AP

In a new interview, former Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan hinted that he wasn’t allowed to coach the defense the way he wanted to because head coach Sean Payton took some authority away from him. Payton says that isn’t so.

Payton said this morning on PFT Live that the defense in New Orleans — which set an NFL record for the most touchdown passes allowed in a season — was Rob Ryan’s defense.

“The idea that it wasn’t his defense, or he wasn’t in charge of it, is silly,” Payton said.

Payton said the Saints’ defense repeatedly struggled with fundamentals like getting the right calls and the right players on the field.

“When you’re struggling as bad as we’re struggling for two years, and some of the same problems keep coming up — you know, 10 guys on the field — those are things that just are hard to live with,” Payton said.

Whoever you believe, there’s no doubt that Ryan and Payton didn’t see eye to eye. Now Ryan works in Buffalo for the one coach he’s sure he can see eye to eye with, his brother Rex.