Saints favor air attack

No matter the situation, Drew Brees' arm has gotten quite a workout.

By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
Published November 30, 2007

TAMPA - The one constant in the Saints' conundrum of a season - four straight losses, four straight wins and a 5-6 record - has been quarterback Drew Brees dropping back to pass.

At first, he threw to catch up.

Now he throws to get ahead.

The Saints offense, which lost bruising running back Deuce McAllister to a knee injury in Week 3, has gone pass-happy. In Sunday's key NFC South game in New Orleans, the division-leading Bucs can expect to defend at least 40 passes.

Maybe more.

"They throw it every snap," said Bucs coach Jon Gruden, whose team has a two-game lead over the Saints. "They're going to throw it ... from all kinds of formations, an array of sets. We've got to be ready for that."

Brees has attempted a league-high 456 passes in piloting the fourth-ranked passing game. Averaging 41.5 attempts, he is on pace to challenge the NFL record of 691 set by Drew Bledsoe with the Patriots in 1994. By comparison, the Bucs have thrown 310 times.

"Early in the season, with that 0-4 start, a lot of those pass attempts were coming at the end of games, when we were just trying to play catchup," said Brees, who has 2,997 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions for an 85.0 rating.

"Since then, we've been throwing the ball because it's been effective and we've been able to get some big plays off of it. We always preach balanced attack, balanced attack. But once we get into a game and we see how the defense is playing us and we find out what's working, we're going to go with what's working."

In place of a traditional running game, the Saints throw a variety of quick passes to halfback Reggie Bush, whom Gruden calls the "joker" for his ability to line up in the backfield or split wide as a receiver. Bush's 70 receptions lead all NFL backs and are second overall in the NFC.

Then there are the typical passing game elements. Receiver Marques Colston has 68 receptions third in the NFC for 847 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Eric Johnson has 40 catches and receiver David Patten 31. Four more players, including receiver Devery Henderson, have at least 16 catches.

No longer trailing teams by 21 and 28 points in the second half, as was the case for the first three weeks against the Colts, Bucs and Titans, the Saints have eschewed the traditional philosophy of needing a balanced offense to succeed.

"Quarterback is a funny position," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "The other 10 guys on offense need to paint the picture for this player, be it the receivers, the protection, the back. And when they're able to do that, you can see him function very well."

The Bucs will counter with the league's fifth-ranked pass defense, sparked during their current three-game win streak by a rejuvenated pass rush. Tampa Bay has forced 10 turnovers in its past two games, including two interceptions to preserve Sunday's win against the Redskins.

The Saints, however, are another challenge.

Brees, after an ugly September, is back in Pro Bowl form.

"He's hot again.He's razor sharp. He's getting the ball out," Bucs defensive backs coach Raheem Morris said. "He knows where he wants to go with the ball. And he's only been sacked eight times (all season).

"They've got talent all over the place, and when you have that kind of talent, you can get away with whatever you want. I'm excited. If you're a defensive back and you don't look forward to that challenge, there's something wrong with you."

Joanne Korth can be reached at korth@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8810.

Fast facts

Air vs. ground

Since an 0-4 start, the Saints have passed more than run in all but one game:

Opp. Pass Run Result

Seahawks 36 33 28-17 W

Falcons 34 22 22-16 W

49ers 39 27 31-10 W

Jaguars 49 25 41-24 W

Rams 36 10 37-29 L

Texans 49 19 23-10 L

Panthers 36 39 31-6 W

[Last modified November 29, 2007, 22:29:39]