| SaintFanInATLHELL |
09-03-2007 07:28 AM |
Re: final take on saints/colts game.........
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Originally Posted by lumm0x
(Post 137502)
I personally don't predict this will be the shootout everyone else sees it may be. I see a 24-17 game. I think we'll start slow, look a little ineffective early,
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What do you base that on? In the last 4 preseason games, the #1/#2 offense has walked the ball right down the field. And you best believe that Coach Payton isn't just going to line up in a I formation and hand the ball to Deuce in the red zone once the regular season starts. Everyone will be on the field and every play will be available in the red zone.
I figure that the Saints will get 17-21 points in the first half. The real question is the following:
Quote:
but our D comes up with some big drive stops and we get out of the 1st quarter with a 7-3 lead. Make that 17-10 for us at the half and we play back and forth ball for the rest to steal a win.
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If the Saints D comes to play, I think the Colts are in trouble. Gibbs is going to play the risk/reward game of pressuring Manning. I think Will Smith will generate enough pressure to force Manning into errant throws. I almost wish that Gibbs would throw the screwball and come out with a Cover 2 style zone look and force Manning and his receivers to march the ball down the field. Not his style though, so I hope that the secondary can keep Harrison, Wanye, Gonzalez, and the TE in front of them.
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I think the Colts will appear complacent celebrating in their home opener and simply get out planned by a team hungry to prove something. I really think our defense will be the difference maker in this game. I have a hunch things are coming together for the unit.
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I agree. I really don't think that the Colts D is going to be prepared to play championship defense on Thursday. Hell it took that team 17 weeks last season to figure it out. And they are starting over with a ton of new players on defense.
One more thing: Eric Johnson will have a monster receiving game. Cato June, who was the LB linchpin of the Colts Cover 2 scheme is now in Tampa (which means we'll see him twice a year for a while). June kept the TE under control in the middle of the field. I haven't heard anything about June's replacement, but I figure that Johnson will get open in the middle and the seam. And we all know what happens with open receivers when Brees is in the pocket.
SFIAH |
