sonnyboy
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Here's how I'd game plan the Saints.
I'll skip the obvious crap like avoiding penalties and missed opportunities.
On Offense, where I think we win or lose this game:
I think we need to maintain balance. I don't see a need to run to milk the clock or panic and throw it all over the place.
I do see more opportunities and favorable match-ups against the Saints back-up CBs. However, we do need to handle their pass rush that will be enhanced by the insane crowd noise.
Therefor a nice mix of run and pass will be key.
So from an X and O standpoint, I don't think we should deviate much.
From a philosophical standpoint we should. This is the game Romo needs to turn it loose. I want the 2006 Romo playing like his hair's on fire. I want him to take risks.
I have no interest in losing without Romo throwing an INT. If we lose one more game without him throwing an INT, I think my head will explode!
Turnovers and giving up a short field don't hurt quite as much when facing a prolific offense that's likely to score on the majority of it's possession's.
What does hurt is giving up possession of the ball without having put points on the board.
Now I don't want Romo to play stupid. No 1st down INTs. I can live with them on 2nd down if he's taking a shot deep or on 3rd and long where we're unlikely to go for it on 4th down.
If we're going down, let's go down swinging. I want Romo's losing stat line to have 3 or more INTs.
On the Saints side of the 50, I want to see us go for just about every 4th down opportunity.
NO FG attempts over 30 yards unless the game situation demands it. And no punting to try to pin them deep. Can't give up possession of the ball to that offense without having scored points unless absolutely necessary.
Come to think of it. Stealing a possession after scoring points with a surprise onside kick might not be such a bad idea.
Fake FG with Romo as the holder sounds great.
Fake Punt could also make sense. But not on the Saints side of the field when they're expecting it. If you're gonna have the balls to call it, do it on your own side of the field when they least expect it.
On the Defensive side of the ball, I'd like us to play much more conservative. Very little blitzing and lots of softer cover 2 and zone.
Keep everything in front of us and come up hitting to separate the player from the ball.
No big plays! Make them go 8 or more plays to score. Be prepared to be on defense for a while, so we should substitute early and often to keep everyone fresh. Play the bench!
Play pass first and run defense on the way to the QB. That's key. We're going to need to sacrifice some sound run defense. Our DL and at least one LB must be shooting gaps and getting up the field after Brees. We'll get gashed some by the run, but it's necessary.
Most importantly, get your hands up! I want to see 4 pass rushers most of the game. With stunts and twists trying to get our best push up the middle. Get in 6 foot Brees' face and get those hands up.
I'll skip the obvious crap like avoiding penalties and missed opportunities.
On Offense, where I think we win or lose this game:
I think we need to maintain balance. I don't see a need to run to milk the clock or panic and throw it all over the place.
I do see more opportunities and favorable match-ups against the Saints back-up CBs. However, we do need to handle their pass rush that will be enhanced by the insane crowd noise.
Therefor a nice mix of run and pass will be key.
So from an X and O standpoint, I don't think we should deviate much.
From a philosophical standpoint we should. This is the game Romo needs to turn it loose. I want the 2006 Romo playing like his hair's on fire. I want him to take risks.
I have no interest in losing without Romo throwing an INT. If we lose one more game without him throwing an INT, I think my head will explode!
Turnovers and giving up a short field don't hurt quite as much when facing a prolific offense that's likely to score on the majority of it's possession's.
What does hurt is giving up possession of the ball without having put points on the board.
Now I don't want Romo to play stupid. No 1st down INTs. I can live with them on 2nd down if he's taking a shot deep or on 3rd and long where we're unlikely to go for it on 4th down.
If we're going down, let's go down swinging. I want Romo's losing stat line to have 3 or more INTs.
On the Saints side of the 50, I want to see us go for just about every 4th down opportunity.
NO FG attempts over 30 yards unless the game situation demands it. And no punting to try to pin them deep. Can't give up possession of the ball to that offense without having scored points unless absolutely necessary.
Come to think of it. Stealing a possession after scoring points with a surprise onside kick might not be such a bad idea.
Fake FG with Romo as the holder sounds great.
Fake Punt could also make sense. But not on the Saints side of the field when they're expecting it. If you're gonna have the balls to call it, do it on your own side of the field when they least expect it.
On the Defensive side of the ball, I'd like us to play much more conservative. Very little blitzing and lots of softer cover 2 and zone.
Keep everything in front of us and come up hitting to separate the player from the ball.
No big plays! Make them go 8 or more plays to score. Be prepared to be on defense for a while, so we should substitute early and often to keep everyone fresh. Play the bench!
Play pass first and run defense on the way to the QB. That's key. We're going to need to sacrifice some sound run defense. Our DL and at least one LB must be shooting gaps and getting up the field after Brees. We'll get gashed some by the run, but it's necessary.
Most importantly, get your hands up! I want to see 4 pass rushers most of the game. With stunts and twists trying to get our best push up the middle. Get in 6 foot Brees' face and get those hands up.
