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Rams-49ers: 7 for Monday
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_625e9424-b641-5b68-b10e-74a1dd6d61ad.html
LIMITING GORE IS FIRST OBJECTIVE
Even if the Rams stop Frank Gore, there’s no guarantee the Rams can upset the 49ers. But it would sure help. The 10-year vet is proving there’s life after 30 for NFL running backs. Gore, 31, comes to St. Louis ranked fifth in the league with 365 rushing yards, and for the first time since the middle of 2011 he’s coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. After all these years, the Rams know what to expect from Gore. He does his best work between the tackles but can still bounce it outside. Gore always runs with intensity, and with his compact frame (5-9, 217) and low center of gravity, doesn’t give defenders much to tackle. He almost always enjoys seeing the Rams, with 1,149 yards rushing and 14 rushing TDs in 14 games against St. Louis. That’s the most rushing TDs he’s scored against anyone in his career.
CHASING COLIN
QB Colin Kaepernick still makes head-scratching decisions on occasion, but his arm strength and running ability can be a dazzling combination for the 49ers. Kaepernick is more accurate this season (64.7 percent) than he’s ever been, is throwing more over the middle, and has been more patient going through his progressions. His 205 yards rushing would lead seven NFL teams. He has yet to throw an interception against the Rams, encompassing 100 passes.
RECEIVING OPTIONS
Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree remain the main men at WR for the 49ers, with 25 catches apiece this season. But newly acquired veterans Stevie Johnson and one-time Ram Brandon Lloyd give opposing defenses more to contend with. All four have had at least one 1,000-yard season, and all have good size. (Lloyd is the “shrimp” of the bunch at 6-0, 200.) Their size, savvy and experience will be a huge test for a young St. Louis secondary searching for consistency.
UP FRONT
Fitting the physical nature of the entire San Francisco squad, the 49ers’ offensive line will bloody your nose. A Rams defensive line that has had trouble both stopping the run and getting to the QB needs to step up its game or it will be a long night; rookie DT Aaron Donald is expected to have a bigger role for the Rams tonight, so we’ll see if that helps. The 49ers’ strength is on the left side, where LT Joe Staley and LG Mike Iupati have five Pro Bowls between them.
RAISING THEIR GAME
There’s no doubt the 49ers miss elite pass-rusher Aldon Smith, the University of Missouri product who’s in the midst of a nine-game NFL suspension. The other half of the Smith Bros., Mizzou’s Justin Smith, is doing his part with three sacks and 19 QB pressures — both team highs — and will undoubtedly test the interior of the Rams’ line. Rookie OLB Aaron Lynch is getting only about 20 snaps a game in the nickel package but is second on the team in QB pressures (14).
ON THE BACK END
Seven of the 10 members of the 49ers’ secondary are in their first or second years with the club.
The names may change, but the production always seems to continue. At cornerback, Tramaine Cox (toe) will miss his fourth consecutive game tonight. But veteran Perrish Cox, who’s in his second stint with the team, has starred in his place. Cox has three interceptions, 10 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. He’s produced a victory-clinching interception in San Francisco’s last two games.
ROOM TO RUN?
After missing 1½ games with a knee injury, Tavon Austin had a somewhat limited role last week in Philadelphia. But it looks like he’s full speed, so the 49ers’ leaky punt coverage unit could give him a chance to get going tonight. The Niners rank 31st in punt coverage in the NFL, allowing 14.8 yards a return; Philly’s Darren Sproles went 82 yards for a TD against them two weeks ago. Austin is averaging only 3.8 yards on his eight returns this season, with a long of 19 yards.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_625e9424-b641-5b68-b10e-74a1dd6d61ad.html
LIMITING GORE IS FIRST OBJECTIVE
Even if the Rams stop Frank Gore, there’s no guarantee the Rams can upset the 49ers. But it would sure help. The 10-year vet is proving there’s life after 30 for NFL running backs. Gore, 31, comes to St. Louis ranked fifth in the league with 365 rushing yards, and for the first time since the middle of 2011 he’s coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. After all these years, the Rams know what to expect from Gore. He does his best work between the tackles but can still bounce it outside. Gore always runs with intensity, and with his compact frame (5-9, 217) and low center of gravity, doesn’t give defenders much to tackle. He almost always enjoys seeing the Rams, with 1,149 yards rushing and 14 rushing TDs in 14 games against St. Louis. That’s the most rushing TDs he’s scored against anyone in his career.
CHASING COLIN
QB Colin Kaepernick still makes head-scratching decisions on occasion, but his arm strength and running ability can be a dazzling combination for the 49ers. Kaepernick is more accurate this season (64.7 percent) than he’s ever been, is throwing more over the middle, and has been more patient going through his progressions. His 205 yards rushing would lead seven NFL teams. He has yet to throw an interception against the Rams, encompassing 100 passes.
RECEIVING OPTIONS
Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree remain the main men at WR for the 49ers, with 25 catches apiece this season. But newly acquired veterans Stevie Johnson and one-time Ram Brandon Lloyd give opposing defenses more to contend with. All four have had at least one 1,000-yard season, and all have good size. (Lloyd is the “shrimp” of the bunch at 6-0, 200.) Their size, savvy and experience will be a huge test for a young St. Louis secondary searching for consistency.
UP FRONT
Fitting the physical nature of the entire San Francisco squad, the 49ers’ offensive line will bloody your nose. A Rams defensive line that has had trouble both stopping the run and getting to the QB needs to step up its game or it will be a long night; rookie DT Aaron Donald is expected to have a bigger role for the Rams tonight, so we’ll see if that helps. The 49ers’ strength is on the left side, where LT Joe Staley and LG Mike Iupati have five Pro Bowls between them.
RAISING THEIR GAME
There’s no doubt the 49ers miss elite pass-rusher Aldon Smith, the University of Missouri product who’s in the midst of a nine-game NFL suspension. The other half of the Smith Bros., Mizzou’s Justin Smith, is doing his part with three sacks and 19 QB pressures — both team highs — and will undoubtedly test the interior of the Rams’ line. Rookie OLB Aaron Lynch is getting only about 20 snaps a game in the nickel package but is second on the team in QB pressures (14).
ON THE BACK END
Seven of the 10 members of the 49ers’ secondary are in their first or second years with the club.
The names may change, but the production always seems to continue. At cornerback, Tramaine Cox (toe) will miss his fourth consecutive game tonight. But veteran Perrish Cox, who’s in his second stint with the team, has starred in his place. Cox has three interceptions, 10 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. He’s produced a victory-clinching interception in San Francisco’s last two games.
ROOM TO RUN?
After missing 1½ games with a knee injury, Tavon Austin had a somewhat limited role last week in Philadelphia. But it looks like he’s full speed, so the 49ers’ leaky punt coverage unit could give him a chance to get going tonight. The Niners rank 31st in punt coverage in the NFL, allowing 14.8 yards a return; Philly’s Darren Sproles went 82 yards for a TD against them two weeks ago. Austin is averaging only 3.8 yards on his eight returns this season, with a long of 19 yards.