Expect a Different approach from our Offense

[PACardsFan]

With our Defense hurting and exhausted from the Packer game, I expect the Cardinal offense to take a different approach. Instead of throwing it all over the field & having 3 minute drives, expect the Cardinals to pound the rock & try for long, time consuming drives. For our D to have a chance in this game, they will need far more rest than what they got in the Green Bay game. There's a reason why Marino never could get back to the SB. They threw the ball so much & scored so quickly that their defense was always on the field & wilted late in games. Whiz is a brilliant strategist & knows that it would be SUICIDE if we employ the same approach as we did against GB. Hell, as great as his offensive gameplan was, it almost backfired.

 

[clif]

This is exactly what I was thinking. We need to pound the rock with Beanie gashing em for 6 at a time. Kurt cannot be expected to carry us again. I don't want the Saints DE's teeing off with that crowd noise. It is very possible to run on NO.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Totally agree, and the best part is, we have the ability to switch gears and pound it as well. I think this is the week that Beanie is introduced to the national audience.

 

[Oly]

Totally agree, and the best part is, we have the ability to switch gears and pound it as well. I think this is the week that Beanie is introduced to the national audience.

I have thought that for the last 7 weeks but you just maybe right. He looked really good Sunday.....

 

[MadCardDisease]

The best Defense is a good Offense.

 

[Black Jesus]

I disagree. Its going to be a FIREFIGHT!

 

[Shane]

Unlikely. Saints will score fast and often IMO. Pounding the rock won't allow us to keep pace.

 

[Shzm13]

I disagree. Its going to be a FIREFIGHT!

Hes not calling it a prediction, hes saying what we NEED to do to win.

We gotta keep Brees off the field as much as possible, and what better way than pounding it with Beanie and Hightower? Their running game doesn't scare me one bit. We need big games from Branch, Robinson and Watson stuffing the run so Dockett and Campbell can apply the pressure.

Their defense doesn't worry me,with the exception of Sharper. But even he should be less of a factor vs the pass if we effectively pound the ball.

 

[Catfish]

Shane, I have to go with Pa Fan on this one. After that exhausting game, our D needs to be given every chance to compete. Best that they are off the field for the most part if that is possible. I see us controlling the clock and managing the game with scores after long possessions. Hope that our D can get a 3 and out, and we start on another long time-consuming possession with a score at the end.

 

[Shane]

Hes not calling it a prediction, hes saying what we NEED to do to win.

We gotta keep Brees off the field as much as possible, and what better way than pounding it with Beanie and Hightower? Their running game doesn't scare me one bit. We need big games from Branch, Robinson and Watson stuffing the run so Dockett and Campbell can apply the pressure.

Their defense doesn't worry me,with the exception of Sharper. But even he should be less of a factor vs the pass if we effectively pound the ball.

I don't know why their running game doesn't scare you. Pierre has a better YPC than Wells and has been very good. Brees and those wr's will spread out our D enough to create running lanes. Not to mention we just haven't been great stopping the run the 2nd half of season.

 

[chickenhead]

The onside kick was such a blow last week because after those back-to-back drives the Cards defense lost a step. I think Whiz will try to keep them off the field as well--if he can. It all depends on the score.

 

[Duckjake]

Hes not calling it a prediction, hes saying what we NEED to do to win.

We gotta keep Brees off the field as much as possible, and what better way than pounding it with Beanie and Hightower? Their running game doesn't scare me one bit. We need big games from Branch, Robinson and Watson stuffing the run so Dockett and Campbell can apply the pressure.

Their defense doesn't worry me,with the exception of Sharper. But even he should be less of a factor vs the pass if we effectively pound the ball.

However, look what happens to teams that try to do that to Arizona. They get down 14-0 or 17-0 or 31-10.

Of course then they throw the ball on every down and catch up by the 4th quarter.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

With our Defense hurting and exhausted from the Packer game, I expect the Cardinal offense to take a different approach. Instead of throwing it all over the field & having 3 minute drives, expect the Cardinals to pound the rock & try for long, time consuming drives. For our D to have a chance in this game, they will need far more rest than what they got in the Green Bay game. There's a reason why Marino never could get back to the SB. They threw the ball so much & scored so quickly that their defense was always on the field & wilted late in games. Whiz is a brilliant strategist & knows that it would be SUICIDE if we employ the same approach as we did against GB. Hell, as great as his offensive gameplan was, it almost backfired.

LOL I just wrote the same thing in the thread nstarted by the Saints fan.

 

[82CardsGrad]

The Saints have only allowed 20 sacks all year. Brees, cozy and comfy in the pocket will be like Rogers on roids! Our secondary will be carved and shredded...

The only solution here is to do anything and everything to limit the amount of time Brees touches the ball. If that's pounding Beanie and Timmy, so be it. If it's going back to our ball-control passing game, so be it... If it's a combination of both (which I believe is more likely), cool! But I believe the Cards simply MUST win the time of possession and turnover battles, and produce numbers like:

Warner: 35 or so pass attempts.
Beanie: 15 rushes, 80 yards or more.
Timmy: 10 rushes for 45 yards or more. 5 catches. 3 for first downs.

 

[red desert]

Unlikely. Saints will score fast and often IMO. Pounding the rock won't allow us to keep pace.

No they won't. Our d will step up.

 

[red desert]

The Saints have only allowed 20 sacks all year. Brees, cozy and comfy in the pocket will be like Rogers on roids! Our secondary will be carved and shredded...

The only solution here is to do anything and everything to limit the amount of time Brees touches the ball. If that's pounding Beanie and Timmy, so be it. If it's going back to our ball-control passing game, so be it... If it's a combination of both (which I believe is more likely), cool! But I believe the Cards simply MUST win the time of possession and turnover battles, and produce numbers like:

Warner: 35 or so pass attempts.
Beanie: 15 rushes, 80 yards or more.
Timmy: 10 rushes for 45 yards or more. 5 catches. 3 for first downs.

Nope. First half we are going to play coverage. Let them run the ball a bit. They will have some success. But at least we get to shorten the game for our big uglies. Second half, all hell breaks loose.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Nope. First half we are going to play coverage. Let them run the ball a bit. They will have some success. But at least we get to shorten the game for our big uglies. Second half, all hell breaks loose.

"Play Coverage"?? LMAO... Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see our team "play coverage"... but.... well..... LMAO....

 

[cardsfanmd]

Unlikely. Saints will score fast and often IMO. Pounding the rock won't allow us to keep pace.

That's the point Shane. We don't want to play at their regular pace, we want to slow it down. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to score as long as you score.

 

[Duckjake]

That's the point Shane. We don't want to play at their regular pace, we want to slow it down. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to score as long as you score.

My only problem with that is the Cards have been the Hare ever since Whisenhunt arrived in 2007. I don't think they've come from 14 down to win in the last 3 years. The second 49ers game in '08 is about the closest where we came back to win from down 14-3. Or played any ball control games.

It has always been race out to a lead and then hang on for the win. If they got down 10-14 they lost.

So I don't think the Cardinals know how to play the tortoise.

 

[Shane]

That's the point Shane. We don't want to play at their regular pace, we want to slow it down. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to score as long as you score.

Are you THAT confident that this offense can sustain scoring drives while being strictly a run first approach at the same level the Saints can score? I sure don't.

 

[MrYeahBut]

My only problem with that is the Cards have been the Hare ever since Whisenhunt arrived in 2007. I don't think they've come from 14 down to win in the last 3 years. The second 49ers game in '08 is about the closest where we came back to win from down 14-3. Or played any ball control games.

It has always been race out to a lead and then hang on for the win. If they got down 10-14 they lost.

So I don't think the Cardinals know how to play the tortoise.

Didn't they go down 14-0 in the 'hags game at home this year?

 

[RedRob]

I don't buy the argument of shaping your offense to protect your defense. The game plan of the offense is to score as many points as possible, period. Is it important to take time off the clock when you have the lead at the end of the game? Of course, but shaping your entire game plan around this concept isn't smart.

Pick your poison, lose 42-35 or 17-10 either way if your defense doesn't step up at some point in time and make a play you are going to LOSE.

 

[Doug]

I even see the saints going no huddle to put on more scoring pressure.With 5 wide we can't cover.

We need to score Balls to the Wall and have NO REGRETS.Put up as many points as we can.Try to break the scoreboard with what we do best.

Playing a slowdown game will be spoiled by the noise penalty and a drive lost.Score a touchdown as fast and as many times as you can and force the turnover on defense getting to Brees.Never let Whiz take his foot off the gas.Make adjustments all game long.Not just at halftime.Score,score,score,We are BLESSED to have many guys to rotate. Even if we are the oldest team in the league.

We can rest on the plane home.NO EXCUSES!!!

 

[cardsfanmd]

My only problem with that is the Cards have been the Hare ever since Whisenhunt arrived in 2007. I don't think they've come from 14 down to win in the last 3 years. The second 49ers game in '08 is about the closest where we came back to win from down 14-3. Or played any ball control games.

It has always been race out to a lead and then hang on for the win. If they got down 10-14 they lost.

So I don't think the Cardinals know how to play the tortoise.

I still want to score when we have the ball, I am just thinking we are gonna be looking to start the game with a nice long 1st drive (ala the Giants or Viking game, I cant remember which it was) as opposed to the 2 minute ones we saw last week.

Are you THAT confident that this offense can sustain scoring drives while being strictly a run first approach at the same level the Saints can score? I sure don't.

We don't have to be run-first, just as long as we aren't 75/25 pass IMO. I think if we can manage 30 carries this week it is a W. I also am not overly scared of Thomas right now because he has broken ribs IIRC.

We have a very tired D right now who is gonna be playing on 5 days rest. The line and our aging LBs are gonna be tired. Signing up for a shootout on offense would be sending the D and maybe the team to slaughter IMO.

 

[Doug]

If the saints choose shootout,we'll have to match score for score and hope for a defensive turnover or player knocked out like Drew.

Yes We are old but we are deeper than most teams in rotation and that is no excuse.Just because we played OT last week we should slow down like an old man?LOL NO WAY!!!

We'll score as much as possible as fast as possible and force the saints into a punt or two.