49ers Vs. Saints: Donte Whitner Leads Physical Defensive Effort
by David Fucillo on Jan 16, 2012 3:31 PM PST
in 2012 NFL Playoffs
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PrintLast week, I posted some comments from Bill Romanowski in which he said the 49ers defense needed to lay people out and send some of the Saints to the hospital. While I disagreed with the specifics of his vision, I understood the general idea of getting physical on defense.
The 49ers defense did not need to hear this loud and clear because they continued to do what they have done all year: play extraordinarily physical football and beat the very will out of their opponent. The Saints did not give up after all these hits, but the 49ers physicality was key in forcing so many turnovers. Nowhere was it more evident than Donte Whitner's brutal hit on running back Pierre Thomas on the Saints opening drive. It stopped the Saints short of the end zone and forced a key early turnover.
This was just one of numerous examples of the 49ers absolutely laying out the Saints. It was also in line with how the defense has played all season long. Early on, there was a ridiculous stretch where they knocked out something like six running backs in the first two months of the season. While I don't wish injury on a player, I am perfectly fine with a physical defense playing a physical brand of football.
In the Thomas fumble, the play involved a helmet-to-helmet hit, but that is not illegal when a ball carrier is running. Specific types of players are protected from those hits, but Thomas was not one such player. It would not surprise me to see the NFL try and further legislate helmet-to-helmet hits this offseason, but for now, the hit was as legal as they come.
One downside to the 49ers physical, aggressive nature is the fact that they sometimes can get overly aggressive going for the big play or big hit. We saw that on several of the Saints touchdowns as the 49ers gave up numerous big plays on Saturday. Fortunately the 49ers overcame those plays, but it will be something to keep an eye on heading into Sunday's NFC Championship Game. The Giants have their own big play guys and Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham could cause havoc if the 49ers get too aggressive. Much like the big plays were an important matchup this past weekend, they will continue to be important this Sunday.
As we continue through the week, how about one more instance of Mr. T?
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I loved
the way Whitner just walked away cooly from the hit while everyone else was scrambling for the ball.
shouldn't he have been going for the ball as well?
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
Flags Fly Forever
"Orlando before Zod" doesn't have the same nice ring to it.
by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 16, 2012 4:12 PM PST up reply actions
exactly
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
Flags Fly Forever
"Orlando before Zod" doesn't have the same nice ring to it.
by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 16, 2012 4:18 PM PST up reply actions
Ya, I don't think he realized he'd knocked him unconscious...
A la Willis laying out what’s his name Jet player a few years back…
that was scary
he looked down at him, shook his head and know that Thomas was out . . . I’d have been pissed if I was a saints fan, but as a niners fan . . . I think Schadenfreude is a bit of a cliche term, but that pretty much describes it
The Whitner hit
was one that Ronnie Lott would’ve been proud to own. Donte’s perfect imitation of a brick wall. Hope Thomas recovers fully.
"One game at a time. Let's just keep it rolling." Justin Smith
Exactly - Vicious hit and straight out of Ronnie Lott's locker
and it set the tone
Wonder if the giants RB’s are worried considering how many other teams backs have prematurely exited games versus the niners this year.
Worried or not
They better not be delusional in thinking they’re going to run all over us. They should know better by now.
On the flip side, Giants run D is pretty good too
I hope the coaches game plan as though +100 yds on the ground is unlikely in this one.
Giants give up 121.3 yards per game. Running is just what they need to do. Why get in a shoot out with manning? Run it keep it out of his hands and play D and field pos. We did it all year.
I just hope Frank the Tank is ready to go.
That's true
But part of that is due to injuries. Their D-line is healthy and their LB’s are have gotten a lot better. I’m not saying that they can’t run the ball, but I think their defense is playing a lot better now than when we played them earlier in the year.
You're right
But don’t you think the 9er offense has made a greater improvement in that same amount of time?
The beuaty of harbs
Is he plays mind games with people. Everyone went into that giants game saying the 9ers are going to run run run. Harbs came out throwing. Now everyone is hailing Alex Smith as the second coming of Aaron Rodgers. Giants have a good pass rush which leaves them open to the run. Everyone expects Alex to win the game. VD is going to be doubled all game. harbs is going to come out and pound the rock like we haven’t seen in a while. Frank the tank is going to get a buck fifty on the ground. Eli is going to have his pouty face on, and the media is going to be saying what happen to Alex as we glide our way to the Super Bowl.
If ever there was a game that we needed to beat the ever living Shoot out of a team, this is the one.
Trying to out pass Eli way great last time because no one expected it. Now that Alex has earned some much needed respect the Gmen will have to respect the pass and the box won’t be stacked all day. Obviously we still need to pass, but I think we need ball control here more than ever.
I highly doubt that's going to work
We can run more than last time if Gore stays healthy, but we’re going to have to throw the ball to open the run lanes. We’re not a good smash mouth run offense against anything but mediocre defenses. I will say we’ve got better at short yardage late in the season, though.
Well i hope they don't try to mess with the helmet rules too much
or soon all a offensive player will have to do is lower his head in a ram formation, and no one will be allowed to tackle him, because that was one of the main reason Thomas got jacked up, he lowered HIS head.
This
As scary and awful as that hit was, the reason it was legal was because the onus was on Thomas to protect himself there.
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Jan 16, 2012 4:15 PM PST up reply actions
There have been a lot of complaints about that hit from non-49ers fans.
It was totally legal and awesome.
I don’t know how you regulate it if the offensive player lowers his head first or simultaneously.
But the rules have been changing so fast that it is hard for fans to keep up with it and maybe even for refs to keep up with all the changes.
I don’t know what the right answer is in terms of player safety all I know is that was a freaking awesome play and hit!
Can you imagine a little kid just standing there and getting picked on. They get rocks thrown at them. Spit on them. Alex’s just one of those guys, he’s been there. I just wish him all the best. I want to see him successful. I just want to see all good things happen to that guy. Because he is a warrior.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/57371/49ers-putting-the-hurt-on-opposing-backs
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
Flags Fly Forever
"Orlando before Zod" doesn't have the same nice ring to it.
by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 16, 2012 4:36 PM PST reply actions
Dang , that's impressive as all get out ...!!
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 ...!!
Too many Roids for Romo
All season long I’ve been listing to Romo say how the Raiders are more talented than the 9ers. He finishes every sentence with “Umm Kaaay” and he was a dirty player who used roids to stay competitive. I’m not surprised he is advocating hurting people and playing dirty. The worst part about ‘the game’ is they have him on everyday.
That being said every game this year the 9ers break people. Flat out break people. They do it with clean hits and aggressive play. I honestly think that Sing brought that toughness to the team. If he had the football intellect that harbs has the 9ers would have been in the playoffs last year. Sing made this team tough, and Wit fits right in.
The most impressive thing about the Whitner hit
was that it was a play or two removed from the play where Whitner was called for PI and Grahm was pretty much worthless for the half
and it wasn’t really PI
It's the logo for my favorite band!
by positiveuphemism on Jan 16, 2012 5:34 PM PST up reply actions
I agree
I thought he played solid coverage and although he wasn’t playing to the ball, he played to the playet reaction and it appeared that he didn’t make contact intil the ball hit jimmy’s hands which should be legal.. Overall though after that I must say I was very pleased with the refs. After that play the refs just let them play which was good… Everybody who knows football knows that there are penalties on every play…. Its just up to the refs. With that being said I hope the remaining games are officiated like this one. Just let the teams play to figure out whos the best. I’m so tired of games being given to teams because of bad calls or penalties that don’t even effect the outcome of plays. Because if you think about it how do you cover a 6’6 bohemoth starring you down with their ginger souless eyes… J/k but for reals though this is a man sport so let the boys settle it on their own on the field….
by Zintzun22niner on Jan 16, 2012 6:31 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
that PI call was horrible
from a ref that couldn’t see what actually happened and the same guy that called PT down instead of a fumble
Ironically
He also blew a couple tackles which let the Saints score quickly and allowed Smith to become the late game hero
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
Goldson and Whitner play similar
hungry for the big plays and they take gambles which seem to pay off 70-30. Still great on the average, but they always give up a few plays here or there that make you shake your head.
Whitner brought the wood
If you watch the runback during
Tarell Brown’s interception
you’ll see Whitner laying out Devry Henderson as well.
Henderson should have checked his baggage for that flight
"It's impossible to hide the fire inside" - Bob Seger
did the refs blow the call on Brown's Int ruling him down by contact?
Seemed to me he was untouched and should have been awarded the 45 yard return. I was afraid that would be the game killer
It looked that way to me too.
Although I was much more excited to get the ball back. Although that forward progress fumble was a blown call. I also wanted jim to challenge it. Though I now believe it was un challengable because of the ruling on the field.
by Zintzun22niner on Jan 17, 2012 12:18 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
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