Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams spoke to the defense on Jan. 13, the night before New Orleans faced the 49ers in the NFC Divisional playoff at Candlestick Park. Documentary filmmaker Sean Pamphilon has provided an edited version of the audio on his Web site, the United States of Football.
The following is a partial transcript of Williams' remarks to the team, at a hotel near the San Francisco airport. It contains direct references to targeting Frank Gore, Alex Smith, Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Kyle Williams and Kendall Hunter.
On competing:
"We don't (profanity) apologize for how we're going to play. You're here for a reason. You're here because we saw in you -- and we hope we picked the right person -- that won't apologize for competing the way we have to compete."
Focus on victory:
"There may be better athletes, but not defensive football players that have to go into war tomorrow and play the way we (profanity) play. A mind troubled by doubt cannot focus on victory."
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Attacking the head:
"The NFL's a production business, don't ever forget about it. Where are we at right now? We've gotta tie at the top. We've got a lot of guys up at the top. Kill the head and the body will die. Kill the head and the body will die."
On Frank Gore:
"We've got to do everything in the world to make sure we kill Frank Gore's head. We wnt him running sideways. We want his head sidedways. Little 32, we want to knock the (profanity) out of him. He has no idea what he's in for. When he's on the sidelines we've gotta turn that (profanity) over, turn their coaches over, turn the spectators over. Go get that (profanity) on the sidelines."
On Alex Smith:
"It's a great game, it's a production business. We hit (profanity) (Alex) Smith right there. Remember me, I've got the first one, I've got the first one. Go lay that (profanity) out. We're gonna dominate the line of scrimmage and we're gonna kill the (profanity) head. Every single one of you, before you get off the pile, affect the head. Early, affect the head. Continue, touch and hit the head."
Shocking the 49ers:
"They're gonna come in, they're gonna be shocked with our contact. They're gonna be shocked with our speed. They're gonna be shocked with our strip."
San Francisco 49ers
On reaching the NFC Championship:
"Make 'em kick field goals, be the best defense in that stadium. Remember the walk-aways, and remember whatever it takes. Whatever it takes to get on that bus, drive back to the airport and get ready for the next one."
On Kyle Williams:
"Respect comes from fear. This is how you get respect in this league. We need to find out in the first two series of the game, the little wide receiver, No. 10, about his concussion. We need to (profanity) put a lick on him, right now. He needs to decide. He needs to (profanity) decide."
On Michael Crabtree:
"We need to decide whether Crabtree wants to be a fake-(profanity) prima donna or he wants to be a tough guy. We need to find it out. He becomes human when we (profanity) take out that outside ACL."
On Frank Gore and Vernon Davis:
"We need to decide how many times we can beat Frank Gore's head. We need to decide how many times we can bullrush and how many times we can (profanity) put Vernon Davis' ankle over the pile. We need to decide. And when they are fearing us they give us the ball."
On Alex Smith:
"Alex Smith, in the preseason game, when you guys avalanched that (profanity), had eyes that big. You all saw 'em. Another thing we always say in this room, is never apologize for the way we compete. If you're in this room, you understand that we don't apologize."