Black & Gold Xs & Os: New Orleans Saints Offensive Gameplan Vs. The Rams

As I explained yesterday, there really is no excuse for the Saints defense to give up any points in this game.

In much the same way, there is no excuse for the Saints offense to not score on every possession.

It isn't that the Rams are not talented, and it's not that they have a poor scheme. Instead, there seems to be a lack of cohesion among the group. And that is always a recipe for disaster.

Chris Long and Leonard Little are both very talented players on the defensive line, but the interior of that line is not incredibly strong.

At the linebacker level, rookie James Laurinatis has been a pleasant surprise and has quickly become the leader of the defense. Unfortunately, there isn't much behind him to speak of.

In the secondary, it's O.J. Atogwe and a bunch of misfits, pretty much.

Schematically, the Rams run a pretty basic 4-3. They hardly extend their ends past the tackles, plus they keep their linebackers inside the tackles.

The idea of that defense is to stop the run up the middle and defend the middle zones in pass coverage. Because of this the outside is often open. 

But even the middle of the defense is open when you get into formations with a slot receiver, or really any formation that isn't two backs, a tight end, and one receiver on each side.

Additionally, motion is very effective against this defense because it changes matchups in the passing game. If you want Jeremy Shockey lined up on a corner, motion him there. If you want him matched up on a linebacker, start him out wide and motion him inside. The same would go with any other receiver.

You can also use motion to help the running game by bringing guys into crack for an outside run. I would also expect some wing formations and bunch formations for this reason.

The corners generally play what's called a trail technique, meaning they allow the receivers to run past them, but they stay on his hip. For this reason, out-breaking routes will be mostly ineffective. However, in breaking routes, and deep routes will burn this secondary.

Therefore look for Brees to attack the middle of the field, and deep, as much as possible.

In the running game, I still look for New Orleans to attack the middle with their inside zone attack, allowing Bell, Thomas, and Bush the opportunity to read the hole and cutback whenever necessary.

I really think this is a game where Sean Payton can call practically whatever he wants, whenever he wants, and it should work, as long as the players can execute.