NFL Huddle

The Saints defense will put in a lot of work on Sunday in the Super Bowl against Peyton Mannings’ Colts.  The task at roping down the Colts’ receivers will be left to Jabari Greer, Tracey Porter, Randall Gay and Usama Young.  Tightening the corners with support will be Darren Sharper and Roman Harper.  In the past, the teams that were horrified by Peyton Manning and his magic, allowed the receivers to get off the line of scrimmage without any bump and run.  Look for the Saints to install the similar pressure they placed on Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker.  The rookies, Garcon and Collie, were given free reign in the middle of the field by the Jets defense.

Reggie Wayne will continue to patrol the sidelines and deep routes to attract one of the safeties, mostly Sharper, to open lanes for the other receivers and TE Dallas Clark.  Expect Shanle and Vilma to run with Clark.  The Saints may switch to their 3-4 defense if Clark and the Indy running game becomes effective.  Fujita will play an important role on the run plays and blitz packages for Gregg Williams.  But the true test for the Saints will begin on the lines.

Jeff Saturday will get his hands full of Sedrick Ellis and Anthony Hargrove.  If they can contain the run in the first 15 minutes, the Colts will go to the air.  It will be very important for Hargrove, Smith and McCray to pressure, keep the lane responsibilities and touch Manning as much as possible.  The young left tackle for the Colts has not been tested much by blitzes.  Will Smith will have a productive day.  His regular season performance has been underrated by most media professionals this year.  Look for Smith to keep constant pressure on Manning.

Who will the the Defensive Stars for the Saints:

1.  Vilma – must call a near perfect game by setting up the Saints defensive schemes against Mannning. He must be patient and wait after Manning goes through his series of gestures and fake audibles.  This will be a challenge.

2.  Smith – I remember the great game he had when Ohio St. defeated Miami for the NCAA National Championship.  He must do the same with at least two sacks, constant pressure, containment on the run and creating a turnover.

3.  Sharper – Patrolling the secondary and playing center field against a potent offensive leader as Manning will be his greatest challenge to date.  I can see him taking one back near the goal line.   The Colts like the slants in the red zone and Sharper likes to jump routes.

4.  Harper – His tackling the runners and tight ends will be crucial in this game.  If he can’t get Addai, Simpson, Brown and Dallas Clark on the turf, it will be a long day for the Saints defense.  He has to keep going for the strips and he may come up with creating a turnover.

5.  Porter and Greer -  One of these guys will be picked on.  My guess it will be Porter because of his size.  Garcon and Collie will be open in the middle if the CB’s don’t take the timing routes away from Peyton.

6.  Hargrove – May become the X-Factor for the Saints defense.  He will bring the energy, heart and passion to that defensive line.  This may a great oppotunity for a redemption story that only Hollywood could write.  Hargrove can create or runs in a turnover that would turn the tide of the game, it would be a huge towards a Saints win.  Sean Payton’s decision to listen to his homemade DVD, bring him in to camp and sign him would be a legendary story.  Most of all he will become a Saints Legend.

Geaux Saints!!!

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