Matt & Mindi -- Well-rested 49ers preparing for primetime showdown
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49ers reporters Matt Maiocco and Mindi Bach talk about the injuries Alex Smith and Frank Gore are dealing with. Sponsored by Massage Envy.
Transcript
That may have been manufactured 49ers facility on a Thursday and once again we -- brought you by the size and yet Campbell California I think he's a -- to them for their support. And the team a long rest two days off after a light practice on Monday they had the weekend off after the Thursday games of fairly healthy -- mean still a concern now. Is Alex Smith. Right middle finger he said it is still a little bit sore not major concern me that it that it does bother from time to time. He went. Thursday was a game of course against Seattle did not. Think about football on Friday Saturday Sunday so three days off before he threw a little bit on Monday and then of course the -- had Tuesday. And Wednesday off as well I think they needed that time off not just for the middle finger which I don't know I'm not sure how much is affected Ellison's throwing. But. Jim Harbaugh said the day game Thursday against Seattle was the most physical game he has seen certainly Frank Gore came out game was a bruised up grid so. Did that that sort of that's spacing of the game's kind of works in the prayers advantage a little bit. Because now they get a full day you know the Monday. Game they should be healthy and then -- the bye week so. He's important for for the players specifically. To get Frank Gore. Rested and ready. You know make it through them if he makes it through Monday's game OK with the reds don't have. You know basically two full weeks. For the next game. 49ers certainly expecting another physical game down in Glendale Arizona as Alex Smith is well aware all of the defense in this division Tennessee west -- top ten deep fences. And it history they know each other every game. Davis against Darnell Dockett and and even Frank Gore has told me that whenever he goes up against the Cardinals thank you singles or -- it was at the bottom of the violate that is always just. That intense competition that comes with a division game and they're expecting more of the same. And I think this is it that this is like you mentioned I mean you have. But the four hours of the number one ranked defense in the league you have the Cardinals at number seven in Seattle number six the rams' number ten. These games are going to be hard fought games and Alex Smith he said today that. That's kind of expect that all these games are going to be low scoring games are not low scoring at least tight. Games probably low scoring as well but with a whereas go to the desert and there it's pretty crazy games down there when the with the Cardinals were good. The 49ers would go down there and played him very tough. Ever that game and lose a Monday night game where. Mike Martz lost track of where the ball is spotted after a penalty in and calling out. A fullback dive -- the Michael Robinson and got stopped short that would have been a big upset and when singletary is very first game after Mike Nolan had been fired. And then last year I think about four hours lost only three games the entire regular season and one album was a trip to the desert so. These teams are always pretty competitive. Now -- an interesting game because John Skelton quarterback and the Cardinals last year threw three touchdown passes but he also. Had two interceptions and a lost fumble so the 49ers unable to capitalize. On this three turnovers by the Cardinals and they'll once again we'll be quarterbacking on Monday night. Well Andy offset those turnovers were big plays. And specifically Larry FitzGerald. And that's gonna be. -- that they the person of interest for that 49ers defense is making sure that what they've done through the first seven games. Remains what they do this game Monday night. And that's to limit the big play. And you know the Cardinals do have some weapons in the passing game they have a horrendous offensive line. Other quarterback play hasn't always been the best but it just don't think he just -- out there for a guy like Larry FitzGerald. That gives the Cardinals have a chance. -- -- chance to. To win this game throughout brown expects to be matched up against it's Gerald quite a bit but didn't members on the secondary they don't they don't. Pinpoint certain receivers that receiving energy man coverage and that respect. Meaning they just stay on their side -- receivers on the sides or wherever FitzGerald lines up that's the defense a secondary player for the 49ers at halftime pricey went Carlos Rogers on the left side. Throw brown on the right side so the Cardinals in game. Really dictate who it is government course again dictate whether the foreigners are going to be in man coverage or a zone or whatever else but they can certainly dictate. Which quarterback it feels a better match up. For Larry FitzGerald and we -- that big fan you -- not worried about the pass rush situation he did you get pressure on quarterbacks he's not -- the sack numbers are down but. The defense has to be a little bit -- It's -- at least this game because you see areas and not protecting its quarterback very well I think what was it 35 sacks so far already. And that's something you have to wonder if it changes and try to take advantage of that on Monday. Yeah I mean I think the 49ers fielder there defensive. Their pass -- is their eyes got that kind of light up when they put on the film and they see. All the the breakdowns that occurred on the cardinals' offensive line -- and they give up seven sacks against the Vikings. Now I was a road game. But certainly guys like just -- it. -- has to figure that this could be a good game for him to get off the -- All the Smith to start piling up some sack numbers and a lot of those guys Ahmad Brooks. Ray McDonald those guys have to feel like this is a game where they can what's steps up there. Any key matchups are euphoric scene well I do I think it does that mean the key ones. One of we talked about itself that's obviously key Frank Gore got to figure that he's got to have a pretty games as a pretty games against the Cardinals in the past but. I think the foreigners have to -- See him put an emphasis on getting the ball to Vernon Davis and he's had good games against the Cardinals of outside things that something that. But the Warriors are going to have to try to dictate. To the Cardinals defense that the Cardinals defense also he wants -- bad they'll note that for African try to get the ball up. To Vernon Davis as well. Alex Smith had said just -- -- -- I city is easily our biggest playmakers you have to get him involved in the game. All right well we not be here tomorrow so I guess and -- economy. I itself I hear you can give Matt Matt. It's really boring and I'm not gonna do that many Monday night in Arizona after -- -- -- that.


















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