49ers Vs. Redskins: Well, Hello Ryan Kerrigan And Brian Orakpo

by David Fucillo on Nov 2, 2011 9:00 AM PDT in Preview

The 49ers will be tested in various areas on Sunday, but arguably the biggest will be the Washington Redskins pass rush against the 49ers offensive line and general pass protection scheme. The Redskins are fifth in the NFL in total sacks and ranked number one by Football Outsiders in their pass rush statistic. That is based on adjusted sack rate, which covers sacks plus intentional grounding penalties per pass attempt adjusted for down, distance and opponent.

The Redskins have a couple big guns at outside linebacker in Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan. Both will present stiff challenges to Anthony Davis and Joe Staley. The interior of the line will have its own share of work to do as they deal with two defensive ends in Adam Carriker and Stephen Bowen. The two defensive ends have combined for 7.5 sacks.

The 49ers offensive line did an excellent job in pass protection this past week, but they face a stiffer challenge this week. Cleveland actually has a fairly solid pass rush, but the Redskins bring some serious horse power. Although Kerrigan only has two sacks on the year, he ranks seventh in the NFL with 18 QB pressures according to Pro Football Focus. Brian Orakpo is tied for the Redskins lead with 4.5 sacks and is fourth in the NFL with 20 QB pressures. While Carriker and Bowen have gotten sacks, Orakpo and Kerrigan are the two guys keeping the 49ers hands full.

The 49ers offensive line has shown steady improvement over the last few weeks after a tough start. They have plenty of room for improvement and this week provides a good opportunity to figure out exactly where the 49ers stand in week nine.

How do you see these matchups working out? Will we see Vernon Davis once again held in to block a bit more frequently?

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

So happy the 9ers drafted Pass Rusher Aldon Smith....

However, it is still clear to me in the 2012 draft, maybe within the first 2 rounds, the 9er to need to draft another Pass Rusher to join Aldon and make our defense Really Really Scary!

by BigMar on Nov 2, 2011 9:05 AM PDT reply actions

D Line depth maybe

we’re set at LB

by mrg80 on Nov 2, 2011 9:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Drafting DL or OLB prospects in the early rounds is a possibility ... but not likely.

First, unlike recent years, we will be drafting late in each round … somewhere between 27-32. IF FOR SOME VERY STRANGE REASON somebody like 3/4DE Jared Crick (Nebraska) or OLB Brandon Jenkins (Florida State) were still available when we pick in the first round, then yes. it’s possible. But they are not likely to fall to us.

After spending a good deal of time studying 2012 draft prospect rankings by the best scouting services, I think that it is much more likely that the Niners will select this way:

Round 1 / Pick 28 (say): CB Janoris Jenkins (North Alabama & Florida), Chase Minnifield (Virginia), Stephen Gilmore (South Carolina) or maybe even Xavier Rhodes (Florida State), if he decides to come out.

Round 2 / Pick 60: RBOTF Chris Polk (Washington) or Lamar Miller (Miami FL). If Knile Davis (Arkansas) recovers from his injuries and decides to come out, he could be in the mix here.

Round 3 / Pick 92: WR Jeff Fuller (Texas A&M), Nick Toon (Wisconsin), Dwight Jones (North Carolina), Juron Criner (Arizona), Greg Childs (Arkansas), or Rueben Randle (LSU), depending upon who is still available when we pick.

Round 4 / Pick 124: CB Trumaine Johnson (Montana) or SS Harrison Smith (Notre Dame). Yes, ANOTHER Smith!!

Round 5 / Pick 156: FS George Iloka (Boise State) or WR Brian Quick (Appalachian State)

Round 6 / Pick 188: DL Tydreke Powell (North Carolina) or Derek Wolfe (Cincinnati).

Obviously specific draft picks will be modified by new injuries that may occur during the balance of the collegiate season AND by how well prospects who have already gone down are able to recover. Just as a couple of examples of the latter, two outstanding redshirt sophomores (meaning they could play two additional collegiate seasons if they so elected) have been injured and should they fully recover AND decide to apply for the draft, would be prospects of immediate interest to the Niners. Those two are RB Knile Davis (Arkansas) and ILB Shayne Skov (Stanford) … again, not likely, but possible. Further, many Juniors haven’t yet decided whether to go pro early or stay in school. An example here might be somebody like WR Tommy Streeter (Miami FL).

by 49erFanSince1950 on Nov 2, 2011 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes Fooch, I see the Vernon and Delanie show returning with some Frank and Kendall worked in on screens! We've got to keep their defense guessing/honest while they try to blitz us!

When we are expected to run, we will pass and when we are expected to pass, we will run! Any questions?

Enough said above! I can't believe the "t-raiders" are going to play in OUR stadium! Bastards!

by 23mjheart on Nov 2, 2011 9:22 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

Any word on Moron Norris returning? Or can we expect Miller Time....oops, I meant Moran

by Hesperia9er on Nov 2, 2011 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions

even if Norris is healthy

I doubt he’s active on the 46. Our coaching staff knows they can rely on Ice or whomever for extra blocking @ FB

by Doni S on Nov 2, 2011 12:07 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions

We need to lower the amount of times we have Soap in the backfield blocking.

He had a terrible game Sunday.

Clayton Kershaw, Giant Killer | KeMVP #BEASTMODE

"By now if u don't believe the Niners are for real ur probably not that good at what u do..." - Donte Whitner

Follow @michaelsp310

by mikeinsp on Nov 2, 2011 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't trust the ol line

to perform a good screen yet. Maybe next year. I have yet to see them do this. Also, do the Redskins blitz that much? Or are they a 4-man pressure team…

Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...

by zenbitz on Nov 2, 2011 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions

They

do both and are very effective if Alex does not get the ball out of his hands quickly.

by andre_504 on Nov 2, 2011 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions

just another test....

not to diminish the quality of their front (Orakpo is a former hero of mine), but this is no different than Philly or Detroit or Dallas. They’ll bring the heat. And the Niners will counter with Gore, solid blocking TE’s, and a heavy dose of short passes.

What it all boils down to, for me, is AleX. In the past, a beastly pass rush meant forced throws and fumbles at inopportune times. Alex seems to have cleaned that all up- he’s making better decisions in the pocket and taking care of the ball.

In Harbaugh we trust.

by t p on Nov 2, 2011 10:02 AM PDT reply actions

Good take

We’re playing conservative on the obvious passing downs, which is why we’re not turning it over. The key to being able to move the ball will be first and second down, and of course the run. Neither Smith nor our line excel when an extrodinarily good pass-rushing d like Washington gets to pin back their ears.

by BKisforSF on Nov 2, 2011 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions

so

the one game we did lose and the two we almost lost.

Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...

by zenbitz on Nov 2, 2011 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

the games are never easy

there is no cake walk in the NFL, so i hope you didn’t take it that way. Just saying that the niners have the pieces to take on a good front, and the difference maker is playing the way he should.

…and, on top of that, the playcalling is savvy enough to dig out a few key third-down conversions. And against a team like WAS, running some clock will be key since they don’t exactly have a big play offense.

by t p on Nov 2, 2011 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions

I just thought it was funny

that you cited the ability of the Niners to “handle” good pass rushing teams… when those are the teams they had the most trouble with. However, to be fair those were the 3 best teams we faced (although the Bengals were pretty close… another tough game).

Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...

by zenbitz on Nov 2, 2011 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions

I also thought it was funny...

to diminish the Redskin front by comparing them to Philly Dallas and Detroit. could have used a better term there so there was no confusion.

this matchup is much more dangerous than last week’s matchup.

how bout them bengals eh? Lawson looked pretty good last week, seems like they’re clicking right now.

by t p on Nov 2, 2011 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Fixed.

the one game we ~~did lose~~ almost won and the two we ~~almost lost~~ did win.

Clayton Kershaw, Giant Killer | KeMVP #BEASTMODE

"By now if u don't believe the Niners are for real ur probably not that good at what u do..." - Donte Whitner

Follow @michaelsp310

by mikeinsp on Nov 2, 2011 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Exactly...for the entire week leading up to the Lions game, there was a ton of talk about their DLine...that got beat in the trenches by our OL

by Hesperia9er on Nov 2, 2011 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions

O-Line has come a long way...

Since the Dallas and Philly games. The ‘big uglies’ handled TB, Detroit, etc. and I think they’ll do well against Washington

"The principle is competing against yourself. It's about self improvement, about being better than you were the day before." ~Steve Young #8

by Young_To_Rice on Nov 2, 2011 10:12 AM PDT reply actions

McDonald....how is he doing, will he play?

by BigMar on Nov 2, 2011 10:59 AM PDT reply actions

The Washington Redskins are not especially good at stopping the run

Frank Gore is going to be good for another 130, and Hunter should get a hundred as well. The 49ers game plan is not likely to be interrupted by a strong pass rush, they don’t really rely on their deep passes to win games for them. I figure we’ll see alot of dinks, dunks, dives, draws, screens, and slants.

"It's tough. Everyone's geared up for the run and they hit you with that."
--Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson on 49ers throwing a pass to Isaac Sopoaga late in the game to pick up a crucial first down.

The Dallas Cowboys are the NFL's greatest underachievers.

by Pat Willie on Nov 2, 2011 11:00 AM PDT reply actions

I just want Gore to get over 125 this game and next game

so he’s the only RB since 1970 to have six consective games of 125 or more.

by reedkrase on Nov 2, 2011 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions

He's going to this Sunday anyway reed

The Skins are going to get the ball run down their throats. They are way down the list on rush defense. Gore and Hunter = Smash Slice and Dash.

by riderless on Nov 2, 2011 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions

crazy talk

Niners among the leagues’ worst at pass protection and allowing sacks. Sacks are bad whether or not you are throwing long. In fact – since they DON’T call many deep passes / long developing pass plays the OL is probably even worse than it appears at pass protection!

Since I don’t like to be totally negative… they have much improved their run blocking after the first 3 games!

Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...

by zenbitz on Nov 2, 2011 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Anthony Davis has improved alot

since the start of the season. He’s responsible for at least 4 sacks himself but in recent games he’s stepped up admirably.

by riderless on Nov 2, 2011 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions

big up to AD

he’s playing well. been waiting for that.

by t p on Nov 2, 2011 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Yep....Anthony Davis is playing better & better by the week

He may just end up being one of the best Right Tackes in the NFL.

And Anthony can be nasty & put a big hurt on folks when he wants too.

by BigMar on Nov 2, 2011 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I love how chippy he is

He just needs to learn how to defend against speed moves.

by smileyman on Nov 2, 2011 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes, Davis has allowed four sacks.

He’s cut down on the penalties also. He has only five total, but only two false start/holding penalties(both false starts). The others were two tripping(which he’s worked on so don’t expect anymore of those) and illegal formation(which was really Ginn’s fault).

He had a lock down game Sunday and had another good game in Detroit.

He’s definitely improved since last year. I wonder where all the [site decorum] saying we should cut him went?

Clayton Kershaw, Giant Killer | KeMVP #BEASTMODE

"By now if u don't believe the Niners are for real ur probably not that good at what u do..." - Donte Whitner

Follow @michaelsp310

by mikeinsp on Nov 2, 2011 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Both of those games he was not against speed rushers...

We’ll see how he does against Orakpo (he qualifies) and Kerrigan (not really a speedy guy)

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Nov 2, 2011 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions

I would agree about Hunter, but...

Last week he only had 3 carries. What’s up with that? Frank had a huge ypc average in the first half, and I think if we had mixed Hunter in more during the second half we would have had more success.

by ZivilynBane on Nov 2, 2011 11:15 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

we were coming off a bye

I’m attributing Frank’s heavy load against Cleveland to that. Otherwise I don’t think that’s going to happen again this season…unless we earn a 1st round bye in the playoffs

by Doni S on Nov 2, 2011 12:16 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions