49ers at Rams
Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Mo.
Sunday, Oct. 10
AT A GLANCE: St. Louis (3-0) could take a
1 1/2-game lead in the NFC West with a win over the 49ers (3-1). But that has been a big
problem in the '90s — San Francisco has won 17 straight vs. the Rams.
|
| OVERVIEW: There is good news and bad news for Rams fans. The
good news is that St. Louis is off to a 3-0 start under upstart QB Kurt Warner, a former
Arena League and NFL Europe signalcaller who has played better than anyone could have
expected after taking over for Trent Green.
The bad news for Rams fans is that the 49ers are next. San Francisco has won 17
straight games vs. the Rams dating back to the 1990 season, covering the pointspread in 15
of those games, including the last eight.
For the first time, Warner’s opponent at quarterback may have less experience than
he does. San Francisco may be without Steve Young (concussion) for the second straight
week. If Young can’t go, the 49ers will turn to CFL import Jeff Garcia, who played
well last week in his first start as he led San Francisco to a 24-22 win over Tennessee.
The Rams could have difficulty breaking the 49ers’ mastery even if Garcia steps in
for Young, if recent history is any indication. Two seasons ago, the 49ers went into St.
Louis without Young, but then-rookie Jim Druckenmiller led the 49ers to a 15-12 win.
WHEN THE 49ERS HAVE THE BALL:
The 49ers have not done a good job of protecting their quarterback this season. The
offensive line is in flux on the right side, where Derrick Deese and Jeremy Newberry have
rotated at guard and tackle. That could give Rams DLE Kevin Carter, the Rams’ best
pass rusher, an opportunity to get to the passer. DRT Marco Farr’s speed could bother
bulky OLG Ray Brown. Up-and-coming DRE Grant Wistrom lines up vs. overachieving OLT Dave
Fiore. The return of TE Greg Clark from a rib injury adds another good blocker.
The 49ers have had some success running the ball so far this season. Charlie Garner, a
shake-and-bake runner, has been even quicker than San Francisco had expected. The Rams
have not given up much on the ground so far this season, but they have had some big leads
that have prevented opponents from establishing the run. |
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|
| Profile |
| Trans World Dome |
| St. Louis, Mo. |
| Date: Sunday, October 10, 1999 |
| 12:00 p.m. Central Time |
| Type Of Turf: Artificial |
| Meeting Of The Year: First |
| Season Record: |
| |
San Francisco |
3-1-0 |
| |
St. Louis |
3-0-0 |
| Season Record Vs. Spread: |
| |
San Francisco |
2-2-0 |
| |
St. Louis |
3-0-0 |
| Home/Road Record: |
| |
San Francisco (R) |
1-1-0 |
| |
St. Louis (H) |
2-0-0 |
| Home/Road Record Vs. Spread: |
| |
San Francisco (R) |
1-1-0 |
| |
St. Louis (H) |
2-0-0 |
| Record On Artificial Turf: |
| |
San Francisco |
0-0-0 |
| |
St. Louis |
3-0-0 |
| Record On Artificial Turf Vs. Spread: |
| |
San Francisco |
0-0-0 |
| |
St. Louis |
3-0-0 |
|
|
| Despite the emergence of Garner, San Francisco’s best weapons are still its
wideouts. Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens are the top two targets outside. Both have good
size and can make plays after the catch. J.J. Stokes has had a slow start but is still
capable of a big game. Rams CB Todd Lyght, St. Louis’ best cover man, heads up a
secondary whose depth will be tested by San Francisco’s multiple-WR sets. WHEN
THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL:
Like the 49ers, St. Louis has lots of WR firepower. Starters Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt
have been explosive, and speedy Az-Zahir Hakim had three TD catches last week. For the
most part, the Rams throw short passes and let their receivers make plays, although Warner
will throw downfield on occasion. The 49ers’ secondary has been a weak spot. CB Craig
Newsome has size, but his speed is questionable. Fellow CB Mark McMillian is diminutive,
and Darnell Walker (hamstring; check status) sat out last week.
RB Marshall Faulk is a weapon on the ground and in the passing game, and Amp Lee (knee;
check status) should be ready to go. The 49ers’ front seven is strongest at
linebacker, where Ken Norton Jr. lines up with athletic Winfred Tubbs and Lee Woodall.
OLT Orlando Pace, who is improving, leads the Rams’ line. The 49ers’
defensive front is strongest in the middle, where Bryant Young, still a difference-maker,
resides.
Game preview and depth charts were compiled as of Oct. 3, 1999 |
|
49ers depth
chart |
OFFENSE |
| WR |
80 RICE, 88 Harris |
| OLT |
74 FIORE, 79 Dercher |
| OLG |
65 BROWN, 69 Ostrowski |
| C |
67 DALMAN, 60 Lynch |
| ORG |
62 NEWBERRY, 66 Hopson* |
| ORT |
63 DEESE, 60 Ruhman |
| TE |
86 FANN, 85 Clark, 82 Bell |
| WR |
81 OWENS, 83 Stokes |
| QB |
5 GARCIA, 8 Young, 11 Stenstrom |
| RB |
25 GARNER, 33 Phillips, 32 Jervey |
| FB |
44 VARDELL, 40 Beasley |
DEFENSE |
| DLE |
95 WASHINGTON, 94 Haley |
| DLT |
97 YOUNG, 99 Buckner |
| DRT |
90 BRYANT, 92 McGrew* |
| DRE |
98 WILKINS, 94 Haley |
| LLB |
51 NORTON, 50 Peterson, 56 Wesley |
| MLB |
55 TUBBS, 59 Givens |
| RLB |
54 WOODALL, 53 Minor* |
| LCB |
38 WALKER, 27 Newsome |
| RCB |
29 McMILLIAN, 21 McQuarters |
| SS |
46 McDONALD, 30 Schulters |
| FS |
31 BRONSON, 23 Prioleau |
| SPECIALISTS |
| PK |
7 RICHEY |
| P |
4 STANLEY* |
| H |
4 STANLEY* |
| PR |
21 McQUARTERS |
| KOR |
22 JACKSON*, 21 McQuarters |
| KC |
60 LYNCH |
| * Rookie |
|
|
Rams depth
chart |
| OFFENSE |
| WR |
81 HOLT*, 81 Hakim |
| OLT |
76 PACE, 50 Tucker |
| OLG |
61 NUTTEN, 71 Spikes* |
| C |
60 GRUTTADAURIA, 64 McCollum |
| ORG |
62 TIMMERMAN, 64 McCollum |
| ORT |
73 MILLER, 70 Jones* |
| TE |
86 WILLIAMS, 45 Robinson |
| WR |
80 BRUCE, 87 Proehl, 82 Horne |
| QB |
13 WARNER, 16 Justin, 9 Germaine |
| RB |
28 FAULK, 36 Watson, 31 Lee |
| FB |
25 HOLCOMBE, 33 Hodgins,* 34 Levitt |
DEFENSE |
| DLE |
93 CARTER, 96 Williams |
| DLT |
99 AGNEW, 90 Zgonina |
| DRT |
75 FARR, 94 Hyder* |
| DRE |
98 WISTROM, 92 Barnes* |
| LLB |
52 JONES, 58 Morton |
| MLB |
59 FLETCHER, 51 Styles |
| RLB |
54 COLLINS, 56 Clemons |
| LCB |
41 LYGHT, 20 Allen |
| RCB |
21 McCLEON, 32 Bly* |
| SS |
22 JENKINS, 23 Bush |
| FS |
35 LYLE, 38 Coady* |
SPECIALISTS |
| P |
11 TUTEN |
| PK |
14 WILKINS |
| H |
11 TUTEN |
| PR |
81 HAKIM, 82 Horne |
| KR |
82 HORNE, 81 Hakim |
| KC |
45 ROBINSON |
| * Rookie |
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