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

It has been getting harder and harder to write articles on the professional football teams in the bay area.  If it weren't for the Detroit Lions, one could make the case that the 49ers and Raiders are the worst teams in the NFL.

But I'm going to try to view the 49ers in a positive light.  Even though the Niners have lost five straight games since starting 2-1, their 2-6 record doesn't accurately show the talent on their roster. 

Frank Gore is second behind Clinton Portis in total yards from scrimmage, and will probably end up going to another pro-bowl.  Isaac Bruce, Josh Morgan, and Vernon Davis are formidable enough targets for any quarterback, but J.T. O'Sullivan has struggled to keep possession of the football.

O' Sullivan had been responsible for 17 turn-overs (11 interceptions, six fumbles) in eight starts for the 49ers.  Finally, though, the 49ers fired Mike Nolan and hired Mike Singletary to replace him.  Singletary has already made the switch at quarterback to Shaun Hill, and will now focus to change the 49er defense.

The 49ers have given up an average of 28.8 points per game through the first eight contests. Though, they are tied for 11th in the NFL with eight interceptions.  Not bad for a 49er secondary that has been much maligned by the fans so far this season. 

The reason why they have looked so poor this season is the lack of any pass-rush.

Whether under Mike Nolan, or in Mike Singletary's debut against Seattle two weeks ago, the 49ers rarely seem to blitz.

They have no identity on defense; they can't decide if they are a 4-3 or a 3-4 and it doesn't help that they have no proven pass rushers on the line. 

But with their veteran secondary, which includes two Pro-Bowl cornerbacks, the 49ers should cut-loose linebackers like Patrick Willis and Manny Lawson.

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.