49ers-Raiders Matchup to Watch: Oakland's defensive line vs. San Francisco's rookies
by James Brady on Aug 25, 2010 2:00 PM PDT
in National Preview/Review
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PrintI know it's an odd thing to consider: one week after playing against the Minnesota Vikings, we should be using the defensive line of the Oakland Raiders to measure the progress and talents of our rookie offensive lineman, but bear with me a little bit.
Minnesota's defensive line, with the exception of Jared Allen, does not exude the finesse of Oakland's line. I think the rookie's contended well with the starting unit against the Vikings (despite some bad plays later on in the game which appear to be an anomaly) and I am more than a little confident in Mike Iupati and getting there (let's call it "day-to-day,") with Anthony Davis when it comes to dealing with big beasts on the defensive line.
But Oakland, for all of their flaws, for all of the shortcomings that we as 49ers fans love to point out simply because, let's face it, Raiders fans are absolutely crazy (no really, Raiders fans will stab your baby), actually have a pretty underrated defense, and that fact, other than standout corner Nnamdi Asomugha (I would seriously do a number of unspeakable horrors to have that guy on the 49ers) is due largely in part to the defensive line. Jump for more.
I'm kind of blogging in circles here, but what I'm trying to say, in so many words, is that Oakland's line presents new challenges for this line. Rookie LaMarr Houston and second year Matt Shaughnessy cut through the offensive lines of the Cowboys and the Bears like a knife through.. well, completely melted butter.
Against the Cowboys, Houston got through on seemingly every play, from the end and the defensive tackle positions. Shaughnessy caused enough havoc to keep the run away from him and Richard Seymour commanded the double team. They were the stars of the game and constantly hounded the quarterbacks and punished running backs in their extended playing time.
At Soldier Field, Houston didn't have as much of a good game, but that's mostly due to the fact that he commanded the respect of a double team. Even then, he still had good penetration and was simultaneously four handfuls for the Bears' offensive line. Shaughnessy was a bit more quiet, but did get a lot of good penetration.
These guys will be doing their best to prove themselves off of the 49ers rookies. It will be interesting to see how Davis and Iupati handle LaMarr Houston, who just seems like a fantastic pick right now. Richard Seymour, if he plays, will be a handful for anyone on that line. The only player I think could handle him with some regularity right now is Joe Staley, and that's more of a matchup thing than anything.
So I guess what I'm getting at is that this is probably the most important game so far for the rookie o-linemen, especially when you factor in that Oakland's starters will be playing longer than Minnesota's did. If I had to pick, though, I'm going with our rookies. I think they'll be good enough to contend with this line, and I think they'll do it well enough to keep outside linebacker and apparent beast incarnate Kamerion Wimbley at bay as well.
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I've got Iupati and Davis
Cause I think Iupati can do a good job on Seymour and Wimbley will be on the side opposite A. Davis.
Gimme 1 round!
If they put Wimbley on Davis
We’re ruined.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Aug 25, 2010 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Credit where its due
Wimbley’s shoulder dip to get the edge in their last game was outright stupendous. That combined with his first step would spell bad bad news for Davis.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 25, 2010 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm gonna roll with
The more experienced D-line at the Raiders to win the trench battle. Hopefully the run game will come through.
Coach Boone: And who's team is this, Gary? Is this your team? Or is this your daddy's team?
Bertier: Yours.
Coach Boone: Now get on the bus. Put on your jacket first and then get on the bus.
I & D
The two of them seem to get more and more impressive with each week. I imagine they will come out strong on Saturday.
I think it will be really interesting...
The Oakland defense is no joke at all, and they’ve got momentum and cohesion right now.
While the ‘9ers did pretty much handle the Minnesota pass rush, the run game didn’t exactly rack up big numbers (not to say that the ‘9er rush was abysmal). And, I think it’s worth noting that the Minny D-line was missing half of the Williams wall (unless I’m totally mistaken, which happens all the time).
My worry would be that (and it’s not a major worry, since it’s still preseason) the ‘9ers O-line thinks that they can relax a little against Oakland just because they did well in pass protection against Minny. I’m sure Solari & Brown will be making a specific point all week about containing the best preseason pass rush, so I’m not too concerned.
But, if Iupati and Davis (and Rachal, for that matter), and the rest of the O-line can avoid glaring mistakes and help Alex notch off a few scoring drives, I’ll consider it great success.
Lastly, I do expect a sack or two.
"Son, I'm going to break you like a wild horse." - Mike Singletary
They won't relax (the OL)
They see the film. They’ll see what they’re up against.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Aug 25, 2010 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Huh, relax really are you serious ...
… think’n you forgot who the head coach is , cant remember which game it was ( falcon’s ) maybe , game was way over as far as the score went , but Sing call’d a timeout with a minute or two left … after the game the question was ask’d why he call’d timeout … and he said i juz wanted the guy’s to go out and ( HIT ) someone …!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's juz my game ...!!
Yeah
I know who the coach is. But, despite the hyperbole about Singletary, and his motivational powers, that we constantly bandy about hear, just because Iupai & Davis performed well against Minny doesn’t mean that they’ve got it all figured out. They played well against a top defense, but now is precisely the time that rookies are susceptible to brain fart regression.
I’m pretty confident they’ll do fine, though.
"Son, I'm going to break you like a wild horse." - Mike Singletary
I think Iupati will do fine
Just pray they don’t turn Wimbley loose in pass rush against Davis. His skill set is all bad news for Anthony.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 25, 2010 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Raiders defense is quietly showing themselves to be top-notch
Wimbley was a great pick up for them. McClain’s a stud, they have one of the best CBs in the business on their team.
Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority
They really are a talented bunch
I hate the Raiders but I’m happy for Seymour who I’m sure wanted to eat a bullet when Belicheat stabbed him in the back and sent him out there.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 25, 2010 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions
My dream is the Raiders can win the games needed and lose the games needed
to miss the playoffs but also squeeze Tom CryBrady and Belicheat out.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 25, 2010 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I still wonder
Why Cleveland just gave Wimbley away?
They knew he was good…
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Aug 25, 2010 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I have no idea.
Its not like the dude got injured or has been inconsistent. Maybe they just think his rookie year was a fluke. I do not.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 25, 2010 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions
He didn't put up the same number of sacks
But he still got pressure every year after.
When he was traded all the other coaches in the division were really happy.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Aug 26, 2010 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Baffles me too
I was shocked when the traded him away
Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority
I'm going with the other guys
sorry y’all. It won’t hurt our offense greatly, but I think the Raiduhs might end up with 1-2 sacks on Alex and a few run stuffs. Enough to fluster the rookies.
Alex Boone WON'T survive on the PS...in fact, he wont even clear waivers.
Let's talk on Twitter
Hmmm ... trader , you been spending way too much time in raider land , i'm think'n ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's juz my game ...!!
I agree with you, Tre
Raiders are tough upfront, especially with the addition of Houston. I look at the Raiders’ game last season against the Eagles and how ugly it was for the Eagles. They handled a pretty good big O-line and I’m afraid they’ll do the same to us. At least it is preseason so it doesn’t count for anything.
by ZeroOneInfinity on Aug 25, 2010 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions
For what it's worth...
I think we start strong and handle them. Gore gets some good runs, but they’ll get through eventually.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not.
I'm going with our guys
But mainly because it’s not just Iupati and Davis vs. their DL, we also have Staley, Rachal, and Baas.
I do think Davis gets beat badly at least 3 times though.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
I am going with Davis and Iupati..
I think the offensive line as a unit is beginning to Gel, and this game against a good defensive front in the RayDUHS will be a good measuring stick for our young linemen. I think the coaching staff will have them ready. Now lets hope they are good enough to handle it.
Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!
I think this might be the most beneficial action our line sees this whole off/pre-season
There aren’t many teams in the league that can bring as much 4 man pressure as the Raiders. Vikings you can’t run on… The rooks got to see what that is like, now they’ll get to see what its like against a team thats going to pin its ears back and come after the QB every down.
I think we should let Nate Davis play the first 2 series so while A. Davis is still getting adjusted its N. Davis and not Smith that gets hurt.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 25, 2010 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Split vote
I think I will do well against them but D seems to be a bit jumpy still and I think that will still be present in this game as well. Evetnually he will settle in to the new rythm of the game at this level and start progressing even more but until then I think he is one of the weak links on our line and the raiders D willt ake advantage of that (it will be interesting how many false starts he has).
Now, NEXT year I will take our line against theirs all day long…but right now I think it is still a bit green a tthat point…
Wimbley is an inconsistant pass rusher and Davis is a rook with what like 50+ plays behind him? That would be a wash on the surface, however, Wimbley’s speed and Davis getting to high could spell doom. I noticed Singletary teaching up Davis in terms of this when I watched the game last night for the 1st time on TV. I don’t think him getting so high will be a big deal with some more preps, that is something that can be fixed.
Did anyone else notice the GAPING holes that were opened up in the middle my Iupati Sunday? I noticed it on multiple occassions. I believe he has a chance to be dominating EArly… Maybe starting Saturday Night!! He just has the look of a constant all pro selection
"He who lives on hope will die fasting" Benjamin Franklin was a fool
"If we are thinking playoffs, why not look towards the mountaintop"
I like my quote better
by nocal81(Vincent) on Aug 25, 2010 5:01 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Iupati
I did notice that a couple of times, and wondered to myself whether that was the rookie catching a few breaks, or a sign of things to come.
I know Iupati’s freakishly huge, fast, and strong, but so is the majority of the NFL. However, I REALLY want to believe that yes, he’s going to remind an awful lot of folks of Larry Allen/Steve Hutchinson, etc. So, I’m with you on keeping fingers crossed.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Aug 25, 2010 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't know if it was Williams he did it to
I think so as the dude was friggin massive, but on that first drive Iupati on his right side and drove him over to the point that was getting run up the other DTs back. That was impressive.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 25, 2010 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Iupati got on his right side
I think he was trying to get in the gap between LG and C and Iupati just blew him out of the play. Opened up about a 4 yard wide hole.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 25, 2010 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions
(I would seriously do a number of unspeakable horrors to have that guy on the 49ers)
Frank Gore and Nate Clements for Darren McFadden and Nnamdi Asomugha!
Dashon, Mays, and Bamm Bamm will get the record for most decapitations in one season
by MichaelClutchtree on Aug 25, 2010 5:53 PM PDT reply actions
I'm a huge fan of Clements
but Clements only wishes he was Asomugha
Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority
I'd do it.
Love yah Frank… But ADIOF
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 25, 2010 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions
[site decorum] NO!
Nnamdi is awesome and all but McFadden SUCKS.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Aug 25, 2010 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Nnamdi is better than Clements more so than Gore is better than McFadden.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not.
by James Brady on Aug 25, 2010 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions
ur kidding
mcfadden has done nothing in the NFL and nate fits our defense better than nnamdi….we don’t play a lot of bump and run his specialty.
Can u c coach sing's vision? I do!......We all know PATRICK WILLIS is our future!
May 12 2010 comment of the day award winner on the nuggets!
You change a defense for a guy like Nnamdi.
McFadden has a higher ceiling than say, Nate Clements does, who is declining with each year. I’d take that trade in a heartbeat considering Gore’s age.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not.
by James Brady on Aug 25, 2010 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions
come on
your being silly you dont change our defense for nnamdi esp. when he’d only be the 2nd best player on it. Dont even attempt to think he’s more valuable than patrick or your banned and thats it mister
Can u c coach sing's vision? I do!......We all know PATRICK WILLIS is our future!
May 12 2010 comment of the day award winner on the nuggets!
Uh he'd be only the second best but he'd be head and shoulders above the #3 guy in Smith. And its really not even close.
Willis: 99 Nnamdi 97 Smith 92
Also what Patrick does doesn’t effect the secondary. There is a reason they have the green dot on the safety. They would only be changing the secondaries style not the 3-4 as a whole.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 25, 2010 11:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Missing the point
Adding McFadden would make us worse.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Aug 26, 2010 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
Who said he's more valuable than Patrick?
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not.
we do play a lot of bump n run
at least, in man we do. And Nnamdi would be the shutdown guy…he’d play man pretty much all game and the rest of the defense would do it’s own thing.
Alex Boone WON'T survive on the PS...in fact, he wont even clear waivers.
Let's talk on Twitter
no way
nate is usually lined up 5 to 6yds off. We play a lot of man… but our corners hardly up jamming the reciever at the line. Something Nate is pretty good at
Can u c coach sing's vision? I do!......We all know PATRICK WILLIS is our future!
May 12 2010 comment of the day award winner on the nuggets!
What Nate does isn't indicative of what everyone does.
You need to remember we play Nate differently than most team plays any corner.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not.
and your basing this on
Can u c coach sing's vision? I do!......We all know PATRICK WILLIS is our future!
May 12 2010 comment of the day award winner on the nuggets!
I Dont Know About That
As it is the Raiders attempted to gauge interest in Nnamdi during the offseason, however, his contract is nearly untradable. If the 49ers were to acquire him the most they would be asked to give up would be a 3rd rounder and a marginal player. No reason to even add a player of Gore’s caliber to this argument
"He who lives on hope will die fasting" Benjamin Franklin was a fool
"If we are thinking playoffs, why not look towards the mountaintop"
I like my quote better
by nocal81(Vincent) on Aug 25, 2010 11:22 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
That's not even close.
3rd rounder and a marginal player? Have you seen Nate Clements’ contract?
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not.
by James Brady on Aug 25, 2010 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Ninjames is right
The Raiders would still want a first or two seconds plus the new team would have to deal with the contract.
If the dude was willing to re-negotiate that’d open a bunch of doors but that’s not something a team’s going to find out ’til the make the trade.
Of course now that we have rookie CBs making almost $9 million per year teams will be less shy about the thought of paying CBs big bucks. If you’re paying QBs huge money it makes sense to pay the guys defending their WRs big money
Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority
well yes
But McFadden is downright terrible.
I’d rather have a tackling sled.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Aug 26, 2010 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions
McFaddens natural talent is still there
He needs grooming and to be used right but he can still be a late bloomer.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 26, 2010 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Iupati and Davis
With a stipulation: as long as Alex Smith and David Carr go at least three quarters. Nate Davis holds the ball way too long, so hopefully the Raiders’ 1st stringers would be gone by the time the 4th quarter rolls around. Smith is releasing the ball quickly, and I think the 49ers are going to go heavy on the run anyways…..or should, since Oakland has been giving up 5.1 yards per carry on the ground versus 4.6 through the air.
oh and as far as our oline vs the raiders
i think seeing what frank does behind this line come sat. night is going to make us all giggly like a bunch of little girls
Can u c coach sing's vision? I do!......We all know PATRICK WILLIS is our future!
May 12 2010 comment of the day award winner on the nuggets!
Wimbley
The 49ers had better get a handle on Wimbley soon, as they have to play a whole game there on 31 October.
LondonNiner - member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010.
by LondonNiner on Aug 26, 2010 1:36 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
keeping a RB in to block
or a TE…they’ll have to just double him if Davis can’t stop him
Alex Boone WON'T survive on the PS...in fact, he wont even clear waivers.
Let's talk on Twitter
haha yeah
I thought they were talkign about Kameron
Alex Boone WON'T survive on the PS...in fact, he wont even clear waivers.
Let's talk on Twitter
What about
running at them? Why not lt them get up field and let Dixon\Westbrook run in the gap. It would at least force them to reconsider rushing the edge on every play.
Chilo will be a major factor in helping Davis. Also… Wragge?
I don’t think that at all… and of course this is all speculation on your behalf
by Drew K on Apr 14, 2010 2:05 PM PDT
If only the Raiders hadn't seemed to come to their senses lately...
I’d love to have Nnamdi and P-52 on the same defense; we wouldn’t even need an offense, we could just wait for our D to score every time they took the field.
As to Gore, we all love the dude, but might consider parting with him for the right offer…fortunately, the Raiders don’t need him, and we do to have the season we’ve been waiting for…
A year or two ago, I’d say we just send Ted Ginn to Oakland to run a 40, and then when Al Davis calls asking to trade him for ANY Raider, we take Nnamdi.
I’d ship Clements off in a heatbeat if we could get value for him…
Iupati pancakes Wimbley while pulling…carve it in stone.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Aug 26, 2010 10:21 AM PDT reply actions
I know I am late to this party,
BUT, the 49ers will win both games, preseason & regular season. We will find a way to win both games! No matter how I&D performs.
That’s it! Put the baby to bed! End of story! Turn out the lights the party is over! Period!
"Moving Forward."
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