By PHIL BARBER
Heading into each of the 49ers’ two playoff games, one of the big issues facing the team was the health of defensive lineman Justin Smith. In case you had any lingering doubts, the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive linemen have seen the film, and they will tell you that Smith wasn’t diminished in either of those games.
“No, I don’t think so,” right guard Marshal Yanda said. “I think he’s still playing at a high level. He looks just as strong, he looks just as quick, and I don’t think that we’re gonna see anything but 100 percent out of him.”
“No,” center Matt Birk echoed. “I mean, the guy’s unbelievable. Just such a disruptive force, run and pass. … There’s no drop-off there.”
Smith told reporters Wednesday that his left triceps tendon is torn about 50 percent – “a little bit over, maybe.” He has not scheduled surgery.
“I really haven’t gone to the doctors yet,” he said. “I figure I will do that after the Super Bowl.”
Meanwhile, the Ravens are left to prepare for the 49ers’ defensive “slash,” a guy who garnered All-Pro status at both defensive tackle and defensive end. Wednesday, they sounded more awed by Smith than hyped up to face him.
“You really have to put two guys on him to account for him,” Birk said. “At the point of attack he’s so strong, on the backside he’s so hard to cut off. But he obviously – just watching film – has, apart from all the physical tools, a great understanding of the game and how to play, what his job is on a certain defensive call.”
Justin Smith has done some of his best work this year on stunts, or “games,” with outside linebacker Aldon Smith. One reason Aldon wound up with a franchise-record 19½ sacks is that he so frequently had a clear path through the A gap, thanks to Justin’s interference.
“Because he’s so physical and gets so much penetration, really the key to that game is he gets so much penetration he puts the tackle and guard on different levels,” Birk explained. “The offensive line should be on the same level so you can pass off those twists. But he’s as good as anybody in putting a dent in that gap and making it very difficult to do that.”
Earlier this season, New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said that Justin Smith “gets away with murder,” holding offensive linemen on those twists. According to the Ravens, Justin doesn’t do anything most other defensive linemen aren’t doing. He just does it better.
“A lot of guys, (you) can just break that. A lot of guys, you shove ’em,” Yanda said. “But he’s so strong he’ll grab you, and you better get away from him. If you let him get into your chest, and he holds you, you ain’t breaking loose. I’ve watched all the guards, and even the really good ones, and you let him into your chest and he grabs you, you ain’t getting away. I mean, he’s really strong.”
Asked to describe his style as a pass rusher, Justin said: “You are working in a phone booth in there. You’ve got to deal with the center, so you don’t have a lot of room for moves, which works out good for me since I don’t have any. I try to go right through them.”
And that, the Ravens agree, is another thing Smith does better than just about any other D-lineman in the league.
“He’s a really strong guy,” Yanda said. “His biggest attribute is he is stroonng. When he grabs a guy, he grabs him. When he bull rushes a guy, the guy’s going backwards. And you’ll see him sometimes on film where he’ll shove a guy, and a 330-pound lineman will go flying. And that don’t happen in the NFL too often.”
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The Cowboy will not be holding back in this game. It will get cranked up by quarter, and by the fourth, if his tricep is still connected…look the fock out.
Penetration is his sword, and strength is his quiver. Cowboy Baby!!
Can we beat this Ravens team? The more I am reading about Baltimore’s defensive front, have we thought about not being able to run the ball against them? How are all of you feeling regarding this game?
Baltimore’s D was ranked 20th against the run this season. 1 spot and 6 yards better than the falcons.
The Ravens are really good but the 9ers can beat anybody, anywhere, anytime. It’s really hard for me to have doubts after seeing what they’ve done this year.
My ONLY issue with your statement is this blasted NFL game. “Any Given Sunday”
But I agree, this team is onto something special, for years to come.
I feel good about the game however, you are correct don’t sleep on the Ravens. It will come down to scheme and mistakes.
I fully expect the weight of this game will fall on the Niners offense’s shoulders. We will need CK to complete this miraculous story on Sunday.
Our wildcards on the game: D. Walker and L. James!!!
*** Piss poor AJJ has not even caught a pass and is a non factor. It would be nice to have someone besides Moss opposite Crabtree
Absolutely we can beat the Ravens! 49ers have the key elements to beat any team if they can execute their game plan!!! This is the NFL and every team has the ability to win a game and the team with the most mistakes most likely will lose! GO NINERS
Let’s just hope it doesn’t come down to a field goal
Man for man we have a better team that is well coached and should prevail. The wild card(s) are turn overs, freak plays, officiating…the unpredictable things. Assuming that balances out we win.
Does anyone seriously think this staff and team with two weeks to prepare is going to lose? Has not happened, cannot happen, will not happen. The 49ers don’t lose Super Bowls.
But I think we’re about .500 in conference championship games. I guess we save the best for last, if we make it.
Generally when the 49ers were going to superbowls the NFC was dominating the AFC. Much like this year.
I like your positive attitude Razor, I hope Roman plans effectively and we find mismatches to exploit
Looking forward to watching our 49ers play, good to know the Ravens are 20th against the run and only one spot better than the falcons. Anyone know their ranking against the pass? I’m sure Roman and company will put together a great plan.
Guys, do not get excited about the Ravens stats associated with the run. Since Suggs and Lewis were out for quite a few games, their defense suffered. Your best predictor of their performance is how they played for the last several days. The Ravens are good and can beat the Niners – but let’s not forget that the Ravens made it to the game by a defensive miscue and an errant Mannng pass. So they are good, but they also got lucky along the way. The 9ers are very good and didn’t need luck to make it tot he big game.
The only thing that hurts us Sunday is Jerome booger he has at least 6 bad calls in him
Hopefully they just let em play and keep the hankies in their pockets. We have 2 tough physical teams so let the players determine who puts the F in Fysical.