Rastak
09-12-2006, 06:52 PM
Why To Watch
These teams, both with new head coaches, opened the season with contrasting results. Collectively, there will be a lot of growing pains due to the inexperience and depth on these rosters. Saints head coach Sean Payton will continue to utilize RBs Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister in the same backfield to create mismatches. Green Bay defensive coordinator Bob Sanders will look to stay aggressive this week with a variety of run blitzes to disrupt the Saints' blocking patterns.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy will continue to incorporate his West Coast system by trying to get QB Brett Favre into a rhythm with a short, controlled passing attack. Defensively, the Saints must find a way to stop RB Ahman Green while disrupting the timing and rhythm of the Packers' passing game.
When the Saints have the ball
Rushing: With both Bush and McAllister on the field at the same time, the Saints can spread the field to create mismatches and wider running lanes for McAllister. If FBs Mike Karney and Keith Joseph are not available this week, the Saints will incorporate a lot of "22" personnel groupings (two running backs, two tight ends) on run downs. The Saints will attack inside the tackle box along the edges to set up the quick, rhythmic passing attack.
The Packers' defense allowed 109 yards rushing last week to the Bears. Look for defensive coordinator Sanders to use his multiple one-gap penetrating schemes to get upfield and get after McAllister. Also, look for the Packers to attack with a lot of run blitzes. The Packers must do a better job with their gap integrity this week against a Saints offensive line that is average at best.
The Packers rely heavily on their linebacker corps, led by MLB Nick Barnett, and their play will be another key. Barnett is a solid playmaker who can make plays both inside the box and outside on the perimeter. The defense is designed to utilize the versatility of the linebackers, who will be counted on heavily to make the Saints a one-dimensional team.
Passing: QB Drew Brees continues to grow in this system and played with a lot of confidence in Week 1 versus the Browns, even though he threw for only 176 yards and finished with a passer rating of 68.8. Payton loves to spread the field in passing situations by using Bush to create mismatches he can exploit and attack.
With all the attention Bush and WR Joe Horn command from the defense, WRs Marques Colston, a seventh-round pick, and Devery Henderson will again be counted on heavily to make plays in the passing game. Also, look for the Saints to slide their protection schemes toward RDE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.
The big key for the Packers will be the play of CBs Charles Woodson and Al Harris. The Packers' heralded tandem was exploited last week by the average receiving corps of the Bears. Defensive coordinator Sanders must find a way with his pressure packages to disrupt the Saints' quick passing attack while applying pressure on Brees.
Look for Sanders to roll the coverage toward Horn in passing situations while putting a safety and linebacker on Bush when he is out in the formation. The Packers also will design certain overload blitzes and single zone fires while playing matching zones on the back end in coverage. A lot the Packers' success will depend on their four-man rushes. If they can get pressure that way, it will allow them to keep more linebackers in underneath coverage.
When the Packers have the ball
Rushing: RB Green was the lone bright spot for the Packers' offense in Week 1, rushing for 110 yards on 20 carries in his first game back since suffering a ruptured tendon in his thigh last October. Again, FB William Henderson will be a game-time decision this week. He was inactive in Week 1, only the third game he's missed in his 12-year career.
Look for the Packers to continue to spread the field and incorporate zone-blocking schemes designed to create better angles and running lanes for Green. Green still has some big-play ability in both the running and passing games. He is an instinctive runner with very good in-line vision.
Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs will continue to utilize his multiple 4-3 schemes by attacking upfield gaps with his front four, as well as incorporating an extra safety near the box on downs with heavy run tendencies. Gibbs will continue to stem the fronts in order to cause confusion in the Packers' blocking schemes by using the quickness of his interior defensive line. The Saints' linebacker corps, led by strongside LB Scott Fujita, was all over the field against the Browns. However, New Orleans' linebackers are still questionable against the run, something the Packers can exploit.
Passing: In Week 1, the Packers were shut out for the first time in Favre's 14-plus years with the organization. The Packers' West Coast philosophy uses a lot of quick slants and crossing routes designed to get yards after the catch. Look for their game plan this week to revolve around RB Green to set up the quick, rhythmic passing game.
WR Donald Driver led the Packers in receptions last week with seven for 96 yards. However, the rest of the receiving corps combined for nine catches. WR Greg Jennings, a second-round pick, WR Robert Ferguson and TE Bubba Franks need to elevate their games this week to take advantage of a Saints secondary that is vulnerable.
Saints coach Payton was highly encouraged by his defense after its performance in Week 1. Defensive coordinator Gibbs will continue to rely a lot on his Cover 2 philosophy of being aggressive on the outside with CBs Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas in order to disrupt the timing and rhythm of the Packers' passing game.
With the focus of the Packers' pass protections schemes centered on the outside edges against RDE Will Smith and LDE Charles Grant, the Saints will look to take advantage of the interior matchups along the offensive line. The Packers' interior offensive line is young and lacks experience with rookies Jason Spitz, Scott Wells and Tony Moll. So, look for RDT Brian Young to continue to perform at high level in passing situations.
These teams, both with new head coaches, opened the season with contrasting results. Collectively, there will be a lot of growing pains due to the inexperience and depth on these rosters. Saints head coach Sean Payton will continue to utilize RBs Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister in the same backfield to create mismatches. Green Bay defensive coordinator Bob Sanders will look to stay aggressive this week with a variety of run blitzes to disrupt the Saints' blocking patterns.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy will continue to incorporate his West Coast system by trying to get QB Brett Favre into a rhythm with a short, controlled passing attack. Defensively, the Saints must find a way to stop RB Ahman Green while disrupting the timing and rhythm of the Packers' passing game.
When the Saints have the ball
Rushing: With both Bush and McAllister on the field at the same time, the Saints can spread the field to create mismatches and wider running lanes for McAllister. If FBs Mike Karney and Keith Joseph are not available this week, the Saints will incorporate a lot of "22" personnel groupings (two running backs, two tight ends) on run downs. The Saints will attack inside the tackle box along the edges to set up the quick, rhythmic passing attack.
The Packers' defense allowed 109 yards rushing last week to the Bears. Look for defensive coordinator Sanders to use his multiple one-gap penetrating schemes to get upfield and get after McAllister. Also, look for the Packers to attack with a lot of run blitzes. The Packers must do a better job with their gap integrity this week against a Saints offensive line that is average at best.
The Packers rely heavily on their linebacker corps, led by MLB Nick Barnett, and their play will be another key. Barnett is a solid playmaker who can make plays both inside the box and outside on the perimeter. The defense is designed to utilize the versatility of the linebackers, who will be counted on heavily to make the Saints a one-dimensional team.
Passing: QB Drew Brees continues to grow in this system and played with a lot of confidence in Week 1 versus the Browns, even though he threw for only 176 yards and finished with a passer rating of 68.8. Payton loves to spread the field in passing situations by using Bush to create mismatches he can exploit and attack.
With all the attention Bush and WR Joe Horn command from the defense, WRs Marques Colston, a seventh-round pick, and Devery Henderson will again be counted on heavily to make plays in the passing game. Also, look for the Saints to slide their protection schemes toward RDE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.
The big key for the Packers will be the play of CBs Charles Woodson and Al Harris. The Packers' heralded tandem was exploited last week by the average receiving corps of the Bears. Defensive coordinator Sanders must find a way with his pressure packages to disrupt the Saints' quick passing attack while applying pressure on Brees.
Look for Sanders to roll the coverage toward Horn in passing situations while putting a safety and linebacker on Bush when he is out in the formation. The Packers also will design certain overload blitzes and single zone fires while playing matching zones on the back end in coverage. A lot the Packers' success will depend on their four-man rushes. If they can get pressure that way, it will allow them to keep more linebackers in underneath coverage.
When the Packers have the ball
Rushing: RB Green was the lone bright spot for the Packers' offense in Week 1, rushing for 110 yards on 20 carries in his first game back since suffering a ruptured tendon in his thigh last October. Again, FB William Henderson will be a game-time decision this week. He was inactive in Week 1, only the third game he's missed in his 12-year career.
Look for the Packers to continue to spread the field and incorporate zone-blocking schemes designed to create better angles and running lanes for Green. Green still has some big-play ability in both the running and passing games. He is an instinctive runner with very good in-line vision.
Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs will continue to utilize his multiple 4-3 schemes by attacking upfield gaps with his front four, as well as incorporating an extra safety near the box on downs with heavy run tendencies. Gibbs will continue to stem the fronts in order to cause confusion in the Packers' blocking schemes by using the quickness of his interior defensive line. The Saints' linebacker corps, led by strongside LB Scott Fujita, was all over the field against the Browns. However, New Orleans' linebackers are still questionable against the run, something the Packers can exploit.
Passing: In Week 1, the Packers were shut out for the first time in Favre's 14-plus years with the organization. The Packers' West Coast philosophy uses a lot of quick slants and crossing routes designed to get yards after the catch. Look for their game plan this week to revolve around RB Green to set up the quick, rhythmic passing game.
WR Donald Driver led the Packers in receptions last week with seven for 96 yards. However, the rest of the receiving corps combined for nine catches. WR Greg Jennings, a second-round pick, WR Robert Ferguson and TE Bubba Franks need to elevate their games this week to take advantage of a Saints secondary that is vulnerable.
Saints coach Payton was highly encouraged by his defense after its performance in Week 1. Defensive coordinator Gibbs will continue to rely a lot on his Cover 2 philosophy of being aggressive on the outside with CBs Mike McKenzie and Fred Thomas in order to disrupt the timing and rhythm of the Packers' passing game.
With the focus of the Packers' pass protections schemes centered on the outside edges against RDE Will Smith and LDE Charles Grant, the Saints will look to take advantage of the interior matchups along the offensive line. The Packers' interior offensive line is young and lacks experience with rookies Jason Spitz, Scott Wells and Tony Moll. So, look for RDT Brian Young to continue to perform at high level in passing situations.