GameDay: Looking Back To New Orleans And Ahead To The Battle Of The Bay
CBS 5 Sports Director Dennis O'Donnell hosts "Gameday" every Sunday night at 11:30pm and offers his unique sports analysis here.
Watch the Raiders vs. 49ers, Saturday 4:30 p.m. LIVE on KPIX-TV CBS 5
San Francisco (CBS 5) — My plan was to take in some Blues in the French Quarter after our broadcast of the San Francisco 49ers game. As it turned out, I didn't have to wait that long. The blues started at kickoff and lasted until the final gun.
What's the difference between the famed Café Du Monde and the 49ers offensive line? Café De Monde uses one sieve, the 49ers used five. The O-line was a disappointment because it's the strongest part of the team, plain and simple. What should we draw from that performance? Zero. Zilch. Nothing. The coaches, to their fault, were about as prepared for the Saints onslaught as Pearl Harbor was for Admiral Nagumo. Unwritten rule? I guess Roman Harper didn't get that memo.
In truth, the 49ers linemen are far better that the five sacks they gave up, one of which nearly decapitated their quarterback.
Alex Smith will be better too. And don't buy into that mumbo jumbo the coach is trying to sell. Smith IS his guy, there is NO competition. Harbaugh told me two days prior to the game that he'd be comfortable, not only with Kaepernick at #2, but at #1. C'mon. Really? Then comes the game, then comes Culpepper, and now comes McCown. And keep you eye on the waiver wire because Harbaugh is too.
So the game was a disappointment, but that's all it was. Harbaugh has been a revelation at practice. He's doing everything with the offense short of taking snaps. Plays, footwork, release, smelling Alex's breath, whatever. You can't helped but be impressed by his participation and the satisfaction that this guy actually knows a thing or two about offense. Funny thing is, I wish Alex had some of that passion.
Daily Madden: The Niners-Raiders Rivalry
Saturday night: Watch out for the Raider corner blitz. They came at Arizona early with it and will try it again. This time, the 49ers will be ready. Oakland's offense moved the ball with all three QBs. Prediction: Jason Campbell goes at Carlos Rogers early. The two went to Auburn together and were drafted in 2005, both to Washington. Carlos told me he's expecting to be a target and he's relishing the opportunity… Sleeper: DeMarcus Dobbs. #78 for the 49ers. Undrafted out of Georgia, this guy was a bull against the Saints. Loved his motor and his attitude. 4 tackles and almost had a sack. Sure thing: Aldon Smith. He's scary fast and when he learns the pass coverage thing, he'll be the best thing the 49ers have had at that position since Charles Haley.
See you Saturday at Candlestick. If you can't make it, see you on TV.
