Let's talk strategy
 

Not too complicated.
I have been racking my brain trying to think about how this weekend's game turns out.

Here's what I think both team will try to do.

PHI
On offense, I think Reid will try to "take the air out of the ball." Deliberate time consuming drives. Typical "West Coast" short passing game this time instead of throwing down field like in week 6.

On defense, the Eagles will try to assert the NFC East tough mentality. Also look for Jim Johnson to throw Ravens' type coverages at Drew Brees. Outside pressure to keep a short Brees in the pocket. He'll have to throw over the line man. Also the Eagles will try and stop the short passing game. Make sure everything in the flats is covered.

NO
On offense, Payton will look to protect the football and his QB at all costs.
play action passing and moving the pocket. I'd like to see him use Deuce in the passing game (screens, flats) a little more.
While I know this season protecting the football has been paramount, I also think the only way we win this game is if Payton doesn't pull any punches. Go for the big plays when they are there.

On defense, I like our chances. The Eagles are fast, physical and skilled. And the best way to counter that is actually pretty simple.
TACKLE on first down.
Tackle Westbrook on first down and make Philly throw the ball on second and third down. That way one guy won't beat us.
I think the team has done well this season against the oppositions best threat. Vick, S. Moss, Owens, Gore and Steve Smith. The only two guys who have crushed us are Fast Willie Parker and Ocho-Cinco.
I believe in both cases, poor technique aided those two.
Also if we get gauged on first down, forget about it.

What do you think?

RE: Let
 

i think the first quarter is huge with us coming off a bye. we can't get down by to much while we get our legs under us and find our rhythm.

RE: Let
 

Ok here is my strategery, If we win the toss we defer the kickoff. Let our D try to stop them on opening drive to deflate their sails a little. Then have our offense step up and score. This will put them in the play from behind mode early and we get the kick at half. Of course all this is dependant on the D stopping them. This also says we are going to control this game. Okay let the bashing begin :dunce:

RE: Let
 

Run up the score and kneel the entire 4th quarter.

Re: RE: Let
 

That would be PRIME.

RE: Re: RE: Let
 

If possible score fast on our first possession to set the tone, like game 16 against the Panthers, if you recall we scored right away which puts a lot of pressure on a defense on the next drive.
Oh, play some good defense, keep Westbrook under 100 yards and we win IMHO.

RE: Re: RE: Let
 

I thought I made some good points, but after further review...
I like Brann's idea

RE: Re: RE: Let
 

How bout we keep possesion the entire 4th quarter and kneel just like the first game in the last 2 minutes. Never let them back on the field.

RE: Re: RE: Let
 

If they try to blitz, Brees-Bush will victimize them with swings and screens.

I would like to see Duece with about 150 yards of rushing in a ball control, play action passing attack, with some long passes occasionally. If we end up chasing Garcia around it could be a long day.

:P
Why dont we just go out and play OUR game like we know we can. No turnovers.

KEEP THE FAITH---GEAUX SAINTS!!!!

NO TURNOVERS!!!!! That will win the game!

The Saints have not lost a game this season when they did not turn over the ball.

I'd call it a key stat.

SFIAH

Don't turn the ball over's not a strategy! Come on. That's like saying to get rich you've got to get some money. Jeez.

Just like Ohio State's failure in the BCS title game to both bring urgent speed and protect the edge on offense or get pressure on the edge on defense, the team who repeats that recipe will wind up on the wrong end of another lopsided score.

Strategy - wear out the Eagles' D. Plod down the field. Beat them up. Demoralize and humiliate them. Make the 4th quarter about their surviving another pounding. If the toss is won, keep the defense on the sidelines and get their defense tired from the get go. Go over the top just enough to make them wonder when Devry or Marcus is going to make them look silly.

Strategy - Spread the field. The Saint's offense is most effective when the opposing defense has to account for everyone. Opposing defenses are most effective when they can double up inside and fill gaps. The Saints have superior speed on offense - make the Eagles D have to keep up with the speed.

Strategy - Key on Westbrook. You can't limit his touches, but you can put a spy on him. Force Garcia to have to make other Eagles' skill players make plays.

Strategy - Keep Garcia in the pocket. Make him find one of his receivers from behind a collapsing pocket. Don't let him get on the edge and don't bite on those naked qb boots from which he has the run/pass option. Be aware that while the Saints' Defense gives up a lot of "yardage" on the ground, the significant minority of yards given up were in huge plays to Vick and Willie Parker. The run defense will be stout, and Reid will gameplan Garcia to employ his west coast offense skills for short passing; arms up on short drops, bull rush on deep drops.

Strategy - Play field position where the odds favor. This will be a surprisingly low scoring game, so make Akers make long field goals.

The Eagles are playing really good football right now...they are very balanced as an offense and they have the talent to lull you with runs and short passes and then beat you over the top with Stallworth and Reggie Brown. Containing LJ Smith will be huge for the Saints. The Eagles have also shown the ability to win close games which really comes into play in the playoffs. For the Saints to win, we have to force them into some mistakes on offense, get consistent pressure on Garcia and take advantage of field position. If any of you watched the Eagles-Giants game last weekend, you noticed that the Giants had 3 possessions start in Eagles territory and got 0 points out of it. The Saints cant afford to let those opportunities get away from them. I think this is going to be a close game, but at the same time, God help the eagles if the Saints jump out to an early lead because the dome will be a rockin'!!!