because "they're not true."
Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett): Saints DC Brandon Staley said Troy Aikman's comments bothered him because "they're not true." Said he had no idea what Aikman was talking about. Said even with the injuries they were confident and pointed out that no one defended Bijan better last year.
Staley said he had no idea what Aikman was talking about with his critiques of the Saints' defense. He expressed confidence in the group even amid injuries, and pointed out that no one defended Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson better than New Orleans did a season ago.
The pushback arrives as the Saints' defense works through a sequence of season-opening injuries that have tested the unit's depth. Staley's insistence on the group's standard comes with New Orleans looking to steady itself on that side of the ball.
Aikman's comments had drawn Staley's attention during the week, and the coordinator's response was a clear signal that the message from outside the building will not alter how the defense approaches its work.