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7 things to watch: Rams/49ers
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_9a8711f0-23ca-571f-a1fb-f38935040ebf.html
SECOND TIME AROUND FOR DAVIS
QB Austin Davis will experience another NFL first, a repeat matchup against a division foe. In this case, he’s meeting the 49ers’ second-ranked defense for the second time in 21 days. “It’s kind of strange to play a team twice in one year,” Davis said. “But not only to do that but to play them kind of back-to-back. You know what they’re gonna do, but obviously they’ll do some things differently. We’ll do some things differently, too.” After a successful first half in that Oct. 13 game, Davis became fixated on throwing the ball deep to the detriment of the overall offense in what became a 31-17 loss. Five times in the second half alone, he missed open receivers underneath while throwing deep or looking to throw deep and getting sacked. He needs to be more patient this time around, and take what the 49ers’ defense gives him.
BOMBS AWAY?
QB Colin Kaepernick let it rip three weeks ago against the Rams, throwing for a season-high 343 yards including a career-long 80-yard TD pass to Brandon Lloyd. The 49ers’ veteran receiver corps schooled the young Rams’ secondary on several occasions. Kaepernick undoubtedly will test that group again. Janoris Jenkins, the Rams’ most experienced cornerback, is expected to miss the rematch with a knee injury. But Trumaine Johnson should make his season debut.
DON’T FORGET FRANK
The Rams limited RB Frank Gore to 38 yards on 16 carries on Oct. 13, for just 2.4 yards per carry. It was the lowest rushing total for the 49ers’ career rushing leader against the Rams since the 2011 season finale. (Gore had just nine yards on seven carries in that one.) Even with all their passing success in the first meeting against the Rams this season, look for the 49ers to try to establish Gore and the running game. It is, after all, what they do.
LIFE AFTER BRIAN
The loss of WR Brian Quick (shoulder) for the season changes the dynamic of the Rams’ passing game. He had played more snaps than any Rams wideout entering the Kansas City game and was the team’s most-productive pass catcher at that position. Who picks up the slack? Little-used Stedman Bailey will get a lot more work replacing Quick in the lineup. TE Jared Cook should see more footballs. But the Rams have lost that “big” look with Quick and Kenny Britt.
BARRON’S ROLE
After Tuesday’s trade with Tampa Bay, S Mark Barron parachuted into Rams Park midway through Wednesday’s practice. Despite having only two full practices with the Rams, Barron could be involved in some packages against the 49ers. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said he has packages where he uses three and even four safeties, including one where the safety plays like a weakside LB. “I think (Barron)’s got some good potential to do that,” Williams said.
QUINN VS. STALEY
In a battle of Pro Bowlers, San Francisco LT Joe Staley got the best of Rams DE Robert Quinn three weeks ago. Quinn had six tackles in that game but only one QB pressure and zero sacks. Quinn ended his sackless streak at five games the following week against Seattle with his first sack of the season, and followed that up with two sacks in Kansas City. Quinn needs to make his presence felt Sunday if the Rams are going to have a chance to spring an upset.
HELLO LEVI’S
In happier times, the Rams walked off the Candlestick Park turf and down the steps to the cramped visitors locker room cheered on by a couple thousand fans, many still wearing gear that read Los Angeles Rams. Coach Mike Martz once grabbed a broom and waved it around that locker room after the Rams swept the season series with their old West Coast rivals. Sunday, the Rams play in the new home of the ’Niners for the first time: $1.3 billion Levi’s Stadium.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_9a8711f0-23ca-571f-a1fb-f38935040ebf.html
SECOND TIME AROUND FOR DAVIS
QB Austin Davis will experience another NFL first, a repeat matchup against a division foe. In this case, he’s meeting the 49ers’ second-ranked defense for the second time in 21 days. “It’s kind of strange to play a team twice in one year,” Davis said. “But not only to do that but to play them kind of back-to-back. You know what they’re gonna do, but obviously they’ll do some things differently. We’ll do some things differently, too.” After a successful first half in that Oct. 13 game, Davis became fixated on throwing the ball deep to the detriment of the overall offense in what became a 31-17 loss. Five times in the second half alone, he missed open receivers underneath while throwing deep or looking to throw deep and getting sacked. He needs to be more patient this time around, and take what the 49ers’ defense gives him.
BOMBS AWAY?
QB Colin Kaepernick let it rip three weeks ago against the Rams, throwing for a season-high 343 yards including a career-long 80-yard TD pass to Brandon Lloyd. The 49ers’ veteran receiver corps schooled the young Rams’ secondary on several occasions. Kaepernick undoubtedly will test that group again. Janoris Jenkins, the Rams’ most experienced cornerback, is expected to miss the rematch with a knee injury. But Trumaine Johnson should make his season debut.
DON’T FORGET FRANK
The Rams limited RB Frank Gore to 38 yards on 16 carries on Oct. 13, for just 2.4 yards per carry. It was the lowest rushing total for the 49ers’ career rushing leader against the Rams since the 2011 season finale. (Gore had just nine yards on seven carries in that one.) Even with all their passing success in the first meeting against the Rams this season, look for the 49ers to try to establish Gore and the running game. It is, after all, what they do.
LIFE AFTER BRIAN
The loss of WR Brian Quick (shoulder) for the season changes the dynamic of the Rams’ passing game. He had played more snaps than any Rams wideout entering the Kansas City game and was the team’s most-productive pass catcher at that position. Who picks up the slack? Little-used Stedman Bailey will get a lot more work replacing Quick in the lineup. TE Jared Cook should see more footballs. But the Rams have lost that “big” look with Quick and Kenny Britt.
BARRON’S ROLE
After Tuesday’s trade with Tampa Bay, S Mark Barron parachuted into Rams Park midway through Wednesday’s practice. Despite having only two full practices with the Rams, Barron could be involved in some packages against the 49ers. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said he has packages where he uses three and even four safeties, including one where the safety plays like a weakside LB. “I think (Barron)’s got some good potential to do that,” Williams said.
QUINN VS. STALEY
In a battle of Pro Bowlers, San Francisco LT Joe Staley got the best of Rams DE Robert Quinn three weeks ago. Quinn had six tackles in that game but only one QB pressure and zero sacks. Quinn ended his sackless streak at five games the following week against Seattle with his first sack of the season, and followed that up with two sacks in Kansas City. Quinn needs to make his presence felt Sunday if the Rams are going to have a chance to spring an upset.
HELLO LEVI’S
In happier times, the Rams walked off the Candlestick Park turf and down the steps to the cramped visitors locker room cheered on by a couple thousand fans, many still wearing gear that read Los Angeles Rams. Coach Mike Martz once grabbed a broom and waved it around that locker room after the Rams swept the season series with their old West Coast rivals. Sunday, the Rams play in the new home of the ’Niners for the first time: $1.3 billion Levi’s Stadium.