Saints run game part 3- wildcat QB Power

 The Saints run the wildcat with Hill at qb. There #1 play with him is qb power. They sometimes bring the extra offensive lineman in and run it with 6 ol, 1 te , 1fb and 2 wr. Tough on teams defensively because he is a threat to throw the ball. Do you go nickel or do you play true 4-3 with 4 defensive backs. 

We will call it a wildcat but in every sense, he is a throwing qb so you can't just treat him as a runner. 

Here's some of the ways they use him in the run game:

12 formation, Empty wildcat:

Play:QB Power with Jet FB motion.  

Formation: Empty wing 3x1 with extra olineman.

Here they run power vs the 49ers

They bring the extra offensive lineman to play tight end. with a true tight end and a fb.

Only 2 wr on the field on 2nd and 12.

The 49ers go nickel thinking more of a passing situation. Nice design for 10 yards

on 4th and 2 they run the same play.

They run the same scheme to the left side.

Same design, just get more of a solo block with the wing on the lb because warner jumped outside. 

Here it is again vs the Falcons: 

The Falcons go bear so it's normal to check it to the weakside vs Bear. Normal 3 man surface check.  They get a nice double team and the wr gets up on the lb. They send the motion weak to block the 

This is just a few examples of the Saints wildcat and part of their run game.

3rd and 3 vs the Falcons,

They go 12 wing empty with the rb away from the wing. They bring him in motion and kick out with him.

The falcons are in bear front

Here are just some of the plays you will see from the Saints offense. They do an excellent job with their qb power game with Hill as the qb.

Saints Run Game - Part 2 - Attacking 3 Down Fronts

by Jim Jackson

The New Orleans Saints are having great success in the run game currently, and they are doing it by having a plan to attack the 3 Down front. For purposes of this article we will call it a "Tight" front. The front we are talking about is the Center covered by a NG, both Guards covered by a 3 tech or 4I, and usually edge defenders capping the offensive formation. Some teams use 2 LB or 1 LB and a drop down Safety at the 2nd level. 

A variation of this front is the "Bear" or 46 front where the Center and both Guards are covered. This is typically a short yardage defense used with Man Coverage variations.

The Saints like to attack this front by running:

1. Inside Zone Weak (Away from TE) from the gun

2. Gap Scheme Strong (To the TE), either Power or Duo

3. Wide Zone Strong (To the TE).

Play 1 is Gun Inside Zone Weak. The result is a 20 yard gain by Alvin Kamara.

Play 2 is a QB Power with Taysom Hill as QB for a 13 yard gain. Hill is such a unique talent because he is so dynamic with the ball. Defensively, you have to respect and prepare for the Wildcat run game with a legitimate threat to pass as well.

Play 3 is a Wide Zone to a TE side. The result of this play is a 2 yard gain, but there are solid angles.

The Vikings, Patriots, and Ravens also have some good schemes attacking the Tight Front. As Defense evolves in the NFL, it is always great to see the creative ideas that coaches come up with to attack it.

Saints Run Game - Part 1 - SY/GL

 By Jim Jackson

The New Orleans Saints offense is ranked 4th in Scoring Offense (29.9 ppg) and 7th in Rushing Offense (140.6 ypg) as of Week 15. Some of the best rushing concepts they are employing are in their Short Yardage and Goalline situations. Short Yardage is usually defined as 3rd or 4th Down and 1-2 to gain. Some people consider 3rd and 3 a SY situation and the Saints certainly do at times as well. Goalline offense is considered anything inside the 4 yard line. The Saints will certainly use these plays in the middle of the field on regular down and distance, but the coaching staff like to use them in important unique opportunities. 

We broke down 5 games, and conceptually speaking the Saints run a small number of concepts with a wide variety of presentations to the defense. The concepts are:

1. FB Dive

2. Duo (w/an extra OL at the Point of Attack)

3. QB Run with Taysom Hill

4. Wide Zone

The Saints coaching staff employs their best players in these critical down and distance situations. Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill, and Latavius Murray all get opportunities for the conversions and Touchdowns. The are succeeding at a high rate currently right now.

Play 1, FB Dive: FB are always the unsung heroes of a West Coast Offense and Michael Burton is not any different. The result is a conversion and a 4 yard gain. So much detail to a simple play!

Play 2, Duo w/extra OL at Point of Attack: Saints Coaching staff uses a shift and a motion to gain a personnel advantage at the POA. Again, they are running off a support player with pass responsibilities. 

Play 3: QB Run Pin/Pull. The Saints love QB Power in SY/GL to gain an extra blocker at the point of attack with Taysom Hill as QB. This run is an outside run. It's a version of Toss Crack with the QB being the ball carrier. Very creative by Saints Offensive Coaching Staff.

Play 4, Wide Zone Concept with Alvin Kamara. Kamara is probably the Saints most explosive player, and his best run in wide zone. Coach Payton subscribing to the age old coaching adage, "In critical situations, think players, not plays."

The Saints are converting Short Yardage and Goalline situations at a high conversion rate. Thank you for joining us!