Are The Saints’ Smarter?
November 7th, 2021
For those who can’t get enough Bucs football on a Sunday, you might want to pause the game your watching and soak in a deep dive on the Bucs offense against the Saints defense by former Tampa Bay QB Chris Simms.
It’s linked right here (and Joe very, very rarely links to anything on YouTube).
Simms, via his “Unbuttoned” show on NBC, tackles about 20 minutes of film study of last Sunday’s game. The overall theme from Simms is that Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is a super genius and he and his players often know what’s coming from the Bucs.
Simms also notes how incredibly well the Saints disguise coverages and blitzes, even enough to confuse and rattle seen-it-all Tom Brady.
Partly fueling the Saints, per Simms, is a confidence to play 2-high safeties without fear of Brady carving them up underneath.
The film segment by Simms is very well done. However, Joe has to counter with the obvious that seemed somewhat little lost on Simms.
Tom Brady was 28-of-40 in that game with 375 yards and four touchdowns (in addition two interceptions and a fumble). The Bucs also ran the ball effectively. That’s a hell of a day of offense, so Joe can’t bow to the Saints on that.
However, it’s been proven that the Saints beat the Bucs — and win in general — because of turnovers. The numbers are stunning. So yeah, Joe has to agree that if the Saints can continue outsmarting the Bucs and Brady enough to force turnovers, then they represent a massive threat to the Bucs’ chances of repeating as Super Bowl champs.
Joe recommends the segment, which picks up at the 58-minute mark of the video. Watching it, Joe was intrigued to see what a difficult time Tristan Wirfs had with Cam Jordan.
November 7th, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Does Simms delve into the art of the batted down pass by any chance? He is expert on that subject.
November 7th, 2021 at 2:07 pm
Sean Payton and Sean McVay outsmart a lot of opposing coaches.
November 7th, 2021 at 2:09 pm
Interesting stuff. Thanks Joe!
November 7th, 2021 at 2:13 pm
Yes the Bucs were thoroughly outreached by the Saints, in every phase of the game.
Today the Saints (so far) have been outplayed at home by the Falcons, and Siemien looks awful. This goes beyond decimated CB depth, Tampa Bay just didn’t look disciplined or prepared to play last week.
November 7th, 2021 at 2:30 pm
Same thing happened to the Rams. They played us like it was the Super Bowl. Celebrated in the locker room and everything. And then the next week played like they were drunk. Saints act like they are hung over.
November 7th, 2021 at 2:32 pm
Bucs should be embarrassed by that performance against the saints.
November 7th, 2021 at 2:33 pm
A lot of game left . Falcons need to keep the pressure on the saints.
November 7th, 2021 at 2:33 pm
When is BL & BA accountable? Why are Saints losing to Atlanta 10-0 at the half?
November 7th, 2021 at 2:34 pm
Yeah I think things will look a little bit different when Gronk and AB play if we are talking about carving up underneath.
November 7th, 2021 at 2:38 pm
‘However, it’s been proven that the Saints beat the Bucs — and win in general — because of turnovers.’
‘For it was the defense, not the offense, that lost the slimy Saints game.’
Yup, no conflict there.
November 7th, 2021 at 2:47 pm
watching Falcons get it going on!!!!!!! need saints to lose nothing better than that
November 7th, 2021 at 3:11 pm
With all due respect DR, it’s all coaching or non coaching.
November 7th, 2021 at 4:13 pm
Sheesh. Move on.
November 7th, 2021 at 4:43 pm
Seems the Bucs should have enough film to watch to figure out what they’re doing and how to beat it. Geez.
November 7th, 2021 at 7:53 pm
Ummmmm, last I checked. Its been PROVEN that the Saints CAN NOT beat the US the Bucs when it MATTERS.
Hello McFly
November 8th, 2021 at 4:59 am
Brady’s fumble and one of the picks last week had nothing to do with the “smart “Saints” as that first INT looked like he and his young WR were out of synch. The Bucs ridiculous penalties and the unusual eagerness of the refs to make some Saints-friendly calls were the primary reason. Yes, eliminate Brady’s second pick and they probably eek out of the win. I’m not saying the Saints are not better at figuring things out than others, but let’s put it in the right context.
I have never looked more forward to the Saints coming to Tampa as I do this year. Most often that has been a game to fear. Not this time. I feel confidient the Bucs will be ready. If they are healthier, it stands to be a very good game for Bucs fans.
November 8th, 2021 at 5:11 am
The big lesson from yesterday’s game is the Falcons almost lost it for completely reversing what put them in the lead to start with. That is, Ryan’s hot hand allowed them to keep moving the ball and keep the Saints off the field. I know Ryan has had late INTs before that helped give up the W but it was clear in the Superdome if you have somethign that works…and the Falcons did…to keep doing it. The Falcons got overly conservative and tried to run the ball, up the middle no less. It was when they HAD have Ryan pass again that he burned the Saints badly again, and won.
With Ingram back, Kamara, and Payton’s play calling you simply need to keep pass the football if that has worked, especially if running has not done the trick. And like the Bucs…there was the dump penalties by the Falcons D.
For the Bucs, like above and like we’ve seen with other games this year, they have to keep their foot on the gas…keep scoring (as Brady and company can do)…don’t get lulled into playing soft prevent D and conservative offense.
November 8th, 2021 at 10:04 am
BA, Bowles and Leftwich are usually badly outcoached against the Aints, Rams and coaching staffs that can adapt and attack you in different ways. Bucs could have easily dinked and dunked their way to a FG in Week 8 but still have this dumb mindset of going after chunk plays no matter the coverage the defense shows you.