Peter King: Who I Like Tonight

Sir Psycho Sexy · 11-30-2009, 11:45 AM

Who I Like Tonight

Though I've written about it a few times, and others have done so before and after that, you're making a big mistake if you view the 10-0 Saints as a team that has to throw for 350 yards to win. New Orleans ran on 38 percent of its offensive snaps last year. This year, it's 49 percent rushing.

That's no surprise to the Patriots. When I spoke with safety Brandon Meriweather the other day, he said normally he'd watch maybe four games of a team. Preparing for this game, he said he'd watch every Saints game -- as well as sitting in with Belichick on a one-on-one session to get his take of the important keys against the New Orleans offense.

"The thing I've noticed about Brees,'' said Meriweather, "is he can change his mechanics in a split-second. You've got no room for mistakes. He thrives on your mistakes. The best way is to try to confuse him with different looks.''

After watching a lot of the Saints, Meriweather had especially high praise for Jeremy Shockey, who he figures to see a lot of tonight. As the heir to Rodney Harrison in the New England back end, Meriweather knows he has to be both physical and good in coverage against the versatile tight end. "Shockey's passion is so noticeable. He's a great receiving tight end who blocks well.''

I expect New England might play this game the way it played the first Super Bowl this decade against St. Louis. That day, Belichick put the word out to hit Marshall Faulk every time he moved. Someone else might beat the Pats, but not Faulk. Look, there's no right way to play such a multiple offense. You try to figure out the best way to stop the dam from bursting. My best guess is they'll try to stifle Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas and hope they can force Brees into a couple of turnovers. Belichick knows his side will put up points, particularly against a patchwork secondary that will struggle to contain Brady, Moss and Welker.

But I also think some pretty good defenses have had well-oiled plans for this offense this year. Philadelphia, the Giants and Miami entered their games with New Orleans confident that if they pressured Brees and put a stopper in the run game, they'd have a chance to force him into mistakes. The Saints put up 48 on Philly, 48 on the G-men, 46 on Miami. In other words, it sounds logical -- the same way so many teams thought they had the 2007 Patriots figured out. My pick: New Orleans 37, New England 33.

LINK

11-30-2009, 11:45 AM	#1
Sir Psycho Sexy Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA - Behind enemy lines. Someone throw me a grenade!! Posts: 941	Peter King: Who I Like Tonight Who I Like Tonight Though I've written about it a few times, and others have done so before and after that, you're making a big mistake if you view the 10-0 Saints as a team that has to throw for 350 yards to win. New Orleans ran on 38 percent of its offensive snaps last year. This year, it's 49 percent rushing. That's no surprise to the Patriots. When I spoke with safety Brandon Meriweather the other day, he said normally he'd watch maybe four games of a team. Preparing for this game, he said he'd watch every Saints game -- as well as sitting in with Belichick on a one-on-one session to get his take of the important keys against the New Orleans offense. "The thing I've noticed about Brees,'' said Meriweather, "is he can change his mechanics in a split-second. You've got no room for mistakes. He thrives on your mistakes. The best way is to try to confuse him with different looks.'' After watching a lot of the Saints, Meriweather had especially high praise for Jeremy Shockey, who he figures to see a lot of tonight. As the heir to Rodney Harrison in the New England back end, Meriweather knows he has to be both physical and good in coverage against the versatile tight end. "Shockey's passion is so noticeable. He's a great receiving tight end who blocks well.'' I expect New England might play this game the way it played the first Super Bowl this decade against St. Louis. That day, Belichick put the word out to hit Marshall Faulk every time he moved. Someone else might beat the Pats, but not Faulk. Look, there's no right way to play such a multiple offense. You try to figure out the best way to stop the dam from bursting. My best guess is they'll try to stifle Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas and hope they can force Brees into a couple of turnovers. Belichick knows his side will put up points, particularly against a patchwork secondary that will struggle to contain Brady, Moss and Welker. But I also think some pretty good defenses have had well-oiled plans for this offense this year. Philadelphia, the Giants and Miami entered their games with New Orleans confident that if they pressured Brees and put a stopper in the run game, they'd have a chance to force him into mistakes. The Saints put up 48 on Philly, 48 on the G-men, 46 on Miami. In other words, it sounds logical -- the same way so many teams thought they had the 2007 Patriots figured out. My pick: New Orleans 37, New England 33. LINK
	"May God have mercy on those who doubted his Saints." Last edited by hagan714; 11-30-2009 at 02:01 PM..