49ers vs. Saints: One Player in Particular Who Must Have a Great Game
by Tre9er on Jan 10, 2012 10:29 AM PST
in 2012 NFL Playoffs
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As the game against the Saints approaches we hear the predictable discussion surrounding Drew Brees and the New Orleans passing game. It's no surprise, Brees broke several NFL records (completion%, passing yards) this season and anyone can see he is a masterful thrower of ye old pigskin.
The really impressive thing that Brees does, something I always admired in Peyton Manning as well, is he sees the whole field and throws to whomever is open: short, intermediate, deep...on any given play. Completions will come. The Saints spread out in five-wide formations quite often and as I said, Brees can find which guy is even remotely open.
The 49ers are no strangers to the concept of allowing completions, in fact, it's sort of the strategy against pass-happy teams. The idea is to let them move down the field with short and intermediate passes, rallying to make the tackle after the catch, and also trying to force fumbles and incompletions as they do it.
The one thing the defense does NOT want to allow though are deep passes. That's because the defense is one of the best in the red-zone, but if you let a deep pass get to the end-zone, there's no need for red-zone defense. We've seen this when Dallas came back and won at our place, as a direct result of deep passes.
For this reason, I think there's one guy in particular who must have a great game if the 49ers are to hold-off the Saints and claim the victory. Jump to find out who.
If you want to prevent the deep ball you've got to cover receivers, yes. But you've also gotta have help at times. Corners get burned, slip, fall down, or just aren't as fast as the wide receiver at times. There's also the problem of short and intermediate passes becoming longer plays due to yards-after-catch. You need someone there to tackle the guy after he catches the ball.
This player, the one who accomplishes both of these things, is the Free Safety...in our case: Dashon Goldson.
Goldson is going to have to be disciplined in this game in a few areas: He'll have to stay deep in zone coverage, deeper than the deepest route, at all times. He can't bite on run-fakes, pump-fakes, etc. If any corner get's burned (and you can bet we'll have three or more on the field very often, meaning deeper reserve guys), Goldson has to be there to make a play on the ball or at the very least, make the TD-saving tackle.
He'll also need to be disciplined in the tackling aspect itself. As I said, Brees will complete short and intermediate passes all day if that's what you give him. The 49ers have looked sloppy making tackles the past few games and Goldson himself has been known to go for the big torpedo hit, sometimes resulting in the missed-tackle.
Granted, we want him to hit hard and intimidate the Saints receivers, but again...he has to be disciplined. If he's the last line of defense, a smashing hit isn't what's called-for. A sound, wrap-up tackle is the cure in that situation. He must take good angles and know where his help is, too.
Brees likes to fit the ball into tight windows. He will put it out there to be taken away at least a few times in this game. If Goldson trusts the scheme and his teammates, he'll likely be in position to do what the Lions didn't do: make the pick and put Brees and Co. on the bench.
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Totally agree that Goldson has to kill it this Saturday.
He’s been a ball hawk all season, and he’ll need to be that vs. Brees. We saw with the Lions that if you don’t put away the balls that Brees puts up there to be intercepted, you will lose.
So far, 2011 has been Harbaugh-some!
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Yup on Goldson
Him and Aldon are the two most important players on Saturday. I’d include J. Smith or Willis, but I don’t doubt either of their abilities to more than bring it.
Goldson DOES need to be the last-line-of-defense sure tackler. He also needs to, where appropriate, knock a couple of dudes out, as he has been prone to do. And, finally, when he’s pretty sure on it, he needs to jump the route, and reverse which team has possession, or pick-6 it.
Finally, Aldon is going to have to be the dude forcing Brees to be just a little off- a little slow, a little late, a little inaccurate. People look at the Steelers game, where he had 2.5 sacks. But way more important to the lousy night the Steelers QB had was the 8 other times he was able to pressure him, including six hits.
Brees is great; but he CAN be gotten after, and we have just the man to do it. And, lining up next to him, we have Justin Smith, who will allow Aldon the opportunities to do what he does so incredibly well.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Jan 10, 2012 10:48 AM PST up reply actions
Goldson's ball hawking is what scares me
he’s been taking risks all season that have paid off based on the QBs we have been playing. I’m afraid that Brees would exploit those choices. Wouldn’t mind if Goldson has no interceptions and few passes defended as long as he’s always there to make the tackle and not stopping short assuming that Brown will be alright.
Good thing about Goldson is that he can jar the ball loose.
He creates a crap load of fumbles… and he usually bides his time and does it mostly in big games.
A lot of times he gets blasted for his coverage ability but this year he has stepped it up. He can’t be perfect all the time and people always wanna dwell on this play or that play but for the most part he’s been playing much better.
He also will often make up for a bonehead play at some point in a game if he screws up.
I was down on him last year but he’s grown on me over this season. He’s become a better player under Fangio and Harbaugh.
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Agreed
Sacks, hits, pressure are bigger than giving Brees time and hoping Goldson gets a pick and makes tackles he should make after completions.
by Florida Johnny on Jan 10, 2012 10:20 PM PST up reply actions
Strategically though... we can't just bomb him every single play...
Only at certain times. Of course Aldon will be in on just about all passing downs, so that will help with that. Aldon will get to Brees or at least pressure him good when he is in; don’t have any doubt about that. Justin will probably get doubled a lot so it will be up to guys like McDonald and Brooks to have big games; which they are due for I may add.
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I say the person who has to play the best
Is actually 5 people. On the O-Line. If they can pick up that pressure. Keep the offense moving. Have that time of possession way up into the 35+ range. This game could go in our favor. Best way to stop Drew Brees is by not giving him that ball. Make sure we use 8 mins per drive and end them with 7. I think if we use this stratagy, which we all know they will, and run it to perfection. Theres no way we lose. Just gotta put up 24 points. Brees will have trouble getting 24 if he very rarely has the ball.
Cop out
You can name, like, two dudes who have to be the “most important player”. 5 sir, borders on outright stretching of the rules, even if they are a unit.
I’m just messing with you.
On offense, I agree. Most important unit.
On defense, I think Dashon and Aldon DO have to be the difference makers, and I think Sproles is going to cr-p his slacks when he figures out just how fast Willis and Bowman are.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Jan 10, 2012 10:50 AM PST up reply actions
Willis and Bowman are more important than both Dashon and Aldon
Most of the Saints passes are short passes that turn into big gains. They throw a lot of them. Willis and Bowman will need to play great, if not the best games of their careers.
Draft: 1. Kendall Wright 2. Trumaine Johnson
FA: Smith, Morgan, Brooks, Rogers, Snyder
by whistlingmountain on Jan 10, 2012 11:31 AM PST up reply actions
I said that above
It’s not that I think Goldson is more important than Willis, I just don’t have ANY doubts about Willis playing a fantastic game.
Dashon is the MIQM (Most important question mark)
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Jan 10, 2012 11:59 AM PST up reply actions
I think Aldon's play will make a big impact one way or the other
My biggest concern about N.O. is their big-strike capability, but it generally take a little time for plays like that to develop.
Rather than playing Aldon on 2nd/3rd down, I want to see him play based on field position. When NO is outside the Niners 40, I would like to see Aldon there to put on the pressure and not leave time for any big yardage completions. Inside of that, give him a rest.
by ColoradoNiner on Jan 10, 2012 12:25 PM PST up reply actions
After reading your comment and everyone else's, the person who has to play best is
45 or 46 guys. I can forgive the injured and inactive players for mediocre play, but everyone else will have to give it their best.
Needles to say, Shawntae Spencer should be active for this game.
by bmcrae83@yahoo.com on Jan 10, 2012 10:57 AM PST reply actions
I see him handling Colston
the poor man’s Larry Fitzgerald, but with a better QB.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Jan 10, 2012 11:02 AM PST up reply actions
Coaching staff doesn't trust Spencer.
He hasn’t played much all season long. He has seen limited time both on defense and special teams.
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I've seen a bunch of Saints games this year
As probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite team (I lived in Houston for 6 years before the Texans started and many old friends are from Nola), I try to catch the Saints games whenever they’re on. Since they can seemingly always convert every 3rd and long, they can use 1st and 2nd down for deep pass attempts and running plays. Come to think of it, they also tend to play more conservatively during the 1st and 2nd quarters and then totally put the game away in a matter of minutes during the 3rd quarter. Take away the 3rd and long, and follow through with strong defense for 4 quarters and the Niners might have something.
I don't think that Goldson needs a great game more than
Willis, Bowman, Justin, Aldon, or Rogers at the least
All 11 guys on the field are going to need to play well almost every down, but I think they need great games from those 5.
Draft: 1. Kendall Wright 2. Trumaine Johnson
FA: Smith, Morgan, Brooks, Rogers, Snyder
by whistlingmountain on Jan 10, 2012 11:29 AM PST reply actions
Wow
Hue Jackson fired… I did not see this coming
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
wasn't he there for like one year?
And when we win, we want to dominate. We want to take guys out. We want to hurt guys. We want to win. We just want to dominate, hit them in the mouth. - Rathman
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Neither did I
Thought the team was behind him . . . though he did miss the playoffs when the Raiders should have made it.
What we really need
Is for Andy Lee to have one of his best games. As mentioned above, Brees is going to make his completions because he’s just that good. But if we can consistently win the field position battle and keep him starting in his own 20 then he’s going to have to put it in the air a lot. Brees is an elite quarterback, but one thing he is capable of doing is having a 3-4 INT game. Play 49ers footbal, control the clock, don’t make mistakes, and have Andy Lee be his Pro Bowl self and the Niners move on.
Not a problem
Andy Lee does not have bad games. In fact, defying all rules of logic and reason, Andy Lee does not even have games that are not his “best” games. Don’t try to make sense out of it; it doesn’t make sense.
Just accept it, and look for the DeathStar to set Saints returners up for big hits that lead to turnovers in their own red zone.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Jan 10, 2012 12:04 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
when we as fans stress the importance
of our pro bowl punter having a great game, you know we’re in trouble.
you must seriously have the biggest stick of all time
up your butt.
Maslow's theory of higher needs does not apply to Patrick Willis. He only has two needs: tackling people and finding people to tackle.
by 49erLou on Jan 10, 2012 12:30 PM PST up reply actions 7 recs
Nope
It simply means we have a phenomenal punter. Who is having arguably the best season a punter has ever had. Seriously.
Speaking of record-setting seasons…RLott42 looked like the early season favorite for the “Most pessimistic” trophy, and then Clutchtree put in work like Alex had kicked his momma…however, you have come on as a strong dark horse in recent weeks; keep it up, and whenever the 49ers season ends, you have a shot at the title for most pessimistic, aka, “The 49ers Eeyore Award”.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Jan 10, 2012 12:33 PM PST up reply actions 6 recs
Ha ha - At least its consistent pessimism
we are doomed
Nice ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!
Thats BS, i was never in consideration. i just speak the truth.
"What the hell are you mixing in that look-aid"
You're now a distant third...
if that makes you feel better.
And, you were definitely in consideration in August and September. Based on your “name”, I tend to notice when you post.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Jan 10, 2012 4:33 PM PST up reply actions
Also...
I’ve got proof.
About a third of the way down. Though, to your credit, you DO deny any interest in end-of-the-season hardware.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Jan 10, 2012 4:36 PM PST up reply actions
Opinion Vs. Truth...
Now that’s a tricky animal for ya.
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Its not opinion. Things I point out about Alex are true, and the defense as well.
"What the hell are you mixing in that look-aid"
Well, why dont we also present the Optimistic Blind As A Bat Award
I mean its only fair, or maybe call it the kool-aid man award. There’s some serious delusion amongst so called optimist.
"What the hell are you mixing in that look-aid"
Years of losing do that to people
I was amazed this year when after a dominant performance by the Saints I popped over to one of their fan threads and everyone was nitpicking the team and even complaining about Brees a bit. They were basically fans that were spoiled by having a very good team for several years. By jarring contrast, take a trip over to a Raiders board, e.g. after they squeaked past Hanie’s Bears at home, and hear them gush over their team. That team has been pony for so long, someone tosses them a saltine and they take it for a five star meal.
When the fans catch up to the team, there will still be homerism, but a lot less of the old soft bigotry of low expectations.
I would be MORE than fine
With winning the Kool-Aid Man award, provided it meant that I was always upbeat, and could crash through brick walls without damaging my (seemingly) glass exterior.
On the other hand, if I could do that, I should just be an NFL fullback or NT.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Jan 11, 2012 10:23 AM PST up reply actions
The one guy we really need to perform is Akers
no joke. Eagles cut him for choking in the playoffs. He’s been great with a couple of bad games, which lends itself to that fear. We’re all assuming the 49ers are going to kick at least 2 FGs. If Akers misses one of those that could be a big shift.
I'm not worried about any choking.
I think there is a reason player choke under pressure playing for Reed and step up under pressure playing for Harbaugh.
Over
by cybermaldonado on Jan 10, 2012 5:51 PM PST up reply actions
Wrap-up tackle vs bone jarring hit
If he’s the last line of defense, a smashing hit isn’t what’s called-for.
That’s the key within the key. Impacted the Arizona game with Fitzgerald. So long as Goldson and his coaches focus on this I feel good about Goldson being the MVP of the game.
Ahmad Brooks FTW!!!!
Surprised nobody’s talking about this….last week, the RT in NO was atrocious. Basically, the only pressure that the saints had to deal with was coming from the right side.
Brooks is a talented speed rusher. It’s his forte, and will be an advantage for the home team. If Brees can’t settle his feet and throw from his spot, the defense will be more successful overall.
Agreed
He and McDonald are flying under the radar, but are going to be huge keys to putting pressure on Brees, especially out of that base D which is A LOT less effective against the pass than the nickel, something that no doubt will not escape the Saints coaches attention.
But Tre9er is right that pass rush is a necessary but insufficient condition. The safety play is going to have to be superb for us to get past these guys regardless. Their offense is just a an unholy juggernaught right now and the D will either have to play their faces off, or the O (plus maybe Ginn in the return game) will have to figure out how to put five TDs on the board. Which is not something they’ve been able to do this year even against weak defenses without a lot of help from the defense.
The Saints are the reason...
I hate the Anthony Davis pick last year most of all. He’s improving, he may some day actually be good. Hell, he may actually be an all world guard some day. But we had Earl Thomas even without trading up, and he’s probably the only guy in football that can do all the things Tre9er is talking about, not to mention match up extraordinarily well against Graham and Sproles. That guy is one amazing talent. Why oh Singletary?!?! WHY????!!
As it is, those are huge match up problems even with Bowman and Willis, who despite their remarkable athleticism for, whatever, 260lb linebackers that routinely have to shed the blocks of 340lb guards, are neither cover guys capable of dependably staying between Graham and the qb and making a play on the ball, nor fast and quick enough to dependably handle Sproles in the flat without supporting pursuit (such as I saw happen last week when Saints receivers lifted the top off the zone with deep routes and dumped off to Sproles for big gains).
Willis and Bowman are as good as linebackers get in those roles. But they’re still linebackers covering extraordinarily fast/athletic guys. And that’s going to be a matchup problem that will not be made much better by moving Whitner or Goldson over them. All I can say is thank god we’re playing at the Stick, and let those groundskeepers get crazy with the loose sod.
Seriously, how friggin good would that defense be with Thomas? Then we’d be talking Ravens/Bears/Bucs superbowl quality D. And we could’ve used our second rounder and some FAs to find a tackle, like Oakland’s guy or Stafford, or Jammal Brown or smth and probably gotten better there. Killer
Wow you can narrow it down too One Player , and i thought this was a TEAM game ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!
You're right, as usual, Tre ... but I think it's really five guys who have to "do it" ...
First, the “Smith Brothers” on the pass rush … pressure, pressure, pressure.
Then, Goldson, as you suggest. Give me wrap-up tackles every time … big hits when you KNOW that you have help.
Then, Andy Lee and David Akers … as usual!!
by 49erFanSince1950 on Jan 10, 2012 6:23 PM PST reply actions
Agree
Had a similar talk today at lunch about Goldston. The interesting thing is that the relationship between our safeties and corners have been critical in turnovers, PDs, etc this year. When Goldston plays disciplined, Rodgers and TB can take calculated risks and under cut routes or lead receivers into a turnover. We needs to ball like he never has and live up to his Pro Bowl selection.
T Brown, R McDonald, A Brooks, D Goldson, and D Whitner have to excel vs the pass. This will determine the game, Aldon will be chipped frequently and Smith will be held with no penalty. The unsung heroes will have to emerge and Smith has to be damn near flawless. The Saints don’t let up. 9ers need a minimum 17 points at half. My bold prediction…….Harbaugh kicks an onside kick at a time outside of the norm.
"What the hell are you mixing in that look-aid"
Onside kick unexpected in the playoffs? Vs the Saints? Madness.
Seely may have some tricks up his sleeves but an onside kick goes against the principle of winning the battle of field possession big time.
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Exactly why it could happen, no one would expect it. I mean it was done in a superbowl vs Peyton Manning.
And that’s harbaughs call not Seelys.
"What the hell are you mixing in that look-aid"
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