But now that the kids (and their father) have gone ice skating . . . now that the lights are up . . . and now that the fake snowman is secured in the front yard . . . now we can get on to another tradition.
The matchups for Sunday's game.
But first . . .
Pass-rusher extraordinaire Fred Dean, who was inducted this year into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will be honored during a halftime ceremony at Candlestick Park.
The current 49ers' pass rush ranks among the bottom third in the league with 22 sacks. Dean recorded 17.5 sacks all by himself in 1983. The current 49ers could definitely use someone of Dean's ilk for today's game against Brett Favre and the N.Y. Jets.
"Being the legend that he is and will some day be a Hall of Famer, I would get pleasure out of it," Dean said of the opportunity to sack Favre. "I wouldn't try to hurt him, but I'd like to lay him down softly a couple times.
"I would get some pleasure out of that. I hope to see some of the fellas get pleasure out of it this weekend."
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Niners center Eric Heitmann vs. Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins: It is doubtful Heitmann will be left to handle Jenkins much one-on-one. After all, Jenkins is a 350-pounder and might be the best nose tackle in the game today. But the expectations for Heitmann have been increased after offensive coordinator Mike Martz went ga-ga over Heitmann, saying he's the best center he's coached in 17 NFL seasons. Martz said what makes Heitmann stand out is that he has great strength in his hips and extra quick hands. This is his biggest test of the season.
Receiver Isaac Bruce vs. cornerback Darrelle Revis: Bruce has come on strong as quarterback Shaun Hill has gotten more familiar with the person who best knows this offense. Bruce has 13 catches for 192 and two touchdowns in the past two games. Revis, a second-year pro, has a team-high four interceptions. He'll jump some routes, so Bruce will see if he can take advantage of the young man's inexperience.
Running back Frank Gore vs. Jets run defense: It's mostly been two Frank Gores this season. Home Frank and Road Frank. Home Frank is considerably more productive. Gore has averaged 96.8 yards a game at Candlestick. On the road, his average is nearly 40 yards per game less. This will not be easy today, as the Jets own the fourth-rank run defense in the league. If Hill and the offense can experience some success passing, that could soften the Jets defense for the run game. Gore needs 74 yards to become the first 49ers player in club history to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.
Strong safety Michael Lewis vs. tight end Dustin Keller: Lewis will have his hands full against Keller. Lewis at times is a fifth linebacker for the 49ers because of his play in run support. He is a strong, powerful presence in the secondary. Keller's game is predicated on speed. The rookie is quickly turning into the Jets best weapon in the passing game. In the past four games, Keller has 27 receptions. Manny Lawson and Mark Roman will probably get their shots at covering Keller, too.
Outside linebacker Roderick Green vs. left tackle D'Brickashaw
Defensive end Justin Smith vs. left guard Alan Faneca: It'll be too high-priced players going against each other. Both cashed in big time in free agency. Smith signed a six-year, $45 million deal, while Faneca was lured away from the Steelers with a five-year, $40 million contract this year. Both are snap-to-whistle type of players, so this pairing deserves a look from time to time.
Inside linebacker Takeo Spikes vs. fullback Tony Richardson: As the strong inside linebacker, Spikes will undoubtedly meet
Punter Andy Lee vs. punter Reggie Hodges: OK, these two will never be on the field together, but this matchup could be key, nonetheless. Lee absolutely destroyed Bills punter Brian Moorman last week and that had as much to do with the outcome of the game than anything else. Hodges will be facing a backup 49ers return man with Allen Rossum out for another game. Arnaz Battle might be back deep for the first time in quite a while. Hodges has done a good job since taking over the duties several games into the season. He has an unremarkable 41.8 gross average, but a solid 38.2 net average. Lee is coming on strong with a 47.2 gross and a 38.4 net. The Jets' Leon Washington is a threat to take it all the way. He has an 11.4 average on 25 returns.
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The 49ers, in partnership with InnVision, TurningWheels for Kids and Yahoo!, will assemble 49 boys bicycles and 49 girls bicycles for underprivileged children in
Shaun Hill, Arnaz Battle, Marcus Hudson, Roderick Green, Mark Roman, Delanie Walker, Chilo Rachal, Tully Banta-Cain, Josh Morgan, Tarell Brown, Parys Haralson, Reggie Smith, Cody Wallace and others are scheduled to spend their day off at the 49ers facility in
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Isaac Bruce is teaming up with international hunger relief organization Feed The Children to provide 400 pre-identified families with a 25 pound box of food and a box of personal care items on Tuesday at
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If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them here before posting my game blog from Candlestick on Sunday.
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Hey Matt, I'm glad you enjoyed your family day. How does Johnson's playing time relate to Josh Morgan being able to go again? Who gets the start?
Hey Matt. About Bryant Johnson too... Did he show enough to be resigned after the season??? Morgan was great but last two or three games BJ did a solid job I think...
Q: How does Johnson's playing time relate to Josh Morgan being able to go again? Who gets the start?
A: Johnson will see a reduction once Morgan is ready to go. They might try to ease Morgan back onto the field, so I'd expect Johnson to start against the Jets. --Matt M.
Matt,think I got an answer from another poster but is it true no new uni's?Cant the Niners do anything right?Jeez...
Oh yea Matt.Sounds like Takeo loves Singeltary,the bay area and the California retirement is suppossed to be the best for NFL players.Whats the chance Takeo signs another deal and finishes in the red and gold?He seems to have plenty left in the tank and is a great mentor for the younger players.
Q: About Bryant Johnson . . . Did he show enough to be resigned after the season?
A: Josh Morgan showed enough as a rookie that I think the 49ers would be comfortable moving forward with him as a starter at split end. Johnson was really hampered by injuries in the first half of the season, so his production really suffered. When he was healthy, he did pretty well. Unfortunately for him, if he was looking to use this one-year contract to get a more lucrative deal, I don't think it turned out that way. His price next season should be affordable. Regardless of whether they bring back Johnson, the 49ers might not feel receiver is such a huge need entering next season. Morgan, Jason Hill, Arnaz Battle, Isaac Bruce and Dominique Zeigler are under contract for '09. --Matt M.
Oh yea Matt.Sounds like Takeo loves Singeltary,the bay area and the California retirement is suppossed to be the best for NFL players.Whats the chance Takeo signs another deal and finishes in the red and gold?He seems to have plenty left in the tank and is a great mentor for the younger players.
Q: Matt,think I got an answer from another poster but is it true no new uni's?Cant the Niners do anything right?
A: I answered that in a Q&A last week.
http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2008/11/barrel-of-fun-in-buffalo-area-before-tackling-qa.html#more
Here was my answer: "The 49ers have put their focus in other areas. The uniform issue has been put on the backburner. However, it's still something the club plans to address in the future. It's too late for the 49ers to have anything done for the 2009 season. The earliest the 49ers can have new uniforms is 2010."
--Matt M.
Q: What's the chance Takeo signs another deal and finishes in the red and gold?
A: I'd be surprised if the 49ers did not make a serious attempt to re-sign him. But if Spikes makes it through the entire season healthy, he might have more options available to him than he did prior to this season when really only the 49ers and Lions showed serious interest. I'm sure it'll come down to money, location and where he believes he has a better chance of winning. --Matt M.
Matt have you ever asked McCloughan if he even made an attempt to trade for Kris Jenkins or Shaun Rogers prior to the season? They have failed miserably during this regime to find a true nose tackle (as well as a pass rusher, QB, etc.) for the 3-4, and a 3rd and 5th rd pick for a dominant player seems like a steal.
Q: have you ever asked McCloughan if he even made an attempt to trade for Kris Jenkins or Shaun Rogers prior to the season?
A: I have not.
Greetings Matt,
Q) Has Jason Hill had any experience at the college level handling PR/KR duties?
I'm somewhat surprised that one of our younger DB/WR players hasn't been tapped for those roles while Rossum has been unavailable.
Matt - I have a question about the NFL popularity contest for you. Aside from Willis, do you see any other 49ers making the 2008 Pro Bowl or the NFL All Pro Team? I worry about Gore's chances with Portis, Peterson, Turner, and Jacobs all having better statistical rushing years on winning teams. Is there anyone else aside from 21 and 52 that would get your vote?
One more: MM -with 3/4's of the season in the books, in order of priority, what do you see as the top 4 position needs for this team heading into the offseason?
Matt:
How about we fire McCloughan the Donahue II on this team and hire somebody like Holmgren?
Think the chargers might can turner and we possibly hire him back as OC and give Martz his walking papers?
Should the 49ers take a WR in the first round?
Should the 49ers trade their pick and try to gain multiple picks ala BilL Walsh like?
Who you see in FA coming to the 49ers realistically and not some 'wish' that it's Haynesworth or Ocho Cinco?
Thanks.
If there's a WR worth paying it's Anquan not Ocho Cinco.
I'd be very surprised if AZ let's him hit the market however, but they're already paying Fitz, so you never know.
Another "matchup" that won't be on the field, but comes to mind is Dustin Keller vs Vernon Davis. Keller was taken in this year's draft at #30 in the first round. He has 21 receptions in the last 3 games, compared to Davis at 19 for the season.
It's hard for me to criticize Martz because he's made us look like an NFL Offense once & for all since Hostler & I'm grateful. But I've reached over 110% frustration with his ignoring of VD. For the life of me I can't figure out why he doesn't involve him in more plays. He could EASILY add a minimum of 5 plays(+) for him per game. 1 pass to him in the last 2 games...are you freakin' kidding me???? I totally understand VD's frustrations. This 49ER Staff has been clueless in underutilizing him for as long as I can remember. It's been SO LONG that this has been going on it's almost accepted & unnoticed. WHEN VD finally leaves here if he gets a competent coordinator like a Sean Peyton I believe you'll finally see him make an impact in this league. I'm tired of pleading Martz to get this guy more involved. This is my top complaint vs Martz (along with keep feeding Gore). Throw him the short stuff & let him run for his YAC. Those are high percentage passes EASY to catch vs the once in a blue moon long ball Martz "intends" to use him for & does call. Get him the freakin' ball!
Favre has done pretty well in our stadium over the years, but the Jets have stumbled when traveling west in 08.
Love the new comments format when you state the question in the answer. Much easier to read.
Thanks
Q: Aside from Willis, do you see any other 49ers making the 2008 Pro Bowl or the NFL All Pro Team?
A: Certainly, nobody will make All-NFL. Willis is probably a longshot for All-NFL. As far as Pro Bowl, Willis has a chance. Gore has a chance if somebody backs out. I'd think those are the only two who have any kind of a chance. --Matt M.
No 49ers should go to the Pro Bowl. Teams that don't win do not deserve to send anybody to the Pro Bowl. I'm glad for maybe they'll learn to play to win the games next year.