Article Saints Film Room: How Jared Cook will allow Sean Payton to re-expand the playbook (1 Viewer)

RevDeuceWindham

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First off, good to see everyone again! Been a long offseason and for various reasons (sure some of you have heard all of them on the podcast) I haven't been around as much on social media. But, it's a new season with new hype & excitement. My first film study of the year is here and it's a good one. (Of course I'd think so, right?). If you have any questions about the game, film study, scouting, always welcome them in the comments!

The last time NOLA had a tight end with this combination of athleticism and size they put up more points and yards than the greatest show on turf. With the departure of Graham, we haven't' seen as much of some passing concepts that at one time were so effective, and nearly unstoppable. I go over plays you used to see in NOLA, and some you maybe haven't that Payton could borrow from Gruden's WCO, that you should look for in 2019 in this film study:


Example of one of the plays discussed in article:
View attachment 5VertsCook.mp4















Last season, I wrote about the 4 Verticals concept and how the Saints were using it to a high degree of success. In this Air Raid offensive staple, four receivers each have landmarks they run to and the routes are typically all the same (unless an adjustment is made, like when the Saints would change Thomas’ go route to a crossing route). The outside receiver’s landmarks are the numbers and the inside receiver’s landmarks are the hashmarks. When it comes to 5 Verts, you’re simply adding another go route right up the middle of the field. It might sound simple, but this can cause a lot of problems in defensive spacing.

Even though the linebacker isn’t initially in bad position, Cook’s athleticism allows him to blow right by. Payton’s newest weapon then shows off a great understanding of his position on the field to track the ball, high-point it, and still make sure he gets his feet down in bounds. As this play shows, not every deep ball has to be a 40- or 50-yard bomb, either. Deep passing concepts such as 4 and 5 verticals can be executed from 20 to 30 yards when you manipulate the spacing of the defense. (Read the article for all the details!)
 
SP has to be thrilled if we get that Cook.
Ben was a great stop-gap post Graham, but didnt provide that threat Graham did. Cook does. Which is a whole new look ( even tho we did have it- it was 4 seasons ago)
Teams will have to revert to those tapes to prepare. Along with new. Pretty exciting stuff. How do you defend Cook on a vertical and MT on a dig route under the Safety whose back is turned to run with Cook?

yeah should be fun season.
 
Great to see you again Deuce.

If Graham was so great for the offense, (and I think he was when not over-used), why do you think Payton didn't try harder to replace him in FA or the draft? There were some great TE in the draft the past few years, and players like Cook rarely come on the market.
 
Great to see you again Deuce.

If Graham was so great for the offense, (and I think he was when not over-used), why do you think Payton didn't try harder to replace him in FA or the draft? There were some great TE in the draft the past few years, and players like Cook rarely come on the market.
i think re-tooling/shoring up defense was main priority - we could "get by" with a Watson for a few seasons while we get that squared away would be my guess.
 
First off, good to see everyone again! Been a long offseason and for various reasons (sure some of you have heard all of them on the podcast) I haven't been around as much on social media. But, it's a new season with new hype & excitement. My first film study of the year is here and it's a good one. (Of course I'd think so, right?). If you have any questions about the game, film study, scouting, always welcome them in the comments!

The last time NOLA had a tight end with this combination of athleticism and size they put up more points and yards than the greatest show on turf. With the departure of Graham, we haven't' seen as much of some passing concepts that at one time were so effective, and nearly unstoppable. I go over plays you used to see in NOLA, and some you maybe haven't that Payton could borrow from Gruden's WCO, that you should look for in 2019 in this film study:


Example of one of the plays discussed in article:
View attachment 5VertsCook.mp4















Last season, I wrote about the 4 Verticals concept and how the Saints were using it to a high degree of success. In this Air Raid offensive staple, four receivers each have landmarks they run to and the routes are typically all the same (unless an adjustment is made, like when the Saints would change Thomas’ go route to a crossing route). The outside receiver’s landmarks are the numbers and the inside receiver’s landmarks are the hashmarks. When it comes to 5 Verts, you’re simply adding another go route right up the middle of the field. It might sound simple, but this can cause a lot of problems in defensive spacing.

Even though the linebacker isn’t initially in bad position, Cook’s athleticism allows him to blow right by. Payton’s newest weapon then shows off a great understanding of his position on the field to track the ball, high-point it, and still make sure he gets his feet down in bounds. As this play shows, not every deep ball has to be a 40- or 50-yard bomb, either. Deep passing concepts such as 4 and 5 verticals can be executed from 20 to 30 yards when you manipulate the spacing of the defense. (Read the article for all the details!)
good stuff as always, Rev
sidebar
to my ears, your banter with @ELLIASJWILLIAMS seemed to get a bit spiky this week
maybe y'all were just joshing more than usual, but i hope everything is chill
 
i think re-tooling/shoring up defense was main priority - we could "get by" with a Watson for a few seasons while we get that squared away would be my guess.

Yeah, probably right, our defense rightfully should have been a priority.

Then too, many teams learned to take Jimmy away later on in his career with us.
 
Saints mis-evaluated Fleener and his lack of toughness and durability, and suffered for it. Watson was better, but not a difference maker last year. (Arnold's TD drop in NFCCG was a killer). Cook can be the difference maker and the fill the critical need of more downfield pass-catching that was missing last year.

But, tight end is a physical position with run game blocking duties. Tight ends tend to get nicked up as the season progresses. So, the two goals with Cook are: (1) stay healthy to play, and (2) become the open guy down the open seam.

Here's a 2014 article touting Cook's blocking:


In terms of durability, Cook has been quite healthy the past 2 seasons, with a poor and spotty record of being available in many seasons before 2017.

 
Great to see you again Deuce.

If Graham was so great for the offense, (and I think he was when not over-used), why do you think Payton didn't try harder to replace him in FA or the draft? There were some great TE in the draft the past few years, and players like Cook rarely come on the market.

Well even though Graham hasn't put up NOLA numbers since leaving, he was still an all pro level talent at the position. There just aren't many of those. Watson's first time in was good, but not the same. They tried to get the elite athlete I'm fleener but injuries played a fvtor there, and as mentioned by others the entire defense from players to coaches had to be overhauled. Just one of those situations where tight end wasn't the highest priority.

good stuff as always, Rev
sidebar
to my ears, your banter with @ELLIASJWILLIAMS seemed to get a bit spiky this week
maybe y'all were just joshing more than usual, but i hope everything is chill

Oh yes,everything's still great.weve just had a lot of energy with season coming back so we've been having a lot of fun
 
Appreciate your breakdown Deuce! It's great to learn from you and apply the knowledge gained while watching games live.
You are a great contributor to this site. Thanks Much!!
 
I was coming here to post your article but you beat me to it :LOL:

I don't want to sound like a shill here guys but I've had the Athletic for about a month now and I have to say it's worth it.
 
Appreciate your breakdown Deuce! It's great to learn from you and apply the knowledge gained while watching games live.
You are a great contributor to this site. Thanks Much!!

Thank you for the kind words Cress! Excited to study the Saints this year!

I was coming here to post your article but you beat me to it :LOL:

I don't want to sound like a shill here guys but I've had the Athletic for about a month now and I have to say it's worth it.

Glad to hear it! Hope to keep you happy all season long!
 

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