This is the live blog for the pregame of the 49ers Week 8 game in Arizona against the Cardinals. I’ll update this frequently with information and analysis from my living room in Oakland.
4:15 Brandon Jacobs is inactive. So is Scott Tolzien, A.J. Jenkins, LaMichael James, Trenton Robinson, Joe Looney and Ian Williams.
4:20 The Cardinals inactives are QB Kevin Kolb, WR LaRon Byrd, CB Greg Toler, LB Jamaal Westerman, OG Senio Kelemete, OG Adam Snyder, TE Todd Heap.
5:00 Question: If the 49ers win the opening coin toss, will they choose to receive the ball or defer it to the second half?
I think they’ll defer it. I think they prefer the match up of their defense vs. the Cardinals offense better than the match up between the 49ers offense and the Cardinals defense.
5:10 Adam Schefter is reporting that the 49ers are “scaling back” their Colin Kaepernick plays tonight. Schefter says to expect three or four Kaepernick plays.
5:20 Mike Ditka just predicted the 49ers will get the football to Vernon Davis early in the game.
5:21 Matt Maiocco just tweeted this: “RT @craigliftosfsu Why Jacobs hasn’t played? > He’s a short-yardage back and 49ers’ coaches believe Frank Gore is better in those spots.”
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Let’s pound the Cardinals tonight Niners.
Grant, any crazy prediction that you have for tonight’s game?
Crazy prediction: The Cardinals will limit Gore to less than four yards per carry.
Not gonna happen Grant. The Vikings gashed them on the ground last week and I expect the Niners to do the same.
That is crazy. Here’s mine: Alex Smith won’t be sacked or hit tonight.
That’s crazier than mine.
You’re expecting them to stack the box and focus on stopping Gore and force us to try and beat them with the pass? They’re run defense is mid-pack and averages 4.2 yards a carry so it’ll be tough for them to keep Frankie under 4.0 if the o-line is playing decent.
If they do stack the box then maybe Roman will take a page from the Cohn play book and throw some y-lookies.
Patrick Peterson said they’re going to force Alex Smith to beat them, so yes, I’m expecting the Cardinals to stack the box.
My crazy prediction is that MM has 150 yards tonight
Love it MD. I’m glad he’s back for tonight.
I predict the Cardinals to have more sacks then the 49ers.
My crazy prediction is that the Niner D will cause 2 turnovers and Akers will kick 4 field goals including one from 50+
Here’s mine, MC gets more than 30 yds in RAC.
That’s not really crazy Coffee. C’mon now, give us a wacky prediction.
hmmm I thought for sure the sack thing was crazy well lets try: Skelton will throw for 250+ with 2 TD’s and no int’s.
My crazy prediction is the Niners are gonna play so good in all 3 phases of the game tonite that there will be no arguing but rejoicing on this blog.
Mine is Peterson covers VD instead of MC.
Grant, your prediction is not that far fetched. The Cards limited FG to 3.67 yds in the first game last year.
Okay – Vernon Davis will catch 19 passes.
Needs to be crazier Coffee. Something that catches everybody’s eye and makes us think you’re nuts for even suggesting it. Like Aldon Smith will have six sacks or something like that.
C’mon DS. The theme of this thread is crazy. Go nuts with your crazy prediction.
How about D Walker scoring 2 tds.
fine. Alex Smith will throw 4 TD’s tonight all to Vernon Davis. Greg Roman will collect and sign along with Davis each ball and then wrap and mail them individually to Grant as a gift.
“Okay – Vernon Davis will catch 19 passes.” Atta Boy!!!
Almost game time. Hope everyone has fun tonight.
Your first prediction was crazier Philly.
“Vernon Davis will catch 19 passes”
but under his breath he’s whispering;
“for 35 yards”
LOL!!! Not that’s crazy Coffee. I knew ya had it in you.
VD will not catch a pass and will be utilized *only* to block for FG and Jack *will not* believe this is value add to the offense. LOL
Harbaugh shows up in a turtleneck without a cap on.
Not should be now.
Grant Cohn says:
October 29, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Patrick Peterson said they’re going to force Alex Smith to beat them, so yes, I’m expecting the Cardinals to stack the box.
Oh damn J23 isn’t going to like you stealing his predictions. Lol
Crazy Prediction:
Alex Smith will throw for 321 yards, 4TD’s and run for another.
He’ll have the best game of his life?
You guys want crazy? How about Alex Smith throws for 300+ yards and 3 TDs in the redzone.
Change that to three touchdown passes, two of them deep, to Randy Moss and I’ll agree that it’s a crazy prediction Nick.
We are talking crazy predictions right?
After watching the Top 10 Montana games special on NFL network this week, Smith channels his inner Joe and puts on the performance of his life.
And Vernon Davis will catch 19 passes. It could happen!
So could Smith leading the team in rushing for over 100 yards while not getting hit or sacked.
My crazy prediction, The Niners defense will have 5 sacks, 3 turnovers, one returned for a TD and hold the cardinals to 9 points or less!! AS throws for 250, 3 td’s to MC, MM and VD. Gore runs for 80 yards and KH for 60.
Crazier man, like Alex Smith will lead the team in rushing with over 100 yards. Something like that.
Mid, you win! Most outlandish prediction!!!! LOL
Thanks Hof. I just wanted to see how crazy of a prediction everybody could come up with.
Ok, Ginn returns 3 kickoffs and 2 punts for TDS!!! 35 points himself!!
Patrick Peterson has two returns for TD and those are the only points AZ scores. SF wins on a last minute Field goal after getting the ball back with 32 seconds on the 8…. Gore has 38 yards. Smith has 43. Hunter runs for 23. Smith passes for 243 yards and 2 tds 2 picks
Good one Big. :-)
Bold prediction is that Colin Kaepernick gets traded by the deadline to Carolina or Tenn.
C’mon Matt, go nuts with your prediction here.
what’s the real story on Brandon Jacobs not playing…at alll?
Gore and Hunter are tearing it up in the run game, so why disrupt that?
Who cares about Jacobs. If it aint broken, why fix it?
I would have liked to see Jacobs today to ice the game late.
Big game monday let’s go 9ers everyday all day!!!
Here’s my crazy prediction. The 9ers will call more timeouts in the 2nd quarter than Alex Smith will have in TD passes for the game.
Here’s another crazy prediction. The 9ers will hv more sacks than successful 3rd down conversions achieved by passing for the 1st down
Look for some ints for our defense tonight. And look for play action and Smith getting rid of the ball quickly. I see a lot of yards after the catch tonight. And Gore not having a monster game
It’ll be interesting MD. Last week the Niners ran the ball against a stout runn defense. Will they go to the air and often against a nasty pass rush? It wouldn’t surprise me.
I don’t see them airing it out on deep routes. Just quick hitting Alex smith type of football. I think he gets rid of the ball quickly for the most part and takes some shots with the play action. Element of surprise my friend. Lol
Expect AZ to run delays up the middle and screens.
Grant, what are you drinking tonight? If you are working you may not be drinking…I may have answered for you! LOL
I’ll have a Sierra Nevada when I’m done writing. What are you drinking?
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc. It will transition nicely into my dinner – home made (by me) chicken quesadillas. LOL
Sounds great. I had chicken chili verde.
If I’m not drinking Amstel, I like Sierra Nevada or Sam Adams.
Talking beer? Where’s Crab15??
Grant, what area in O-town are ya? If you want some really great kung pao beef head up to Piedmont Ave and hit Little Shin Shin.
I go their all the time. You’re right, their kung pao beef is great.
Cmon Men!.Hennessey..
I like Hennessy!
Gotta love the heem.
My other crazy prediction is VD puts Dockett into a bear hug knee tap after N altercation. Wheeeew! I hate the cardinals
I still like JGruden. If JH ever got canned, I’d like JG to replace him. He comes from the BW/MH coaching tree.
I’m gonna miss the second half of the game tonight. Our youth football program went undefeated this year so all of the coaches are meeting at Brannan’s for a nice meal. It’s the nicest restaurant in Calistoga so I guess I cant complain too much. I’ll bring a bottle of Kenefick Ranch Picket Road Red which will go beautifully with their NY strip.
Enjoy the meal Coffee.
Thank you!
Last night someone ordered a ’09 Von Strasser Cab and it was absolutely delicious.
CFC, I’ve never had the Von Strasser but now with your recommendation I’ll need to look it up…
Hof;
It was their 2009 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon. I looked it up when I got home, 93 points Best Buy & Editors Choice from WE.
CFC, thanks. It looks as though they have it at K&L. I’ll try it and let you know…
When’s kickoff?
As far as Jabobs not being active once again at this point it’s more frustrating because of the roster spot he took up at the beginning of the season. I would have liked to have kept Palmer on the team rather then risk losing him on the p/s like we did.
Alex Smith will throw for 350 yards and I will be the bigest Smither on this blog after this game.
Left out a g in biggest!
Now that would be crazy. In fact I will be lmao if that happened. And I’ll be thinking of the hair laying out on the floor. Lol wheeeeew!
MD,
They asked for it, I gave it to them! lol
+priceless
That’s not crazy 23, that’s insane! It’s great.
Midwest,
There’s no me without you bro!
My prediction is that the Cardinals defensive game plan will be try to stop the 49ers running game and pressure the QB.
The 49ers will try to run the ball effectively and protect Alex so that he can complete passes to Vernon, Mario, Crabs and the crew.
If the 49ers can block the Cards effectively when they go to run and pass, they will win.
All the above are very bold predictions (yeah, I know, I can make the same ones for EVERY single stinkin’ NFL game). I’ll just add that if the 49ers can do what I predict they will try to do above, they will win. If the Cards do effectively what I predict above they will attempt to do, then THEY will win.
Unless … (as Bill Walsh used to say) …. there’s a crazy bounce or two of the football.
By the by, would the 49ers at this late date be allowed to sign Marco Scutaro? (I’m thinking free safety)
Go Niners!!!! Pound the ball
I’m waiting for my #99 jersey any day now!!!!
Need to call cheney. Time for some bird hunting!!!
It’s about game time!