Needing a Win, 49ers Face Tough Task in NY Giants
The Bay Area media has cast their vote. Head coach Mike Nolan must go. In all reality, Nolan probably survives the season, but his time in San Francisco appears to be short lived. On the heels of the 49ers’ 40-26 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday, speculation has swirled about Nolan’s future and if he would be let-go during the season. Now the only question that remains is who wields the organization’s ax.
Logically, owners Denise and John York would make the decision in regards to whether Nolan stays or exits. Denise owns the team, but John hired Nolan and both seem uninterested in their NFL franchise. Son, Jeb has taken an increased role within the organization in the last two years, but he’s too young to make such an executive decision. General manager Scot McCloughan could be a candidate, but it’s unclear whether he has firing power or not. As opposed to cross-bay neighbor the Oakland Raiders, where the power resides solely in the hands of Al Davis, the 49ers offer a pair of reclusive, reticent owners and a son with ownership ambitions who’s too green at this point. All the confusion points to Nolan maintaining his post until the end of the season unless the team goes completely south.
Now the New York Giants, not the best team to attempt to stop a three-game losing skid against, especially after dropping a Monday night match-up to the Cleveland Browns. But, maybe the 49ers (2-4) fuel themselves with the negative talk about their coach and play inspired football. Typically, Nolan’s teams haven’t quit and have continued to play tough despite the losing.
For the 49ers to play well, they must pound the ball with running back Frank Gore and pass protect for quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan. If they don’t, this is one of those games that could become ugly early. Against the Eagles, the 49ers played three solid quarters of football by alternating between the pass and the run. They headed into the fourth quarter with a 26-17 lead, but for some reason, abandoned the run for high-risk pass plays. Unbelievably, Gore only had two carries during the game’s final quarter.
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This game more than most will be won on the offensive and defensive line, which doesn’t bode well for the 49ers. The team’s line needs to keep the Giants’ fierce rush away from O’Sullivan and be able to open running lanes for Gore. Doing so has been a problem so far for the 49ers’ offensive line. If the defensive line doesn’t put pressure on Eli Manning he’ll find Plaxico Burress for large gains. The 49ers’ secondary has no way to defend the much taller Burress, except to force Manning into errant throws, which he’s capable of doing.
All the signs point to another loss—a strong opponent on the road—the 49ers’ weak offensive line and a defense that’s given up at least thirty points in three straight games. But, the 49ers are capable—able to score points and be dangerous if Mike Martz balances the run with the pass. Unfortunately, San Francisco has yet to put four quality quarters of football together and against the Giants, that’s exactly what they’ll need to do.
By Jim Bucci
ProFootball-fans.com San Francisco 49ers Correspondent