49ers @ Saints live blog: Pregame

This is the live blog for the pregame of the 49ers’ Week 10 road game against the Saints. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from my living room.

8:30 The 49ers just announced their inactives: QB Josh Johnson, WR Quinton Patton, CB Leon McFadden, S L.J. McCray, LB Dan Skuta, LB Patrick Willis and G/C Dillon Farrell. CB Tramaine Brock, DT Tank Carradine and DT Quinton Dial are active. Aaron Lynch will start for Dan Skuta.

8:35 The Saints’ inactives are RB Pierre Thomas, RB Khiry Robinson, LB David Hawthorne, WR Robert Meachem, DB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, OT Nick Becton and C/G Eric Olsen. RT Zach Strief and C Jonathan Goodwin are active.

8:40 Here’s a vine of Colin Kaepernick practicing a 7-step drop before the Saints game. Greg Roman shouldn’t call any of those today in predictable down-and-distance situations. Joe Staley and Anthony Davis will get windburn from the Saints’ rushers blowing by them on the carpet.

8:53 The 49ers should be supercharged for this game. Guys like Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Joe Staley, Anquan Boldin and Justin Smith realize how critical the rest of the season is and what a downfall it would be to miss the playoffs. Veterans always have a better perspective than the younger players of what it is like to miss the playoffs because they have missed them before. And they realize the light at the end of the tunnel is not daylight but sunset, as in the end of their careers.

8:58 The 49ers’ offensive line must improve its footwork. Their first step must anticipate where the rusher is going to be. That’s recognition and attention to detail. The past few weeks, the 49ers’ offensive line moved their feet slowly in pass protection and ended up lunging and missing rushers and giving up sacks. Pass blocking is a lot like tennis. You play with your feet. If your feet are slow, you lunge and miss.

9:06 It’s one thing to blitz Austin Davis. It’s another thing to blitz Drew Brees. Fangio can’t put the 49ers’ corners at risk like he did against the Rams. The game plan against the Saints cannot be blitz heavy.

9:20 ESPN just reported that the NFL did not reduce Aldon Smith’s suspension because he did not complete all of his counseling. Good going, Aldon.

9:38 Before the season, I predicted the 49ers would go 5-4 without Aldon Smith. If the Niners win today, they’d be 5-4.

9:50 Fascinating stat via ESPN Stats & Info: “Colin Kaepernick has been sacked 14 times in his last 2 games. Drew Brees has been sacked 11 times this SEASON.”

9:51 Jay Glazer just said Patrick Willis might “miss significant time” with his toe injury.

This article has 18 Comments

  1. The 49ers will run Gore as often is his (3+ year old) hip injury will allow. If Gore breaks a long one, expect few carries for the remainder of the game.

    1. That’s just what Gore wants them to believe, he lulls them into thinking he’s 31 years old and starting to wear down and just when you’ve let your guard down, bam! he’ll gash you for another 40 yarder. Frankie knows it’s all about the mind games….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRUM__-vXEA

    1. I didn’t take the pick but secretly I’m think that the Jags could beat the Girls today.

  2. Grant will the Saints try to run more against the 49ers today with the middle of the LB core gutted?

      1. Grant I’m changing my avatar because mine has been hijacked. Anything you can do about that? Pretty ridiculous I think….

        Branches tech tools on his blog are light years ahead of this one’s…..

  3. I know it’s just warm ups but that’s about as sloppy of a 7 step drop as you can make. By the time he drifts over and releases he’s practically standing in the B gap. Sloppy.

  4. I have a good feeling about this game win here an wr could go on a run. Unlike Grant we are right were we thought wr would be eith all the injuries. Now we must take charge of our games left.

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