Today
Sections
More
Features
advertisement
|
your ad here
Home of the San Francisco Chronicle
- 49ers
- Raiders
- Giants
- A's
- Warriors
- Sharks
- NFL
- MLB
- NBA
- NHL
- College
- Preps
- Golf
- NASCAR
- Outdoors
- Other
- On TV & Radio
- Shop
Displaying 1 - 10 of 21 |
Next »Previews
Willis has hand surgery but will play
No surprise that Chargers tight end Antonio Gates will not play because of a foot injury. He was listed as doubtful all week. But NFL network is reporting that wide receiver Malcolm Floyd is also out. Floyd has been dealing with a hamstring injury the last few weeks. The Chargers have played sparingly in games, but when he has played, he's been explosive with two touchdowns against the Chiefs.
Patrick Willis has surgery to insert a pin into his broken hand on Monday. But and Takeo Spikes, who also has a broken hand will play. Willis played with a broken hand his rookie season.
| December 16 2010 at 03:55 PM
49ers-Chargers - could it come down to film study
-Cornerback Nate Clements said that this game will be about film study. Because the 49ers and the Chargers essentially had one practice this week, the team that studies the other more intensely might gain an edge. That team is likely to be the 49ers. Since the Chargers are the more talented squad, they might not take the 49ers as seriously.
-The final injury report named NaVorro Bowman (hamsting), Patrick Willis (hand) and Takeo Spikes (hand) all as questionable. They will probably all play, but will they finish? The team might regret not signing another linebacker this week.
-They put a microphone on Mike Singletary during the last game. While he no longer makes a spectacle of himself on the sideline, he continues to treat players like a perfectionist parent - constantly admonishing, rarely praising. He did have one humorous moment when he took out his defensive starters. "You're done," he kept telling them. Then he muttered under his breath, "Knuckleheads."
| December 16 2010 at 12:27 AM
Broncos-49ers preview
-The 49ers will be facing a different Denver team than the one that lined up against Oakland. When Denver gave up 59 points to the Raiders they were missing three of their four starters in the secondary; this week they return two of those starters, safety Brian Dawkins and cornerback Andre Goodman. Coverage breaks, which were a problem last week, might not be as prevalent, particularly with the veteran Dawkins returning.
-Injuries have also struck the team's offensive line. They've had five different combinations already. This week, they are likely to start the same five that started against Oakland.
-Watch out for the Swamp Formation, which is Denver's version of the Wildcat and which features Tim Tebow at quarterback. Tebow has yet to throw a pass however. Tebow's rushed eight times for 25 yards and a touchdown.
-Brandon Lloyd (remember him?) is Denver's big-play receiver. He has three touchdowns and averages over 20.3 yards per carry. Lloyd has a tendency to start fast and then fade just as fast. That's not happening so far. Read More 'Broncos-49ers preview' »
| October 30 2010 at 01:51 PM
Panthers-49ers preview
The 49ers face a team much like they played last week - a offensively futile unit with a weak defense against the run. It means the Panthers are fully capable of going nearly half the game without completing a pass, which is what the Raiders did. The completion drought allowed the 49ers own offense to finally get going.
The Panthers rank last in six offensive categories including points, yards, passing yards (per play and game), passing average, and first downs. They're 30th in average sacks per pass play.
The 49ers could use Nate Clements to counter Steve Smith.
The last stat should put the outside pass rushers Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson, Travis LaBoy and Ahmad Brooks on notice. They might already be edgy with all the Shawne Merriman talk. The one to watch here is Brooks, who says he's in shape now after missing nearly all of training camp and the first game with a lacerated kidney.
The Panthers meanwhile have struggled without right tackle Jeff Otah, who will miss this game with a knee injury. Look for the 49ers to overload the right side.
Carolina has two main threats in the passing game, Steve Smith and tight end Jeff King and then a slew of rookies.
In the running game, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are not the dynamic duo they were a year ago.
Read More 'Panthers-49ers preview' »| October 23 2010 at 05:17 PM
49ers-Raiders Preview
-The Raiders offense of coordinator Hue Jackson looks much like Jimmy Raye's scheme, not much personnel group or formation variation. However, at least in the last game against San Diego, Jackson had splendid timing with his calls. He likes to allow the defense to get up field and then run behind them. He also likes bootlegs and counter runs, which could be effective against a pressing 49ers defense that has a tendency to over pursue.
Can Michael Crabtree make the Raiders pay?
-The Raiders love to play man and they love to press, particularly with their All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, and that didn't work well against Chargers receiver Malcom Floyd. Floyd, who has been a second receiver most his career, caught 8 balls for 213 yards mainly against Asomugha. It begs the question, what could a highly-motivated Michael Crabtree, who's eager to prove the Raiders should have drafted him, do against Asomugha. By far, this is most intriguing matchup of the day and will prove how good a route runner Crabtree is against an elite corner.
-With the Raiders playing so much man, Alex Smith should look to run more often. The 49ers might want to even try some planned runs.
-Another good match up is tight end Vernon Davis against Raiders safety Michael Huff. Again, with Oakland playing man, Davis should have some opportunities. Read More '49ers-Raiders Preview' »
| October 16 2010 at 01:13 PM
49ers-Saints Preview
Looking closely at the New Orleans Saints one gets a fuller picture of just how talented they are. It would be no surprise if they won the Super Bowl once again.
On offense, this team has everything you want. Quarterback Drew Brees not only sets records for completion percentage but he loves to throw deep. They have a tough inside runner in Pierre Thomas, and elusive outside runner in Reggie Bush, two deep threats in Robert Meacham and Devery Henderson, a muscular possession player in Marques Colston, two excellent tight ends, and a brilliant offensive line led by a right guard (Jahri Evans) who plays like a modern-day Larry Allen. To bring it all together they have possibly the best play-caller in the game in San Mateo native Sean Payton.
Payton runs an up tempo attack that's frightfully efficient. The Saints throw a barrage of different personnel groups and formations at a defense with every play. Last year, the Saints were only the second team in history to complete at least 35 passes to seven different receivers. They have the capacity to expose any defensive weakness.
So how to combat this daunting array of offensive talent? As cornerback Shawntae Spencer said, the 49ers have to force the Saints to beat them. Meaning the 49ers must simply play their defense and minimize mistakes.
In this game look for 49ers to play both safeties deep to ward against Brees's proclivity for long throw. That means the front seven will have to hunker down against the run.
Read More '49ers-Saints Preview' »| September 20 2010 at 11:31 AM
49ers-Seahawks Preview
Here's how the 49ers win: They take advantage of a team that's in disarray. Their offensive line coach, the most critical member of any football staff, quit 10 days ago. The team has made nearly 140 transactions since head coach Pete Carroll was hired, far more than any other team, including some questionable moves. They dealt cornerback Josh Wilson to the Ravens for a lowly fourth-round pick. Wilson was competing with Kelly Jennings for the starter's job opposite Marcus Trufant. Wilson also was a proficient kick returner. Do the Seahawks think they will get a player of that caliber in the fourth round?
The sudden retirement of line coach Alex Gibbs can't be over stated. He's the godfather of the zone blocking scheme, and getting him to come out of retirement was a coup for Carroll. The irascible Gibbs has a contingency for nearly every defensive adjustment for his zone scheme. Now that expertise is gone. Also, the Seahawks are having injuries on the line.
Mike Nolan won his first game by blow out. Could that happen to Pete Carroll?
So this will be the first game with new schemes and several new players including three former 49ers - wide receiver Brandon Jones, running back Michael Robinson and defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer (who's injured).
So you could say, the 49ers need to merely show up and not screw up to win this one.
Expect the 49ers to attack the injured and possibly bewildered line. They should get plenty of pressure on quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who might already be intimidated by a team that knocked him out of the last game they played against him. The 49ers should be able to cause a few turnovers and to certainly chase Hasselbeck all over the field.
Read More '49ers-Seahawks Preview' »| September 09 2010 at 10:21 PM
What the 49ers should do today
Here's what the 49ers need to do offensively today against Detroit:
Get Alex Smith back to throwing the intermediate (over 10 yards) and deep routes with accuracy. In the last two games, Smith is 4-for-17 for 112 yards an touchdown and two interceptions when throwing over 10 yards in the air. Even with those numbers, Smith remains one of the league's best deep throwers; he's fourth with passes over 20 yards in the air. (12-22, 366 yards, 5 TD's and two picks). Only Brett Favre, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger are better.
The 49ers also need to take advantage of the running game when it's there. In Philly, Frank Gore sheered off runs of 6, 6, 4 and 12 yards in his four carries over three drives and yet in those drives, which comprised of 14 plays, the 49ers threw it seven times. With run gains like that, the 49ers should stick with it until the other team stops them. The 49ers were also facing a nickel defense out of their two tight end set, which should dictate run, and at this stage the 49ers should favor the run. The offensive line and Gore are angry. This offense, obviously, isn't the run bludgeoning scheme they anticipated and they don't like that. A potent run game would also help out Smith and the pass protection, which has wilted the last eight quarters.
| December 27 2009 at 10:20 AM
Packers Preview
I reviewed Alex Smith's last game against the Bears, and then Aaron Rodgers's play in the Packers last win over the Cowboys. Both quarterbacks linger too long in the pocket at times, but the greatest difference seems to be their delivery. Rodgers never lets the ball dip below his chest and he's among the most accurate passers in the league.
Smith can equal Rodgers's accuracy at times, but at others, he allows the ball to dip below his waist on his wind up. The long wind up doesn't seem affect his accuracy necessarily, but the ball takes way too long to come out. You add that to his proclivity to stare down receivers and not throw before a receiver breaks, and that's when the 49ers passing game suffers.
So, when the 49ers play in Green Bay, look at his wind up. Here are other things to watch for:
Barry Sims, celebrating with Joe Nedney, will have his hands full.
-Left tackle Barry Sims fared very well against bigger pass rusher like Dwight Freeney, Kyle Vanden Bosch, and Adewale Ogunleye. His main opponent will be sack master Aaron Kampman, but at times he'll have to deal with nimble rookie Clay Matthews, which could cause him problems.
-The Packers are mystifying with their top rankings in offense and defense and their robust turnover ratio, but the reason they're 5-4 is their inability to protect the quarterback and poor special teams play. Both play well into what the 49ers do, somewhat. The 49ers aren't a good pressure team, but the pressure they do get typically comes from inside and that's where the Packers are weak. Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, even Aubrayo Franklin should have opportunities. The 49ers should blitz their inside linebackers.
-Alex Smith will have to play his best game of the year if the 49ers are to have a chance. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers plays a number of different fronts and plenty of coverages. Smith had trouble deciphering the Titans defense, which is also complex. Despite not getting many sacks, the Packers nevertheless have a streak of 11 straight games with at least one turnover.
-The Cowboys opened their drive with two tight-ends and ripped off gains of 14 and 6 yards and then went away from it. Jimmy Raye loves the twin tights and he loves to run and don't think he didn't notice the Cowboys success.
-With Kampman coming back, the Packers might not show their 2-3-6 alignment on passing downs. But the defensive look did seem to confuse Dallas.
-The Packers like to play a cover 2, but teams prefer to play man coverage against the 49ers because they don't think the wide receivers and the quarterback can beat them. It also allows the defense to stack up against Frank Gore. It will be interesting to see what Green Bay does.
-On defense, Green Bay likes to blitz their defensive backs, particularly Charles Woodson. What happened to Woodson? As a Raider, he was known just as a cover guy who didn't like to hit. Now, he's playing safety, linebacker and corner. Smith has to know where he is on every play.
-Speaking of blitzing the A gaps, that's something Capers likes to do.
-The match-up of the day could be Dre Bly against Donald Driver, who likes to line up in the slot.
-The Packers, being a West Coast team, love to run the screen and the slant pass. The 49ers could respond with press coverage to take away the slant.
-Tampa Bay upset the Packers by playing two deep coverage and then man under with their linebackers. It took away the short routes that Rodgers favors. The 49ers are also a zone team mainly, but the man under could be an interesting wrinkle.
-Rodgers is one of the worst passers in the league on first down, but the best on third down. I don't know what that means, but it's interesting.
| November 21 2009 at 07:14 PM
Texans Preview
TEXANS OFFENSE Vs 49ERS DEFENSE: The 49ers need to watch out for the screen game; Houston had 150 yards in screens in their win over the Bengals last week. They like slip screens to their talented wideout Andre Johnson and will also screen to second-year running back Steve Stanton. Stanton, after gaining over 1,200 yards last year, is in somewhat of a sophomore slump and if the 49ers can contain him early, he might try too hard to get yardage and get careless with the ball. Stanton fumbled twice last week.
How Adam Snyder does is far more crucial than what a rookie wide receiver might do.
In terms of overall offense, Houston looks a lot like the 49ers: they like having two tight ends on the field and they use their receivers in the blocking game at the line of scrimmage, particularly Kevin Walter. He likes to go low on his blocks as does their fine tight end Owen Daniels, who should warrant special attention. He's converted seven third downs with catches this year and the 49ers are without safety Michael Lewis (concussion). Daniels is terrific at reading defenses and he's really in sync with quarterback Matt (Cotton) Schaub.
During the week, Texans coach Gary Kubiak expressed concern over facing another 3-4 team. Houston lost 28-21 to the Cardinals' modified 3-4 two weeks ago.
The 49ers also should gear up to defend zone runs. Houston likes to run stretch plays with plenty of cut blocks. Penetration will be important for the 49ers.
Houston placed both their starting guards on injured reserve earlier this year, so expect the 49ers to blitz the "A" gaps. Schaub has been pretty good beating the blitz this year, he's 6-5 and nimble enough to get back into a five-step drop quickly. He's also great at feeling pressure and adjusting in the pocket, and he leads the league with 14 touchdown passes.
KEY MATCH UP: Andre Johnson primarily lines up as the X receiver, typically to the left of Cotton Schaub, which means he'll face Shawntae Spencer most of the time. Spencer has played better than Nate Clements this year, so this might be a good development for the 49ers.
49ERS OFFENSE Vs. TEXANS DEFENSE: Houston has only allowed 145 yards rushing in the last three games, after giving up a flood of big runs in their first three. The Texans simply messed up their run fits apparently early in the season, and San Francisco coordinator Jimmy Raye would like to challenge their defense by pulling linemen and creating gap confusion.
On the broadcast last week, commentator and former 49er Randy Cross said Houston blitzes as much as other team in the league. They didn't do that much of it against Cincinnati, but every team blitzes the 49ers and then plays man.
Dunta Robinson, their Pro Bowl cornerback, likes to take the opposition's best receiver, so it will be interesting to see who Houston determines who that is. They've had trouble with their other cornerback spot and rookie Glover Quin started last week; Quin then covers the slot receiver against a three-receiver set. The 49ers might have some opportunities here.
The best encounter of the day could be tight end Vernon Davis against strong side rookie linebacker Brian Cushing, who won the AFC defensive player of the week last game with two forced fumbles and a fingertip interception. Davis looked deeply befuddled against Atlanta and needs to return to his pre-Falcons personna.
KEY MATCH UP: Right tackle Tony Pashos and the combination of Adam Snyder and Chilo Rachal against Mario Williams and the developing Amobi Okoye - The 49ers are hoping Snyder will stop the two to three whiffs a game Rachal has surrendered the last few weeks. Williams is a beast and likes to line up on the offensive right most of the time.
| October 24 2009 at 09:27 PM
Veteran 49ers writers Kevin Lynch and David White analyze the stats with an insider's insight.
By Kevin Lynch, David White, Read Bios
advertisement
|
your ad here
more