The 49ers need to prevent the big plays of Andre
Johnson (AP Photo/Matt York)
The San Francisco 49ers will have a tough assignment this week in containing the Houston Texans offense. The big component to this offense is that of wide receiver Andre Johnson.
Johnson has always been a solid wide receiver since being drafted in 2003. But it was until last year where people started to notice him. Let's take his 115 catches and 1,575 receiving yards into consideration. With those numbers, he is easily a Top 5 receiver in this league.
This year, he has been lighting it up as well. He's on pace to grab 96 balls this season for a total of 1,525 yards. He already has four touchdown receptions this year (last year he had eight). His current 15.9 yards per catch is going to be a big concern for the 49ers. And his 5.9 yards after catch has to be a thing to note as well.
As I had mentioned yesterday about 49ers cornerback Nate Clements, he has to deal with another big-time wide receiver and it will be a tough task. Watching Johnson in the open, he is a very intelligent receiver in seeing the open seams given by the secondary. His ability to cut through the middle of the field will continue to provide frustrations for the 49ers.
In order to contain him, Clements (along with Dre Bly and Shawntae Spencer) have to put pressure on Johnson-- even possibly double teaming him. Clements has not been the shutdown corner we have expected him to be. He has been disappointing and we can look back to what he did against Roddy White two weeks ago to see his struggles. He can simply be beat off the line.
The 49ers have to jam Johnson up the line and force him outside. If Johsnon is in the open field, that could spell danger for the 49ers secondary. With strong safety Michael Lewis still recovering from a concussion, the 49ers are very fragile at this moment. It will be a tough day for hte 49ers if they cannot contain the aerial attack of the Texans.
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Rookie running back Glen Coffee will overtake the kick return duties from tight end Delanie Walker. I have not seen Coffee in the special teams returning kicks so this will be an interesting thing to see. I don't think he'll be the main player back to receive kicks. He might be paired up with Arnaz Battle or Michael Robinson in the formation. Wide receiver Micheal Spurlock might also be a solid option as well.
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