49ers-Raiders: Can we really preview it?
by Fooch
on Aug 8, 2008 12:00 PM PDT
in News
For long time readers (or at least anybody who were around last season), you probably noticed a lack of detailed preview posts about today's game. Once we get to the regular season we'll have injury updates for both teams. We'll have in depth breakdowns of unit versus unit. We'll have some individual matchups to preview. However, as described earlier today, preseason games are not so simple to preview. In the regular season we can compare the 49ers first team offense and defense to the opponents' without worrying about how good the second stringers are (barring injuries of course).
However, I still wanted to take a look at some of the unit matchups going into tonight's game. The matchups will be essential in assessing who is stepping up and earning a spot on the 53-man roster.
Our Raiders blog, Silver and Black Pride, had a preview of the matchups a couple days ago. Needless to say, I found some amusement in their predictions.
49ers run offense vs. Raiders run defense
They gave the edge to the Raiders. If Gore only plays a series or two I can understand why the Raiders might have the edge. However, for the 49ers, this is an opportunity for the offensive line to make some plays and open up some running lanes. I'd expect some DeShaun Foster followed by a heavy dose of Thomas Clayton. The Raiders were pretty awful against the run last season, so we'll see what kind of improvements they can manage.
49ers pass offense vs. Raiders pass defense
They called this one even in large part due to the players who will not play, or at least play very little. I'd love to see Asomugha and Hall on the corners but I'm not expecting much of that. The Raiders had a very solid pass defense last season, although part of that can be attributed to the fact that teams were running out the clock much of the time against their #32 rush defense. Still, this will be the biggest test of the day.
Raiders run offense vs. 49ers run defense
They gave the edge to the Raiders and dared to blaspheme: "McFadden matched up well against pro bowl linebacker Pat Willis." I'm sorry, but NOBODY matches up well with Patrick Willis (I'd imagine Bamm Bamm doesn't like being called Pat either). I do think the Raiders bring a very solid rushing attack behind McFadden, Bush and Fargas. The 49ers will have more athleticism with the addition of Justin Smith and the return of Manny Lawson. I actually think this battle will be the most fun to watch.
Raiders pass offense vs. 49ers pass defense
They gave the 49ers the edge here, and that will depend in part on the pass rush. The 49ers have a very solid secondary, and have some solid depth in said secondary. However, an equally (if not more) important part of the pass defense is the pass rush. We pissed and moaned last season about the lack of a pass rush. Now we get our first crack at that rush. Like the QB results mentioned last post, it might be a little difficult to judge the performance of the pass rush. The Raiders offensive line is less than stellar and they have some young running backs being asked to block as well.
Overall
Any prediction would be pretty useless. When you are dealing with an entire 80-man roster playing, you add too many variables to the equation. I'll say 49ers pull out the win behind a big game from Thomas Clayton and a very solid defensive effort. In the end, I just wanna see some passing game fireworks.
10 comments | 0 recs
49ers-Raiders: Measurements of success
by Fooch
on Aug 8, 2008 8:00 AM PDT
in News
We've finally reached our first game day of the year, even if it is just the first exhibition game. As it is the preseason, measurements of success are quite different from the regular season. In fact, one could argue that the measurements of success are different from the first preseason game to the fourth preseason game.
The last two games are probably the easiest to assess. In the last game, I think it's safe to say avoiding injuries is literally all that matters. In the third preseason game your starters usually get the largest chunking of playing time that they'll see in the preseason. So, while a win isn't the most important result, you want to see solid production from your first team offense and defense.
The first and second games are a little more difficult to determine. In the case of the 49ers and their quarterback competition, this difficulty is only magnified. J.T. O'Sullivan gets the first crack, followed by Alex Smith and then Shaun Hill. I'd imagine Nnamdi Asomugha won't see a lot of playing time so that certainly affects the quality of the defense O'Sullivan faces. As for Smith and Hill, while the Raiders first team defense presents many challenges, there appears to be a pretty steep decline as you move down the depth chart.
So how do you measure the success or failure of the 49ers offense? If they struggle to move the ball all night long, then there clearly is an issue. However, if Alex Smith and/or Shaun Hill are able to move the offense against the 2nd and 3rd string defenses, have we really learned anything? I'd say it's a lose/"not win" situation. Either they look bad and we're in trouble, or they look good like they're supposed to against a second or third string defense.
The issues on offense have overshadowed the defense, which has the pieces in place to do some good things this season. As far as I'm concerned, the Raiders first team offense is an offense on the rise. If JaMarcus Russell can get on board with his receivers and the running game continues to improve, they'll provide a nice little challenge. The 49ers defense has continued to add quality pieces and will get a stiff challenge right off the bat. The Raiders didn't have the greatest pass protection last season, so hopefully the 49ers defensive line and linebackers can get some pressure and gain a little confidence.
I think you can compare the four games of the preseason to a boxing match. This first game will be like the first couple rounds of a boxing match. The 49ers will be looking to feel things out and see what adjustments they need to make. In terms of the QB competition, you want somebody to step up, but you've still got time to figure out where your strengths lie.
The second game is where they want people to truly step up and make plays. You'd like to have answers at your starting positions, but there's still a little bit of time to step up. Fans want answers at this point before having to settle in for the long haul. The third game is where you find out what you're made of and for most teams, this is where everything is won or los. Finally, the fourth game is where you're just trying to make it to the end of the match without getting dropped by a sucker punch (also known as the "Dr. James Andrews consultation."
4 comments | 0 recs
49ers TE Brent Jones: Red eye or emanating the glow of Satan?
by Fooch
on Jul 28, 2008 5:00 AM PDT
in News
So, earlier last week I mentioned that Ronnie Lott was throwing a charity event in San Francisco. Before I get into the abomination that is Brent Jones in a Raiders jersey (ok maybe it's not the end of the world), I have to admit that I lucked out. Kirk Reynolds was the PR guy handling a lot of this event and he was kind enough to get me a media credential. So, first off, big thanks to Kirk. Thanks to him I spent last Friday the 18th knocking back free booze, enjoying some quality food and watching some crazy fantasy picks go down. There are more pictures after the jump, but this one clearly has to be shown now.
The event included a variety of players, many of whom spent time with both the 49ers AND Raiders, including Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice and Tom Rathman. Some other ex and current Raiders were in attendance including Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, Darren McFadden and Nnamdi Asomugha. As this definitely leaned towards a Raider event (although the 49ers Gold Rush girls were the cheerleaders in attendance), I'll cut Jones a little slack for sporting the Raiders jersey. After I took this picture, Jones walked by and all I said was, "Brent, Raiders jersey? Really???" He threw out a comment about just supporting the event. So I'll give him that.
Nonetheless, when the red eye showed up there was no way I was going to remove it. I think it's fitting that Jones appears to have a Satanic glow in his eyes as he wears the hated silver and black. It was certainly jarring to see him in the jersey and I actually had to think for a minute about whether he had spent a year on the dark side and I somehow had purged it from my mind.
There's more after the jump, but I can definitely give you the line of the night, courtesy of Jerry Rice. He was was up on stage being interviewed and somebody asked him about Norv Turner. Before the question was finished (I don't even remember the question itself), Rice blurts out, "Worst Coach Ever" without batting an eye. He's also not too impressed with Randy Moss as he made a point to mention how it took Moss more games to set the record. Not bitter at all.
More details and pictures after the jump....
1 comment | 0 recs
