This week, we ask:
Will the 49ers defensive backs be able to stop Rice and Brown?

Bryan's Repsonse: I don’t think the 49ers can stop Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. Ahmed Plummer, and Jason Webster are good, but we are talking about two of the greatest receives of all time. We are talking about Jerry Rice here, the same Rice that faced these guys daily in practice, and when Rice knows how a cornerback functions, 99 times out of 100 he’ll win the battle. Tim Brown is a similar type of receiver, only he doesn’t have the experience of playing these two. The defensive backs may be able to shut down one of these guys, but odds are they won’t be able to get both.

Syd's Repsonse: The legends of Jerry Rice and Tim Brown are for real folks. There are no substitutes in knowledge and experience. Both of these assets are the most valuable to have, and they both bring a great dimension to their team.

Jerry Porter has been the other key receiver in their offense, he will demand attention as well. This could be the Ram game we really never had.

With Rich Gannon throwing the ball as well as anyone in the NFL, he very well could test the waters with his confident arsenal of receivers. Plummer and Webster will have their hands full. Mike Rumph will be the equalizer in this case.

They will require some help from the safeties, but you want to be careful with Charlie Garner having such a great season. If we can just limit the big plays and keep the ball tamed from going too long, we should be happy. This could be a long day should more third downs get converted on the 49ers. You have to be worried considering the past two weeks.

We do have quality personnel to play with these legends, but they still seem to teach our secondary something every time they meet.

SuperZim's Repsonse: Better question.

"Does a chicken have lips?"

(obvious answer.. no. Have you people ever seen a chicken?)

The Niners D will not be able to stop BOTH Rice and Brown, they can only hope to stop one and contain the other.

Having said that, the Niners will OBVIOUSLY have to step up their defensive effort against the potent (or is that impotent... OH! Cue the rimshot!) Raiders offense. Especially on 3rd down.

Offensively, I think the Niners match up well against the Raiders. Our best chance will be to get a mismatch on Bill Romo against Barlow or Hearst in pass coverage and exploit that.

Should be a good game...

Cory's Response: I don't think they can stop them totally, but I do think they can stop them from making big plays.

I want to make one point though, I like how the 49ers defense matches up against the Raiders offense better than the Raiders defense matches up against the 49ers offense.

Trevor's Response: Nope.

Now realistically, I could end this little rant right there, but because I'm long-winded, I'll continue.

Though the strength of the 49ers' defense in the secondary, it is comprised of so many young players that Rice and Brown are poised to have a field day. Two guys with a combined near 40 years NFL experience against two guys with a combined six. That aint exactly a formula for dominance.

And that's not to say that I think Ahmed Plummer and Jason Webster will roll over and die for the two old guys, but Rice and Brown have such savvy that you know that on a few plays in this game, they're just plain gonna fleece Plummer and Webster.

No, the easiest way to stop Rice and Brown is to contain Rich Gannon. Wacky, eh?

If the pass rush can mount constant pressure on Gannon and disrupt his timing, if Andre Carter and Chike Okeafor come to play, if there's a hand in his face all day long, the Raiders' passing game will simply go flaccid.

Oh! Thank you, Zim!

...okay, I'm done.

November 1
Robert- I think that If the defense mixes in schemes like when the Rams are on offense, we should win the game. Our offense is just as or better than they are. The only thing is that "G" has a pulled hammy. Again like last week coach Mora; BLITZ!!!!! Gannon will kill us if he has time! It will be hard to route against Jerry. But we had to in '94,'95 season when Joe was in Kansas City. I think we should have delt J.J. Stokes and kept Jerry. That's just my opinion. Tai should have a great day. Along with T.O. Thanks again guys!