New Orleans Saints — Madden NFL 17 eGuide

QB Drew Brees found his targets pretty well last season even though he struggled in the rushing game. 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 plays to call to improve his backs.
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.
TE Coby Fleener will need to step up and take advantage of the open TE position. Work on his Catching rating and allow Brees to hit him with as many passesas possible.

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 might not fit in at 3-4 end. Be 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 butvery quick.
The Saints’ secondary finally has some solid pieces back, especially if Jairus Byrd can remain healthy and lead the unit. Experienced CB Delvin Breaux will really help against some of the league’s big receiving threats, like those division rival Tampa Bay has built around.

Brees’ 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.

Rankins is a combine warrior who will take your defense to another level.
He’s quick and if you can get him off the line quickly, he excels at putting pressure on the passer.

Brees needed another red zone target, and Coleman delivered. Expect him to get even better this year.
Upgrade his Spectacular Catch rating to make him an even more dangerous red zone threat.

POS	FIRST	LAST	OVR
QB	Drew	Brees	90
QB	Luke	McCown	71
QB	Garrett	Grayson	64
HB	Mark	Ingram	83
HB	C.J.	Spiller	78
HB	Tim	Hightower	73
HB	Travaris	Cadet	71
HB	Daniel	Lasco	68
HB	Marcus	Murphy	67
FB	Austin	Johnson	70
FB	Sione	Houma	63
WR	Brandin	Cooks	82
WR	Willie	Snead	77
WR	Michael	Thomas	70
WR	Brandon	Coleman	69
WR	Vincent	Brown	68
WR	Jared	Dangerfield	62
WR	Jake	Lampman	61
TE	Coby	Fleener	84
TE	Josh	Hill	78
TE	Michael	Hoomanawanui	74
TE	RaShaun	Allen	62
TE	Justin	Drescher	50
LT	Terron	Armstead	92
LT	Tyrus	Thompson	68
LG	Tim	Lelito	77
LG	Kaleb	Eulls	62
C	Max	Unger	82
C	Marcus	Henry	60
C	Jack	Allen	59
RG	Senio	Kelemete	71
RG	Andrus	Peat	70
RG	Landon	Turner	58
RG	Joseph	Cheek	57
RT	Zach	Strief	82
RT	Avery	Young	60

POS	FIRST	LAST	OVR
LE	Cameron	Jordan	90
LE	D.J.	Pettway	60
LE	Obum	Gwacham	57
DT	Nick	Fairley	79
DT	John	Jenkins	78
DT	Sheldon	Rankins	77
DT	Tyeler	Davison	68
RE	Hau’oli	Kikaha	75
RE	Bobby	Richardson	66
RE	David	Onyemata	64
RE	Davis	Tull	60
LOLB	Stephone	Anthony	74
LOLB	Kasim	Edebali	67
LOLB	Dillon	Lee	57
MLB	James	Laurinaitis	73
MLB	Nathan	Stupar	71
MLB	Michael	Mauti	68
ROLB	Craig	Robertson	78
ROLB	Dannell	Ellerbe	77
ROLB	Tony	Steward	65
CB	Delvin	Breaux	82
CB	Keenan	Lewis	75
CB	Kyle	Wilson	74
CB	P.J.	Williams	70
CB	Tony	Carter	69
CB	Damian	Swann	68
CB	Brian	Dixon	66
CB	Brandon	Dixon	65
CB	De’Vante	Harris	60
FS	Jairus	Byrd	83
FS	Vonn	Bell	71
SS	Kenny	Vaccaro	80
SS	Roman	Harper	74
SS	Jamarca	Sanford	73
SS	Trae	Elston	59

POS	FIRST	LAST	OVR
K	Connor	Barth	79
K	Kai	Forbath	75
P	Thomas	Morstead	83

1st Down	2nd & Short	3rd & Short	Goal Line	2nd & Long	3rd & Long
I-Form Close – Inside Zone	I-Form Close – HB Sweep	I-Form Close – HB Lead Dive	I-Form Tight – HB Off Tackle	Pistol Y-Trips – Strong Power	Pistol Bunch TE – Strong Power
Strong Close – HB Force	Gun Dbl Y Flex Offset Wk – Inside Zone	Gun Split Offset – HB Power O	I-Form Tight – HB Blast	Pistol Y-Trips – HB Stretch	Strong Close – Quick Toss
Gun Tight Offset TE – Inside Zone	Gun Tight Offset TE – 01 Trap	Gun Wing Trio Wk – HB Base	I-Form Tight – HB Iso	Gun Wing Trio Wk – HB Counter Trap	Gun Tight Offset TE – HB Draw

1st Down	2nd & Short	3rd & Short	Slot Plays	2nd & Long	3rd & Long
Pistol Bunch TE – Cross Drag	I-Form Close – Drag Wheel	I-Form Close – PA TE Corner	Gun Tight Offset TE – PA Shot Seams	Pistol Bunch TE – PA WR Screen	Pistol Bunch TE - Verticals
Gun Normal HB Wk – Corner Strike	Pistol Bunch TE – Fk Screen	I-Form Pro – Texas	Gun Trey Open Cowboy – PA WR In	Gun Empty Trey – Saints Switch	Gun Empty Trey – Saints Y-Screen
Gun Dbl Y Flex Offset Wk – Sail	I-Form Twins Flex – PA Divide	I-Form Tight – Angle	Gun Trips Y Iso – PA Vertical Shot	Gun Tight Offset TE – Saints Spot	Gun Tight Offset TE – Saints Spot Shake

1st Down	2nd & Short	3rd & Short	Goal Line	2nd & Long	3rd & Long
4-3 Normal – 2 Man Under	4-3 Over Plus – Cover 3 Sky Wk	46 Bear Under – Gap Press	Goal Line 5-4- 2 – Blitz C	Nickel Normal – Cover 2 Man	Nickel Wide 9 – Cover 1 LB Blitz
4-3 Normal – Cover 3 Sky	4-3 Over Plus – Saw 0 Blast	46 Bear Under – LB Dogs	Goal Line 5-4- 2 Sam Blitz	Nickel Normal – Cover 3 Mable	Nickel Wide 9 – Cover 3 Buzz 2

1st Down	2nd & Short	3rd & Short	Goal Line	2nd & Long	3rd & Long
4-3 Normal – Tampa 2	4-3 Over – Mike Will Blitz	46 Bear Under – Cover 1	Goal Line 5-3- 3 – GL Man	Nickel Wide 9 – Overload 3 Seam 2	Dime Normal – DB Blitz
4-3 Normal – Cover 2 Man	4-3 Over – Cover 3 Sky	46 Bear Under – Cover 3	Goal Line 5-3- 3 – Pinch Zone	Nickel Wide 9 – Tampa 2 Contain	Dime Normal – Cover 3 Buzz Press