Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
As the New Orleans Saints get ready to take the field and open up their season against the Arizona Cardinals, the biggest threat that is expected to be presented to the Saints offense is handling the pass rush and pressure packages the Cardinals are sure to deploy.
While Arizona may not expose their entire bag of tricks Week 1, it is likely that the team will present some aggressive and challenging pass rush plans while second-year starting quarterback Spencer Rattler is under center.
Rattler and center Erik McCoy will be tasked with diagnosing and adjusting to Nick Rallis’ defensive schemes, while Kellen Moore counters in the chess match.
The Cardinals will deploy pressure in a number of different ways:
- Blitzing
- Simulated pressure
- Forced adjustments
- Sending the front four
Getting out of the way first that not every pressure requires a blitz, sometimes the Cardinals will simply bank on the rebuilt front-four to win its matchups. That is something the Saints’ rebuilt offensive front will have to be ready for, regardless of game situation. But some of the exotic things that head coach Jonathan Gannon and Rallis dial up will catch the eyes of viewers.
With the offseason additions of pass rushers Josh Sweat and Jordan Burch, along with defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, a numbers-changer on the inside, Arizona may be very comfortable attacking with its defensive line alone. To aid them in this endeavor, sending stunts and twists could be a big part of the gameplan.
Blitzing
While Gannon’s defense mostly focused on blitzing from the second level (linebackers) during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, that’s changed since getting to Arizona. The Cardinals will, without hesitation, send one or two blitzers from the linebacker corps, cornerbacks, slot and safety position. New Orleans will have to be ready to recognize and handle pressure from all three levels.
BROCK PRUDY IS PICKED OFF 😳
CARDINALS UPSET THE 49ERS 😱
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/RqCotCb58s— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 6, 2024
Simulated Pressure
In some instances, Arizona will show blitz by putting linebackers or defensive backs on the line of scrimmage, threatening to be sent pre-snap only to drop out into coverage. This is part of the disguise that’s meant to confuse opposing quarterbacks.
Dennis Gardeck with the SACK of Matthew Stafford! pic.twitter.com/UEU3RnlBRu
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) September 15, 2024
Particularly out of the shotgun or on play-action, even a split second with the quarterback’s eyes off the defense can be enough for the look to change entirely.
This will require good pre and post-snap communication along the offensive line, running backs and tight ends that are trying to keep Rattler clean in the passing game.
Forced Adjustments
In some cases last year, Arizona masterfully showed a defensive look pre-snap in an attempt to force the offense to shift into the adjustment the Cardinals are actually looking to attack.
This is where post-snap reads and adjustments will have to be achieved quickly and with precision. Taking what the defense gives by attacking areas that blitzers or pressure players have vacated and making the appropriate checks at the line of scrimmage will be crucial.
The opener will test both Moore’s offense and the on-the-fly reactions of the players on the field, offering the Saints an early gauge of progress and areas to grow.
