Just interviewed @saints Sean Payton at @hornets game. No decision on DC by Friday bc he's bringing in a 3rd candidate early next week.
— Jennifer Hale (@JenHale504) February 7, 2013

As much as we dislike Larry Holder, you've got to hand it to him. He stood up to Adam Schefter, clearly had more "sources" on his side, and even though national and local media members brushed his reporting off to the side, he stuck his neck out and risked potential humiliation as "the stupid local guy" to give people proper information.

Meanwhile... still no word from Adam Schefter. Spot up reporting.

As for the actual story, well, now things get interesting. While many Saints fans went from disliking Rob Ryan to deluding themselves into thinking he was the perfect fit (funny how Osgood said the same about Spagnuolo a year ago...) the circumstance feels hopeful again.

One name that's come up a lot around the rumor mill has been Jim Tomsula, the defensive line coach of the San Francisco 49ers. It was said that the Saints were waiting until after the Super Bowl to interview him, but when reports were released about him not even being on their radar and "the planned hire" of Rob Ryan, most people quit on the rumor.

If I were Schefter, I'd tell you that I'm 95% certain that Tomsula's the 3rd candidate. Since I'm not, you'll just have to decide for yourself whether or not my speculation makes any sense.

[UPDATE] 

Via NFL.com:

You can cross another name off the list of New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator candidates.

A day after interviewing with the team, University of Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham removed himself from the Saints' list of potential replacements for Steve Spagnuolo. Grantham released a statement confirming his decision on Friday.

"I want to thank Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints organization for the opportunity to interview and get to know them," the statement read. "They are a first class organization in every respect. As I said Wednesday, Georgia is a great place, my family loves it here, and I do as well.

"This is where our heart is and today I have withdrawn my name from consideration for the position with the Saints. I'm excited to start preparations for another season and along with the rest of our defensive staff look forward to coaching some really good returning players as well as developing some very talented newcomers."

Grantham's departure from the picture is another sign that former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will be the Saints' pick. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport has reported that Ryan has been the favorite in this process.

Ryan has told at least one person he believes he's getting the Saints job, according to Rapoport.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Friday the Saints plan to meet with one more candidate next week, but it remains to be seen if it gets that far. Ryan was scheduled to interview with the team on Friday. If that went as expected, the Saints might already have their man.

[UPDATE]

Via PFT:

The longest five minutes of the offseason is finally over.

According to FOX’s Jay Glazer, Ryan has accepted the Saints defensive coordinator job.

This one was decreed “basically a done deal,” a few days ago, but the Saints went through the process of interviewing others anwyay.

Having the boisterous Ryan brother in New Orleans during Mardi Gras weekend was apparently enough to sell him on the job of remaking a defense that set a league record for yards allowed last year.

You win this round... Schefter.