My take on the 49er opener

[Russ Smith]

First I don't care about the Denver game at all beyond I hope both teams come out of it healthy.

Big news in SF right now is they cut Huard making rookie Nate Davis the #3 QB. That's big news because the first 2 Hill and Smith have NOT played well in the preseason, neither has really moved the ball that much, Huard had actually had the best preseason of the 4. 9-13 1 TD 124 Passer rating but they like the upside of Davis (16-26 (98 rating). hill and smith are at 54 and 50% respectively with ratings of 69 and 55.

They have ran the ball very well 5 YPC and that's mainly Coffee and Robinson, Gore hasn't played much but we all know what a stud he is.

But what intrigues me is the cards run defense has been pretty good in the preseason it's been the pass defense that's been the problem so I think in that respect we match up well. SF's best deep threat is probably TE Vernon Davis, they have 2 pass plays over 27 yards all preseason, one a 40 yarder to Britt Miller who's a converted LB playing sort of a hybrid FB/TE, the other to ... Michael Spurlock for 35 yards I think we all remember him?

So they're not a big deep speed big play team. Josh Morgan has speed but has had a pretty bad preseason. So it would appear they're going to try and run the ball on us and right now I think that's a good thing the way our pass defense looked against Green Bay.

Offensively who knows, the first team has not been good in the redzone in the preseason but was one of the best in the NFL last year overall and in the redzone.

SF's run defense has been ok, not spectacular. They don't have a big pass rush so that could be good for Warner. Mainly if we can assume that Boldin and Breaston will be good to go for the opener I feel pretty good about the matchup.

 

[nashman]

We need to smoke them imo to show that we are a superior team, enough with this playing SF close crap. We need to establish we are the power in the west!

 

[MadCardDisease]

Stop the niners running game and the Cards win. We've had problems stopping Gore in the past so I'm not optomistic that this will happen.

Thus I think this game ends up being a nail biter that comes down to the wire.

 

[TJ]

This is a bad match up for the 49ers. They have a horrible passing game, which means they have to use Gore and Green against a stout run defense. On the other side of the ball, they don't defend the pass very well, so expect Warner to pick them apart with a nice combination of Boldin, Fitz, and Breaston.

The difference from last season is that after we develop a nice lead, we actually have the weapons to control the clock. The run blocking is improved and the combo meal of Hightower and Wells should suffocate the 49ers attempt to comeback.

 

[Buckybird]

Thus I think this game ends up being a nail biter that comes down to the wire.

Doesn't it always? I'm sure the offense will struggle a little in the beginning of the season, so this game has me very worried. maybe a 23-20 Cards win

 

[PoolBoy]

Stop the niners running game and the Cards win. We've had problems stopping Gore in the past so I'm not optomistic that this will happen.

Thus I think this game ends up being a nail biter that comes down to the wire.

it seems like we usually contain Gore well, but its one big run or one big short pass to Gore that kills us. We just gotta have a spy on Gore the whole game.

 

[Totally_Red]

I really think that the opener will largely depend on how effective the Cardinals passing game is period. I am a little worried that Q has played little in the preseason and skipped the entire offseason - so how good will the timing be with Kurt. If the passing game is effective and the Cardinals can finish the job in the red zone, they should be able to jump on top early and force the Niners to pass more than they are comfortable with.

Even with the debacle against Green Bay, a one-dimensional Niner offense (which has to pass to catch up) should be to the Cardinal defense's advantage.

This is ONE game where I hope Whis takes the ball FIRST and comes out firing. I'd even contemplate using the no-huddle in the first or second series. The one caveat is that Warner and the offense can sometimes struggle right out of the box in the first quarter. See the Super Bowl and the Thanksgiving night massacre in Philly.

 

[Jttsaz]

The screen passes is what always kills us vs. the 49ers...

 

[Lorenzo]

i predict a cards win. especially since warner stayed in AZ. could you guys imagine if he traded shirts?

the 49ers need to figure out there QB situation, but shaun hill has showed some flashes.

 

[Renz]

The 49ers need to figure out there QB situation, but Shaun Hill has showed some flashes.

I watched Hill against Oakland and Dallas and he stunk. In a QB-driven league, SF is in trouble. Their defense isn't good enough to cover for a weak offense, either.

I think the D gets worn down during the season and they will really struggle.

 

[RonF]

Hopefully, the Cards will have a balanced running attack this year that will help our passing game.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

Hill's strength last year was that he could well in the 4th quarter when counted on. In the first 3 quarters he's a bit shaky, but they really don't need much of anything the way the running game has produced. I don't see either team blowing the other team out, but hopefully the Cardinals build a big enough lead to survive any late 49ers rally. It will be crucial to have at least a two score lead late.

 

[SuperSpck]

Atlanta
Carolina

I like how last year's playoff-Cards handled run-based teams.
I hope like hell they can duplicate it on opening day.

I know the fans are excited about Nate Davis, but the 3rd string guy is ALWAYS the most popular (a longtime NFL truism, ask Paul Zimmerman), so that's to be taken with a grain of salt.

The only thing I fear from the 9ers are the big plays, but usually it's AZ giving them up, not the opponent earning them. A subtle, but important difference.

 

[Russ Smith]

This is a bad match up for the 49ers. They have a horrible passing game, which means they have to use Gore and Green against a stout run defense. On the other side of the ball, they don't defend the pass very well, so expect Warner to pick them apart with a nice combination of Boldin, Fitz, and Breaston.

The difference from last season is that after we develop a nice lead, we actually have the weapons to control the clock. The run blocking is improved and the combo meal of Hightower and Wells should suffocate the 49ers attempt to comeback.

Fitz didn't get 50 yards receiving in either win over them last year. On paper their pass defense doesn't seem good but they seemed to play us pretty tough that way last year.

But this year if they load up for the pass we have the horses to run on them.

Remember Edge had a very good run game against them early last year, I think TH and Beanie can do that too if they are dropping safeties.

 

[TJ]

Fitz didn't get 50 yards receiving in either win over them last year. On paper their pass defense doesn't seem good but they seemed to play us pretty tough that way last year.

But this year if they load up for the pass we have the horses to run on them.

Remember Edge had a very good run game against them early last year, I think TH and Beanie can do that too if they are dropping safeties.

You're right Russ. But Warner did have 328 passing yards, Breaston had 124 rec. yards and Boldin had 92. I dont care if Fitz has 0 yards as long as the others are stepping up and helping this team win. Fitz can either be the monster stat man or the biggest decoy on the field

 

[PoolBoy]

Atlanta
Carolina

I like how last year's playoff-Cards handled run-based teams.
I hope like hell they can duplicate it on opening day.

I know the fans are excited about Nate Davis, but the 3rd string guy is ALWAYS the most popular (a longtime NFL truism, ask Paul Zimmerman), so that's to be taken with a grain of salt.

The only thing I fear from the 9ers are the big plays, but usually it's AZ giving them up, not the opponent earning them. A subtle, but important difference.

true. John Navarre.

but BSP seems to be the exception to that rule. Maybe because Palko should be the 3rd?

 

[Renz]

Fitz didn't get 50 yards receiving in either win over them last year.

Fitz did have two touchdowns in those games though.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I think we've won 3 straight home openers... I'll be wearing my Tillman jersey as I always do on opening day. It's been working as of late so no need to change!

Gore typically runs very well against us. We will need to finally step up and stop him. If we do, this game might not be all that close...

 

[MrYeahBut]

After watching all I could stomach of the Denver game, I don't have a really good feeling about playing the 9ers.

Ben Graham has been about the only one who seems consistent in what he does. The rest of the team just seems lifeless.

I'm hoping for the best...Go Cards

 

[IAWarnerFan]

The 49ers have looked good this preseason. 49ers in a route?
What happened to this team in the offseason? They look terrible.

 

[WildBB]

The 49ers have looked good this preseason. 49ers in a route?
What happened to this team in the offseason? They look terrible.

A route you say. C'mon where's the faith. WE won't let that happen Here!

They Will get off the pot. We do this together!

 

[splitsecond]

Is Singletary even going to let Vernon Davis play? I don't think he likes him much.

 

[az1965]

I wouldn't take any game light... the 49er's have played us tough always. We better show up to play on all three facets of the game.

 

[CtCardinals78]

Ben Graham has been about the only one who seems consistent in what he does.

Well, he has had a lot of practice this preseason.

The Cards will win opening day and they will look good doing so as well. Have some faith girls and boys! Don't forget this was the "worst team" in playoff history according to everyone but us fans and the team. They will get this ship righted.

BTW did the 9ers sign Crabtree yet?

 

[Southpaw]

How is Michael Crabtree doing in the pre season?

I think he is lost out in the Texas desert near Terra Lingua.