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ESPN Insider Game Breakdown: Saints vs Panthers

Discussion in 'Carolina Panthers' started by The Brain, Sep 9, 2005.

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Sep 9, 2005 at 3:59 PM #1

The Brain Defiler of Cornflakes

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Matchups
QB - Panthers
RB - Saints
WR - Saints
OL - Panthers
DL - Panthers
LB - Panthers
DB - Panthers
ST - Saints
Coach - Panthers
Overall - Panthers

Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Saints and Panthers. Now they're back with a second look.

One glaring weakness in the Saints' defense late in the 2004 season was the lack of gap discipline when defending the running game, especially at the linebacker position. When we watched this defense on film, we saw a linebacker unit that did not seem to fit or mesh well with the defensive line. There was a lack of coordination that often produced a breakdown in gap integrity and this led to inconsistency in defending the run. Against the Panthers and their commitment to running the ball, the Saints' front 7 must show considerable improvement in this area. If it doesn't, the defense will struggle to get the Panthers offense off the field and lose the time of possession battle. This will put too much pressure on Aaron Brooks and the Saints' offense.

In breaking down the Panthers' offense over the last couple of years, one thing that really stands out is their commitment to running the football. The running game is clearly the foundation of their entire team: It dictates tempo, allows Carolina to control the pace and flow of the game and establishes a physical mentality that permeates throughout the team. Whether it's Stephen Davis, DeShaun Foster or Nick Goings, the running game gives the Panthers an offensive identity that allows them to play the kind of game that they are most comfortable playing. It also sets up big-play opportunities in the passing game.

The 2004 Saints' defense made many schematic changes over the last month of the season. Defensive coordinator Rick Venturi was clearly searching for a tactical approach that best utilized his personnel. In December, Venturi found one. The Saints became a much more aggressive defense, attacking and challenging offenses, and the results were much more consistent. Instead of the "Cover 2" approach, with the corners and linebackers playing predominantly zone, they played a much higher percentage of man coverage. Venturi often lined DC's Mike McKenzie and Fakhir Brown up in press position at the line of scrimmage and they played very well over the last three games in 2004. Expect to see the Saints play the some kind of aggressive man-based schemes that proved so successful for them at the end of the 2004 season.

The Panthers utilize a significant percentage of two-tight end personnel packages in a variety of different formations. They will balance the offensive set with both tight ends on the line of scrimmage on opposite sides of the formation. This widens the offensive line, and forces the defensive front to stretch. The defense must then declare which side they are recognizing as the strong side of the formation since defensive front mechanics are determined by the tight end. This gives QB Jake Delhomme a solid pre-snap read, and allows him to effectively use the Panthers check-package at the line of scrimmage.

In breaking down the matchup of the Saints and the Panthers on the final weekend of the 2004 season, it was interesting to see the defensive approach taken by Carolina. Specifically the way the team utilized DE Julius Peppers. Of the 64 offensive snaps run by the Saints in that game, Peppers dropped into coverage 16 times (one-fourth of the plays). He predominantly did so in long-down and -distance situations and the Panthers had excellent success with this tactic. Brooks only had three completions in nine attempts when Peppers dropped into coverage plus a sack and the Saints' seven rushes, which included a Brooks' scramble that netted only four yards.

The Saints have a strong defensive line rotation with a number of versatile players that can play well both at defensive end and defensive tackle. It's an extremely athletic group and the players are at their best on the move so Venturi runs a lot of slants and stunts. Over the last month of the 2004 season, Will Smith was the Saints best defensive lineman and his versatility allowed the Saints to get four excellent pass rushers on the field in long-yardage situations. Smith moved inside to tackle with Tony Bryant next to him and the ends were Charles Grant and Darren Howard, both of whom are outstanding outside pass rushers. Expect to see this personnel package this week against the Panthers.

The foundation of the Saints' offense must be RB Deuce McAllister and not Brooks. Head coach Jim Haslett has now structured the offense this way, as evidenced by the free agent signing of RG Jermane Mayberry and the drafting of RT Jammal Brown. At the end of the 2004 season, New Orleans had a better and more consistent offense because it focused on featuring McAllister. In fact, that is the main reason it defeated the Panthers on the final Sunday of the 2004 regular season preventing Carolina from making the playoffs. McAllister ran the ball 28 times in that game, while Brooks threw only 24 passes. The Saints controlled the ball for more than 33 minutes, dictating the pace and tempo of the game and not allowing the Panthers to play their grind-it-out, run-based style. In that game, Delhomme threw 50 times, which is not the way Carolina wants to play offense. One matchup in this game that bears close scrutiny is Peppers working against Brown. Peppers' combination of size, speed and athletic ability is unmatched at the defensive end position in the NFL and he may well be the best and most versatile defensive player in the league. This matchup has several ramifications for the Saints offense: If Brown, who is a work in progress as an NFL tackle and at this point is a more accomplished run blocker than pass protector, struggles with Peppers in pass protection, then the Saints will be forced to use formations and protections that limit their play calling. In addition, if Peppers and the Panthers can generate consistent pressure on Brooks that will be significant: Brooks historically has shown has a strong tendency to break under pressure whether real or perceived.

The foundation of the Panthers' running game is the lead block concept. On almost every Panthers' running play, a lead blocker -- whether it's a fullback or a pulling offensive lineman -- will lead the ball carrier to the point of attack. That places the burden on Saints' linebackers Sedrick Hodge, Courtney Watson and Colby Bockwoldt. They must be aggressive at the point of attack and take on the lead block at the line of scrimmage or on the offensive side of the ball. They cannot sit back and wait to play the lead block on the defensive side of the ball. In addition, they must not give themselves up when taking on lead blocks. There is a difference between running to your gap responsibility, and working through the blocker to get to the football. The Saints' linebackers must work through the blocker and find the football.

In studying Delhomme on tape, his willingness to deliver the ball before he can be certain of the result really stands out. That's really the true definition of anticipation for an NFL quarterback. It's also a good definition of courage and it's really what Delhomme is all about as a quarterback. He is not a great technician and at times can have a lazy drop throwing off the timing of the intermediate passing game. However, Delhomme throws with confidence and conviction clearly displaying the kind of gunslinger attitude that rallies a team.
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Sep 9, 2005 at 4:00 PM #2

The Brain Defiler of Cornflakes

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cont.

Special Teams
PK John Carney uncharacteristically missed three field goal attempts inside 40 yards last year and his leg isn't as strong as it was earlier in his career so he doesn't always get great distance on his kickoffs. However, he is fundamentally sound and he still flashes the ability to connect on long-range field goal attempts.

KOR Rod Smart reads his blocks well, he is decisive and he has adequate top-end speed but he has sustained season-ending injuries two of the past three years. That could open the door for Jamal Robertson to get more opportunities. Although Robertson doesn't show a second gear in the open field, he too shows good vision and he is more elusive than Smart. Though WR Eugene Baker could push him DC Chris Gamble is expected to return punts at this point. He is a dangerous open field runner that can make an impact in this role.

Matchups
<LI>New Orleans ROT Jammal Brown vs. Carolina LDE Julius Peppers
<LI>Carolina WR Steve Smith vs. New Orleans DC Fakhir Brown
<LI>Carolina ROT Jordan Gross vs. New Orleans LDE Charles Grant

Scouts' Edge
It doesn't feel right talking about Hurricane Katrina's impact on this game considering the impact it's had on lives and families, but the truth is this tragedy will affect the Saints' performance. There's just no getting around that fact and it makes it much harder to predict the outcome of what should be a very close game. Will New Orleans' players rally and play with a lot of emotion or are these tragic events understandably making it impossible for them to focus on football? Speculating about that question doesn't give us any real answers so we can only base our prediction on what we do know. Carolina should have success establishing its running game, which will effectively set up the play-action package and control the tempo of the game. Perhaps even more importantly, it will keep the defense well rested. Look for the Panthers' talented front 7 to slow McAllister down enough to put Brooks in a position that he has to make plays. While he will use his athletic ability and arm strength to make some big plays, the Panthers' pass rush should pressure him into making some costly mistakes that are ultimately the difference in this game.

Prediction: Panthers 20, Saints 14
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Sep 9, 2005 at 4:01 PM #3

The Brain Defiler of Cornflakes

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I'd like to know how Eugene Baker will push for the Punt return job when he's not on the roster. Not even in training camp.
Sep 9, 2005 at 4:04 PM #4

QueenCityHillbilly Bitch, I Will Kill You

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The Brain said:

I'd like to know how Eugene Baker will push for the Punt return job when he's not on the roster. Not even in training camp.
Click to expand...

For real, why do they even bother making people pay for Insider?
Sep 9, 2005 at 4:41 PM #5

Andrew76021 Full Access Member

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I think the overall review was pretty much on the money. A close game decided by a turnover will decide the outcome one way or another. Will the Saints play inspired, or will the toll of recent events be too much for them to overcome? Last year the Saints were 5-3 on the road and Carolina was 3-5 at home. Looks to be a close one........
Sep 9, 2005 at 9:34 PM #6

cathead Full Access Member

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Andrew, last years team has nothing to do with this years team. I will say this, if the Saints somehow manage to win this game, your team will certainly have a very bright future this year. The panther are fielding the best team in franchise history and have very big weapons scattered all over the field on both sides of the ball. Still tho, the Panthers never beat teams by a wide margin.

Good game to all and may the best team win.
Sep 9, 2005 at 10:50 PM #7

PantherPaul Nap Enthusiasts

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Matchups
<LI>New Orleans ROT Jammal Brown vs. Carolina LDE Julius Peppers

Welcome to the NFL rookie. This could get ugly
Sep 9, 2005 at 10:58 PM #8

PantherPaul Nap Enthusiasts

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Also from ESPN Insider:
• The Panthers were lucky to re-sign third-round choice Atiyyah Ellison to the practice squad. Ellison was the highest draft choice released in the cutdown to 53, but he had to clear waivers to re-sign with the Panthers. The Cardinals put in a claim, but they also had put in a priority claim on Langston Moore, a defensive tackle cut by the Bengals. The league awarded Moore to the Cardinals, which allowed Ellison to clear waivers. Considered a little too raw to make the team's 53-man roster, the Panthers still could lose him if a team wants to sign him to its 53-man roster in the future.
Sep 10, 2005 at 6:57 PM #9

magnus Chump-proof

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The Brain said:

I'd like to know how Eugene Baker will push for the Punt return job when he's not on the roster. Not even in training camp.
Click to expand...

That's one thing - them annointing Gamble as the PR when he did it, what, once?

That's just lazy.
Sep 10, 2005 at 7:42 PM #10

lharris537 Full Access Member

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. . .not just lazy

As a veteran of more than 40 years of journalism, I feel quite qualified to say that was not "just lazy," but pure horseshit. Anyone or any organization which doesn't investigate its "printed" or "published" product more than that doesn't deserve to be on the Internet or anyfuckingwhere else.

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