49ers vs Lions: All Hail Megatron
by David Fucillo on Oct 13, 2011 10:30 AM PDT
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PrintThe Detroit Lions will bring plenty of weapons to the table on both sides of the ball this Sunday against the 49ers. However, the top two would seem to be WR Calvin Johnson and DT Ndamukong Suh. They are a more complex team than these two, but these are their heavy hitters. Any offensive or defensive game plan likely starts with them to some extent. Today we'll focus on the man they call Megatron.
Calvin Johnson is actually off to the best start of his career and is on pace for career highs in every category. Most notably, he has been a crazy home-run hitter for the Lions, hauling in nine touchdowns in only five games. He is so big and so athletic that few players, if any, can hang with him as he glides down the field. The Cowboys even tried to triple team him in week four. However, they could not get even close to proper positioning to bat anything down. When a guy can jump three or four inches higher than you, what are you supposed to do?
I can say with some certainty that one thing the 49ers probably should not do in defending Calvin Johnson is this:
Cornerback Charles Tillman appeared to be in a zone coverage as he let Johnson past him for the safety to pick up. This is what we call a bad thing. See all that stuff around Megatron? That is called space. We do not want to see him in space. Immediately following this picture, Calvin Johnson shot past safety Chris Harris and hauled in a 73-yard touchdown pass. I am a big fan of the 49ers safeties, but I don't see how they can keep up in a foot race with Calvin Johnson.
The Lions actually spent almost the entire first quarter looking away from Johnson. Stafford looked his way once in the first quarter but was sacked before he could get the pass off. Is it possible this lulled the Bears into some false sense of security? Whatever the reason, Johnson blew them up on this play.
So what do the 49ers need to do to game-plan against Megatron? Last season he had a pair of one catch performances in which he did not get into the end zone, once in a win against the Packers and once against a loss to the Jets. I don't have tape of that so I can't really tell what either team did particularly well to contain him.
Do you stick Carlos Rogers on him and hope for the best? Or do you stick Rogers on the number two guy and sacrifice Tarell Brown, Chris Culliver, or Shawntae Spencer on Johnson? Spencer is the tallest of the group at 6-1, but considering Johnson is 6-5, I don't think height really matters with any of these guys.
The 49ers will likely spend a sizable chunk of this game in a nickel defense as the Lions are a pass-happy team. It would be somewhat similar to the Eagles game in that sense. Just with a monster of a wide receiver added into the mix. The nickel means more Aldon Smith, so maybe you just unleash The Condor (someone mentioned Barrows went with that due to his monstrous wing span; we'll give it a test run) and hope he can get enough pressure on Stafford.
Is the best bet just covering the rest of the receivers as well as possible and getting significant pressure on Stafford? Or does moving your best DB away from Johnson just set you up for three jumpball touchdowns?
I suppose there is also the option of trying to get as physical as possible with him, but given his size, is that remotely effective?
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Make that, jumps 7-10" higher than you and already has a 5 inch height and several inch arm length advantage.
A 40 inch vert is abnormal in the NFL. Calvin jumps 45 and stand 6’5. Dude can grab the top of basketball backboard.
Gimme 1 round!
I know people were joking with the idea
and would never want the Niners to use him, but I want to see LeBron James Vs. Megatron. I think they would put on quite the show
in IMAX!
and the moral of the story is: Don't run against the 49ers D.
by sleepyotter on Oct 13, 2011 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
no probs
i think it worked as a rec, thx!
and the moral of the story is: Don't run against the 49ers D.
I wouldn't be joking. I'd love to see Lebron on the Niners
Dude is a 6’8" 260 lb brick s***house, who’s quick, explosive, has good top end speed and can jump out of the gym.
Antonio Gates never played football in college, nor did the Saints new star TE and neither are in the same galaxy of athleticism as Bron. Lebron could well come in and be an All-Pro WR or TE immediately
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Oct 13, 2011 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions
This is being really naive.
Lebron could well come in and be an All-Pro WR or TE immediately
I don’t care who you are or how physically gifted you may be, he hasn’t played football in what, 8-9 years?
Gotta hit Stafford so his passes sail about 20'9" too high.
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Niners best bet is to get to Stafford I think.
extrabaggs
"Just your typical Giants scoring rally: A faceburger on the basepaths, two errors from the second baseman and a bases-loaded balk."
by Badly Browned on Oct 13, 2011 10:39 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
That is always the best bet of course with any WR
Once the ball is in the air, their best bet is probably to hit Calvin in the ribs and drive him into the ground.
They may want to play bend and just try to get Stafford to throw lots of short accurate passes. The jump balls will come at some point though.
by whistlingmountain on Oct 13, 2011 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions
That didn't work for Minnesota or Dallas.
No slogans. Just win!!!
put a sniper in the roof
that is the only way
Call me cautiously optimistic....because I know what the Niners do to people who have real optimism (see the last 8 years).
funny thing about this statement...
did you know the first midget in baseball played for the St Louis Browns. Anyways the owner or coach told him that he took out a million dollar life insurance policy on him so if he ever even thought about swinging at a ball he would shoot him with a rifle from the roof.
Matthew Stafford, Quarterback: a man barely alive, Gentlemen we can rebuild him, We have the technology, We have the capability to make the worlds first bionic QB, Matthew Stafford will be that man, Better than he was before
Better, Stronger, Faster
They said we were a one trick pony, talkin bout CALVIN. Well thats one hell of a TRICK!!!! - Nate B.
Hahah, that's funny.
"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson
I Iike Carlos and Reggie on Calvin..
The rest of the boys can take care of the others.. Fangio is going to be extremely aggressive this week with pressure and blitzing I believe..
by pigskin slapper on Oct 13, 2011 10:52 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Reggie is not in the base defense
It’s more likely they go with Brown and have Goldson over the top.
It’ll be interesting either way, but my guess is they’re going to try to put some big hits on him if he’s going up for jump balls.
by whistlingmountain on Oct 13, 2011 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions
the Niners may not be in their base defense 3-4 much
against the Lions. The Lions run and pass the ball out of a base 3WR personnel package and the Niners would most likely counter with a Nickel package that would include Reggie Smith at Safety. I think it was either Maiocco or Barrows that mentioned something like this in the context of Aldon Smith getting more snaps against the Lions because he plays Defensive End in the Nickel package.
by allforfunnplay on Oct 13, 2011 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions
This is what happened in the Eagles game
We ran a lot of nickel which gave Aldon more snaps…now he is getting more rotation in the base 3-4 due to his successes.
yea but my point is their default approach on Calvin will be from the perspective of their base defense
When they go nickel it would likely be Culliver on the outside, move Brown inside and still have Goldson over the top.
I’m excited either way. I expect CJ to have 100+ yards and a TD, but if they can keep him to that and control the other guys, would be a really good game.
by whistlingmountain on Oct 14, 2011 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Game Plan To Beat The Lions
If You Want To Know How To Beat The Lions Watch My Game Plan On Them On Youtube. Type In @Lano1bullsfan & My Newest Video Will Explain How We Can Win This Game
by LA#1BullsFan on Oct 13, 2011 10:53 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
seriously...
If you want to promote your YouTube video, just post a link in one thread. A lot of people are not going to go through the effort of searching.
by David Fucillo on Oct 13, 2011 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions
Lol I guess you can call it promoting and I would , but my phones a piece of shit that can’t copy and paste a link
by LA#1BullsFan on Oct 13, 2011 11:06 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
site decorum...
Also, what’s up with that weird way you Type When You Are Telling Us About Your Videos?
Harbaughcalypse Now
by dutra on Oct 13, 2011 2:42 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
It appears he used his phone to post. It’s likely that his keyboard is set to “auto-caps” or something.
I’ll help a brother out and post the link for anyone interested.
LA#1BullsFan’s SF-DET Game Plan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6cMLTfN2C8
Alex Smith Will Win a Superbowl
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alex-Smith-Will-Win-a-Superbowl/205058042848290
There's no one like CJ
But the Eagles were a more difficult matchup because of their collection of skill position players, all of whom have great speed (including the QB). Anyone other than Vick that day would’ve been sacked 5 times and thrown for less than 300 yards. Having just played the Eagles gives me confidence that our D is more than ready for the team matchup with Detroit’s offense, while acknowleding that they will not face a better offensive threat all season than Calvin Johnson.
The game plan should be to do much of what Dallas did. The Cowboys’ D held Detroit to 20 points for the game, 13 through the first 59 minutes. They also play a 3-4. Our secondary and LBs are better. I’ll take making the Lions earn 20 points.
- Thank you SF Giants for an incredible 2010 season and painting the City orange & black!
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
CJ is indeed playing at a very high level.
Niners should hope only to contain him, not neutralize him. But football is a team game as Harbaugh has shown us so well. The Lions haven’t faced a D like the Niners. As you said, the Niners D has gained experience and confidence from the Eagles game. I’m hoping that the front 3+Aldon can put enough pressure on Stafford so that blitzing won’t be needed a whole lot. Then the DBs set about confusing Stafford into making mistakes. The three D players who have to step up in this game are Aldon and Brooks in getting to Stafford and setting the edgte to contain Best, and Goldson in over the top help in coverage of CJ. The first time Stafford throws on up for CJ, Goldson needs to tattoo him so hard that he will hear footsteps for the remainder of the game.
by Mood_Indigo on Oct 13, 2011 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
first time Stafford throws on up for CJ, Goldson needs to tattoo him so hard that he will hear footsteps for the remainder of the game.
I’ll take this, but would also like Goldson to intercept the pass and force CJ into playing defense and making a tackle.
- Thank you SF Giants for an incredible 2010 season and painting the City orange & black!
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
We won't try to stop Megatron. We will stop Megatron.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Oct 13, 2011 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't know if you can give as much credit to the Eagles as you seem to be offering up when they've only won 1 game...
Yes they have lots of talent in their skill positions but so far this season, they’ve failed at actually utilizing that talent well enough to win games. Meanwhile, the Lions have found ways to win despite only 2 of their offensive players playing at the top of their game (Stafford and CJ).
As a Lions fan, I can tell you that most of us are holding our breath waiting for Titus Young to have a breakout game and think that could pretty much be any week now. He’s already put up some big time catches that kept drives going/led to game winning touchdowns (game against the cowboys for example).
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
Love Beer? Me too! http://jimbobsbeerblog.wordpress.com/
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by The Boourns on Oct 13, 2011 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Credit
Well, I’d counter that moving the ball has not been a problem for the Eagles. Short yardage, goal-to-go and clock management are their issues (an Andy Reid specialty). I’d also add that five weeks is a bit too soon to use record as a basis for judging talent. Their combination of speed at the skill positions creates a unique problem for defenses. Normally, if you pressure the QB you neutralize the ability of the receiving weapons. The problem with Vick is that collapsing the pocket on him just turns him into a new threat. They’ve utilized the talent quite well on offense. Defense, not so much. The Philly offense will likely be the most difficult offensive unit the Niners will face all season. CJ will be the most difficult position player. Fortunately, it’s a team game.
- Thank you SF Giants for an incredible 2010 season and painting the City orange & black!
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Agree to disagree
I think you’re ignoring the speed or strength that their other skill positions have. Chalk it up to homerism though, you won’t convince me otherwise and I realize I won’t convince you either :-)
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
Love Beer? Me too! http://jimbobsbeerblog.wordpress.com/
Follow me on twitter: #JimBobsBeerBlog
Vick is fast, but he's notorious for hanging on to the ball to long to try to make a play.
That’s why he gets hit so much. Stafford won’t hang on to the ball like that.
No slogans. Just win!!!
Carlos & Reggie
our pass rush is decent enough to get pressure on Stafford
by Doni S on Oct 13, 2011 11:18 AM PDT via iPhone app reply actions
it doesn't show up
do you know why the link wont show up when i try to post it
by LA#1BullsFan on Oct 13, 2011 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions
for help, see “Formatting Guide” in the “post a new comment” box
by Mood_Indigo on Oct 13, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Aldon Smith 2 sacks...over or under?
I’m thinking he gets 2 as the Niners will be in plenty of passing downs on D.
Over or Under?
by Critical Roach on Oct 13, 2011 11:35 AM PDT reply actions
Gotta go under
But not because I don’t think we’ll rush, I just think they’ll rotate protection against him after the first few pressures and open up opportunities for JS and RM.
by redgolddynasty on Oct 13, 2011 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Push
He gets 2 and Brooks gets 2.
Justin Smith is something else. 100% Effort! 100% Class!
"I was just running toward the ball," Smith said. "The guys in front of him were making him slow up a little bit. I just went for the ball and, luckily, it was there."
The lions have given up 6 sacks in 5 games agasint great pass rushers. But we're magically going to give up 4?
2-3 Tops
When Dominic Raiola jumps in a lake he doesn't get wet. The water gets Raiola'd.
by Amendola dolla billz y'all on Oct 13, 2011 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions
The 49ers are a unique challenge
They get pressure from the front 4 alone, all who are very dangerous rushers. So with 7 in coverage they take away quick throwing options and get coverage sacks too.
Pretty similar idea to the Lions actually, and both teams have 12 sacks.
by hammystyle on Oct 13, 2011 4:37 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Not magically
Through hard work and a relentless team of defenders.
- Thank you SF Giants for an incredible 2010 season and painting the City orange & black!
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
The Condor gets 2...
He’ll be after Stafford all day… Gonna swoop in and steal the show…
In the Red Zone
how about putting our own Megatron in on defense? What was his vertical again?
If we can use Soap on O why not use a receiver on D?
He's certainly not going
to be outmuscled!
i cant find out how
if someone knows how to post a link up on here then let me know please & thank you
Just copy and paste
Copy the address and then paste it in the body…
Here’s your link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6cMLTfN2C8
So......how does Michael Crabtree compare to Calvin Johnson?
If Calvin is an A+ WR…what is Michael?
And I wonder if Michael foot is 100% yet?
It's tough to grade Crabs
but that’s probably a little homer-itis showing up in me, there’s and old quote that says we judge ourselves by what we are capable of doing while others judge us by what we have done…gotta face it, Crab’s hasn’t done much yet. But maybe with Joshua Morgan and Braylon out, this could be the beginning of Crabs being a true #1?
Short answer, C+, but it’s just the midterm, not the final.
by redgolddynasty on Oct 13, 2011 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
I was supremely high on Crabtree when he was drafted as a rookie
He certainly fits a similar mold (mould?) to CJ in that he’s a big athletic, strong WR with great hands. Admittedly, aside from his contract disputes in his rookie season, I’ve never understood why he hasn’t put up better numbers.
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
Love Beer? Me too! http://jimbobsbeerblog.wordpress.com/
Follow me on twitter: #JimBobsBeerBlog
by The Boourns on Oct 13, 2011 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think
he’s very fast. Others have criticized the crispness of his route running (I can’t judge that from standard TV angle). And while he’s not tiny (6’1 210) he’s not going to be confused with Megatron.
I won’t call him a bust, even for a #11 pick… he’s an average starting WR.
Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...
Here we go again.
Give Crabs a chance. He missed a lot of time because of injury. So in the Bucs game it looked like he was finally rounding into shape. He runs good routes and has awsome hands.Also he suffered from the same thing Alex did; terrible coaching. Don’t be so quick to judge.
by 49er faithful on Oct 13, 2011 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
you're being defensive and irrational on the subject
weather or not Crabtree pans out or not is INDEPENDENT to the discussion of weather or not he’s similar to Calvin Johnson.
Crabtree is NOT like Johnson. Johnson is taller by like 4" and bigger by like 20 lbs. Johnson is also faster (I never could figure out why the Niners like to send Crabtree on Go/9 routes last year when he’s not a speedster).
I think if Crabs succeeds, he’ll be probably like Anquan Boldin who is about the same size and is not a speedster. But Boldin runs aggressive routes, has aggressive hands (much like Crabs) and is just really tough to out muscle or intimidate by being hit (something that Crabs could aspire to be).
by allforfunnplay on Oct 13, 2011 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions
No receiver is like Johnson
Other than maybe Vincent Jackson. And Vernon Davis actually.
However, crabtree is pretty similar physically to other big wideouts like Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. He’s about an inch shorter but he has a longer wingspan than any of them, including Megatron.
by hammystyle on Oct 13, 2011 4:20 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Really not similar....
Calvin is much taller,heavier,stronger and way faster.
huh...I guess watching Crabtree in college made him appear bigger than he actually is
I just remember him manhandling dudes in a game winning TD in college and said, ’that looks like something CJ likes to do"
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
Love Beer? Me too! http://jimbobsbeerblog.wordpress.com/
Follow me on twitter: #JimBobsBeerBlog
Good Chance
After listening to all the Detroit hype I was worried about this game. But after watching Monday’s game against the Bears. I’m down to a little worried. As bad as the Bears played to remain in that game as long as they did; brings down my opinion of the lions. If the 9ers don’t fall victim to the crowd (false starts) and avoid the big play they could most definitely win.
Same thing I said about the Philly game...
we need to Run, run, and run some more… stay out of third and long, and let the crowd scream themselves out of it early on. The lions weakness is at linebacker and safety. Sound familiar? Just like Philly… run it down their throats and use quick passes to confuse and irritate them. The best way to stop Calvin Johnson is to keep him on the sideline.
by Sigelvictory on Oct 13, 2011 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Aldon "99 Sack Ballons" Smith :)
Affectionately,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer
by afrikabamboodle on Oct 13, 2011 12:49 PM PDT reply actions
99 Sack Balloons :/
Affectionately,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer
by afrikabamboodle on Oct 13, 2011 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Lets see Goldson put one of those 'de-cleating' type hits on CJ!
That’s how you deal with him.
"That was very funny about the old man basketball skills. One is lucky to escape injury when playing against those crafty, crusty sumbitches. And it’s just demoralizing when they demonstrate yet again how to use the backboard from range." - Charlie Custer
by SmittytheCutman on Oct 13, 2011 1:04 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
We handled Fitz and Warner with much worse secondary
And we did it twice a year. I’m sure we’ll find a way to handle Megatron and Stafford with a better secondary and better defensive coordinator.
by Roy_from_Israel on Oct 13, 2011 1:07 PM PDT reply actions
Fitz may be big and vertical,
but he doesn’t have CJ speed.
Affectionately,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer
by afrikabamboodle on Oct 13, 2011 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions
And he has Kevin Kolb throwing to him.
and no other real receivers alongside him to take some of the heat off.
No slogans. Just win!!!
He's a better route runner though
by hammystyle on Oct 13, 2011 4:26 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Absolutely.
Point being, Clements and company could hang with Fitz because he isn’t a blazer. CJ on the other hand has elite speed. His route running and hands aren’t as good as Fitz, but the only route he needs to know is straight spring to the end zone and jump 10 ft high in the air.
Affectionately,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer
by afrikabamboodle on Oct 13, 2011 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Funny...
for all of Nate’s shortcomings, he sure did a good job against Fitz
by Sigelvictory on Oct 13, 2011 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Spencer
Handled most of the Fitz coverage from what I remember.
That's an empty boast. Calvin gets hit all the time.
You obviously haven’t seen how many time he gets thrown to the ground by defenders when he makes a jump catch.
No slogans. Just win!!!
I think the one go that goes unnoticed is how much Calvin plays decoy from the Lions
He opens up the game for the rest of their weapons; There has hardly been any discussion about Pettigrew, Titus Young or Javid Best.
Of course none of those players are even in the same league as Calvin but they can hurt us. I truly believe that the defense can contain Javid Best but because so much of the defense’s attention will be on Calvin that Stafford will look to Pettigrew & Young especially on 3rd downs & in the redzone.
The linebackers & the nickle & dime corners will have to be really good in coverage on sunday to be able to contain that offense, especially with the fact that they are so relent on big plays
Suh, in interview "Im going to HIT your Q.B."
Give that quote to our O-Line.
He said "If you don't protect your QB, I'm going to continue to hit him."
That should be a rule of thumb for all linemen.
No slogans. Just win!!!
There are a few rules that every football player should know
And I’d argue that every PROFESSIONAL football player already knows.
“If you don’t do your job, I’m going to do mine.”
"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson
why so they could say "we know"
Matthew Stafford, Quarterback: a man barely alive, Gentlemen we can rebuild him, We have the technology, We have the capability to make the worlds first bionic QB, Matthew Stafford will be that man, Better than he was before
Better, Stronger, Faster
They said we were a one trick pony, talkin bout CALVIN. Well thats one hell of a TRICK!!!! - Nate B.
They need to play the ball more then the player , get after Stafford move him , hit him , Stafford throws Two picks in this game ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!
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