As good as the 49ers are on defense, just remember the Patriots’ first three offensive series Monday night against the Texans. The Patriots emasculated Houston, sliced them and diced them, put them through the Veg-O-Matic. Their defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, stood there in awe. It was a masterful production. Tom Brady was brilliant.
Can New England do that to the Niners?
The Niners have a better secondary than the Texas and match up well upfront and have better linebackers. The key is how they match up with Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez. Let Brandon Lloyd and Deion Branch have career games. They barely matter. How will the Niners handle Welker and Hernandez?
The Texans could not handle them man to man. Who will the 49ers put on Welker in the slot? Carlos Rogers? He’s had problems with good slot receivers. He couldn’t control Danny Amendola and Chris Givens. So what makes you think he can cover Welker?
How about Hernandez? I don’t think NaVorro Bowman or Patrick Willis can handle Hernandez. Maybe the 49ers go to the dime to try to be effective.
The 49ers can’t zone the Patriots. New England easily makes man and zone adjustments. Whatever defense Vic Fangio calls could be wrong every time. New England dictates to the defense what the route will be. New England does not let the defense dictate routes. I don’t know if the Niners have enough quality players in the secondary to win this game. They are lucky Rob Gronkowski is out.
Will the 49ers’ diamond and pistol formations fool Bill Belichick?
No. He’s seen them before. He’s seen everything before. There is nothing he hasn’t seen or studied. He’s going to have answers for the zone-read options, the pistol, the diamond and for Vernon Davis, if he lines up outside of Michael Crabtree on the line of scrimmage as a wideout.
The 49ers will play the Patriots much tougher than the Texans did, but the 49ers will come up about a touchdown short on Sunday night.
The Patriots will beat the 49ers 30-24.
49ers RSS feed
Loading ...
“Will the 49ers’ diamond and the pistol formations fool Bill Belichick?
No. He’s seen them before. He’s seen everything before.”
Grant, so has every NFL defensive coordinator, you don’t get to the NFL if you can can show up to game day and be surprised by a formation you’ve never seen before. I 100% guarantee that Philbin and Coyle were just as familiar with the Pistol as Belichick will be this weekend.
Now maybe you can make the point that Belichick can do a better job of getting his team ready for the Pistol then Coyle did but to suggest that it wont work simply because it wont surprise him is pretty silly don’t you think?
In fact you could easily make the point that Belichick has studied every possible offensive scheme there is so why bother showing up to play right, or maybe there is more to it then just the Head Coach being a football genius.
Grant, you just made my day! You have virtually guaranteed a win for us.
Actually your numbers look good except I see the 49ers winning.
Amen to that. As soon as I saw the headline I went “Yesssss!”
+1
+1
The defense will dictate what happens in this game. Starting fast is very important. We start fast and hit Brady early, we win this game. I like that Grant predicted the Pat’s to win. No offense Grant but picking the games hasn’t been a strong suit this year : )
Something interesting to note in CK’s 4 starts.
Against the Bears and Saints the defense had 11 sacks and 4 turnovers.
Against the Rams and Dolphins the defense had 4 sacks and 1 turnover.
Last year Akers percentage was 84.6%, this year he’s kicking 71.9%. In the Saints game his percentage was 33% and against the Rams he was 66%.
In the other Rams game he was 50%.
Look at the three games in which the QB gets heavily criticized for declining stats and you’ll see his kickers percentage was 49.6%.
Bottom line, Akers will be gone next year.
Fired up for this game!!!!!!!!!!!
Did akers accidentaly kick 10 points worth of FG for the OTHER team? NO… just checking. Thats why the QB gets critisized. Akers could have taken the day off and had sopoaga kick pat’s and we win that rams game
Pretty cryptic lol! I don’t know if it’s our defense we should worry about! I’m more worried about whether or not our offense can put up points.
If we hold the Patriots to 30pts and under we’ve got a pretty darn good chance of winning. This might involve putting Cully on Welker and NOT Rogers. I know the coaches want Rogers to step up, but he hasn’t all year, so don’t expect him to do so against the best slot receiver in the league. Also, another defensive factor will be who else, besides Aldon Smith, will step up and have a big game on defense? I’m thinking our guy this time will Brooks. He’ll have the big hits that makes Brady not want to step back into the pocket (or cry for flag after every play) and he’ll punish their running backs. We’ll see P.Willis in a lot of pass coverage on Sunday, so he won’t be much of a factor in the run game, but he’ll contain Hernandez (not shut him down).
Our offense has not produced well the past three weeks. If they show up like they have recently, this game will be over by half-time. This is Kaep’s biggest stage yet. He shows up and plays big, then we win. I’m not so sure that Harbaugh doesn’t want Kaep to “air-it-out” though. We thought the that was the case against the Saints in the playoffs last year. If JH thinks Kaep gives him more/better options in the passing game, expect the ball to fly on Sunday. This is not just critical for us to win Sunday, but also the super bowl. He’s gotta let Kaep be Kaep starting Sunday, or else he doesn’t really want a super bowl this year. A more explosive passing game will make Gore look fresh at the end of the season. Probably the biggest factor on offense will be whether we get the ball to Vernon Davis early and often. Crabtree is having a great year, but if we get Davis back involved then our offense can match the Pats.
By the way, Brady gets picked twice, sack 4x. Aldon Smith is hungry for blood this year!
49ers 31-30
X factor this game will be CK and La Michael James….
True! James HAS to be involved in the run game (and short pass game). I completely forgot about James! He’s going to be a BIG part of the game. Not much film yet for the Pats to look at, so I think we might see a few plays specifically for him.
The X-Factor is Roman’s play-calling Bay. Kaepernick and James have the tools to succeed, but Roman needs to make the right calls in order for them to utilize those tools.
X factor is if Harbaugh has the ‘humble heart’ to put in Alex Smith for the second half, to allow for the possibility of a come-back.
Two picks? Interesting.. Brady has only had 4 this entire season.. Did Watt even play last week? Anyways, I highly doubt Brady will give away 2 int. Funny how nobody is considering the Pats running game to play any role, but either way it is going to be much closer than the last week’s game.. Also, I can guarantee that Gillette Stadium will be louder than ever. Can’t wait!
Theres a chance that Brady throws 2 picks if our D linemen are active with the hands. Tipped passes are often a part of Bradys short passing game. We will stop your running game. Ridley is gonna get shut down. Welker better be carful after the catch. Hes gonna want to stay away from goldson. He ciuld get knocked out.
I can see your point Grant. However, I believe this game will be an offensive dog fight. Both defenses will struggle in this game, so both offenses will have to keep up with each other. Niners win on a last second FG in a cold and snowy shootout 41-40.
I think both offenses struggling is a lot more likely than both defenses struggling. But the strength vs strength is their offense against our defense. So if both offenses struggle we win, whereas if both defenses struggle we (are less likely to win)
I think the defenses will struggle because both have a suspect secondary. Our defense has also struggled against teams that use a balanced attack, and the Patriots are as balanced on offense as they come. And if Roman unleashes Kaepernick, James, and especially Davis, then that Patriots defense won’t know what hit them.
Oh ye of little faith.
Another one of Claude’s insightful quotes. Way to stick your neck out there Claude….
Oh I know. Wait and rifle through peoples thoughts and predictions and pounce on the first one that is wrong…. That’s more your style.
Don’t boldly say really wrong things and that will magically stop happening to you. lol
@ dangle:
You got it. To bad bay never will.
*Too bad bay never will.
Man, that was embarrassing.
@ bay:
You mean stick my neck out like this?
The defense will dictate what happens in this game. Starting fast is very important. We start fast and hit Brady early, we win this game.
I think I can do that. Let me try.
Running the ball is very important. If the 49ers run the ball at > 5 yards/carry and sustain long drives, they win this game.
Covering Welker is very important. If Rogers/Brown can hold Welker to 0 catches, the 49ers win this game.
Forcing turnovers is very important. If the 49ers can force 3+ turnovers, they win this game.
Tackling is very important. If the 49ers tackle the Patriots’ immediately and prevent yards after the catch, the 49ers win this game.
Scoring is very important. If the 49ers score more points than the Patriots, the 49ers win this game.
Claude you are a window licker plain and simple. Special in your very own way.
I am not sure what that means (did you just call me retarded?), but I suspect what it really means is that you are butt hurt because I mocked you once again.
Sorry, but you bring it on yourself.
Lameareafanatic not sure why you keep comin on here. You just get rag dolled every time.
window licker. Awesome video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwcxAnZzItg
I’m sorry Primescum/welcher. When you lost your bet to me to stay off of the blog for two weeks, you welched on your bet and immediately started posting under another name.
Why did you not honor your bet? Should you answer that or should I?
Jimmy why don’t you ask Grant?
Grant is the one that busted you out Primescum/moron/welcher.
And you didn’t honor your bet because you are not a man. All a man has is his word. No honor, no integrity. Pure and simple. Scumbag. That’s what you’ve always been.
@ bay:
And you didn’t honor your bet because you are not a man. All a man has is his word. No honor, no integrity. Pure and simple. Scumbag. That’s what you’ve always been.
Does jordan know you feel that way? I don’t think he’s gonna be your bff if you keep talking about welchers like that.
Jimmy give Grant a call and ask him. As for being a man you would not know where to start. Sure hope you don’t have any kids, boys especially. You would be the absolute wrong role model!
“You got it. To bad bay never will.”
II feel your pain, Claude. Blogs without edit functions are the bane of those of us who do not gladly suffer typos and other infelicities in our own writing.
And, of course, on a comment stating my dislike of typos, somehow I end up with a superfluous ‘I’ at the beginning of that post. Now I can share the embarrassment, Claude. ;)
try saying things that are not wrong…lol
Niners 28-24
having said that, i’m less confident of my prediction than usual. Belichick and Brady are respectively the best coach and qb of their eras. Belichick takes mediocre players like Tully Banta-Cain and Brandon Lloyd and wins with them. I’ve witnessed Brady find open receivers when the field is a confusing muddle and throw pinpoint passes – the first time i saw him live my conclusion that he was Joe Montana reborn, with less mobility but a stronger arm.
But they’re human. The game is not played on paper, its played against an opponent that wants to crush your will. And I wouldn’t want to meet the Niner defense in a back alley, parking lot, or on the playing field. We have some all-world talent on our team too. I pity anyone that has to meet Willis, Bowman, or Goldman after a catch in the open field.
Belichick may be the closest thing to the Bill Walsh of his era. But as I recall, even BW had trouble with some teams run by a fellow named Parcells. Scheme is huge but in the NFL, its still about who outhits who. We have a young qb with a lot to prove, some young players like Aldon S. who are just bursting with talent, and i like our chances against anyone.
I could see this game being a nasty 21-17 slugfest, or a 38-35 game because both teams are capable of playing and winning either game, which is a rare capability in the NFL. I’m not sure how we will put pressure on Brady, but I think Fangio will find a way whether thats with a 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 or higher man rush. Belichick will confuse Kaep, but I’m going with Harbaugh’s view that in Kaep he’s got a player whose arm, legs, and smarts will win out. For Harbaugh, its an educated, thoughtful decision; for me, its faith. Go Niners. Go 49ers Faithful.
Thanks for not predicting a blowout win by the Niners! I think most objective (not Homers like me) fans will pick the Pats at home. Your guess at final score looks pretty reasonable. I think SF is very capable of winning this game, but a lot of things need to fall into place for that to happen.
PS Brady. I admire his game and his career accomplishments and he seems like a good guy, but dang! I do get annoyed by his whining to the refs for flags!
My x factor is if Mario plays and is healthy I think we would have to many weapons to cover.
If the 49ers struggle vs the Patriots it will be because of
- Poor pass blocking on the right side
- The absence of Bears game stars Hunter, Williams and Manningham
- Lack of depth at edge pass rushers. Injuries to 3 OLBs in training camp + the loss of Dobbs = a very tired Aldon Smith after snap 50.
- Poor ball security by Kaepernick or James
- Inability to cover shifty slot receivers, keeping the 49er defense on the field all day.
When Smith was the QB defenses crowded short and medium routes, daring Smith to throw long or bail. When Kaepernick is the QB defenses focus on the long routes, daring Kaepernick to try to throw shorter touch passes. Kaep has to make those throws, and the receivers have to make those catches.
Main keys to a 49ers victory
- On defense get off the field by wining the 3rd down plays. Hit Brady early and often.
- On offense avoid fumbles in the cold, rainy conditions. Run the ball well and chew clock.
It’s just a feeling… call it Karma. 49ers 30, Patriots 17
When AS was QB, he threw a TD every 17 passes. CK…nowhere close to that. Whatever Defenses did to AS, it didn’t stop him from throwing TD’s at a much higher rate than CK has. Last I checked, points win games. Not deep passes.
My post was not pro/anti Smith or Kaepernick. Just an observation about how defenses respond to the QB change. I’m a big fan of both QBs.
Smith’s style might actually be good for playing teams like the Pats. Alex has great ball security and his short-intermediate passes move the sticks and compliment the run to chew clock.
Nice stat about the backup. Give the Alien a bowl of soup…
Little Alien you leave yourself wide open with your lack of knowledge and fast typing.
The Patriots have most effectively been attacked with longer passes this year.
Colts 43 yard TD
Seattle 24,46 yard TD
Ravens 20,25 yards TD
Buffalo 20,24,35,68 yard TD
The Pats are susceptible to the long pass. Too bad Roman doesn’t know how to throw it.
Didn’t say it was Brodie.
Just throwing out that huge difference between the 2 QB’s which nobody seems to care about. All this talk about explosiveness as an advantage hasn’t materialized into a more exciting/scoring offense. Suggesting that isn’t really that desirable of a trait…at least for the JH offense.
I am tired though of hearing how it is everybody’s fault except CK’s for the offensive output the past 3 weeks when those same reasons weren’t allowed for AS not scoring more.
bay
If you only were allowed 10 posts a day, you wouldn’t post anything about football. They would all express hate towards another blogger/player.
Haters hate.
Couldn’t have said it better DS. I want to watch our offense score points not go 3 and out thats going to be the deciding factor in this game. Alex controled the clock which is going to be THE MAJOR deciding factor on whether or not we win this game. I trust our defense but when you let Tom Brady hold the ball for half the game or more he will most likely find a few holes.
Bay– Since the patriots required Talib they have are actually near the bottom of the league in allowing big plays since he was signed. They are still the worst statistically because before Talib they had given up considerable amounts of big plays and TD’s
49ers
Remember the Philly game last year? Our D was awesome. Our D gave up a lot of explosive plays. Vick threw a 60 yard bomb on my guy, T. Brown who had to make a great tackle. The Eagles didn’t get any points off of that drive.
Vick nearly ran for 100 yards. Like 98 or something. A lot of them were explosive runs.
At the end of the day all of the Eagles explosive plays meant nothing. AS had a few, but nowjhere near as many. We won that game and that really pushed us to become the #2 seed.
Explosive plays don’t win games. And you’re right. Explosive plays also mean you aren’t holding the ball as long, which means our D has to play more. If the explosive play drives don’t end in a TD (FG at least), they didn’t do anything. So far, that has been the case more than not.
“YAWN”. Another AS post from BS.
Smith is the backup. Nobody cares about him in this game except BS.
Time to move on DS, when are you going to be a Niner fan first. Joe Montana was my favorite player of all time, but when the Niners played the Chiefs, I was rooting for the Niners to win that game, they lost the battle but won the war with a Super Bowl win. Look at it this way, this will be AS only chance to get a Super Bowl ring this year, because after this season, he will become obsolete and irrelevant.
See SY’s comments. You don’t think he’s a fan?
What are you talking about anyway? I’m discussing explosive plays. Maybe the problem is you don’t know the topic of my posts. Try reading them. Because AS was a side note in it (2nd one).
And if you can’t handle the facts that AS threw more TD’s and was throwing them at a higher rate, then don’t read my posts. It’s true. Wishing it weren’t won’t change anything. (1st post).
“I am tired though of hearing how it is everybody’s fault except CK’s for the offensive output the past 3 weeks when those same reasons weren’t allowed for AS not scoring more.”
And here, DS, we find in your own words, an explanation as to why you’re now no better than they were then. You’re mission to make CK the scapegoat for any team failing, perceived or real, regardless of circumstance or fact, has decimated any objectivity you may have possessed at some point in your life as a true fan of football.
I admire your tenacity, but your extreme, self-professed bias and burning desire for a reckoning against those who’ve slighted AS, or you by proxy, has obliterated your credibility and yourself as a source of reliable, objective viewpoints.
Automatic ,
Bravo. Thank you for saying what so many posters on this blog know but apparently are afraid to say. We shouldnt have to keep reading this biased crap from BS. Shes still hoping I that JH might change him mind and insert the backup into a game. What an idiot.
Auto
CK replaced AS because he is better. If he isn’t, you don’t replace him.
Nothing in CK’s past 3 starts suggests he is even as good as AS. Much less better. And guess what? I hold better players to higher standards. PW isn’t graded like a Raider LB. His standard is higher. You replace somebody because you’re better, you have to prove that.
Why not look at what AS did against 0.500 teams and what CK has done against them as a basis of comparison? Sounds fair to you? AS faced fewer sub 0.500 teams, but he set a record against Buffalo that not even JM/SY did with 300 passing yards and 300 rushing yards. In NY, he managed what at the time was one of the worse home losses the Jets ever had.
Against winning teams he was able to beat GB in GB. Something SY/JG never did. Over a 20 year time-span.
CK against 3 straight sub .500 teams hasn’t come anywhere close to what AS did. His win against Chicago in SF isn’t more impressive than the GB win in GB. And CK lost to a sub .500 team. One who hadn’t scored a single offensive point till the last 30 seconds and whom he literally gave 10 points too. Something AS didn’t do.
Until CK proves himself the better QB, I’m questioning if he really is. That doesn’t mean I’m not a fan. Simply that I want actual proof. This move by JH has set up quite the trial. And asking for evidence at a trial is expected/demanded. Sorry if you disagree but I’m standing firm on requiring actual proof. Not more BS about upside.
BS/
If Alex Smith is the better QB, why doesnt JH know that? Who made you the expert? Why is Alex Smith riding the pine meat? Tell us that xlicious dude?
DS, Really please take your meds and some separation anxiety therapy with your man crush. I bet you will move to AS new location next season, let me know, I know people in the moving industry.
Grant ..
I got two words for ya ..
“Aldon Smith” !
Here’s hopin’ he shatters the sack record Sunday night !
Brady isn’t a very effective passer when he’s lookin’ up at the stars !
Holy cow Grant after reading your post I concluded your prediction would be NE 41 SF 13 then you pick NE 30-24. Your article does’nt make sense if you believe that NE and belicheat are as dominate as you describe them then it should’nt be a 6 pt game. Either your prediction is way to conservative or you overstated the pats strengths tremendously.
Nice job of a link-bait headline – I had to read your article but we all know that you really think that the 49ers will win.
Go 49ers!
@quytennnis
While NE has a good chance to win, I don’t think that will happen. Look for ghe Niners to move the ball effectively – even if they don’t score – this will allow them to win the time of position and field position battles. I get the feeling that this game will come down to David Akers making a few high pressure FGs.
If Aldon has a big night early on, we’ll do all right, otherwise it’ll be a BLOWOUT!
Yeah, something like 35-17 Niners :)
The 49ers win this game convincingly.
That’d be a nice change!
But if they can’t beat the Rams convincingly…
Niners win as Brady gets knocked out of the game in the seconde quarter…
The bottom line is going to be the battle in the trenches. If the 49ers can generate a fierce pash rush, they stand an excellent chance.
The Giants own the Pats primarily due to their front 4 stepping up and putting pressure on Brady. They seem to bring out their best in big games.
I don’t care how good your secondary and line backers are, if you can’t get in Brady’s face and harass him all day, you’re done. He’ll carve you up the same way Montana did in the WCO.
As a secondary point, tackling is going to be extremely important. We can’t have arm tackles turn 4 yard gains into 10-15 yard gains. Brady gets the ball out quick. Fine. Tackle the receiver immediately. Their type of offense is entirely dependent on rhythm. Force them to not convert on a few 3rd downs along the way and all of a sudden they become pedestrian and struggle.
Fourth
Ur right that the giants own TB because they preassure him with the front 4. YOU CAN NOT BLITZ BRADY he will tear you up if u do. When the jets beat NE in the past they dropped 8 in to coverage and flodded the zones. Pats only real downfield threat is Gronk and he is 50/50 for this game. Lloyd and Branch dont have the speed to get deep (unles its a play action f-up where there is not a d player within 30 yards) the jats plan was to Bracket welker inside out with a lb and a safety (i dont think whitner or DG are quick enough) so u can play CR and bracket.U have to get to hernandez before he builds a head of steam and break down when u get near him (most of his broken tackles ar as a result of the d flying in there and overruning him)
NE isn’t a quick strike O force them to convert multiple 3rd downs and force FG easier said than done but their O is quite different from NO and GB.
Another thing that favors us is that NE is adept at exploiting weak links. If we give CR help we have none to be exploited
Grant, didn’t Patrick handle TE duties in the Saints game?
In the 2 recent Giant games Cruz was a factor – YES. In the playoff game the score was still close and we checked Cruz in the second half. We just couldn’t convert a third down or score. This why CK is in. He and the offense (including coaches need to step up!!!
If you think about a slot they are running shot to intermediate pattern. 49ers keep everything in front of them and tighten up in the red zone they should be good. NE scoring drives will eat up the clock thus limit the number of offensive possessions.
Listen this will come down to us not giving up the big play and our OFFENSE stepping up. By any means necessary. We need to sustain drives and score TDs in the red zone.
We hold NE to 2 TDs and 2 FGs we win. If they are scoring 4 TDs we need a Chicago or Saints playoffs – type of game from the O.
Keys to scoring 40 points = get VD involved early
Wildcard that can tip the game in our favor = L. James, he is an unknown for everyone…even the 9ers and their fans.
Remember when the Fins surprised the Wildcat on the Pats a few years ago? I’m sure they will be looking for Pistol… that’s when we hit them with something else out of that formation.
These next two weeks are defining for Jim H. he has been out coached by Fisher….which is not a surprise. Dude is a good coach. Now he has the King over the past 10 years this week and his nemesis next week… who btw has his team and 5’10″ QB playing at a high level, talking about taking the division. WTF…
Go Niners!!!
I agree with a few points, especially about Jim being outcoached by the Top Tier in the game today, but your point about NE eating up the clock on scoring drives is off, I think.
They go no-huddle/quick tempo quite a bit and that’s usually when they hit the big plays down the field.
Quick tempo yes but give them the underneath stuff and not allow big play which we do a good job of… point being slow the game down a bit and bait NE. So they bait us with a short short long. Well we can bait short short short, zone blitz INT from ya bouy Aldon Smith…
this will be a challenge…
Alright there Grant. We can tell you love the Patriots but please provider some in depth detail as to why instead of just “No”
Most of Grant’s score predictions are dead wrong… See his blowout predictions against the Rams, so anytime he bets against the Niners, I’m feeling good about our chances.
See Grant’s NFC Title Game blowout. Funny thing is, after that very close loss against the eventual Super Bowl Champs, he went on a huge anti-AS rant.
Then in a Rams game loss in OT where he said it would be a blowout, CK wasn’t attacked at all. It was Roman’s fault. If so, why wasn’t it Roman’s fault in the Title game?
That is not a fair unbiased evaluation.
DSLips
STFU already about the backup QB you single-minded, poor, little thing! This game has absolutely nothing to do with Alex Smith. This team has absolutely nothing to do with Alex Smith. Yet he is the only thing you EVER talk about. Do you wonder why everyone on this blog thinks there’s something seriously wrong with you? Man, Alex is done. Quit talking about him.
BS,
Another Alex Smith rant?? What the hell is wrong with this girl??? Hes the freaking BACKUP!
Get away double poster.
Did BS think Prime was here? He’s the only double poster I know…
>>Man, Alex is done. Quit talking about him.
>>Hes the freaking BACKUP!
Yet it certainly gets a rise out you both (and many others here as well). Doth protest a little too much, it’s almost as if you are not quite convinced the current starting QB is safe in his status. Given coach’s actions in these personal matters, I can certainly understand that unease.
Bud,
the only Job that AS may have not lost is starting Caddie for JH. Rib if you want to sport an avatar for the backup QB for five seasons to come, I don’t care. Says more about you than me.
I’ll just repeat old coach’s request and ask that we knock off the pointless internecine b/s for the rest of today. There are more important things to worry about.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20121214/WIRE/121219755/1350?Title=Police-27-killed-at-Connecticut-school-1-other-dead
Claude coming from someone who’s dished out unsolicited trash towards me today it doesn’t carry much weight. But I’ll honor it for Coach…
>>the only Job that AS may have not lost…
I’m not talking about the backup, I’m talking about the starter. There’s plenty of QBs in the world beside Kaep and Smith. Though it’s his job to lose, Kaep has to prove that he should keep it. A breakout game this weekend would go a long way in that direction. Then a follow up the next week. Then the postseason.
And since my AV seems to affect you much like a red cape does a mindless raging bull, I’ll say this. Once Kaep turns in the kind of performance, when it counts, that AS did in the Saints game, I might consider changing my AV to a #7. The 49ers get further with CK than they did with last season with AS… yeah, I just might.
Unsolicited? Your 9:12 am comment says otherwise.
Thanks for honoring old coach’s request.
My God.
Are 23 and bay this stupid? Or is it hate?
The topic wasn’t AS at all. It was Grant not evaluating fairly. You two are more AS obsessed than anybody by far. The fact that his name appears in a post doesn’t mean the post is about him. Elementary school students can figure that out.
Why do you think that we can’t handle the Patriots passing attack, when we’ve generally always fared well against “passing teams”?
Who would’ve thought we would’ve held Aaron Rogers to 15 points (not including the punt return TD), at their house?
Who would’ve thought we would’ve beat the Saints 2 times in a row?
Those teams have “elite” QBs and just as many weapons as Brady does. Our defense plays well against passing teams because we DO have a great secondary, as well as LBs that can cover better than most. Aren’t we like top 3 or something in passing defense?
The Patriots aren’t a passing team. The Packers are a passing team.
The Patriots are a running team and they also are elite at passing.
good thing we are elite at stopping the run
The Patriots are a team with a balanced offense more than anything Grant. Why else is Brady being considered as an MVP candidate?
The Dolphins slowed down NE effectively a couple of weeks ago. They were able to do so by applying pressure from their base D. In that game, NE was held to 3 FGs in the redzone. If the Niners duplicate that, this game will be a blow out 35-17 Niners
*sigh* (of frustration)
Grant, now you’re being obtuse.
OF COURSE THE PATRIOTS ARE A PASSING TEAM.
Yes, by now even the most common and uneducated fan is aware that the Patriots run the ball more than the Niners.
But the simplistic question is WHAT MAKES THE PATRIOTS OFFENSE GO? Is it the Run game? Do you really think that defenses primarily plan on shutting down the Pat’s run game? No, it’s Brady with Welker, Gronk and Hernandez. That potent passing game is what makes the offense go. It’s the REASON the engine behind the offense. The Patriots run simply because they can. But opposing defenses set out to take out Brady and company. The Pats run, Defenses then key on the Pat’s run game and Brady and the Pat’s Offense hit with play action and then go to spread it out.
Uh, let’s see, Grant…519 passing attempts (including sacks) and 434 runs. Strange set of stats for a running team, don’t you think?
5th in the league in yards per pass attempt and 14th in yards per rush. Strange set of stats for a running team, don’t you think?
They might be a running team to the rest of the NFL but if we play run D the way we are capable they will become one dimensional and play into our hands…I think we shake up the NFL world on Sunday night 31-20 NINERS
Grant’s conclusion is reasonable. However, his thinking seems to start with the conclusion (Niners will lose) and then he builds up a case for it, which often leads to strained reasoning such as “I don’t think NaVorro Bowman or Patrick Willis can handle Hernandez” and Bellichick has ” seen them before. He’s seen everything before”. Our LBs can handle Hernandez and Bellichick doesn’t actually play.
Based on how both teams are playing and the playing conditions, I’d observe that the way the game swings will depend on the success of the Niner’s run game (what’s new?). Kaep must have best Smith-like game management performance, giving a spark to the running game while keeping alive the run-pass threat. The O must keep the ball for over 30 minutes.
The O line must produce it’s best run-blocking game. The Pat’s LBs are playing well as a unit (Mayo in particular seems to have upped his game). But their safety play seems to be meh and I expect a couple of long runs by the Niners, inside or outside.
Not much to add on the other side of the ball that hasn’t been said already. But Brady won’t have a big advantage using the no-huddle for pace control since the Niners moistly keep the same players in the field on D. More reason to play ball control and keep the D fresh.
To paraphrase Walsh: the Niners can put themselves in a winning position by scoring 28 points and gaining 22 first downs. The D can then do their thing, putting pressure on Brady.
I’m going to stay optimistic….and warm in front of the TV:
Niners 28 Pats 24
I think it’s Pats 41-16
The most important stat of the game … hits on QB. Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks need monster games.
The defense period needs a strong. A++ game.
+1
Aldon Get’s the sack record this game = 49ers win!
This games going to come down to how well we perform on offense. If Gore gets 100 yards on the ground, they I say we win.
I want to see Wilford get Wham blocked : )
oh yeah, was that against Briggs? that was awesome.
Me too!
Wilfork appears to think he’s a LB. Wham him next time he over-pursues!
WEWO
Wham early, wham often.
The patriots first three drives??? It’s a new game grant. If I remember correctly they got a bailout pass interference and and fumble that should have been picked up by Houston. Yes they were effective but those two bounces equaled 14 points. That won’t happen again. Sticking to my gut feeling. The 49ers will open it up and the defense will do as good as it can against the patriots and the 49ers will win 27-23.
Also our defense doesn’t really blitz like the Texans. I think well do our bend but not break and hold them
Right. The way you beat the patriots and Brady is rushing four. Blueprint layed out by the ny giants. I also have a gut feeling that Justin Smith will have his best game this season.
To run the ball we need to stop Norfolk that guy is beasting this year.
Thanks Grant. No sense in watching now. Maybe something good will be on PBS. Too soon for Dowtown Abbey. Bummer.
Off topic here, but I felt this needed to be posted.
http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/1767071
I don’t know about anybody else, but this Parker guy strikes me as purely pathetic.!
He’s got a blacker nose than RGIII, maybe that’s all he was trying to say?
( that was sarcasm )
What a hack!
Thats ESPN and more particularly First take in a nut shell. Between Bayless and Screamin A smith they say more dumb/classless things per hour than anybody else. and ESPN in its blow in the wind moral cumpass reaired the show that afternoon parkers comments fully intact because they didnt think anything was wrong with them. Then after a big public outcry they finally suspended him, not because they thought what he said was wrong (or they would have edited it out in the re-air) but because thats what they think fans want. Trully Pathetic. But hey they finnaly stopped talking about Manning and Tebow
I saw that yesterday….disgraceful! The sad part is that R.Parker still has a job.
Leave it to ESPN to actually wait for the public outcry until they make a decision. This guy’s a joke. These talking heads with a complete void of intellect, that are all about yelling and shock value, should be yesterdays news. They offer nothing on reporting the news or any analysis so they make news by acting like a-holes.
Not gonna say anything about having a white fiance but being a Republican would definitely make me question any African American. Not that we know for a fact that RGIII is a Republican. And Rob Parker is a hack.
MidWest,
Parker got suspended today by ESPN
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/espn-boot-rob-parker-rgiii-article-1.1220152
I know, but what’s interesting is that he also has a bad history with the Redskins backup QB as well. Either way, the guy is a real piece of work and deserved to be suspended.
“He’s black, he kind of does the thing,” Parker said. “But he’s not really down with the cause. He’s not one of us. He’s kinda black, but he’s not really like the guy you really want to hang out with because he’s off into something else.”
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/espn-boot-rob-parker-rgiii-article-1.1220152#ixzz2F4CYbDxm
See? This is why we can’t have nice things.
Ridiculous.
If Pats win, you’ll be right. If Niners win, no one will care about you being wrong.
Good job Grant!
B-chick and T-Brade will not be happy come Monday
Does anybody know what Kaepernick’s record in cold weather games during college was?
Obviously he was 1,000,000-0
I think it was yesterday that someone on here referred to him playing well at Boise State in bad weather.
I don’t know the record, but I can assure you that any night game here in Reno from mid-October on is fairly cold (down into the 30s if not 20s), and by November the day games can be bad as well. I would not worry that much about the cold other than that he may not be accustomed to it anymore.
This is a bit of a tangent, but I wanted to clarify the situation with Boise St. and Nevada. Kaep always played well against Boise St., no matter where that game was held. However, 3 out of 4 of those were losing efforts for the Wolf Pack. The amazing thing was that, despite no one giving Nevada a chance, especially those first three years, Kaep always played them close, and some of his best individual games were those losses to Boise St.
Now, Hawaii was a different story – Kaep lost both the games he played in Hawaii, including the only defeat the Wolf Pack suffered in that 2010 season. In fact, that Hawaii game was by far his worst game of the 2010 season, and the one he has indicated was his only regret from College. So, let’s the 49ers never have to play in Hawaii.
left out a word:
So, let’s *hope* the 49ers never have to play in Hawaii.
All those Hawaiian Islands are just too damned comfortable. Fishin, surfin, wahinis, Poke, Mai Tais, MauiWowie. Very distracting. Hard to get much done.
One of my favorite watering holes closes for 45 minutes so the owner and staff can join the customers to watch the sunset. They close even when it’s raining and gather on the beach under a thatch hut. Devout hedonists!
The Patriots are a “Shock and Awe” team. They come out aggressively and try to get an early lead, forcing the opponent to play catchup. The key for the Niners is to withstand the early onslaught and not get into a position where they have to go outside their comfort zone on offense.
I’ve read numerous ideas on what the Niners need to do, many that believe they need to open up the offense etc., but I disagree. The minute you try to change your identity for one game you are in trouble. They have a system they believe in and they have to have confidence that it can win for them anywhere anytime, otherwise why have it in the first place?
No, the key to beating the Patriots is to win the TOP, and put points on the board every possession, TD’s or FG’s. It doesn’t matter what defense you throw at them, they will score points so the offense has to maximize it’s chances. Long time consuming drives is how you beat the Patriots offensively. Trying to throw the ball more than usual could result in short offensive possessions and the defense running out of gas early because of being on the field so long trying to keep up with the Pats offensive pace.
The key to stopping the Pats offensively has changed this season because they are a balanced team in their run/pass ratio. I’ve watched a few games this week and what they seem to do is play about 80% of the game within 10 yards of the LOS. It’s about running the football, and short quick passes off of 3 step drops. Brady doesn’t throw it downfield nearly as much as he used to. They thrive on getting the ball out quickly and catching defenses who aren’t set or aren’t able to keep up with the tempo they set. The key for the Niners will be tackling the receiver and not giving up yards after the catch. If they can do that and the front 7 holds up against the run, they have a very good chance of winning this game.
This is a game where the Niners have to be extremely disciplined on both sides of the ball. Don’t get caught up in the hype. Just play your game which is being physical and running the ball. If you play up tight on their receivers and beat them up a bit, it makes Brady hold the ball longer than he wants to and gives you a shot to get to him. It took most of the first half, but the Texans actually started to get to Brady and this was how they did it. What killed the Texans ultimately is not being able to stop the run, which led to them playing closer to the LOS and the predictable shots over the top in response. If the Niners can stop the run without bringing Goldson and Whitner up, they can keep this offense under 30 and maybe walk out of Foxboro with a W.
@ rocket:
They thrive on getting the ball out quickly and catching defenses who aren’t set or aren’t able to keep up with the tempo they set.
This is what concerns me. I have noticed this year that the 49ers are sometimes still setting the defense right before the snap. It hasn’t hurt them to any great degree … yet. If the Patriots’ tempo is that much faster than other teams, however, then I worry about them snapping the ball before the 49ers’ defense is ready.
It is a concern Claude, no question about it. It means that Fangio is going to have to have somebody on the field call the defense at times and have a plan for what ever lineup he has out there. The Pats run the no huddle as well as any team I’ve ever seen do it. It’s not always a hurry up either. Sometimes it’s calculated simply to keep the defense from substituting and then they will move faster to catch a defense that is not set as I mentioned above. Having a QB like Brady allows them to do so many different things. I’m envious.
I’m guessing the Niners will play the majority of the game in Nickel as long as they can stop the run with it. Volmer on Brooks is going to be key in this area imo. Brooks is giving up a lot in height and size and will have to fight through it to set the edge.
Good post Rocket,
Everyone’s talking about the 9er pass rush being key, but it won’t be a factor if the Pats are successful with their short, quick passing game. The ability to defend the short passes, while not taking too many risks over the top, and being able to stop the run in their base nickel must both be there before the 49er pass rush can be a difference maker.
Harbaugh should take a lesson in terms of Shock and Awe.
I have repeatedly have stated this game is on the offense, got to control the clock and the ball. Thats the key to victory I do belive. This game is on the offense in its entirety. Brady has the ability to destroy the best of defenses.
*believe*
They are also a pretty good comeback team. They spotted BUF a two TD lead then came back and blew them out.
But they are not invincible. In their next meeting, Buffalo put up 31 on them. Pats lost to the Cards at home, needed OT to beat the Jets at home. If Sanchez can roll up 330 yards on that defense, Fitzpatrick 340, I don’t see why Kaep or any other QB we field shouldn’t be able to do the same. At the risk of sounding generic, we need to drive, finish drives, and limit turnovers.
Predictions: 49ers 31, Pats 21. Attendees ribico and BOS49er very happy.
@ ribico:
Attendees ribico and BOS49er very happy.
Enjoy the game. I hope you have a good pair of long underwear. And a good rain jacket.
And say hi to Tommy from Quinzee.
Logger’s Boots, Fishermen Bibs, an Icelandic Wool sweater, Slicker, balaclava, mittens and a stealthy flask to fortify the coffee. No beer; too many layers to dig through in the men’s room. I was raised back there.
Odds: New England by 5, Total Points: 46
This could be a tough one.
I’ll still go Niners by 3. Akers will save the day.
Jim and John Harbaugh game planning together can’t lose! John is the X
factor fellas. 27-21 Niners!
Yeah, John has plenty of time to help game plan for the Pats. It’s not like he’s playing Manning this week and just fired his offensive coordinator.
I’m wondering why he needs John’s help. They put 30 points on Johns team…
Allan – We have this invention called a cell phone. Jack Hammer can dissect an NFL game in 30 minutes, imagine what the Harbaugh’s can do in 30 minutes? :)
I’m wondering why he needs John’s help. They put 30 points on Johns team…
To gain some knowledge on how the Patriots play during the game since our team hasn’t faced the Patriots until now during Harbaugh’s tenure.
Jim admitted earlier this week that he’s talked to John about it and it’s a smart move. The Ravens have played the Pats a lot and probably have some valuable insight into their tendencies that may not show up on tape. Any strategic advantage is worthwhile.
The weather could be the difference. All the stats in the world go right out the window if its sleeting or very cold with high winds. Then its just a crap shoot.
Strongly recommend the Reiss-Bruschi podcast on ESPN. Great analysis of the Niners and Pats.
http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/page/bruschibreakdown-1213/patriots-go-kaepernick-experience
Good analysis by Bruschi. you can tell the difference between people that actually take time to research what they’re talking about and the people that just rehash what they hear from others.
Interesting part to me was where Teddy says you want CK to throw it to MC/RM/MM. Seems like he thinks the Niners WR’s won’t win you the game. But the TE’s will.
The Patriots played a near-perfect game against the Oilers on MNF. Very impressive. However, strange things can happen in sports–the Giants winning the World Series, the Warriors beating the defending champion Heats in Miami, etc. It’s whoever has the “hot hand” that day. Both teams are equal talent-wise with NE holding the edge on offense and the Niners on defense. To win, SF must take an early lead to silence the crowd, cut down on penalties, no unnecessary timeouts, convert on 3rd downs and in the redzone, and PRESSURE Brady. Quite a task, but not imposasible. Aloha from Honolulu Paul.
Harbaugh usually opts to kick when he wins the toss. He trusts his defense and opts to receive the ball after halftime.
What do you think Harbaugh does this time facing this offense on the road?
I’m a big believer in putting the defense on the field first when you’re on the road, especially if they are the team’s strongest unit. It’s a great way to keep the crowd out of the game early.
Yes. And starting the second half with the ball is an added benefit.
Good question, Bay. I’m guessing he takes the ball and tries to quiet down the fans and maybe grab a lead.
I initially thought, if the 49ers win the toss, they should take the ball, and try to get some first downs, calm the crowd down, who will be ballistic at kickoff.
Of course, you could calm them down with defense by leaving Brady a crumpled, drooling mess after a quick 3 and out to start the game too…..
Tough call, I think I’d defer, if only so that we’d get the ball to start the 2nd half, and can go into full-blown panicked air-it-out mode right away with that extra possession if we’re down 28-3….:)
How many times have we taken the opening drive down for a score? Not much. I really believe it easier for this team to get ‘MO on their side by keeping the Patriots from scoring on their opening drive. Go with the strength of the team.
People seem to have forgotten how tough it is to run against the Niners D. In Monday night’s game the Pats first drive started at their own 44. Their first three plays were Ridley Right for 4 yards. Ridley Left for 14 Yards, and Ridley up the middle for 4 yards. Before Brady threw a single pass, the Pats were at the Houston 38, the Texans were dazed and confused, and the rout was on. .
Is there anybody who thinks the Pats will have similar success running the ball against the Niners. No way. They will have to rely on Brady to move the ball, and that’s where I see Aldon Smith and the boys making hay.
To me the key is the Niner Offense against the Patriots D. What we need above all is sustained drives. I would like nothing better than to see Brady impatiently pacing the sidelines, itching to get on the field, while the Niners grind out a 10 or 12 play drive which takes up 7 or 8 minutes. If the Niners can win the time of posession battle something like 34 minutes to 26 minutes, I think they will win the game handily.
I see the final score of 31-21 49ers.
Go Niners.
Rick
This year we have been gashed by top RB’s. So it is possible.
Our D seems to have been revived after the first Rams game though. So maybe last years run D has returned.
I agree with the TOP statement. But we have to get TD’s in the red zone after those long drives. Something CK hasn’t been very good at doing thus far.
Yes, stopping the run is the key in this game for our defense! The Pats are like 3rd in the league in rushing attempts and the big plays come off play action when that run game is working.
The key here is to stop the run and put them in obvious passing situations. We do that and even possibly make them one-dimensional passing, then this game aint close. I think we will! A Pats garbage time score makes it closer than it was!
49ers – 31 Pats – 20
The teams I worry most about when playing the 9ers are the teams that can match the physicality of the 9ers play.( Giants, Rams, Seahawks ) The Pats aint one of them!
The Patriots don’t score 30 points on the 49ers defense.
The defense has been the strength of the 49ers the last two years.
They won’t let the Pats embarrass them on the game of the week.
Throw the schemes out of the window. This game will be won by physical & mental toughness.
This horrific elementary school shooting hurts real bad, as bad as it gets. Too much evil in this world, sad day in America.
Amen. Lets each pause for a moment over this one, each in our own way.
I don’t know what the world is coming to these days, but it really sucks. What in the hell… these were primarily elementary school kids.
Good post Grant, you sure got the natives talking. One issue, did you really say vegematic? LoL!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GniNeqSX5U
Can’t wait to read your prediction.
A random headline prediction with no facts or figures behind it:
“GOLDEN ROMP
49ERS, KAEPERNICK SHOCK PATRIOTS 42-7 AS ALDON SMITH BREAKS SACK RECORD”
Try, golden dump
49ers offense ineffective all day, Kaepernick held to no passing touchdowns second week in a row and sacked multiple times, frank gore unable to get any production on the ground.
More like turdinthepunchbowloflife should be your name…
I agree with Grant for once. I think the Patriots will win this game and win it convincingly, 31/16. Hopefully I am wrong but we shall see this Sunday.
As usual it comes down to the fight in the trenches.
Grant compares the Texans’ game against the Pats with the Niner’s match up.
Different Schemes
The Texans have one of the most potent run games in the league. BUT WHAT MAKES IT GO? It’s a zone blocking run scheme where the O-linemen are more fineness blockers that are nimble at creating that stretch zone that Shanahan made famous in Denver. The Patriots have a pretty strong Defensive line with players like Vince Willfork overpower the quick and nimble Texans O-linemen and blow up the zone blocking running game. The Niners however run a POWER MAN BLOCKING scheme (for the most part, there are some elements of zone blocking but it’s primarily a man scheme). Put simply the Niners move, trap and pull but it’s with the intent of knocking the crap out of Defenders in front of them. Put simply IT’S A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MATCH UP.
Niner’s Offense Plays Defense
If the Niners can establish the run and control the clock, it’s a different ball game…even on the defensive side of the ball….if the Niner offense mostly controls the clock and scores, then on Defense the Defensive goal is to keep Welker and Hernandez in front of them and make the Pats move down the field methodically. Which they can. But it would be slow and non-explosive drives that make the Pat’s offense work for it. And the more they have to work for it the more it plays into the Niner’s hands. More plays per drive result in a higher potential for turn overs. All of which turns the game into a tight competition played close and for field position with a score of something like 20-17.
Multiple Pass Rush Threats
Defensively speaking. The Texans’s pass rush is primarily J.J. Watt. He’s an awesome force and it seems like the Pats were mostly able to shut him down. The Niner’s defense of course has their pass rush star in Aldon Smith. But if the Pats focus on him, the Niners have some players that are quite capable of stepping up and being pass rush threats; starting with Aldon’s partner in crime Justin Smith. Then there’s Ahmed Brooks who’s a pretty decent pass rusher (not elite but good).
Different Defensive Schemes: To Blitz or Not to Blitz?
The Texans blitzed Brady and left a lot of one on one mismatches for Brady to exploit. The Niners don’t blitz much. They have relied on their front 4 (usually 3 linemen and Aldon and/or Brooks depending on the offensive alignment and the defensive package) to get to the QB and drop the DB’s and other linebackers into coverage. The Niners will probably try to disguise their coverage with mostly zone and some mix of man coverage on the slot receivers and Tight Ends. They’ll try to confuse Brady, which they won’t but maybe it’ll cause him to take a half second longer to pull the trigger which may result in a disrupted play by the pass rush or the coverage.
Willis and Bowman Tag Team Gronk and Hernandez in a Steel Death Cage Match
The Niner’s linebackers are better match ups against the Pat’s Tight Ends/H-backs than what the Texans or just about any other team in the league. Still in four games in the past two seasons, they have been vulnerable at times to big Tight Ends like Jimmy Graham and even Brandon Pettigrew. But they have also shut them down at times too. `Hernandez is talented but I don’t think he’s an elite Tight End/H-Back, I’m fairly confident that Willis and Bowman can mostly contain him. Gronk would be more of a match up problem. But he may not play and if he does he may have some rust from not playing recently. And if the Niners do play a tight game where all they have to do is keep the Pat’s Offense in front of them, then I think the damage by the TE’s can be minimized.
Those Darn Slot Receivers
I’m afraid the prognosis against Welker isn’t too good. We all know now those small quick guys give the Niner’s fits. Even Danny Woodhead is a threat. I believe Bowman and Willis will be quick enough to get Woodhead when he comes out of the backfield or to chase him down when he runs his routes. Again, if the Offense can help the defense keep it close then it’s simply a case of keeping the Pat’s offense in front of them and minimizing the damage.
Final score 28-24 aldon sack fumble leads 9ers to win
The Niners are no joke. We know this and the NFL knows this. The problem is we are transitioning to a new QB and our offense is sputtering right now. We are a run first team but I truly believe JH wants to shift that paradigm over the next 2-3 years.
With that said we have proven we can beat the best and that we can be beaten by the best….beaten badly. YES and beaten by ok teams really due to being out coached and mentally/physically dominated up front (Vikes, Rams).
Can this game become a NE blowout?…sure, we all know that whether it is admitted. BUT I think if the coaches can get this right and players play to their potential, especially CK then we have a good chance of shocking the NFL world and I don’t mean a 6 point victory. We can come out of NE 42-27. Think about our D has not caused the turnovers like they did last year. Yes the Saints game but consistency. We need to turn the tide and gain momentum for the playoffs. This is how the Giants, Pats, Saints, Ravens and other Super Bowl runs historically take place.
It will be interesting to see what 49er team as a whole shows up Sunday night in NE…the lions effing den.
Go Niners!!!
I’m not convinced that the Patriots defense is as good as advertised. Another poster mentioned that the Pats defense has done well against the run and poorly against the pass.
The Pats offense has dictated this. By scoring tons, they forced the opposing team into becoming predictable. The pass more, abandon the run. As long as we are not mental and force the run up the gut over and over like we did against the Rams we will be fine.
Too much is being made of this. Period.
I’m not sure of your point, but the Pats are, indeed weak vs the pass. 23rd to be exact. With Kaep, we rank #1 in passing. Apparent mismatch there.
However, Belichick’s ability to disguise and to take away what Kaep wants to do can’t be overestimated.
I’ll be thrilled if we win, but encouraged if we play them close. The big game is next week.
No. He’s seen them before. He’s seen everything before. There is nothing he hasn’t seen or studied. He’s going to have answers for the zone-read options, the pistol, the diamond and for Vernon Davis, if he lines up outside of Michael Crabtree on the line of scrimmage as a wideout…The Patriots will beat the 49ers 30-24.
Then how in the heck are we going to score 24 points??
So what makes you think he can cover Welker?
Can anyone? Seriously. That guy runs the most impressive routes with fakes and set ups that fake ME out of my shoes in my living room. If you study the games he has not caught a lot I’d wager that it was because pressure on Brady was so fast and furious he couldn’t get the ball out in time. Welker looks like he can get open on pretty much every play.
A big body right at the LOS needs to thump him good, but they better not whiff.
That’s pretty much the only way Barley, I’d like to see Culliver with his long arms popping him right under the shoulder pads often. You have to be close enough to push him towards the rest of the defense while still keeping leverage, if you’re not putting him on his back.
Brown has been getting some time in the slot. I think he’s quicker than Rogers.
Brown is quicker than Rodgers, but Rodgers has a little more physicality {hate that word} that may be needed. I don’t think we have anyone sans LaMike who is as quick as Welker.
@ Bray:
You may be right, but it seemed like Rogers’ lack of quickness was the issue with Cruz and Amendola.
That said, I would expect the 49ers to employ different techniques against Welker – muscle him at the line, shadow him, play him with outside leverage and force him inside towards the LBs, etc.
After what happened today in Conn. i’m having a hard time caring whether you like CK or AS. maybe for just a day we can all just be kind to each other here. It hits deeply for all of us but for those of us who work with kids it also hits close to home. Make sure you hug your children today.
+1
+1
Well said old coach and my kids won’t be leaving my sight for the next couple of days. Senseless tragedies like this show how little this game means in the grand scheme of things.
Well said Cosch. Thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this horrific tragedy.
Added poignancy is this tragedy happened in the backyard of the game this weekend.
Can you imagine if our offense was just as good as our defense, now we are talking Super Bowls. Need to find a way to get our offense playing on all cylinders.
I think our offense was that good earlier this year, the game we scored NFL records for instance.
Clown,
Those numbers were against the worst team in football. It was the exception, not the rule.
Two records were set this year one on successful completions against the Arizona Cardinals, the other was for over 300 yards passing and over 300 yards rushing. So you can discount them as just about being against bad teams, these are records, we have played “the worst team in football” many times before. We set records this year, thats pretty prolific if you ask me. No other 49er team was ever able to do that either, not one with Montana not one with Young or Garcia or Rice. It says alot about the potential of this offense to be able to do that, regardless if you want to talk down on your own team.
If the New England Pats of today, don’t remind me of the SF 49ers lead by Eddie, Joe, & Coach Walsh of the 80′s…I don’t know who does.
thats what i been saying brady plays just like joe cool . but i hope niners win.
This game will be mostly determined by two things.
1. The ability of the 49er offensive line to block the Patriots’ defensive line. Our O-line has lots of talent but results this year have been very, very spotty. With each QB, they have had some good games and some utterly terrible ones. Which 49er O-line will show up in Foxboro?
2. The ability of the 49er pass rush to emulate what the Giants have done to stop Brady. Hit him, hit him, and hit him some more. Brady is a great QB. If you give him time, he will carve you up like next week’s turkey. If you give him little time, keep him from stepping up in the middle of the pocket, and inflict pain, he will be less likely to get into a rhythm and you might be able to beat him. We have a good pass rush but I’m not sure whether we can bring enough pressure to accomplish this. Especially up the middle.
Right you are. These games are won in the trenches. 9ers need to dominate the LOS.
I’m new to this blog/comment thing but I couldn’t resist a comment on your note, Grant. I can understand your pick, I guess, but saying Wade Phillips watched the Pats in awe is ridiculous. You may have watched in awe of Brady but the Niners’ D and coaching staff will not be in awe of anybody. You put the emphasis on the D but I think the test Sunday will not be our D but it will be Colin K. and the offense. It’s truly a big stage and a top team he’ll be facing. If we all believe that the Niners are a Super Bowl team, then they win Sunday night. Goldson, Whitner, the Smiths, Willis, et. al., are clearly more talented than anybody the Pat’s have seen. Colin must show that the move Harbaugh made was right. I think the Niners win 31-21.
No hater wants to put the spotlight on CK cause right now Niner Nation knows these next two games will show if he is the real deal. They have already declared he is but in fact, it’s starts tomorrow in Foxboro and then again in SEA.
After both games we will know if he can lead us to a Super Bowl. It’s a tough test but this is how legends start a legacy.
Prime
Still trying to build your case. Losing both games wont bring Smith back from the grave. Kap will continue to impress while you continue to bitch like. A little gjrl. Cant wIt until next season when you and your husband are gone.
23 Hypocrite
We patiently waited for u as u whined week after week about AS. U even had the backups name in ur handle so literally every single one of ur posts mentioned CK. Now when anyone questions ur “precious” u push back and still obsess with AS. Prime never mentioned AS all he said was that CK hasnt proven squat yet. and guess what? he hasnt. His most impressive game was vs a strugling bears team (who is probably gona miss the playoffs) who gameplanned for AS and wern’t ready for CK.
Like it or not CK has to keep proving himself. U kept saying u wanted consistency from AS, so why cant we hold CK to the same standard.
Remember on Aug 6 23Jordan says
Kap is not the answer. so even u had ur doubts.
Prime
This is a big game. But Seattle is bigger.
Reasons
1. Seattle is in our division. CK hasn’t a win in our division. And if you can’t beat those teams, you don’t deserve a playoff spot.
2. Seattle in Seattle is harder than anybody anywhere. AR/DB/EM/TB all have come back home more humble than they were before the game.
Ppl are still arguing over CK vs AS. We aren’t coaches so WE don’t see what happens in practice. MHO is that JH got tired of Ds coming closer and closer to the line while AS WAS QB. His inability to hit the deep pass is what got him benched.
CK ability to go deep and is more mobile is the NEW QB. CK is accurate like AS and runs faster and avoids more sacks than AS. In turn, CK % is not like AS cuz now VD is 2x teamed and DW CAN’T CATCH. D is now playing deep which opens up the short game w plenty of room. CKs inexperience is the only thing holding him back.
In the end, if JH screws this up, then HE has to look in the mirrorand say “could of would of should of ” but I think JH just don’t care what WE think. As fans WE should support the coach and his decision cuz in the end HE gets paid 5mil a yr while WE sit at home crying about his decision.
So stop complaining and enjoy this SB run. $#|+
BTW. Niners win 27 – 21. The D will whack NE WRs enough to where they will be afraid to go over the middle just like the NO game!
Um, sorry to be a stinker, but it’s “have” x3 not “of” x3
Good posts tho
A take from the other side.
http://www.patriots.com/news/article-1/Friday-Six-Pack-49ers-Edition/178ed649-1542-4eca-9b3c-3837995ffaf3
Look who they pick to win.
It’s amazing how both sides look at things! Here’s hoping Kaepernick has a tremendous game to shut ppl up!
Just a bit of information… Gronkowski is active
Albert Breer disagrees with you.
Actually, he’s officially out.