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Overview
QB Ken Dorsey will make his first regular-season start this Sunday against a Saints defense that will test his poise with a heavy blitz package. Although Dorsey looked good in his first NFL action last week, his inexperience is a concern for the 49ers and could become the deciding factor in this game.
On the defensive side of the ball, San Francisco's secondary will have a hard time matching up with the Saints' talented receivers, especially with DC Mike Rumph and FS Ronnie Heard expected to sit this one out. Expect New Orleans to take plenty of shots downfield as a result.
When the 49ers have the ball
Rushing: The 49ers like to run the football out of their two-back sets most of the time. Fred Beasley generally lines up as the fullback in these sets but he is nursing an ankle injury. The logical solution for most teams would be to employ more one-back sets and spread the field in an effort to generate room for the running game.
However, San Francisco may not want to make that adjustment with Dorsey set to make his first start. Using more one-back sets could cause some problems with the pass protection. As a result, look for offensive coordinator Ted Tollner to keep two backs in the backfield by utilizing the versatile Terry Jackson as the fullback. Jackson has experience playing both fullback and tailback and has the size to be an effective as a lead blocker for RB Kevan Barlow.
With Dorsey's inexperience in mind, expect to see a steady diet of eight-man fronts from New Orleans, as the Saints will try to make the San Francisco offense one-dimensional. Dorsey will have to come out strong and back the Saints off by completing some passes downfield if Barlow is to have some success between the tackles. If he struggles early, don't expect Tollner to abandon the ground attack, however. The 49ers have to protect Dorsey throughout this game by keeping the attack balanced otherwise turnovers could become an issue.
Passing: Dorsey completed 9 of 15 passes for 111 yards after starter Tim Rattay went down with a separated shoulder in the second quarter against the Falcons last week. It was Dorsey's first NFL test and he handled himself relatively well. In addition to leading the 49ers on two scoring drives, Dorsey avoided turning the ball over and looked poised in the face of pressure. He doesn't have a big arm, but Dorsey does a great job of finding the open receiver and he seems confident despite his lack of experience.
With that said, expect Tollner to try and protect Dorsey in this one as the Saints are sure to come after the youngster with their blitz package. The success of San Francisco's passing game will come down to two things. First, Dorsey's ability to neutralize the blitz by connecting on his "hot" throws and second, the play of TE Eric Johnson.
With the Saints figuring to crowd the line of scrimmage and Tollner wanting to avoid having Dorsey throw outside the hashes when attacking downfield, Dorsey will have get the ball downfield to his tight end. Johnson has the size and speed to stretch the seam. He should be able to control the middle of the field for the Niners.
When the Saints have the ball
Rushing:
The Saints really had trouble moving the ball on the ground against the Seahawks last week, as RB Deuce McAllister was held to just 57 yards on 16 carries. Penalties, turnovers and an out of sync offensive line resulted in the running game never really getting into a rhythm. This week the Saints will need to play smarter football and avoid those costly mistakes. More importantly, they'll need to get their workhorse more carries, as he is capable of wearing down the San Francisco front seven given enough touches.
The 49ers' defense is coming off a solid performance against the Falcons, but it is ill-equipped to match up with the Saints in this one. New Orleans will look to spread the field with three-receiver sets, which will force the 49ers into their nickel package. DTs Anthony Adams and Bryant Young are both undersized, so San Francisco may be forced to cheat SS Tony Parrish up into the box.
However, in doing so, Parrish's run support angles will be greatly diminished as will his margin for error, which may create some big-play opportunities for McAllister to exploit. The Saints' front five does a great job of creating cutback lanes, and if Parrish overpursues, McAllister has the speed to hit the crease and go the distance.
Passing: An argument could be made that the Saints have the most talented group of skill players in the league. WRs Joe Horn, Donte' Stallworth and Jerome Pathon form an enviable three-receiver set, TE Boo Williams is a rising star with big-play capability and McAllister is one of the most explosive players at his position.
This leaves QB Aaron Brooks as the lone variable in New Orleans' offensive equation. Brooks must protect the ball against the 49ers and avoid forcing any throws. However, he should have very little trouble moving the ball through the air against a San Francisco secondary that will be without starters Rumph and Heard.
Look for the Saints to spread the field with their talented trio of wide receivers and for Brooks to pick on rookie DC Shawntae Spencer. Spencer will likely be making his first-career start in place of the Rumph. In addition, TE Williams should have plenty of room to work in the middle of the field with Parrish figuring to play near the line of scrimmage and backup FS Dwaine Carpenter lacking ideal range.
Scouts' Edge
With Dorsey at the helm and no proven weapons on the perimeter, the Niners may have a hard time keeping up with the Saints' potentially explosive offensive attack. McAllister will likely draw most of the attention in this one, as San Francisco will have to load up against the run.
The problem is we don't see how an injury-depleted 49ers secondary can match up with the Saints considering their depth and explosiveness at wide receiver as well as tight end. The onus will fall on Dorsey to try and keep pace, and although he looked good last week, his inexperience should shine through at critical points in this game. Look for a heavy blitz package from the Saints and for a couple of ill-advised throws from Dorsey to be the difference.
QB Ken Dorsey will make his first regular-season start this Sunday against a Saints defense that will test his poise with a heavy blitz package. Although Dorsey looked good in his first NFL action last week, his inexperience is a concern for the 49ers and could become the deciding factor in this game.
On the defensive side of the ball, San Francisco's secondary will have a hard time matching up with the Saints' talented receivers, especially with DC Mike Rumph and FS Ronnie Heard expected to sit this one out. Expect New Orleans to take plenty of shots downfield as a result.
When the 49ers have the ball
Rushing: The 49ers like to run the football out of their two-back sets most of the time. Fred Beasley generally lines up as the fullback in these sets but he is nursing an ankle injury. The logical solution for most teams would be to employ more one-back sets and spread the field in an effort to generate room for the running game.
However, San Francisco may not want to make that adjustment with Dorsey set to make his first start. Using more one-back sets could cause some problems with the pass protection. As a result, look for offensive coordinator Ted Tollner to keep two backs in the backfield by utilizing the versatile Terry Jackson as the fullback. Jackson has experience playing both fullback and tailback and has the size to be an effective as a lead blocker for RB Kevan Barlow.
With Dorsey's inexperience in mind, expect to see a steady diet of eight-man fronts from New Orleans, as the Saints will try to make the San Francisco offense one-dimensional. Dorsey will have to come out strong and back the Saints off by completing some passes downfield if Barlow is to have some success between the tackles. If he struggles early, don't expect Tollner to abandon the ground attack, however. The 49ers have to protect Dorsey throughout this game by keeping the attack balanced otherwise turnovers could become an issue.
Passing: Dorsey completed 9 of 15 passes for 111 yards after starter Tim Rattay went down with a separated shoulder in the second quarter against the Falcons last week. It was Dorsey's first NFL test and he handled himself relatively well. In addition to leading the 49ers on two scoring drives, Dorsey avoided turning the ball over and looked poised in the face of pressure. He doesn't have a big arm, but Dorsey does a great job of finding the open receiver and he seems confident despite his lack of experience.
With that said, expect Tollner to try and protect Dorsey in this one as the Saints are sure to come after the youngster with their blitz package. The success of San Francisco's passing game will come down to two things. First, Dorsey's ability to neutralize the blitz by connecting on his "hot" throws and second, the play of TE Eric Johnson.
With the Saints figuring to crowd the line of scrimmage and Tollner wanting to avoid having Dorsey throw outside the hashes when attacking downfield, Dorsey will have get the ball downfield to his tight end. Johnson has the size and speed to stretch the seam. He should be able to control the middle of the field for the Niners.
When the Saints have the ball
Rushing:
The Saints really had trouble moving the ball on the ground against the Seahawks last week, as RB Deuce McAllister was held to just 57 yards on 16 carries. Penalties, turnovers and an out of sync offensive line resulted in the running game never really getting into a rhythm. This week the Saints will need to play smarter football and avoid those costly mistakes. More importantly, they'll need to get their workhorse more carries, as he is capable of wearing down the San Francisco front seven given enough touches.
The 49ers' defense is coming off a solid performance against the Falcons, but it is ill-equipped to match up with the Saints in this one. New Orleans will look to spread the field with three-receiver sets, which will force the 49ers into their nickel package. DTs Anthony Adams and Bryant Young are both undersized, so San Francisco may be forced to cheat SS Tony Parrish up into the box.
However, in doing so, Parrish's run support angles will be greatly diminished as will his margin for error, which may create some big-play opportunities for McAllister to exploit. The Saints' front five does a great job of creating cutback lanes, and if Parrish overpursues, McAllister has the speed to hit the crease and go the distance.
Passing: An argument could be made that the Saints have the most talented group of skill players in the league. WRs Joe Horn, Donte' Stallworth and Jerome Pathon form an enviable three-receiver set, TE Boo Williams is a rising star with big-play capability and McAllister is one of the most explosive players at his position.
This leaves QB Aaron Brooks as the lone variable in New Orleans' offensive equation. Brooks must protect the ball against the 49ers and avoid forcing any throws. However, he should have very little trouble moving the ball through the air against a San Francisco secondary that will be without starters Rumph and Heard.
Look for the Saints to spread the field with their talented trio of wide receivers and for Brooks to pick on rookie DC Shawntae Spencer. Spencer will likely be making his first-career start in place of the Rumph. In addition, TE Williams should have plenty of room to work in the middle of the field with Parrish figuring to play near the line of scrimmage and backup FS Dwaine Carpenter lacking ideal range.
Scouts' Edge
With Dorsey at the helm and no proven weapons on the perimeter, the Niners may have a hard time keeping up with the Saints' potentially explosive offensive attack. McAllister will likely draw most of the attention in this one, as San Francisco will have to load up against the run.
The problem is we don't see how an injury-depleted 49ers secondary can match up with the Saints considering their depth and explosiveness at wide receiver as well as tight end. The onus will fall on Dorsey to try and keep pace, and although he looked good last week, his inexperience should shine through at critical points in this game. Look for a heavy blitz package from the Saints and for a couple of ill-advised throws from Dorsey to be the difference.