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Key to Victory in San Francisco? Keep 49ers Guessing
By D'Marco Farr
http://www.101sports.com/2014/10/30/key-victory-san-francisco-keep-49ers-guessing/
This is when I really wish Sam Bradford were healthy and at the helm of the Rams’ offense. Or, at least, a well-established veteran at quarterback who has tremendous chemistry with his offensive coordinator.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to throw a wrinkle at San Francisco this Sunday by sliding into a no-huddle offense – midway through a series? How surprised do you think the 49ers would be if the Rams suddenly went away from the West Coast power attack (play-action, short-to-intermediate route tree, with the power running game drawing the defense in) and ran the offense from the shotgun? It could throw San Fran off balance and perhaps negate some of that speed on defense. It’s hard to run as fast as you can when you’re confused.
For how long, well, that is debatable. The 49ers’ defense adapts quickly and has the gift for varying the style of attack depending on the offense it’s facing on game day. They like to force the offense into changing its attack just to stop what they’re doing.
From a scheming standpoint, it all starts at the top. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is the architect of a unit allowing the second-fewest total yards per game (306) in the NFL. The 49ers are downright brilliant when it comes to identifying weaknesses and exploiting the matchup to their advantage, especially when it comes to stopping the run. They allow under 85 yards per game rushing, fourth in the league. The low number of sacks – just 12 – is misleading because when you factor in the high volume of quarterback hits (66) and QB pressures (107), you realize this team can get after just about anyone upfront.
Keeping the Niners off balance and guessing would slow down that process to a degree, but I’m not sure if Austin Davis is ready to read a defense while out from under center. Heck, his ability to sit in the pocket and advance through his progressions in Kansas City (when he wasn’t under siege) left a lot to be desired. I simply don’t think he’s ready to sling it just yet.
Let’s face it: The Rams are going to be shorthanded, and on the road, and in a hostile environment, vs. a superior opponent coming off a bye. The margin for error is thin. Costly. Left tackle Jake Long and wide receiver Brian Quick are done for the year. Barrett Jones will probably get his uniform dirty this week. Mike Person and Davin Joseph go from seat fillers to the front row.
It’s going to be difficult for offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to play to his players’ strengths when he doesn’t know exactly what they are up against. It will be interesting to see how the Rams plan to attack the field on Sunday. Will they be able to generate enough effective play-action to throw the football beyond 15 yards? What other options do you have available at this point?
Controlling tempo could level the field – slightly – so it wouldn’t appear as if the Rams’ offense is playing against the slope of the field for four quarters.
By D'Marco Farr
http://www.101sports.com/2014/10/30/key-victory-san-francisco-keep-49ers-guessing/
This is when I really wish Sam Bradford were healthy and at the helm of the Rams’ offense. Or, at least, a well-established veteran at quarterback who has tremendous chemistry with his offensive coordinator.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to throw a wrinkle at San Francisco this Sunday by sliding into a no-huddle offense – midway through a series? How surprised do you think the 49ers would be if the Rams suddenly went away from the West Coast power attack (play-action, short-to-intermediate route tree, with the power running game drawing the defense in) and ran the offense from the shotgun? It could throw San Fran off balance and perhaps negate some of that speed on defense. It’s hard to run as fast as you can when you’re confused.
For how long, well, that is debatable. The 49ers’ defense adapts quickly and has the gift for varying the style of attack depending on the offense it’s facing on game day. They like to force the offense into changing its attack just to stop what they’re doing.
From a scheming standpoint, it all starts at the top. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is the architect of a unit allowing the second-fewest total yards per game (306) in the NFL. The 49ers are downright brilliant when it comes to identifying weaknesses and exploiting the matchup to their advantage, especially when it comes to stopping the run. They allow under 85 yards per game rushing, fourth in the league. The low number of sacks – just 12 – is misleading because when you factor in the high volume of quarterback hits (66) and QB pressures (107), you realize this team can get after just about anyone upfront.
Keeping the Niners off balance and guessing would slow down that process to a degree, but I’m not sure if Austin Davis is ready to read a defense while out from under center. Heck, his ability to sit in the pocket and advance through his progressions in Kansas City (when he wasn’t under siege) left a lot to be desired. I simply don’t think he’s ready to sling it just yet.
Let’s face it: The Rams are going to be shorthanded, and on the road, and in a hostile environment, vs. a superior opponent coming off a bye. The margin for error is thin. Costly. Left tackle Jake Long and wide receiver Brian Quick are done for the year. Barrett Jones will probably get his uniform dirty this week. Mike Person and Davin Joseph go from seat fillers to the front row.
It’s going to be difficult for offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to play to his players’ strengths when he doesn’t know exactly what they are up against. It will be interesting to see how the Rams plan to attack the field on Sunday. Will they be able to generate enough effective play-action to throw the football beyond 15 yards? What other options do you have available at this point?
Controlling tempo could level the field – slightly – so it wouldn’t appear as if the Rams’ offense is playing against the slope of the field for four quarters.