Jared Allen vs. Jermon Bushrod is the Vikings @ Saints Matchup to Watch
When the word first came out that Saints left tackle Jammal Brown was injured, the news was that he'd be out approximately 8 weeks. At the time I thought the injury was incredibly significant, but I was somewhat relieved by the ideas that Zach Strief played well in spot duty during his short career at left tackle and that Brown had a scheduled return date. At that point, all Strief really needed to do was hold down the fort. As the season started and unfolded, though, the news broke that Jammal Brown would not return this season, and Jermon Bushrod was the unlikely player who stepped up and assumed the role of left tackle ahead of Strief. Bushrod has had high and low points during this season, but it's undeniable that he's performed much better than any of us ever expected. His games against the Giants and Cardinals this season, specifically, were so good that I didn't miss Brown at all. He even handled John Abraham and Julius Peppers much better than Brown ever did. His performance against DeMarcus Ware and the Cowboys, however, was not worthy of a spot on the Saints' offensive line during the Archie Manning era; and we all know that Archie was running for his life on every snap in those days. Come Sunday in the NFC Championship against the Minnesota Vikings, Bushrod will face off against the defensive league MVP candidate Jared Allen. If you listened to Forecast Radio this week then you heard my call in towards the tail end of the show outlining this. This will be the matchup to watch.
So it's a simple question: is Bushrod ready for this test?
Here's what's a given: We know the Vikings' offense can be prone to turnovers with Favre's history in big games and Peterson's severe fumbling issues. We also know they're going to move the ball on the Saints and score points. We know the Saints' offense will make plays and score points. On paper it should be a fantastic game. The Superdome will be a major advantage to the Saints.
But again, how will Bushrod perform against Jared Allen? As the game unfolds he'll have his victories and defeats, no doubt. He's going to get chips from Jeremy Shockey and Pierre Thomas to help, and Carl Nicks will rotate over to double team Allen at times. I'm mostly comfortable with this, because while Pat Williams and Kevin Williams will get less attention, I think Jahri Evans and Jonathan Goodwin can match up pound for pound with them. Jon Stinchcomb, on the other hand, will be mostly isolated one on one with Ray Edwards, and I don't know how comfortable I am with that. So much is being made out of how Bushrod will handle Allen, and yours truly is certainly a culprit, but Stinchcomb is going to have his hands full. The attention and help that Bushrod will get will cause more pressure on Stinchcomb. I hope he's up to the task, and I think that he is, despite welcoming his first child to the world this week (congrats to him for that, by the way). Ultimately if Brees gets sacked, hit, or hurried, it could result in turnovers. We all know that the name of the game is winning the turnover battle. This will be a tough game to do that in. Make no mistake, this Vikings team is very good and this is the Saints' toughest challenge yet.
So how do you think Bushrod fares? Do you think he completely whiffs on this opportunity and gets manhandled by Jared Allen? Does he hold his own and do just enough to keep Brees mostly clean? Does he shock the world and deliver his biggest performance of the year shutting Allen out? Thoughts please.
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21 comments
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Comments
I think you mean
Jermon Bushrod and his five friends.
by Secondeye on Jan 23, 2010 6:23 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Your right. This ain't bushrod island.
He’ll be fine with a little help and by SP protecting him. Need shockey though!
by saints fan in cowboyland! on Jan 23, 2010 6:57 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Secondeye...
…you’re a buffoon.
(Just keeping up with the hurricane thread. :-) )
Irony: An atheist Saints fan.
by GSO Saints Fan on Jan 23, 2010 9:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Depends on what Bushrod shows up.
Realistically, it doesn’t matter if Bushrod stops him every play but one. That one play could be the one resulting in a key turnover. Bottom line is that he’s going to get beat a few times, it’s all in how we handle it when he does. I think you’ll see a lot of screens and swings to Allen’s side in an attempt to slow him down a bit.
Course, I wouldn’t be surprised if you see the defensive line of the Vikings moved around considerably in an attempt to catch the Saints’ offensive line coach off guard. They KNOW we’ve been studying, gameplanning and preparing for this game for weeks if not months. Don’t be surprised if Minnesota comes out showing a bunch of new looks. You know Gregg Williams will after all.
Individual players aren’t going to win this game, coaching is. Although Brees and Bush both have the ability to take over if they’re having a good day. Here’s to hoping that Brees is firing on all cylinders and Bush has his best performance yet!
"The key to them winning is to limit their quarterback to under 20 throws a game." -Cris Carter
by Hooahsaint on Jan 23, 2010 7:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think since it is such a key matchup
Payton will call many plays where Allen’s opportunity to cause a Brees sack or fumble will be minimized- i.e. 3 step drops, screen plays, reverses, traps, calling running plays right at him with double teams, short roll out pass etc etc.
Also, Edwards may not be 100% (or even play).
Getting reasonable gains on first ( and second) down and avoiding 3rd and long will be critical too. I think we can handle it.
"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking
by Philinwood on Jan 23, 2010 9:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Jared Allen wants noise??
Who does he think he is? He wants a lot of noise so that it will throw off the offense He wants a noisey Superdome so that Drew will be off his game? Does he think that Saints fans are stupid or what!!??? The fans will be quiet when the Saints offense is on the field because we don’t want to disrupt the audible. When Drew asks for the crowd to quiet down, damn right they will. Bushrod things it will be better for him if the crowd doesn’t make a lot of noise, then so be it. The fans know what is going on. When the Vikes take the field on offense, the Dome is gonna be thumpin’!!!! We will be the ones to disrupt the quarterback and not allow him to call the audibles. Favre said it himself, GW gives you one look and then next think you know as soon as you get behind center, he changes it up on you. Not enough time to call the audible. Take it how you may, but I have full faith in the Saints front line to protect Drew. The Vikes might be looking at film of the Cowboys game to see what they did to disrupt Drew, but you know it’s not going to be like that. Like the last play of the game, you know Drew would have called Thomas over to provide a chip block on Ware to give him more time to complete the pass, come on now. It’s all part of SP’s plan to get us to the Superbowl. Give them one look then throw out the playbook.
by Saintsfan75 on Jan 23, 2010 9:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I foresee a lot of six man lines
with Strief playing TE across from Allen, to help with doubling him. Also, runs right at Allen early in the game, like Carolina did, can slow him down. Pass on run downs and run in passing situations will cause the mullet to be frazzled and hesitate from thinking. Screens and draws are nice but the Vikings play them well. Keep them off balance and hit Allen with as many people as you can each play. He’s a little under sized and it takes a toll on him for later in the game.
One thing I’ve noticed about Payton is that every pass play is designed around its protection scheme. I’m sure the mad scientist has something in store for this week. Quick passes outside the hashes, Reggie on wheel routes and quick blast runs to where Allen rushed from will help. He can get just as tired chasing down running plays in his area as rushing the QB. Wear him down and neutralize him because their back seven aren’t anything to be scared of.
But the most important thing is to not panic. He may make a play here or there, but stick with what got us here- balanced offense.
by WhoDat_OH on Jan 23, 2010 9:24 AM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Difference between 3-4 and 4-3
may be key to this game. Bushrod handled Peppers and Abraham rushing as down linemen out of a 4-3; Ware rushed as an outside backer from a 3-4. I think Bushrod can handle Allen. He might even be able to shut him out. And I think Stinch will be fine.
BURN THE BLACK PANTS!!!
by MtnExile on Jan 23, 2010 9:46 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Bushrod Will Have a Career Game
remember the Vikings don’t do well in NFC Championship Games. They’ve not been to the Super Bowl since the 70s. Expect that trend to continue.
Brad James
by the new Bradfather on Jan 23, 2010 11:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Shockey is the key to Bushrod playing well.
end of story.
by xen-cuts on Jan 23, 2010 12:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Ray Edwards will be key
If he sits we have a god shot of shutting out their D-Line. We could double Allen and play their back-up heads-up and keep Drew clean all day. If Edwards plays we will have to give one of their ends a one-on-one with our tackles and that scares me a little. Edwards is just as good as Allen and could cause just as much chaos. We remember the Dallas game. Ware was trouble, but it was Spencer rushing off the other end that ended our chances in that game. our O-line can shut down 1 explosive pass rusher, but strugles when they come in pairs.
by saintsdevotee on Jan 23, 2010 1:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
don't know if I agree with that last sentence
our o-line completely shut out Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck in the Giants game
by saints-nation on Jan 23, 2010 5:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And, again, the Giants played a 4-3. We did fine against them. We seem to struggle more against a 3-4 (although we did just fine against the Cardinals, too).
BURN THE BLACK PANTS!!!
by MtnExile on Jan 23, 2010 5:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i think it's the speed
of the linebackers and the timing they have getting to the line.
Superbowl bound!!!...I know! do you?! Go Saints!!
by skinnykinney on Jan 23, 2010 7:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
True story
In 2007, waiting on the draft, I went over all the players from small schools trying to figure out who would be worth a lower-round pick. I finally settled on two: Usama Young from Kent State, and Jermon Bushrod from Towson. Lo and behold, the Saints picked both of them. It was my finest hour; I haven’t come close since (well, I did pick Malcolm Jenkins and Sedrick Ellis…but those were no-brainers).
So Jermon is my boy. Y’all cut him some slack. I would bet that he’s seething right now, after reading all the opinions that he’s going to fold like wet tissue against the great mulletheaded Jared Allen. I would not be at all surprised if Allen is shut out completely—no sacks, no tackles, just like he was against Arizona.
BURN THE BLACK PANTS!!!
by MtnExile on Jan 23, 2010 5:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I already told the Vikings fan at work that
Allen will be a no factor this game. 0 sacks and 0 tackles for a loss. Might get a few tackles on runs and stuff but that’s it. He will get chipped at and chipped at. Remember the Giants game. We will chip Allen and occasionally chip Edwards. We know we can shut down players in a game. We are the best offensive line in the league and they are the best DLine. I think we have the advantage with chip blocking. I dont’ think they’ll send extra players too often because they’ll be afraid their secondary will get carved up. Looking forward to tomorrow!!
Superbowl bound!!!...I know! do you?! Go Saints!!
by skinnykinney on Jan 23, 2010 7:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
with an aggressive d-line
look for screens and draw plays to fake them out a bit.
by nanvinnie on Jan 23, 2010 8:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Edwards hobbled
Even if he goes, he won’t be 100%…plus both Williamses inside are nicked up a bit. I think we’ll handle this D line just fine, or at least well enough to get the job done.
by cptbags on Jan 23, 2010 9:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I hope we don't
run many draws. They get too much push in the middle. Dallas was very good at running draws but the Vikings made them look foolish when they tried it. Screens are good to go. Just as long as the blocker on that side doesn’t let Winfield kill the player that catch’s the ball.
"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." --Mike Tyson
by vicvega26 on Jan 23, 2010 9:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You can always stop one guy...
the key is if you have to help too much. The key for the Saints is just much stopping the push up the middle and Edwards. Allen takes a lot of outside rushes before setting guys up for the bull rush. If you stop the Williams boys, Brees can step up and Allen will go by. If you don’t stop the Williams boys, then nowhere to step up.
Other teams have had success by rolling out right away from Allen. But if Edwards is having a good day, that doesn’t work.
It is more about the whole line play, how many extra guys you need to block, than just one guy. I’ve seen Allen beat his guy all day and have no sacks because the other guys don’t pull their weight.
I saw the Saints line play the Patriots, and in that game I was really impressed. The tackles especially did a good job.
It’ll be fun to see.
Screen passes and runs outside are the best for running on the Vikings. Running up the gut only works to keep them honest, but they’ll stuff you real good there. Pretty much any team gets stuffed running up the gut on the Vikings. Sealing off the outside and a quick back like Bush can have some success.
by Minnyfan on Jan 23, 2010 11:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Jared Allen will get schooled by Bushrod
he was schooled by Flo last week and by Free after Flo went out, everyone thinks Allen dominated but that`s a farce, he had 1 sack and then when was Witten tried to block him and whiffed and Kosier the guard was supposed to kick out and help but did n`t. So I think Bushrod can easily handle him…in other words he`s no DeMarcus Ware.
by ziggy19 on Jan 24, 2010 3:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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