I have read and heard several times that some people like J. Duncan and  others have said that the Saints have blitzed a reasonable amount and more than the fans realize, and this is total BS. Anyone watching these playoff games sees a stark contrast to what is happening in those games on defense compared to what happened week in and week out with the Saints.  Teams like Baltimore and Tennessee, Phila and Carolina, even Arizona, San Diego-and you will see it from the Giants today.  There is 1) Variety - anything and everything from the LBs and DEs to confuse the OL and QB and get an edge whether it is just faked or they actually follow thru on an overload or a DE covering a RB in the flat or DL stunting and attacking from different locations. 

2) Committment  -  in today's NFL, a 5 man rush isn't really a blitz, it's a moderate attempt at pressure. Sometimes it is the right thing to do, but you have to do it with some other type of wrinkle or the pros on the other side usually handle it.  When you send 6, or even 7, the adrenalin gets pumped, the rush is on, everone from the SS to the DT knows it is all or nothing and fortunately, 90% of the time the DBs only have to cover a receiver for 2 seconds. Usually the play is changed at the line and it is a very short pass attempt or draw play and you only have to cover  the first 15-20 yards from the LOS. And, when you do this one or two times, just the appearence of the possiblility of it happening on another down when the D is faking causes audibles, receivers to break off routes when they don't have to or QBs looking to different routes by mistake. That's one of the things that a defense wants to create- confusion, doubt and a change in offensive plans.  IT comes with risk, but it's about committment and becoming good at it and believing that you can pressure them more than they can pressure you. If you don't have that type of mentality, then you are a passive defense anyway you are going to get mopped up anyway so what's the difference?  At least go down trying instead of being a punching bag.   The Saints NEVER did that kind of thing.  Every offense that faced us basically knew what we were going to do with a very high probability. If you don't believe me, watch NY vs Phil today or SD vs. Pitt and compare with a tape of a Saints game this season.  The contrast is sickening.