Analysis Week 13 Post-game AMA: Back to the drawing board (4 Viewers)

[TCUDan]

All things being equal I prefer sliding to the 3-tech, but it seems like the protection was influenced by the formation structure. Having Moreau backside and keeping him in as that 6th player then full-sliding to the pass concept side (the side Carr will be looking). Again, the Rams did well to simulate pressure from the field then drop the edge rusher out underneath the quick game. It really comes down to Valdes-Scantling not sitting in coverage and finding that second window.

Full-slide protection (usually for quick game) doesn't create many windows or lanes in the pocket, so if the play isn't there, there isn't a lot of room to step and slide an extend. Carr just kind of sits there waiting for Scantling to find the next window and ends up with the sack/fumble by Verse.

The idea of singling him up with Moreau is that the ball is gonna get out of there before he can run the edge. The play took too long. I know a lot of people will put that on Carr, but he's in a bind right there. He's not a big play creator/extender, so he's trying to stay within the structure of the call. But that depends on his WRs being savvy.

As for the "can can" call, that's just the opposite of a "kill kill." What it means is two plays were called in the huddle and Carr was confirming the first play.

I went back and looked at the all-22 just now. The "can can" comes after the motion, which again should be a confirmation (they didn't show man coverage, following the motion, so the Saints can run their play, which is a smash concept to the field). He does move Kamara from left to right for protection purposes.

At the snap Carr looks to bang the hitch. The CB is squatting on it and the DE is dropping off into the hook zone. It's a tough situation, but as soon as Valdes-Scantling sees Carr double clutch he should convert that hitch to a slant and try to get to the second window. The argument could be made that Carr could fit that throw in there b/c it's a DE and he likely won't undercut it if the ball has good velocity and placement, but I think there's a pretty strong chance the CB breaks it up.

The Rams had the better call in the end. Bc the CB didn't aggressively rerouted Scantling I think he assumed he bailed and doesn't realize he's squatting in the flats. That's the difference between having a guy like him and a guy like Olave. Don't get me wrong--I really like Scantling and hope the Saints hang onto him next year, but if you were wondering why he was available, it's these little details that keep super talented guys from beating out the upper tier of WRs in the league.

 

[Rouxble]

I went back and looked at the all-22 just now. The "can can" comes after the motion, which again should be a confirmation (they didn't show man coverage, following the motion, so the Saints can run their play, which is a smash concept to the field). He does move Kamara from left to right for protection purposes.

At the snap Carr looks to bang the hitch. The CB is squatting on it and the DE is dropping off into the hook zone. It's a tough situation, but as soon as Valdes-Scantling sees Carr double clutch he should convert that hitch to a slant and try to get to the second window. The argument could be made that Carr could fit that throw in there b/c it's a DE and he likely won't undercut it if the ball has good velocity and placement, but I think there's a pretty strong chance the CB breaks it up.

The Rams had the better call in the end. Bc the CB didn't aggressively rerouted Scantling I think he assumed he bailed and doesn't realize he's squatting in the flats. That's the difference between having a guy like him and a guy like Olave. Don't get me wrong--I really like Scantling and hope the Saints hang onto him next year, but if you were wondering why he was available, it's these little details that keep super talented guys from beating out the upper tier of WRs in the league.

I assumed it was an audible and a protection call change based on an (admittedly older) 49ers playbook. No doubt that Kubiak may have changed things up in New Orleans. Below are the cutouts:





You made a great point on MVS, and why he hasn't managed to stick around. We really need some difference makers in the passing game next year, Carr can't do the heavy lifting alone. I also agree that Moreau did a great job blocking, all considered. That would be considered a pass blocking win for him.

 

[St.Dan]

I don't really think it's old and slow. I think they're soft and mushy in the middle. Bresee has turned out to be way more of a pass rush specialist on the interior than I expected, but it's not just that.

Think about the way the Saints' defense has been trending pretty much since DA returned as the DC. Even back in the Kenny Vaccaro days they were basing out of this nickel big/4-2-5 look and putting a premium on pass rushers up front. The returns were great--the Saints were fast and athletic and able to match up in a league full of 5,000 yard passes and rules engineered to favor explosive passing games. This also helped them in the draft, where instead of needing to find a premium, 3-down SAM LB, they could draft a tweener like CGJ in the mid rounds and have a 3-down player at nickel.

But there's been a shift in recent years. Partially due to the type of QBs coming out of college and the league embracing RPOs and a variety of option football. But also just as an overcorrection to the emphasis of defenses as of late toward athleticism over size. The fullback was disappearing, tight ends were becoming more F-type players, flexing out and serving as matchup/size advantages in the passing game rather than in-line blockers in the run game.

Now fullbacks are back, and so are in-line tight ends. Running games are dominating the league and passing is down. The Saint defense, which spent a decade building for this new pass-happy league, is caught a little with its pants down. I think it's this one-dimensionality of the team--along with a little bit of aging and some injuries (as well as some key departures at key positions)--that is taking a toll on the defense.

Bolding that only to say, yes, the Mount Rushmore of the 2000s and 2010s quarterbacks are all retired now or are quickly on their way out (Rodgers) and there's been renewed emphasis on the running game.

Overall, it's quite enjoyable having TCUDan break down the science of how a play succeeds or fails. Analyzing how players either make or don't make adjustments on the fly, etc. Love this stuff!