49ers Vs. Saints: Early Weather Report Calls For Sprinklers

by David Fucillo on Jan 8, 2012 8:00 AM PST in 2012 NFL Playoffs

The San Francisco 49ers will host the New Orleans Saints this coming Saturday in a divisional round playoff game where the outcome could be impacted to some extent by the weather at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defense will look to bring its A-game no matter what, but given the way the Saints offense can perform, any advantage is a good advantage.

The Saints have been unstoppable in domed play this season. They did lose to the St. Louis Rams, but other than that game, they are 10-0 when playing in the controlled environment of a dome. Their closest indoor wins were a seven point win over the Houston Texans and a 14-point victory over the Detroit Lions earlier in the season.

Thankfully, they will be coming outdoors to face the 49ers. The initial weather report for Candlestick Park is 60 degrees and sunny, but naturally that is subject to change. Sunday has clouds in the forecast and Monday calls for a few showers. There was one great suggestion from several folks on twitter: SPRINKLERS!

If you are a San Francisco Giants fan who knows his history, you might recall that the Giants reportedly used to water down the infield dirt before games with the Dodgers so as to slow down speedster Maury Wills. I do think the 49ers can beat the Saints in good weather at Candlestick, but why not keep the sprinklers on a little bit longer before Saturday's game? Dampen up that surface just a little bit more and maybe it slows down the Saints even further.

Tweet Comment 36 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

good idea

The things the 49ers need to do to win are:

1. run the ball, control the clock and keep Brees & Co off the field.
2. convert on 3rd down. That’s the key to sustaining long drives.
3. Touchdowns, not field goals in the red zone. I’d like to see more aggressive play calling.
4. TACKLE on defense. the Lions didn’t bother, the 49ers will. Letting the Saints playmakers run around in open space is a BAD idea.
5 .Win the turnover battle. The Saints D doesn’t force turnovers, the 49ers do, and the 49ers don’t turn it over.
6. Pressure on Brees. The Lions did it a bit, but mostly Brees had all day. Hopefully, the refs will see some of the blatant HOLDING the Saints O-line does, but nevertheless, get to the QB and hit him. This area will be a strength vs strength situation. If we win it, we’ll win.
7. Protect Alex Smith. almost goes w/o saying. The Saints blitz a lot. They’ll blitz a lot next week. good protection and quick, short passes will do us a lot of good. Don’t repeat the mistakes of the Baltimore game.

those are the keys.

"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 8, 2012 8:16 AM PST reply actions

Lions weren't getting some of the holding penalties because they're not crafty

Justin Smith is an expert in being able to flail his body in order to make it blatantly obvious he’s getting held.

Anyway, should be a game where the 49ers are in nickel almost the entire game, will be interesting to see how it works. I’m glad we get to see it this year either way so the 49ers know how to prepare for next season.

Draft: 1. Kendall Wright 2. Trumaine Johnson
FA: Smith, Morgan, Brooks, Rogers, Snyder

by whistlingmountain on Jan 8, 2012 8:59 AM PST up reply actions

AT OUR HOUSE 9ERS FANS

You heard P Willis we didnt come this far to go home now , upsets coming saints fans. 3 points at are house “really” thats awesome.

by ninerpride on Jan 8, 2012 9:34 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Offensive linemen can hold all day as long as their hands don't go outside the shoulder pads

if you’re grabbing the jersey right in front of you it’s not considered holding.

Additionally if you’re an offensive lineman and your hands slip outside that “box”, if you immediately bring them back it’s not considered holding.

by smileyman on Jan 8, 2012 10:09 AM PST up reply actions

Dig it.

-as far a watering down the field, I’d rather there be better tracking, so Gore and juke and do his thing as he weaves through the saints D-line.

It's about the team, the team, and the TEAM!

by Orion49 on Jan 8, 2012 10:55 AM PST up reply actions

Drew Brees slips

IT’S A TRAP!!

by Perradin Falcon on Jan 8, 2012 8:17 AM PST reply actions

Unleash 99

by STR8CASH..HOMIE on Jan 8, 2012 8:33 AM PST via mobile reply actions

this just in

From the national media, we have no shot and should just forfeit and start preparing for next season. Also from the NFL front office, if we so much as graze Drew’s body its going to be a 15 yard penalty because he brings ratings where ever he goes. Lame! Haha

by Docter419 on Jan 8, 2012 8:43 AM PST via mobile reply actions

yea according to ESPN we are the cute kiddies trying to sit at the grown up table.

those silly Niners..

by Beamer1960 on Jan 8, 2012 9:01 AM PST up reply actions

The San Francisco Giants

Did pretty well even with the “experts” at espn telling them they couldn’t :)

by Jason Covey on Jan 8, 2012 9:39 AM PST up reply actions

Nice picture!

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 8, 2012 9:44 AM PST up reply actions

The national media is always right! Right?

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 Jan 8, 2012 9:46 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs

<3 Jim Caple

Section 314 FTW!

by KingofDucks1987 on Jan 8, 2012 11:28 AM PST up reply actions

Auto rec

You follow me, I'll follow you --------> http://ayeyooojerm.tumblr.com/

- SF GIants Baseball 2011 = *sigh* Home of 6 World Series Titles
- SF 49ers Football 2011-2012 = ??? Home of the 5.5 Super Bowl Champs ( Aaron Rodgers should of been a Niner)
- WHO'S GOT IT BETTER THAN US???? NOOOOOOOOOOBODYY!!!!!!!!!!!!
- A fan of the Warriors and Lakers.

by ayeyoJERM on Jan 8, 2012 1:18 PM PST up reply actions

I'm kind of surprised just how confident the Saints fan base is

not just that they’re going to win on Saturday, but that they’re going to win the super bowl.

I mean I think it’s a 50/50 match up on Saturday and the Saints have a solid shot to win the super bowl, but the level of confidence.. you’d think they were 16-0 and at home.

Draft: 1. Kendall Wright 2. Trumaine Johnson
FA: Smith, Morgan, Brooks, Rogers, Snyder

by whistlingmountain on Jan 8, 2012 8:58 AM PST reply actions

Confidence in your team is always a good thing

And its more of believeng in the Saints then downing the 49ers

by mississippisaintsfan on Jan 8, 2012 9:00 AM PST up reply actions

well it's a combination of the two

I’ve never considered over confidence to be something worthy of merit

Draft: 1. Kendall Wright 2. Trumaine Johnson
FA: Smith, Morgan, Brooks, Rogers, Snyder

by whistlingmountain on Jan 8, 2012 9:09 AM PST up reply actions

True

but it’s also not examining facts and getting overconfident in a team based on gaudy numbers in situations that won’t be repeated.

by musamonster on Jan 8, 2012 9:10 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah...

I’ve heard some Saints fans that don’t even look at the Packers as a hurdle on their way to the Lombardi trophy. It’s like “Okay, I get it. You think the Niners coasted on an easy schedule and they’re in a weak division and they were 6-10 last year so they don’t even merit consideration. Barring that all of that is completely untrue, what about the Packers?! Don’t they merit consideration?”

And the answer’s: “No, Super Bowl Bound baby! Brees is awesome!”

I guess that’s what you get when someone offers free wi-fi in the French Quarter…

by smathis on Jan 8, 2012 12:23 PM PST up reply actions

Saints/49ers = 4 round (quarter) heavyweight fight...

Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4

Who gonna land more devastating punches…..stay tuned!

by BigMar on Jan 8, 2012 9:10 AM PST reply actions

We needs the Buffalo Wild Wings guy!

"Tito Santana is like a cue-ball. The more you strike him, the more english you get out of him." -- Bobby Heenan

by LiquidPolio on Jan 8, 2012 9:16 AM PST reply actions 5 recs

A little wind will mean more than a little wet

they’re so choreographed with their passing game that being a little off will mean a lot. The one thing for sure is that they’re not going to be playing against that defense that they played last night.

"It's impossible to hide the fire inside" - Bob Seger

by Jaxson876 on Jan 8, 2012 9:24 AM PST reply actions

Wow

Even John Clayton at ESPN doesn’t realize how different of a team the saints are outdoors on the road

by musamonster on Jan 8, 2012 9:40 AM PST reply actions

Only one way to shut up the 'aints

Win

by drums7890 on Jan 8, 2012 9:45 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

I will definitely

not be listening to as much SiruisXM radio coverage, nor will I be watching as much NFL Network coverage of this coming weeks’ matchups. The 49ers are going to be swept under the rug and all one is going to hear about is the Saints’ unbelievable offense and their records and Drew Brees and blah blah blah. And IF the Broncos pull off a miracle – with the help of his holiness, of course :-D – I will terminate all media coverage until game time Saturday at 3.30pm.

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 8, 2012 9:50 AM PST reply actions

And no one will mention...

How all the rules that have been added against defenses have led to an untouched and unfrazzled QB sitting back in the pocket and throwing it to guys who aren’t allowed to be touched either.

"Tito Santana is like a cue-ball. The more you strike him, the more english you get out of him." -- Bobby Heenan

by LiquidPolio on Jan 8, 2012 9:52 AM PST up reply actions

I worry watering down the field...

…would raise injury concerns. That’s less of an issue when you’re just watering down the area around 1st base.

by Bigmouth on Jan 8, 2012 9:52 AM PST reply actions

I think that a wet field is a bigger advantage to the Saints offense that the Niners defense ...

Receivers know where they’re going and when they’re going to make their cuts … DBs have to react and there is a higher probability that they will slip … Brees doesn’t need any additional help getting his receivers open!

by 49erFanSince1950 on Jan 8, 2012 10:53 AM PST up reply actions