Just another thought

with hoping Brees can establish a good drive with passing first, and then sprinkle in the run.

I think I have stated this before, but we are a team that passes to set up the run, just as you say above.

I also think one of Payton’s great strengths is using our guys and their skills to exploit whatever weaknesses he sees in opposing defenses, which will change week to week, based on our opponents. If it’s early long balls and downfield passes that could work, Payton will do that. If it’s delayed screen passes and/or draws to counter a pressure defense, then he’ll do that.

I just can’t wait for this game to start!!

And it also will be important to see what kind of pressure they bring and how we respond to it. If they can jam our receivers, pressure/rattle Brees, and our running game goes nowhere, it will be a looooong afternoon.

But on the other hand, if we score big early and shut them down on offense, they’ll be the ones enduring the long afternoon.

IT’S GO TIME BABY!!

I just reviewed the play-by-play of the Buffalo game, and the running game was working just fine against the Bills in the first half – 80 yards on 14 carries = 5.7 ypc, including Hamilton’s 1 yard TD. The running game exploded in the second half, but I think that was due to Pierre as much as anything. I think Saints were able to run pretty much whenever they wanted, and just did more of it with fresh legs in the second half.

As for the Jets, I think the way to exploit that pass rush is a lot of short yardage routes. Stretch the secondary with 1 or 2 deep routes and have 2 or more guys underneath. It could be a lot of Shockey and Bush, but Colston is great on those crossing routes too. Of course, that’s Moore’s bread and butter, but I’m not sure he’ll get a lot of snaps tomorrow.

the first off. play of each gm. has been a brees pass.

while incorporating the run into our gameplan. That’s what I have felt like we’ve done in the first drives of our previous games. We want to pass with a bit of running to keep them from just playing the pass. If we score on the first drive, expect a bit more of an even play calling.

in regards to play calling and game time decisions. I think he made some huge errors in the past few years, even in 2006, but worse in 07 and 08. But, he seems to be “in the zone” so far this year and this has helped the team immensely. I think keeping a core (large core) of offensive players together for several years helps him know what
plays to call and I would bet they all have some input to various degrees during the week about little tweaks on certain offensive plays and formations.

I hope Payton continues to have it together. I expect some gadget play today and I hope it works. Payton can’t stay away from the gadget and surprise plays forever!!