SF 49ers @ CAR Panthers Pregame Thread - 2016 Season Week 2

Chip RE: Prepping for Carolina...

You have a busy week this week and you'll be flying east. Have you guys done any pre-work on Carolina to get ready for this week?

"Yeah, we always do a 10-day advance to make sure all of our games are broken down. They played Denver on Thursday night, so there wasn't going to be a game coming in on Sunday. So, all of our breakdowns were done and some of our coaches took the timeSunday afternoon and Monday to get a jump-start on just watching the film, so that when we get into the game planning it's not the first time we saw them isn't today. It's just the same thing I think everybody does when you have a Monday night game. You know you're going to be short, but you can steal a little bit of film prep time in the days before, because those are long days. Sunday is a long day for us and Monday is a long day for us because we didn't play until seven o'clock last night. I think our coaches are all caught up from a film standpoint."


In that scenario where you play a Monday night game and then have a cross-country trip right afterwards, do you do anything different this week than you would in a simpler scenario?

"No, we have it all worked out. We're going to leave on Friday after training and then get there some time Friday evening and then get up and practice on Saturday in Carolina. But, you know your schedule in April, so we've got everything planned out accordingly. It's just the way the league is. Whenever you play a Monday game, you're going to have a short week and at some point in time, I think coming up here in a couple weeks, we're going to play a game on a Thursday. It is what it is."

Originally posted by Dr_Bill_Walsh:
Chip RE: Prepping for Carolina...

You have a busy week this week and you'll be flying east. Have you guys done any pre-work on Carolina to get ready for this week?

"Yeah, we always do a 10-day advance to make sure all of our games are broken down. They played Denver on Thursday night, so there wasn't going to be a game coming in on Sunday. So, all of our breakdowns were done and some of our coaches took the timeSunday afternoon and Monday to get a jump-start on just watching the film, so that when we get into the game planning it's not the first time we saw them isn't today. It's just the same thing I think everybody does when you have a Monday night game. You know you're going to be short, but you can steal a little bit of film prep time in the days before, because those are long days. Sunday is a long day for us and Monday is a long day for us because we didn't play until seven o'clock last night. I think our coaches are all caught up from a film standpoint."


In that scenario where you play a Monday night game and then have a cross-country trip right afterwards, do you do anything different this week than you would in a simpler scenario?

"No, we have it all worked out. We're going to leave on Friday after training and then get there some time Friday evening and then get up and practice on Saturday in Carolina. But, you know your schedule in April, so we've got everything planned out accordingly. It's just the way the league is. Whenever you play a Monday game, you're going to have a short week and at some point in time, I think coming up here in a couple weeks, we're going to play a game on a Thursday. It is what it is."

That doesn't change the fact that one team will be way more fresh than the other.

I hope our defense travels this year. Last year, they were Jekyll and Hyde in terms of home and away.

The bottom line is if Gabbert plays like he did Monday night this will get ugly. He threw at least 3 to 4 balls that could've been intercepted. There won't be a Case Keenum in Charlotte,NC on Sunday.

Carolina will be angry and hungry for their first win!

Originally posted by NJNiner:

Carolina will be angry and hungry for their first win!

And we will be hungry for our 2nd win!

Originally posted by NJNiner:

Carolina will be angry and hungry for their first win!

Good, while they let their emotions get the better of them, we will continue to be professional and committed to the cause. Hangry just doesn't sound good to me. Prefer to be fed and disciplined

The reason Seattle always struggles with the Rams and sometimes with the Cards isn't all about talent but matchups...some teams just match up better against you and give you fits even if you are top-to-bottom more talented.

I wonder how this applies here.

You always start with the trenches with every game so let's see how we match up:

Carolina's Offense:
Wide Receivers: Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess & Ted Ginn Jr.
Offensive Line: Michael Oher, Andrew Norwell, Ryan Kalik, Trai Turner & Mike Remmers
Tight Ends: Greg Olsen
Quarterback: Cam Newton
Running/Fullbacks: Jonathan Stewart, Fozzy Whittaker & Mike Tolbert

Keys for the 49ers Defense:
Wide Receivers: Chip Kelly would be jealous. You have electric speed and massive size and catching radius in Benjamin and Funchess. Benjamin, without a doubt, is the key here. O'Neil has some tools to work with but it starts by shutting Kelvin down first. My guess is that you are going to see a combination of 'bigger' personnel matched up on him (Tartt/Reid/Robinson/Johnson). I would not be surprised to see Johnson starting against him. Kelvin is a WR you do NOT want to let free off the LOS and get in position to get between the QB and the defender. That's a loss every time. Dontae/Robinson are both excellent at jam press at the LOS and disrupting routes. This is the key. As to speed, don't fall asleep on Ginn. He could be an X-factor in this game. Ward and Reaser are the only two who can stay with him.
Offensive Line: This is a very good offensive line but I do feel we have the talent to nuetralize it and play in the backfield. We have to play in the backfield like we did against a very good Rams OL. The Twins and OLB's will need to stay wider and remain very disciplined to contain Cam and the read-option and scrambles. I expect to see a heavy dose of run blitzing especially through the A-gaps while arcing out wider with the DE/OLB's. Ray-Ray & Bowman will be critical in filling those bigger gaps. Team defense is critical again...team pursuit and tackling like we saw in the Rams game.
Tight Ends: Olsen is just tremendous and a monster challenge. Look for Reid to be matched up with him a ton. If I was O'Neil, I'd chip him hard at the LOS, within 5 yards with an ILB and then turn him over to Reid.
Quarterback: I noticed last game, we had some holes in the defense between the ILB's and the S's in the intermediate zones. This is where Cam makes a living. I don't think he'll be as effective in the RO this game but he's got the chance to do some serious damage in that intermediate range especially if the Panthers drag WR's across the formations behind the ILB's and in front of the S's.
Running/Fullbacks: This is a group you do not want to tackle in space. Our DL must penetrate and get these guys before they can get started (like Hyde). There will be some screens as well. Fozzy might be the X-factor here as the change of pace and in the receiving area especially on screens.

Originally posted by NCommand:

The reason Seattle always struggles with the Rams and sometimes with the Cards isn't all about talent but matchups...some teams just match up better against you and give you fits even if you are top-to-bottom more talented.

I wonder how this applies here.

You always start with the trenches with every game so let's see how we match up:

Carolina's Offense:
Wide Receivers: Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess & Ted Ginn Jr.
Offensive Line: Michael Oher, Andrew Norwell, Ryan Kalik, Trai Turner & Mike Remmers
Tight Ends: Greg Olsen
Quarterback: Cam Newton
Running/Fullbacks: Jonathan Stewart, Fozzy Whittaker & Mike Tolbert

Keys for the 49ers Defense:
Wide Receivers: Chip Kelly would be jealous. You have electric speed and massive size and catching radius in Benjamin and Funchess. Benjamin, without a doubt, is the key here. O'Neil has some tools to work with but it starts by shutting Kelvin down first. My guess is that you are going to see a combination of 'bigger' personnel matched up on him (Tartt/Reid/Robinson/Johnson). I would not be surprised to see Johnson starting against him. Kelvin is a WR you do NOT want to let free off the LOS and get in position to get between the QB and the defender. That's a loss every time. Dontae/Robinson are both excellent at jam press at the LOS and disrupting routes. This is the key. As to speed, don't fal asleep on Ginn. He could be an X-factor in this game. Ward and Reaser are the only two who can stay with him.
Offensive Line: This is a very good offensive line but I do feel we have the talent to nuetralize it and play in the backfield. We have to play in the backfield like we did against a very good Rams OL. The Twins and OLB's will need to stay wider and remain very disciplined to contain Cam and the read-option and scrambles. I expect to see a heavy dose of run blitzing especially through the A-gaps while arcing out wider with the DE/OLB's. Ray-Ray & Bowman will be critical in filling those bigger gaps.
Tight Ends: Olsen is just tremendous and a monster challenge. Look for Reid to be matched up with him a ton. If I was O'Neil, I'd chip him hard at the LOS, within 5 yards with an ILB and then turn him over to Reid.
Quarterback: I noticed last game, we had some holes in the defense between the ILB's and the S's in the intermediate zones. This is where Cam makes a living. I don't think he'll be as effective in the RO this game but he's got the chance to do some serious damage in that intermediate range especially if the Panthers drag WR's across the formations behind the ILB's and in front of the S's.
Running/Fullbacks: This is a group you do not want to tackle in space. Our DL must penetrate and get these guys before they can get started (like Hyde). There will be some screens as well. Fozzy might be the X-factor here as the change of pace and in the receiving area especially on screens.

Good breakdown. Brooks was selling out on the Rams RO in the game on Monday. I don't think it was a lack of discipline though. Gurley is just that big of a threat. This week I can see him playing far more disciplined with Cam being a huge threat. I think Olsen is their best receiving threat. If we can neutralize him it should bode well for us.

I don't expect Gabbert to have as many free running lanes this week though. Monday made 31 other teams respect his ability to run. That will only weaken the Panthers pass offense and weaken the pass rush. Gabberts gonna have to have a good game 250+ yards passing. If our Oline which is much much much better than Denvers Oline can give Hyde the running lanes Anderson had then we have a chance to really control the game.

If we turn the ball over and have some really fast 3 and outs this game will get ugly really fast. And stay away from hitting Cam in the head we don't need a drive saving personal foul. Nothing hurts more than having a stop on 3rd down than seeing a flag for a BS call. I think the 49ers surprisingly match up pretty well vs the Panthers. And if we win the confidence boost this team will get could really snowball into a real shocking season. Can't wait for Sunday.

Originally posted by Hysterikal:
Good breakdown. Brooks was selling out on the Rams RO in the game on Monday. I don't think it was a lack of discipline though. Gurley is just that big of a threat. This week I can see him playing far more disciplined with Cam being a huge threat. I think Olsen is their best receiving threat. If we can neutralize him it should bode well for us.

I don't expect Gabbert to have as many free running lanes this week though. Monday made 31 other teams respect his ability to run. That will only weaken the Panthers pass offense and weaken the pass rush. Gabberts gonna have to have a good game 250+ yards passing. If our Oline which is much much much better than Denvers Oline can give Hyde the running lanes Anderson had then we have a chance to really control the game.

If we turn the ball over and have some really fast 3 and outs this game will get ugly really fast. And stay away from hitting Cam in the head we don't need a drive saving personal foul. Nothing hurts more than having a stop on 3rd down than seeing a flag for a BS call. I think the 49ers surprisingly match up pretty well vs the Panthers. And if we win the confidence boost this team will get could really snowball into a real shocking season. Can't wait for Sunday.

Thanks! Great points as well. This will be an excellent test for the new HC, staff and this new regime of players. The key will be to play smart, patient and within themselves; don't be the hero.

I have Kelvin Benjamin and Jonathan Stewart on my fantasy idk If I should start them lol

Originally posted by ninerfan4life:

I have Kelvin Benjamin and Jonathan Stewart on my fantasy idk If I should start them lol

Benjamin yes. Stewart no.

Originally posted by ninerfan4life:

I have Kelvin Benjamin and Jonathan Stewart on my fantasy idk If I should start them lol

Benjamin is a must start every week. They woulda won the title if they had him last season

Originally posted by Hysterikal:

Originally posted by ninerfan4life:

I have Kelvin Benjamin and Jonathan Stewart on my fantasy idk If I should start them lol

Benjamin yes. Stewart no.

Exactly why I don't play fantasy football. NO WAY IN HELL would I root against my team.

Originally posted by crabman82:

Originally posted by ninerfan4life:
I have Kelvin Benjamin and Jonathan Stewart on my fantasy idk If I should start them lol

Benjamin is a must start every week. They woulda won the title if they had him last season

Carolina lost the last game because KB let a 5-7 guy position himself better the Benjie and nabbed a INT

Originally posted by crabman82:
Benjamin is a must start every week. They woulda won the title if they had him last season

I don't know...the Von Miller v Mike Remmers matchup killed Carolina. Don't think Benjamin would have helped them overcome that.

I hope we can also take advantage of Remmers, he seems to be the weak link on the o-line, though I can't really blame him for looking bad against Miller.