Hawkscanner
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Hey guys -- long time no talk to. I decided to pop my head over here today because PatsFanNH popped his head in at Seahawks.net this week and boldly promised that the Patriots WOULD help out the Seahawks Sunday night by beating the 49ers.
If the Patriots DO knock off the Niners tonight ... and we beat the Bills today at the Rogers Centre (as I expect to happen) ... that would set up a titanic showdown -- Seahawks-49ers AT Century Link Field for the Division lead next Sunday. In case you didn't already know, NBC has already responded by flexing that game to Sunday Night next week. THAT would be an absolutely crazy atmosphere IF that happens.
So, just a couple of thoughts on today's game against the 49ers for you guys (as I obviously see them quite a bit):
1) I realize that the Patriots Rush Defense is pretty good. I thought OURS (Seahawks) was pretty good as well going in to our Week 7 Match-up vs. the Niners. In fact, we had the #1 Rush Defense ... and ended up giving up 175 yards on the ground. I didn't realize quite HOW GOOD their offensive line had become. Iupati, Davis, and crew are monsters up front -- Kyle Love, Vince Wilfork and crew have got to be ready to get physical. They not only manhandled us ... but they made the Bears defense look slow and old. Be ready for them and their wham blocking scheme.
2) At the same time, don't be over-aggressive on defense. On many occasions, Frank Gore was able to pop free on Trap Plays right up the middle because they caught Seattle in blitz situations ... and he ran right through a wide open hole that the defender had just vacated. I recognized exactly what SF was doing because those were virtually identical to the same kind of trap plays we used to gash teams on under Holmgren's offense. I would preach gap control, gap control, gap control. Defenders have got to stay in their lanes -- otherwise, it's going to be a wide open freeway for the RB's. The Rams were able to beat this team (from what I can tell) because they were able to do exactly that.
3) Despite what the stats might indicate, Kaepernick isn't much more of a game manager than Alex Smith is -- a little more mobile and definitely a better arm, but basically, that's who he is. He can be pressured and when he is ... he can get rattled and be ineffective just like most QBs. The thing to watch for with Kaepernick is that he's very mobile. This guy has actually been one of the 49ers leading rushers the past few games.
4) Defensively, as I'm sure you guys know, these guys are for real. Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, and crew are great at closing down running lanes and making it very difficult to pass protect. That linebacking corp, led by Novorro Bowman, Patrick Willis, and Aldon Smith might just be the best in football. They are very fast to the football and Smith has been a terror to opposing QB's this year. Dashon Goldson, Carlos Rogers, and the rest of the secondary (like the entire defense) are very physical defenders. They will get right up in the receivers face, jam, and can run stride for stride with receivers. The Patriots offense is the perfect weapon vs. these guys (as you have so many weapons) ... but they are 2nd in Passing Yards/Allowed (only 184.7/Game) for a reason. These guys can play.
I wish you guys the best of luck today. No welching on your promise there PatsFanNH -- K?
PS: Any thoughts on the Bills today? I wrote up an extensive Preview on them which I believe (or at least hope) is fairly accurate.
PPS: My wholehearted condolences to the families and the victims this week of the Newton, CT shooting this week. My prayers (and the prayers of many other faithful believers out here) are with you.
If the Patriots DO knock off the Niners tonight ... and we beat the Bills today at the Rogers Centre (as I expect to happen) ... that would set up a titanic showdown -- Seahawks-49ers AT Century Link Field for the Division lead next Sunday. In case you didn't already know, NBC has already responded by flexing that game to Sunday Night next week. THAT would be an absolutely crazy atmosphere IF that happens.
So, just a couple of thoughts on today's game against the 49ers for you guys (as I obviously see them quite a bit):
1) I realize that the Patriots Rush Defense is pretty good. I thought OURS (Seahawks) was pretty good as well going in to our Week 7 Match-up vs. the Niners. In fact, we had the #1 Rush Defense ... and ended up giving up 175 yards on the ground. I didn't realize quite HOW GOOD their offensive line had become. Iupati, Davis, and crew are monsters up front -- Kyle Love, Vince Wilfork and crew have got to be ready to get physical. They not only manhandled us ... but they made the Bears defense look slow and old. Be ready for them and their wham blocking scheme.
2) At the same time, don't be over-aggressive on defense. On many occasions, Frank Gore was able to pop free on Trap Plays right up the middle because they caught Seattle in blitz situations ... and he ran right through a wide open hole that the defender had just vacated. I recognized exactly what SF was doing because those were virtually identical to the same kind of trap plays we used to gash teams on under Holmgren's offense. I would preach gap control, gap control, gap control. Defenders have got to stay in their lanes -- otherwise, it's going to be a wide open freeway for the RB's. The Rams were able to beat this team (from what I can tell) because they were able to do exactly that.
3) Despite what the stats might indicate, Kaepernick isn't much more of a game manager than Alex Smith is -- a little more mobile and definitely a better arm, but basically, that's who he is. He can be pressured and when he is ... he can get rattled and be ineffective just like most QBs. The thing to watch for with Kaepernick is that he's very mobile. This guy has actually been one of the 49ers leading rushers the past few games.
4) Defensively, as I'm sure you guys know, these guys are for real. Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, and crew are great at closing down running lanes and making it very difficult to pass protect. That linebacking corp, led by Novorro Bowman, Patrick Willis, and Aldon Smith might just be the best in football. They are very fast to the football and Smith has been a terror to opposing QB's this year. Dashon Goldson, Carlos Rogers, and the rest of the secondary (like the entire defense) are very physical defenders. They will get right up in the receivers face, jam, and can run stride for stride with receivers. The Patriots offense is the perfect weapon vs. these guys (as you have so many weapons) ... but they are 2nd in Passing Yards/Allowed (only 184.7/Game) for a reason. These guys can play.
I wish you guys the best of luck today. No welching on your promise there PatsFanNH -- K?
PS: Any thoughts on the Bills today? I wrote up an extensive Preview on them which I believe (or at least hope) is fairly accurate.
PPS: My wholehearted condolences to the families and the victims this week of the Newton, CT shooting this week. My prayers (and the prayers of many other faithful believers out here) are with you.
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