49ers-Cardinals: To Win On Monday Night, 49ers Need to Bring Pressure on Warner

The 49ers need to bring at least five rushing the quarterback at least 50 percent of the time. 

So far this season they have rushed only their four down-lineman on over 75 percent of their defensive snaps.  No matter how many Pro Bowlers you have in the secondary, the quarterback is eventually going to find somebody open if you only rush four guys. 

If you have the New York Giants defensive line, then you could rush four and get away with it.  But if I'm not mistaken the 49ers don't have the likes of Justin Tuck, Fred Robbins, and Dave Tollefson.  Not to mention the injured Osi Umenyiora.

Since the 49ers' defensive line includes the likes of Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, and Aubrayo Franklin, why not let loose the young and talented linebackers?  Send Willis and Lawson on blitz packages as much as possible.

The 49ers must bring the blitz in order to have any chance against Kurt Warner and the division leading Arizona Cardinals. 

Warner is back to the level he played at when he led the St. Louis Rams to a Superbowl title back in 1999.  Many experts have him as the leading candidate for MVP of the NFL this season.  And one could make a case that he has a better receiving corps this year than he did with the Rams back in '99. 

After watching the last few years of 49er football, when offenses would pick apart the Niner zone defense, all I'm looking for now is for the 49ers to take a chance.  By blitzing Warner, you risk him burning the defense down-field for a big gain, but there is also a chance for a sack or a turn-over. 

On the contrary, when the defense plays conservatively like Mike Nolan's defense has played all year, Kurt Warner will pick them apart.  There is NO chance for success by playing zone against an offense as lethal as Arizona's. 

So please Mr. Singletary, blitz Kurt Warner as much as possible.

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