Power Play of the Game: Taking a Stand

by Dave Cariello on Nov 9, 2011 1:00 PM CST

On their second possession of the game this past Sunday, the Buccaneers faced fourth and one on the Saints 29-yard line. Instead of kicking a field goal and taking the three points for an early lead, Tampa decided to go for it.

But the Saints defense held their ground and stuffed the Bucs behind the line. Five plays later the Saints would score a touchdown and never relinquish the lead again. Their big stand was not only a game-changer but it was also a statement play that would set the tone for the rest of the game. The Saints would not be backing down on this day.

So how did it all happen? Make the jump for the breakdown.

Here's the look pre-snap. This entire breakdown would be much better with a view from either end zone. The Saints have a seven man front. Jonathan Casillas and LeGarrette Blount are the two to watch on this play.

After the snap, the linemen for both teams assume their positions and engage their blocks. The handoff is going to be to Blount, who has fullback Erik Lorig lead blocking. Meanwhile, Buccaneers left guard Ted Larsen pulls over to the other side to block as well.

Blount takes the handoff. Roman Harper engages fullback Lorig on the outside. Blount's lead blocker is now the guard Larsen. A hole is developing on that right side. Casillas and Jo-Lonn Dunbar run in to fill it.

It's basically a two-on-two battle for the hole.

Dunbar engages Larsen with help from Roman Harper while Casillas takes the ball carrying Blount. They are stuffed behind the line of scrimmage.

The Buccaneers are overpowered and Blount is taken down. At some point during this scrum the ball pops free.

Shaun Rogers and Erik Lorig are on the ground battling for possession of the loose ball. Lorig eventually recovers.

But it doesn't matter because the Saints have made their big stand and will get the ball anyway. Gregg Williams is just a little happy.

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Comments

great stuff Dave

love the breakdown. Rec’d

by Andrew Juge on Nov 9, 2011 1:50 PM CST reply actions

Just as it should be every down

Great break down…………

My Magnificent Black and Gold Warriors

by saint-sly on Nov 9, 2011 2:47 PM CST reply actions

love this segment. keep up the good work :)

by pvinet on Nov 9, 2011 3:24 PM CST reply actions

yep this is good stuff.

casillas, since vilma went down, is looking so good. Maybe he will replace shanle as a starter when vilma is back.

Whats for dinner, dad?
Wookie Steak.
Is that good?
It's a little chewy.

by WestBank on Nov 9, 2011 3:38 PM CST reply actions

Actually I’m thinking it might be the other way around. I’m thinking Vilma may get his radio helmet back but move to the outside and let Dunbar take the middle. Vilma then would replace Shanle and Casillas would replace Dunbar on the other OLB spot.

Of course, I’m totally just guessing. On one hand, it would seem a big switch to make midseason. On the other hand, if Vilma take four or five weeks to return, or even just simply until after the BYE, then it might become more possible.

by FriarBob on Nov 9, 2011 8:37 PM CST up reply actions

Shaun Rogers and Erik Lorig are on the ground battling for possession of the loose ball.

Giant mustard colored bean bag chair is actually doing something.

Lorig eventually recovers.

Never mind.

Welcome to the party, we're all just papers in the wind

by stujo4 on Nov 9, 2011 4:36 PM CST reply actions

Man crush on the horizon?

If JC keeps improving. I said it earlier JC excells at blitzing the passer, has shown improvement in coverage (even in-game improvement), if this cat starts sniffing out runners behind the line simply…. true love.

Fee-fi-fo-fum,
I smell the blood of an Englishman,
Be he alive, or be he dead
I'll grind his bones to make my bread

by jonrockets on Nov 9, 2011 6:06 PM CST reply actions

Excellent work, Dave - I really enjoy this each week...Question to the group

For an instant during the course of that play, I was worried that the refs might say that with the fumble and scrum for the ball, and the subsequent recovery by the Bucs, somehow it would constitute a change of possession (i.e., try to say that the Saints had the ball for a moment and then the Bucs had it back), that I was actually shouting at the Saints not to wrestle for it in case that might happen- can you believe that? My OCD about the Saints getting screwed/unlucky knows no bounds…

WIN NOW
WINGRAMANIA!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Nov 9, 2011 8:19 PM CST reply actions