New Orleans Saints

Connected Franchise Mode Strategy CFM Team Rating: 80 Offense: 85 Defense: 81 Offensive Scheme: Vertical Defensive Scheme: Attacking 3-4 Strengths: QB, C, FS Weaknesses: HB, DT, CB, TE 2014 Team Rankings 2nd NFC South (7-9-0) Passing Offense: 3rd Rushing Offense: 13th Passing Defense: 25th Rushing Defense: 29th 2014 team leaders Passing: Drew Brees: 4,952 Rushing: Mark Ingram: 964 Receiving: Kenny Stills: 931 Tackles: Curtis Lofton: 144 Sacks: Junior Galette: 10 Ints: Pierre Warren: 2 Key Additions HB C.J. Spiller CB Brandon Browner C Max Unger Key Rookies T Andrus Peat LB Stephone Anthony LB Hau’oli Kikaha Owner: Tom Benson Legacy Score: 1,600 Coach: Brady Leland Level: 1 Legacy Score: 0 Offensive Scheme: Vertical Defensive Scheme: Attacking 3-4

Offensive Scouting Report

• QB Drew Brees may feel some effect from losing his main target in TE Jimmy Graham. However, he is too talented to let it affect him over the course of a whole season. Take the first few games to learn which receivers to trust on big downs.
• The Saints have a nice combination of power and speed in the backfield with Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller. Both have shown flashes at times, but neither has proven to be an every-down back, so use them in a rotation.
• Marques Colston will have to continue to be the safety blanket for his QB. With a 97 Catch in Traffic rating, he should hang onto most balls, but his 83 Speed rating means he won’t be running away from too many defenders.

Defensive Scouting Report

• On the defensive line, DT John Jenkins has the strength you need for a 3-4 scheme. Monitor the play of RE Cameron Jordan, who no doubt has the talent, but who might not fit in at 3-4 end. Get creative with formation subs to get the most out of him.
• The Saints’ LBs don’t have blazing speed, so play a zone scheme to maximize their range. If you feel yourself unable to keep up with another team, try playing rookie LB Stephone Anthony, who is raw but very quick.
• The Saints’ secondary finally has some solid pieces back, especially if Jairus Byrd can remain healthy and lead the unit. New CB Brandon Browner will really help against some of the league’s big receiving threats, like those division rival Tampa Bay has built around.

Schedule

Key Players

• Brees’s accuracy across the board is what separates him from other QBs in the league.
• Be sure to utilize play action, as Brees is one of the best at it.

• Byrd has outstanding play recognition for his position and should be left to roam free over the middle.
• Keep boosting Byrd’s speed and hit power to make him one of the best players in the league.

• Peat will be ready to start early in his career if you can get him some confidence.
• Peat is a versatile player who can play most positions on the line, but having him at tackle is the most valuable for the future.

• Without a threat like TE Jimmy Graham in the red zone, Brees will need a big target like 6’6” Coleman, who can only run a few routes.
• The higher you can build ratings like Spectacular Catch and Catch in Traffic, the better Coleman will be on aggressive catches downfield.

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

SPECIAL TEAMS

Best Offensive Plays

BEST RUN: Singleback Doubles — HB Smash

Setup:

• Your backup TE, Orson Charles, is a solid run blocker who can hold the edge if you want to cut it outside.
• Make this run have more risk but more reward by taking out the powerful Mark Ingram and subbing in C.J. Spiller.

Advanced Setup:

• Sub in your backup HB.

Running Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS: Pistol Bunch TE — Cross Drag

Setup/Reads:

• Against zone coverage make the easy throw. Not every pass has to go deep downfield on this play.
• Against man-to-man your speed advantage on the crossing patterns should get big separation.
• Against the blitz either dump it off to the HB or wait for the TE to get some separation over the middle.

Advanced Setup:

• Streak or curl the far left WR.
• Wheel the HB.

Passing Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

Best Defensive Plays

BEST RUN DEFENSE: 3-4 Bear — Cover 2 Invert

Setup:

• The 3-4 Bear is a solid run defense, especially in short yardage.
• Feel free to play very aggressively with the free safety; he has no deep responsibility on the play.

Player to Control:

• FS in a hook zone

Run Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS DEFENSE: Nickel 2-4-5 — Cover 2 Press

Setup:

• Make sure to shade your coverage over the top to make this more of an every-down defense.
• If you expect the offense to try a verticals concept, switch to Cover 4 or 2 Man Under.
• CB Brandon Browner has the size to make his zones very tough to throw over.

Player to Control:

• The LOLB off the right edge (finesse rush)

Pass Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ