Payton’s Plan? Bully ball (IMO) (2 Viewers)

[Saint Spud]

The Bears have a reputation as one of the toughest teams in the NFL (if not *the* toughest). There are very few things in the NFL that are more celebrated than being “tough.”

Despite re-making the roster and grinding out wins, there’s still a misconception among many that the Saints are a bit of a finesse team.

Payton is aiming to change that this weekend.

Check the moves we’ve made this week: pass-catching TE potentially out? Sign a blocking TE. Elite pass-catching (all-around) RB potentially down? Sign a powerful RB instead of Cadet.

We are also VERY fortunate that our OL is healthy. All of them. Meanwhile, the Bears are missing their elite DT and have an EDGE player who will play with a club.

We are going to run the ball right at them over and over. Don’t get me wrong, we will sprinkle in some screens to try to get Murray a head of steam. We will take a shot or two with Ginn to keep the safeties honest. And we certainly won’t forget MT. But the plan is shaping up to pound the ball and give our guys a chance to test their toughness against the “toughest.”

Oh, and don’t think for a second the defense doesn’t realize they’ve got a chance to make a statement, too. They know the Bears D is the one with the reputation. Time for them to make theirs.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

SP wants to win
If winning required dudes dressing up in formal gowns then we should expect a lot of taffeta

 

[BBarnes]

I think you’re spot on!

 

[Swimmer]

The Bears have a reputation as one of the toughest teams in the NFL (if not *the* toughest). There are very few things in the NFL that are more celebrated than being “tough.”

Despite re-making the roster and grinding out wins, there’s still a misconception among many that the Saints are a bit of a finesse team.

Payton is aiming to change that this weekend.

Check the moves we’ve made this week: pass-catching TE potentially out? Sign a blocking TE. Elite pass-catching (all-around) RB potentially down? Sign a powerful RB instead of Cadet.

We are also VERY fortunate that our OL is healthy. All of them. Meanwhile, the Bears are missing their elite DT and have an EDGE player who will play with a club.

We are going to run the ball right at them over and over. Don’t get me wrong, we will sprinkle in some screens to try to get Murray a head of steam. We will take a shot or two with Ginn to keep the safeties honest. And we certainly won’t forget MT. But the plan is shaping up to pound the ball and give our guys a chance to test their toughness against the “toughest.”

Oh, and don’t think for a second the defense doesn’t realize they’ve got a chance to make a statement, too. They know the Bears D is the one with the reputation. Time for them to make theirs.

Great and creative insightful post. Thx much Sure hope you are spot-on. That would be a site to see and go a long way at changing the old "finesses" classification.

 

[RiverRat]

17-3 Saints.

Defense scores in the 3rd.

 

[meily]

That's not it at all.

Zenner was signed for special teams because Washington will be contributing on offense and the TE was signed to block on the line because Hill might be running more routes as the starting tight end is Cooks is out.

this is the NFL, teams don't change their philosophy on a week to week basis, that's sounds like a team with no identity...Saints have an identity.

 

[rebelsaint8]

That's not it at all.

Zenner was signed for special teams because Washington will be contributing on offense and the TE was signed to block on the line because Hill might be running more routes as the starting tight end is Cooks is out.

this is the NFL, teams don't change their philosophy on a week to week basis, that's sounds like a team with no identity...Saints have an identity.

Yes we have an identity, but we also game plan according to opposing teams' strengths and weaknesses. See: passing often against TB's weak secondary, chewing clock against DAL, and SEA's potent offenses. Their weakness is in the middle of their defense with a backup NT. Our strength right now is Murray and a big, powerful OL. Sprinkle some CantguardMike in there too, but the OP is correct. We have an identity, and it has been to eat up clock on long drives, however you can do that.

 

[Saint Spud]

That's not it at all.

Zenner was signed for special teams because Washington will be contributing on offense and the TE was signed to block on the line because Hill might be running more routes as the starting tight end is Cooks is out.

this is the NFL, teams don't change their philosophy on a week to week basis, that's sounds like a team with no identity...Saints have an identity.

Is our identity not toughness, playing good defense and playing complementary football?

That’s who we are now (even with Brees, though we take more chances). What I described isn’t a change in our identity at all. Merely a tweak to the offensive game plan to reflect personnel advantages (and disadvantages).

 

[Saint Spud]

Yes we have an identity, but we also game plan according to teams strengths and weaknesses. Their weakness is in the middle of their defense with a backup NT. Our strength right now is Murray and a big, powerful OL. Sprinkle some CantguardMike in there too, but the OP is correct. We have an identity, and it has been to eat up clock on long drives, however you can do that.

Haha. Beat me to it. +1

 

[bobad]

SP wants to win
If winning required dudes dressing up in formal gowns then we should expect a lot of taffeta

Others tried that, and it didn't work out too well.

 

[AARPSaint]

Others tried that, and it didn't work out too well.

When did Cam Newton enter the conversation?

 

[bobad]

When did Cam Newton enter the conversation?

Ask GMR, I'm just an innocent bystander.

 

[Doug B]

This is the NFL, teams don't change their philosophy on a week to week basis, that's sounds like a team with no identity...Saints have an identity.

On the contrary, the very best teams have always been able to modify their identity on a week-to-week basis to overcome opponents. Fans remember the 70s Steelers as being "smashmouth offense" and the 80s 49ers as "all passing all the time". In fact, both of those squads could beat you in any way they needed to, and played against type several times each season.

The modern New England Patriots are the same way. Is Brady going to come out and put up 400 yards and 4 scores? Or is it going to be a steady diet of rested RBs gashing the defense? Or something else?

Sean Payton's Saints haven't always had the personnel to be this flexible ... but it's looking like this season, they probably do.

 

[FGE413]

I'm reminded of when the Jets came to the Superdome in week 4 of 2009 and pundits were salivating over what was definitely a good NYJ defense and talked about how they'd shut Drew Brees down. Yeah, the Saints' offense didn't have a great game that day, but the defense scored 2 TDs and held the Jets to 10 points in a 24-10 victory. Let's see some of that magic on Sunday.

The Bears have a reputation as one of the toughest teams in the NFL (if not *the* toughest). There are very few things in the NFL that are more celebrated than being “tough.”

Despite re-making the roster and grinding out wins, there’s still a misconception among many that the Saints are a bit of a finesse team.

Payton is aiming to change that this weekend.

Check the moves we’ve made this week: pass-catching TE potentially out? Sign a blocking TE. Elite pass-catching (all-around) RB potentially down? Sign a powerful RB instead of Cadet.

We are also VERY fortunate that our OL is healthy. All of them. Meanwhile, the Bears are missing their elite DT and have an EDGE player who will play with a club.

We are going to run the ball right at them over and over. Don’t get me wrong, we will sprinkle in some screens to try to get Murray a head of steam. We will take a shot or two with Ginn to keep the safeties honest. And we certainly won’t forget MT. But the plan is shaping up to pound the ball and give our guys a chance to test their toughness against the “toughest.”

Oh, and don’t think for a second the defense doesn’t realize they’ve got a chance to make a statement, too. They know the Bears D is the one with the reputation. Time for them to make theirs.

 

[SaintSansPeur]

Could it all be a smoke screen from the mad mad scientist?? Get into the Bears' players (and coaches) heads?