San Francisco @ Arizona Cardinals: A Prospector's Guide
by David Fucillo on Sep 9, 2009 7:00 AM PDT
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For those that have joined our site since the end of last season, we run a weekly feature during the regulat season called "A Prospector's Guide." It's a pretty simply feature really. Each week the 49ers PR department emails me the game release for the week. It includes a run down of all sorts of information about the 49ers, their opponent and the history of the rivalry.
When I put together this Prospector's Guide, it will usually include a quick rundown of the previous week and the season to date and give some basic info about the history of the rivalry. After the jump, I've added info on coaching connections between the 49ers and Cardinals (new from last year) and some series highlights. After that we have a recap of the last matchup, followed by a rundown of the teams' 2009 statistics. That last section for this first game is a rundown of 2008 statistics. This isn't exactly earth-shattering information, but it gives you a nice little resource heading into the game. I try to get these out each Wednesday, but it depends on how quickly I get the release from the 49ers.
For the fourth consecutive season, the 49ers and Cardinals will square off against one another in the season opener. The game will mark the 36th regular season meeting between the two teams, with San Francisco holding a 19-16 advantage over Arizona in a series that dates back to 1951. The 49ers have posted a 33-29-1 overall record in season openers, which includes a 14-7 record since 1988.
The upcoming game will mark Mike Singletary’s first season opener as a head coach. After Singletary took over the reins midway through the 2008 season, the 49ers went on to register a 5-4 record, which included wins in five of the team’s final seven games.
San Francisco recorded a 3-1 record in 2009 preseeason, winning the first three contests before dropping the final game to the San Diego Chargers. The team ranked 2nd in the NFL in turnover ratio (+8), posting 10 takeaways and just two turnovers. The 49ers also ranked among the league leaders in rushing during preseason play, ranking 5th with 143.0 yards per game on the ground.
49ers-Cardinals Connections
Coaches
• 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky was a teammate of Cardinals assistant head coach/offensive line coach Russ Grimm with the Washington Redskins from 1988-91. Manusky played linebacker, while Grimm played offensive guard.
• 49ers tight ends coach Pete Hoener has had coaching stints with the Cardinals in both St. Louis (1985-86) and Arizona (2001-03).
• 49ers wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan spent three seasons as the Cardinals offensive coordinator from 2001-03.
• 49ers special teams coordinator Al Everest coached in the same capacity for the Cardinals from 1996-99.
• Cardinals linebackers coach Billy Davis was the 49ers defensive coordinator from 2005-06.
Players
FORMER CARDINALS- 49ers K Joe Nedney spent three seasons with the Cardinals from 1997-99...49ers G Tony Wragge was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cardinals in 2002. Wragge spent two seasons (2002-03) with Arizona.
FORMER 49ERS - Cardinals DE Chike Okeafor spent the first four years
of his career with the 49ers after being drafted in the 3rd round (89th
overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft.
HAIL THE VICTORS - 49ers G David Baas played at Michigan alongside Cardinals DT Gabe Watson, DT Alan Branch and WR Steve Breaston.
CARDINALS NOR-CAL CONNECTIONS - Cardinals RB J.J. Arrington played for the College of the Canyons in Valencia before playing two seasons at Cal.
Series Highlights
Matchups: 35
Series Record: 49ers lead series 19-16
49ers Away vs. Cardinals: Series tied 8-8
First Meeting: 11/15/51, Cardinals win, 27-21, at San Francisco
Last Meeting: 11/10/08, Cardinals win, 29-24, at San Francisco
Current Streak: Lost 2
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 5 (9/14/80-10/18/87 | 10/24/93-12/21/02)
Longest Cards Win Streak: 4 (10/6/74-12/2/79 | 10/2/05-12/24/06)
Most 49ers Points: 50 (12/7/03): 50-14, at San Francisco
Most Cardinals Points: 34 (Two Times): Last (10/6/74), 34-9 at SF
49ers Shutouts: None
Cardinals Shutouts: None
ARIZONA 29, SAN FRANCISCO 24
At Arizona, CA, November 10, 2008
The Arizona Cardinals stopped RB Michael Robinson up the middle on a run from the 2-yard line as the game ended to preserve a 29-24 victory against the 49ers on Monday Night Football. The Cardinals never led in the game until 4:16 left to play when a 34-yard INT return by LB Karlos Dansby set up a 5-yard TD pass from QB Kurt Warner to WR Anquan Boldin to give the Cardinals a 29-24 lead after a failed 2-point play.
San Francisco still had two more chances with drives into Arizona territory. The first one ended when QB Shaun Hill was intercepted by S Adrian Wilson at the 12-yard line. The 49ers defenses stopped the Cardinals on three straight plays on the ensuing series and got the ball back at the Arizona 42-yard line with 1:06 left in regulation. Hill completed three-straight passes to WR Jason Hill, including a 14-yard pass to get to the Arizona one-yard line with 21 seconds left. RB Frank Gore was tripped up on the first run, and then Robinson was stopped on a 2-yard run up the middle to secure the Cardinals win.
The 49ers took the game’s opening kickoff for a TD on a 104-yard return by KR Allen Rossum, and then jumped in front, 21-13, at halftime behind a 31-yard TD pass from Hill to WR Josh Morgan and an 18-yard TD pass from Hill to TE Vernon Davis. Warner, who finished with 328 yards passing, led the Cardinals on a TD drive to start the 2nd half, but the 49ers answered with a FG drive to keep a 24-20 lead heading into the final quarter.
Ball security plagued the 49ers late in the game, leading to 9 Arizona points. Hill lost a fumble on an exchange from center at the San Francisco 10-yard line to set up a Cardinals FG early in the 4th quarter. That was followed Hill’s two INTs later in the 4th quarter. The 49ers defense held the Cardinals to 46 yards on 19 carries for a 2.4-yard average. The 49ers offense ended Arizona’s NFL record of 31 straight games with a sack.
2008 Statistics
| 49ERS (rank) | CARDINALS (rank) | |
| 7-9 (2nd NFCW) | Record | 9-7 (1st NFCW) |
| 21.2 (22nd) | Points per game | 26.7 (3rd) |
| 311.1 (23rd) | Total Offense | 365.8 (4th) |
| 99.9 (27th) | Rushing Offense | 73.6 (32nd) |
| 211.2 (13th) | Passing Offense | 292.1 (2nd) |
| 29:22 (20th) | Possession Avg | 30:09 (16th) |
| 23.8 (t-22nd) | Points allowed/gm | 26.6 (28th) |
| 326.0 (13th) | Total Defense | 331.5 (19th) |
| 106.8 (t-13th) | Rushing Defense | 110.3 (16th) |
| 219.2 (20th) | Passing Defense | 221.3 (22nd) |
| 30 (t-16th) | Sacks | 31 (t-14th) |
| 47.1 (3rd) | Punting Avg (Gross) | 41.8 (26th) |
| -17 (t-31st) | Turnover Differential | 0 (t-17th) |
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Comments
The last game
was such a heart breaker. I was 7 rows back in the end zone watching the play come to me. So pissed.
That sucks
I was in Phoenix Stadium the previous year when they won by a Kurt Warner fumble in the end zone. That was a good game too. I almost went to that last game, wish I had but I’m glad I didn’t and be disappointed. Sorry again.
That sucks
The feeling was the same sitting on the couch. Seeing a handoff to the FB from the 3 yd line left me with this stunned and empty feeling. Can only imagine having to absorb that surrounded by Cards fans.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Can we have a countdown clock?!
Like the Inside the NFL ad, where we count down to our kickoff? I’m so looking forward to this game.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Horrible vs AZ
We did not force one single turnover in two games vs the Cards. And committed eight. Yet still had the 2nd game won. Turn that little stat around ever so slightly and you have the #1 key to the game.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
All the debates about offensive improvement, defensive improvement, the offensive line and sacks, our defense and lack of sacks and the turnover ratio last year was 2nd worst in the league. Improving that stat from awful to average will have a huge impact.
You got it
I have to think that JTO no longer being on the roster helps that stat tremendously. As for the defense, 12 INT all year won’t get it done. And only 6 recovered fumbles, which admittedly is more of a luck stat based on the bounce of ball. Let’s touch Warner early and restart his fumbleitis problems.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
No has brought this up but Singletary might be trying to “Marty-ball” the 49ers into the playoffs. Conservative offense, better than average defense and win games by dominating the turnover ratio. In fact, he’s been a lot like Marty Schottenheimer including the tough camp and constant motivation speeches.
That approach with this group would work
It’s not my favorite philosophy but you dance with the one who brung ya. This is how the team is currently built and until we have a top 10 QB, it’s a trustworthy style. And all Sing would have to do for playoff success is not coach scared and not to lose as Marty did.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Agreed. We beat the Cards in all other defensive stats.
But one might argue that with JTO not fumbling and throwing interceptions, the turnover ratio will improve dramatically. Goldson over Roman may result in a few more interceptions on defense, too.
But here’s the thing – the Card’s defense really, really sucked during preseason and I don’t think it’s going to get a lot better real soon. They are vulnerable to both the run and pass. So I would run the ball on offense to eat up the clock and keep Warner and crew off the field. Billy Davis will be blitzing hard, as he’s done all preseason, so screens and draws should be effective. But if they drop nine into the box, which is likely, Hill must be able to find the free man and burn them.
On defense, I would blitz early and often with zones on the weakside, Warner’s blindside, to rattle him and put the pressure on LT Mike Gandy, who may be a weak link. Then bring P. Willis or Spikes up the middle whenever Beanie Wells is in to take advantage of Wells’ lack of blocking experience – that kind of blitzing could keep Wells off the field in favor of Hightower, who is not as dangerous a runner, imho. Leave Manny in coverage to take away the outlet pass on the strongside.
I'm down with your gameplan
Force the action. Warner picked us apart with short passes and long drives last season in both games. AZ even won the TOP in both games, thanks in part to the turnovers. I say trust our secondary. AZ will certainly make some plays but they will anyway because they’re good. If we can make some as well by forcing the action and hitting Warner, we’ll win. I also like the idea of showing different bltiz looks when Wells is back there. He’s still a rookie who missed part of camp with an injury. One wrong blitz assignment by him and Leinert is in the game.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Final Score: Cards 30 Niners 17
Bottomline is the only chance the niners have to win this game is ball control.
There is no way the Niner rag tag pass rush will hassel Warner. Warner will shred the Niner secondary since he will have all day to find one of his phenominal wr.
This is a formula for disaster and this score I think will be about right. The Cardinals have way too much talent on offense to be denied this game.
Dooom and gloom up in his rooom
it’s Dexter’s Laaaaaaaaaaaaaab
by James Brady on Sep 9, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Did you acount for
The rag tag AZ pass rush? And mostly rag tag AZ run defense? And very rag tag D-coordinator? Or that the Niners are better an the all important 1/3 of special teams?
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Did you account for
the SF inconsistent pass-blocking on the offensive line?
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Sep 9, 2009 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Pre-season? When two starters didn't play
Of course I don’t believe AZ had any sacks last season vs this crew (with Sims correct?) in AZ. I’ll take my chances.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Ball Control
is pretty much the only chance for the Niners to win every game this year, thats what the team is built for. Were built to win close games, and against AZ they are all close. Whatever the score, Ill bet this comes down to the last possession
Actually the better strategy
Is to drop back into coverage with the Cardinals and force them to put together long drives to score. Let them sabotage themselves with turnovers and penalties to stop drives. Kurt Warner puts up mind boggling stats against the blitz, not to mention it’s easier to tackle Fitz and Boldin with three guys instead of one.
damn, that recap of the November game was painful
That last play giving the ball to Robinson on the one yard line with 21 seconds to go is my least favorite play of 2008.
"Those boos really motivate me to make something happen." - Bonds
How about the run call to Gore before it?
Calling a run with no timeouts remaining when we would’ve had 4 chances to throw for the win. Irresponsible play calling by Martz.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
and this
I don’t know why Warner sacks give me slightly more satisfaction than most other QB sacks … but they do.
"Those boos really motivate me to make something happen." - Bonds
Now THAT'S the Warner I wanna know
And that every team but us gets to see more often.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Nope
Failed his physical and was released.
by Brendan Scolari on Sep 10, 2009 2:00 AM PDT up reply actions
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