Sean Payton says the Saints are likely to make a decision regarding a new defensive coordinator within a week.

The coach told ESPN Wednesday that he hopes to interview between two and four candidates for the position. 

Todd Grantham, currently the defensive coordinator for the University of Georgia will be interviewed Thursday and ex-Cowboys DC Rob Ryan will be interviewed on Friday.

Former Kansas City Chiefs head coach, Romeo Crennel may also be in the mix.

Before signing on as Georgia's defensive coordinator in 2009, Grantham was the DC for the Browns from 2005-2007 and served as a line coach in Dallas, Houston and Indianapolis.

Ryan, the brother of Jets Coach Rex Ryan, spent two seasons with the Cowboys and was fired January 8.  After his dismissal in Dallas, Ryan said, "I'll be out of work for like five minutes."

Ryan appeared to have found a job with the Rams but St. Louis later announced that Ryan would not be hired.

When announcing the dismissal of Steve Spagnuolo in January, Payton said the team would be switching to a 3-4 alignment.

Last season, the defense gave up an average of 28.4 points per game and a NFL record 7,042 yards.