Before I get into the obvious, the great W by the San Francisco 49ers over the New Orleans Saints this past weekend, I wanted to say a little something about two very heroic people. It's a pretty special week when you have the opportunity to honor a couple of national heroes.
Monday of course was Martin Luther King, Jr. day; a day where we honor his contributions to the ever continuing fight for equality and social justice. He was the first to recognize these injustices and stood up against the establishment and social norm when no one else would; and fight for many you couldn't fight for themselves. He gave people a voice and empowered them to rise above and fight back. And while I use the word fight, it's in terms of a metaphor; for it was Martin Luther King himself who preached and urged non-violence against others. He used marches and sit-ins to prove his point and send his message, not punches. A life taken too quickly, for it would have been nice to see that, with the inauguration of a black United States President, that his dream has in some way became a reality. He paved the way for us and as a society, we have made great strides.
Also today, we honor another pioneer. Today is Muhammad Ali's birthday; he turns 70. A true polarizing figure not only in the boxing ring and in sports, but also to our nation. He stood tall not only against his opponents in the ring, but also as a social activist, fighting for what he felt was right. In a time when our country was entrenched in a war with Vietnam and enlisting our youth to fight via the draft, Muhammad Ali stood up and said enough was enough. He refused to enlist and join the Army when his number was called, and our government sought legal action against him. His reasoning was not only religious, but also why would I give up everything I have to go fight a senseless war? He paved the way for others to stand up and fight back against the establishment that was sending over its youth to war. Congress and the government would later abolish the draft and make joining the armed services voluntary.
These are two pioneers in modern American history; both fighting for social justice and standing up for what they believed in. While I'm sure I can sit here and go on about their influence on our nation and how it effects us today, I feel that part should be left to someone more qualified than I am. So I will continue on to what I do best, talking some football.
HOW 'BOUT THEM 49ERS!!!! YES, MY 49ERS!!!!! WHO HAS IT BETTER THAN US???? NOBODY!!!!
What a great game that was on Saturday. Most people in the sports world gave the 49ers little chance of beating the Saints. For example, on the Fox pregame show, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson and the host Curt Menefee all picked the Saints to win this game. Only The Gap, Michael Strahan picked the 49ers to win. I could hear my inner Bart Scott after that miraculous win:
"To all the non-believers!! To all the non-believers!! Especially you Terry Bradshaw. Way to have our backs Michael Strahan"
And now, the 49ers are one game away from playing in the Super Bowl. They will take on a mighty opponent in the New York Giants, who soundly beat the Green Bay Packers; but with the game being at home in San Francisco and the way our defense and special teams are playing, and if Alex Smith can keep riding his confidence high from last game, I like our chances. More analysis to come later in the week. But as of right now, see you on Sunday NYG. CAN'T WAIT!!!
The fact is that everyone discredited how good the 49ers really are, especially their defense and special teams; and everyone assumed that since the NFL has now morphed into a passing league and that the Saints have one of the best QB's in Drew Brees, the Saints would roll. The fact is that defense still wins championships; and the 49ers have a Super Bowl caliber defense. Going into the game, I said the 49ers needed to do three things in order for them to beat the Saints:
1. Stop the Saints on third down - This may sound simple and a "no-brainer" analysis, but it's the absolute truth. The 49ers were able to stop the Saints on 3rd down. Throughout the regular season, the Saints converted 56.7% of the time on third downs. That is insane. They also converted 41% of the time on 3rd and 10. In Saturday's defeat to my 49ers, the Saints 3rd down efficiency was 5-14. The 49ers were able to stop drives and not let the Saints offense sustain drives.
2. Shut down the Saints running game - I know, again with another "no-brainer" analysis, but hear me out. While the 49ers have the #1 rushing defense in the league, the Saints - while having a potent passing attack - also have the #6 rushing offense. It was important for the 49ers to make the Saints abandon the run and not let them use the running game to set up the pass. The result, 14 rushing attempts (I know, it didn't hurt that Pierre Thomas got leveled, but they still had Sproles and Ivory).
3. Passing the ball efficiently - It's no secret that the 49ers are a ground and bound team. They like to run the ball till it kills you. They are the 8th best team in the league at it. It is because they run the ball so effectively that they have asked QB Alex Smith to only be a game manager QB, and as a result
This was a game and win of redemption for the 49ers. It was redemption for Alex Smith and all of the nay-sayers who have slammed him for being a failure and not living up to the status of being the #1 pick QB that he was suppose to be when the 49ers drafted him. After Saturday, and this season, Alex Smith has a new lease on his football life. It was also redemption for Vernon Davis. It wasn't too long ago that we saw Vernon Davis crying on the sideline and getting kicked off the field and sent to the locker room early because he was being a malcontent. We all remember the infamous, "I WANT WINNERS" speak by then head coach Mike Singletary. That whole rant was directed at Vernon Davis. Now, after making that marvelous game winning catch, there were only tears of joy coming from Vernon Davis as he was coming off the field.
In honoring MLK, the great Muhammad Ali, and the 49ers victory on Saturday, I feel like I should have had a poet write this post. My words do them no justice.
Mr. Armchair Speaking
Blah blah blah, San Francisco sucks. Actually i think the one thing that really stood out was their game planning for the thing that really helps New Orleans convert 3rd downs and gash for huge chunks of yards - the check down to the running back.
ReplyDeleteThere were countless times when a running back got shut down for 2-4 yards after a reception by one of San Francisco's linebackers or safeties. It wasn't a half time adjustment either it was from the opening whistle, the running backs just had no room to run on receptions.
I'd still be wary that a team that has a +4 turnover margin needs a miraculous 2 minute drill to win against a team that is 20th and 24th in ppg and ypg defense respectively. But hey, maybe it won't matter since the Giants are worse in both (at least for the whole regular season, in this postseason they are juuuust slightly better holding two much better offenses than SF's to under 20 points each game).
Oh Professor!!! While I agree with you that the 49ers displayed sound tackling against the Saints high-powered offense which prevented the Saints receivers and the check-down running back to gain the YAC yards, I strongly disagree with you that the 49ers "Suck".
ReplyDeleteAnd while I do acknowledge that the NYG are playing much better football than when the 49ers last beat them during the regular season, I still very much like the 49ers chances of coming out with a victory. I still maintain that in the NFL, defense wins championships, and the 49ers have a Super Bowl caliber defense.
I think the 49ers corners are better than people realize. Carlos Rogers is a Pro Bowl Starter (if he is not playing in the Super Bowl), Tarrell Brown had a very nice year starting opposition of Rogers, and the rookie Chris Culliver is also good. I'll take my chances against the NYG three-headed receiving core. Victor Cruz may have had an awesome "fantasy football" season, and he has been a nice addition for the NYG, I've seen him drop some balls in game. If the weather is nice and wet like it is suppose to be, that could help neutralize him.