Official Game Day Thread - ARI @ SF November 7, 2021
Oct 29, 2021 6:09:07 GMT -7
Cardinals Junkie likes this
Post by End Zone on Oct 29, 2021 6:09:07 GMT -7
ARI at SF November 7, 2021.
Hello and welcome to the Forum’s 9th Arizona Cardinals Game Day Thread (GDT).
Today's game marks the second time this year that the (7-1) Cardinals and (3-4) 49ers teams will meet each other on the gridiron. The first game was back on October 10th at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals won that game; score 17-10. So, which team will win today? The head-to-head history the last 10 years shows that the Cardinals and 49ers are about even on wins and losses. Since 2011, the Cardinals won 12 games and the 49ers won 10 games. Final scores are close no matter how many points are piled up by both teams. So, what does the historical facts tell us about today's game? Really, nothing. However, the old movie title, "Any Given Sunday," applies to both teams. A player will shine and a player look a butthead, no matter how hard each team works. Of note, Levi Stadium seems to be Cardinals-friendly, at least on the scoreboard, for the last five years. If you attend the game in person on November 7th, enjoy the new stadium experience and NFC West Division game. Be safe always. Go Cardinals.
What’s new with the San Francisco 49ers since the last ARI/SF game? First, QB Garoppolo is healed and back as the QB starter. Rookie QB Lance was returned to #2 QB status – BTW, he did not log a single snap this past weekend, not even during garbage time in the 4th quarter. During the 49ers at Bears game on October 31, won by SF, 33-22, and ending the team’s 4-game skid, Garoppolo looked his old self and is fully recovered from the left leg calf injury. His game individual statistics proved that he can get the job done against a below .500 team, aka Bears (zero QB hits, zero sacks, just 8 pressures). Garoppolo’s numbers: Attempts 28, Completions 17, Yards 322, No sacks, No INTs, Longest pass play 83 yards, Rating 100.6. Receivers’ numbers: Samuels 9 targets, 6 receptions, 171 Yards; Alyuk 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 45 Yards; and Sanu 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 59 Yards. Rushing: RB Mitchell 18 Attempts, 137 Yards, 1 TD; QB Garoppolo 5 Attempts, 4 Yards, 2 TDs.
Last Sunday’s SF @ CHI game was the Bears to lose after three quarters. The 49ers struggled on defense and mostly failed to stop rookie QB Fields (10 rushes, 103 yards) from moving the chains for 45 minutes. Then, with the Bears leading the 49ers, 16-12, and just seconds into the 4th quarter, the 49ers rushed for a TD and took the lead. Chicago matched SF with a TD, momentarily retaking the lead. On the ensuing possession, the 49ers again hit several big pass plays (19, 27, and 23 yards) against the desperate Bears defense. Garoppolo rushed the final 5 yards for the go-ahead TD. SF’s Kicker added a late FG to end the scoring. Other notable game statistics for SF: First downs 21; 3rd Down efficiency 4/10; 4th Down efficiency 1/1; Total net yards 467, Gain per rush 5.6 yards; Penalties 7/55 yards; Red Zone efficiency 4-5; punts ZERO! On Defense, the 49ers top tacklers were Warner (8), Norman (7), Williams (7), Harris (6). The 49ers had 4 sacks against Bears QB Fields (27/19 for 175 yards/1 TD). According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Garoppolo is the third player in SF history to throw for 300 yards and run for multiple scores in a game, joining former QBs Steve Young and Jeff Garcia. WR Samuel's 819 receiving yards are the most in 49ers history in the first 7 games of a season, breaking HoFer WR Jerry Rice's record of 781 set in 1986. At the post-game presser, HC Shanahan was pleased by the 49ers overall performance versus the Bears and team latest health status. Shanahan offered a preliminary injury report: S Ward departed the game in the 4th quarter with a strained quadriceps that could keep him out for an unknown time.
49ers History. This information is mostly a repeat from the first SF v. ARI GDT, with a few timely updates on the 49ers Head Coach and QB situations. HC Shanahan is clearly on the GM hot seat at mid-season. There is increasing discussion on the US left coast about if HC Shanahan will ever become an elite head coach. The 2019 season and the NFC Championship is now classified the outlier in Shanahan's SF tenure. 2019 was the only season in which Shanahan's 49ers have posted a winning record. 2021 is Shanahan’s 5th year as HC. SF is currently meandering through the season with a 3-4 record. Overall, Shanahan’s 49ers record is 32-39 through November 6, 2021. Moreover, the 49ers record with QB Garoppolo is 8-28 through November 6, 2021. When Garoppolo sits on the pine bench, the 49ers record is 24-11. These numbers call into question Shanahan’s overall management skills at least through 2020. Rookie QB Lance is not yet the right the answer to the Shanahan questions. Lance's struggles in 2021 are partly attributed to his inexperience. He has tons of athletic potential as a 21-year-old rookie. He lacks significant high-level college experience coming out of North Dakota State. Combining the two facts, the rookie’s learning curve is extremely steep at SF.
At age 41 (born December 14th) HC Kyle Shanahan is younger than most NFL Head Coaches. His first year as HC, he took the 49ers to the Super Bowl. That's unique among peers! As a kid, he was immersed in college and professional football programs. His father, Mike Shanahan, initially coached for the University of Minnesota and then moved up to the pros. As Kyle's dad moved from NFL city to NFL city, Kyle continued to study hard and excel as an athlete. He eventually played DI-level football for the University of Texas, Austin. There, he did the best he could as a WR, but what really caught the attention of coaches was Kyle's appetite for football strategies and tactics. After the UoT experience, Kyle went directly from the football field to the coach's club, hiring on as a UCLA graduate assistant. A year later, Jon Gruden (friend of the family!) hired Kyle to help with quality control at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That job lasted a year. Also, do you see the pattern? Two things are in play: his father's coat-tails, and Kyle's brains. The coat-tails were clipped during Mike Shanahan's tour as Head Coach at the Washington Football Team 2010-2013. Father, son, and the entire coaching staff were fired on December 30th, 2013. Kyle found another gig, as OC, at Cleveland. That sad sack team job lasted almost a year...and by January 2015, rather than be fired, Kyle resigned due to friction between himself and HC Mike Pettine. That same year, 2015, Kyle hired on as the OC at Atlanta Falcons. Lo and behold, the Falcons go to the Super Bowl. The Falcons had the NFL's highest scoring offense that year. He was getting tons of attention in owners' suites across all NFL cities. In February 2017, Kyle signed a Head Coach contract for the 49ers. My bottom line on Shanahan: the HC has mastered the offense; he is okay on the defense--his Achilles' heel for NFL competitors to exploit.
Shanahan is a player's coach. The 49ers players are happy with their 'young' coach and his management style. Shanahan is not a "study 24/7" or "hop until you drop" workaholic in the classroom or on the field. He respects players intelligence and professionalism. He still demands a lot of them though, and if they do not deliver, he's quick with the comment or the axe if necessary. He does have a rumored spectacular potty mouth, with an F-Bomb delivered every second, demonstrating a type of aggression that impresses certain players and gets their attention. About that language, I opine, "Who cares? Prudes?”. The HC is smart and intense. He does not manifest pretenses nor does he preach what is right or wrong. He focuses on winning football games. He is not beholding to anyone except himself and his own high standards as a football strategist and tactician. For now, Shanahan is a good HC for the 49ers situation. The team is relatively young, has an excess of QB talent, and has a solid defense when everyone is healthy.
49ers Today. The NFC West 4th place San Francisco 49ers are again getting an inordinate amount of sports media love in 2021, this after the NFC West 4th-place finish in 2020. It is apparent to all of us that 49ers' "toadies" have infiltrated the sports networks and will do anything to bury all ugly facts and pump up themselves and the 49ers top-dog poster boy images from the past. In my view, QB Garoppolo is doomed at San Francisco. It's just a matter of time before QB Lance takes over the job for below .500 49ers team spiraling into another 4th-place NFC West Division finish. I think that it is going to be a while before the 49ers QB situation settles out. All options are on the table. The QB competition could last all season—if QB Garoppolo is up and down with his health like in 2020, plays just .500 football, or loses several blow-out games and then ends up on the GM's trading docket. Rookie QB Lance is the future QB for the 49ers. 49ers fans ache for the excitement that Lance can quickly return to the QB position in the manner of the former small school QB named Colin Kaepernick (Nevada).
Garoppolo versus the Cardinals. QB Jimmy Garoppolo last quarterbacked against the Cardinals in early September 2020, losing 24-20 at Levi Stadium, Santa Clara, CA. He is expected to start when the Cardinals visit Levi’s Stadium on November 7, 2021. On October 10th of this year, QB Lance quarterbacked and got his first NFL start, and the 49ers still lost, 17-10. San Francisco 49ers fans need to face facts. QB Garoppolo is not the team's future. QB Lance deserves to start and gain valuable snaps and game-day experience. The 49ers defense, when healthy, can keep the team in a game, but the defense infrequently puts points on the scoreboard. SF needs to move on from QB Garoppolo soonest.
Injury Reports. See FLCF’s post. Moderators will post player injury data provided by the Cardinals medical or coaching staff no more than 24 hours prior to the game. It is NFL policy that, “If any player has a significant or noteworthy injury, it must be listed on the practice report, even if he fully participates in practice and the team expects that he will play in the team’s next game. This is especially important for key players whose injuries may be covered extensively by the media.” Moreover, the policy also reads, “The information must be credible, accurate, timely, and specific within the guidelines of the policy, which is of paramount importance to maintaining the integrity of the game.” Teams found in violation of the policy face the risk of being fined or forfeiting Draft picks.
Roster Information. The Cardinals team roster information (updated weekly) can be reviewed at www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/ARZ .
The 49ers were very active during the off-season, signing the following players. Notables: QB Nate Sudfeld, signed a 1-year deal. RB Wayne Gallman, signed a 1-year deal. (FB Kyle Juszczyk, re-signed to a 5-year contract worth $27 million. WR Bennie Fowler, signed a 1-year deal. WR Mohamed Sanu, signed a 1-year deal. WR Trent Sherfield, signing a 1-year deal. TE Jordan Matthews, signed a 1-year deal. OT Trent Williams, re-signed to a 6-year, $138.06 million contract ($32.4 million in Year 1) that is broken up into two parts: 3 years, $60.75 million to start, with a 3-year, $77.31 million option the 49ers can exercise by April 1, 2023. If exercised, Williams' 2023 pay becomes mostly guaranteed. C Alex Mack, signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract. OL Tom Compton, re--signed with the 49ers on a 1-year contract. OL Senio Kelemete, signing with the 49ers. DE Arden Key, signing a 1-year contract. DT Maurice Hurst, signing with 49ers. DT D.J. Jones, re-signed on a 1-year contract. DL Zach Kerr, signed a 1-year contract with the 49ers. LB Samson Ebukam, signed a 2-year, $12 million deal that has a max value of $13.5 million. LB Nate Gerry, signed a 1-year contract. CB Emmanuel Moseley, signed a 2-year contract worth up to $10.1 million. CB Jason Verrett:, re-signed on a 1-year deal including a $5.5 million base salary; if he reaches the Pro Bowl, it can become a $6.5 million deal. CB K'Waun Williams, re-signed with the 49ers on a 1-year, $2.378 million deal. S Tony Jefferson, signing a 1-year deal with the 49ers. S Jaquiski Tartt, re-signed on a 1-year deal. S Tavon Wilson, signed a 1-year deal. Roster Rules 2021 (COVID-19): (1) Expansion of practice squads to 16 players, including up to 6 who have more than 2 accrued seasons; (2) The ability to protect up to 4 practice squad players per week from being signed by other teams; (3) Elevation of up to 2 practice squad players to the active roster, without removing any current players, before 4 p.m. ET the day before a game; (4) Elevation of 1 additional practice squad player within 90 minutes before kickoff in the event of a late COVID-19 positive test result; (5) Players placed on injured reserve can return after 3 weeks, rather than 6 weeks as in normal seasons; (6) Removal of the limit for how many players can be activated from injured reserve.
Referee Crew Information - see www.footballzebras.com/2021/06/officiating-crews-for-the-2021-season/ . Referee assigned to today's game is #122 Brad Allen. Allen is a NFL Referee since 2014. He refereed 3 playoff games since 2014, the last game was in 2020. In 2020, Allen's crew averaged 11.11 penalties per game for 95.95 yards per game. In 2020, his crew's home/visitor penalty ratio was almost exactly 50/50. He last officiated a Cardinals game at the Cleveland Browns on December 15, 2019. Score: Cardinals 38, Browns 24. His crew awarded 11 penalties that game; the Cardinals were awarded 5 penalties for 34 yards while the Browns were awarded 6 penalties for 55 yards. I did not see any major controversies in Allen's officiating information--his crew is extraordinarily fair. There are a couple 2021 stories about Allen's crew not paying close attention to the 35-second clock and not awarding Delay of Game 5-yard penalties, and maybe a few other minor gripes. Other officiating information: For 2020, NFL games averaged 156.4 plays; there were 40,032 total plays; 99.1% of the plays were officiated on the field without Instant Replay Booth involvement; only 364 of the plays were reviewed; the most commonly reviewed plays were pass completion (82), incomplete pass (47), and runner broke the goal line plane (44).
Weather. For the November 7th afternoon game at SF's open-air Levi Stadium, expect high 68F, low 51F, partly cloudy, 16% chance of rain, light wind from NNW at 9 mph. The SF Bay area is famous for face-numbing breezes, damp air, and occasional fog and showers in November. Santa Clara's weather is not as raw as as downtown SF. Santa Clara also does not have as big of homeless problem as downtown SF, which by itself is like a foul weather situation that never improves. Dress for pleasant weather conditions if traveling to Santa Clara, CA, for this fall season game.
Stadium Information. The Levi’s S Stadium when built in 2014 was the world's most technologically advanced sports complex. Since then, SOFI Stadium just might own the NFL's Tech Crown. The Levi’s Stadium opened on July 17, 2014 and cost $1.2B to build. Seating capacity is about 68,550. The Levi’s Stadium is probably the most dangerous stadium in the NFL, sitting in the middle of two major earthquake slip-type faults located a few miles east and west of Santa Clara city. For more information earthquake risks and game day experiences, see also www.levisstadium.com/
Game Broadcasts. Game will be carried by FOX and 98.7 FM. Kickoff at LEVI'S Stadium is 4:25pm ET (subject to the NFL’s Flexible Scheduling decisions). Note Primetime scheduling--potential National TV broadcast.
Next week's game: The 4-4 Carolina Panthers (3rd place NFC South Division) visit the 7-1 Arizona Cardinals (1st place NFC West Division) on November 14th. Game kickoff date and time is 4:05pm ET (subject to the NFL’s Flexible Scheduling decisions).
Odds and Ends. The visiting Cardinals are 3.0-point favorites at the 49ers as of November 1, 2021. O/U is set at 46.5 points. The betting lines could move lower if QB Murray does not start on Sunday. Murray’s status for Sunday is unknown, pending medical evaluations and treatments for a lightly sprained left ankle occurring during the final seconds of the Packers at Cardinals TNF game on October 27, 2021. A sprained ankle can affect mobility and will be a major concern long-term if reinjured. Murray has a history of starting and playing while recovering from minor injuries.
Cardinals Football Trivia Q&A. In the history of the Cardinals, how many so-called front office executives have there been? 11. Arch Wolfe was the first recorded executive and GM from 1936 to 1946, overseeing a team that had a record of 26 wins and 88 losses with no team playoff appearances. Go figure! Ray Bennigsen was the second executive, listed as both President and GM, overseeing a team that had a record of 34 wins, 25 losses, and 1 tie, and 2 playoff games and 1 Championship in 1947. Segue to 2003, and Rod Graves is listed as GM and Vice President of Football Operations through 2012. Graves oversaw a team that won 65 games and lost 95 games, and guided the team to successive playoff years in 2008 and 2009 and the 1 Super Bowl appearance in the Cardinals entire history in 2008. The current executive is Steve Keim, 2013 to present. During Keim's tenure, the team won 65 games, lost 61 games, and tied 2 games. The Cardinals made the playoffs in years 2014 and 2015, losing the Wild Card game to the Panthers, 27-16, then getting blown out at the NFCC game to the same team, 49-15. How many turnovers did the Cardinals suffer in that NFCC game? 7 (4 by INT) - a TO sum that stands among top NFL TO statistics through 2021. HC was Bruce Arians 2013-2017, winning 80 games, losing 49 games, and tying 1 game.
49ers Football Trivia Q&A. 49ers Football Trivia Q&A. The 49ers joined the NFL in 1950. Who was the 49ers 1st draft pick? OL/DL Leo Nomellini, nicknamed "The Lion" was the 49ers 1st draft pick. He played NFL football for 14 years an made the Pro Bowl 10 times. During the off-season, The Lion was not idle. What other sport did he play? He was a professional wrestler in the off-season--and not known for any noteworthy athletic accomplishments in that entertainment ring. The 49ers were bought by an out-of-towner in 1977. Who bought the team and from what state did that new owner hail? Mr. Eddie DeBartolo Jr, bought the team and he was from Ohio. Bill Walsh is credited with developing the West Coast Offense, a method of ball that uses a lot of quick, timed, and high-percentage passes to gain yards fast and to wear down a Defense. Where and when did Walsh develop the WCO? Walsh was an assistant with the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1960s, when he first began using the high-speed high-percentage passing game. WR Jerry Rice is known for his HoF time at the 49ers. What teams did Rice play for after he was cut by the 49ers? Rice then played for the Raiders and then the Seahawks before finally retiring.
PutMeIn Bottom Line. (With QB Murray starting) Cardinals 30, 49ers 16. (With McCoy starting) Cardinals 20, 49ers 19. Cardinals’ injuries are piling up and affecting both the Offense and Defense performances. The Cardinals management has difficult roster decisions to make this week for key players. Does HC Kingsbury sit down QB Murray and WR Hopkins, to help them heal from minor dings? Does Kingsbury bring back several starters from IR, pending final medical approvals and coach’s readiness evaluations. Does GM Keim find and sign healthy backups from other teams Practice Squads? Does COVID-19 protocols again impact staff and player rosters? Stand by for updates throughout Sunday morning when final activated player decisions have to be made.