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7 things to watch: Rams vs. 49ers
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_bb99bcf6-2f7a-5221-b547-93eaa045cd32.html
NO HYDE IN 49ERS’ BACKFIELD
He’s no Frank Gore, but RB Carlos Hyde has talent. A blend of speed and power, the second-year pro is the NFL’s ninth-leading rusher with 470 yards at 4.1 yards per carry. But he’s been slowed by a foot injury, reportedly a stress fracture, and was ruled out Friday for the Rams game. That means the 49ers are down to veteran Reggie Bush, Mike Davis or Kendall Gaskins, who was promoted from the practice squad on Saturday.
COLIN’S TEAM
The departure of Gore made this QB Colin Kaepernick’s offense, and in essence, Kaepernick’s team. Things aren’t working out so well on that front. Kaepernick has yet to show he can consistently win with his arm as a pocket passer. The Rams sacked him eight times the last time they faced him, a 13-10 Rams win last Nov. 2 in Santa Clara. Even with a banged-up defensive line, the Rams should be able to make him uncomfortable in the pocket throwing against a rapidly-improving secondary.
KEY MATCHUPFor the second week in a row, Rams DE Robert Quinn is facing a left tackle who’s not just another Joe. Last week it was eight-time Cleveland Pro Bowler Joe Thomas; this week it’s four-time 49er Pro Bowler Joe Staley. Unfortunately for Quinn, he once again won’t be 100 percent because of a knee issue. In fact, Quinn is listed as questionable this week after being probable for Cleveland. So as was the case last week, we could be seeing as much of Eugene Sims as Quinn at right DE against a Pro Bowl Joe.
DAVIS & CO.
Now in his 10th season, Vernon Davis is a two-time Pro Bowler and the 49ers’ all-time leader among TEs in receptions (435), reception yards (5,616), and TDs (55). But he’s missed two games with a knee injury and his numbers are way down this year. Speedy free-agent pickup Torrey Smith is averaging 23.1 yards per catch, but the former Raven has only 14 catches. At age 35, Anquan Boldin isn’t quite what he used to be, but remains a productive, physical receiver who can make the tough catch.
MISSING PERSONSNo Justin Smith. No Aldon Smith. No Patrick Willis, Chris Borland, or Ray McDonald. They’re all no longer 49ers due to either retirement or departures fueled by off-field issues. And that’s just the front seven. As a result, the 2015 49ers lack the punch and the pass rush of their recent predecessors, although they still play a physical brand of football. The 49ers rank 20th in rushing defense, allowing 113.3 yards per game, and are 18th in sacks with 14. It’s just too much of a talent drain over one offseason.
PASSING LANES OPEN
After facing the 32nd-ranked rushing defense last week against Cleveland, the Rams are up against the 31st-ranked passing defense against the 49ers. And now the 49ers are without their best player in the secondary, with 2014 team MVP strong safety Antoine Bethea out for the year after suffering a torn pectoral muscle last week against Seattle. The 49ers look slow on tape in the back end, and opposing teams have a 100.1 passer rating against them. Maybe this is the week the St. Louis passing game gets going.
“THROWBACK” RETURN MAN?On a day when the Rams are wearing their throwback uniforms from the 1999 Super Bowl championship season, San Francisco could be going back into the time vault on punt returns. Bush returned his first punt since 2011 against Seattle, and could replace Jarryd Hayne — who fumbled twice in that role and was cut Saturday. After allowing a 57-yard return for a TD on Johnny Hekker’s first punt of the season, Rams special teams have tightened up their coverage, allowing only 63 yards in returns on 30 subsequent punts.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_bb99bcf6-2f7a-5221-b547-93eaa045cd32.html
NO HYDE IN 49ERS’ BACKFIELD
He’s no Frank Gore, but RB Carlos Hyde has talent. A blend of speed and power, the second-year pro is the NFL’s ninth-leading rusher with 470 yards at 4.1 yards per carry. But he’s been slowed by a foot injury, reportedly a stress fracture, and was ruled out Friday for the Rams game. That means the 49ers are down to veteran Reggie Bush, Mike Davis or Kendall Gaskins, who was promoted from the practice squad on Saturday.
COLIN’S TEAM
The departure of Gore made this QB Colin Kaepernick’s offense, and in essence, Kaepernick’s team. Things aren’t working out so well on that front. Kaepernick has yet to show he can consistently win with his arm as a pocket passer. The Rams sacked him eight times the last time they faced him, a 13-10 Rams win last Nov. 2 in Santa Clara. Even with a banged-up defensive line, the Rams should be able to make him uncomfortable in the pocket throwing against a rapidly-improving secondary.
KEY MATCHUPFor the second week in a row, Rams DE Robert Quinn is facing a left tackle who’s not just another Joe. Last week it was eight-time Cleveland Pro Bowler Joe Thomas; this week it’s four-time 49er Pro Bowler Joe Staley. Unfortunately for Quinn, he once again won’t be 100 percent because of a knee issue. In fact, Quinn is listed as questionable this week after being probable for Cleveland. So as was the case last week, we could be seeing as much of Eugene Sims as Quinn at right DE against a Pro Bowl Joe.
DAVIS & CO.
Now in his 10th season, Vernon Davis is a two-time Pro Bowler and the 49ers’ all-time leader among TEs in receptions (435), reception yards (5,616), and TDs (55). But he’s missed two games with a knee injury and his numbers are way down this year. Speedy free-agent pickup Torrey Smith is averaging 23.1 yards per catch, but the former Raven has only 14 catches. At age 35, Anquan Boldin isn’t quite what he used to be, but remains a productive, physical receiver who can make the tough catch.
MISSING PERSONSNo Justin Smith. No Aldon Smith. No Patrick Willis, Chris Borland, or Ray McDonald. They’re all no longer 49ers due to either retirement or departures fueled by off-field issues. And that’s just the front seven. As a result, the 2015 49ers lack the punch and the pass rush of their recent predecessors, although they still play a physical brand of football. The 49ers rank 20th in rushing defense, allowing 113.3 yards per game, and are 18th in sacks with 14. It’s just too much of a talent drain over one offseason.
PASSING LANES OPEN
After facing the 32nd-ranked rushing defense last week against Cleveland, the Rams are up against the 31st-ranked passing defense against the 49ers. And now the 49ers are without their best player in the secondary, with 2014 team MVP strong safety Antoine Bethea out for the year after suffering a torn pectoral muscle last week against Seattle. The 49ers look slow on tape in the back end, and opposing teams have a 100.1 passer rating against them. Maybe this is the week the St. Louis passing game gets going.
“THROWBACK” RETURN MAN?On a day when the Rams are wearing their throwback uniforms from the 1999 Super Bowl championship season, San Francisco could be going back into the time vault on punt returns. Bush returned his first punt since 2011 against Seattle, and could replace Jarryd Hayne — who fumbled twice in that role and was cut Saturday. After allowing a 57-yard return for a TD on Johnny Hekker’s first punt of the season, Rams special teams have tightened up their coverage, allowing only 63 yards in returns on 30 subsequent punts.
