SANTA CLARA – On Sunday, Carlos Rogers will match up against the Patriots’ two best receivers – Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez. Here’s what Rogers said about that Wednesday in the media tent.
Q: What makes Wes Welker so tough in the slot?
ROGERS: Number one, his quarterback. Tom makes this offense go. [Welker] runs a lot of routes, a lot of option routes. Those quick guys like that, when you’re facing those guys – especially with a good quarterback – it’s going to take a lot. Not just me sticking him. It’s going to take Dashon coming down inside, or some of the D-ends hitting those guys and giving them different looks.
ME: Aaron Hernandez is a slot receiver often, as well. How do you defend against the option routes he and Welker run?
ROGERS: Try your best to stay on them. You need help. Those guys are quick, they’re fast. When you’ve got a lot of option routes, whatever leverage you’re on, they’re going to run opposite, or they can fake that way and come back. It’s going to take a lot of pressure – Aldon on those guys getting to Brady, getting him off his spot, and not just sitting back there baking a cake and picking us apart.
ME: Do you expect to cover Hernandez some?
ROGERS: Yeah, I’ll be on the tight end. I’ll be on Welker a lot. It depends on how the game goes, and our plan. Coach does a good job of mixing it up. Sometimes we may just be in our base coverage. Linebackers are going to have to cover, too.
ME: Do you anticipate playing a little more dime against the Patriots than you have in the past?
ROGERS: It all depends. We’ve got linebackers who can cover tight ends, cover backs out the backfield. I can cover the slot and the tight end. It all depends.
Q: What’s it going to take to win?
ROGERS: We know that we’re going to have to step up and play, and play to the end. Brady’s going to make his plays. This offense is going to make it’s plays. We’re going to make our plays. We just want to make more than him at the end of the game. It’s going to take our offense moving the ball on them, running the ball, keeping Brady off the field. If they don’t score many points, or however it turns out, as long as we keep Brady on the sideline and not on the field, it’s going to help us out a lot.
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2 Deep zone and 2 Deep man under.
If you are going to play 2 deep with man under, the underneath DB or LBer cannot give up the inside or the receiver can run the field horizontally with no defenders in sight because all of the underneath coverage is chasing another player and the two deep safeties are 18-22 yards from the LOS.
49ers used variations of 2 Deep man under throughout the Packers game. The safeties were also robbing certain routes so the inside defenders only had to worry about the in cuts.
The following week against Detroit who didn’t have the same quick type of slot guys it was mostly 2 deep zone, with a little man mixed in.
They like the 2 deep look because it helps keep the offense from the big shot type plays.
As usual, Carlos is being very honest. He knows he is not going to be able to cover Welker or Hernandez by himself on Sunday unless he quits the Niners and takes over as a reporter covering the Patriots.
He’s proven his (lack of) skills against Cruz, Amendola and Harvin. It’s too bad he can’t do his job without help because the more help he needs the less effective his teammates will be at doing their jobs.
ZZZzzz…
which corner currently playing in the NFL would you consider we replace him with?
I thought Patrick Peterson did a nice job in AZ and he still got 95 yards on 5 catches. The difference in NE losing and winning is the turnover differential.
Darrelle Revis http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/8426111/new-york-jets-darrelle-revis-his-contract-drama-plays-on
Here is the longer answer to your question Kremlin https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/06/04/shaping-the-slot-defense/
At OpenMinded:
While I absolutely agree that he has been the best CB in the league for a few years, Revis is not a The-Team-the-Team-the-Team kind of guy. He had shown a willingness to put his personal financial goals ahead of the team’s best interest to a degree that is probably incompatible with the Baalke/Harbaugh philosophy.
OM, I agree for the most part. But I think Carlos can cover Hernandez well or at least be able to tightly shadow and slow him down/tackle him when Hernandez blocks out with his big body for the catch.
My main concern, and ours, is how he (mis)handles Welker. Carlos has definitely shown a particular weakness in being able to cover those shifty, quick burst slot receivers this season. I’m hoping he’ll guess right at least once and is able to get his hands on a ball come Sunday. An INT would make a huge difference for the team regardless of Welker’s likely success against him.
+1
It sounds like hes saying they will play zone coverage to me
Rogers on Hernandez might work. Rogers on Welker? No bueno!
Grant. I read Manningham had limited practice today. Any solid word whether hell play?
The Pats are most definitely a great team. The Texans made them look better than they are last week. The Texans entire LB crew were either 3rd string or street free agents at the start of this year. They were playing a DB who was a street free agent just signed 2 weeks ago. The Texans were playing the backup center at right tackle. The 9ers will not get crushed like the Texans did. The 9ers defense will give up some yards and points but it won’t be 42 points. The Pats are going to find out what it’s like to play a truly elite defense that will absolutely light up RB’s an WR’s. Tom Brady will be crying to the refs after every hit the d-line puts on him. I’m not sure the 49ers will win but I do fully expect it to be a very close game.
I’m putting the over/under on roughing the QB calls drawn by Brady crying at 1.5
Don’t forget that he whines if a finger touches him.
… and that the refs LOVE Tom’s hair; they’re not going to want to see it get rumpled.
Houston thanks for that info.
“The Texans entire LB crew were either 3rd string or street free agents at the start of this year. They were playing a DB who was a street free agent just signed 2 weeks ago. The Texans were playing the backup center at right tackle. ”
I did not know that. That makes me feel a little better about our chances.
Any word if Gronk is going to play against our D on Sunday. I read that he was in Patriots practice today.
Why wouldn’t he play? It’s just a forearm. Put a cast on it and club people.
I read that, too, MWN. I’m thinking if he plays, he’ll not be 100%. I know it’s the honorable thing to say we want to play the best to be the best… but I wouldn’t mind seeing Gronk sit this one out, either way. ;)
Many said on the pats blog last night that he won’t be playing. They said he definitely. Did not practice yesterday.
Off topic: Good article about the recent success of college coaches in the NFL.
Warning: Nice things written about Pete Carroll which may cause loathing and nausea.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/page/hotread-college-coaches/jim-harbaugh-pete-carroll-greg-schiano-ignite-question-whether-more-college-coaches-ready-nfl
Much as we hate Pete, you can’t deny that SEA is a solidly good team that is trending up fast. And that its to his credit.
I really hope they are overinflated after that ridiculous beating they dropped on AZ, and they head to buffalo to lose a close one.
I hate all things related to the SeaBastards.
I don’t claim to be logical.
I am very sure nobody thinks you have a brain to be logical.
Looks as though big brother has been collaborating with little brother on the New England gameplan. I’ll wager the father is also in on it. I really want to beat the New England Patriots in a bad way.
WHO’S GOT IT BETTER THAN US???? NOBODY…..
The Golden State Warriors!!! GSW Hoops!!!!
@ yo jordo how do you get a pic on your name?
Grant or anyone else in Niner blogland:
There is an X factor for Niners beating Patriots, can anyone tell me the X factor? Nobody has even mentioned it this week. Who can figure it out?
That would be COWBOY Baby!
Razor – Who has meaty claws?
Brady gets knocked out of the game in the first Q and Mallett has to play the rest of the game.
Hint: Think outside the box.
Are you talking about their secondary Crab??? Because I was thinking the same thing… but they’ve played pretty well against good passing teams, don’t you think?
James is not the x facter. He’s the secret weapon.
LMJ is going to have 2 plays of 40 + yards, either by running the ball, receiving, returns.
X factor = John Harbaugh.
I just noticed S.F. Gate.com and Randy Moss beat me to the punch….Damnit – I thought I had that one first. :)
Ravens are only 1 game back of Pats in playoff seedings and John is a busy man but he will surely be giving his brother as much helpful information as possible to give Niners the edge Sunday night.
John lost a heartbreaker to Pats in AFC Championship last year and it still stings!
Good point Crabs!! I can see that happening.
xJHaws – Yes the secondary has done pretty well vs good passing teams.
NY Giants are more balanced but Niners were schooled by Victor Cruz -aka (Puerto Rican Wes Welker).
Crab15,
Maybe not an X-factor. I would go back to using an old reliable and very productive source: Vernon Davis…
Yes…..LMJ could break one or VD could be VD again.
I can’t wait…..I’m sick with anticipation.
Ray McDonald will have an interception return for a TD. Mark it.
Now THAT’S what I call ‘outside the box’! Hope so.
The X-Factor on offense is Roman’s play-calling. If the game turns into a shootout, he needs to have an effective gameplan that can keep pace with the Patriots offense. But if it is a tight game, then Roman needs to effectively call an offensive gameplan that eats up time off the clock and gives the less time on the field. The X-Factor could be a player like Davis or Crabtree, even our OL. But in order for the offense to succeed, it will have to because Roman calls a great game from the first time our offense touches the both up until the final whistle blows.
The X-Factor on defense is the secondary unit. They have a tall task this time that may become even taller if the Gronk plays on Sunday. This is a game where the secondary cannot afford to make any type of mistake, be it a missed assignment or soft coverage for example, or else Brady will make them pay. Rogers especially can’t afford to have a slip-up because he will be going up against WR Welker and TE Hernandez, one an excellent slot receiver despite his age and the other a hybrid type of TE. Rogers was paid like a top CB in the offseason and it’s time he lived up to that pay.
Is anyone else watching the 12/12/12 concert and if so is Kanye wearing a skirt and tights?
philly9er – Is Britney there?…..I liked me some young Britney better but I’ll take me some Britney (I’m not talking musical melodies fellas) :-)
Didn’t see any Brintey but I’m with you about the young Brintey before she went crazy.
On 49erswebzone.com, Oscar is talking 49er football with my son. After getting on the website, click on the podcast icon near the top right. Takes you to that page and the entry on 12/11/12 is called “The playoffs start now”
Its a pretty good listen! Very interesting, covers alot! I was impressed. If you have about an hour, slap the headphones on and give it a listen. Tell me what you think.
Bill b was praising 49ers 1st down defense. I can see pats airing it out on 1st down. They will go no huddle but I don’t think that matters since we don’t substitute our pass rushers anyways. The key is def going to be our pass rush just like it was vs Saints and brees. Mcdonald and Justin Smith aren’t the quickest dts in the nfl but they don’t have to worry about Brady scrambling. I can see both of them finally getting a sack each. It seems like forever since we got a sack from our dts. Aldon will still get his….you can’t stop a beast u have to pray u contain him. JJ watt had 0 sacks but I bet u Aldon gets to Brady at least once if not twice. He shows the world that he should be DPOY on Sunday night football.
+1
My thoughts from reading the headline: “Rogers says he’ll be covering Welker and Hernandez”
We’re in trouble… lol
I was reading alot about the season Culliver is having and wow was Grant right at the beginning of the season. I remember when he declared Culliver was the best CB there was an outroar on here. Of all CB’s who have played 500+ snaps he has allowed the least yards, 2.34% of snaps played results in 1st down or TD (best in NFL), 42.9 comp % (best in NFL). For all the people that jumped on Grant, an apology is in order.