Falcons dazzled by Saints array of weapons

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons' defense has their most difficult challenge of this young season waiting for them Monday night.

They must somehow derail the New Orleans Saints' high-scoring offense, which has scored at least 45 points in four of their six games.

In five of their six games, the Saints have started strong and kept their lead foot on the gas pedal. Overall, the Saints are 17-2 under coach Sean Payton when leading after the first quarter.

"They've been off to a very good start all season long," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "The only time that they didn't score off their opening drive was last week."

Payton, a daring play-caller, has a deep stable of weapons at his disposal. Quarterback Drew Brees is one of the NFL's top passers, and running backs Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell have powered the Saints (6-0) to a No. 3 rushing ranking in the league.

When the Saints pass, Brees has a deep group of receivers in Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem. Also, tight end Jeremy Shockey is coming off his best game as a Saint.

"Sean does a great job in looking for the matchups," Smith said.  "Colston is a big, strong and physical receiver. He's going to have a height advantage on most defensive backs in this league."

In addition to the backs, receivers and tight end, they also have the dynamic Reggie Bush, who has to be treated like a hybrid receiver/running back.

The Falcons (4-2) will have to be judicious in selecting which weapons to attempt to take away.

"When you are facing a team that is as multiple as they are, you're going to have to pick and choose and hope that you get into a game where you pick at the right time," Smith said. "You can't hold everybody. You can't load up and stop the run for the whole game."

Bush is particularly dangerous. He has three rushing touchdowns and has caught 18 passes for 144 yards.

"They are not using him any differently," Smith said. "They are using the other two backs a little differently. They've got three backs that they can put in their offense. He's doing the same things he's done in the past."

Bush still is a valid perimeter threat.

"He's probably not getting as many carries and touches because they've got Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas," Smith said. "But he's just as dangerous as he's always has been."

The Falcons' secondary, which played a role in the defense giving up 300 or more yards passing in consecutive games, will be on the spot.

Last season, in their first of two games against the Saints, the Falcons' secondary intercepted Brees three times, and Chevis Jackson returned one 95 yards for a touchdown.

They were in position to knock down passes, and nine players had passes defensed.

"I don't know if we can duplicate it, but we are definitely going to do our best to try to even get better," safety Erik Coleman said. "But they have evolved so much as an offense."

Coleman doesn't think the Falcons can simply focus on Colston, who leads the Saints with 30 receptions.

"You would think that, but the hard part about it is that [Brees] throws the ball to everyone," Coleman said.

The Falcons watched the tape of Miami's game against the Saints. The Dolphins got after Brees and had five sacks, but the Saints rallied for the 46-34 victory.

"They gave them a lot of different looks," Coleman said. "They made plays, but when it counted, Drew Brees and his crew came through and staged a comeback."