49ers vs. Packers: The Anthony Dixon Side of the Equation
by David Fucillo on Dec 4, 2010 6:00 AM PST
in San Francisco 49ers News
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We've spent time this week discussing the 49ers offensive plans now that Frank Gore is finished for the season but we haven't gotten into a ton of specifics about the players involved. We know what Brian Westbrook brings to the table for the most part, and we've heard the team discuss how they want to try and limit his touches given his injuries concern. He sat out Wednesday and Thursday's practices and then was a full participant yesterday. It seems likely that those days off were just to keep him fresh for Sunday.
Given all this discussion, I'm curious what people see happening on the field tomorrow. Over at Rotoworld, they seem to think he's looking at approximately 18 touches this Sunday. If that's the case, that leaves anywhere from 5-10 touches for Anthony Dixon. This past week the team got 23 touches from Westbrook and 15 (one reception) from Dixon. Of course, the 49ers absolutely rolled over the Cardinals on the ground. If the 49ers capture an early lead we could see similar rushing numbers, but if the team falls behind, all bets are off.
Given the nature of tomorrow's game it's hard to make predictions. It seems fairly certain that no matter what happens Anthony Dixon will get a decent amount of carries each game. He received a sizable chunk last Monday, even as Westbrook carried the ball so frequently. If the team cuts back, that can only benefit Dixon.
As we move through the remainder of the season, will Brian Westbrook continue getting the majority of the carries, or will Anthony Dixon establish himself as a better alternative? Or do you see Dixon filling the goal line and short yardage role while Westbrook is the primary back? Basically I'm wondering whether Dixon is the kind of talent that could establish himself as a primary rushing weapon in this, his rookie season or if he'll really get the opportunity?
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I want to see a system similar to what KC does with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones.
They have a speedy guy and a big dude. That’s how we should be playing it, although our guys are a little role-reversed for that (the smaller guy, BWB, is the bruiser, and the big dude has jukes).
Anyways, I have a feeling that BWB is gonna prove to be made of glass. I really like the guy, and I think his professionalism this year has been outstanding considering how few touches he’s had, but if we rush him 20+ times a game, he’s gonna go down (holy run-on sentence, Batman!). Dixon will get his chance, mark my words. I just hope he can be more than mediocre, because that’s all Glen Coffee was last year.
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BWB is the bruiser
Umm….how do you figure that Westbrook is a bruiser? He’s a small speedy back with great agility. He’s never been known as a bruiser.
If MNF was any indication
that’s the role he’ll be filling. I don’t mean that that’s necessarily his niche.
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Coffee never showed me much
But Dixon could be the real deal. If he gets leverage he can move the pile. Give him a key block on a sweep and he can make someone miss. Pretty good hands on short passes. I’d like to see the carries 50 – 50 to keep Westbrook upright.
I would like Dixon to get more touches
so we can prepare for life post-Gore.
Westbrook is outta here next season.
Yes
although I doubt Gore is going anywhere any time soon. You think BWB walks? I mean, I would, too, under the circumstances, but things have changed now that Gore is out.
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Why do I feel hopeful for this game?
I do, though.
by Bob In Beaverton on Dec 4, 2010 9:13 AM PST reply actions
It's okay you'll get over that feeling..
i’m feeling that too, but thats only cause our confidence and self esteem shot up because we played the Cardinals and ran over them.
Westbrook the Starter. Dixon the Closer
Ideally, the Niners open up their offense and fully utilize Westbrook’s ability to spread the defense out as a receiving threat. So Westbrook starts with an open offense as a rushing and receiving threat. Then Dixon comes in for short yardage and to jam the ball down the opponent’s throats when the Niners are hopefully up by a couple of scores (yeah, I know…I’m dreaming). Last game when the Niners were up 20-6 was a good example.
The 9ers should
try to play mind games with the Packers defense by setting them up with some passing plays with Dixon in the backfield and then some runs in passing formations with Westbrook. They will start Westbrook, but then they should have the next play scripted for Dixon so that the Packers defensive coordinator cannot get comfortable in his playcalling. The way that we can win out the rest of the season is to be as unpredictable on offense as possible.
If the 49ers capture an early lead we could see similar rushing numbers, but if the team falls behind, all bets are off.
wait, did i see
If the 49ers capture an early lead.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
9/8/10: 49ers go 11-5, Lose to Falcons first round. Smitty: 3500/25/15. Gore: 1300 yards, 10 TDs. Crabtree: 1000 yards, 7 TDs. Vernon: 900 yards, 8 TDs
by MichaelClutchtree on Dec 4, 2010 10:47 AM PST reply actions
That's a good point...
Everyone’s worried about the Niners’ offense, but this game is all about the D. The 49ers need to pressure Aaron Rodgers and not let Greg Jennings and James Jones beat them downfield. If they fall behind early, neither Westbrook or Dixon will get many carries at all.
If the game stays close, I expect the 49ers to run Westbrook as much as possible, and Dixon will only be used if Westbrook can’t get anything going or they’re at the goalline.
I’m a huge Dixon fan, so I’d like to see as much of him as possible, but I see Westbrook playing the role of Frank Gore tomorrow.
"We just have to go back and watch the film and look at the things that we need to do and correct and go forward." -- Mike Singletary
by Bay Area Sports Guy on Dec 4, 2010 12:18 PM PST up reply actions
leads
49ers jumped out 14-0 on the Falcons. People are incredibly pessimistic when things could very well bounce the right way. It might not happen, but people act like these are a bunch of high schoolers taking on the 85 Bears defense.
by David Fucillo on Dec 4, 2010 12:53 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
The nice thing about the Packers is that even though they’re so talented, they can have off days. They lost in Washington to the Redskins, who aren’t that great. And the Lions only lost by 2 in Green Bay (with Shaun Hill passing for 331 yards … sigh).
"We just have to go back and watch the film and look at the things that we need to do and correct and go forward." -- Mike Singletary
by Bay Area Sports Guy on Dec 4, 2010 1:52 PM PST up reply actions
The offense only scored 1 TD in the first quarter of that game..
with a healthier offensive squad. You have Troy Smith without Gore this game. Anything can happen in the NFL, but this isn’t a proven offense by any means.
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agree
There are a lot of question marks and I understand being concerned. But some of the posts I’ve seen this week really do make it seem like this is some kind of impossible task.
by David Fucillo on Dec 4, 2010 2:50 PM PST up reply actions
KC run game
Is definitely how we should go, and I’ve been saying this all year. We could do some serious damage letting Dixon and Westbrook split carries, so I hope they actually do it. As for this game, I’m trying to not get my hopes up. Planning on finishing up 6-10, winning at home vs Cards and Hawks, and losing on the road to the Pack, Bolts, and Rams. Although every now and then I catch myself talking about 9-7 or even 8-8, but I think it’s just a pipe dream at this point. If we can’t score at home vs the Bucs, why should I think we can BEAT the Pack on the road, without Frank?
by ZivilynBane on Dec 4, 2010 10:57 AM PST via mobile reply actions
i just hope the coaches have figured out that
a RBC means utilize different RB’s according to their skill sets therefore running sweeps and screens for WB so he can use his speed to run around people and not have him pound it up the middle.
by afrikabamboodle on Dec 4, 2010 11:07 AM PST reply actions
sorry but
having 3 different running backs running up the gut does not equate to a RBC…
by afrikabamboodle on Dec 4, 2010 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
Good balance
Westbrook will likely be our first down (most of the time since Dixon will still be on ST coverage), passing down & long yardage RB, while Dixon will be short yardage, goal line, and play every third series. In an ideal situation I could see BW having 17-22 carriers while Dixon has 12-15. The difference will be that BW should also have more receptions and will be needed in blitz pickups.
Should we find ourselves up in the 4th Q by more than one score, Dixon would likely be used more to wear on the opponent and keep BW fresh. Nothing like a bruising back with quick feet and young legs to run over a tired defense.
Thank you SF Giants for an incredible 2010 season and painting the City orange & black!
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Brian Westbrook's career vs. Green Bay
2003 – 5 attempts, 1 yard, 0 TD
2004 – 12 attempts, 37 yards rushing… 11 Rec, 156 yards, 3 TD’s
2005 – 20 attempts, 120 yards, 1 TD… 4 Rec, 11 yards
2007- 20 attempts, 85 yards… 6 Rec, 46 yards
Frank Gore’s career vs. Green Bay
2006- 18 attempts, 130 yards, 1 TD… 3 Rec, 38 yards
2009- 7 attempts, 59 yards… 3 Rec, 9 yards, 1 TD
Seems like we can beat them with some short screens and over the middle’s with Westbrook as the starter. I sure hope the coaching staff see’s that.
Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing -- the result. -Lombardi
Personally
I don’t think Dixon should be used any differently then he has been. Westbrook can do just fine filling in for Gore and taking over that “40% of the offense role”.
Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing -- the result. -Lombardi
I disagree
Westbrook is a brittle running back. I don’t think the team can keep giving him 23+ carries. Maybe they’ll luck out since he hasn’t played all year, but I just don’t trust him health-wise for the rest of the season.
by David Fucillo on Dec 4, 2010 2:29 PM PST up reply actions
I dont think he is "brittle"
He had a couple concusions last year and people are saying he is injury prone. He has been a rock for a majority of his career. He looked to be fine last week with the heavy load he took on. He had 23 carries… I am sure that if Dixon gets about 5, which is less than his average, Westbrook will hold up just fine.
Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing -- the result. -Lombardi
Westbrook
The reason people say he’s injury prone is because of all the nagging ankle and hamstring injuries. In recent years he rarely practiced on Wednesday and Thursday because of the team’s concern. If you look at his game logs in 2007 and 2008 (we’ll throw out 2009 b/c of the concussion stuff), he rarely had more than 20 carries in a game. He’d get the extra touches on receptions, but he’s never been a heavy load running back. Obviously he has had some games with heavier loads, but not all that frequently.
by David Fucillo on Dec 4, 2010 3:01 PM PST up reply actions
Well I guess by that measure, Frank Gore is beyond injury prone
…and he has been able to (when healthy) take on the 40%… hence why I think Westbrook is perfectly capable. But they prob won’t do that anyway, so its a moot point.
Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing -- the result. -Lombardi
Also, in '07-'08 the Eagles had Buckhalter who was averaging 5.0 yards a carry.
Westbrook didn’t “need” to carry the full load. But I suspect he would have been capable.
Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing -- the result. -Lombardi
Dixon will continue to improve
If he gets enough touches to get into a flow. He has shown good feet and plenty of power to be a very good back. A very solid 6th round pick. Nut up boys and grab some glory.
by Jaxson876 on Dec 4, 2010 8:03 PM PST via mobile reply actions
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