Under PRESSURE
by goatfather on May 28, 2009 12:38 PM PDT
Email
PrintHow will the 49ers fair against defensive pressure in 09' season? It was a struggle in 08'.
Will we be confined to slant passes? It was like a .90 correlation between Blitzes and Slants. I clenched my teeth every time.
1) against the blitz?
2) against a stacked box?
Factors; old and new
O-line: Hard to argue these positions will not improve.
WR corps: We have a bigger and more talented bunch, some suggest the best depth in 49er history. The slant will be more effective, and it will be easier to stretch the field. Crabtree will be a weapon on the WR screen, it may be very effective at spreading the D. Oh and slants should be more effective.
RB's: We now have a few more options on screen and swing passes, including better lead blocking with the return of Norris and the open field skills of Rachal(thats right, a detail). We'll see if Bear plays and cleans up the "whiffs" the scoutes have him committing. Between the tackles running should help as well.
TE's: VD should be more effective, more consistent blocking and more realistic receiving. He's a great screen option on the blitz, as we saw some examples of throughout his career.
QB: if Hill is our guy, he will have much added experience. If Alex takes over the answer here is clearly, and always has been, the roll-out.
1st down: This may be a problem in that a forced hand early in the running game may put us in a lot of 3rd and long situations. Hopefully this is not the case.
3rd and long: Hill has been as good as anyone since Garcia at picking this up. His decision making and the addition of speed and talent at the WR should help. Lets not forget VD in this situation either. Will Bear be Usefull?
Note: PLEASE ADDRESS by Defensive set, Offensive Postion, or Down and Yardage situiation. This is to entice SITUATIONAL matchups, not as much GENERAL.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.
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I don't know...
… how to classify this other than “offensive coordinator” or “quarterback.”
I think the biggest thing that will help the 49ers when they go to pass is the fact that Raye is bound to call less seven step drops than Martz did. That alone should make the offensive line’s job easier and with the ball out of their sooner, the number of sacks should greatly reduce.
Also, if Hill does indeed become the starting QB, I think he has a greater ability than JT O’Sullivan did last year to get rid of the ball before people get to him. I’m too lazy to look it up, but I’d be interested to see how many of the 49ers ridiculous sacks came with O’Sullivan at the helm, and how many came with Hill back there.
7 step drops
If there are 7 step drops I’m hoping there will at least be 1 tight end to block, and not 5 receivers out there. I’m excited that Hill make good decisions in that crazy offense last year.
please clarify re: "whiffs"
Who are scouts accusing of ‘whiffing’? Bear or Rachal? Which scouts are these (honest question).
Morgan breaks through in 2009!
bear!
It is said that he gets so intense when blocking in the open field or second level that he gets out of position. Something I’m sure will be corrected.
yeah--it just left me wondering
…where he saw these reports. I’m a guy who definitely enjoys the linkage.
Morgan breaks through in 2009!
many strategies
1) Hot Reads: say what you want about Martz’s offense, some big plays were made on hot reads last year. I think it’d make sense to have a couple of these worked into the offense, since most of the offensive team is returning from last year.
2) TE in the passing game: just having VD chip a blitzing lineman and roll into open space is something that almost never happened last year, and something that could be an excellent option against a hyper aggressive defense. It seemed like whenever VD got the ball last year, it was because the play was designed explicitly for him—which is to say that if there was a blitz, he was strictly a lineman; not a good use of his talents, if you ask me.
3) Max protect and throw deep: with the addition of Jones, I think there’s a chance you could see more 2 receiver plays than we saw last year. The OTA reports consistently mentioned 40yard+ passes or plays.
4) Sheets/Gore combo: call me crazy, but I think a pro set offense (like this:)
or a shotgun/2RB set with these guys could be really interesting because a) Sheets is well known to have terrific speed and b) Gore is someone who defenses know to key on. Send the wideouts deep and have those guys zip out to the flats, and you could get the ball to either one of those guys in space, depending on who the defense sends after them.
5) Smith as QB: I’m not sure if and when Smith will be behind center, but having him back there would mean that Raye could shift the pocket around in order to keep defenses off balance. I remember there was a game in the 07 season against the Steelers where a combination of play action and roll-outs really had the Steelers guessing. In fact, that was probably the best half of football that Hostler ever called. Though I’m not sure that Smith should start the season as QB, if he does get in later on, it does give Raye options in this direction
6) the New Wideouts: I’ve never been more excited (well, since the GOAT left) about the Niners’ depth at WR. There. I’ve said it. Crabtree and Morgan can both make guys miss on flanker screens or quick passes to the perimeter. And since it’s more difficult to play press coverage on blitzes, this seems like a more viable option than it has in the past when the Niners’ receivers weren’t strong enough, physical enough or motivated enough to make smaller cornerbacks pay (coughDJaxSuckscough). Of course having a strong-armed QB who can sling it out there quickly enough to take advantage is an asset here (another reason for #5?)…
Morgan breaks through in 2009!
Sheets/Gore
I really like the idea of having both these guys in the game. Even if it’s Coffee instead of Sheets, I think the 49ers could do some interesting things. Gore is such a solid WR that Martz was plenty comfortable motioning him out into the slot (or even outside) as a WR. I think that by having Coffee/Sheets (assuming at least one of them shows they can run the ball), allows the 49ers to try to exploit some potential mismatches outside as well as preventing teams from keying in on the pass if Gore leaves the backfield.
Agree
1-4 are sound to me.
5) It is interesting to me to think that Hill and Smith would utilize Raye’s system differently. That is, we could see two somewhat different offenses this year.
6) That video posted here on Crabtree’s highschool days. His vision is as good as it gets. The way he leans and takes those lanes is phenomenal. I think he and Morgan share that quality. Although I think Morgan may be our best jump ball guy, Crabs should be the better slot. Think about this scenario: 5 yardline and in Crabs in the slot and Morgan in the Z runs a fade, what will the DB’s do?
Think about this scenario: 5 yardline and in Crabs in the slot and Morgan in the Z runs a fade, what will the DB’s do?
crap their pants
"I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman"
Gore
Gore is such a solid WR that Martz was plenty comfortable motioning him out into the slot (or even outside) as a WR.
Gore will mainly focus on the run. Yes, he’s a decent receiver but our best WR in the backfield by far is Michael Robinson who will finally get his chance this season under Raye. MRob has great hands and in his time with the Niners has lost exactly one fumble. During OTAs last week, the highlight was a 50-yard pass from Hill to Robinson. Many didn’t notice but he did catch 17 passes from the FB position last season for over 200 yards. He’s just another in a long line of weapons we’ll have available to us this year.
Kezarvet
I've noticed.
I’m a big MRob fan. If he is used right he will be a contributor for sure. The thing about MRob this year is that he will be the last one opposing teams will scheme against. At least for the first 6 games.
I never said...
… Gore was the best receiver out of the backfield. I don’t know for sure if Robinson is that either, but there is one thing I know for sure: Gore can keep defenses honest. You take out Gore and line up Robinson in the backfield and the defense can almost completely give away the run, as Robinson isn’t a very good runner. You keep Gore in there and the defense can’t almost completely cheat toward the pass.
It’s the same issue with the 49ers trotting out Billy Bajema the last few years. Bajema in meant the defense can guess run and probably be right 75% of the time.
By the way, isn’t clicking “+reply” a lot easier than blockquoting people? It certainly makes the discussion a little easier to follow. I’m curious as to why you prefer one over the other.
Robinson
You take out Gore and line up Robinson in the backfield and the defense can almost completely give away the run, as Robinson isn’t a very good runner. You keep Gore in there and the defense can’t almost completely cheat toward the pass.
Who said anything about taking Gore out of the lineup? Robinson caught most of his passes from the FB slot and will play next to Gore on occasion. This fantasy that Robinson can’t run is just that. Nolan never gave him a chance and everyone got down on him on that stupid call in the Rams game. Throughout his career in college, he ran for 1,637 yards, caught 52 passes for 629 yards, threw for 3,575 yards and accounted, either by passing, throwing or running for 46 touchdowns.
When he does get a chance, he performs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcCyY6tub1Y
Now tell me that kid can’t run and is not tough to bring down. He just needs touches.
Kezarvet
Robinson
I don’t know about you, but it’s pretty clear to most people that Robinson fails to run with proper leverage. Heck, if you watch that video you linked to, it’s more a product of shoddy tackling on the Saints part. Look how many of them seem to just stick their hands up and expect that to tackle anyone. It’s the NFL, arm tackles just don’t work. Even if he showed something in that play, you can watch the countless other carries he’s had over the past few years and see he runs high.
It’s pretty easy to throw up big numbers and expect them to mean something. In his freshman year, he gained 260+ yards on 50 carries. That’s a fairly good average. In his next two years, however, he produced 396 on 107 carries and 172 on 49 carries. Averages of well below four yards per carry. One thing you have to keep in mind is that some of his 1600+ total yards rushing came from being lined up as a QB. A scrambling QB and a running back are two totally different scenarios and can’t be treated equally, in terms of yardage.
Also, it’s ridiculous to think Nolan was the one who was down on Robinson. Nolan is probably the primary reason Robinson was on the team in the first place and more than likely the reason he’s stayed on the team. He is the epitome of a “Nolan guy.”
by sfgfan on May 29, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Robinson
Can catch well out of the backfield. But he can’t run. He had 19 attempts and 50 yards. That is 2.6 ypc. His longest run was 10 yards. He is a valuable ST player but he can’t run.
You lose all credibility when you say he
“can’t run”. That’s ridiculous. How many backs are able to prove themselves with 19 carries in 16 games? You just proved my point. Nolan wouldn’t use him. Singletary used him the best way, as a receiver out of the backfield. His average of 11.9 yards per catch is only 3 yards per catch less than T.O., who did it at WR. Robinson is very tough to bring down as that video demonstrated so you just need to get him the ball with short passes. Robinson has stayed on the team because of his individual effort, team play, respect of the other players and coaches, and the fact that he’s our best special teams player.
Kezarvet
How can you compare..
T.O to Michael Robinson? YPR isn’t even the stat worthy of putting up. Example Ashley Lelie averages over 17 yards per reception for his career. That doesn’t mean he’s as good or anywhere near as good as T.O now does it.
Robinson still needs to learn how to be a RB, he’s as tough as nails, but doesn’t make the cuts necessary to be a successful NFL RB. He’s still growing into that position.
let me rephrase
pre-developed/Nolan era Robinson can’t run. We’ll just have to wait see if the Singletary Era Robinson can play. I want Robinson to do good. I think he can could be an excellent wildcat player because he played QB in college and can catch. I wonder if we’ll pull out the wildcat
wildcat seems unlikely for 2 reasons:
1) MRob is a fantastic special teamer, but he seems to lack the vision necessary to be a great—or even a good running back. He blocks well, he’s tough as nails, and he brings it every game, which any Niner fan has got to love. But whereas you see Gore or even Clayton hitting holes that you and I can’t see for good yardage, Robinson just seems to find tacklers. Yes, he fights with all his might when he finds them, but this doesn’t make him a great RB; rather this makes him an exemplary teammate.
2) Wildcat just seems to me to be too gimmicky for a smashmouth team. Unless you’re a team with an OC who loves the wildcat (like Miami), I don’t see it sticking around. Jimmy Raye in particular seems like the kind of guy who figures there are enough wrinkles that are possible without having 15 wildcat snaps a game. Interesting that the last OTA featured a day-long practice of trick plays and no mention of the wildcat, isn’t it?
Morgan breaks through in 2009!
Good points.
While I love MRob and his toughness, you are right about his poor vision. I tend to think that his poor vision is a result of a conservative running style. If you observe the tapes you will see that when in traffic he covers up with two hands and leans forward. This is also true when he catches the ball. However, he does secure the ball well and does not loose yardage. As noted before, because he is the 3rd option or beyond he is often in a position to gain yardage without having to make his own.
In conclusion, while MRob may not be a natural RB with vision, his consistency, hard nosed running style, and versatility out of the backfield still make him an excellent what he is, a 3rd option.
Apparently...
… you think you’re one to judge credibility? Not that it really matters, but I’m pretty sure there are plenty of people who disagree with that particular judgment.
In any case, you’re arguing two totally separate points and it’s making very little sense. I’m saying Robinson is a failure at RB, or at least he has been. I’m not saying he’s a bad WR or that he can’t run with the ball after a catch. However, AS A RUNNING BACK, HE HAS FAILED. Running after a catch is TOTALLY different than running from behind the line the offensive linemen and in front of at least seven guys facing you. In the flat, you have to beat, what, a corner and a safety? Maybe a linebacker?
I think Robinson is the 49ers best third down back. I think his experience at QB has provided him with experience in reading blitzes and such, allowing him to be a better blocker than the 49ers other backs. I also believe he could be a more useful receiver than Gore. However, if you ask him to run the ball by handing it to him and asking him to make people miss, you’re going to be up for disappointment the majority of the time. He may be tough as nails and a pain to bring down, but there is a lot more to being a good runner than simply being able to bowl people over.
Wildcat
I don’t really think it’s much of an option for the 49ers. Instead of trying to get fancy, their offense (which has been at the bottom of the league for quite some time now) just needs to get the basics down first and foremost.
I think Robinson
is an affective reciever, blocker, and a good special teams player. Full back anyone?
Robinson's "blocking" skills
are more fitting of a RB. Read: pass protection and blitz pickup.
He can’t lead block very well at all.
Curious.
What’s the difference in being a good “lead” blocker on special teams and a good lead blocking FB?
On special teams,
Robinson is often the weak side kick returner, or the next guy up. It’s important for those guys to be able to handle short kicks, as the blocks that they throw in the wedge are really just a matter of standing in front of a guy and not getting plowed over.
Lead blocking, as fullbacks do it, is about hitting the hole gracefully and coming out of the hole like a calamity from the skies. You have to identify which level to throw your block (line of scrimmage, linebacker territory, 5 yards up) and keep a low, powerful boost of momentum while hitting it. This takes more than just tenacity, which Robinson has. It takes vision and destructive purpose. Robinson’s most glaring weaknesses as a halfback are his vision and inability to slip into the right holes. He has a tendency to get stuffed at the line because he rides the backs of his blockers, rather than weaving through them and getting to the second level. As a fullback, this would be a catastrophically bad habit to have.
Your ability...
…. to reply to people is an utter fail.
replies
I will say that proper replying really helps the flow of the conversation. Also, once the season starts and we’ve got game day threads with hundreds of comments it can get ridiculously confusing.
by David Fucillo on Jun 1, 2009 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not...
… advocating the use of the “reply” feature for no good reason. If you want your comment to make sense, wouldn’t you want your comment to follow the comment that it is actually replying to? It’s one of the main features of SBN blogs that make it worlds better than any regular sports forum. Basically, it makes comments and/or arguments easier to follow, because people know who you’re talking to/about.
The tone of my reply-pushing comments, especially any to kezarvet, have leaned toward being a bit mean, but he’s been asked countless times in the past. I mean, you’re reading through a thread, and all of a sudden you see his comment and you sometimes have a tough time figuring out where or whom it was directed to.
He does it on purpose to piss you off…..?
by SportsChicken on Jun 1, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions
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