Rogers: Similar coordinators get it done differently

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SANTA CLARA -- Cornerback Carlos Rogers spent four seasons with Gregg Williams as his defensive coordinator while playing for the Washington Redskins.When asked to compare Williams, currently the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator, with 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Rogers said they're "similar."Well, the results might be similar. But their styles are completely different.

"(Williams) will blitz you like I-don't-know-what," said Rogers, the 49ers' Pro Bowl cornerback. "He probably does that a lot more than Vic -- blitz a lot. But they're similar coordinators who understand players and know what positions to put them in."The Saints recorded 33 sacks this season with 15 different players getting involved. Safety Roman Harper led New Orleans with 7.5 sacks. That means the 49ers' offense must be prepared to handle the wide variety of blitzes that Williams will employ Saturday, Rogers said."No. 1, they're going to have to stop their blitzing attack," Rogers said. "That's what Gregg does. I know him. Alex (Smith) is not throwing for 300-400 yards, so Gregg is going to try to stop that running game and blitz them, and make Alex win."Fangio's philosophy with the 49ers is different. All but six of the 49ers' 42 sacks this season came from the team's primary pass-rushers. The 49ers generally rush four players and have seven in pass coverage. That approach has led to the 49ers' total of 23 interceptions this season.
"We can rush with our front four and get pressure on the guy, so we don't have to blitz a lot," Rogers said. "Their front four is -- they're good -- but that's his (Williams') mentality. Your quarterback is going to get that ball out of your hands and they're going to make him throw it quick. If not, they're going to try to hurt him, take him out of the game."

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