Managing both field and air key for 49ers in Week 4

By Richard Brear  |   Tuesday, September 23, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

San Francisco 49ers
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Has your euphoria subsided any yet, San Francisco 49ers fans? Many loyalists surely get a natural high when thinking of Sunday’s one-sided victory over the Detroit Lions.

But this weekend’s game in New Orleans is unlikely to produce the same giddy result for 49ers fans. That is, unless the Niners can control when the football hits the turf and how effectively the air in the Superdome is used -- and by whom.

Tall order. But San Francisco does have a chance.

In Weeks 1 and 2, 49ers quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan was physically pounded far too often, evidenced by Seattle's eight sacks on him on Sept. 14.

But the 49ers’ offensive line is apparently progressing. Perhaps the speed of O’Sullivan’s releases to his targets has improved. Nevertheless, Detroit only sacked O’Sullivan once last Sunday. The Niners are protecting O’Sullivan better and allowing Frank Gore to rush for more yardage lately.

Furthermore, the 49ers are tied with the Eagles for the most forced fumbles this season. Watch out, Saints.

So much for the importance of managing possession in New Orleans. It's a no-brainer.

But why is the potency of the two teams’ aerial attack such a key to defeating Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and the Saints? After all, Bush can scoot for a big gain or TD whenever he sees the slightest opening in defensive coverage. Backup Pierre Thomas is no slouch either.

First of all, the Saints are going to ride Brees’ arm to victory or defeat every game this season. New Orleans is ranked first in the NFL in average yards passing per game (315), but the team is just 28th in rushing (81 yards per contest). Bush and/or Thomas carry the ball, but -- despite their game-breaking abilities -- do not amass much yardage. Their rushing basically serves to keep opposing defenses from exclusively keying on Brees and the Saints' passing attack.

The Saints live and die by the pass; so, in order to win, the Niners absolutely must minimize the clout of the New Orleans aerial offense this Sunday.

Another reason why controlling the air in the Superdome is important is that the Saints’ defense is surrendering little yardage on the ground this season. In fact, New Orleans hasn't allowed an 100-yard rusher yet. So, it’s no lock that Gore will have another huge performance this weekend.

Here’s some good news: The 49ers have the top-ranked passing defense in the NFC. Therefore, San Francisco does have a chance of neutralizing New Orleans‘ omnipresent passing and affecting how much fumbling the Saints will do.

Otherwise, 49ers fans, do not expect the thrill of victory again this Sunday.
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About Richard Brear

My first newspaper article of many appeared in print in the 1960's, but my fascination with journalism never got too serious until roughly twenty years later. In the 80's, I became a certified teacher of English Language Arts, got degrees from the University of Houston, and began teaching writing ...
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