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Scouts Inc Scouting Report Part One

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  • Scouts Inc Scouting Report Part One

    Why To Watch
    This game features two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL in Drew Brees and Donovan McNabb, and two of the top passing offenses. This game could see a lot of scoring, and both teams have playmakers who can go the distance at anytime. The key for this game is which defense is going to make enough big plays The Eagles are 2-0 on the road and 3-0 out of the division, while the Saints have been tough at home, now that they have one.


    When the Eagles have the ball
    Rushing: The Eagles do not really want to run the football, but do so to keep the opposing defense honest. Andy Reid has run the ball about 30 percent of the time in the first half of each game this season. That does not mean the Eagles do not have an effective ground game, in fact they have the eighth ranked running attack in the NFL, averaging 114 yards a game.
    Both Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter are dangerous when given the chance to run the football. Look for Saints' defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs to take away the run initially with a seven man front, only bringing a safety in the box on obvious running downs. The key for the Saints' run defense is not to give up the big play on the ground. The Saints have been victimized by the run the last two weeks, but have only had three rushing touchdowns scored on them.

    Passing: The passing game is the key to the Eagles' offense. The Eagles use play action for a number of reasons. First, it can slow down the pass rush as the defensive lineman read run first and the linebackers have to honor the run fake. Secondly, it holds some safeties that are not looking at their proper keys and are looking at the quarterback, making them a step late in coverage. It gives the Eagles a chance to go max protection and throw the ball deep off go or double move routes. It also gives the Eagles receivers' time to run the deep dig route in behind the linebackers.

    The Eagles will also use the quick passing game and screens to keep the pass rush off McNabb. The Saints are fifth in the league in sacks with 15 (10 by the defensive line) and face an Eagles' team that has given up 10 in the last three games. The Eagles' offensive tackles have struggled with quick speed rushers and the Saints have two good ends who can rush the passer in Charles Grant (two sacks) and Will Smith (three sacks). The Saints' two defensive ends like to get upfield and force opposing quarterbacks to step up in the pocket into defensive tackle Brian Young's (3.5 sacks) path. The Saints will play a Cover 2 scheme to take away the quick passing game of the Eagles.

    When the Saints have the ball
    Rushing: Look for the Saints to run a ball control offense, mixing up the run with play action and short, quick throws. The Saints have a big offensive line that has done a good job the last few weeks at blocking lighter and quicker defensive fronts. The Saints will attack the right side of the Eagles' defense going after RDE Trent Cole and WLB Matt McCoy with the isolation play. To take advantage of MLB Jeremiah Trotter's aggressiveness, the Saints will run some misdirection plays to get Trotter to flow hard one way, allowing McAllister or Bush to cut back against the grain.

    The Saints will also run the outside zone play that gets McAllister the ball deep in the backfield and lets him find a running lane in behind the pursuit of the defense. The key for the outside zone will be the blocking of tight end Ernie Cornwell on DEs Trent Cole and Darren Howard. Jim Johnson will look to take away the Saints' running game by mixing in some eight man fronts and run dogs, and playing a soft seven-man box. The Saints do a good job of self scouting themselves and have a balanced run/ pass ratio on mixed downs.

    Passing: Saints' head coach Sean Payton will look for any mismatches he can create. Payton will bring in running back Reggie Bush and flex him out like a receiver in the slot to force the Eagles to put outside linebackers Matt McCoy or Dhani Jones on him. Both McCoy and Jones are athletic linebackers, but will need help in covering Bush. They other matchup will be if the Saints can get strong safety Michael Lewis to cover down on Bush.

    Saints' quarterback Drew Brees has done a good job of reading coverages and working the ball deep to short in his route progression. Brees does not force the ball into coverage and takes what the defense gives him. That is why he has only thrown two interceptions this year. The Eagles' defense must contain the Saints' top three receivers in running back Reggie Bush, and wideouts Marques Colston and Joe Horn. These three players have accounted for 72 percent of the Saints' pass offense. Bush has 174 YAC yards (yards after catch) out of a total of 250 receiving yards.

    The Eagles should be back to full strength in their secondary this week and will mix in some two deep zone and man coverages to force Brees to make a tight throw. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson could treat Bush like a receiver and bring in his nickel defense to put a corner on him in pass coverage. This would give Johnson a better matchup and allow him to use more of his pressure package, whether it be man or zone.

  • #2
    Play bush with a corner.
    Carson Wentz ERA


    NFC East Titles:
    Playoff Appearances:
    NFC Title Games:
    Super Bowl Titles:

    Comment


    • #3
      Methinks Bush is gonna become the next Westbrook-type RB, so our D should be plenty familiar

      Comment


      • #4
        Bush covered by Michael Lewis? [-o<

        Comment


        • #5
          Michael Lewis would have a hard time covering Jon Ritchie. (With a bad knee)
          Carson Wentz ERA


          NFC East Titles:
          Playoff Appearances:
          NFC Title Games:
          Super Bowl Titles:

          Comment


          • #6
            "Look for Saints' defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs to take away the run initially with a seven man front, only bringing a safety in the box on obvious running downs."

            Do we even have obvious ruuning downs anymore?
            They go with a seven man front they're going to get badly burned. How many times can we run the flea flicker on them?

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