NEW ORLEANS (AP) Fear your dreadlocks, San Francisco.
Torrey Smith simply could always be this difference from a Super Bowl that will hinge around the 49ers' power to circumvent the particular Baltimore Ravens from scoring when using the long ball.
You might don't forget Smith from which playoff online game around Denver on Jan. 12. Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey guaranteed does. Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowl star, witnessed the dreadlocks flapping from the back associated with Smith's motorcycle helmet since he / she chased this speedy wide phone in to the end zone on touchdown catches involving 59 in addition to 32 yards.
Oh, along with why don't we definitely not forget about of which Baltimore pressured overtime in that , game over a 70-yard touchdown pass through Joe Flacco that will Jacoby Jones having thirty-one seconds left.
The Ravens have seventeen go away completions associated with at least 40 meters this kind of season, six with these people concerning Smith. Sometimes, Smith works full in order to free up wideout Anquan Boldin and also limited stop Dennis Pitta and also operating again Ray Rice underneath, leaving Flacco various worthwhile targets.
"It all depends," mentioned Smith, that speedy recipient from Maryland. "It's definitely not like they say, 'Hey Torrey, only manage directly down the actual field' all the time. Some with it can be scheme-wise to help start additional guys up. Against several coverages, I possess particular responsibilities. We complete strike vertically. That's a new strength with ours, and also I'm on the list of guys which they unquestionably make use of to try and do that."
Combine almost all which which has a San Francisco defense of which quit 396 back yards passing to be able to Atlanta's Matt Ryan inside NFC concept game, and it also could possibly add up to an incredibly extended nights for your 49ers.
"Joe Flacco, he is enjoying excellent basketball perfect now," ex - 49ers movie star receiver Jerry Rice said. "You've acquired Torrey Smith and in addition Anquan Boldin within the outside, along with passes around 18 yards. They targeted Torrey Smith 109 times. So they're not worried to toss the particular tennis ball deep. The legitimate from the San Francisco 49ers, they need had difficulties with the actual full ball, so that they are unable to let these types of people function free."
The 49ers know this. Whether they will can certainly reduce Smith & Co. from busting unfastened is one more story. Rice is likewise a threat he or she caught 61 subsides for 478 yards over the usual season.
"I assume No. 1, you have one (receiver) that's became trail speed that should take the most notable off your defense, thus they've going to sketch a few attention," San Francisco cornerback Carlos Rogers said. "Anquan is an extremely actual guy. He doesn't proceed strong approximately Torrey, but he's got this power to. He's merely acquired that connection, powerful supply guy, physical guy, hence it should become quite a job having him, too.
"We're questioned from every position. The limited end in the red zone, he has been got a connection, too. Ray Rice outside the backfield, people will not take a look at that, nonetheless if you break down film, he continues for making linebackers look stupid and also break yards. . So anyone on our side of the tennis ball has their particular hands full together with people guys."
On one other edge regarding the actual ball, the Ravens' protection might be positiioned that will hitch his or her emotions for you to midst linebacker Ray Lewis to the ultimate stage involving their past ride towards retirement. The 37-year-old publicised just before Baltimore's primary playoff adventure which he will leave while the particular Ravens concluded their run, in addition to considering that period they have been played the most beautiful soccer belonging to the year.
So offers Lewis. He carries a team-high 44 tackles throughout the playoffs following missing the past 10 online games which has a divided suitable triceps.
"They're about to be up," San Francisco running returning Frank Gore said. "Ray Lewis implies a whole lot fot it organization. He's been participating in the sport with regard to a lengthy time, they've probably the ideal at his position and also individuals appreciate him."
Sure, the actual Ravens would love to earn them to get Lewis. But one simple player within the roster access a Super Bowl band (Lewis), in addition to the remainder from the gamers are around them pertaining to themselves.
"There's no technique on earth that you simply would ever guess Torrey obstructing better affordable your discipline mainly because Ray is quitting," Ravens operator Steve Bisciotti said. "There's simply no technique on earth of which (fullback) Vonta Leach will supply that much more, knocking that will linebacker inside that hole. I trust whenever Ray was saying they ended up being about to participate in yet another year, these types of folks could provide us that similar thing."
Ravens offensive linebacker Bobby Williams ended up being inquired the reason the particular Ravens will win.
"The heart on the crew is usually one thing special," he said. "Everybody works tough across the league. The 49ers function hard. But this spirit of this group can be different."
After thumping Indianapolis at your house in addition to outlasting the top-seeded Broncos with twice overtime, Baltimore disposed of particular New England. Flacco, around succession, outplayed Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Now he increases next to second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who's going to be fleet involving foot or so nonetheless short on experience.
Unless Kaepernick runs wild or connects regularly having Randy Moss, the particular self-proclaimed "greatest phone ever to try out this game," and then big buddy John Harbaugh is the just one grinning whenever shaking palms together with tiny frankly Jim, San Francisco's coach, as purple and charcoal confetti is catagorized from the roof from the Superdome.
PREDICTION: Ravens 24, 49ers 20.
No comments:
Post a Comment