Saints vs. Panthers: 8 Ways New Orleans Can Stop Cam Newton

Once in a blue moon, a player comes along who totally shocks you. He is a guy you deem to be worthy of no greater than a fifth-round pick, yet gets drafted No. 1 overall and then, through his first four weeks, actually proves worthy of that pick. 

That guy for me is Cam Newton. He has shocked me both with his accuracy and acumen to digest an NFL playbook. 

His presence has caused Steve Smith to have a career year through four weeks. His abilities have made Carolina—long one of the more boring offenses—one of the most exciting offenses in the entire league. 

And though the team is only 1-3, Carolina has a lot of hope for the future. It is only four weeks. I'm still not thoroughly convinced, but I will admit the challenge the Saints face on Sunday in stopping Cam Newton is a very difficult one. 

I will simply say I am not envious of Gregg Williams, who has to come up with a plan to slow down this rookie who is on fire so far this season. 

I believe the Saints have a plan that is similar to the one they would have each week—win the turnover battle, be close in time of possession (if not winning it) and win on third down and in the red zone. 

That may all sound obvious—partially because it is—but the Saints must do those things if they want to defeat a Carolina team that is much better than their 1-3 record. 

1. Offensively Hold onto the Football

It is more than possible that the Saints' ability to effectively run the football Sunday against Jacksonville wasn't only a focus for that game against the Jaguars, but a focus that Sean Payton and Co. identified as they sized up this three-game road trip. 

Running the football effectively is especially important on the road—one, because Carolina always seems to have crazy weather this time of year, and two, because pounding the ball down a defense's throat on the road can really take the crowd out of the game. 

The question becomes, how do the Saints most effectively run the football against Carolina? That's when the tape of Carolina's game last week at Chicago is so valuable. Matt Forte lit the Panthers defense up for over 200 yards. Are the Saints going to do that this week? Probably not. 

But a few major themes stood out on that tape. First, Carolina just isn't a very physical defense. The Saints aren't the most physical offense, but should at least be able to prove equal in terms of physicality in the matchup of the New Orleans offense and the Carolina defense. 

Second, Carolina is susceptible to the off-tackle and stretch plays. For this reason, Darren Sproles could continue to be an important key in the Saints running game. But Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram must continue to pound it up the middle if for no other reason than to keep the defense honest, and hopefully wear them out by the fourth quarter. 

If I'm Sean Payton, I'm aiming for a second straight week of 30-plus run plays. That ratio did wonders for the defense in the warm conditions in Jacksonville and never allowed the Jaguars to get into any significant kind of offensive rhythm—something that is usually a struggle for young offenses. 

Therefore, the fewer plays Carolina runs Sunday, the less likely they are to be effective. That is common sense, but a key to execution and victory. 

2. Convert Third Downs into First Downs

Marques Colston saw the field on Sunday versus Jacksonville, but practical Saints fans are hoping that he really makes his return this week. 

Colston, all 6'5", 240 pounds of him, is such a tough matchup on third down as teams generally have to place a safety and/or a linebacker on him when he plays in the slot. With Thomas Davis out again with a major injury, the Panthers have no one who can match up with Colston in the slot. 

Analysts this season have begun to point out a major theme in football—that it is a game of matchups, more even than the plays the coach calls. With Colston and Jimmy Graham both roaming the middle of the field, the Saints should have a field day on third down going up the middle of the field. 

That is a great way to move the ball in chunks, keep the opposing offense off the field and give your team a chance for points. 

3. Turn Red-Zone Opportunities into Touchdowns

While the Chicago Bears scored 34 points a week ago in their win over Carolina, they actually struggled in the red zone. In fact, every team that has played Carolina has kicked more field goals than offensive touchdowns (except Arizona).

To add on to that point, Carolina has already given up a number of special teams touchdowns and had a few touchdowns scored against them when they are on offense. Clearly that is just another way to have success against this Carolina team.

The point is, that Carolina is pretty solid at keeping a team from scoring touchdowns, especially in the red zone. It is an interesting challenge then—because this team is very susceptible to giving up the quick-strike long touchdown. But as we already identified, the Saints want to hold onto the football.

Of course, you want to score whenever you have the chance, and clearly there are some plays to be had over the top, and possibly in the return and run game with Darren Sproles.  

But you still must have a plan when in the red zone. Here is what the Saints must do: They must run some of their base plays, such as the swing screen, the play-action quick slant to the middle of the field, and run the ball effectively on the edge. 

Scoring touchdowns in the red zone wears the defense down and puts more pressure on the rookie QB. It's not that he can't handle that, but obviously you want him playing to catch up and not even or ahead. 

4. Defensively Spy Cam Newton

While Cam Newton hasn't been quite the explosive runner that he was in college, he still maintains that unique ability to break tackles and run away from defenders. 

Therefore, it is imperative that defensively you key a guy who is able to do two separate things in the same play. 

One, this player must be able to come up and make an open field tackle on the 6'6" 250-pound QB when he runs. And, he must also be able to read the rookie's eyes and fly to the football when he does decide to pass. 

Most defenses decide to use a linebacker for this role, but it seems that no Saints linebacker is best utilized in this role. They are all better in man-to-man coverage and/or blitzing. 

Malcolm Jenkins is uniquely talented, but must be used in this game to keep Steve Smith in check (more on that in the next slide). 

Therefore, Roman Harper takes on this role, and in all actuality is probably the best player for this assignment anyway. 

Harper possesses the ability to blitz as well, so it won't be every play that he is in the spy role. But when he is, he will be using his abilities to best help the defense. It is Harper's job to keep Newton from breaking any big plays, and he is definitely capable of doing that. 

5. Role Coverage Towards Newton's Favorite WR, Steve Smith

Steve Smith is having his finest year in a relatively spectacular career...so far. Sunday, the Saints have one of the few defenses that can keep Smith in check. 

Jabari Greer remains one of the best cover corners in the entire league (certainly the most underrated). Sure he would probably get burned once or twice by Smith if he were left to himself. 

But because Newton really doesn't trust any of his other receivers—though he does like his tight ends—the Saints can afford to double cover Smith. 

To maintain the integrity of the defense, it is best to simply role coverage to the side of Smith, rather than bracket-cover the guy. This will allow Malcolm Jenkins to break on any football thrown down the middle to a tight end—or one of Newton's rare throws to another Carolina wide receiver. 

6. Pocket Integrity on the Pass Rush

It would be really easy to stake this responsibility on one guy or one position. Sure, it is primarily the defensive tackles' job to make sure there are no open lanes that Newton can step straight into, but the defensive ends must keep their outside shoulder up the field so that Newton cannot get outside. 

And any player who blitzes must be under control and break down if he has a chance to wrap up Newton and get him to the ground. 

I assume Newton will break contain at least once, which is why Roman Harper playing the spy role is so important. But if the Saints are able to maintain gap integrity on the rush, it will make Harper's job easier and even allow him to be one of the primary blitzers—one of the things he does best. 

7. Blitz the Crap out of Carolina

None of the defenders in the picture are members of the defensive line. And guess what? They are celebrating a sack. That means one of Gregg Williams' exotic blitz schemes paid off, at least on this play. 

While Newton has shown himself to be slightly more adequate in his ability to process information and react than expected, he is still not a wizard in comparison to guys like Brees, Brady or Rodgers. 

Showing the rookie multiple looks, showing blitzes and dropping out, showing Cover 2 and coming with an eight-man blitz, etc., are the types of things the Saints want to do to confuse Newton and force him to make lightning-quick decisions. 

He will almost assuredly throw a few picks and/or take sacks if the Saints can disguise some coverages and blitzes, especially if they are things he hasn't seen on film. 

8. Slow Down the Running Game

Few teams have had the success running the football in recent years that Carolina with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have had. Nonetheless, the Saints possess the tools to slow down those two good backs. 

First, the Saints must play eight-in-the-box (in case that wasn't already clear). Doing so tells the Carolina offense we're going to challenge you to beat us with the pass—and that's okay.

If Cam Newton beats you, fine. I'd rather get beat by Cam Newton than the Carolina running game. Second, play inside-out. In other words, force the backs outside. You don't want to lose contain, but it's better than getting beat straight up the middle. 

Third, keep the defensive ends outside, with their outside shoulders up the field, just as with the pass rush. The reasoning is two-fold. First, that helps keep the backs inside where linebackers are filling gaps. Second, it helps prevent Cam Newton to cross your face on bootlegs. 

That is one of Carolina's major weapons, and frankly the Saints cannot allow him to beat them on the ground. That would be the worst-case scenario. 

Doing this, and all the other steps previously mentioned, gives the Saints the best opportunity for success against Cam Newton and the entire Carolina Panthers offense.