Preview/Prediction for Week 1 - Cardinals at 49ers

The Niners’ first game this year is September 7th at Candlestick. Barring any preseason injuries, we should see all the big names for both teams. With a bitter rivalry firmly in place, the atmosphere will be great and the players, coaches, and fans will be raring to go. 

Starting quarterback Alex Smith, will look to have a big game.  After last season, he will want to get going early and often.  Now that the 49ers have a competent offensive coordinator, we should see more than 200 yards passing, which was Smith's total from last year's game.

On passing plays, I’m sure Alex will be glad to have “hot routes” this year to protect him from the blitz.  Last season, Alex had to rely on the line and running backs to pick up the blitz.  This led to multiple unnecessary sacks and fumbles. This year should be different. Look for Alex to get rid of the ball quickly when he sees the blitz and to take shots down field when he has protection.

The Bird's defensive coach, Clancy Pendergast, will be sending multiple blitz plays out of his 3-4 defense to try and get to Alex.  With our Offensive Coach, Mike Martz, calling in plays, Alex’s personnel packages and play calls will be well situated to handle what comes at him.  Coach Martz’s offense is about reacting to, or reading, the defense and adjusting to them. For blitzing defenses this can present the problem of being exposed.  Our receivers should see plenty of chances to break one tackle and then have no defenders around him.  

Catching the majority of passes from Smith will be Bryant Johnson, our 2008 first round draft pick that was needed to bolster our sub-par receiving corps. Only he comes with three full seasons of NFL experience.  Not to mention he has been practicing against the starting corners for Arizona during that time. He will want to show his former coaches and teammates what they lost. Look for him to have a big game. 

As far as the 49ers' running game is concerned, look for the Cardinals’ safety Adrian Wilson to lock down Frank Gore as he has done in the past. Wilson is going to be “in the box”, and every time Gore is handed the rock, no offense to Gore, Wilson is going to be on him.  Gore will still get plenty of passes underneath after Wilson drops into coverage, though.

On the defensive side of the ball, I am looking forward to seeing Manny Lawson return. Last year’s season opener against Arizona was a nice game for him.  He was consistently making plays in the backfield.  This year, teamed with Justin Smith, he will make the Cardinals’ tackles, Levi Brown and Mike Gandy, earn their paychecks.  Between Lawson and Smith, the 49ers will see 3 or more sacks and at least 4 tackles for a loss.

Our pass defense should be fine against the Cardinals. We have an improved defensive line in front of our secondary and, as long as Leinert is throwing the ball, the defensive backs should have a nice game. The Cards “starting” QB Matt Leinert doesn’t do well against the Niners.  His first pass of last season was intercepted by Walt Harris which led to an immediate Frank Gore touchdown.  After that, Leinert’s day never got better as he was picked again late in the game and only had 100 yards total through the air. 

One of the sub-plots in this contest is that, although Leinart’s season ended in week 5 against the Rams, the beginning of the end came in week 1 when he took a ferocious hit from Patrick Willis. In a completely legal play, Willis found Leinert rolling out to the right.  Leinert, being a lefty, was forced to try and throw the ball back across his body in an awkward motion. This was not a good decision. As Leinert's shoulder went through the throwing motion, it met with the Humble Hammer’s shoulder and helmet, which happened to be traveling much faster and in the other direction.  The collision was violent. His clavicle may have officially been broken in St. Louis by Will Witherspoon, but I feel one is the result of the other.  Either way, Matt will be trying not to think of that hit when he sees Willis this year.

In the end, I feel that the Niners' passing game will be big as Alex Smith busts out for his first 300-yard game.  Gore will get bottled up by Wilson on the ground but will be able to catch six passes and get 75 yards out of those.  His final tally is 130 all-purpose yards with one visit to the endzone. 

The Duke sees limited action because of Bryant’s 10 receptions, Bruce’s seven and, of course, Gore’s six.  Smith hushes all Shaun Hill fans by completing 30 of 39 passes in a display of accuracy and mobility during the 34-6 victory.  Ok, time to put the crystal ball away.