49ers-Dolphins: The MOST interesting potential matchup to watch

by Fooch on Dec 13, 2008 11:55 AM PST in News Comment 7 comments

As we approach tomorrow's matchup in Miami, I've realized that one matchup in particular that I plan on paying close attention to. Joey Porter currently leads the NFL with 16.5 sacks, and of course also leads the league in running his mouth. As Barrows pointed out, Porter usually lines up on the weak side of the offense to avoid dealing with the tight end and thus get a clearer shot at the QB.

The 49ers happen to have one of the best blocking tight ends in the league (the best if you ask the Mikes) in Vernon Davis. As we all know, Vernon Davis is a bit of a talker (shocking I know). Recently, when discussing potentially facing Porter, our own Duke had the following to say:

"I've gone up against the best," Davis said today. "I'm pretty sure, I've gone up against a lot of other linebackers/d-ends who were better than him. And I pretty much won every battle. ... But it's not about that. It's about technique and playing with your heart. I'm pretty sure he's a competitive guy as well. I'm a competitive guy. He's a competitive guy and we're pretty much going to have to get after it."

Joey Porter is a guy who feeds off of trash talk, so I'd imagine he'll be even more fired up for this game than usual. The question for the 49ers is how much they let that dictate their own offense? The 49ers use a lot of motion and on the ball formation changes (as is common place with the Martz offense) so they can clearly get Davis lined up opposite Porter. It's just a matter of how much you want to do that.

When the two of them are lined up, I expect a pretty ferocious battle. Aside from the purely physical talent, there are also the head games that will be played. The Duke seems to be improving himself in that regard and keeping his head in the game. Porter will be the ultimate test of that improvement. If Davis can keep focused against a mouth like Porter and take care of business, the sky's the limit for him.

And for your Saturday afternoon enjoyment, the folks at The Phinsider think the 49ers are "getting a bit mouthy." If you head over to check it out and feel like leaving a comment, try and be respectful. It'll be much more fun though if the 49ers can quiet them down a little bit.

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Sorry couldn't help but say

“One step forward from 1-15 means you’re only one step away from going back.”

:[ I tried, I really did. Go look I made it all nice and.. yeah.

by Ninjames on Dec 13, 2008 2:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

good points

You were correct in stating that players certainly think they can and should win every single week. I’d want nothing less from my team.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Dec 13, 2008 2:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Admire your guys' patience

Going over to the Phinsider was like being in Jr. High again.

We might also see some alignments of Davis and Porter with Davis then getting thrown to by Hill on a quick corner route.

by MondayMorningMontana on Dec 13, 2008 9:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

noob here..

..I usually post on yahoo..
..cuz the other 49er site wouldn’t take my e-mail.. but finally just found this place.. Happy to find some 49er fans with a clue..

If your wondering ’bout my ’hood..
I am a bay area native.. still here.. I saw “the Catch” at home on t.v., and even though my grandfather, had season tickets since the begining, in ’46.. it was the that game, just a few weeks after my 7th b-day, that really made me a 49er fan. 2 weeks later they won their first superbowl..

I took the “Shaun Hill band wagon..” moniker after realizing he was finally going to start again, this year, out of sheer support, regardless of everyones, weak arm nonsense. Does Brett Farve have a weak arm? I believe Marino , Farve and Elway are known to be the strongest arms ever in the National Football League, hey you know who has an amazingly strong arm.. Jamarcus Russell!!! I am much happier to have Hill, tho. Between Montana , and Hill we’ve beaten all three of those, previously mentioned, HOF QB’s, in important games, granted Hill’s was the least, but how was Montanas 49ers, after his 6th start?
..also granted, Hill would not pile the pressure on himself, if it wasn’t for Montana, who first helped lead this organization to greatness.

Shaun made me a fan, last year, in that game whre he bruised his back, missed one play and came back, and threw a slant route TD, to a long gone Darrell Jackson..
He showed me everything, in that game, that he showed everyone else, when he lost his helmet and went for the 1st down, and I expected that from him, while trying to earn his job, which, he still is? The fact that Singletary put him in, was because of the same, reasons. However, Singletary was a little reluctant to take control, the week leading up to his first game, which by haftime, was a complete turn around..
(yes..pun intended!)

I tried and tried to vote my confidence in Smith, but he never got that look,. And his immaturity was ALWAYS there. I even endorsed Dorsey over A. Smith, in fact Dorsey would be an excellent back up to Hill..

So thats my introduction..

Now to the subject at hand..
I don’t think Porter giving Davis his best, is going to do anything but make Davis happy, I watched the youtube video, of him completely embarassing Brandon Moore, whom the Cards instantly picked up.. in fact, for him to be humble enough to take pride in his blocking, is great, he’ll get better at catching, give him some off-season reps with a consistant starter (Hill)..:)

.. Don’t you think Vernon, is going into the game, expecting them to come after him verbally and physically, knowing he promised his coach, he won’t talk back.. maybe kind of got a kick out of it last week from the Jets.. he had no problem, afterward saying Jets LB Harris.. choked him? does that sound arrogant or confident? sounds like a like he won a hard fight to me.. and maybe, Davis’ just getting his licks in now, on paper where it doesn’t count, getting them to come after, him, to get them to make PF’s, all while being quiet on the feild.. knowing while he’s hearing them, goat him on the feild, it doesn’t mean more to him, than losing the repect of the one person he does.. his coach.. Davis, finally has a coach he can really look up to in every way, and regardles of catching this or that, check out that youtube of him and Moore.. he can block with the very best. He will get better at catching, and Shaun Hill, will also be a big part of that.

However Joey Porter is better than good this year, I do think Porter will end up wanting to choke Davis by the end of this one, though.. it’s amazing how Singletary has gotten his pass happy tight end, into doing what he excelles at in this league.. Vernon will hopefully quiet down, verbally, as the team gets more focused, but as long as he ain’t drawing PF calls, he can get the other team as fired up as he wants. Obvioulsy, I don’t think he can do a better job at firing up anyone, than his very own coach.

Yay.. my very first post on NN!

by Josh G and the Shaun Hill band wagon on Dec 13, 2008 11:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I just got off work and I only had the energy to read the Dolphin's posts

It sucked the life out of me in that it made me very stupid. But I browsed yours and.. Good first post, welcome to the site. I’m Ninjames, or James, or that one-guy-who-manages-the-Golden-Nuggets. At any rate, mostly just welcome and I hope you come back often.

As for Davis, it seems like he’s maturing. I love the way he handled the Jets. I can almost see him making it seem like its going to explode in-game, and then having him take it nice and easy and let the opposing team make all the mistakes. Good points. (Vernon Davis + Isaac Bruce?)

by Ninjames on Dec 13, 2008 11:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs