Black & Gold Xs & Os: Saints Offensive Gameplan For Super Bowl XLIV vs. Indy

I know this game plan is late. Truthfully, I was confused. Indy's defense is really good!

I had no idea how to attack them. Even now I'm not sure I have the right formula. But I do have something. And something is, 99 times out of 100, better than nothing.

What does Indy do?

Well, first off they still have a basic philosophy of keeping the ball and their man in front of them, just like they did in their Tampa-Two days. They still rely on their front four to put pressure on the QB.

But they've gone from a defense that runs Tampa-Two 50 percent of the time to a defense that will play some man-to-man, will blitz on occasion, and can stop the run without adding an eighth guy to the box.

Finding holes in this defense is very difficult. Of course, having Dwight Freeney not at full speed, and possibly being without starting corner Jerraud Powers doesn't help them.

But Indy has always had depth and an ability to plug guys into spots and get close to equal production.

I think the key is staying balanced. It's sticking with the run even if it's not working. It's throwing in some play action. It's some screens and draws in any situation, not just long-yardage give-up downs.

It's being aggressive early in hopes of getting an early lead, which is the Saints' goal every game, but especially important in this one.

It's throwing the ball up the seams, sometimes maybe even forcing it. But it's also taking the checkdowns they give you, hoping that a Reggie, Pierre, Shockey, or Meachem can turn those into first downs.

Of course, it's also being smart with the football and not turning it over. Yes, Brees and Co. need to be more effective than two weeks ago, but a similar plan executed even better could also lead to a victory.

In similar fashion to a couple of games from earlier this season, I am going to give you my First Ten Script. Here are the ten plays I would come out with to start the game if I were Sean Payton.

1. (21 Bush) I Right Hart (Bush motions into backfield) 34 Zone Fake Bush—Thomas gets the ball up the middle, and then Brees fakes the handoff to Bush. Come back to this look later.

2. (10) Gun Empty Five Stops—This is the play the Saints love where they have five guys run deep hook routes at an angle. Someone is always open. Should be a good way to gain an initial first down.

3. (12) Weak Lt 33 Boot Y Cross—This is a fake to Thomas with a rollout to the right. Shockey crosses the formation on a shallow cross route and should be wide open.

4. (11 Bush) Trey Left 37 Stretch—This is a simple handoff for Reggie to try to get outside. Of course, he also has the option cutback if he cannot get outside.

5. (22 Bell) I Big Left Zorro 34 Zone—Tight Ends on both sides, Eckel at fullback, Meachem comes across the formation in motion. Bell gets handoff and has cutback option if it's there.

6. (2) Gun Empty Tight Rt XZ Post Dig H Wheel Double Cross—Colston runs a dig, Henderson a post, Moore a wheel, while the two tight ends cross each other on crossing routes over the middle.

7. (20 Bush) Quads Rt Stack H Pop—Stack receivers to both sides, with Bush as the receiver behind Meachem. Brees quickly throws it out to Bush, and he gets as much as possible.

8. (21) Bunch Rt Flap 34 Dragon Slip Screen—Eckel starts out lined up in a bunch to the right then slips back to fullback spot. Brees fakes the draw, Thomas slips into the line and gets open for screen pass.

9. (12) Gun Split Left 37 Stretch—David Thomas lines up as a fullback in the gun to Brees' left. Pierre is lined up on the right and gets the handoff with his namesake lead blocking for him to the outside. Shockey and Henderson are trying to seal off the edge.

10. (21 Bush) I Rt Hart 29 Fly Reverse—Okay, this might be a little early, but I had to throw it in. Remember Reggie's electrifying touchdown run in Miami earlier this season? This is the same play. I hope we see history repeat itself tonight.

Wow, this is my last Xs and Os article, possibly ever. It's been fun. I hope it ends with a Super Bowl Title. Geaux Saints!