Look ahead: 49ers are not Road Warriors
Falcons wide receiver Roddy White had a career-high 210 yards receiving and two touchdowns against San Francisco last season. Paul Sakuma, AP
FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons coach Mike Smith did his best Lou Holtz impersonation during Monday’s press conference.
When it was over, you were convinced that Smith had a healthy respect for the 0-3 San Francisco 49ers.
He wasn’t all over the top with it, but he noted that when the Falcons beatdown the 49ers last season that running back Frank Gore didn’t play, wide receiver Michael Crabtree didn’t play and the since-departed Shaun Hill was the quarterback.
While Gore, Crabtree and quarterback Alex Smith don’t exactly make you think of Roger Craig, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, they are upgrades.
“Last year’s game in San Francisco will have no bearing on the outcome of the game this week,” Smith said. “It will have no bearing whatsoever. They’re a completely different football team.”
The 49ers were predicted to win the NFC West, but have struggled early this season. Head coach Mike Singletary fired offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye on Monday. Former Falcons assistant coach Mike Johnson will call the plays.
Here’s a quick look at the 49ers:
Record: 0-3, with losses to Seattle, New Orleans and Kansas City.
Falcons running back Michael Turner scores a touchdown in front of 49ers safety Curtis Taylor in the second quarter of last season's game. Paul Sakuma, AP
Last time played: Wide receiver Roddy White caught eight passes for a franchise-record 210 yards and two touchdowns, including a 90-yarder, a career-long catch. He broke Terance Mathis’ team record of 198 receiving yards, set on Dec. 13, 1998, against New Orleans. Here’s the game story from last year.
San Francisco on offense: They have weapons in Gore, Crabtree and tight end Vernon Davis, but things have not clicked for them this season. They did play the Saints close, but had four turnovers. The Chiefs took away their running attack, Davis and then sacked Smith five times. They are 31st in the league in points scored at 12.7.
San Francisco on defense: The defense is led by middle linebacker Patrick Willis, but they have not stopped the run. Last week, Jamaal Charles rushed for 97 yards on 12 carries and Thomas Jones had 19 carries for 95 yards. Singletary has denied reports that he is going to bench linebacker Takeo Spikes and safety Michael Lewis.
San Francisco on special teams: Joe Nedney is the kicker. Andy Lee is the punter. Nedney made a 51-yard field goal last week against Kansas City, which gave him a franchise-record nine successful field goals of 50 yards or more. Kyle Williams had three kick returns for 65 yards against Kansas City, but he had a fumble. He replaced Phillip Adams, who had a fumble against the Saints.
What you should know: The 49ers are not Road Warriors under Singletary. They are 4-11 on the road under the former Chicago Bear great, losers in eight of the past nine away games, with no road victories outside the NFC West since they won in Buffalo on Nov. 30, 2008
Former Falcons assistant Mike Johnson was "promoted" to offensive coordinator this week.
What you might not know: Johnson, 43, is a former backup quarterback with Arizona State, who’s spent 10 seasons as an NFL assistant with the Chargers, Falcons, Ravens and 49ers as either a receivers or quarterbacks coach. The Los Angeles native coached with the Falcons from 2002 to 2005.
Coach: Mike Singletary, who was a candidate to be the Falcons head coach before Bobby Petrino was hired, is in his fourth year with the 49ers.
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
156 comments Add your comment
Hollywould
September 28th, 2010
3:02 pm
This coaching staff will not let the players let down. Any team in the NFL can beat another. Just take care of business.
FrontRow
September 28th, 2010
3:13 pm
Falcons are getting alot of love in this week’s power ranking samples.
SirReal
September 28th, 2010
3:14 pm
@Front Row Thanks for that memory!! I forgot about that game! It was a good one!
FrontRow
September 28th, 2010
3:19 pm
No worries. My point is CROWD NOISE. We beat the Saints….now let’s show up the Saints crowd.
FrontRow
September 28th, 2010
3:29 pm
Some more CROWD NOISE memories…..2008 Chevis Jackson pick-six on Drew Brees followed by the Falcons fans serenading the WhoDats with a rousing WE DAT chant while they left the stadium.
You should really get down there. Only 7 games left this year.
waynester
September 28th, 2010
3:38 pm
Chopbuster
good grief man–the coaching staff and team have to remain focused on the SF game but as fans we can look ahead to any of the remaining games and lick our “chops”. Every fan has a team they feel an extra dose of animosity toward and for some of us, it’s the dadgum Eagles. If Reid running Vick out just to rub the Falcons’ nose in it wasn’t enough to piss you off–that’s you. For me, that was the last frickin’ straw. I already hated their stupid fans, city and team. Now I hate their coach and QB, too. Good ol’ fashioned HATE, buddy and I admit it, I’m also a sinner….
FrontRow
September 28th, 2010
3:55 pm
waynester – save it. The Iggles fans left alot of history downing MV when he was a Falcon. Now they will get to spend week six eating those words.
The way this town runs, we need to start working on getting the seats filled at kickoff.
It would be a major embarrasment to follow last week’s victory with a crowd equivalent to the AZ game. Falcons fans are good at coming up with excuses but the WhoDats have more excuses and they still show up.
NO EXCUSES. The Saints players fed off the WhoDats last year. We need to present the Falcons players with a pleasant surprise at 1:00 Sunday. Not 1:15…..1:00 sharp.
Be there.
Chop Buster
September 28th, 2010
3:58 pm
Waynester I don’t have any problem discussing other teams. I’d just like to focus on the topic that DLED brought before us for discussion. Trust me I want to see our defense crush Vick and the Eagles as much as the next person. Let’s just take it one opponent at a time (just like our Falcons) and discuss the ones we’re about to face. We’ll have plenty of discussion about all the upcoming games I’m sure. I want get a little pay back as well–some of which we got on these Saints this past weekend. On to the next one now.
mark
September 28th, 2010
4:01 pm
No way this team let’s up, I will say it once again we learned our lesson in Pittsburg to always stay aggressive three times going for it on 4th down proves that. Only two teams in the history of league have gone undefeated in the regular season, so yes we will lose some more games maybe 2 or 3, but we will never be outplayed. Coach Smith and Thomas Dimitroff are loading this team up with guys that do not quit, or never give up. We are nasty in the trenches and punch people in the mouth. Pittsburg is the most physical team in the league with only Baltimore or Tennessee coming in 2nd, we are getting there and will be known for that soon enough.
FrontRow
September 28th, 2010
4:02 pm
Yeah and the payback is in OUR HOUSE. DEFEND THE DOME!
trap game
September 28th, 2010
4:02 pm
Am I the only 1 seeing this. The Saints game is done and the 49er’s are coming with what we had when we went to New Orleans. I think they’re coming to play and I think we’re going overboard on 1 win!
FrontRow
September 28th, 2010
4:05 pm
trap….some of the first words out of MR#2’s mouth Sunday after the game was 49ers. So, no the Falcons will not overlook this game.
Now for your part. How pumped do you think the D-fence will be hearing 70,000 screaming partisans at 1:00 THIS Sunday?
Empty seats make no noise.
singhisking
September 28th, 2010
4:08 pm
i say 40burger 4the9ers
Chop Buster
September 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
The main thing I’m looking for in this game is to see consistency from our offense, defense and special teams. I know that if play to our full potential we can compete with the best of teams. Not that I’m taking the 49ers lightly, but we should be looking to open another can of whip “you know what” on them. No mercy!!!
Reid
September 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
I like how you put promoted in quotations
waynester
September 28th, 2010
4:18 pm
Frontrow
I gotcha. I can’t help it– whenever the Eagles come up so does my temper. Everybody’s got that one team that just rubs ‘em the wrong way and for me it’s always been danged Philly–even more than the Saints, Niners, Rams and the rest of our current divisional opponents. As for trying to rally the faithful–it’s been that way as long as I can remember whether the Dome or old ATLFulCo stadium, Braves, Hawks etc etc. The one thing I truly admire about the Saints is their rabid fanbase. Keep on keepin’ on–maybe only a superbowl win will get this city on board….
FrontRow
September 28th, 2010
4:18 pm
Taking the Steelers to OT in their house on opening day is consistent.
Putting 41 on the Cardinals in OUR HOUSE is consistent.
Going 2-1 against 3 of the last 4 SB contestants is consistent.
The only thing not consistent – 20,000 empty seats at kickoff.
FrontRow
September 28th, 2010
4:23 pm
Waynester – spread the word. You are a regular on D3’s post. As soon as D3 posts this week we need to beat the drum and see if we can boost the turnout and support.
Look at it this way….if the Falcons TCB this year then we have a good chance of getting the Iggles here for the playoffs.
Shoot for that goal.
Joe Tess Fish Breath
September 28th, 2010
4:37 pm
looks like we weed out the Aints’ trolls, now we just need to eliminate John Tesh Fish House.
GWK
September 28th, 2010
4:38 pm
Okay, I have an issue with some of you so-called Falcon fans… I was at the game in New Orleans on Sunday and even though the Saints are sold out, there were a lot of Atlanta fans on the scene. It was pretty cool. But, I was embarrased for our team and the city of Atlanta by all the #7 Vick jerseys that people were wearing. Come on Man!!! Vick disrespected his teammates, Arthur Blank, the Falcons, the city of Atlanta and all the Falcons fans with his dog hobby. Sure he has paid the price for that but those facts remain. If you are a Falcons fan, you should be embarrassed to associate yourself with Vick; stop wearing Vick jerseys! If you are a Vick fan, go buy an Eagles jersey! That is where he plays now, not in ATLANTA!
Falconidiot
September 28th, 2010
4:55 pm
I think the 9ers will roll over or get rolled. I think they know it’s time to get rid of their coach. The Falcons are still not clicking on all cylinders. They are going to get a lot better this year as their confidence builds and Harry Douglas starts getting hit with those bombs then they’ll spread the field and use Pelle and Mugheli to eat teams up. Decoud is everywhere and a little green, things should settle down the next couple weeks and hopefully we are peaking @Philly. Go Birds!
FrontRow
September 28th, 2010
4:56 pm
GWK have you looked at the price of a jersey lately? Have you ever noticed that alot of fans buy a jersey to keep and wear for a long time?
When MV was here his jersey was worth having. He was playing the good citizen role and all that but was keeping a secret. Hence, some of us like him and some of us hate him but only the dumbest or richest burned their $70 jerseys.
Since then, we haven’t trusted longevity of any player. I also have Brooking, Kerney, Price, Reese, Sanders, etc, etc, etc.
Now I have a Tony Gonzales but only because they were half price at the stadium last week.
Whatever jersey as long as they are representing. I call for – this week – ALL BLACK..lets have a BLACKOUT.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
September 28th, 2010
5:07 pm
Here’s a pretty good look at the best defense I ever witnessed, the 1977 Atlanta Falcons Grits Blitz Defense.
Jerry Glanville – Defensive Coordinator
129-points allowed in entire 77′ season. Record for fewest points ever allowed in 14-games.
Allowed less than 100-yds. per game passing.
A harder hitting defense has never taken the field.
Here’s the vid.. Enjoy.
http://xrl.us/GritsBlitz
Falcon Jim
September 28th, 2010
5:45 pm
Mr. Green Jeans,
Great vid. Showed my 21 year old son. HE WAS AMAZED ! !
(I always wondered why you and dancing bear were never seen together. mmmmmmmmmmmmm.)
alanfalcon
September 28th, 2010
5:48 pm
Smitty, we are ripe for an upset after the big win against the Saints, the next two opponents will be looking to establish their programs and will go all out to take us down.
These next two games will tell us what type of leadership we have on both sides of the line and hopefully establish some type of Special teams sucess.
GO FALCONS AND GO SOUTHERN RUSH, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO WALLER IN YOUR SUCESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KevKat
September 28th, 2010
6:06 pm
Trap game? Are you guys kidding me? These Falcons know they must beat the teams they should beat and hang tough and give themselves a chance to beat teams just as good or supposedly better than they are. If this were a road game against the Niners maybe but not this time..Falcons continue to make a statement and win comfortably.
oldestfalconfan
September 28th, 2010
6:07 pm
I still say first 6 ballgames is coaching after that it is the players.We still need a big time pass rusher.Jenkins can sit out one more game if it were up to me.If Matty gets comfortable niners watch out.Let me ask one question DOES DEION SANDERS KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL?I heard him say mhim and Vick were main man together.
Keith
September 28th, 2010
6:23 pm
Re: GWK
Frustrating for me, too. Vick jerseys shouldn’t be worn anymore.
waynester
September 28th, 2010
6:31 pm
Now somebody’s marketing a half-and-half ATL/PHI #7 jersey–it’s BLASPHEMY for those colors to ever come together I tells ya’ it’s an atrociomouscy, Edith….
Keith
September 28th, 2010
6:55 pm
Yes, Vick tarnished this city and franchise. Hope he’s better for it and has learned lessons, but nothing about #7 on a Falcons jersey is a reminder of good things…at least not in my mind.
FrontRow
September 28th, 2010
7:24 pm
Now if you really want a MV jersey get a VT#7
marlon cosey
September 28th, 2010
7:26 pm
wass up 2 all the falcon fans out there… 2 me I think that was our super bowl 4 the year… If there are n.e. non-belivers still out there… we still have room 4 u 2 jump on the band-wagon… This week I hope that ATL smashes the ‘9ers cuz I’ve been tellin’ sum of these clowns that the dirty birds are 4 real, now… Big ups to J-Norwood…. Get better real soon…. big ups 2 J Snelling… Mike “the burner” Turner and the rest of the crew… Just please go out and smash everybody startin with these crazy ‘9ers…Their fans are still stuck in the ’80s… I wish they would turn up the clock to 2010-2011…
Paddy O
September 28th, 2010
7:36 pm
this game makes me nervous – i thought Singletary was a good headcoach, now having second thoughts, but he was still awesome on the Bears. So, it is a toss up: we win either close, 21-14, or not so close, maybe 35-21. It is still too early to know exactly how this team will play – our special teams need help, and our coverage transition is sloppy. Our offense, led by Matt Ryan, has played fantastic – anyone want to comment on how our O line & D line will perform? In the NO game, I noticed Colston did not do much – is that Dunta delivering? If our run game is operating, as stated b4, the Snelling/Turner combo is fantastic (we still need a Dave Meggett type back with Jerrious out – next draft!); plus, you have no idea where Ryan will fling the ball – no turnovers last week, none the week before. I personally am interested in seeing how we shut down the niners receivers & if we get good pressure on the QB. We now have a team where you have multiple worries, both on offense & defense, when you play us – it makes us a challenging team to confront!
Paddy O
September 28th, 2010
7:37 pm
hey, if any one wants a very lightly used Vick 7 ATL, I’ll sell it to you for the right price.
Paddy O
September 28th, 2010
7:41 pm
Vick did the organization and society wrong, he got off easy with 2 years – should have been 6 months per dog. He clearly lied to Goodell & Blank, then stole about 20 million he did not earn. The guy is about as ghetto as you can get – but, he is fast as quicksilver. Can’t root for him, but am still amazed by his speed & acceleration. Used to admire & root for him.
lexluther
September 28th, 2010
9:25 pm
Why are so many Falcon fans still talking about Michael Vick? The guy made his mistakes, paid his debt to society and now is doing a great job in Philly. Let’s move on shall we. I could see if he own each of you some money or something. Atlanta is doing fairly well without Mr. Vick and are an excellent product this year. Let’s try to focus on putting forth that same effort every sunday to push them over the top. LET’S GO FALCONS. …DO THE DAMN THANG@!!!
lexluther
September 28th, 2010
9:28 pm
Paddy O sounds like you need a hug. Get a life or a grip. Wipe your tears and keep it moving. Damn baby….
2Legit2quit
September 28th, 2010
9:57 pm
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
Great link, I hate to admit but I miss old crazy blitz loving glanville from time to time. Does anyone know why Fin did not play last week or if Jenkins is playing this week. HD dropped two easy passes
Pete
September 28th, 2010
11:05 pm
Smitty will never let his troops look past any team, no matter what their record.
Ever,
Falcon Jim
September 29th, 2010
12:24 am
Mr Green Jeans,
How is the Captain and Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Moose and Grandfather Clock and Dancing Bear and all the ping-pong-balls?
Pooh
September 29th, 2010
9:42 am
Birds 31 Niners 10. There will be no let down. Rise Up!
Tony
September 29th, 2010
10:12 am
If the Falcons lose the New Orleans game is a wash. I don’t think it will happen. The defense needs to continue to press and establish an identity of put a foot on the throat of the opponents and not the old bend don’t break mentality.
DK
September 29th, 2010
10:34 am
Pooh said “Birds 31 Niners 10″
Sorry Pooh but the score won’t be that close.
Joe Tess Fish House
September 29th, 2010
10:37 am
Joe Tess aint goin nowhere!
benjamin
September 29th, 2010
10:57 am
I see another blow-out ala Cardinals…
Old Dawg
September 29th, 2010
12:50 pm
I wish the Falcons kept their throwback uniforms all the time. The current uni truly stinks. Like Terry Bradshaw said when they were unveiled, they’re butt ugly.
Wish Blank would listen to fans on this issue.
Once "Recent" Reader
September 29th, 2010
1:08 pm
The mob is very fickle I see. How different from the “same old Falcons” posts here after the Steelers game. Now there were a few that indicated Pittsburgh was a tough team at home . . .only one game. But . . . .I’m glad that the Falcs have played well enough the past two weeks to convert the Week 1 nay-sayers. Still a long season . . . ..and a very schitzo 49er team this weak. Hope we don’t get the team that almost beat the Saints.
Bobcat
September 29th, 2010
2:43 pm
I agree Old Dawg. I love the old uniforms.
Bluto
September 29th, 2010
3:46 pm
Joe Tess Fish House
September 28th, 2010
1:35 pm
If my QB yelled at me, he would have a broken leg.
LOL more tough talk from internet tough guy And T.O. jock strap
Getaway
September 29th, 2010
4:19 pm
As a long time Falcon fan, you can’t read enought articles like this from Fox Sports:
San Francisco at Atlanta: You could make the argument recently axed offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye was the sacrificial lamb in San Francisco this week. The offense has been underwhelming, sure, but the defense isn’t exactly shutting it down, either. The 49ers D, thought to have been the team’s strength, has given up the second-most points in the league through three games. The Falcons went out to San Francisco and beat the Niners, 45-10, last year. They may give the Niners a worse beating on Sunday.
The Pick: Falcons 41, 49ers 20