ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Saints vs. Falcons Friday, November 26, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Saints and Falcons. Now they're back with a
second look.
The Saints' offense hasn't scored in the first quarter since the second
game of the season, and their defense surrendered five first downs on the
first five plays of the game last week. New Orleans will have to avoid
another slow start to get the win on the road, and that means preventing
the big plays that have hurt it in the past. A big key for the Saints will
be not trying to do too much on one play.
Look for Atlanta RB Warrick Dunn to play a big role in the passing game.
New Orleans WLB Derrick Rodgers missed last week's game with a back injury
and may not be ready to return. Backup Colby Bockwoldt is a seventh-round
pick that plays with a great motor, but he is raw and lacks ideal cover
skills. Dunn has the route-running skills to consistently separate from
Bockwoldt, and the Falcons will want to test Rodgers' mobility should he
play. In addition, Atlanta will run some screens in an effort to keep
explosive Saints DEs Charles Grant, Darren Howard and Will Smith
off-balance.
New Orleans is at its best when it can use the running game to set up its
play-action package, but RB Deuce McAllister has finished with 20-plus
carries in just two games. The Saints will have to give him at least that
many touches or Brooks should find himself running from pressure all day.
Atlanta's defensive linemen have excellent initial quickness and they
explode off the snap. They will be that much more aggressive getting
upfield if New Orleans becomes a one-dimensional offense and they don't
have to worry about defending against the run.
BrookingThe numbers don't show it, but the Falcons believe WLB Keith
Brooking, who played on the inside last year, has excelled since moving
outside. They believe he is making more impact plays, and his strong play
is certainly one of the biggest reasons Atlanta has been so tough against
the run. McAllister likes to cutback against the grain, and he'll need to
be aware of where Brooking is at all times. Brooking does a good job of
closing cutback lanes down, and he's an explosive open-field tackler with
good closing speed.
The chances of the Saints generating a turnover will greatly decrease
should the Falcons jump out to an early lead. Atlanta offensive
coordinator Greg Knapp's play calling has been very conservative when the
Falcons have jumped ahead, and that's not likely to change. While some
have criticized Knapp for being too conservative, the bottom line is
Atlanta is winning – and head coach Jim Mora believes that it's the right
approach.
QB Michael Vick, the Falcons' leading rusher, is doing a good job of
protecting his body by throwing the ball away, getting out of bounds or
sliding. Atlanta's coaching stiff did well to work on this with Vick
during the offseason. However, Vick still has a tendency to take some
chances, and it's critical that New Orleans take advantage whenever he
exposes his body to the big hit. Delivering a few big hits will make Vick
a little hesitant to run the next time.
The Saints have been trying to get WR Donte' Stallworth more involved in
the offense, and last week he exploded for 10 catches. New Orleans
offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy can help get Stallworth going and help
his offensive line by running some wide receiver screens early. Stallworth
is extremely dangerous and Atlanta's defensive line won't want him to
reach the open field with blockers in front of him.
New Orleans' active defensive line can be very disruptive, but there isn't
a great deal of experience. The players don't always use sound technique,
and that could hurt the Saints in this game. The Falcons do a lot of cut
blocking, and New Orleans' defensive linemen will frequently find
themselves on the ground if they don't protect their legs with their
hands.
McKenzieSaints DC Mike McKenzie missed last week's game with a strained
left knee and may not be available. That's not good news for New Orleans'
fans. McKenzie is arguably New Orleans' best cover man and is extremely
physical. He's capable of frustrating Atlanta WR Peerless Price, who has
some problems getting a clean release working against press coverage.
Much has been made about Saints' owner Tom Benson's comments following the
Denver game last week. Benson compared his team to a bunch of high school
players. To the credit of New Orleans' coaching staff and players, the
team doesn't appear to be making an issue out of the remarks. However,
expect the Saints to use his words as motivation. They should play with a
great deal of pride, consequently.
Special Teams
Atlanta PR Allen Rossum, who returned a punt for a touchdown earlier this
year, is extremely dangerous in the open field. But don't expect him to
break many long returns. New Orleans punt cover unit has been one of the
best in the league, and it should limit Rossum's production.
Prediction: Falcons 31, Saints 20
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Saints and Falcons. Now they're back with a
second look.
The Saints' offense hasn't scored in the first quarter since the second
game of the season, and their defense surrendered five first downs on the
first five plays of the game last week. New Orleans will have to avoid
another slow start to get the win on the road, and that means preventing
the big plays that have hurt it in the past. A big key for the Saints will
be not trying to do too much on one play.
Look for Atlanta RB Warrick Dunn to play a big role in the passing game.
New Orleans WLB Derrick Rodgers missed last week's game with a back injury
and may not be ready to return. Backup Colby Bockwoldt is a seventh-round
pick that plays with a great motor, but he is raw and lacks ideal cover
skills. Dunn has the route-running skills to consistently separate from
Bockwoldt, and the Falcons will want to test Rodgers' mobility should he
play. In addition, Atlanta will run some screens in an effort to keep
explosive Saints DEs Charles Grant, Darren Howard and Will Smith
off-balance.
New Orleans is at its best when it can use the running game to set up its
play-action package, but RB Deuce McAllister has finished with 20-plus
carries in just two games. The Saints will have to give him at least that
many touches or Brooks should find himself running from pressure all day.
Atlanta's defensive linemen have excellent initial quickness and they
explode off the snap. They will be that much more aggressive getting
upfield if New Orleans becomes a one-dimensional offense and they don't
have to worry about defending against the run.
BrookingThe numbers don't show it, but the Falcons believe WLB Keith
Brooking, who played on the inside last year, has excelled since moving
outside. They believe he is making more impact plays, and his strong play
is certainly one of the biggest reasons Atlanta has been so tough against
the run. McAllister likes to cutback against the grain, and he'll need to
be aware of where Brooking is at all times. Brooking does a good job of
closing cutback lanes down, and he's an explosive open-field tackler with
good closing speed.
The chances of the Saints generating a turnover will greatly decrease
should the Falcons jump out to an early lead. Atlanta offensive
coordinator Greg Knapp's play calling has been very conservative when the
Falcons have jumped ahead, and that's not likely to change. While some
have criticized Knapp for being too conservative, the bottom line is
Atlanta is winning – and head coach Jim Mora believes that it's the right
approach.
QB Michael Vick, the Falcons' leading rusher, is doing a good job of
protecting his body by throwing the ball away, getting out of bounds or
sliding. Atlanta's coaching stiff did well to work on this with Vick
during the offseason. However, Vick still has a tendency to take some
chances, and it's critical that New Orleans take advantage whenever he
exposes his body to the big hit. Delivering a few big hits will make Vick
a little hesitant to run the next time.
The Saints have been trying to get WR Donte' Stallworth more involved in
the offense, and last week he exploded for 10 catches. New Orleans
offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy can help get Stallworth going and help
his offensive line by running some wide receiver screens early. Stallworth
is extremely dangerous and Atlanta's defensive line won't want him to
reach the open field with blockers in front of him.
New Orleans' active defensive line can be very disruptive, but there isn't
a great deal of experience. The players don't always use sound technique,
and that could hurt the Saints in this game. The Falcons do a lot of cut
blocking, and New Orleans' defensive linemen will frequently find
themselves on the ground if they don't protect their legs with their
hands.
McKenzieSaints DC Mike McKenzie missed last week's game with a strained
left knee and may not be available. That's not good news for New Orleans'
fans. McKenzie is arguably New Orleans' best cover man and is extremely
physical. He's capable of frustrating Atlanta WR Peerless Price, who has
some problems getting a clean release working against press coverage.
Much has been made about Saints' owner Tom Benson's comments following the
Denver game last week. Benson compared his team to a bunch of high school
players. To the credit of New Orleans' coaching staff and players, the
team doesn't appear to be making an issue out of the remarks. However,
expect the Saints to use his words as motivation. They should play with a
great deal of pride, consequently.
Special Teams
Atlanta PR Allen Rossum, who returned a punt for a touchdown earlier this
year, is extremely dangerous in the open field. But don't expect him to
break many long returns. New Orleans punt cover unit has been one of the
best in the league, and it should limit Rossum's production.
Prediction: Falcons 31, Saints 20
