Coach's Tape Review: Saints Game

[kerouac9]

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/tale-of-the-tape-saints-cards/

Pressure point reveals James Bettcher's true instincts.

 

[Russ Smith]

agreed he was less aggressive than Bowles was and we got a bit lucky at the end there. The guy was open not a great throw, and then they punted.

 

[Capital Card]

good write up K9. I really look forward to these pieces from you.

For now, coming off the win, I'm considering your thesis as a single point in the evaluation of Betcher's defense. It's not yet a pattern. He may still trend towards Bowles' aggressiveness - but didn't show it in a winnable home game.

I have a hard time believing that BA will let the D become a passive read/react bunch. Important to remember that Betcher wasn't the first pick for the job. That guy is playing with KW in Tenn. It's certainly something to watch for.

Go Cards!!!

 

[Chopper0080]

Thanks for this, it was a good read.

 

[kerouac9]

good write up K9. I really look forward to these pieces from you.

For now, coming off the win, I'm considering your thesis as a single point in the evaluation of Betcher's defense. It's not yet a pattern. He may still trend towards Bowles' aggressiveness - but didn't show it in a winnable home game.

I have a hard time believing that BA will let the D become a passive read/react bunch. Important to remember that Betcher wasn't the first pick for the job. That guy is playing with KW in Tenn. It's certainly something to watch for.

Go Cards!!!

And let me say that we pressured a lot of the time. I watched the condensed version on Monday and we sent extra men fairly often. It just wasn't as dramatic.

I agree with you that this is one data point. That FO piece backs up the commandments with some stats that I didn't want to steal, but take my word for it that those rules are supported.

I'll be keeping a close eye on when and how we rush, and the personnel when we do. I was just surprised that—based on personnel and play call—we were willing to give up the first down there.

 

[82CardsGrad]

And let me say that we pressured a lot of the time. I watched the condensed version on Monday and we sent extra men fairly often. It just wasn't as dramatic.

I agree with you that this is one data point. That FO piece backs up the commandments with some stats that I didn't want to steal, but take my word for it that those rules are supported.

I'll be keeping a close eye on when and how we rush, and the personnel when we do. I was just surprised that—based on personnel and play call—we were willing to give up the first down there.

I believe I heard BA mention yesterday on the Bickley & Marotta show, that there were a few occasions when guys blitzed, when they shouldn't have...

 

[Azlen]

It is one data point and this was also against an elite QB who knows how to deal with blitzes.

 

[GuernseyCard]

good write up K9. I really look forward to these pieces from you.

For now, coming off the win, I'm considering your thesis as a single point in the evaluation of Betcher's defense. It's not yet a pattern. He may still trend towards Bowles' aggressiveness - but didn't show it in a winnable home game.

I have a hard time believing that BA will let the D become a passive read/react bunch. Important to remember that Betcher wasn't the first pick for the job. That guy is playing with KW in Tenn. It's certainly something to watch for.

Go Cards!!!

Bettcher was the first choice and Arians made it clear at end of season that he would promote from within. The guy in Tenn was offered a senior consultancy type role, like Moore.

 

[conraddobler]

It's hard to tell since it's only one game there is so much that goes into any one match up but I will say it seemed like we blitzed a lot against a guy who's known to beat the blitz.

That at least to me says he's got some stones

 

[Russ Smith]

The big surprise was K9 didn't blame Housler for anything.

I am kidding!

 

[Catfish]

Nice presentation K-9. It will be interesting to see how this defense continues under Bettcher. While one major commandment broken in crunch time did not seem to impact the game negatively, it will be nice to see if that pattern continues and what impact it has going forward.

 

[kerouac9]

It is one data point and this was also against an elite QB who knows how to deal with blitzes.

We're on to Chicago.

The big surprise was K9 didn't blame Housler for anything.

I am kidding!

On to the Bears.

 

[DVontel]

I'm honestly glad we dialed back on the blitzes.

Lord knows how many more screens would've been effective had we didn't.

 

[kerouac9]

I'm honestly glad we dialed back on the blitzes.

Lord knows how many more screens would've been effective had we didn't.

We're on to Chicago.

 

[perivolaki]

I'm honestly glad we dialed back on the blitzes.

Lord knows how many more screens would've been effective had we didn't.

That's funny because I was reading some posts on a Saints MB and they were wondering if they would have any offense at all once defenses figured out that all they do is throw screen passes.

 

[CardLogic]

Regarding the Saints punting on 4th down there. . .

That was a direct result of being pinned inside their own 10 yard line; another 10-15 yards out and they very likely go for it on 4th down. Just too high of a risk being backed up as they were. Go for it at that location and fail and it is game over, so punt and hope to get another chance for your offense. It was the percentage play.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Great article K9

 

[Vermont Maverick]

Regarding the Saints punting on 4th down there. . .

That was a direct result of being pinned inside their own 10 yard line; another 10-15 yards out and they very likely go for it on 4th down. Just too high of a risk being backed up as they were. Go for it at that location and fail and it is game over, so punt and hope to get another chance for your offense. It was the percentage play.

I don't agree. If they don't make 4th down, then the have to force us to go 3 and out and kick the field goal. Then they would get the ball back down 8 needing a td and 2 pt conversion to tie. No matter what, they need to force a three and out. Though trailing by 5 is better than 8 for them, they give up the very real possibility of making that 4th and 6. Terrible decision, but thank you Payton.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

We're on to Chicago.

On to the Bears.

We're on to Chicago.

Well played, though this would be better stated after a loss. On a related note, my Fantasy team name this year is "On to Cincinnati", because every year I lose in Fantasy football.

 

[jbeecham]

Thanks for the insight K9. Good read

 

[gmabel830]

Are we on to Chicago?

 

[cardpa]

I don't agree. If they don't make 4th down, then the have to force us to go 3 and out and kick the field goal. Then they would get the ball back down 8 needing a td and 2 pt conversion to tie. No matter what, they need to force a three and out. Though trailing by 5 is better than 8 for them, they give up the very real possibility of making that 4th and 6. Terrible decision, but thank you Payton.

I don't agree, the Saints had 4-6 at their own 7 yd. line with 1:58 left on the clock and 2 TOs left. Let's say they fail on 4th down and 6 seconds run off on that play so now the Cardinals have the ball 1-10 at the Saints 7 with 1:52 left.

Say the Cardinals run on 1st and 2nd down and use 5 seconds each time followed by TOs by the Saints. So now its 3rd down and there is 1:42 left on the clock. Another play by the Cardinals and they are able to run 30 seconds off the clock to 4th down so now there is 1:12 left and the Cardinals kick the FG. That takes 4 seconds off and now the Saints get the ball back with 1:08 left and no TOs. They now need to score a TD with a 2 pt conversion just to tie the game and they need to go 80 yds with Brees as their QB.

Now the same scenario except the Saints punt on 4th down as they did and get a 40 yd punt with no return. Now the Cardinals are on their own 46 yd line. If the Cardinals try to run off time and end up punting back to the Saints and even if Butler gets off a great punt that is downed at the 5 yd line the Saints now have to go 95 yds in the same amount of time and can win the game with a TD. A average punt by Butler gives the Saints the ball at the 20 on a touchback or he could have gone for a block given Butler takes so long to get a punt off.

The other thing you need to take into account is the Saint defense was not exactly stopping the Cardinal running game which was averaging 4.8 yds per carry. Give the Cardinals the ball at the 7 and all they need to do is average 2.4 yds on each carry over the first 3 downs and they are in the end zone and game over.

I think Payton made the right decision to punt and hope his defense could stop the Cardinals and force a punt. It just didn't work out that time. He would have been castrated if they failed on 4th down and gave the Cardinals the ball on the 7 and the Cardinals punch it in ending the game right there. If BA made the same decision I would not have questioned it because of the time left in the game. Now had it been less time then that changes everything. Best scenario you get the ball back with a little more than a minute and a really good QB running your 2 minute drill.

 

[D-Dogg]

On the punt decision I was a little surprised they didn't take the safety rather than punt from their endzone, and hope to pin the cards back on the free kick. Would have flipped the field and they needed a stop and a TD regardless. If they scored they could then decide whether to try to win or tie at that point, but starting us at midfield vs starting us inside the 20 and conceding 2 pts is an interesting thought experiment, IMO.