The San Francisco 49ers (2-1) and not the New York football Giants are what’s on the minds of Andy Reid and Juan Castillo right now…
Head coach Jim Harbaugh (nee of Stanford) and QB Alex Smith talk it over during last week’s 13-8 win over the Bengals… Harbaugh and the 49ers are off to a 2-1 start… but still have major concerns over their offensive production as well as defensive issues…
It’s an intriguing team for a lot of reasons, these 49ers… The short story on them: The Niners play the good teams close, and under Jim Harbaugh, they may start coming away with ‘W’s in these matches. Look for the 49ers to finally open things up against the Philadelphia Eagles in week 4.
At least, this is the week everyone thinks they are going to open it up and shoot it down field… But the only way that will happen is if the 49ers offense can’t run the ball or if they get behind early.. Harbaugh is not going to game-plan for a shoot-out with the Eagles.
This is a big game for the 49ers on the road. They have major concerns and problems to solve just like the Eagles do right now. It’s a “fork in the road” game for both teams.
According to Bay Area writer DeDe Simone at Niners Nation.com, it begins with the 49ers continued offensive line struggles, as they face a pass rushing tandem of DT Cullen Jenkins and DE Jason Babin, who are both currently tied for second in the NFL with 4.0 sacks each….as well as DE Trent Cole. The word around the rumor mill is that versatile offensive line vet Adam Snyder may assume the duties at right guard in place of the constantly under-performing Chilo Rachal.
“The concerns continue when we start breaking down the Eagles receiving corps, which will face a completely remodeled 49ers secondary still finding their identity. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Jackson, Avant and Maclin (if he plays) combine for 250+ receiving yards on the day against them.”
And it continues…
The San Francisco 49ers are without their prized free agent acquisition in wide receiver Braylon Edwards, who is still sidelined after a minor knee surgery. The Niners will be relying on Michael Crabtree as the number one receiving threat against a team that is showcasing three Pro Bowl cornerbacks…The problem with relying on Crabtree is that Alex Smith and he haven’t been on the same page since the receiver joined the 49ers, and it is unlikely that they’ll make up for two years in one game against the Eagles.
And another player for Philadelphia that the 49ers will have to account for is Lesean McCoy, who is having a career year so far behind a revamped offensive line that’s blocking well for him. All this season, McCoy has displayed his ability to turn a potential loss of yards into a top-five highlight tape. The 49ers front seven will be put to the test as they try to contain McCoy. Safety Donte Whitner will factor in to locking up McCoy, and will also need to have a big game taking away the deep man as well.
The 49ers still have no idea whether Vick will start for the Eagles or not, but they’re game-planing for it.
DeDe Simone writes: ” We can’t hold back against Philadelphia; if we don’t play to win, Philadelphia will chew us up and spit us out. If Vick starts, the front seven needs to get to Vick often and early, putting him on the ground. He is the centerpiece to that offense, and if he is removed or rendered ineffective, the Eagles will fall.”
“The 49ers defense is blue collar and has seen tougher days than the Eagles have in recent years. They have been in their fair share of slobberknockers, building up a callus that this new pretty-on-paper Eagles team just doesn’t have. This could be the edge that the 49ers could use to put them over the Eagles; much like how the Raiders took down the Jets or the Bills did against the Patriots…”
“The 49ers need to play like they’re invincible, like they have nothing to lose. The offense needs to attack Philadelphia’s linebackers with Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. And the 49ers defense needs to attack Vick (or Kafka or Young), really giving them something to complain about to the referees. The New York Giants played fearless and didn’t buy into the hype, and despite their list of injuries, managed a win against the Eagles last week.”
Big problem I see for the 49ers with their passing attack against the Eagles is obviously a top-ranked Eagles pass rush against the Niners’ terrible pass protection. Running the ball a little against the Eagles would help, but the 49er TE’s/RB’s are going to have to be open on the outlets and hot reads, and Alex Smith has to make those snap decisions. Ultimately I see this aspect of the game as the main challenge for both teams… can Eagles’ LB’s and safeties stop Vernon Davis and the Niner running backs on those outlets and wheel routes? And can Alex Smith release the ball to an open receiver quickly enough to let good things happen for the 49ers?
Stay tuned… tomorrow we’ll look at the Vernon Davis factor a little closer.
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