HOW do you stop the Cards? My analysis and prediction.

saintsfan1976 · 01-13-2010, 11:52 AM

Well I mean, aside from starting a ridiculously offensive "look alike" thread???

(sorry AZ, but Kurt Warner and George "careless whisper" Michael may have actually been separated at birth)

Well Who Dat's, we're now just hours away from what is IMO, the biggest game in Saints history.

"Wait......Bigger than the '06 game in Chicago??" Absolutely! Wanna know why? Because all of the pressure is on the Saints. That's right - at home, after a bye week and as close to 100% as we've been all year...The pressure in the Big Easy couldn't be higher if you put the Superdome in the Mariana Trench (35,000 ft below sea level) .

It's more than just a playoff game

Winning this first playoff game does a TON of good for this team. Winning would exercise the "3 game losing streak" demons, validate our first 13 wins, eliminate the previous NFC Champions, retire a future HOF QB, re-invigorate the somewhat- befuddled Who Dat fan base and give this team the much-needed confidence boost heading into the (dare I say) NFC Championship - AT HOME.

So on to the task at hand - HOW do you stop the Cardinals?

DEFENSE

Under Pressure (doon doon doon duh-duh doon doon)

We all saw what Kurt Warner could do when given time. Gregg Williams must find a way to get pressure on the MVP QB. Gregg Williams will have to mix up his looks throughout the game - something Green Bay did not do. With Charles Grant out, stopping the run will be tougher than we think.

To me, our defensive game plan should mimic the one vs. New England. AZ doesn't posses the most potent rushing attack and if we can double Fitzgerald and jam guys like Breaston and Doucet at the line, then I believe we can get to Warner early and often.

I see three players who could make the most impact. Will Smith, Roman Harper and Jonathan Vilma.

Smith has the size to overpower the suspect left side of the AZ offensive line that Green Bay didn't.

Harper's blitzing off the corner has been very effective this year, he's great in run support (2nd on the team in tackles) and the only thing slower than Kurt Warner is a check from FEMA.

And probably the best way to get to Warner is straight up the middle (see Jonathan Vilma). Let him see you coming, and make him pull the ball or dump a pass. Teams have proven this year that getting to Warner early creates turnovers.

OFFENSE

Limit turnovers

Green Bay basically spotted AZ 14 points before the game even started. We cannot afford to fall behind and become predictable.

Spread the field

AZ's defense lacks a proven pass rush and is susceptible to fast and multiple receivers. When it comes to 4 and 5 receiver sets, there may not be a better offense in the NFL than New Orleans.

I look for Shockey to have a big night.

Own the clock

The Saints must be able to rush the ball and convert on 3rd downs. Contrary to popular thought, our offense is our best defense. The Saints O line has proven they have to ability to be a solid run-blocking unit and with our star RB limited with 3 cracked ribs - we'll need holes for Reggie, Bell and Hamilton.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Coverage Unit

Morestead. What more can you ask for from a punter? He's done a terrific job for us this year. BUT, what I believe could be the achilles hell of this team is our kick coverage unit. "But, wait - we've only given up 1 return for a TD!!" Yes, but the group has been sporadic as of late this season and if there's one play that will negate any momentum your offense just created by scoring, it's a long kick return.

Don't think so? Just ask head coach Sean Payton -

"When the postseason comes, all hands are on deck, " Payton said. "You are going to see players who you may not have seen in the kicking game playing. You are going to see the Roman Harpers and you are going to see the (Scott) Fujitas. You are going to see anybody who we think helps us, where in the regular season our approach may have been a little more conservative.
"That's certainly been an emphasis, and we understand the importance of that being something that has to be better when we get into the postseason when it comes to the coverage units. So you will see anybody who we think can help us, whether they are a starter or not."

Return Unit

Courtney Roby leads ST in tackles, and averages 24 yards per return and when it comes to returns, he is a bigger home run threat than Reggie Bush.

Over the past three weeks, Payton has placed emphasis on ST and I fully expect the players to respond. As I said, nothing can negate the other team's momentum like a long kick return.

Overall, I expect we'll be treated to one of the best playoff games in history between two of the best coached teams in the NFL. Arizona believes. But the Saints have faith.

Good teams find a way to win.

FINAL

NO 37
AZ 31

STATS

Warner - 28 completions. 280 yds. 2 TD's. 1 int. 1 fumble.
Fitzgerald - 11 rec. 125 yds. 1 TD
Breaston - 7 rec. 60 yds. 1 TD
Doucet - 6 rec 70 yds.
Hightower - 30 rush yds. 35 rec. yds. 1 TD
Wells - 40 rush yds.

Brees - 31 comp. 310 yds. 3 TD's. 1 int.
Meachem - 5 rec. 100 yds. 1 TD
Colston - 5 rec. 70 yds. 1 TD
Shockey - 7 rec. 80 yds.
Thomas - 2 rec. 30 yds. 1 TD
Henderson - 5 rec. 50
Bush - 50 rush yds. 30 rec yds. 1 TD
Bell - 44 rush yds. 1 TD
Thomas - 30 rush yds.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Hope everyone enjoys my analysis and prediction.

GEAUX SAINTS

SF1976

strato · 01-13-2010, 11:55 AM

I like it except one thing .....

Saints 37
Cards 17

WHO DAT!!!!

saintsfan1976 · 01-13-2010, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by strato

I like it except one thing .....
Saints 37
Cards 17

I tell ya Strato - I can see this either way. From domination to amazing comeback to gifting the game away...We've seen it all from the Saints this year!

savoyk · 01-13-2010, 12:07 PM

[QUOTE=strato;191555]I like it except one thing .....

Saints 37
Cards 17

Much, much better

strato · 01-13-2010, 12:08 PM

I agree....total domination would be nice...shut all these talking heads up..

Rugby Saint II · 01-13-2010, 01:15 PM

If we could hold them on a few drives to field goals and the secondary has at least one pick then the game shouldn't be close at all. I'm looking for Darren Sharper to have a huge day roaming in the secondary. Vilma should benefit from some tight coverage as well.

foreverfan · 01-13-2010, 01:24 PM

Great post 76...

D_it_up · 01-13-2010, 01:59 PM

Good post....Of course, I'm going to be nit-picky, but your passing and receiving yards projections don't add up.

saintsfan1976 · 01-13-2010, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by foreverfan

Great post 76...

Thanks FF

saintsfan1976 · 01-13-2010, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by D_it_up

Good post....Of course, I'm going to be nit-picky, but your passing and receiving yards projections don't add up.

Not gonna do projections for players who catch 1 or 2 passes...

Darnell Dinkins? Lance Moore? Some Cardinals doucher...

01-13-2010, 11:52 AM	#1
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,975 Blog Entries: 3	HOW do you stop the Cards? My analysis and prediction. Well I mean, aside from starting a ridiculously offensive "look alike" thread??? (sorry AZ, but Kurt Warner and George "careless whisper" Michael may have actually been separated at birth) Well Who Dat's, we're now just hours away from what is IMO, the biggest game in Saints history. "Wait......Bigger than the '06 game in Chicago??" Absolutely! Wanna know why? Because all of the pressure is on the Saints. That's right - at home, after a bye week and as close to 100% as we've been all year...The pressure in the Big Easy couldn't be higher if you put the Superdome in the Mariana Trench (35,000 ft below sea level) . It's more than just a playoff game Winning this first playoff game does a TON of good for this team. Winning would exercise the "3 game losing streak" demons, validate our first 13 wins, eliminate the previous NFC Champions, retire a future HOF QB, re-invigorate the somewhat- befuddled Who Dat fan base and give this team the much-needed confidence boost heading into the (dare I say) NFC Championship - AT HOME. So on to the task at hand - HOW do you stop the Cardinals? DEFENSE Under Pressure (doon doon doon duh-duh doon doon) We all saw what Kurt Warner could do when given time. Gregg Williams must find a way to get pressure on the MVP QB. Gregg Williams will have to mix up his looks throughout the game - something Green Bay did not do. With Charles Grant out, stopping the run will be tougher than we think. To me, our defensive game plan should mimic the one vs. New England. AZ doesn't posses the most potent rushing attack and if we can double Fitzgerald and jam guys like Breaston and Doucet at the line, then I believe we can get to Warner early and often. I see three players who could make the most impact. Will Smith, Roman Harper and Jonathan Vilma. Smith has the size to overpower the suspect left side of the AZ offensive line that Green Bay didn't. Harper's blitzing off the corner has been very effective this year, he's great in run support (2nd on the team in tackles) and the only thing slower than Kurt Warner is a check from FEMA. And probably the best way to get to Warner is straight up the middle (see Jonathan Vilma). Let him see you coming, and make him pull the ball or dump a pass. Teams have proven this year that getting to Warner early creates turnovers. OFFENSE Limit turnovers Green Bay basically spotted AZ 14 points before the game even started. We cannot afford to fall behind and become predictable. Spread the field AZ's defense lacks a proven pass rush and is susceptible to fast and multiple receivers. When it comes to 4 and 5 receiver sets, there may not be a better offense in the NFL than New Orleans. I look for Shockey to have a big night. Own the clock The Saints must be able to rush the ball and convert on 3rd downs. Contrary to popular thought, our offense is our best defense. The Saints O line has proven they have to ability to be a solid run-blocking unit and with our star RB limited with 3 cracked ribs - we'll need holes for Reggie, Bell and Hamilton. SPECIAL TEAMS Coverage Unit Morestead. What more can you ask for from a punter? He's done a terrific job for us this year. BUT, what I believe could be the achilles hell of this team is our kick coverage unit. "But, wait - we've only given up 1 return for a TD!!" Yes, but the group has been sporadic as of late this season and if there's one play that will negate any momentum your offense just created by scoring, it's a long kick return. Don't think so? Just ask head coach Sean Payton - "When the postseason comes, all hands are on deck, " Payton said. "You are going to see players who you may not have seen in the kicking game playing. You are going to see the Roman Harpers and you are going to see the (Scott) Fujitas. You are going to see anybody who we think helps us, where in the regular season our approach may have been a little more conservative. "That's certainly been an emphasis, and we understand the importance of that being something that has to be better when we get into the postseason when it comes to the coverage units. So you will see anybody who we think can help us, whether they are a starter or not." Return Unit Courtney Roby leads ST in tackles, and averages 24 yards per return and when it comes to returns, he is a bigger home run threat than Reggie Bush. Over the past three weeks, Payton has placed emphasis on ST and I fully expect the players to respond. As I said, nothing can negate the other team's momentum like a long kick return. Overall, I expect we'll be treated to one of the best playoff games in history between two of the best coached teams in the NFL. Arizona believes. But the Saints have faith. Good teams find a way to win. FINAL NO 37 AZ 31 STATS Warner - 28 completions. 280 yds. 2 TD's. 1 int. 1 fumble. Fitzgerald - 11 rec. 125 yds. 1 TD Breaston - 7 rec. 60 yds. 1 TD Doucet - 6 rec 70 yds. Hightower - 30 rush yds. 35 rec. yds. 1 TD Wells - 40 rush yds. Brees - 31 comp. 310 yds. 3 TD's. 1 int. Meachem - 5 rec. 100 yds. 1 TD Colston - 5 rec. 70 yds. 1 TD Shockey - 7 rec. 80 yds. Thomas - 2 rec. 30 yds. 1 TD Henderson - 5 rec. 50 Bush - 50 rush yds. 30 rec yds. 1 TD Bell - 44 rush yds. 1 TD Thomas - 30 rush yds. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Hope everyone enjoys my analysis and prediction. GEAUX SAINTS SF1976
	Last edited by saintsfan1976; 01-14-2010 at 07:45 AM..

01-13-2010, 11:55 AM	#2
strato Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: "Little Ole Town in Tejas" Posts: 7,586	Re: HOW do you stop the Cards? My analysis and prediction. I like it except one thing ..... Saints 37 Cards 17 WHO DAT!!!!

01-13-2010, 12:04 PM	#3
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,975 Blog Entries: 3	Re: HOW do you stop the Cards? My analysis and prediction. Originally Posted by strato I like it except one thing ..... Saints 37 Cards 17 I tell ya Strato - I can see this either way. From domination to amazing comeback to gifting the game away...We've seen it all from the Saints this year!

01-13-2010, 12:07 PM	#4
savoyk 100th Post Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 144	Re: HOW do you stop the Cards? My analysis and prediction. [QUOTE=strato;191555]I like it except one thing ..... Saints 37 Cards 17 Much, much better
savoyk 100th Post Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 144

01-13-2010, 12:08 PM	#5
strato Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: "Little Ole Town in Tejas" Posts: 7,586	Re: HOW do you stop the Cards? My analysis and prediction. I agree....total domination would be nice...shut all these talking heads up..

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01-13-2010, 01:15 PM	#6
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,119	Re: HOW do you stop the Cards? My analysis and prediction. If we could hold them on a few drives to field goals and the secondary has at least one pick then the game shouldn't be close at all. I'm looking for Darren Sharper to have a huge day roaming in the secondary. Vilma should benefit from some tight coverage as well.

01-13-2010, 01:24 PM	#7
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Re: HOW do you stop the Cards? My analysis and prediction. Great post 76...

01-13-2010, 01:59 PM	#8
D_it_up Faqda Falcons Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ruston, Louisiana Posts: 3,465 Blog Entries: 3	Re: HOW do you stop the Cards? My analysis and prediction. Good post....Of course, I'm going to be nit-picky, but your passing and receiving yards projections don't add up.

01-13-2010, 02:25 PM	#9
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,975 Blog Entries: 3	Re: HOW do you stop the Cards? My analysis and prediction. Originally Posted by foreverfan Great post 76... Thanks FF

01-13-2010, 02:27 PM	#10
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,975 Blog Entries: 3	Re: HOW do you stop the Cards? My analysis and prediction. Originally Posted by D_it_up Good post....Of course, I'm going to be nit-picky, but your passing and receiving yards projections don't add up. Not gonna do projections for players who catch 1 or 2 passes... Darnell Dinkins? Lance Moore? Some Cardinals doucher...