This is my Sunday column previewing the 49ers’ upcoming game against the Rams. The final score might be closer than we expect but, come on, this game won’t be competitive. The oddsmakers in Las Vegas must be messing with us, favoring the 49ers to beat the Rams by just 31/2 points Monday night. Sure, the 49ers have kicked nine field goals the past two games and struggle to score touchdowns…
SANTA CLARA — Here is what Greg Roman said about the Rams defense at his Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “Good afternoon. Knee-deep in our preparations. Players, we throw a lot at them each week. I think everybody can relate with the idea of you going into school to take a test and you studied, you prepared well for it, you feel pretty good about…
No. There is no way the Rams can beat the 49ers on Sunday, unless there’s an act of divine intervention. The Rams offense doesn’t have a good enough run game or offensive line to sustain 14-play touchdown drives against the 49ers defense. St. Louis will find itself in too many second-and-nines and third-and-eights. Their offensive line is not good enough to block the 49ers pass rush in those situations. I’d…
SANTA CLARA — Here’s the complete transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Can you give us a progress report on the rookies? We haven’t seen WR A.J. Jenkins or RB LaMichael James since the exhibition season. How are those guys doing behind the scenes? “Good. They’re working hard, doing it with a very good attitude. And just same thing we tell them is work…
SANTA CLARA – St. Louis Rams inside linebacker James Laurinaitis spoke to Bay Area reporters on a conference call Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the 49ers offense. Q: You say your defense needs to force more turnovers. Is that more difficult this week, because the 49ers generally don’t turn the ball over? LAURINAITIS: Yeah (chuckles), it’s extremely hard. You have team that’s very good with ball security. You…
SANTA CLARA – St. Louis Rams inside linebacker James Laurinaitis spoke to Bay Area reporters on a conference call Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about fellow inside linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. Q: I’ve heard it said about you that you’re under the radar in large part because of what the inside linebackers here are doing. What are your thoughts when you watch Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman….
SANTA CLARA – St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis spoke to Bay Area reporters on a conference call Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the Rams defense, which gave up 45 points to the New England Patriots Week 8. Q: How do you feel about the way your defense has performed this season? LAURINAITIS: It’s been a tale of two different groups of games. I felt early in…
This is the final installment of our NFC West matchup preview. Today we’re breaking down how the Niners match up with the St. Louis Rams. Tomorrow we’ll break down their matchup with the New England Patriots. 49ERS DEFENSE VS. RAMS OFFENSE: This matchup isn’t close. The Niners have a great defense and the Rams have a terrible offense. St. Louis got shut out twice in their final five games last…
