Saints-Cardinals breakdown.
by saintfever09 on Jan 12, 2010 7:25 PM CST
26 comments
Saints receivers vs. Cardinals secondary-Advantage-Saints receivers: Marques Colston has a sizable advantage over Dominique Rogers Cromartie and Bryant Mcfadden, and if put in man coverage, simply out-muscle his corner and beat him. In zone, Colston is smart enough to find the hole and make himself visible to Drew Brees. He also has the strength to get off the jam at the line of scrimmage. Meachem and Henderson are so fast that it will be nearly impossible to hold them up unless the Cardinals play a 2 or 3 deep zone behind the man coverage. Moore is the perfect slot receiver. He has sure hands, amazing quickness, precise route-running, great endurance, and a deep intelligence. add Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas catching from out of the backfield, and the Cardinals will have a very tough time locking up the Saints receivers. Jeremy Shockey also presents a potent threat down the middle of the field, which prevents the Cardinals defense from being able to play deep zone coverage.
Saints backs vs. Cardinals front 7-Advantage-Saints: Pierre Thomas is not only capable of running the ball between the tackles, but also he can run on the outside, making him a dual threat. He has great vision and explosiveness, a low center of gravity, and generates yards after contact. Reggie Bush has a great burst and once he gets through the first line of defenders, he is nearly impossible to bring down. Mike Bell is able to pound the ball and grind out the tough 3 to 4 yards in short yardage situations or 4-minute offense. All three backs have a different style and bring a change of pace when they are in the game. It also helps that they are running behind an offensive line that has been nominated to the Most Valuable Protectors Award and may even win it.
Saints secondary vs. Cardinals receivers-Advantage-Cardinals. Although the Saints will likely have their entire secondary healthy for the game, it likely will not be enough to cover the Cardinals receiving corps, which is arguably the best in the league. Not only do they have great outside receivers in Larry Fitzgerald, who is just an athletic freak who can get off the game, split the double team, and outrace defenders on the way to the end zone, and Anquan Boldin, who is one of the most physical receivers in all of football who can break tackles and play through injury(even though the scored 51 without the guy!!!!!); but also they have steve breaston, who would be a starter on nearly any other team in the nfl; early doucet, who emerged very nicely against the packers; and jeremy urban, who is quite sure-handed and a pretty good route runner.
Saints front 7 vs. Cardinals backs-Advantage-Saints. Although Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower bring a physical presence to the Cardinals offense, I think the Saints will bounce back against the run. The Saints have gone back to the fundamentals of gap control and have also had a nice couple of weeks of rest, which is really good for those big guys up front. It is very difficult to have a high motor for every play, every week of the season. The Saints had their bye week in week four of the season, so their lines have had 13 straight weeks of rigorous work. The Saints will control the Cardinals run game and IMO hold them to less than 75 yards rushing.
Saints kicking/coverage units vs. Cardinals return unit-Advantage-Saints. Thomas Morstead is a top 5 punter in the NFL and has a knack for pinpointing the ball inside the 10, thus giving the Saints defense a chance to pin its ears back and rush the passer. Morstead also has a knack for delivering deep kickoffs, which prevent nice returns from the opposing team, and field position is an essential advantage in the playoffs. The Saints will have usama young back to play on special teams, and he is a star on that unit. Also, we will be using starters on our coverage units, so i do not see us giving up a big return. Also, i think Garrett Hartley will fare just fine in the playoffs. I'd prefer that he not have to kick the game-winning kick though because he is only a second year pro.
Saints return unit vs. Cardinals kicking/coverage units-Advantage-Saints. Reggie Bush has yet to break a big return, and i think that will change very soon. A guy with the kind of speed and quickness as Reggie Bush is money on returns, and i think he will fix it for the playoffs. He has seemed more decisive on his cuts on punt returns in recent games and i think that he will explode in the playoffs. Courtney Roby is one of the speedier kick returners in the NFL and should give the Saints some stable field position everytime he fields a kick.
Coaching Staffs-Advantage-Saints. This one was a difficult one, but i think it came down to the fact that gregg williams has turned this defense around. We are number 2 in the league in causing turnovers and that is important. Whichever team wins the turnover battle nearly always wins the game. Sean Payton is also an innovative offensive playcaller and also knows how to determine the weaknesses and tendencies of a defense and exploit them.
Final Score-Saints 56 Cardinals 27
This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
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You obviously haven't researched the Cardinals specials teams.
Ben Grahams punting stats are fantastic, in particular with punts downed inside the 20. The coverage teams have been great. LaRod Stephens-Howling HAS returned a kick for a TD this year. Neil Rackers also has a booming kick. The only stat that doesn’t look good on paper is the avg punt distance which is a factor of where the Cardinals punt from, not an indicator of leg strength. I won’t argue the merits of the Saints special teams as I have not checked them out myself. However, if you intend to make comparisons you should at least have made some comment on the opposing teams ability if you want to be taken seriously.
by hadrarius on Jan 13, 2010 12:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Ben Graham is a Saints castoff, circa 2008. And I love it when he Howls. ah-OOOOOOO werewolves of london.
I got to keep moving, I got to keep moving
Blues falling down like hail, blues falling down like hail
by stujo4 on Jan 13, 2010 9:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Muttonchops?
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
by coldpizza on Jan 13, 2010 12:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm Sorry
But even I have to disagree with this post. I know that we all want the Saints to win and be invicible, but we have to be able to address real problems and matchups with our team.
Saints Receivers Vs Cards Secondary I agree with the Saints here. They have got the best receiving corps in the NFL. The Cards secondary is no joke though. You definitely have to respect their abilities.
Saints Back Vs Cards front 7 – Don’t slam the door on this one just yet. I would say this is a more even match up than a Saints all the way kind of thing. It isn’t just that the Cards are susceptible to the run that should drive this point, but moreso the health of our true premier back. Thomas is hurt. I know that everyone wants him to chew their line up and spit them out, but broken ribs are PAINFUL. Also note that Reggie has improved, but his touches are almost non-existent. Bell has been almost counterproductive lately and if this doesn’t change, not only will our rushing suffer, but our playaction pass will become a non-factor.
Saints Secondary Vs Cards Receivers – I have to agree that the Cards have the advantage. Even with our secondary all healthy, the Cards are hard to stop. Either their receivers, minus Boldin, are that damn good, or the Packers #2 defense was just that bad. Be careful betting the farm on Arizona giving up 45 points again.
Saints front 7 Vs Cards Backs – I also disagree with this one. Beanie Wells and Mr. Hightower are one of the best tandem units in the NFL. They absolutely ripped the Pack apart. They gashed the middle, the cut the corners, they ran the field with ease. They might be a little tired, but they know that it is win or go home. They will give it everything they have got, and our Run D has been less than impressive lately.
Coverage Units Vs Return Units I give an even keel. Both units are about the same to me. We need some big plays on kick returns and return coverage to counteract their unit’s abilities. Roby ran one back this year and Jenkins has made a few great plays on ST this year. Their kicker has missed a crucial field goal and ours has missed two, which ended up costing us a win in one of the games.
The Coaching Staff of the Saints tops the Crads just barely.
We all know that we face a dire situation that leads to the NFC CG or to the house to rest for another year. We also know we are facing one of the greatest playoff QB’s in the history of the game. The Cards have a stacked deck, not only at receiver, but at RB as well, and their D is better than most that we have faced this year. Taking all of that into consideration, Brees and Co will need to score fast and often, and Sharper and Co will have to give them extra opportunity to do so. This could get ugly.
Underestimate No One, Take Nothing For Granted
by SaintsFanInIraq on Jan 13, 2010 6:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
“Brees and Co will need to score fast and often, and Sharper and Co will have to give them extra opportunity to do so.”
No, they’ll just have to score more consistently than the Cardinals. Scoring fast does nothing but present Warner with more snaps to work with, while wearing out the defense. In this game in particular, the defense is going to be behind the eight ball just preventing the score. They don’t need the extra burden of “must force turnover”. If they do, groovy. We’ll definitely take it. As the primary defensive mindset though, let’s just stick to three and out. On offense, taking the more deliberate approach of “every possession equals six” — “six” being both points and minutes in duration — and you can pretty much call the thing a W, with or without Sharper and Co’s lagniappe. As I brought up in another thread, Green Bay had more takeaways than the Saints this season, yet only forced one last week. After pulling even, they inexplicably continued to avoid the run, opting instead for a shootout down to the wire and ultimately lost. As long as victory remains within reach, we shouldn’t be dead set on making the same mistake. Getting the TEs involved in the short game should be key, maybe even moreso than establishing the run. Arizona has absolutely no answer for Jeremy Shockey on offense. They’ll either have to run, screen or air it out, all of which we’re at least capable of doing.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
by coldpizza on Jan 13, 2010 11:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think going for turnovers
has to do with the level of aggresiveness. For example, Blitzing more will increase the likelyhood of a sack fumble or a rushed throw interception. With this aggressiveness, the big play happens which will meen short drives for them. Or, you can do the bend but dont break that takes time, but they usually score if they are that good. How exactly do you go for 3 and outs? a mix of these?
by ReggieVilma on Jan 13, 2010 9:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It doesn’t matter, as long as they’re getting the opposing offense off the field as quickly as possible. Quickly meaning in the fewest amount of snaps. As a defense, you can’t control the clock, other than by giving up first downs and that’s never in your best interests. Of course, the law of averages DO come into play. For example, if a 2nd-and-10 play results in a gain of 9 and there’s a holding call on the offense, very rarely are you going to decline the penalty to face 3-and-1. 2nd-and-20 requires a 10 yd per play average to move the chains. 3-and-1 requires a 1 yd per play average. Unless trailing extremely late in the half or game, you pretty much have to surrender that extra snap (read: time off the clock). As far as “bend but don’t break” defensive series that give up first downs, outside of a prevent defense, that’s pure hindsight rhetoric. No DC in the league takes that approach in an undecided game. If they do, they need to be fired on the spot.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
by coldpizza on Jan 14, 2010 11:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
By Scoring Fast and Often
This will allow us to jump ahead early. When the Saints have the fortunue of jumping ahead early in games, they also have the luxury of going to the run much sooner instead of trying to shoot it out and abandon the run too prematurely.
As far as Sharper and Co go, they will have to step up against the Kurt Warner Pass Happy offense. They will have a game plan that revolves around the pass to get them into the endzone quick. Sharper and the rest of the DB’s will have to shut down the passing game with authority in the first couple of possessions in order to force Arizona to go to the run to reestablish the pass. I am not looking for INT’s to give us additional chances, I am looking for drive killing defensive play in the secondary, INT, Pass Deflection, Stopping Receivers Short on 3rd down, anything and everything to force additional scorring opportunities for the Saints Offense.
As I previously mentioned, our running game is not as sound as it was earlier in the year. Mike Bell has stalled, Pierre Thomas is hurt, and Reggie Bush barely touches the ball. We need a couple of quick scores and defensive stops or turnovers to allow us a little breathing room for a shaky running game. We will have to develope a running game as we go unless Thomas, Bell Or Bush play better than they did down the stretch.
Underestimate No One, Take Nothing For Granted
by SaintsFanInIraq on Jan 13, 2010 11:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
“By Scoring Fast and Often This will allow us to jump ahead early.”
No, it won’t. Scoring fast will allow you to take an eight point lead, at best. It carries the same advantage of scoring period, regardless of the speed at which it’s accomplished.
If by “quickly” you mean “with greater frequency than the Cardinals”, or “as often as possible” then I agree with you. If by “quickly” you mean “advance the ball down the field as expeditiously as possible, regardless of whether or not the Cardinals are answering on their own drives” then I completely disagree.
Whether accomplished early or late, scoring IN GENERAL behooves a team. Unless trailing by a substantial margin, scoring QUICKLY never does.
“As I previously mentioned, our running game is not as sound as it was earlier in the year. Mike Bell has stalled, Pierre Thomas is hurt, and Reggie Bush barely touches the ball.”
I fully understand what you’re getting at, but fail to see of what importance this holds, in terms of how quickly you should be looking to score. Our most effective/healthy offensive personnel are geared towards the passing game. While that may be true, a methodic, chain-moving passing game is always going to be more conducive to victory than a quick strike passing game.
TOP is not synonymous with running the ball. In fact, in today’s NFL … there’s both LESS of a corrulation between running and TOP, and MORE of a corrulation between TOP and winning, than at any other point in the history of the game. Even though the game is evolving more and more towards the pass, it’s not the long ball that’s driving that trend.
This may explain why so many teams with upper echelon TEs typically contend for a playoff berth every year, while WR driven offenses (for lack of a better term) are far less consistent from season-to-season. For as much as Indianapolis throws the ball, Dallas Clark is a huge cog in their offense. San Diego is another team that’s always right in the thick of things. Terrific TE, solid RB corps.
The Cardinals and the Saints are both pass happy teams, neither of which employ the TE nearly often enough, imo. Typical results? Break even seasons. Squeaking into the post season every few years, at best. Arizona has picked it up in the running game this year and suddenly they have back-to-back division titles. Coincidence? New Orleans finds better run-pass balance, utilizes Shockey early on and suddenly they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Think of this entire season as this Saturday’s game. Knowing how 2009 has played out so far … seeing first hand what so much of our offensive success has been based upon … why would anyone want to see a shootout?
“When the Saints have the fortunue of jumping ahead early in games, they also have the luxury of going to the run much sooner”
Again, jumping ahead has nothing to do with rocketing down the field. Jumping ahead by more than eight points requires a defensive stop or takeaway, as well as a subsequent score. This can be accomplished at any pace whatsoever.
Further, you’ve already stated that the running game isn’t as sound as it was earlier in the season. So, even if what you’re saying is 100% accurate, why would you be looking to take the same approach? If the running game is capable of maintaining a lead, wouldn’t it stand to reason that it should be just as capable of establishing one?
“They will have a game plan that revolves around the pass to get them into the endzone quick.”
I guarantee you, that’s not going to be the case. The “quick” part, I mean. Their game plan may revolve around the pass, but “scoring quickly” is not going to be Arizona’s MO either. Why would it be? They’re going to want the ball out of Drew Brees’s hands just as much as we want it out of Kurt Warner’s, if not moreso. Look for both teams to at least attempt to establish the run early on. As long as there’s some semblance of success and the lead is within a TD, I don’t expect that to mindset to simply evaporate for the sake of giving everyone an aerial show.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
by coldpizza on Jan 14, 2010 1:19 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I think you got your heading a little backward..............
Head lines Sunday….“Saints Breakdown Cardinals”……………..How’s Dat ??
My Magnificent Black and Goald Warriors
by saint-sly on Jan 13, 2010 7:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Dat's Mo Like It !
The Mud Dogs are goin' to the Bourbon Bowl !
by PilneyPark on Jan 13, 2010 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dat's Nice.
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jan 13, 2010 4:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
what i think and not know
I believe if the Saints play a corner in man coverage on fitzgerald and press him at the line of scrimmage and be physical, as well as to use zone coverage over the top we “might” have a chance at shutting him down. Also we have to make sure that we do not lose sight of the TE as a receiver. If our D-line gets some pressure on Kurt Warner and make sure to keep those big arms up if we can’t get to him, we might frustrate him. I believe Kurt Warner is an really good QB, but he throws a little low and we might have a chance at batting down some key passes on third down. I just hope that our defense plays aggressive for 4 quarters. If our offense plays like they know they can, then we can put points on the scoreboard.
by believerofgoldandblack on Jan 13, 2010 10:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion
but as a saints fanatic, i report the things i say with 100% truth. i will analyze every matchup and report it objectively. i tell the truth the way it is, and i believe the saints will thrash the cardinals this sunday—not only because i’m a fan, but also because the matchups favor us. The saints front 7 is very good…sedrick ellis, will smith, anthony hargrove, jon vilma, scott fujita? come on now. that cards offensive line isn’t that great. they just look good because of kurt warner’s fast release. ben graham may have the best statistics in the world, but it doesn’t have anything to do with how good a punter he is. from what ive seen, anytime he had a chance to pin the opposing team inside the 10, he has failed. last i check, jason david had the best stats out of all the saints corners last season, but he was by far our worst corner. stats mean nothing. but once again, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
by saintfever09 on Jan 13, 2010 4:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“ben graham may have the best statistics in the world, but it doesn’t have anything to do with how good a punter he is. from what ive seen, anytime he had a chance to pin the opposing team inside the 10, he has failed.”
I don’t know about within the 10, but he led the NFL in punts downed inside the 20. In fact, 42 of his 86 punts were. That’s nearly 49% of the time. Morestead pinned 18 of 58 (31%), his total typing him for 26th best in the league. Is that the reason why you failed to mention Graham (or any other Cardinals player) in your in-depth “Saints return unit vs. Cardinals kicking/coverage units” breakdown?
Further, while I fully respect you assertion that “statistics mean nothing”, at what point did Morestead become a Top 5 punter in the NFL? You know, like based on what, exactly? Besides your opinion, I mean (which you’re fully entitled to).
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
by coldpizza on Jan 13, 2010 6:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
his total tying him for 26th best
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
by coldpizza on Jan 13, 2010 6:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
do you work for espn?
lol nice analysis. you know your stuff. but let me clarify. he is one of the up and coming punters in this league. he may not have the stats and everything, but its what else he does for us. he kicks off for us, and he had a streak of 15 consecutive home kickoffs in the end zone. thats pretty good for a rookie punter. and recently, he has come on in the punting game. in that carolina game, he really showed his stuff; consistently downing the panthers inside the 10 yard line.
by saintfever09 on Jan 13, 2010 8:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
“he is one of the up and coming punters in this league.”
I agree with that. I actually can’t think of too many punters in the history of the NFL, that COULDN’T be considered “up-and-coming” 16 games into their career — well, whose surname wasn’t Erxleben anyway — but it’s certainly a fair assessment. Now, had you offered any sort of assessment (or mention) of Graham/Rackers whatsoever, I probably wouldn’t have even chimed in.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
by coldpizza on Jan 14, 2010 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Overall Agreement
My worthless opinion only differs from your well-argued one in 2 ways:
1. I think you are a little overly optimistic about our special teams – not much, but a little.
2. I think your analysis is based on all 16 games, when in fact Saturday’s game will be played by a team which will be healthier and better-rested than we’ve been for half the year. This should offset point 1.
Therefore, I agree with your overall analysis, and will sleep better tonight for it.
Thanks for the effort!
The Mud Dogs are goin' to the Bourbon Bowl !
by PilneyPark on Jan 13, 2010 6:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
and thank you
for the compliment. and your opinion is, by no means, worthless. this is a saints blogging website and the whole point of it is to share our opinions as saints fans. i’m fairly new here but i’ll start to post a lot more from now on.
by saintfever09 on Jan 13, 2010 7:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the plural of "staff" is "staves".
Brees gonna throw down the Saints... Wide open Devery Henderson! Nobody's within twenty yards of him! He could do the backstroke into the end zone from there! And he'll take it in for a seventy-five yard touchdown strike!
by Joseph William Stern on Jan 14, 2010 11:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Scratch that. It's just "staff" with no "s".
Brees gonna throw down the Saints... Wide open Devery Henderson! Nobody's within twenty yards of him! He could do the backstroke into the end zone from there! And he'll take it in for a seventy-five yard touchdown strike!
by Joseph William Stern on Jan 14, 2010 11:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
hmmm
i am going to have to disagree with some things. in the run games for us against their D, i’d say push. In their run game against us, i’ll agree to an extent. As far as us against them, i said push is because of their right side. Dansby, Okeafor, and Docket are a formidable group. Besides those three though, i’m not overly concerned. As for them against us, Wells had a huge game last week and looks promising but i like our front 7 against him and Hightower. They just don’t have that great of a run game. I’ll agree about both passing games(both arguably best in the league) and coaches. The STs is a different story. We aren’t exactly the best coverage unit(especially as of late). I think having some ppl like Jenkins and Young (both of whom seemed to make big plays on STs early in the season) back will help us but we have worried me everytime that we have punted. It’s not the punts but the coverage so I give the nod to their return game. As far as our return game, i give the nod to us because unless you are punting the ball standing at the 50/40 yard lines everytime, you’ll probably outkick your coverage on a punt and Reggie can take em all the way if the other players decide to block. Also, Roby has had some good returns this year and seems to get it around the 25 or so most of the time. The score(as confident as i am in the saints) will not be a huge blowout.
Superbowl bound!!!...I know! do you?! Go Saints!!
by skinnykinney on Jan 14, 2010 5:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Pressure Warner
He can barely more and throws side arm at times. Our ball hawking safety should have a field day. Its ok if they break one or two big plays on us, because we can match them there, but we can make big plays on defense better than them and our Qb is more mobile. I literally can’t wait til 130 saturday, almost losing sleep, i wonder how the players feel. Lets go!!!!!!
by Tyreek on Jan 15, 2010 1:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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