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How the Arizona Cardinals match up with: The San Francisco 49ers (Weeks 1 and 14)
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San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 1 - @Arizona, University of Phoenix Stadium
Sunday, Sept. 13th, 4:15 PM ET, FOX
Week 14 - @San Francisco, Candlestick Park
Monday, Dec. 14th, 8:30 PM ET, ESPN *Monday Night Football
All-time series: San Francisco 19 - Arizona 16
Last 10 games: Arizona 6 - San Francisco 4
Interesting Stat: 4 out of last 12 games have gone into overtime
Quarterback
49ers - Another quarterback battle is in store for a team that desperately needs a leader. It really comes down to the returning starter, Shaun Hill, and the 2005 number-one draft pick, Alex Smith. If history is any indication where this is going, Shaun Hill will come out of this thing the victor, expecially with Singletary's love for the blue-collar type quarterback.
Cardinals - No brainer, here. Apart from any injury set-backs (which is a possibility, even in the pre-season), Kurt Warner will be the starting quarterback for the Cardinals. Sorry, Leinart, you've got at least another year of waiting.
Edge: Cardinals, by a mile.
Running Back
49ers - Frank Gore is an outstanding back and the new rookies, Glen Coffee (Alabama) and Kory Sheets (Purdue), could be two great additions to what has been a one-man show. That said, if the offensive line doesn't create better opportunities, it doesn't matter who's behind them.
Cardinals - "Beanie" Wells dropping to #31 in the draft was just one more indication that the winds are changing for the Arizona Cardinals. They needed a big, bruising running back more than anything else and they think they've found it in Wells. Paired together with the speedy edge-rusher, Tim Hightower, the Cardinals could quite possibly have the next great tandem in the NFL. Tim Hightower and "Beanie" Wells - I shall from here on out call them "Lean" and "Mean," respectively.
Edge: 49ers, as the Cardinals are too young and unproven.
Wide Receiver
49ers - This receiving corps is a couple of veterans (Arnaz Battle and Isaac Bruce) followed by a bunch of babies, albeit a bunch of very talented babies. Whoever ends up at quarterback better be able to get rid of the ball fast and on target, because these guys can catch and these guys can run. Michael Crabtree needs to prove himself in the NFL before I start comparing him to Larry Fitzgerald like many other media pundits, but even I can admit that his potential is unmatched at his age.
Cardinals - It's too bad for the 49ers that the Cardinals have the best wide receiving corps in the country, because the 49ers are pretty solid themselves. But, alas, Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin make up the best one-two punch in football, hands-down.
Edge: Cardinals, but not by as much as you might think.
Tight End
49ers - Vernon Davis is one of the best at his position (his bouts with Mr. Singletary aside).
Cardinals - Though the tight-end has been a more-than-lacking position for the Cards, Stephen Spach came on strong at the end of last season before getting injured and could end up being the guy they've been looking for.
Edge: 49ers, even if the Cardinals do have seven tight-ends on their roster currently.
Offensive Line
49ers - Last year, this line allowed 55 sacks in the regular season, worst in the NFL. And then, in a draft class that had some pretty good offensive line talent, the 49ers' front office drafted zero, count it, zero, offensive linemen. Huh?
Cardinals - For once, the Cardinals have an offensive line battle in training camp because they have depth, not because they have concerns...gasp! Though there were hiccups at times last year (i.e. dumb penalties and too many sacks), this line is young and just knocking at the door of their potential.
Edge: Cardinals, by a country mile.
Defensive Line
49ers - This group of guys is fairly young and if any of the veterans go down, the depth here is non-existent. That said, the line was solid, if not average, most of the time last year and if the rookies learn fast, they have potential.
Cardinals - The loss of Antonio Smith was the biggest loss of the off-season, but there are two positive things you can take from that statement. One, this was really the only loss of the off-season, which is saying a lot after a Super Bowl run. And two, the line is deep enough to withstand a loss that big, which says a lot about the depth.
Edge: Cardinals, by a hair.
Linebacker
49ers - Patrick Willis is a freak of nature and may not even be in his prime yet. That's a scary prospect for opposing offenses. Unfortunately, there's not much behind him. Spikes isn't bad, but he's getting up in years and may be at the end of a pretty solid career.
Cardinals - Karlos Dansby and Gerald Hayes are pretty dynamic in the backfield, but just like the 49ers, there's not much past those two. The Cardinals went after some help in the draft with Cody Brown and if he can produce, they could be dangerous.
Edge: 49ers, because of Willis.
Secondary
49ers - Dre' Bly is a pivotal addition to a secondary that needs major help. Walt Harris had a pretty solid season, but not being able to get takeaways hurt the 49ers all year. I have a feeling this group is in for another long one.
Cardinals - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was ridiculous in his rookie season, leading the team in interceptions, and with Adrian Wilson cracking people across the middle, the secondary had its shining moments. In the last few months, the Cardinals have only gotten stronger, adding Bryant McFadden and Rashad Johnson, two players who could help immediately.
Edge: Cardinals, by another mile.
Special Teams
49ers - Joe Nedney is a reliable option at place-kicker and can definitely make field goals over 50 yards and Andy Lee has a great touch on his punts. On the other side of the ball, Allen Rossum is a threat to go all the way every time he gets the ball. Again, barring any injuries, the 49ers should be pretty solid in this aspect of the game.
Cardinals - After one incredible year, Neil Rackers has been less than stellar in the past couple of seasons. As far as punting is concerned, the Cardinals are pretty much clueless. Ben Graham is their answer, but I have a feeling he is not the answer. At least there is hope on kick and punt returns, where the Cardinals biggest problem may be deciding which of the speedsters to choose. Breaston was flashy at times last year on punt returns and there are some other speedy possibilities, but they are as of yet, unproven.
Edge: 49ers, but this could change by the start of the season.
Overall
49ers - There are just too many questions at too many key positions. Quarterback, the offensive line, and the secondary all have gaping holes that are not going to close by the time the season starts. However, Singletary is a good coach...I truly believe that. And with good coaching comes progress. Watch for the 49ers to get better throughout the season and by weeks nine and ten, I think they might actually challenge some of the better teams in the league.
Cardinals - Coming back from a Super Bowl run, the Cardinals have lost very little in the offseason and drafted perfectly to boost their few weaknesses. Whisenhunt is one of the sharpest men in the game right now and there is no way he will let this team have a let down. I hesitate to say it because the taste of victory is still so fresh, but this Cardinals team will win the NFC West without a whole lot of competition and they look poised to make another deep run in the playoffs.
Week 1 (pre-training camp) prediction: Cardinals 38 - 49ers 21
Week 14 (pre-training camp) prediction: Cardinals 24 - 49ers 21 (OT)
Other weekly opponent breakdowns:
Arizona Cardinals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars - Week 2
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts - Week 3
Arizona Cardinals vs. Houston Texans - Week 5
Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks - Weeks 6 and 10
Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants - Week 7
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers - Week 8
Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears - Week 9
Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams - Weeks 11 and 16
Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans - Week 12
For More San Francisco 49ers Analysis:
San Francisco 49ers Examiner
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