Black & Gold Xs & Os: Saints Offensive Gameplan Vs. Philadelphia

Today I will give you a little preview for when the Saints have the football on Sunday against the Eagles’ defense. As I mentioned in yesterday’s defensive preview, the Saints and Eagles stylistically are very similar football teams.

They are both very aggressive and high in volume with their schemes. They both attempt to fool the other team by throwing the kitchen sink at them.  But they both love to attack and go for the jugular on a regular basis.

Eagles Defensive Personnel

The Eagles are about as talented as any team in the league defensively, especially in the front four and back four. Their linebackers though are very underrated.

On the defensive line, former Saint Darren Howard is still bringing it, and he does a really good job of occupying blockers to free up other players. On the other side, Pro Bowl Defensive End Trent Cole, who can get pressure on a quarterback all by himself, but is certainly aided by the Eagles heavy blitz scheme. Victor Abiamiri rotates in as well to provide good depth and pressure.

Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley start at the two defensive tackle positions. They are both a bit tough to figure out because each possesses an amazing amount of talent, but both are inconsistent. One play you see them shed a block and make a tackle in the backfield; the next they are getting pushed five yards off the ball.

Chris Gocong, Akeem Jordan, and Omar Gaither start as linebackers, while Joe Mays also sees a lot of time. They’re a group that excels at filling gaps in the running game to make tackles. And they blitz very effectively. However, they are spotty at best in coverage.

In the secondary, Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown start on opposite corners, with Quentin Mikell and rookie Macho Harris starting at the safety spots. Sean Jones, Quintin Demps, and Ellis Hobbs will all rotate in nickel and dime packages. This group again is aggressive and has good athleticism and football smarts. To consistently beat them, and the rest of this defense it will take an excellent game plan executed perfectly.

What Philly Does Schematically

I’ve already mentioned this a few times, but I feel it necessary to repeat. The Eagles like to mix things up. They like to give you a multitude of different looks in order to deceive the quarterback, and offense in general.

The Eagles base defense is a 4-3, but the way they align both their lineman and linebackers varies from play to play. Sometimes the linemen will play the most basic form of a 4-3 where the ends play over each tackle; one DT plays over the guard (3-technique), and the other DT plays inside the other guard and the center (1-technique). If the D-Line is playing this standard alignment, you can pretty much bet the house, the linebackers are moving all over the place.

Other times, they’ll put three linemen on one side of the offensive line and even throw a linebacker or two on that side, and completely overload that side. They then roll their coverage to the opposite side, in case the offense is smart enough to try to go away from it (which Carolina was not, haha).

In other forms of their 4-3 they will place the linebackers at different depths to make it look as if one is a safety, or again to try to fool the quarterback into thinking his post-snap assignment will be something different than it actually is.

Finally, the Eagles will play with a 3-down linemen look at times as well. They generally keep their three linebackers in the game and bring in an extra DB. They like to alternate their looks from this, and sometimes bring six, other times dropping all eight.

Additionally, the Eagles use the zone blitz, where they bring a backer or defensive back in place of a d-linemen, who then goes out to play the flat.

In the secondary, the Eagles like to mix things up as well. They play some Cover Two, Three, four, even six (in dime packages) where they basically create a triangle on each side to go three on two against a two by two alignment. When the Eagles choose to blitz these guys, they all do it effectively. Of course, they then roll coverage to the side they are blitzing from, keeping the integrity of their defense.

Because they blitz so much, the flats and short middle of the field are open on a majority of snaps. Beating them deep is difficult because their safeties do a pretty good job of keeping everything in front of them. However, it is possible, especially off playaction.

Saints Offensive Gameplan

First & Second Down

The Eagles will blitz at any time, but they get more exotic the more desperate the offense becomes. Because of this it is key to stay out of long yardage situations.  

Therefore, look for the Saints to come out running the football on early downs. Look for some two tight end personnel to be used in order to match numbers. Being a power back, Mike Bell is the perfect running back to face this fast aggressive unit. He will wear on them as the game goes on.

The Saints need to run right at them. The inside zone, along with off tackle runs are really good. Also, the Eagles aggressiveness lends to some Reggie Bush cutback runs against the grain of the defense (see the Panthers lone touchdown run last Sunday).

In the passing game, look for a good amount of playaction, where the fullback, or tight end, releases into the flats and picks up five or six yards. I expect to see a lot of two back stuff, but also to see the 21 (Pony) personnel (Bush and Bell/Thomas) to create mismatches on the outside.

If the Saints can guess when they’ll get a zone blitz, they can run Bush on a wheel route out of the backfield. They only have to have one receiver on that side, and that receiver should be running a deep vertical route into the middle of the field. A successful play like that should look something like Bush’s 86-yard TD in the NFC Championship Game.

The Empty Gun Formation should be successful against the Eagles as it will force a linebacker to play one-on-one against a more talented receiver. Whether that’s Shockey or Bush, it is absolutely a mismatch the Saints should win.

Third Down

Two main things I look for in third-and-long situations from the Saints offense:  draws and screens to take advantage of the Eagles blitz packages; and a Split Gun formation, where either Evans or Shockey join Brees and Bush in the backfield.

Because they are both effective receivers, they are perfect complements to Bush. Screens and misdirections become very possible. The two back alignment also helps protect Brees and give him time to scan the field.

Also, on third down, Reggie and Shockey should be able to patrol the middle of the field and rack up many catches and possibly first downs.

Another special play I would propose to Sean Payton is this:

Line up Shockey in the Ace position, behind the tackle about a yard, in a receiver stance, and place a receiver about five yards away and another on the ball another three yards out. You run a double combo route. It is a smash but also a cross post.

In other words that outside receiver, probably Lance Moore or Devery Henderson would run a post route; the number two receiver would run a five-yard hitch, and Shockey would cross the post but also go over the top of the hitch.

The safety on that side of the field will probably stay home for the post. If he evacuates, touchdown Mooore. If he stays, the smash route opens up, where Shockey is alone. This is most effective in the red zone, but could be used in the open field as well.

In short-yardage situations, the Saints will likely stick with the power running game described above, and use some playaction. A sprint-out may work since the Eagles have assigned gaps they are blitzing through.

You may also see 52 Wheel, the play that almost got Reggie killed in the playoff game a few years ago. In theory, that play works, especially on third-and-short.

I could also see a toss sweep and reverse being called, but both must be run away from the side of the blitz.

Red Zone

Lately I’ve heard broadcasters make a big deal about young QBs struggling in the red zone because space becomes so condensed. The Eagles are very good at condensing things in the red zone, in part because they’re such a quick and athletic group.

Because of this, the running game has a chance to be successful, since they are not as strong or physical as they are quick. Again, the power running game should be successful. If Payton decides to go to a power personnel group (three tight ends, two backs) playaction becomes a good option—something the Saints have long been good at under Payton.

I don’t see the fade, or any of the spread stuff the Saints do being a huge part of the goalline package this week. I think the power game is the way to go.

In fact, just in general, I think we’ll see Reggie Bush, Mike Bell, Heath Evans, and Jeremy Shockey as the offensive stars for the week. Yes, the Saints will hit some vertical plays, but that will only follow some successful running and an effective short passing game.

I have a little more confidence in the offensive gameplan today than I did a day ago, when I thought we’d be lucky to score twenty points. Even now, though I don’t expect a super high scoring game. But I do think the Saints have a chance.

Geaux Saints! 

 

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Black & Gold Xs & Os | Saints Offensive Gameplan Vs. Detroit

Update:  The West Hills Wolfpack Freshman Football team (I’m the Wide Receivers Coach) lost 28-0 yesterday, although they were only down 7-0 at the Half, and had about a 40 yard pass play near the end of the half, but could not score in four tries from the two-yard line. The Wolfpack are now 0-2, but are optimistic that they are improving as a team, even if the score may not say so.

As for the matchup the Saints have this weekend with the Lions, I would be remiss if I painted a picture of a grueling defense that strikes deep fear into Pete Carmichael and Sean Payton.

Truth be told, the Saints should light up the scoreboard early and often on Sunday. They should be able to run and throw the ball at will. It should be a beatdown similar to last year’s Week 16 matchup.

Lions Defensive Personnel & Overall Game Plan

The Lions base defense is a 4-3 with a lot of zone coverage and hard rushing defensive ends. It is similar to what you saw from Tennessee last night versus the Steelers– they try to get pressure from their front four, almost exclusively.

The difference between the two defenses is that Tennessee has the talent to make such a scheme work exceptionally well. Detroit is still lacking in the talent department.

Cliff Avril, defensive end, is a second-year player who is quick and has great athleticism, but lacks the strength to hold up in the run game. On the other side Detroit starts Dewayne White, a veteran who played some of the very good Tampa Bay defenses. This kind of gives it away as to what their overall system is.

As I already mentioned, they want to get pressure from their front four by speed rushing on the outside, and they sacrifice some ability to hold up in the middle or against the run, although White is solid against the run.

In the middle are Grady Jackson, a big huge veteran who is getting up there in years, and Sammie Hill, another second-year player. Together, they’re a formidable duo, but neither has the burst to consistently pressure the quarterback. And over the course of a game, neither can hold up against an attacking offensive line.

The linebackers are great in name, with Julian Peterson, Larry Foote, and Ernie Sims. The problem is that the defensive system doesn’t really fit Peterson’s strength–to get after the QB. He is forced to play coverage and doesn’t do that so well. In Nickel packages, though, he sometimes puts his hand on the ground and rushes, where he’s definitely more effective.

None of these guys are huge, or powerful enough to consistently play the run over the course of the game, and they all struggle in coverage.

Finally, the secondary, which is very talented but lacks the playmaking ability that can potentially cover up another defensive deficiencies.

Anthony Henry and Phillip Buchanon man the corner spots. Interestingly enough, both have actually a great deal of personal success against Mr. Brees, especially in opening-day games. Both have picked Brees off, and just last year Buchanon returned one for six points.

The safeties are Marquand Manuel, who was released by the Bengals not too long ago, and Louis Delmas, a rookie who I graded out as a fourth rounder last draft season.

Both lack the necessary instincts to make plays over the middle consistently. Both will come up and play the run a little bit, but can be had on playaction as well.

The Lions will play a lot of Cover Two and Cover Three with an effort to keep the ball in front of them. This means an offense can throw underneath and eat them up by methodically moving the ball.

What the Saints Will Likely Do On Offense

First & Second Down

Look for Sean Payton to be very aggressive on first down, with reverses, playaction, and deep routes. The Lions play first down pretty conservatively, meaning being aggressive against that is in the Saints favor.

In the running game, Reggie Bush could be used effectively outside zone (stretch) running plays, where the line seals off the edge, allowing Bush to use his speed and go one-on-one with a safety. This play will be most effective out of a two-back set, because that will allow for the Lions to play a more aggressive set with their linebackers up on the line, making them more reachable to block.

Two backs brings the linebackers up, which also makes playaction more effective. Expect some seam routes to be caught by Jeremy Shockey, but also for receivers to flood the flats off playaction with receivers clearing out, in order to get a Bush, Shockey, or Thomas/Bell out in space. For that matter, Heath Evans also could see the ball out there some this week as well.

Robert Meachem or Devery Henderson are pretty much locks to get a reverse in this game, and maybe they both will since the ends are not very disciplined or quick enough to react and make a play.

I would also look for Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, and Robert Meachem to be constant deep threats running down the sidelines when Brees sees the Lions in a Cover Two defense. He will try to hit that “9 route” in between the corner who is on the receiver’s hip, and the safety trying to come over.

One-back sets will allow for cutback runs against this defense, especially with motion away from the play, as that will cause the defense’s strength to change. The cutback is similar to the stretch in that you are trying to seal off an edge, in this case up the middle. The running back starts off going one direction for a step or two, and then cuts back through a gaping hole up the middle. Thomas or Bell are the likely ball-carriers on this play.

Finally, the Counter Trey and Trap, where lineman on the opposite side of the run pull to cut off a rushing end or backer, will be effective. The running back must follow the lineman pulling until he sees daylight, and then explode through that hole. Any back would be effective on this kind of run.

Third Down

The Lions do not make radical changes on third down, and they stay rather conservative, mostly only rushing four, with an occasional fifth. Against pocket passers, they try to blow up the “A Gap” by bringing everyone in it, which is where a blitzer could come outside. However, they haven’t shown that too much.

As a result, protection can be pretty standard, and five receivers can get out into the pattern. Marques Colston will be effective in the slot running Seam Routes, Dig Routes, and Crossing Routes against the occasional man-to-man look.

Meachem and Henderson can stretch the defense deep, but are also good guys to have run across the middle on third down to catch and run with the ball. The screen game to the running backs can be effective in a 3 x 1 set away from the three-receiver side.

In short-yardage situations the Lions bring everybody up, again making playaction a nice option. When running the football, the Lions can be sealed off, which can be done effectively pulling a tackle or guard to the side of the run and having a tight end block down, with the play going between the tight end and the tackle. Having a fullback lead up the hole can also be effective on inside runs up the middle.

Red Zone

In the Red Zone, the Lions like to crowd the line of scrimmage. They also play man-to-man, which is great news for Marques Colston, as that boundary fade route that he and Brees connect on so well will be open. The slant route that the Saints generally love down there, will likely not be open.

The running game really is the same as in short-yardage situations. But because the Lions play man in the red zone, crossing routes, which lead to rubs, are going to be open. 

Playaction also will be effective, especially with a tight end or running back getting out to the flat where Brees can hit him on the run and let him do the rest.

Two-Minute Offense

Expect the Saints to use their base two-minute offense, while being patient, and allowing the big play to open up. The Saints run one of the best two-minute offenses, so against a poor defense I am not too worried about its scheme. It will be fine.

Final Analysis

I mentioned Jeremy Shockey’s name quite a bit in this preview. That’s because he is a perfect fit for this defense that the Lions play. In truth, so is Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, and Robert Meachem. The running game should go well over 100 yards, and the team should score at least four touchdowns.

This should be a nice tuneup for the Eagles a week from now. Hopefully, the whole team can avoid injuries and be at full strength as Philadelphia is always a tough win, especially early in the year.   

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Black & Gold Xs and Os: New Orleans’ Week One Defensive Game Plan Vs. Detroit

On Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, Matthew Stafford will make his NFL debut in the Louisiana Superdome versus the New Orleans Saints.

If you’ve read anything I’ve written over the past year related to the draft or college football, you know I’ve been very harsh toward this young man. Well, I wish I could say I’ve changed my stance, but frankly, after watching some tape from preseason games, I have to say I think the Lions are making a huge mistake in throwing Stafford out there in Game One.

The kid is a very slow decision-maker. He processes information very slowly. He is not accurate. He has virtually no touch. He cannot throw on the run effectively. Worst of all, he is not a very good leader.

This article is not intended to be another Stafford-basher. I brought this up to make a point though. That point is that if the Saints give up more than two offensive touchdowns to the Lions on Sunday, it’s a flat-out disgrace.

But this article is not meant to be an editorial; it’s an informative piece on what to expect when Detroit has the ball on Sunday. So without further ado, here goes.

 

What Detroit Does Offensively

Formations

Detroit, under Scott Linehan, the former Rams head coach, is likely going to come out with a fairly simple offensive game plan for the young rookie. This will no doubt include formations and personnel.

The Lions like to use a lot of Base (21) personnel—two backs, one tight end, and two receivers. From this personnel grouping, they will run a lot of I-Formation and offset-I stuff. This keeps the tight end in line and the fullback either straight behind the QB or to one side behind the guard.

Occasionally, they’ll put that fullback into some kind of motion to give him a head start into his block or into a pass route.

Detroit also likes to use 11 personnel—three receivers, one tight end, and one running back. Most often they will pass out of this formation. They will also use some two-tight end sets, which they’ll use for the running game but also to pass out of.

Detroit has shown little to no use of four-or-five wide receiver sets throughout the preseason and likely will not due to a lack of depth at the receiver position.

 

Motions

The Lions’ use of motion is actually very simple, and they’ve shown a pattern, at least on film, throughout the preseason. That pattern is that a receiver will come in short motion—start out wide and slowly move inside no further than the end of the offensive line.

When the player does this, he is going to run some kind of crossing route. I saw nothing else on film. Can it really be that simple?

The fullback will occasionally move around, and the tight end may as well, to give themselves better angles on their blocks.

 

Play Concepts

Detroit is going to run the football a lot since they are starting a quarterback who should be starting his true senior year of college. They will use a lot of their base personnel to do this, for two reasons.

The first is that this gives them seven good blockers to go against either a seven- or eight-man front. The other reason is that this is simply their best personnel grouping.

They will run a lot of zone plays, where they try to get the defense slanting one way and have their quick running backs—Kevin Smith and rookie Aaron Brown—cut back against the flow of the play.

They will also try to run some trap plays where they pull a guard and try to hit the play in the “B” gap. On this they double-team the DT, Sedrick Ellis, and try to trap the end (Will Smith or Charles Grant, or whomever).

These are their two favorite running plays. They’ll try to disguise this by doing different things personnel and formation-wise.

The other way they like to get the ball in the hands of their backs is via the short pass.

The main routes they run are screens, which they will probably run a lot of, since they’ll be expecting a lot of pressure from a Gregg Williams defense. They also like to throw to their backs on checkdown routes and swing routes to get Smith or Brown out in space (similar to the Saints with Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas).

Play action will also be a choice meat for Linehan on Sunday. He will likely try to get the running game going in order to get that eight-man front and then throw over the top of that with his strong-armed QB.

Finally, Calvin Johnson is the only real weapon to be worried about in the intermediate or deep passing game. They will try to motion him to get a running start on those crossing routes. They will throw the ball to him on quick screens to let him make a play. They’ll also throw deep to him up the sideline.

Aside from that, Bryant Johnson will catch a few balls in the intermediate passing game, and Brandon Pettigrew may be a nice checkdown option when Stafford is pressured, but the Lions’ passing game is not going to be very complicated or difficult to stop.

 

What the Saints Need to Do to Stop Them

Stack the Box

I think it’s a really simple defensive game plan for Gregg Williams and the Saints defense this week. You’re facing a rookie quarterback who should not be starting. He makes decisions slowly. The running game is decent. Make the rookie QB beat you.

I would have eight men in the box to start the game in order to stop the run. That eighth guy is Roman Harper, who excels near the line of scrimmage and at blitzing the QB.

With the eight-man box, the run blitz is no longer necessary. Instead, simply play straight up, fill your lanes, fly to the football, and try to cause turnovers.

I would simply play cover three, meaning the corners drop to about 10 yards and keep the receivers’ patterns in front of them. The safety—Darren Sharper—does the same thing in the middle of the field. Allow Harper to play the tight end one-on-one. Use the outside backers to play the curl-flat areas (hashes).

I would simply rush with four guys, but every now and then, change who those four guys are by zone blitzing. Make it Harper, or a corner every now and then. Send Jonathan Vilma or Scott Shanle.

 

Give the Rookie Different Looks

I started to allude to this at the end of the last section but want to expand on this thought. The Saints do not need to blitz like crazy in this game since the Lions’ O-line isn’t very good. A four-man rush should work enough of the time to get some significant pressure.

However, give Stafford different looks. Align in a cover four and then send Harper or a corner. Set up that eight-man box and then play cover four. Blitz from a base defense. Heck, rush only three men and drop eight. He’s a slow decision-maker. Utilize that to your advantage by giving him a different look every snap.

 

Keep the Ball in Front of You

The only way the Lions have a chance to score in this game are if Calvin Johnson beats the defensive secondary deep or if the Saints don’t play assignment football in the run game.

I suggest the Saints play their corners in off coverage, or zone, most of the time. Stafford is going to want to force the football down the field. He’ll get greedy and throw a few picks. Heck, even some cover two would work, because it emphasizes keeping the ball in front.

This will also be effective with those running backs catching the ball out of the backfield.

A heavy pass rush, of course, also helps stop the deep passing game, as it generally forces poor throws.

 

Special Situations

The Lions are going to try to get Stafford in good situations on third down by running the ball and throwing short passes on first and second down.

Therefore, in short-yardage situations, it is important that the Saints are prepared for the play action game, one area where Stafford is generally pretty good. This is where he will most often look to hit his running backs and tight ends, but he could also try to hit a big one with CJ.

Because of this, I would play eight men in the box but actually play coverage. This way they can quickly react to the run and come up to stuff it, but are ready to get to their proper zones and take away the short pass.

They should take away the flats with outside linebackers and play robber coverage with Harper and/or Vilma in the intermediate area and Sharper deep. This way Sharper can help to the outside with Johnson.

In long-yardage situations, Detroit will most likely throw screens and run draws. Therefore, I would not be too aggressive in these situations, but play zone and come up ready to tackle them short of the sticks.

In the red zone, Johnson is the guy. They’ll try to hit him on fades, slants, and back of the end zone crossing routes, or they’ll give the ball to Kevin Smith.

Therefore, I would put my most physical corner on Johnson and put Sharper to his side and bracket him (that corner is probably Randall Gay; although he gives up some size, he has a great knack for slowing down bigger receivers).

Once again, I’d crowd the line of scrimmage with eight guys but play heavy “B” gaps, instead of the somewhat standard “pinch the ‘A’ gap” defense that many teams play in the red zone. If they beat you up the middle, that’s okay—it means they had to trick you to be successful.

Finally, in two-minute situations, I would play cover two and make Stafford put together a drive. I wouldn’t blitz, which kills me to say. Maybe slant your D-line, but that would be about it. Keep the ball in front of you and roll coverage towards CJ.

 

Like I said, it’s a pretty simple game plan this week. Don’t let Kevin Smith or Calvin Johnson beat you. If you’re going to go down, make it be because of the rookie QB.

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Black and Gold X’s And O’s: Preseason Review Plus Roster Decisions

Rod Harper officially made the New Orleans Saints’ 53-man roster on Saturday. After watching the 2009 preseason, this became nothing more than a formality.

Harper was the Saints’ most explosive playmaker in the preseason. He scored on two punt returns and was constantly running free in the defensive secondary, catching passes mostly from Mark Brunell.

No. 13 joins the group of teens (my name for the receivers since they all have numbers in the teens). Harper may even win the punt return job or at least be the backup to Reggie Bush.

It is unlikely, however, that Harper will find a lot of time on the field when the Saints possess the football. There are four other proven receivers ahead of him, not to mention that Sean Payton likes to line Bush and Jeremy Shockey out wide in receiver-type positions quite often.

As interesting as Harper’s story is (if you haven’t heard it, he played in the Arena Football Two League a season ago), it’s not the only one of this preseason that will have an impact on the upcoming regular season.

The Saints’ best tight end last season was Billy Miller. Unfortunately, his season ended before it really ever began on Thursday night. As a result, the Saints made a nice trade with the New England Patriots for David Thomas.

Thomas will fill in as the second tight end most likely, and similar to Miller, will be the utility tight end—in other words, responsible both for blocking and catching (we all know Shockey is only in New Orleans to catch passes and Buck Ortega is not expected to see a football thrown his way).

Defensively, I’m still surprised the Saints elected to rid themselves of Jason David, while keeping Leigh Torrence. David looked okay in the preseason action he saw, but obviously I must be a little biased on that front.

In related news, Malcolm Jenkins appears destined for the fourth cornerback spot to start the season, which in my opinion is exactly where he should be. I love the kid and think he’ll be a great player down the road, but he needs more experience and actually is a really nice fit in dime situations anyway.

If I were Sean Payton (or actually Gregg Williams), I would switch Randall Gay into the starting lineup for Jabari Greer. Greer, to me, is the perfect nickel back, while Gay provides versatility to play over the slot, but has the overall ability to play effectively outside. That being said, that isn’t something I’m going to lose a lot of sleep over. Given schemes and situations, Gay will be in the game a lot.

As for the defensive line, I found it interesting that the Saints currently only have three defensive ends available for the first four games while Will Smith and Charles Grant serve their suspensions.

This leads me to believe they are either scanning the waiver wire or are planning on playing a lot of three-man fronts while using two of their defensive tackles and rotating their ends (or something like that). I suppose we will find out over the course of the next week or so.

Finally, the linebacker position, which looks remarkably similar to a season ago. Are the Saints ever going to change this position? Every year, it’s a huge topic of conversation amongst the media and fans, and every year they line up the same group. And I love it!

Shanle, Vilma, and Fujita are a very solid group. When you add in the depth they have with Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Marvin Mitchell, Troy Evans, and Jonathan Casillas, you are looking at a group that may not scare the opponent based on pedigree, but on the field will get after them and make moving the football tough.

A 3-1 preseason is good, but obviously these games are over and done with and the slate is wiped clean. The real season starts on Sunday against Detroit. Anything can happen.

I expect a win, but I’m writing that in on my schedule in pencil, not marker.

There is still work to be done, and the roster still in flux. Now I understand why a general manager is so important. 

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Black and Gold X’s and O’s | Identifying Concepts: The Overload Blitz

This is the sixth of eight summer articles intended to go into greater depth on some of the schematics the Saints will use this upcoming season, in hopes of retaking control of the NFC South.

Today’s edition deals with one of the elements that a Gregg Williams’ defense is best known for—the overload blitz.

I will first explain some of the important things to note about the way defenses are called and run, in order to make it easier to understand what follows.

First, is that the defense always lines up based on the personnel and formation of the offense.

Second, many defenses play strongside and weakside, meaning the linebackers align to one side or the other based upon where the tight end, or other designated player, is lined up.

Third, the way a blitz is run changes based on personnel, formation, motion, and/or a few other possible factors.

 

The Overload Blitz

Several defenses run an overload blitz, but there are many different variations to it. Most teams will run multiple variations.

As I explained above, there is a strongside and weakside blitz that teams will run.

In simple terms, a strongside blitz means they are blitzing to the side where the tight end is lined up. A weakside blitz would take place away from the tight end.

Common sense would tell us to always run to the weakside, since there are fewer blockers to that side. However, the strong side can be effective, as you will see, if it is executed correctly.

Most often, defenses will play Cover One (One safety in deep coverage with a safety playing man-to-man on a receiver or back). When teams go to spread formations, though, the defense has to switch to cover Zero, meaning there is no deep safety, and the secondary is all playing man-to-man.

 

Weakside Overload Blitz

When the offensive team has two backs in the backfield, this is a relatively safe blitz package. It does involve bringing six men, although you could zone one of your down linemen on the strong side.

The main idea is that the weakside end (usually Will Smith or Charles Grant) is going to fake inside off the ball and then try to speed rush around the tackle. The weakside linebacker (Shanle) is going to delay about a quarter of a second to allow the end to get upfield, start to the outside, then dip immediately inside of the end.

Meanwhile the middle linebacker (Vilma) is going to come through the gap intended to be occupied by the weakside end. Without a diagram it can be confusing, but a way to think about it is to imagine three defensive players fitting into a space where there are only two offensive linemen.

The likely outcome is that the offensive guard picks Vilma up, but the tackle cannot pick up two different defensive players, as long as their timing and their routes are crisp.

He must choose one, which generally allows the other to come free.

 

Strongside Overload Blitz

While there are multiple variations of both these blitzes, these are the most common. When blitzing to the side of the tight end, the strategy is to bring six again, but in a different path than before.

The strongside defensive end (Smith or Grant) is going to immediately speed rush. Without delaying, the Sam Linebacker (Fujita) is going to head straight to where the tight end was lined up.

The strongside defensive tackle (Sedrick Ellis) is going to occupy the guard, while the middle linebacker (Vilma) is going to head for Ellis’ butt and veer off toward the center.

In this case, you are essentially going four-on-four. What still allows this to be an effective blitz is the fact that you have Ellis and Fujita hitting the same gap, hoping to cause an inside shift in that gap. If that happens, the defensive end or Vilma should have enough speed to get around their blocker.

And the worst case scenario is that the entire line shifts to the strongside to help out against the speed of Ellis and the end. If this happens, the backside end should be able to take advantage of a one-on-one advantage using his best pass rush move.

Of course, the QB could get rid of the ball quick enough to avoid the rush, or the offense could run the football away from the blitz where there are few defenders.

But if called correctly, and executed well, this is a wonderful blitz to run, with the speed and talent of the Saints front seven.

Until next time, Geaux Saints!

New Orleans Saints X’s and O’s: Identifying Concepts: The Play-Action Pass

For the next eight weeks, I will write one column a week regarding different concepts the Saints will use either on offense or in defensive packages in 2009.

Today’s version is about the play-action passing game, something the Saints have used very successfully in the past few years and no doubt will do so again this season.

Most football fans have heard that play action passing is built off a good ground attack, and to some extent that is true; however, if that were an absolute stipulation, New Orleans would not be a good play action team, yet they are.

Here are some of the reasons.

1. Play-Calling: Sean Payton knows the appropriate time to use play action, and the appropriate routes to call based on formation and likely coverage.

2. Protection: While the Saints’ offensive line may not be the best run-blocking line in the history of football, they do an outstanding job in pass protection. They use the same concepts in the play action game, and as a result have almost as much success.

3. Play Fakes: Drew Brees is among the best in the game at ball-handling. His play fakes with the running backs, as well as pump faking to get a receiver clearance from a defender are huge in making him an elite quarterback. And they help greatly in getting his receivers open.

 

Schematic Elements in the Play-Action Passing Game

Formations

Of course, play action is generally more effective when a team is using a running formation (generally thought be two backs or tight ends, or both). However, teams have tendencies to do certain things out of certain formations.

For New Orleans, a three-receiver set is a wonderful play action package since they will run the ball quite a bit from this personnel grouping. However, a two-back set wouldn’t produce quite the same results because New Orleans often gets into these sets to throw the ball.

Overall, the main idea is to keep away from using the same formations or packages to run the same plays. Also, you want to use formations and packages that will give you a personnel advantage, such as a linebacker on a tight end, or wide receiver on a safety.

Protections

Most teams at any level of football want to focus their play action pass protection around what they already do in either the running game or the passing game. New Orleans has a tendency to use their pass protection in play action.

This makes sense since they are so effective in pass protection.

Generally, they will also try to anticipate blitzes or overloads, and slide protection to that given side. The back will generally check up the middle, or to the side of the overload.

The idea is that Brees can see him coming from the weak side, and that becomes his guy in the protection scheme. This means if the weak-side rusher comes free, Brees must avoid him or deliver the ball to avoid being brought down.

Routes

Generally, teams like to go deep on play action, and New Orleans is no different. In fact, the Saints called more vertical routes last season than any other team in the NFL (and were also the most effective vertical team).

Vertical doesn’t always mean the ball is thrown 50 yards down the field, however.

For the Saints it often means having a receiver run underneath the safety on a crossing route, a couple guys running intermediate routes from the outside, and then a speed guy such as Devery Henderson or Robert Meachem run vertical down the seam on a post, seam, or corner.

With all this being said, the Saints are more than able to complete some five yard outs, slants, and hitches off of play action, mainly in short-yardage situations.

They also love to run the quick ball fake flat route to the fullback or tight end on short-yardage situations.

Finally, the bootleg, or naked bootleg (quarterback has nobody blocking in front of him) are effective aspects of the Saints play action package.

In these, the idea is to get Drew Brees on the move, generally one-on-one with a DE where he can use his mobile accuracy to gun the ball to a receiver down the field using half the field. If the defender makes a quick run at Brees, he is able to simply loft the ball over his head to either a fullback or tight end, who then runs for a few yards.

All in all, the play action passing game is one of the most effective elements of the Saints weekly game plan. Expect that to remain a constant in 2009.

Geaux Saints!

Black and Gold X’s and O’s | Identifying Concepts: The Crossing Route

For the next eight weeks, I will write one column a week regarding different concepts the Saints will use either on offense or in defensive packages in 2009.

Today’s version deals with some of the intricacies of the Crossing Route, which has become a staple of pretty much every NFL offense, although few teams do it as well as the Saints.

A key to understanding the crossing route is to understand the purpose of the route. The main idea is to create a matchup problem either with a receiver on a linebacker, or a Tight End on a player that cannot cover him.

Generally, it is advisable to throw this pass after the receiver has cleared the extended pocket, for two reasons.

First, the quarterback has less of a chance of having such a pass deflected by a big defensive tackle.

Second, this allows the receiver to clear the coverage but still gives him room to run with the ball after he makes the catch.

Most crossing routes are designed to beat zone coverage, but some are also built to beat man-to-man.

These zone-busters generally come in three varieties.

First, you have the shallow cross, followed by the drag, and finally the deep cross.

You can think of these as short, intermediate, and deep-er.

The shallow route is generally run no deeper than three yards. It is intended to be run in front of the linebacker level. It is assumed the receiver can beat a linebacker going side-to-side.

Complimentary routes include hitches, clear outs, and occasionally even slant routes. But often times when a shallow cross is called, it’s labeled as hot.

That’s why quarterbacks will often throw this pass very quickly and generally fail to complete it.

The intermediate drag is generally run at five-to-six yards, but can be run deeper based on the depth of the linebackers and safeties on expected coverages.

Again, it is ideal to stay in front of the linebacker.

This time there will generally be deeper routes being run down the middle of the field, such as a Dig (Deep In), Post, or Seam. This will often take the attention of the linebackers to open up space for the receiver running the drag.

Finally, the Deep Cross is run deeper at ten-plus yards. This is intended to be run behind the linebacker level and in front of the safety level.

This route has beaten the Saints’ defense many times over the past three years, but has also been a very effective play for the Saints’ offense.

Lance Moore is probably the best at running this pattern. He shows patience running his routes so as to not give away the route, but he gets good burst in order to accelerate past the linebacker level.

He makes sure to stay in front of the safeties as well. Brees knows that as soon as he clears that final linebacker, he can make the throw.

Brees anticipates this very well, which allows him to make timing throws with accuracy.

There are also crossing routes designed to “rub” defensive players. Defensive players and coaches call this a “pick”, but it really is a rub.

A “rub” is performed by two receivers. One goes in front of the defensive player, while the other goes about a yard deeper.

Often times the two defensive players, when playing man coverage, will run into each other, or at least bump each other enough to throw one off his path.

Once this happens, a receiver has plenty of daylight to run with the ball after the catch since the entire defense is playing man-to-man. The quarterback must read the defenders and determine which one will be most affected by the rub.

He then quickly must throw to the receiver he is covering.

If expected well, the crossing route is one of the most dangerous route concepts in the NFL.

It has become a staple of every offense at every level.

Yet, it is still safe to say the Saints do it as well anyone.

Black and Gold X’s and O’s | Identifying Concepts: The Swing Screen

For the next eight weeks, I will write one column a week regarding different concepts the Saints will use either on offense or in defensive packages in 2009.

Today’s version talks about the intricacies of the Swing Screen.

If you hear Jim Henderson yell something to the extent of “He’s at the 10, the five, touchdown Saints, Reggie Bush!”, there’s a fair chance that such a call came is a result of Bush catching the ball in space with a lead blocker in front of him.

I say that because, through three full seasons in the NFL, about a quarter of Reggie’s touchdowns or big plays have come off the swing screen.

It is such a great play for a number of reasons.

One of the most important of these is simply the concept of putting the ball in the hands of your most explosive player.

Other reasons include the notion that you have one of the best right tackles in all of football in Jon Stinchcomb as his lead blocker.

Finally, Sean Payton does such a good job of disguising the play by using multiple personnel groupings and formations.

It should also be noted that occasionally Payton will call 52 H Wheel, which is not a screen but a slant clear out by the outside receiver(s) on the side of the wheel (swing route).

This has the same effect as a screen because it pulls the coverage inside, freeing space for Bush to be one-on-one with a defender on the outside.

But specifically, the Swing Screen is not so much of a passing play as it is a screen. That means the lineman have different techniques they use.

Additionally, the quarterback knows he is throwing the swing no matter what.

Here are some of the key elements of the swing screen, in order to execute it well:

When the quarterback lines up under center, he must read the defense and check for a blitz.

If one is coming, he must determine where the strength of the rush will be.

He must then organize his blocking unit in order to pick up the blitz, but also to use the defense’s aggressiveness against them.

For instance, imagine the swing screen is called to the right (as it is most of the time). And, let’s assume the blitz is coming from that same side.

This may sound dangerous, but is actually the optimal location of a blitz.

The reason is that Drew Brees can suck defenders toward him and then simply lob the ball over their heads. Generally, there are fewer defenders behind the blitzers.

This gives Reggie a LOT of space.

The right tackle must be a good athlete. Generally, he will delay with a pass drop for a second or two, and then wheel around to go find a defender to take out.

If the call is H Swing Screen, that would indicate there is either a fullback or extra tight end in the game. Generally, they would be added to the swing element of the blocking pattern.

This gives Reggie two lead blockers.

A key coaching point for this play to be successful is for Reggie to be patient in the swing element of his route. He needs to delay about a quarter of a second at the snap of the ball.

He must then run straight to the sideline for three steps.

Only after three steps may he begin to angle upfield. By that point, Drew should be about ready to throw him the ball. Staying straight and then angling helps Drew throw to a spot, and gives Reggie the opportunity to catch the ball in stride and get upfield.

From a purely personnel and formation standpoint, this play excels because of the versatility of all the other players on the offense.

The fact that Billy Miller can be a lead blocker on this play gives them the ability to run the swing from a two-tight end set. Heath Evans’ ability as a lead blocker makes this is a viable play with Reggie as the H-Back.

In three receiver sets, this play can still be run either to the tight end’s side or away from him. All it takes is having the receiver(s) clearing out and using Stinchcomb as the lead blocker.

This is effective because it takes some defenders out of Reggie’s area, and allows Stinchcomb to focus on blocking a linebacker or safety.

Overall, the Saints are blessed to have a player like Reggie Bush who creates tremendous matchup problems.

If teams overplay for the swing, many other viable options become open possibilities. The swing screen has been very effective in the past for the Saints’ offense.

And there’s really no reason for that to end this season.

 

Black and Gold X’s and O’s—Identifying Concepts: The Slant Route

For the next eight weeks, I will write one column a week regarding different concepts the Saints will use either on offense or in defensive packages in 2009.

Today’s version talks about the intricacies of the slant route and the routes and ideas that are related to this route.

The slant route is perhaps the oldest route in all of football. It has always been an integral part of the short passing game from Sid Gilman to Don Coryell to Bill Walsh, and now to all of today’s offensive geniuses; and among them Sean Payton is high on the list.

Payton has used the slant in many key situations over the past few seasons. In fact, it’s been a go-to route on third-and-short or medium situations.

Marques Colston is often the guy who catches these quick strikes from Drew Brees.

As with any route, timing is so incredibly crucial to the pass/fail element of this route.

There are two key elements on any route, but especially the slant.

The first is the receiver’s release.

Most often, the receiver will place the opposite foot, of the side of the field he is on, in front. This is generally true for slant routes as well, although there are occasions where a receiver may change his feet based on how many steps he is taking to get into his route.

We will assume though, that he is taking the opposite-foot-approach.

He must be able to get his back foot going immediately after the ball is snapped. If he does not, the chance of success drops immeasurably.

If he stutter steps, his chances also go down, unless the corner is playing press, and he’s using a stutter release (more on that later).

Assuming the corner is off, the receiver is aiming to get that back foot out quickly and get distance in that stride. Then his front leg in his stance comes next and again, he tries to get some distance all the while running straight at the corner in an attempt to get him backpedaling.

Meanwhile, the QB, whether he’s working from under center or in the gun, needs to get out quickly and get his fingers on the laces.

By the second step, he should be ready to throw.

That was all meant to show a release and the timing of the beginning of the route versus “soft” coverage.

Versus a press, it is quite common for the receiver to intentionally stutter step while using a swat technique, similar to what a defensive end will using when rushing the passer.

The stutter step is designed to get the defensive back leaning toward the sideline to gain inside leverage. The swat is used to get the hands off so the receiver is able to prepare his hands to catch a football that will be coming into his chest within a quarter of a second.

Once the release is understood and executed well, receivers coaches can move to the next most important element of the route, the “stick.”

This is the final step for the receiver in the slant route.    

In the stick portion of the route, the receiver throws his third (outside) leg toward the sideline, once again to get the defender leaning that way.

He then plants at a 45 degree angle back toward the middle.

A common error that many receivers make is not really “sticking” their foot in the ground. Instead, they “round” their break.

In other words, they don’t plant their foot in the ground but make only a quick understated cut.

A good stick includes the heel literally “sticking” in the ground and is accompanied by a head bob. These elements become even more important with tight coverage, in which he will often throw his outside arm at the defender to thwart coverage.

 

Schematic Elements to the Slant

When a coach calls in a play that has a slant in it, the quarterback knows he has to look at a lot of things and make determinations on whether he will throw that route.

When it is a play in which the QB is supposed to drop three steps, the slant is a primary route. When the QB is designed to take a longer drop, sometimes a slant will be called “hot.” This means that if the QB reads blitz he can throw the slant in order to avoid a sack.

Assuming the play is designed so that the “slant read” is primary, the Quarterback must look at a few things pre-snap to see if the slant can be thrown.

First, he must know what kind of look he is getting from the corner or other defender. Many quarterbacks don’t feel comfortable (and receivers for that matter) throwing the slant if the defender starts the play inside of the receiver.

For Drew Brees, he will still throw it as long as he knows Colston, Moore, Henderson, or Meachem are going to get that original defender to the outside of him.

Often times, if the corner is showing “press,” the Saints will convert this to a one-step instead of the more conventional three-step slant.

Additionally, it is possible to convert the route to a go-route or something else that fits against that given defender.

And almost always in goal-line situations, the slant is automatically a one-step.

Once the snap is taken, Brees now must read to see if a linebacker or safety is playing what’s called curl-to-flat. Curl-to-flat is the area where the slant will generally end up.

Even if he is playing this zone, it is possible to still throw the route if the linebacker/defender drops his pads or turns his shoulders, which is generally an indication that he is running straight toward the flat (sideline).

Ideally, that is what both QB and receiver want.  But, if he stays balanced and straight up, the QB must then check off.

Most of the time, when a slant is called, there will be a corresponding out-breaking route in order to occupy that linebacker/defender.

Thus the reason why the slant is so effective for New Orleans is because that out-breaking route is often a swing or flat route performed by Reggie Bush.

Ultimately, a linebacker is going to view Reggie as more dangerous than Marques Colston.

Best Slant Receiver for the Saints:  Marques Colston

 

Other Slant Concepts

There are two main routes that are based off the success of the slant route that New Orleans and most offenses use.

The more well-known is called a “sluggo” or slant-and-go.

Within this alteration, the receiver still runs his slant in much the same way, but this plays on that linebacker who plays the slant, and an aggressive safety who desires to come up and make a mind-blowing hit.

Because a linebacker and safety both get overanxious, the receiver must only provide another stick back toward the sideline.

He then gets vertical on the seam.

At the corresponding time that the receiver gives his initial stick on the slant, the QB will often pump his way, hitch up, and prepare to throw the seam route, which is generally wide open.

Unfortunately, this route doesn’t work as well against a cover-two defense where the safeties, while aggressive, don’t allow anyone behind them.

But, against a cover 0 (no safety) or one Man (one deep safety) occupied by deep routes on the other side, this can still be successful.

Best Sluggo Receiver:  Marques Colston

The second, and more common in today’s game is the whip or pivot route.

Once again, the receiver will do everything he does in the slant route. Only now, after he sticks, he will take one step and then plant his stick foot in the ground and literally pivot to “box out” the linebacker.

This is eerily reminiscent of a basketball move.

He then must work himself back toward the sideline at worst flat. If he goes upfield, the route is ruined.

It is okay, to an extent, if he even brings his route back to the quarterback (always a key coaching point: it’s better to come back than to drift upfield).

But ideally, he would stay exactly straight back toward the sideline to keep the spacing since there could also be a flat or swing route coming in the same direction.

Best Whip Route Receiver:  Devery Henderson

Believe it or not, there is actually a lot more I could have wrote about this route because it is even more complex than I have shared.

But, if you understand these concepts, then you have a pretty good feeling of what a slant route is and how, when, and why it can be effective.

Until next week, Geaux Saints!

Black and Gold X’s and O’s | An Analytical Review of the Saints’ 2008 Defense

This is officially the last time I am going to write about how much the Saints defense sucked in 2008. Please, if I ever speak of this again, I give you permission to throw things at me, shout at me, boo me, etc, etc.

But it does not take a genius to figure out the Saints defense was horrible last season.

A quick review of each game shows the areas the team was bad in, and leaves large opportunities for growth.

Week One vs. Tampa Bay – Win

The Saints only gave up 20 points in this game. But a closer look at the stats tells a bit of an ugly story.

Tampa ran the ball 19 times for 145 yards. That’s good for an alarming 7.6 ypc. As a defense you’d like to give up about half that.

However the pass defense was pretty good, as Tampa had to throw 41 times in order to gain 221 yards through the air. Additionally, Scott Fujita ended the game on an interception.

The Saints gave up 18 total first downs, but surprisingly only four were picked up on the ground. The pass rush netted two sacks for 15 yards lost.

Finally, Tampa was a combined 2-for-13 on third and fourth down. The defense got off the field.

This was by far one of the defense’s best games of the season, as they really only gave up 13 points (Brees threw a pick-six to Phillip Buchanon).  

 

Week Two @ Washington – Loss

Coming off an emotional and clutch performance in week one, the Saints defense fell back to earth in week two, as it gave up an inconceivable 455 yards of total offense to the Washington Redskins. They gave up 25 first downs and they blew a nine-point lead going into the fourth quarter.

Believe it or not, there were a few positives for the Saints from this game. Washington only converted two of their six red zone trips into touchdowns.

And the third down defense limited the Redskins to 3-for-11 on conversions. Once again the Saints defense got to Jason Campbell twice, for negative 15 yards.

The Saints gave up 149 yards rushing (4.8 ypc.) which is a huge improvement from 7.6, but still not the number needed to be a good defense.

 

Week Three @ Denver – Loss

This was probably the most frustrating game of the season for me.  Of course that was partially because I lived with a Broncos fan and never heard the end of it, until Denver’s epic collapse.

In truth, the defense wasn’t as bad as the score makes it seem they were. They gave up only 20 first downs, 105 yards rushing, and 264 yards passing, for a grand total of 369 yards.

What hurt the Saints defense most in this game was bad field position, a few key penalties, and third-down conversions.  Denver converted on six-of-10 of those chances.

The rushing ypc improved to 4.4, which is still not great but certainly an improvement. Unfortunately, no Saint ever recorded a sack on “The Douche” Jay Cutler. However they did have an interception and a safety.

These numbers make me rethink my statement I made in Monday’s column that this loss was on the defense. In reality, it was on the bad start and the kicking game.

 

Week Four vs. San Francisco – Win

From a numbers standpoint, this was one of the best defensive games the Saints have had in recent memory, despite the 17 points they gave up.

They sacked J.T. O’Sullivan six times!!! Those sacks combined for 36 lost yards. Even more impressive, they picked off two passes in the game.

They also gave up fewer than 100 yards on the ground for the first time in the season. And, they held the 49ers to 3-for-10 on third down.

It was a very good defensive game in the dome for New Orleans.

 

Week Five vs. Minnesota – Loss

In this game, the Saints did the unthinkable—they shut down Adrian Peterson. Unfortunately, they forgot this isn’t the 1920’s and teams are allowed to throw the football down the field.

While New Orleans held the Minnesota ground attack to an amazing (for any defense) 1.7 ypc, they allowed the Vikings to gain almost six yards per pass attempt, plus gave up a few huge first downs on penalties.

Minnesota was only five-for-15 on third down’s, but they always came in clutch situations. Gus Frerotte was sacked one time, but didn’t lose any yards. In actuality, the defense wasn’t even that bad from a numbers standpoint, they just gave up the big play at the wrong time.

 

Week Six vs. Oakland – Win

Another great performance by the defense. It’s too bad the Saints couldn’t play Oakland, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, or Detroit every game. If they could they would’ve had an all-time great defense a season ago.

New Orleans gave up only 12 first downs and three points in the game. Oakland averaged a much more acceptable 3.9 yards per rush, and again fewer than 100 yards total.

JaMarcus Russell was sacked twice for a loss of 18 yards and the Raiders recorded a net of 141 passing yards on the afternoon with one interception. In fact, they averaged 3.8 yards per pass attempt.

Let’s just say if your average running attempt’s are higher than your passing yards, and they’re both below four, then that is officially a horrible offensive game.

 

Week Seven @ Carolina – Loss

I think we all realized that the string of three straight games holding the opposition under 100 yards rushing was going to come to an end. And it did in a big way.

One-hundred and forty-three yards later, the Panthers walked off the field with a convincing victory over the division rival. They only averaged 3.9 ypc., but the fact they ran the ball 37 times made up for their averages.

Even more painful was Carolina’s 7-of-15 (46 percent) third down conversion rate. The Saints defense simply couldn’t get off the field. It didn’t help that they only brought Jake Delhomme down one time for a loss of two yards.

All in all, a disappointing effort after three consecutive better-than-average outings.

 

Week Eight vs. San Diego – Win

Despite the win, this week eight game didn’t do a lot to improve the confidence of the defensive unit. Sure, they picked off a pass to end the game. But in between that time and the rest of the game, the unit was not very good.

They gave up 22 first downs, which isn’t horrible, but more importantly allowed the Chargers to convert five of their 12 third down attempts (41 percent). Almost as important, they never brought down Philip Rivers.

The Chargers running game average 5.0 yards per attempt, and the passing game 8.5. But, the Saints managed to prevent the Chargers from scoring touchdowns on three of their six red zone opportunities.

It wasn’t the Saints best defensive game, but it was a little bit better than many people realize.

 

Week 10 @ Atlanta – Loss

In addition to giving up 34 points, rookie quarterback Matt Ryan made the Saints defense look silly. He shredded the Saints secondary as he helped the Falcons fly to 10.8 yards per pass attempt. Generally, it requires a Brees to have that kind of silly number.

The Saints held the vaunted ground attack to 3.1 yards per carry, although they still had 113 yards rushing. They also gave up a rushing touchdown and two through the air.

They were unable to sack Ryan or intercept him. In fact, they were unable to get him off the field, as he helped his team convert 5-of-11 third down attempts (45 percent).

 

Week 11 @ Kansas City – Loss

While the Chiefs managed to gain 21 first downs, they were largely ineffective versus the Saints defense when trying to throw the football.

They averaged a measly 4.9 yards per pass attempt. And that is after the four Saints sacks are included.

Third down wasn’t so kind to them either as they were 5-for-14, although they did pick up two-of-three fourth downs.

The running game worked, at a 5.2 ypc rate. However, in red zone and goal-to-go situations, the Saints held half of the time.

While this was certainly not the best defensive game of the season, it was not a bad one for New Orleans.

 

Week 12 vs. Green Bay – Win

It comes as little surprise that one of the highest scoring games in 2008 would produce bad statistics for the defenses. While New Orleans held the Packers to 29 points, the other numbers weren’t so pretty.

One of the most telling numbers is 10-for-17. That is the third down conversion ratio for the Packers offense…a gaudy 58 percent.

However, New Orleans managed to hold the Green Bay rushing attack to 3.5 yards per carry, and shockingly 5.4 yards per pass attempt. Also impressive were the three interceptions and two sacks the defense racked up.

So perhaps this wasn’t such a bad defensive game after all, at least for the home team.

 

Week 13 @ Tampa Bay – Loss

Without even looking at the box score, I predict this will be one of the five best defensive games of the season for New Orleans.

And the numbers confirm this to be true. Jeff Garcia was even worse than inaccurate.

Frankly he couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn, as he completed just 9-of-23 passes on the rain-soaked day. New Orleans displayed a pass rush with four sacks and they only gave up an amazing 3.9 yards per pass attempt.

Tampa Bay did have more success running the football, and stuck with it a little more than in week one. This time they gained 149 yards, good for 4.4 yards per carry.

But New Orleans’ defense did a wonderful job of getting off the field, as they allowed Tampa to convert only two of their 13 third down conversions. However, they did give up the only two fourth down attempts that Tampa tried.

All in all, a pretty impressive showing from the Saints defense in this one.

 

Week 14 vs. Atlanta – Win

Despite losing the war, Matt Ryan again showed himself to be a very good quarterback in this game. He threw for 315 yards and averaged 9.5 yards per attempt. He did however, throw one into the arms of the Saints.

But he was never sacked, and he helped his offense convert seven of 12 third downs.

Luckily for the Saints, they held Atlanta to 99 yards rushing, and an impressive 3.3 yards per attempt. While Atlanta scored 25 points, the Saints did a good job of taking Atlanta out of their comfort zone by shutting down the run.

 

Week 15 @ Chicago – Loss

Despite losing in overtime, the Saints defense played pretty well in this game, save for a costly penalty at the end of the game.

They held Chicago to 2.6 yards per rush. Also, Chicago only managed 4.1 yards per pass attempt. Additionally, they picked off two of Kyle Orton’s passes.

However, they only sacked Orton once and they did allow Chicago to convert five of 12 third downs.

There is a belief that ultimately a good defense (or offense) does what it has to in order to win. In this case, the Saints didn’t do that on either side of the ball, so to call this a good performance would be an inaccurate statement.

 

Week 16 @ Detroit – Win

Do I even have to look up the stats for this one?

Well, I’ll do it anyway.

New Orleans gave up only 15 first downs, 126 passing yards, and 129 rushing. Detroit did manage 4.8 yards per carry, but they had fewer yards per pass at 4.5, which is awful.

Also, the Saints recorded two sacks and picked off two passes. And they only gave up seven points.

This rivals the Oakland game as the best defensive performance.

 

Week 17 vs. Carolina – Loss

The Saints gave up 23 first downs in this game and a ridiculous 234 rushing yards and 5.6 yards per carry.

They only sacked Delhomme once and never picked him off. Worst of all, the Carolina passing game was superbly efficient to the tune of 11.6 yards per pass attempt.

If that wasn’t bad enough, they allowed Carolina to convert exactly 50 percent of their third-down attempts, and they tried twelve of them.  Do the math.

 

Summary

The Saints were not as bad defensively if you were to look at each game. However, numbers are not everything.  Wins are the only numbers that really matter.

You can take what you want from these statistics. Personally, I take them to mean the Saints were not quite the 23rd-best defense. But I also know they were not as good as the numbers might indicate.

Either way, the key for the Saints in 2009 is going to be consistency. These highs and lows are understandable, but need to end. If they do, then we’ve got a shot.

Until next week, Geaux Saints!

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