A Simple Plan For The Saints

On offense, pound-down Minnesota's front four with Bell-Hamilton-Thomas...in that order and eventually taper-off Thomas' carries-off to save him for the SB.

Run-Run-Pass short to the TEs Thomas-Dinkins-Shockey...in that order to eventually tape-off Shockey's receptions to save him for the SB.

One TE on the line, backs set in an off-set I, Bush in the slot, 1 receiver out wide.

The RBs help double-team where necessary and pick-up missed blocks. Bush is able to bump and run and he, along with the 2 additional backs, TE and WR give Brees all the targets and protection he needs.

The short game will open-up the occasional deep pass.

In the second half, play 1 TE, 1 RB set in the single I, 3 WRs and light them-up!

On defense, zone blitz from mostly the nickel package when assignments allow. Drop Shanle into coverage in the flats but blitz Harper from the weakside.

Let Sharper Pull-up the slack and when they get behind and start running, bring-in Prioleau as a second FS and run support.

Disguise the 3-4 as a 4-3 with 2 DEs...allow the pocket but keep the pressure on Favre to make mistake. Don't worry so much about sacks as pressuring him in the first half. Make him start slingin!

Then in the second half, start blitzing every down from the corners and drop the LB into zone coverage... corral the flow of offense and make him run-his accuracy drops.

Their little guys are going to get free so there's not much point in trying to run them-down but keep the delayed blitzes and corner blitzes coming and you'll frustrate him.

Favre will be tired by the 4th quarter and then you gotta keep wearing him-down...can't let him rest because they can come-back from a deficit

Saints 37 Vikings 17