The hot seat - it burns, burns, burns

October 3rd, 2007 6:35 am
by Big Dog

We said it last time, and now it’s more true than ever, Norv Turner has to be grimacing with his butt firmly planted on the hottest seat in the NFL right now. So far this season San Diego have failed to fire on offense, in spite of Turner’s reputation as an offensive specialist. The Chargers are now languishing at 4th in the AFC West and have already lost more games than they did last season. Following the high expectations set last season, if the Chargers don’t turn things around and soon, Norv’s seat is set to spontaneously combust.

While it might not look like it on the surface, Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb must be feeling things heat up a little bit too. So far the Eagles have played four games using the same basic plan with little adjustment for each opposing team. Of those four games the Eagles have won only one, and while that game was won in spectacular fashion, it wasn’t a division game. In fact Philadelphia are now locked in a desperate struggle to salvage their season given the fact that Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Wade Phillips and the Dallas Cowboys seem to be pretty content just racking up one win after the next.

Over in San Francisco somebody should tell Mike Nolan that Russell Crowe has already proven that Armani suits don’t win championships (his team made the playoffs and lost in the first round). There’s plenty to be said for looking good while you win, but you need to be winning before you can start worrying about looking good.

Cam Cameron also has to be starting to feel the heat in his first season for the Dolphins. Even though nobody had huge expectations for Miami, they’ve managed to disappoint anyway. Miami fans have to be hoping that Cam’s track record with successful QBs soon bears fruit with Trent Green.

What do you think? Hit us up in the comments and tell us whose seat is heating up and why.

Posted in San Francisco 49ers, Andy Reid, NFL Coaches, Trent Green, Cam Cameron, Wade Phillips, Mike Nolan, Norv Turner, Donovan McNabb, Dallas Cowboys, NFL Franchises/Teams, Miami Dolphins, Game, NFL Players, Tony Romo, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Terrell Owens, NFL | No Comments »

SEA @ SF - Final Thoughts

September 30th, 2007 7:16 pm
by Big Dog

To be honest, this game has been pretty disappointing. Even Seattle fans don’t have much to be thrilled about. At best you can say that the Seahawks have been able to do what is needed to secure the win. Probably the best aspect of their game has been their clock management. Mike Holmgren is known for running the clock down once he’s established a lead and today was no exception.

While QB Matt Hasselbeck has put up some good numbers, I think the more dominant Seahawks performance has come from their pass rush, which consistently caused problems for the 49ers. In addition, CB Marcus Trufant came away with two interceptions for the game.

While the final score may give the impression that Seattle controlled the game, it would be a mistake to believe that completely. By far the most decisive onfield performance was the San Francisco Offensive Line. They were offensive in almost every way, with 7 penalties, 6 sacks allowed and an inability to provide any kind of consistent protection for QB Trent Dilfer.

This made Dilfer skittish and jumpy, showing a tendency to scramble or throw early and often getting himself and his receivers into trouble as a result. In addition, it eroded the trust need to run an offense successfully. With the QB second guessing his line, the receivers second guessing the QB and nobody trusting anybody, there was no way San Francisco was going to turn this around.

That may sound harsh, but there’s no questioning the fact that San Francisco had their chances. They blocked a punt in the first half and failed to convert the excitement that generated into points. They started the second half with a successful onside kick. The first play of that drive Dilfer threw for an interception. Even when Dilfer was making good throws (and to be fair, he made some excellent throws), his receivers weren’t holding onto them.

At the end of the day, Seattle did what it took to win and San Francisco struggled to do anything at all.

Final score: Seattle 23 - San Francisco 3.

Posted in Mike Holmgren, Seattle Seahawks, Trent Dilfer, Matt Hasselbeck, Week 4 Instant Analysis, Marcus Trufant, NFL on FOX, San Francisco 49ers, Analysis, Game, NFL on television, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Coaches, NFL Players, NFL | No Comments »

SEA @ SF - First Half Observations

September 30th, 2007 5:41 pm
by Big Dog

This game has taken a long time to get going. Neither team could be accused of putting on a display for the fans. ForSan Francisco the first half has been full of sacks, fumbles and a failed challenge. It took until just under 6 minutes to go in the second quarter before Trent Dilfer was able to connect with Frank Gore for the 49ers’ first, 1st down. This was the first of only two plays in which the 49ers looked remotely impressive.

That said, the 49ers defense has generally done a good job of containing Seattle RB Shaun Alexander.

Similarly, while Seattle have managed to rack up 13 first half points (17 yd TD pass from Matt Hasselbeck to Bobby Engram, 2 FG), the truth is that their defense has been the more significant unit on the field. They’ve broken through the SF offensive line over half a dozen times and sacked Dilfer repetitively. They’ve forced multiple fumbles from Dilfer and Gore, and have generally harrassed the SF offense into submission.

At half time, the 13-0 scoreline favours Seattle, but probably gives an unfair impression of how the game is currently going.

Posted in Frank Gore, Seattle Seahawks, Bobby Engram, Trent Dilfer, Week 4 Instant Analysis, Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, NFL on FOX, Analysis, Game, NFL on television, NFL Franchises/Teams, San Francisco 49ers, NFL Players, NFL | No Comments »

Week 4 Previews and Fantasy

September 29th, 2007 1:22 pm
by NFL Freak

It’s another big week in football with some key conference matchups.

  • To read Pro Set’s preview of Seattle @ San Francisco, click here.
  • To read the Philadelphia @ NY Giants preview, click here.

In other news:

Posted in NY Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Monday Night Football, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, NFL on FOX, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL on Sky Sports, ESPN, Game, NFL on television, NFL schedule, NFL on NBC, NFL | No Comments »

NFL Week 4 Featured Preview: Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers

September 27th, 2007 8:31 pm
by Pro Set

Seattle (2-1) @ San Francisco (2-1) 4:05pm ET on FOX

This is a game that Seattle must win in order to have a successful season. San Francisco will be heavily reliant on running the ball. I will be surprised if either team scores over 24 points without help from defensive or special teams returns.

San Francisco

When SF has the ball, RB Frank Gore will see a heavy 1st down workload. Gore is carrying a hand injury as well as the burden of being the lone offensive threat. The SF rushing attack must be creative, consistent, and avoid negative yardage plays. This is a combination that very few NFL teams can accomplish.

I see no alternative for the 49ers but to pound away with Gore for most of the first half. Gore is excellent at hitting the first hole and running directly upfield. If T Jonas Jennings and G Larry Allen can open up the B gap on the left side, that might be the most consistently positive point of attack for SF. As such, the pressure will be on DT Rocky Bernard to stand up to Allen and come off the block to make the tackle. As Matt Millen used to say, “It’s no sin to be blocked in the NFL, but it is a cardinal sin to stay blocked.”

The other thing to beware is the tendency of the SEA run defense to be undisciplined. I have often seen SEA players try to avoid the lead blocker and give up the big play, rather than take on the lead blocker and slow the impetus of the runner. SEA must know that SF cannot put up big passing numbers, so run defense discipline (especially maintaining backside containment) will be instrumental in stopping SF.

With TE Vernon Davis out, the SF passing game is simply a function of whether WR Darrell Jackson can get quickly open. SF QB Alex Smith cannot afford to take sacks. I suspect that he will play off a three and five step drops and have only two reads. After that it’s scramble time. Look for the 49ers to try some early down screens and swings to Gore or FB Norris. If Smith takes on the SEA secondary and loses, the game is un-winnable. If he avoids this confrontation, and allows SF to punt when they can’t run the ball, SF has a chance.

If I were coaching the SEA defense, I would resist the temptation to blitz the young QB. I don’t think that SF has the receiving talent to get open looks for Smith against a seven-man coverage scheme. If SEA blitzes and SF gets lucky and hits the big play, that could inspire the upset. I think that SEA should only blitz regularly if SF demonstrates twice that the offense can move the ball.

Seattle

This is a game where the offense should not be under pressure to score touchdowns on every possession. Without wishing to be too conservative, I think that the SEA offense should concentrate primarily on winning the battle of field position. With SF likely to go 3 & out on multiple occasions, all SEA needs to do is pick up first downs.
The key to the SEA offense controlling this game is obviously RB Shaun Alexander. It is now confirmed that Alexander has a broken bone in his wrist. This means that RB Maurice Morris will need to step up and run the ball in several drives. Expect the 49ers to be very determined to stop first down rushing plays. This will tempt SEA coach Mike Holmgren to throw early. I would like to see him stick to the ground and be patient.

The reason I am so persistent on this point is that I have noticed that QB Matt Hasselbeck has an unfortunate tendency to force passes on the road. This was noticeable last year at Chicago (regular season) and in the famous playoff loss at Green Bay (2003 season). I’m sure that CB Walt Harris and CB Nate Clements are ready to break on some throws. Hasselbeck needs to concentrate less on proving that he is a good NFL passer and more on getting results. As it happens, I do believe that he is a good QB. Part of being a good QB, however, is recognising that the other team is struggling on offense and that a mistake free performance from the SEA offense will deliver the win. Adding to this is the fact that PIT showed last Sun that the SF rush defense will lose containment if it is playing from behind and trying to force the big play.

Conclusion

This game is, in cliché form, one for Seattle to lose. I just can’t see San Francisco producing enough offensive output to win the game. The 49ers will need to convert every turnover into points, and must win the special teams battles. With SF having signed infamous beer-truck deliveryman KR Michael Lewis this week, anything is possible. What is probable, however, is a solid but unspectacular SEA win. Holmgren needs to keep the ego at home and play it tight to get the road divisional win. He’ll thank himself come December.

Prediction: Seattle

Posted in Frank Gore, Matt Millen, Mike Holmgren, Jonas Jennings, Michael Lewis (KR), Larry Allen, Seattle Seahawks, NFL Game Previews, NFL Franchises/Teams, Game, NFL Coaches, San Francisco 49ers, NFL on FOX, NFL | No Comments »

NFL Week 3 Featured Preview: San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers

September 20th, 2007 10:12 pm
by Pro Set

San Francisco (2-0) at Pittsburgh (2-0) 1pm ET on FOX

This is a rare interconference meeting between undefeated clubs. San Francisco has never visited Heinz Field. So this match might double as a chance for the blue collar Steel City to see a man in a designer suit: the well dressed SF coach Mike Nolan. Nolan, however, is meant to suit up only for home games. And if Flashdance taught us anything, it might be that Pittsburgh ladies are attracted to stylish bosses.

Pittsburgh has obviously been very impressive so far. RB Willie Parker has rushed for over 100 yards in both matches. With G Alan Faneca and T Marvel Smith, the left side of PIT O-line is the key to the running game. I expect PIT to be patient with the rushing attack. Arizona was able to run with some success between the tackles against the 3-4 SF defense. What I have not seen so far from the SF D-line is dominant penetration and play disruption. If this cannot be manufactured, the SF linebackers will have to take on the lead blocks of PIT FB Dan Kreider before they can even get to Parker. My prediction is that PIT will run the ball well enough to force S Michael Lewis to spend early downs close to the line of scrimmage.

The return to confidence of QB Ben Roethlisberger has been pivotal. The receiving duo of WR Hines Ward and WR Santonio Holmes provides a genuine threat. If the weather holds, the success of the Pittsburgh passing game will be a function of the pass protection and SF coverage ability. If PIT can rush the ball as described above, then SF will be forced to play a lot of Cover 3 or even play straight up man-to-man on the outside. I expect that SF will have the confidence to attempt this strategy. CB Nate Clements and CB Walt Harris have played very well so far. I would like to see PIT stretch the SF secondary early, and then use the solid running game to set up deep curls against the Cover 3 defense. For the 49ers, DE Bryant Young and his mates must get a solid pass rush happening.

If PIT does not run the ball well, SF has a real chance to win this game. Facing two good corners, any 3rd & long situation will leave Roethlisberger with difficult throws into a hungry and confidant secondary.

When SF has the ball, RB Frank Gore will need to have a stellar performance to keep the offense on the field. It seems certain that PIT will be set to stop the run early. I think that SF will have to take a chance and throw some deep play-action routes early in the game. SF has a clear offensive philosophy of run-first, and I expect PIT initially to respect the play-action. This means that WR Darrell Jackson must have safe hands, and that TE Vernon Davis must get a clean release to provide SF QB Alex Smith with a viable central passing option. With PIT S Troy Polamalu always looking to torpedo the run on early downs, I would like SF (early in the match) to try a max-protect, double tight end, play action pass on a TE post route to Vernon Davis in behind the PIT linebackers.

As nice as that sounds, the pressure will be on the SF O-line. G Larry Allen and T Jonas Jennings are past their prime, but can clearly still play. With the PIT tendency to look for tackles behind the line of scrimmage, I have always felt that the Steelers are liable to be hit by the big play, and if Frank Gore can hit a hole on a PIT blitz, he can rip off some large chunks. Gore must be protected against the PIT inside linebackers hitting the A and B gaps. This will mean that if the 49ers FB Moran Norris can stun the linebackers, Gore can get some momentum behind the rushing game.

Overall, PIT looks too strong at home. PIT has a solid rushing game complemented by a Superbowl winning QB under center. I just cannot see SF winning this match without deep early strikes and a positive turnover margin. Both of these things will be difficult to achieve. I think that the PIT O-line will provide enough protection for Roethlisberger to find open receivers, regardless of the quality of the SF secondary.

Prediction: PIT
Line: PIT

Posted in Vernon Davis, Darrell Jackson, Frank Gore, Alex Smith, Marvel Smith, Bryant Young, Walt Harris, Michael Lewis, Troy Polamalu, Mike Nolan, Nate Clements, Alan Faneca, Santonio Holmes, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, Analysis, Game, San Francisco 49ers, NFL Game Previews, Hines Ward, Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, NFL | No Comments »

Monday night, the stars come out

September 10th, 2007 7:20 am
by Big Dog

It’s an exciting two for the price of one affair on the first Monday Night Football extravaganza of the year. First up Carson Palmer and the Bengals face an enormous task taking on the Baltimore Ravens.

There’s no doubt that Palmer has the ability to make big plays in the air and he has the record against the Ravens to justify feeling confident. That said, his protection for tonight’s game is questionable. With key injuries and an offensive line that is undergoing changes, there’s a lot to watch out for. Added to this is the fact that the Bengals aren’t expected to have a strong running game that can provide them with enough balance to put the Ravens off. If the Bengals can’t get the running game going, then they’re going to struggle to get away with it in the air.

With Ken Whisenhunt making his NFL head coaching debut, the Cardinals have a lot to play for when they take on the 49ers. The big task for the team from Arizona will be to shake of the pass heavy offense they established last season, putting faith in their ability to establish the run right from the start. I’m not disputing that Matt Leinart can pass and do it effectively, but the simple fact is that Cardinals need to put the groundwork in. Keep an eye on Edgerrin James, there’s plenty left in his tank and the last time these two teams met, he put 105 yards on the board.

Enjoy your Monday night, as the stars come out to play.

Posted in Ken Whisenhunt, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Edgerrin James, Matt Leinart, Cincinnati Bengals, Carson Palmer, Analysis, Game, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, Monday Night Football, NFL Coaches, NFL | No Comments »