Black & Gold Xs & Os: Saints Defensive Super Bowl Preview vs. Colts

Tomorrow's matchup has been billed a few different ways. Some are calling it "The Pierre Bowl." Others say it's Manning vs. Brees. A few intelligent souls remain who recognize it is actually Saints vs. Colts.  

There is no doubt though, that Peyton Manning will have a huge impact on the eventual outcome of this game. Most "experts" are predicting he will end up as the game's MVP.

As a Saints fan, I would like to think that is a possible reality that does not come true. If my hope comes true, it will take an aggressive, creative, and well-executed defensive gameplan by Gregg Williams and his players.

Here's what the Colts offense does, which will be very difficult to defend.

The first thing that stands out about the Colts offense, aside from their QB's command, is the relative simplicity of the offense. For an NFL offense, they do not use tons of formations, or personnel groupings.

But what they lack in "creativity," they more than make up for in execution.

The high school route tree they use is effective. But why?

Mainly, Peyton Manning is wholly accurate. It also helps that Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Co. know how to get open. And, even though these are high school routes, they are deceptive enough to get receivers open.

Now please don't take my high school route tree comment to mean that this is a simple offense, and that it shouldn't work.

Truthfully, it works because of the continuity that Manning and Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore have. It works because they can make adjustments on the fly quicker than any other group. It works because they have an answer for EVERYTHING!

Okay enough praising of the Colts...they primarily use three-receiver sets with a running back and tight end. From this, they primarily line up in 2x2 formations.

However, they will line up with two tight ends on occasion. And every now and then, they will use a second running back, although sometimes they bring a defensive lineman to play fullback.

Anyway, they are more creative with what they do this year than they have been in years past.

From these formations, they like to use a lot of crossing routes, quick slants, and to throw the ball up the seam. In many ways, their passing game is similar to the Saints offense.

They do throw more comeback routes, of which Reggie Wayne excels at, and is probably the best in the NFL at that route. He is also very good on the deep curl routes, another Saints staple.  

In play-action, Manning excels because it sucks up the safeties just long enough to let him hit the deep vertical route.

In the running game, the Colts like to run the draw almost as anyone. But their draw play is designed to go off tackle. The idea is to take advantage of a hard rushing defensive end, by running inside of him.

They also like to run up the middle with some counter and trap-type runs. They will run an inside zone and some stretch plays to the outside. But make no mistake about it, they are going to throw the football to win.

In the red zone, they will run the ball in on some quick hit run plays. But they also love the middle screen inside the 10-yard line. Aside from that, their normal offense is still pretty much in play.

So we have identified most of the basics of the Colts offense. That is the easy part. The hard part is figuring how in the world to stop it. Not many have done it.

Mike Lombardi helped me out in my plan, although it's not that it's much different from what I would have eventually come up with.

Anyhow, he said two important things that will stick with me in making up this defensive game plan.

The first is that the defense must have a 33-33-33 plan. In other words, you devote 33 percent of your gameplan to pressures/blitzes. Another 33 you devote to playing coverage. The final 33 you devote to the red zone.

He said this because the Colts are so good in the red zone, and will likely be there often, so it is imperative that you do everything in your power to holding them to field goals.

I would add that third down is very key in this game as well. If you get Manning to third down, you must get him off the field. He excels when he gets to stay on the field and get more reps against your defense.

The second thing he said is you have hold a few tricks back for the fourth quarter. And these have to be things you haven't done all year.

Maybe they are a blitz, a coverage, something that you haven't shown all season, or ever against him. Use them in the fourth, hoping it will cause confusion, and maybe a turnover.

With that in mind, I would focus on stopping the run and making Peyton one-dimensional.

To do so, I would bring an eighth man up into the box. I would play all the receivers one-on-one. Force Peyton to start the game hot. If he does, great, more power to him. But if you can rattle him early and make the Colts one-dimensional, that can only help you.

On play-action downs, a linebacker must spy Peyton and fly through an open gap in protection and bring him down. If he has any time on play-action, he will burn the defense.

It is also important to note that one of the Colts' biggest weaknesses is pass protection when Donald Brown is in the game. If he is in, it would automatically trigger a blitz for me. I want to blitz the crap out of Manning with that guy in the backfield.

He just simply cannot hold up. In fact, they often just send him out on a route because that at least gives Manning another check down option. Either way, the blitz is the way to defend that.

Unfortunately, it's not practical to blitz on every down. I wish it were, if for no other reason than how fun it is to watch a defense send everybody.

That being said, coverage must be played, especially against those three receiver sets on third down. I would bracket the slots with my safeties, and bump up them with a nickel/dime back. On the outside I would bump and throw the timing off on those slant routes.

My basic coverage would be bump and run with Sharper playing center field, hoping to take away the middle of the field.

After that, I might try to throw in some hard cover two, where my corners bump the receivers but let them go and stay in the flat when that arrow route is about to be thrown. This could lead to an interception or at least a receiver get laid out.

I honestly believe with some good pressure and good coverage, Manning may be forced to float some throws to the middle of the field, which could definitely lead to a Sharper interception or two.

Of course, part of the plan includes giving different fronts, with different coverage shells pre-snap. Even moreso, it includes doing different things on different downs and distances.

I literally would not show him the same look once the entire game. If they have run 70 plays, they should see 70 different defenses.

That's my defensive gameplan to hopefully slow down the talented, well-coached, and well-executed Indianapolis Colts offense. This plan, I hope, I will hold them down to 24 points or fewer. If it does, I feel good about the Saints' chances.

Later tonight, check back for the offensive gameplan. Geaux Saints!