Time for 49ers to sack up

By Adam Sweeney  |   Friday, October 03, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

San Francisco 49ers
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The San Francisco 49ers have been noteworthy on offense, but they are going to get quarterback J.T. O' Sullivan killed sooner or later. The offensive line has given up 19 sacks in four games and heads into Sunday's contest against a Patriots team that will be angry after a thrashing from Miami in Week 3. The 49ers are on pace to allow 76 sacks, a number that would give O' Sullivan "Apocalypse Now"-style shell shock.

Commentary: The cure for the pass protection disease will come in the form of a Patriots run defense that is currently allowing 140 yards a game. San Francisco running back Frank Gore has three touchdowns on the season and should look to add to that. The 49ers can stay in the game so long as they commit to the run, something offensive coordinator Mike Martz has never been a huge fan of. A strong running philosophy also will lead to a better passing game, which Patriots coach Bill Belichick is obviously aware of.

Belichick also thinks the 49ers even the playing field with O' Sullivan's big-play ability.

"They've gotten hit a couple of times, but they've hit the defense plenty, too," Belichick said. "Again, it's a give-and-take thing."

Big play or not, if the 2-2 49ers have any hope of making the playoffs, they must find a way to shore up their pass protection flaws.

Fan Pulse: Members of the red-and-gold community are mixed on whether the 49ers' offensive line can out-muscle the Patriots' defense: http://forums.49ers.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=59075.

Fantasy Football Commentary: This Sunday, it's all about Gore, whom most fantasy Web sites rank in the top five for Week 5. Gore hasn't gone below 13 points in standard leagues so far and he won't break that streak this week.

Injury Watch: Linebacker Manny Lawson is out this week with a strained hamstring.

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About Adam Sweeney

Adam Sweeney spent 4 years as an opinions and arts & entertainment columnist with the Lone Star Lutheran, also working with Sports Illustrated.com. Along with his work on Realfootball 365 he currently is a contributor for Film School Rejects, SLAM Online, Talkhoops.net, and C-Heads Magazine.
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