Through one game and 10 minutes of another, the San Francisco 49ers had outscored the St. Louis Rams 60-13 in 2011.
Domination for the former. Disgrace for the latter.
Aside from a couple of touchdowns in garbage time in the second matchup, the 49ers thoroughly had their way with the lowly 2-14 Rams.
After a successful 2012 draft, however, Jeff Fisher’s squad will find themselves in position to enjoy the digs reserved for teams in the upper echelon of the victory column. Well, at least somewhere above No. 32 out of 32 teams.
Silly as it may seem, the Red and Gold need to take notice. The additions of cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson to pair with Cortland Finnegan afford the Rams with legitimate playmakers on the defensive side of the ball.
The 49ers' pass catchers ran roughshod over St. Louis’ secondary last season. Yes, even the much-maligned 'Niner WR corps.
Michael Crabtree piled up 182 yards and three touchdowns, including a 52-yarder. Kyle Williams caught a 50-plus yarder himself in the first matchup. Alex Smith threw for three scores, completed 70 percent of his passes and produced an average QB rating of over 120.
That occurred against the likes of Justin King, Josh Cordy and Roderick Hood. Who?
The Rams now feature an imposing CB trio of Finnegan, Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson. Yes, two are rookies, but highly talented, highly accomplished rookies at that.
Johnson possesses impressive length and is a veritable ball hawk.
Pure press-cover corners in Jenkins and Johnson will man the outside receivers, while the tenacious Finnegan covers the slot.
That pits the 6’2’’ Johnson against the 6’4’’ Randy Moss, Jenkins opposite Crabtree and Finnegan matching up against A.J. Jenkins and/or Mario Manningham. I can also envision a Janoris Jenkins vs. A.J. Jenkins matchupâ€"a showcase of pure speed, toughness and playmaking ability.
Janoris Jenkins shut down top SEC wide-receiver talent while at Florida, picking off eight passes in the process (recording two more interceptions at Northern Alabama his senior year). Johnson recorded an astonishing 15 interceptions in his four-year college careerâ€"University of Montana or not.
With this in mind, Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman should formulate an offensive game plan emphasizing the run.
The should ground-and-pound-and-pulverize the 31st-ranked Rams’ run defense into submission with a heavy dose of Frank Gore and Brandon Jacobs. Michael Brockers can only do so much fortifying in the middle of the defensive line.
Follow that up with LaMichael James and Kendall Hunter stretching the defense out wide with rush plays to the outside.
Once this run-first strategy lulls the safeties and corners into crashing in to stop the RBs, Alex Smith will take advantage of the secondary off play-action with big plays over the top to a streaking Moss and Jenkins. Davis and his legendary seam routes will profit as well.
I expect the Rams’ corners to match up capably against the best WRs the NFC West has to offer. While their secondary additions are nothing to scoff at, their rush-defense should still be dismal.
The 49ers, for their part, are fully equipped to neutralize their strength’s while exploiting their weaknesses.
Run, run, run. Hit em’ up over the top.
After nine weeks of preparation into the 2012 season, the Red and Gold surely have the upper hand over the rooks in St. Louis.
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