Gelder

Whats goin on guys? I'm a 49er fan, over from 49erswebzone.com. You guys have a real nice board over here, and I've been checking your posts and you seem like some legit fans. (Unlike Raiders) It's a shame that after a hell of a year you guys got off to a slow start especially since I have Marques Colston in fantasy.

Anyway, onto our game this week. I'll give you a little scouting report on the Niners, and I hope somebody could give me one on the Saints in return.

Coaches: Nolan is a damn good Head coach, and I'd have to disagree if someone said he wasn't. My one complaint with him is that he is very very cautious. If we have a three point lead in the fourth quarter on you guys, and we get a 4'th and 2 at your own 5 yard line, he WILL kick the field goal and hope our defense can hold it. Very cautious, kind of like a Steve Mariucci.

Offensive Coordinator Jim Hostler... HORRRIBLE HORRIBLE OC. Totally different from what we had last year in Norv Turner. 3rd and 7, he will call runs all the time to Michael Robinson(backup RB). That is part of the reason our offense looks horrible. Last week he did call some better plays but Dilfer played like crap.

QBs: Smith and Dilfer. I know it doesn't scare you. But one thing you have to know about Smith is that he is a VERY efficient QB. Makes minimal errors, and he was the reason we were 2-1 with him in the game. He doesn't do much to beat you, but he does just enough. Compared to Dilfer who had 4 turnovers and always holds onto the ball long. Smith is probable for us, and that gives us a better chance then with Dilfer.

RBs: Gore is still a beast at RB. He averages an average 4.0 yards per carry, although he did have a few nice ones called back. You pretty much know what to expect from him, although he is coming off a bummed ankle and won't practice this week. Michael Robinson is a threat at RB as he has lots of power, and he could also throw the ball as he was a College QB at Penn State. Maurice Hicks is also solid, and he a special teams ace.

WRs: Darrell Jackson... Hmm it's hard to tell about this guy. Look at him in Seattle, he always tore it up. With Smith in, Darrell Jackson had 14 catches for 210 yards in three games. With Dilfer in, Jackson had 2 catches for 6 yards in three games. So who knows what you will get this week?

Arnaz Battle is a Niner favorite. He goes over the middle and will make the tough catch and he officially had the best hands in the NFL last year according to ESPN. He is very sure handed. Another thing is he was rated the 4th best blocking WR, so he helps out in the run. He is also a threat on reverses or trick plays since he too, was a College QB at Notre Dame. Overall he is an average WR though who works hard.

Ashlie Lelie finally got onto the field last week. He has been in Nolan's doghouse for practice habits before last week but he finally was forced onto the field and it showed. He is basically only good for 3 catches at most during a game, especially in the slot. But he is an AWESOME deep threat WR. He led the league in YPC for two years straight a few years back. When he finally got in last week, he caught a 47 yard bomb from Dilfer. Then again we'll see how much he gets this week because you never know with our Offensive Coordinator.

TEs: We have two solid TE's. Vernon Davis is a freak of nature I'm sure you all know that. He really could beat any LB with his speed and power on passing routes, and he is a hell of a blocker too. His one problem; His HANDS. This guy honestly has the physical makeup to be a Gates or a Shockey but he plays skittish it seems. Once he catches it though, he is a train to bring down. It usually always takes more then two guys. Search his highlights on youtube, you could see. He is a boom or bust player each week

Delanie Walker also has great speed at TE. He was a college WR who converted to TE and he usually is good for 15-20 yards a game or so. Average player overall.

OL: As a whole has been playing like crap this year in the run and pass. Compared to last year, where they paved the way for Gore to run for 1700 yards, they are a mere glimpse of that. Larry Allen is just not like he used to anymore. Justin Smiley last year was a pro bowl alternate, while this year he may be alternated to the bench in favor of David Baas. Baas and Adam Snyder were both first day picks from Nolan, who when put up to the test played outstanding and seem to be splitting duties with Jonas Jennings and Justin Smiley. Eric Heitmann is average at center, while rookie standout Joe Staley looks very impressive. Not sure how good you guys are at getting pressure, but it won't be tough against this line.

DEs: Bryant Young has been here since he was drafted, and is the only remaining link to our Super Bowl team, a true niner faithful. Still plays at a high level, has 4 sacks right now for us. He is a big guy. Marques Douglas is also a savvy vet who is playing pretty well right now. He gets a lot of tackles for loss, not much in pass rush though. Solid two though.

DTs: Aubrayo Franklin is a guy who we picked up out of Baltimore last year. Yeah, I didn't know who he was either. He is about 330 pounds, so he is a big guy but overall he isn't much, hes average at best. He rotates the spot with the big Hawiian Isaac Sopoaga. Sopoaga is one of the strongest men in the NFL(benching 900 pounds with Larry Allen) and is a pretty legit NT. Very inconsistent though.

OLBs: We suffered a big loss losing Manny Lawson who runs a 4.38 and has a 6'6 250 frame. He tore his ACL, but if we somehow turn our season around he will be back for the playoffs. Brandon Moore is a good LB who takes his spot, he led our team in tackles last year and also had 7 sacks. He has two sacks this year, but doesn't seem to be as good as last year. Good player though. Tully Banta Cain is a guy we signed from NE, he had 5 sacks in the final few games for NE last year, so all Niner fans were thinking we might have gotten a steal with him. Well...WE DIDNT. I think he has a sack and a half but he is horrible against the run, and seems to only have his one crappy little spin move. Backup Parys Haralson is a guy we drafted last year, who rotates in and he nothing to worry about but does have good speed.

ILBs: Believe me when I say this, I am not being a homer when I say this. Patrick Willis is going to be the best MLB in the NFL within the next few years. He is a complete animal, who is second in the NFL in tackles (behind Barrett Ruud of TB respectively) and is all over the field. There is nothing this guy can't do it seems. He is a hell of a player, especially at his young age. Derek Smith is a weird player to write about. He's 32 now and a few years back he used to anchor our defense. He won't make big plays anymore but he could make some tackles here and there. He does make a lot of mistakes though, one of the weaknesses in or LB core. Average at best. Jeff Ulbrich is a back up who we call "The Brick" he used to start for us back in the day and is really a vocal leader out there. I love him as a player, but don't be scared of him much.

CBs: One of our top positions. You all know the 80 million dollar man Nate Clement.(Really his deal is 6 years 60 million, he won't ever see the last two years) This guy has lived up to the money. Holding Hines Ward under 10 yards, Fitzgerald to 30 or so. Plaxico to 43. He also is awesome against the run, he really could hit. I wouldn't be suprised to see him in the Pro Bowl this season.

Walt Harris is an older CB, but he didn't lose a step yet. Led the NFL in INT's last year with 9, he went to the Pro Bowl last year. He hasn't dissappointed this year either. Great #2 CB.

Shawntae Spencer was our 2 last year, and wasnt great there. At three, he is good though.

Marcus Hudson is a young guy who has played very well as our fourth.

Safety: Michael Lewis is a guy we got from Philly last year. Boy he can hit! The knock on him coming in was he was weak against the pass, but so far he has been fine. He is an overall good safety.

Mark Roman...Yeahhhhhh... not a big name guy. Doesn't do anything special, but I have nothing to say against him either.

Dashon Goldson is a young guy we got this year in the draft, and he seems to be our future FS. He makes plays when hes out there, although he rotates in.

Killer Keith Lewis is a special teams ace although he did have two sacks, and 67 tackles and two ints last year. Solid. Oh yeah, you can't miss him, he wears no gloves and has a red mohawk. Hes great on special teams.

Kicker: Joe Nedney is very reliable. He missed one FG this year, and of course it was to beat Baltimore, but other then that I can't complain. He could hit it out to 55 yards or so.

Punter: If he continues his play, Andy Lee is a pro bowler for the NFC. Leads basically every NFC Punting category. AWESOME punter.

Okay well my hand hurts now, but good luck to you Saints this week. Hopefully Reggie doesn't tourch us for 4 again! Fear Willis!

See you later guys, and any feedback would be great!