PFF: Three to focus on

Danno · 10-14-2011, 12:06 PM

Snippets...

Three to Focus on – Saints @ Buccaneers October 14th, 2011 | Author: Nathan Jahnke
...Whenever there is an NFC South matchup you know that you’re going to be getting a good game, as four of the top 12 quarterbacks in terms of overall PFF rating reside in the division.

1) The Saints passing attacks vs. the Buccaneers secondary

Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, their weakness on defense lines up with the Saints’ strength....

a new favorite target has emerged in tight end Jimmy Graham (+10.9). Over the past three games, Graham has been targeted 32 times with 22 catches, 361 yards and two touchdowns. No tight end is even close to him in the PFF pass rating.

2) Freeman passing free

This week, they will be going up against one of the worst pass rushing teams in New Orleans. Last week the Saints defense had just six overall pressures in the first three quarters. The only two players that pose any real threat of creating a pass rush is Will Smith (+9.9) and Sedrick Ellis (+5.8) who have identical resumes this season with two sacks, one hit and 11 pressures a piece. Since Freeman will have the time he wants to throw the ball on most plays, the Buccaneers should at least be given the opportunity to keep up with the New Orleans offense.

3) Buccaneers rushing game vs. Saints run defense
While the Saints have been winning, their run defense hasn’t exactly been successful. Free agent addition Aubrayo Franklin (+0.4 run defense) hasn’t been nearly as effective as he was in the 49ers 3-4 defense, while Sedrick Ellis (-2.3 run defense) and Shaun Rogers (-0.5 run defense) are better known for their pass rushing abilities. At linebacker, Jonathan Vilma (-6.0 run defense) has been playing as poor against the run as he has the past two seasons.

Because this is a weakness for both teams, something has to give. The Saints have faced runners like DeAngelo Williams, Maurice Jones-Drew and Matt Forte who have averaged 8.26 yards per carry, but have averaged just 10 rushes each. If a team tried to run the ball more often against the Saints, they might find more success.

Entire article: Three to Focus on - Saints @ Buccaneers | ProFootballFocus.com

AlaskaSaints · 10-14-2011, 12:25 PM

Yeah, how'd that plan work for them with the 49ers?

Thanks for sharing, Danno.

Alaska

xan · 10-14-2011, 12:27 PM

As for point 3, the Saints' defense has given up one big running play in each of those games. Adjusting for the aberration, the yards per rush are pretty low. It's not the d-line's fault the overall defense called didn't match the offensive play run.

Carolina backs adjusted - 14-68 - 4.8ypc
Jax backs adjusted - 13-49 - 3.6ypc
Houston backs adjusted - 25-104 - 4.1ypc
Chicago backs adjusted - 11-16 - 1.4ypc
GBay backs adjusted - 23-102 - 4.9ypc

Overall, I'd say the line's been fairly good.

Now, screen passes and wr/bubble screens, that's another story.

Rugby Saint II · 10-14-2011, 12:31 PM

Great info Danno.....thanks.

strato · 10-14-2011, 12:34 PM

Our D-Line has too much talent to get shredded like they do..step up and play like your supposed to!

saintfan · 10-14-2011, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by strato

Our D-Line has too much talent to get shredded like they do..step up and play like your supposed to!

This. I'm still not over seeing the Panthers run the damn option successfully.

homerj07 · 10-14-2011, 08:55 PM

I hate to see the other team throw a screen pass. I cringe each time.

AllSaints · 10-14-2011, 08:57 PM

Well with Blount out I'm more confident that we r going shut down there run and force freeman to pass... The ? is can we stop him ! ....

10-14-2011, 12:06 PM	#1
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	PFF: Three to focus on Snippets... Three to Focus on – Saints @ Buccaneers October 14th, 2011 \| Author: Nathan Jahnke ...Whenever there is an NFC South matchup you know that you’re going to be getting a good game, as four of the top 12 quarterbacks in terms of overall PFF rating reside in the division. 1) The Saints passing attacks vs. the Buccaneers secondary Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, their weakness on defense lines up with the Saints’ strength.... a new favorite target has emerged in tight end Jimmy Graham (+10.9). Over the past three games, Graham has been targeted 32 times with 22 catches, 361 yards and two touchdowns. No tight end is even close to him in the PFF pass rating. 2) Freeman passing free This week, they will be going up against one of the worst pass rushing teams in New Orleans. Last week the Saints defense had just six overall pressures in the first three quarters. The only two players that pose any real threat of creating a pass rush is Will Smith (+9.9) and Sedrick Ellis (+5.8) who have identical resumes this season with two sacks, one hit and 11 pressures a piece. Since Freeman will have the time he wants to throw the ball on most plays, the Buccaneers should at least be given the opportunity to keep up with the New Orleans offense. 3) Buccaneers rushing game vs. Saints run defense While the Saints have been winning, their run defense hasn’t exactly been successful. Free agent addition Aubrayo Franklin (+0.4 run defense) hasn’t been nearly as effective as he was in the 49ers 3-4 defense, while Sedrick Ellis (-2.3 run defense) and Shaun Rogers (-0.5 run defense) are better known for their pass rushing abilities. At linebacker, Jonathan Vilma (-6.0 run defense) has been playing as poor against the run as he has the past two seasons. Because this is a weakness for both teams, something has to give. The Saints have faced runners like DeAngelo Williams, Maurice Jones-Drew and Matt Forte who have averaged 8.26 yards per carry, but have averaged just 10 rushes each. If a team tried to run the ball more often against the Saints, they might find more success. Entire article: Three to Focus on - Saints @ Buccaneers \| ProFootballFocus.com

10-14-2011, 12:27 PM	#3
xan Professor Crab and Site Donor 2014 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Princeton Posts: 3,369 Blog Entries: 34	As for point 3, the Saints' defense has given up one big running play in each of those games. Adjusting for the aberration, the yards per rush are pretty low. It's not the d-line's fault the overall defense called didn't match the offensive play run. Carolina backs adjusted - 14-68 - 4.8ypc Jax backs adjusted - 13-49 - 3.6ypc Houston backs adjusted - 25-104 - 4.1ypc Chicago backs adjusted - 11-16 - 1.4ypc GBay backs adjusted - 23-102 - 4.9ypc Overall, I'd say the line's been fairly good. Now, screen passes and wr/bubble screens, that's another story.
	Calvin: "I wish I was a Tiger." Hobbes: "Common lament."

10-14-2011, 03:41 PM	#6
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	Originally Posted by strato Our D-Line has too much talent to get shredded like they do..step up and play like your supposed to! This. I'm still not over seeing the Panthers run the damn option successfully.

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10-14-2011, 12:25 PM	#2
AlaskaSaints 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 2,484 Blog Entries: 2	Yeah, how'd that plan work for them with the 49ers? Thanks for sharing, Danno. Alaska

10-14-2011, 12:31 PM	#4
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	Great info Danno.....thanks.

10-14-2011, 12:34 PM	#5
strato Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: "Little Ole Town in Tejas" Posts: 7,586	Our D-Line has too much talent to get shredded like they do..step up and play like your supposed to!

10-14-2011, 08:55 PM	#7
homerj07 In Doh We Trust Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 7,027 Blog Entries: 16	I hate to see the other team throw a screen pass. I cringe each time.

10-14-2011, 08:57 PM	#8
AllSaints Breakin Records Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Deville, Louisiana Posts: 2,167	Well with Blount out I'm more confident that we r going shut down there run and force freeman to pass... The ? is can we stop him ! ....