Analysis of the 49ers defense

[Brain]

The 49ers are great defensively but I think they will have trouble with Anquan Bolden.. And Dennis Pitta.. They do not cover tightends very well. Additionally, I think the offensive line of BAL can get push against SF's DLine..

[Giedi]

[quote name='Brain' timestamp='1358822842' post='1325154']
The 49ers are great defensively but I think they will have trouble with Anquan Bolden.. And Dennis Pitta.. They do not cover tightends very well. Additionally, I think the offensive line of BAL can get push against SF's DLine..
[/quote]

That may be a bit misleading since in nickle D the 49ers cover TE's with linebackers. Bowman and Willis are very good at covering most TE's except the elite tight ends. The 49er D Line is a bit banged up, but they have very good DT's and NT's that will hold up well against double teams so the LB's can flow to the ball carriers and clean up. They are very fast and will usually tackle the ball carrier in the backfield if the Ravens are predictable in their run offense. The 49er D usually does not blitz, but still can get adequate heat on the QB. Matt Ryan didn't do too well vs the Nickle defense of theirs because of the fact that any of their linebackers can act as that fourth rusher.

Ahmad Brooks is very underrated. He has 6 sacks, and I don't see any of the Baltimore front 7 have more than 5 except for the guy who has 9 sacks. Brooks will blitz while their primary pass rusher, Aldon, will drop back and so any chip blocks agaist their primariy pass rusher by a TE is negated and usually Brooks comes unblocked because the TE is on the other side paying attention to Aldon. If the Ravens fall behind, they will be facing the 49er nickel. You will try to run against that nickel D, but it is very hard, very few teams have been successful at it. Your run game may be powerful enough to gain yardage against that nickel but it won't be consistent and you won't be running for long if you are behind. That is why most teams that beat the 49ers have kept it close so that they don't face that 49er nickel D. You guys have the talent to keep the 49er base defense on the field by keeping the score close. That really is the only way to win. If you fall behind too much, it will be *very hard* to come back via the pass against that 49er nickel.

The 49er O is a different beast and isn't the topic of this thread, but suffice to say that between the two QB's of their respective teams - Colin and Joe, I think the 49ers may have a little bit faster QB than the ravens. That may be the difference in the game right there.

[49erguest]

[quote name='Torris' timestamp='1358785187' post='1324029']
Their defense is overrated. If Flacco gets protection he will have a field day against them.
[/quote]

Like the field day in the second half that the Falcons had?

The Niner defense figured out your bunch formations which were causing the problems with the timing of the press and made adjustments at the half. Then came out in the third, started chipping Gonzo, shut you guys out and then closed the game out along with separating your QB's shoulder on your last set of downs.

Other than all of that nonsense about what a real defense does when the chips are down, yes, overrated, I suppose.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='49erguest' timestamp='1358830247' post='1325378']


Like the field day in the second half that the Falcons had?

The Niner defense figured out your bunch formations which were causing the problems with the timing of the press and made adjustments at the half. Then came out in the third, started chipping Gonzo, shut you guys out and then closed the game out along with separating your QB's shoulder on your last set of downs.

Other than all of that nonsense about what a real defense does when the chips are down, yes, overrated, I suppose.
[/quote]
We aren't the Falcons. Our QB isnt nearly as choke prone is Matty Ice who melted.

[49erguest]

I don't think you are the Falcons either.

Just so you know our team a little better, the Niner safety you keep referring to in your detailed analysis of our defense as Desean doesn't exist. It's Dashon, not Desean. Honestly, it's true, look it up if you don't believe me.

[Verbicide]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1358753863' post='1323590']

Justin isn't getting past Mckinnie at his current condition.
Osemele has a huge task helping vs Brooks/Willis. This is where the game will be won/lost, containing these two is a huge task
Birk should take out Sopoaga.
Yanda vs anyone is Yanda
And Oher who contained Von Miller, should do good vs Aldon.

IF, the line can protect Joe, I will say it, I don't think the game will be close. We have too many weapons for them to handle. Their DBs have been embarrassed the last two weeks. That is where they will lose the game.
[/quote]

Let me just stop you right there, it was a decent post up until this assessment.

Aldon Smith is a weak side linebacker. Unless the Ravens switch Oher back to LT they won't be facing each other.

As it stands the Ravens plan to use a 350lb 33 year old Bryant Mckinnie at LT. This doesn't bode well for Mckinnie, however without Justin Smith at 100% Aldon has struggled. If the Ravens do what the Falcons did and stick almost exclusively to 3 and 5 step drops they're basically playing to the Niners tune.

Even if Justin Smith was facing Bryant Mckinnie, "getting past someone" implies pass rushing. Which means quickness of feet, leg strength if it's a bull rush and generally isn't all about tricep strength. In run defending, the triceps are probably more important since it's more of a shoving match there. Still I don't see McKinnie having a super day.

Don't expect to see Willis and Brooks rush too much, unless the Ravens really spread things out like GB do. That's the only time recently I saw either get many blitzes.

If the Ravens do dial up the big plays and need Flacco to stand in the pocket for 3.5+ seconds, it'll be a different game to the Falcons one.


Also, as to your general post. Bear in mind that the Niners spotted both the pack and falcons a 7 point lead courtesy of a pick 6 and a busted coverage respectively. After that, both teams scored 17 points each excluding garbage time. People saying the DBs got embarrassed should've watched the games. How embarrassing is it to shut out Jones, White and Gonzalez for a whole half?

[Verbicide]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1358754146' post='1323598']
They've had difficulty with Wilson and Ryan. They made Turner look 5 years younger. Overall, I think the chinnks in their armor have been exposed this postseason. Flacco should be able to slowly but surely tear apart SF's pass defense with a combination of short-yardage dumpoffs and bombs on the perimeter, interspersed with some rushes for relief.
[/quote]

I didn't know the 49ers D had such a rough day with Turner. Please tell me more about those 30 rushing yards he put up.

[poedacrow]

Welcome Niner fans:

Your Defense is very good and ought to be respected or you wouldn't be playing in the SB. Our players and coaches acknowledge that and will prepare accordingly.

Very good front seven (don't know all the names, I don't watch a lot of NFCW games) and very good against the run. Looks like Atlanta was able to throw on you a lot in the first half but they don't run the ball very well. We run the ball very well...and Joe is "pretty darn good."

It's a hard nosed, hard hitting defense. We like that around here and we'll enjoy the matchup.

[GoldBlooded07]

[quote name='Midnight toker' timestamp='1358801026' post='1324536']
Lol you ravens fans are so big on your offense. As if one of the top defenses in the league couldnt stop you. Your offense is mediocre at best, with the occasional good game. The 49ers D is stout, more stout than baltimore's which has been at the lower end of the league for the better part of this year. The 49ers meanwhile shut down atlanta's attack, which seemed unstoppable for a while. They also shutdown the same NE offense you shut down, so the defenses are close and the edge going to the younger, healthier 49ers. They played WELL against much better offenses than yours. And your receivers wont be nearly a problem when you compare them to atlanta's trio.
[/quote]

trust me dont listen to trolls such as this.. He doesnt reflect the 49er fan base.. we know what lies ahead of us and we know containg Flacco, Rice, and having to face that Defense in suggs and Lewis is a handful.. Its going to be a great game and im glad to be facing the Ravens.. If you have any questions just fire away and ill b able to answer.. bc I know ill probably have questions on the Ravens...

Cheers to a fun and exciting 2 weeks before the Super Bowl!

[USArmyParatrooper]

[quote name='ravensdan' timestamp='1358808742' post='1324799']
Hmmm, let's think, which team on the 49ers schedule has the most similar offense to the Ravens.... Balanced attack, running the ball, throwing the ball, smart underrated QB, strong offensive line, team plays best when the pressure is on... oh yeah, the NY Giants, does a 26-3 score with 149 rushing yards allowed ring a bell, and that was with Bradshaw and Wilson not nearly as dynamic as Rice and pierce, no the Giants just came up and punched them in the mouth, same as this Raven's team will do to a greater extent.
[/quote]

Living vicariously through other teams, I see.

Now, to address the Ravens fans, many of you bring up good points. The reality is Justin Smith is not himself and that has softened our defense some. It's just a reality that the 49ers defense hasn't been the same since the Smith brothers got hurt (Aldon Smith is rumored to be playing hurt as well).

I see a lot of talk about stopping Frank Gore and poking holes in the 49ers Defense. That is [i]so[/i] 10 weeks ago. None of you have even mentioned the elephant in the room. Colin Kaepernick. He ran all over Greenbay *and* ran 2 in *and* threw 2 TD passes. So then how did Atlanta plan for him? The assigned a spy and protected the outside, and it worked. They contained Kaepernick's crazy legs, which allowed Frank Gore free reign up the middle, and Kaep to throw for a 76% completion percentage and 10.5 yards per attempt.

The Falcons fans kept saying over and over, "We're not Green Bay! Our defense is better" and frankly I laughed. Well, against the Ravens D this time I'm not laughing. Your Defense is legit, and I look forward to the ultimate test of our renewed Offense against a real Defense on the ultimate stage.

There are no chickens being counted by me in this game. The Ravens have been bringing their A++ game. It is clear they want this, and they want it BAD. I think the 49ers can win, but they're going to have to fight and claw for every inch if they're going to do so.

Congrats on making the Super Bowl. I'm glad we're playing your team instead of the Patriots. Not because I think it will be easier, but IF we lose (and dam it, we won't!) I'd rather the ring go to another Harbaugh.

[jaege]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1358810673' post='1324850']
We did give up tons of points, but that is when we were injured on D
[/quote]


I never said that the Ravens had a "shutdown" defense. Its midnight toker that seems to be making all these wild completely unsubstatiated claims as regards the 9ers defense. They shutdown the Falcons, but the Falcons scored 21 points on them. They shutdown the Pats, when the Pats scored 34? I am not sure how this guy defines "shutdown". Three TDs does not sound like a shutout, at least not in any normal dictionary I have ever seen. I think old midnight has been toking something. Maybe a little too much of something.

[Midnight toker]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1358831751' post='1325413']
We aren't the Falcons. Our QB isnt nearly as choke prone is Matty Ice who melted.
[/quote]

Falcons at home are another beast, and so is ryan. They just took them out of their game. It's a pretty solid D

[2012_49ers]

Here are some more things Raven fans might want to know about the 49ers defense:


They tend to struggle against big running backs, but also tend to do well against smaller ones.

They tend to struggle against quick, smaller WRs, but have historically done pretty well against bigger, physical WRs.

They tend to struggle against quarterbacks who can throw on the run.

Their safeties sometimes get too aggressive, and from time to time can be exploited.

When healthy they are ridiculously hard to run against, except in the case of big, physical backs.

[pd24]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1358753863' post='1323590']
Many of us know, Kap and Gore are not much of a problem. But I have heard many call this D the best since OUR Baltimore D in 2000. So naturally I got to the bottom of it.

DLine

Justin Smith- All pro. Great player, but like Ray, he tore his Triceps and is not the same player.
Sopoaga- Probably the most underrated DT in the NFL. Good solid NT, but not nearly the player Wilfork was
They have Ian Williams who is also solid.

So is this better than the Adams Goose thing going on? HELL NO! In fact, that DLine is only mediocre.


Where that D excels is the LB corps

That entire corps is basically the all pro team.
Willis is the undisputed best in the game. I have even heard some call him better than Ray was in his prime (not a chance in hell), but he is the best.

Bowman is the best coverage LB in the NFL. Great coverage guy.

Brooks is a great run defender

Smith is a beast.

However, they are reliant on Willis to do most of the work vs the run. Pierce and Rice are hard to contain. We might have a chance of being successful vs them

Where the Defense is overrated is the secondary

Desean is a great Saftey, but seriously? The rest of that secondary isnt that great

Rodgers benefits from a great pass rush.
The Other DBs have gotten beat by the Seahawks and Pats WR. You can pass vs them

With that said, it isn't easy with the pressure the LBs put on the QB.

The key to this game will be the oline. If they can protect Joe, that D will be ripped to shreds. This is a big if however, as handling Smith, Willis, Brooks, and Aldon is no easy task. I will put it into presepective

Justin isn't getting past Mckinnie at his current condition.
Osemele has a huge task helping vs Brooks/Willis. This is where the game will be won/lost, containing these two is a huge task
Birk should take out Sopoaga.
Yanda vs anyone is Yanda
And Oher who contained Von Miller, should do good vs Aldon.

IF, the line can protect Joe, I will say it, I don't think the game will be close. We have too many weapons for them to handle. Their DBs have been embarrassed the last two weeks. That is where they will lose the game.
[/quote]

WIll Oher move to the left side and leave the RT position open? Have you seen Ian Williams play?

[QuestForSix]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1358754146' post='1323598']
They've had difficulty with Wilson and Ryan. They made Turner look 5 years younger. Overall, I think the chinnks in their armor have been exposed this postseason. Flacco should be able to slowly but surely tear apart SF's pass defense with a combination of short-yardage dumpoffs and bombs on the perimeter, interspersed with some rushes for relief.
[/quote]

Huh? Turner had 30 total yards against the Niners.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='QuestForSix' timestamp='1358896636' post='1326526']


Huh? Turner had 30 total yards against the Niners.
[/quote]
They are in a pass first offense

[QuestForSix]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1358897598' post='1326549']
They are in a pass first offense
[/quote]

OK but how did the Niners make him look five years younger when he did nothing against them?

[admartian]

I think fanbases on both sides just need to be realistic - and have equal measure of being nervous. This is the Superbowl after all. Neither team are playing the Jags or Raiders - it's the best against the best.


2 weeks can't come soon enough. Win or lose; let's hope for a good, healthy, but hard-hitting game.

[USArmyParatrooper]

This game cannot be predicted.

The 49ers are better on paper and the Ravens just beat the top two favorites to win the Super Bowl, making Brady look silly in the process.

But then I can 100% guarantee, and I'm willing to bet anything with anyone who disagree. Harbaugh WILL win the Super Bowl.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='USArmyParatrooper' timestamp='1358910533' post='1327030']
This game cannot be predicted.

The 49ers are better on paper and the Ravens just beat the top two favorites to win the Super Bowl, making Brady look silly in the process.

But then I can 100% guarantee, and I'm willing to bet anything with anyone who disagree. [u][b]Harbaugh WILL win the Super Bowl.[/b][/u]
[/quote]
LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIES!

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1358753863' post='1323590']
Many of us know, Kap and Gore are not much of a problem.
[/quote]
Excuse you? Gore is an absolute tank and Kaepernick is almost as fast as RGIII, except his body can take the punishment and he's way bigger and stronger, ontop of that Kaepernick has an absolute hose of an arm. I wouldn't be surprised if we drop an INT in this game because it clanks off a guys facemask before he gets his hands up.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1358911082' post='1327044']
Excuse you? Gore is an absolute tank and Kaepernick is almost as fast as RGIII, except his body can take the punishment and he's way bigger and stronger, ontop of that Kaepernick has an absolute hose of an arm. I wouldn't be surprised if we drop an INT in this game because it clanks off a guys facemask before he gets his hands up.
[/quote]
Kap has not faced a defensive mind like Lewis and I expect that we will be able to confuse you. Ray will be able to make them one demensional one way or another, and if Pollard goes back there to meet[b] either[/b] of them, it is over, and both will NOT want to run another play when he is in sight

[PuRock]

[quote name='USArmyParatrooper' timestamp='1358910533' post='1327030']
This game cannot be predicted.

The 49ers are better on paper and the Ravens just beat the top two favorites to win the Super Bowl, making Brady look silly in the process.

But then I can 100% guarantee, and I'm willing to bet anything with anyone who disagree. Harbaugh WILL win the Super Bowl.
[/quote]

+1 . Probably the most objective view I've heard in a bit. You never know what will happen in a Super Bowl game.

[USArmyParatrooper]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1358911297' post='1327049']
Kap has not faced a defensive mind like Lewis and I expect that we will be able to confuse you. Ray will be able to make them one demensional one way or another, and if Pollard goes back there to meet[b] either[/b] of them, it is over, and both will NOT want to run another play when he is in sight
[/quote]

Yes, 8 years and 5 pro-bowls in the NFL, and suddenly Gore's not going to want run another play in the Super Bowl because of Pollard.

Kaepernick is [i]notorious[/i] for being tough as nails and literally fearless.

Sure, the Ravens have a chance to win just like the Niners, but your head is seriously in the clouds.

[funky141]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1358911297' post='1327049']
Kap has not faced a defensive mind like Lewis and I expect that we will be able to confuse you. Ray will be able to make them one demensional one way or another, and if Pollard goes back there to meet[b] either[/b] of them, it is over, and both will NOT want to run another play when he is in sight
[/quote]

Really, Lewis is great but there is plenty of great NFL minds, not just Lewis.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='USArmyParatrooper' timestamp='1358912209' post='1327083']
Yes, 8 years and 5 pro-bowls in the NFL, and suddenly Gore's not going to want run another play in the Super Bowl because of Pollard.

Kaepernick is [i]notorious[/i] for being tough as nails and literally fearless.

Sure, the Ravens have a chance to win just like the Niners, but your head is seriously in the clouds.
[/quote]
Yeah, have fun with the hardest hitting saftey in the NFL

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1358911297' post='1327049']
Kap has not faced a defensive mind like Lewis and I expect that we will be able to confuse you. Ray will be able to make them one demensional one way or another, and if Pollard goes back there to meet[b] either[/b] of them, it is over, and both will NOT want to run another play when he is in sight
[/quote]
While I'm not underestimating Pollard or Lewis' toughness, I think you're underselling how tough Gore actually is. Gore isn't going to tap out in this game from contact. We may bottle him up and limit how effective he can be, but Gore isn't going to tap out in this game I can assure you of that. That's whats going to make this game great to watch, Lewis and Ellerbe will be going face mask to face mask with Gore all night.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1358912958' post='1327106']
While I'm not underestimating Pollard or Lewis' toughness, I think you're underselling how tough Gore actually is. Gore isn't going to tap out in this game from contact. We may bottle him up and limit how effective he can be, but Gore isn't going to tap out in this game I can assure you of that. That's whats going to make this game great to watch, Lewis and Ellerbe will be going face mask to face mask with Gore all night.
[/quote]
I do not mean tap out. Just contain him. I think that Ray will find a way to shut that O down

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1358913116' post='1327113']
I do not mean tap out. Just contain him. I think that Ray will find a way to shut that O down
[/quote]
Ahh ok.

Well I still think Gore and Kaepernick pose significant problems that Pees is going to have to have extremely solid game plans for.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1358913415' post='1327122']
Ahh ok.

Well I still think Gore and Kaepernick pose significant problems that Pees is going to have to have extremely solid game plans for.
[/quote]
Brady>Kapernick

If we can contain that offense that Brady commanded, I say bring on Kap