49ers league-leading scoring efficient offense need to capitalize against Packers

by samuel-lam on November 20, 2009

While reading the media press release on this Sunday's 49ers-Packers matchup, I came across an interesting fact.

Despite the 49ers' inconsistent offensive struggles (are they a passing team or a running team?), they do lead the NFL in one very important category: Scoring efficiency.

Scoring efficiency is calculated upon the opportunities in which a team enters the opposition's 30-yard line. The efficiency rate is determined by the percentage that the team will score on that particular drive.

The 49ers rank at #1 on that list among all of the NFL teams. Here is the breakdown.

In 28 drives that have entered the opponents 30-yard line, the 49ers have scored 15 touchdowns and 10 field goals for an 89.3 percent success rate. The Tennessee Titans are tied with the 49ers in terms of success rate, but have two fewer touchdowns.

The good point about this is that after seeing what Charles Woodson did last Sunday, the 49ers have a strong belief that they can find ways to score. The 49ers 113.7 passer rating in that area ranks 8th in the league. The statistic, however is misleading. The next three on that list are the Dolphins, Colts and Chargers. All three of those teams have been in the 30-yard line zone more often than the 49ers and are all above .500. The 49ers and Titans are a combined 7-11.

In a game where the 49ers have to score touchdowns instead of settling for field goals, they take a dip in the touchdown efficiency category. The 49ers rank 7th on the list with a 53.6 percent touchdown efficiency. All six teams ahead of the 49ers have winning records.

When offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye talked about limiting turnovers, this was probably what he was thinking about. The team has had limited opportunities to get into a good scoring position throughout the season. if the 49ers can find ways to drive down the field, they have the tools to put up points. Against a tough Packers defense, touchdowns will be essential. The 49ers rank as one of the best in scoring touchdowns. And they will need all cylinders to click this Sunday to beat the Packers.

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Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers: Revisiting the 2005 NFL Draft

by samuel-lam on November 17, 2009

49ers general manager Scot McCloughan had already made a decision to select Alex Smith with the #1 overall in April 2005. Head coach Mike Nolan decided on Smith as well upon his arrival. And with the first pick, the 49ers selected the quarterback out of Utah to help bring team relevance back to the Bay Area.

Aaron Rodgers decided to not return to Cal for one more season and enter his name into the draft. In a very weak draft class, many draft experts said that Rodgers had more "football-ready" skills and could find success in the NFL. Rodgers believed he could be the first player selected in the draft. Instead, he would drop all the way to #24 to Green Bay.

This Sunday is the first time both Smith and Rodgers will face each other in the regular season. And this matchup has playoff indications. The Packers are 5-4 and the 49ers are 4-5. Four teams have a 5-4 record in the NFC for the top spot in the Wild Card. A win for the 49ers puts them right in the middle the playoff push.

Adding to that, this battle between Smith and Rodgers wasn't exactly what we expected from these two in 2005.

Smith hasn't played a full season since the 2006 season in which he led the team to a 7-9 record after playing part of the season in his rookie year. Injuries and offensive coordinator changes would force Smith to fight for his starting position again. Smith will start for his fourth consecutive game this year and hopes to find consistency in the offense.

Continue reading at Examiner.com

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49ers intercept Cutler 5 times; hold on to 10-6 win

by samuel-lam on November 13, 2009

With :08 remaining in the game and the Chicago Bears driving to score the game-winning touchdown, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler threw his fifth interception of the game right to the hands of San Francisco 49ers safety Michael Lewis. The interception ended the 49ers’ four-game losing streak and gave the team hope for the remainder of the season after the 10-6 win. “We a took a step, that’s the most important part,” Lewis said after the game. At 4-5, the 49ers have given themselves the opportunity to make a push towards the NFC West title. That’s the step the 49ers made on Thursday night. Coming into the game, the issue the 49ers struggled with was the turnover battle. With Cutler’s five interceptions (to the 49ers one turnover), the 49ers not only took the Bears out of the game, but allowed themselves to get in position to win. The Bears’ final drive nearly ended under three minutes left in the game, but a defensive penalty on fourth down extended the Bears drive. The Bears, starting on their own 20, drove all the way down to the 49ers 12 yard line. And unlike the game in Minnesota, the 49ers were able to prevent the opposition to end the game with a touchdown. The biggest interception of the game might have come in the second quarter during a scoreless tie. On 3rd and 1 from the 49ers 1 yard line, pressure on Cutler forced an off balance right NT Aubrayo Franklin’s hands. Another interception by Cutler led to the first score of the game. On a curl route, Bears WR Devin Hester slipped and CB Tarell Brown intercepted the ball and returned it to the Chicago 14 yard line. On the very next play, RB Frank Gore ran in for the score. Gore totaled 28 carries in the previous two games, but on Thursday, the 49ers gave Gore the opportunity to run 25 times for 104 yards. And Gore’s running late in the fourth quarter helped the 49ers take time off the clock. “The more I touch the ball, the better I am,” Gore said. Head coach Mike Singletary, in his first game as a head coach against the team he played for, said that the running in the fourth quarter was exactly what he wanted to see. For Bears to come in here today and for us to beat them,” Singletary said. “Looking at schedule, they’re just another team of schedule.” And on the running attack towards the end of the game. “The one thing we did do well toward the end of the game,” he said during the press conference. “We put a drive together to take time off the clock.” It wasn’t a pretty win and with both struggling teams on the field. The 49ers stuck with what they did well, which was the run defense. By containing Bears RB Matt Forte to only 41 yards on the ground, the Bears were forced to throw the ball. And that was the difference for the team. The 49ers passing game wasn’t required to do a much due to the success of the running game. QB Alex Smith went 16-23 for 118 yards and an interception. Smith benefited from the short dump/shovel passes late in the game to help continue drives. But the outlook of the game from Smith was the same from other players in the locker room. “A step in the right direction,” Smith said. “Important thing about tonight is getting back on the right track.”
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Week 10: San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

by samuel-lam on November 12, 2009

Desperation, must-win, however you want to look at this game, that's what it is. With a four-game losing streak and a load of inconsistency, the 49ers are seeing their playoff hopes slip away. After a four-turnover performance against the Titans last Sunday, the 49ers had a short week to prepare for hte Chicago Bears. The Bears defense has struggled recently and the 49ers need to take advantage of that. But given how head coach Mik Singletary continues to promote the better days of the team, how much of us actually believe that the team can improve? This game is the last straw for the fans. Another loss takes them out of the playoff picture. A win will get the ship back on course. Obviously for the 49ers, there needs to be a balance between run and pass. The 49ers dialed up 51 pass plays last Sunday and RB Frank Gore only ran the ball 15 times. That is not going to be the winning combination tonight. The team has to find some consistency on both ends and execute accordingly. I don't want to analyze too much into this game, but the headline is simple: Win or go home. It's not the playoffs, but it will be a playoff feel for the 49ers. There are a few keys for the 49ers in this game against the Bears:
  1. Turnovers The 49ers have turned the ball over 11 times during the four-game losing streak. And on Sunday's four turnovers against the Titans, those ended up being 24 points for Tennesee. Prior to the losing streak, the team only had two turnovers. Quite simply, hold on to the ball.
  2. Gore needs to get carries Most elite running backs get to carry the ball over 20 times a game. Frank Gore has carried it only 13 and 15 times, respectively, in the last two games. That's not enough for the team's best offensive weapon. And Gore is making big gains out of those carries. Gore needs to get his chances to run the ball and pace the offense.
  3. Aggressive play-calling On defense, the pressure to Jay Cutler will be key. Forcing the quarterback to make quick decisions (whether it's a blitz or strong secondary coverage) will help the 49ers early on. And on offense, the team has to prevent the short passes. A few deep balls to Crabtree, Morgan or Hill should open up the field for the offense.
=== Today's injury report: 49ERS OUT CB Nate Clements (shoulder), RB Glen Coffee (concussion), DT Demetric Evans (shoulder), T Joe Staley (knee). QUESTIONABLE WR Isaac Bruce (ankle) PROBABLE G David Baas (shoulder), CB Tarell Brown (rib), TE Vernon Davis (shoulder), RB Frank Gore (eye lid), WR Jason Hill (ankle), WR Brandon Jones (knee), S Michael Lewis (quadricep), RB Michael Robinson (shoulder), LB Takeo Spikes (shoulder), S Curtis Taylor (shin), TE Delanie Walker (shin, knee) BEARS OUT S Kevin Payne (back), LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee), RB Garrett Wolfe (back) QUESTIONABLE S Al Afalava (shoulder) PROBABLE TE Desmond Clark (neck), DT Tommie Harris (knee), CB Charles Tillman (shoulder) === This is it. This the last gasp for any playoff hope. The 49ers sit two games behind the Cardinals who have just gotten hot again. A win here helps the 49ers in  a major way. A loss will derail their course from a playoff berth. That's what is at stake tonight. They won't be mathematically eliminated if they lose, but chances become very slim. Follow me on my Twitter for updates throughout today's game.  (Today's game can also be seen on the CW Network).
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Davis on Bears defense: ‘I think we can destroy their front’

by samuel-lam on November 11, 2009

Head coach Mike Singletary has shown confidence in his team despite the four-game losing streak. On Tuesday, tight end Vernon Davis, one of the team captains, said the 49ers offense can take on their opponent on Thursday. (You can watch the video right here.) "I think we can destroy their front," said Davis. "The guys up front, I think we can destroy them. I don't see anything spectacular about their front line. Their linebackers, I think we can handle them pretty well. I like (Adewale) Ogunleye. I like the way he's playing up front. He's about the only player I like on their defensive line. I think he's doing a good job." Bulletin board material for the Bears? It seemed that way. This was the first time any player has boasted such confidence in performance prior to a game. After hearing reactions from the media and fans, Davis explained himself on his Twitter.
"I know people are talking about what I said today. I wasn't trying to take a shot at the Bears. I was showing confidence in my team."
Take that for what it is. If it's some sort of confidence from Davis that the 49ers offense can handle the Bears defense, then let's hope he delivers his word. === The 49ers injury report released on Tuesday says that RB Glen Coffee will not be able to play due to a concussion he suffered on Sunday. With CB Nate Clements, LT Joe Staley and DE Demetric Evans out, the rest of the team practiced and look to be available on Sunday. The Bears injury report is the same as Monday. LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) won't play on Thursday. S Al Afalava (shoulder), S Kevin Payne (back) and RB Garrett Wolfe (back) did not practice. TE Desmond Clark (neck), DT Tommie Harris (knee) and CB Charles Tillman  (shoulder) were all limited today.
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49ers looking for better preparation amidst 4-game skid

by samuel-lam on November 9, 2009

Desperation isn't a word that the 49ers like use around these parts. But after losing their fourth straight game and falling to 3-5, how else can we sum up the 49ers mode of feeling at the moment?

"Desperation is a word I won’t use," said head coach Mike Singletary. "Preparation is the word I want to use. We just have to prepare better. We have to prepare, we have to game-plan."

If that's the case, then the 49ers did not prepare well at all for the Tennessee. Titans. Knowing that the Titans have the best rushing attack in the league, the 49ers could not contain running back Chris Johnson. Johnson ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Vince Young also had a 7-yard touchdown run.

"A lot of our guys in our locker room know that we can play," said running back Frank Gore after the game. "We know what we can do on the field. It just comes down to two or three plays that really hurt us. The need for two to three plays is real big and it cost us the game. That’s what’s been happening the last couple of weeks and we’ve got to fix it. We have to fix it if we want to go forward and win.”

The mood in the locker room after the game was more optimistic about things to come than I had expected.

"I feel good about the team," said tight end Vernon Davis. Davis finished with a career high 10 catches for 102 yards on Sunday. "We have a lot of time, this isn’t the end of the world. We just have to keep getting better in practice and learn how to finish games."

The 49ers don't have a lot of time to prepare for their next opponent. The 49ers will host the Chicago Bears on Thursday night for the first of the NFL's mid-season Thursday Night games. The team is still optimistic on what they can accomplish for the rest of the season.

“We don’t have any quit in us, we are just going to pull it together and get ready for Thursday," said linebacker Parys Haralson. "We aren’t giving up on anything. We still feel that we can get accomplished what we want accomplished. That’s what we are shooting for.”

“We can accomplish anything we want," wide receiver Josh Morgan stated after the game. "Like we say every week, we just have to finish.”

Continue reading at Examiner.com...

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Turnovers and shaky run defense send 49ers to four-game losing streak

by samuel-lam on November 9, 2009

Alex Smith throws his third interception of the game. This one went to Cortland Finnegan for a 39-yard touchdown return. (Samuel Lam) Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson had his way with the San Francisco 49ers defense with 135 yards rushing and two touchdowns. On 25 carries, the 49ers struggled to keep pace with the speed of Johnson in the Titans 34-27 win in San Francisco. “He got some angles on us today and was able to use his speed to his ability,” said LB Patrick Willis. “If you start taking (wrong) angles and you’ll be running up the field.” Johnson broke to the outside for an 81-yard touchdown run that was called back after the 49ers challenged that he stepped out of bounds. That didn’t stop Johnson from continuing that drive, pushing in for a score on a 2-yard run on fourth down. The Titans ran an option on that play, pitched to Johnson who ran it in to give the Titans a 24-20 lead halfway through the fourth quarter. The 49ers didn’t help themselves out during the game, turning the ball over four times. The most critical turnover came late in the fourth quarter. Trailing 27-20 late in the fourth quarter, QB Alex Smith threw a pass toward WR Josh Morgan that was tipped in the air. Titans CB Cortland Finnegan intercepted the ball and returned it for a 39-yard touchdown. “Turnovers are tough to overcome,” Smith said. “ They had a lot of different looks on defense.” “It’s already hard enough to win without turnovers at the end of the game, the turnovers just make it harder on yourself,” said WR Josh Morgan. “It’s not anybody’s fault. The defense gets paid too, they make plays and they just had a good day.” The 49ers ended the first half on a positive note. Tied 10-10 late in the second quarter, Smith led the 49ers down the field on a 9 play, 82-yard drive that was capped by a 12-yard touchdown catch to Jason Hill. That would be Hill’s first catch of the season. He finished with four catches for 50 yards and another touchdown late in the game. The 49ers offense, using a lot of two tight end sets found some consistency on offense, allowing RB Frank Gore to gain 83 yards on 15 carries. But that wasn’t enough to counter the Titans’ Chris Johnson. Johnson kept the 49ers off-balance. Entering the game, the 49ers had the second best rush defense in the league and had not given up a 100-yard game to any opponent. The speed of Johnson made it difficult for the 49ers, especially with short fields after turnovers. The battle between Alex Smith and Vince Young didn’t live up to the bill. With Smith’s four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble), Young played a manageable game, going 12-19 for 172 yards. Young also had a rushing touchdown. With a running game that was so successful, not a lot was required from Young. Smith was asked to pass the ball 45 times during the game and two of his interceptions came on tipped balls. Singletary felt Smith played well, but obviously the offense needs to retool in order prevent turnovers. The 49ers have lost four straight games and sit two games behind the Arizona Cardinals for the division lead. At the halfway point, the team continues to look for a solution to the losing streak. “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves,” said Smith. “ We can’t well on it.” “It’s definitely frustrating to be at this point,” said head coach Mike Singletary at the post-game press conference. “We do have eight games left. In my mind, as long as we continue to fight, as long as we continue to play the way we played today, we got a chance, if we take away the stupid stuff where we’re killing ourselves.” === The 49ers will have to forget this loss and move on as they host the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night. Rookie WR Michael Crabtree said he is ready to prepare in such short time. “All I do is whatever coach says and that’s all I can do,” he said. When asked about his first game in front of the home crowd, Crabtree said it was a great feeling. “I love the fans, they gave me a lot of support. Candlestick, so much history. I’m just glad to be out there.” Confidence in the locker room was high despite the team’s loss. Several players I talked with said they still believe the team can achieve the goals they have set. “I believe in my team and my coaching staff for what we have for this game this Thursday against the Chicago Bears,” said NT Isaac Sopoaga. “Each individual player must take care of the area and be ready.” With eight games remaining on the schedule, head coach Mike Singletary said he doesn’t care about what the Cardinals are doing. LB Patrick Willis echoed that remark, saying that there is still plenty the 49ers can do to get back on track. “We have to find a way to get it done, find a way to finish,” Willis said after the game. “We still have a lot of football left.”

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by samuel-lam on November 8, 2009

This is it for the 49ers. Even though head coach Mike Singletary has said that all games are a "must win", not just this game, the team understands that a loss against the Titans on Sunday could detour them from playoff hopes.

The 49ers face a Titans team that has struggled all year long; trying to get back on the right track to high expectations. After a 13-3 season last year, the Titans have suffered a handful of injuries and now have a change at quarterback. They got their first win of the season last Sunday and have looked to found some momentum from it.

The 49ers are in the same boat as the Titans. Injuries and a change at quarterback have given the 49ers a new look and a different attitude than what we saw when the season began. Alex Smith seems to be comfortable as the starting quarterback. The running game is hoping to get back on track and counter that of the Titans.

Titans running back Chris Johnson leads the league in rushing yards and after his 228-yard performance, it will be a tough test for the 49ers and their #2 ranked rushing defense. The 49ers have not given up a 100-yard rushing game to any running back this year so far, and stopping Johnson will be a major factor in the game.

There are a few keys for the 49ers in this game against the Titans:

  1. Stop Chris Johnson Probably the most important aspect of the game. With the #2 rushing defense in the league against the top running back, something has got to give. If the 49ers can stop the Titans' only consistent form of offense, then that allows them to not only control the clock but force the Titans to go through the air more.
  2. Quick passes One of the problems I have noticed from Alex Smith is that he tends to hold the ball a little too long. Granted that some of the problems can be found within the offensive line, but a quarterback that can make a pass with a three-step drop without trying to make something out of nothing is going to help the 49ers a lot. With a new look offensive line, the 49ers know that drives cannot stall with sacks. Smith understands that and much like the 3-second clock the team used in training camp, the 49ers should impliment a quick release to avoid sacks.
  3. Keep the clock running on the defense The Titans have one of the worst defenses in the league. Keeping them on the field should benefit the 49ers tremendously. Whether it's through the air or on the ground, the 49ers have to continue to attack. That killer instinct that the 49ers have lacked has to show up. The Titans can be beat and the 49ers have to score early to snatch the win from the Titans.
===

Today's injury report:

49ERS OUT CB Nate Clements (shoulder), DE Demetric Evans (shoulder), T Joe Staley (knee)

PROBABLE S Reggie Smith (groin), LB Takeo Spikes (shoulder)

TITANS OUT RB Javon Ringer (back)

QUESTIONABLE S Vincent Fuller (groin), CB Nicholas Harper (forearm), DE Jevon Kearse (knee), T Mike Otto (knee), T David Stewart (hamstring), LB David Thornton (hip)

===

The five-game stretch that will test the 49ers has gone 0-2 with two very close losses. There is no way the 49ers should look past the Titans this week. However, the 49ers have more than what it takes to win this game. It all depends on how well the 49ers start off and how they contain the running game of Chris Johnso

Follow me on my Twitter for updates.

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Q&A with 49ers opponent: Total Titans

by samuel-lam on November 6, 2009

I got a chance to do a Q&A with Drexel Perry of Total Titans, the MVN home of the Tennessee Titans. We exchanged a handful of questions and here are some questions I asked him:

Mining the Gold Rush: The Titans finally got their first win of the year against Jacksonville this past Sunday. After weeks of struggling to find some kind of consistency, what would you say was the problem that prevented the Titans from playing at a level that people expected them to perform at?

Total Titans: The issues surrounding the Titans’ poor start are well-documented on Total Titans. Under Chuck Cecil’s tutelage, the usually-strong Titan defense has been abysmal at defending the pass while failing to generate a consistent pass-rush. On offense, with no disrespect to Chris Johnson’s explosive runs, the team was failing to sustain drives and veteran QB Kerry Collins was struggling with his accuracy, to say the least.

Interestingly, the problems that plagued the team’s pitiful 0-6 start miraculously vanished last Sunday against the Jags. With the exception of two long runs by Maurice Jones-Drew, the defense was stout and put a ton of pressure on the opposing quarterback. On offense, the team sustained drives and Vince Young was very accurate on the limited times he passed the football.

A lack of consistency was also a problem prior to last weekend. For the first time this season, the Titans performed well in all four phases of the game (offense, defense, special teams and coaching).

Mining the Gold Rush: Vince Young is back under center after sitting on the bench as Kerry Collins led the team to a division title last year, but an 0-6 start this year. What does Young bring to the team that Collins doesn’t?

Total Titans: Kerry Collins’ game-managing abilities played a key role in the team’s success in 2008. Unfortunately for the veteran signal-caller, 2009 required him to be more of a playmaker, a role that he failed at for the most part prior to his benching.

Enter Vince Young. He’s had his struggles in the past, but his ability to make plays with his legs brings a different look to the offense. On Sunday, his accuracy helped the Titans sustain drives to the tune of possessing the football for close to forty minutes.

Vince brings a spark to the huddle and with the team’s playoff hopes all but dashed, there’s no harm in giving VY the chance to prove that he can still be the guy in Nashville.

Mining the Gold Rush: The most explosive player on the Titans offense is running back Chris Johnson. With amazing breakaway speed and a 228-yard rushing performance against the Jaguars, can the 49ers rush defense (ranked 2nd in the league) stop the explosive back?

Total Titans: Riding the momentum of his successful rookie season, Chris Johnson has continued to be a nightmare for opposing defenses in 2008.

As last week indicated, give CJ the slightest opening and he can take it to the house. For the 49ers to have success, they are going to have to do a good job of surrounding Johnson with defenders. San Fran’s tacklers must be disciplined because if they whiff or choose a bad angle, there’s a good chance it’s going to be off to the races for CJ.

Personally, I’m looking forward to a few one-on-one battles between Johnson and Patrick Willis, who is already one of the best linebackers in the NFL.

Mining the Gold Rush: The Titans rank near last in some major defensive categories. With the 49ers trying to find some kind of offensive rhythm, do you think the 49ers offense can take advantage of the Titans’ recent struggles?

Total Titans: As I mentioned in my first answer, prior to the Jax game, the defense was having all kinds of troubles stopping the pass and generating pressure. Those problems disappeared against Jacksonville last Sunday, as the Titans held David Garrard to only 139 yards passing while sacking him four times.

If I were the 49ers, I’d try to take advantage of TE Vernon Davis’ athleticism by targeting him several times. Maurice Jones-Drew broke a couple of long runs against the Titans, so I’m sure Frank Gore is licking his chops.

Also, the Niners must do a good job protecting QB Alex Smith.

If the Niners can get a big play or two from Davis and Gore and keep Smith’s jersey relatively clean, they will have a good shot at victory on Sunday.

Mining the Gold Rush: Who wins the game and who is the game MVP?

Total Titans: I’m expecting a hard-fought game between two physical football teams who both personify the hard-nosed style of their head coaches.

I’m going to go with Titans 19 San Fran 16…with Vince Young continuing his comeback via another solid performance.

===

You can check out the questions he asked me right here.

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Vince Young vs. Alex Smith: How they got here

by samuel-lam on November 5, 2009

In 2005, the San Francisco 49ers selected quarterback Alex Smith with the first overall pick in the draft. Smith had just finished a stellar career at Utah, going 21-1 in three seasons there and was named Offensive Co-MVP in the team’s Fiesta Bowl victory in his final college game. The hopes for Smith were high for a franchise that had fallen so low.

It wasn’t a rosy rookie season for Smith. In nine games, Smith only recorded one touchdown and 11 interceptions, but the team’s belief in Smith would carry over to the 2006 season. In his sophomore year, Smith would take every single offensive snap for the 49ers. With nearly 3,000 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, the hopes were high for Smith.

Prior to that 2006 season, the Tennessee Titans took quarterback Vince Young with the third overall pick. Young had just led the Texas Longhorns to a national title over heavily favored USC. Regarded as the best quarterback in the draft, the Titans traded veteran quarterback Steve McNair and inserted Young into their starting lineup in October.

Young would go 8-5 as a starter, with four of those wins coming in fourth quarter comeback fashion. He would be named Offensive Rookie of the Year and a member of the AFC Pro Bowl. His statistic, however, weren’t that impressive: a 66.7 QB rating which saw him throw 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. But he knew how to win, and the hype for Young grew into his sophomore season.

Both Smith and Young would suffer setbacks in their 2007 season. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner would leave San Francisco to take the head coaching job in San Diego. Under new offensive coordinator Jim Hostler, Smith would struggle with another new playbook. In Week 4, a sack by Rocky Bernard gave Smith a grade-three right shoulder separation. Smith tried to come back three weeks later, but it was clear that his shoulder was not fully healed.

Head coach Mike Nolan egged on Smith to play and on a Monday Night game against the same Seahawks, despite Smith feeling that his shoulder was still giving him problems. This would be Smith’s regular season appearance.

Young’s expectations grew to great levels after his rookie year. Endorsements invaded our television sets while his face graced the cover of the newest Madden NFL video game. But in Week 6, Young would injured his quadricep in the first half against the Buccaneers. He would miss the next two games, but come back and lead the Titans to a playoff berth. The Titans, however, would lose in their first game with Young struggling to find any consistent offensive rhythm.

For both Young and Smith, their sophomore campaigns were both very impressive. Smith finished 7-9 with major victories down the stretch in 2006. Young took his team to the playoffs despite an injury in 2007. It looked like 2008 was going to be a year for both these quarterbacks to make a huge impact in the NFL.

Smith entered training camp in a battle with Shaun Hill and J.T. O’Sullivan. With new offensive coordinator favoring O’Sullivan, Smith would never get a chance to play in the regular season. It would later be confirmed that Smith had a broken bone in his shoulder, a remnant from his last surgery, and would miss the entire season.

Young started his 2008 season under center, but an knee injury would sideline him for a few weeks. In his absence, veteran Kerry Collins took over and led the Titans to a league-best 13-3 record.

Entering this 2009 season, both Smith and Young weren’t expected to start for their respective teams. The 49ers stuck with Shaun Hill to begin the season while the Titans hoped Collins could continue his magic under center.

Both teams, however, started to struggle. Hill’s inability to become an offensive threat forced the 49ers to change quarterbacks. The Titans started 0-6 and Young was given the chance to help the team.

Now with both former first round picks taking control of their team, the dream match up that I had hoped for is a little different now. Both quarterbacks have to prove themselves once again that they can be the quarterback the team hoped they would be when they were drafted. After very successful starts to a career, now is the time for them to do it again. Both have battled their way back up to the top and this Sunday, I cannot wait to see them on the field.

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