All this can be found at Yahoo sports so i'm going to edit it for ya'll to read easier.
The Ravens will want to avoid this.
On the 49ers' run game, and the challenges it presents: "One of the most fascinating plays -- and I've seen it college, which shows you how much the college run game is coming into the NFL -- was the LaMichael James touchdown in the NFC Championship game.
It was really cool, because it was two concepts in one play. It was a jet sweep concept with LaMichael James, but they also pulled the guard, and it was power for Colin Kaepernick if he didn't hand the ball off.
On Joe Flacco's improved mechanics: "The thing about Flacco is that he's always been a big-time thrower. I think there's been a couple of issues with him -- at times, he struggles with two things.
He struggles at times with erratic ball location, and there are times when I feel that his pocket awareness and pocket command -- it's not very good. [Recently], he's done a much better job in the pocket.
Now, keep in mind that sometimes, it's better to get sacked if you don't have a clear picture, and you're not seeing it, and the pocket is collapsing. He's not Kaepernick -- he's not going to run around. So, if the pocket's collapsing, you don't throw it up for grabs."
Hey diddle diddle ... Ray Rice up the middle.
pic from last Years Turkey day game @ Ravens
On Baltimore's protection concepts: "Joe Flacco has been sacked just four times in three playoff games. They're a deep-drop passing team, and they don't give him a lot of three-step, 'get-it-out' throws. The Ravens' offensive line has some a really nice job ... they've done more slide protection, which takes you away at times from one-on-one matchups at times.
On the back side of a slide is man-to-man, but you can still use a back to chip, or a tight end, And I think they're going to do that. particularly when they're in their three-receiver personnel package.
They'll either slide to Justin Smith or Ahmad Brooks, and it doesn't matter, and then they'll chip the other guy.
I don't think they'll feel comfortable on deeper drops, just asking Bryant McKinnie to block one-on-one on Aldon Smith. Or Brooks, who is the most overlooked and least talked-about player on that 49ers defense."
On how best to stop Ray Rice as a receiver out of the backfield: "One thing that the 49ers have done in the playoffs, and have been effective with, is called a zone exchange. They rush Patrick Willis, and they drop out either Brooks or Smith. It remains a four-man rush, so I don't call it a zone blitz. They work it based on the front -- they feel that they can have the offensive linemen taken care of, and that Willis can get in through a gap.
They could do that as a way to keep Ray Rice in the backfield.
Bill Belichick was a master at this when he used to play the Colts with Edgerrin James, who was an excellent receiver out of the backfield.
Belichick was not a high-percentage blitz guy, but he would blitz just so James had to stay in the backfield and block.
You remove him as a receiver. Now, this might happen just three times or so, but if it's three critical plays... I've seen that on film, they've had success with it, and I would not be surprised to see that in this game."
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/shutdown-corner-super-bowl-preview-podcast-greg-cosell-141017362--nfl.html
MORE to Read from other sports interviews and writers :
Something special about these Ravens heading into Super Bowl XLVII vs. Niners
The New Orleans Saints' recently reinstated coach was breaking down Sunday's Super Bowl XLVII matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, and he gave a very technical, intelligent and persuasive assessment of why he believes the Niners are likely to win.
When it comes to such assessments, I trust Payton like Manti Te'o trusted his imaginary girlfriend. But I also trust my instincts, and after ignoring them five years ago when I picked the undefeated Patriots to beat the underdog Giants in Super Bowl XLII ? and before Baltimore's recent playoff upsets of the Broncos and Pats ? I'm going with the feeling in my gut, rather than the one in my brain.
The Ravens are going to win the Super Bowl ? not because they are the superior team, but because they have a collective spirit that is defiant, resilient and resoundingly powerful.
I've suspected that they were a special team since late November, when I stood on the Qualcomm Stadium sidelines and watched them win a game that required Ray Rice to pick up a first down on a fourth-and-29 checkdown from Joe Flacco.
I've seen them battle through the heartbreaking disappointment of last season's AFC championship game defeat to the Pats and channel the emotion of Ray Lewis' last ride, and I'm a believer.
"I've seen a bunch of [Ravens] around the hotel, and they look completely at ease. It kind of reminds me of the way we felt last year, and [five] years ago. You get challenged by circumstances and adversity, and you work your way through those challenges, and you start to feel invincible. Not invincible, actually, but just so confident that you can find a way to fight through any obstacle, and very calm about whatever awaits you.
"I guarantee the Ravens aren't worried at all about this game. They're not thinking, 'What if we lose?' because losing just isn't an option. They think, 'It's our time, we'll find a way.' And I think it's their time, too."
I've paid special attention to the Ravens over the years, partly because they have compelling competitors like Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Anquan Boldin, and partly because they have a history of openness and provocative speech in their locker room.
I believed they were the best team in football a year ago, and when they couldn't close the deal in that AFC title game in Foxborough, I thought there was a distinct possibility that the opportunity for a second championship in the Lewis era had been squandered and that a major upheaval was in store.
When Lewis gathered his teammates four days before their playoff opener against the Colts and told them he was stepping away, they felt the power of the moment and understood the urgency of their situation in a uniquely intimate way. The emotion of their last ride is real. The strength of Lewis' leadership, and the way his teammates feed off of it, is true and pure and genuine and sincere.
This doesn't mean that the Ravens will definitely win this game. The 49ers are a tremendous team, and they have plenty of motivational magic of their own. Payton, and the betting public, may well be right: San Francisco could win, and it could win big.
ummmmmmm the betting Public i read so far and some dolts i know are on Ravens
I will know more on game day if it's public on one side or not ; I have Freind named Bill who worked in Vegas and can ask one of his friends at the originator of the Line sports book LVH now known as Las vegas Hotel
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--something-special-about-these-ravens-heading-into-super-bowl-xlvii-vs--niners-062926588.html
Ravens cheerleader says she was left home from Super Bowl over 1.6-pound weight gain
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/ravens-cheerleader-says-she-left-home-super-bowl-002248343--nfl.html
Super Bowl XLVII preview: 49ers primed to hoist Lombardi Trophy for a sixth time
When the Ravens have the ball: During the regular season, the Ravens were right in the middle of pack offensively, ranking 16th in total offense, 11th in rushing and 15th in passing and were 29th in time of possession. The Ravens fared no better in Football Outsiders' opponent-adjusted metrics, ranking 13th in offensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) with their rushing offense (seventh) outpacing their passing offense (15th).
The Ravens offense began to flounder late in the season, resulting in Harbaugh making a change at offensive coordinator. The team fired Cam Cameron and promoted quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell, even though the former Indianapolis Colts head coach had no play-calling experience at the professional or major college levels.
"It wasn?t like we made many significant changes in terms of what we?re doing from a schematic standpoint, because we were too far down he road for that," Caldwell said on Wednesday. "What we did was, do the things that we knew how to do well and try to crystalize it. I also want to make sure that you understand that there is no way that I take credit for any of that. We have players that are very good players and have been in the system for four or five years that are maturing and getting better as time goes on. It just so happened that towards the end of the season things were really starting to come together. We?d shown flashes all through the year, but we just had some ups and downs a little bit here and there.
"Obviously, we?ve played a little more consistently since we?ve been in the playoffs and that?s worked well for us."
The Ravens have been better in the post-season, averaging just under 425 yards of total offense per game and 30 points per game, the latter figure reflective of an 80 percent success rate in the red zone.
Baltimore's offense runs through quarterback Joe Flacco, who, despite an average completion percentage, has thrown for 853 yards and eight touchdowns this postseason. Most importantly, Flacco has largely played turnover-free football, losing just one fumble during their run to Super Bowl XLVII with zero interceptions. Flacco's preferred target this postseason has been Anquan Boldin, who has 16 receptions (on a team-high 26 targets) for 276 and three touchdowns, including two in their AFC championship game win over the New England Patriots. The Ravens like to move Boldin around before the snap to create mismatches and will likely be trying to find nickel cornerback Chris Culliver, whose homophobic comments served as a distraction during the team's preparations this week and could have him off-balance on Sunday night. No. 2 receiver Torrey Smith has just nine receptions this postseason, but is the team's deep threat and has the talent and skill-level to go off at any time.
Quiet in the wild-card win over the Indianapolis Colts, Smith had three receptions for 98 yards in the double overtime win over the Denver Broncos, including two long touchdowns against future Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey (old over rated CB .)
Tight end Dennis Pitta has caught 10 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns this postseason and has caught the attention of the 49ers' secondary.
"Pitta is starting to emerge as a top guy for them," 49ers safety Donte Whitner said. "He?s getting behind the defense, he?s scoring in the red zone, and he?s becoming just a reliable, all-around guy for them. Developing into a top tight end in the National Football League. It?s hard to jam him, so we?ll have to be physical with him. He?s pretty good."
The Ravens are expected to involve running back Ray Rice more in the passing game, though that will be difficult against a 49ers defense that, according to Football Outsiders, ranked eighth defending opposing running backs in the passing game and have allowed opposing running backs to catch three passes for 16 yards this postseason.
A 1,629-pound factor in Flacco's success is an offensive line that was reshuffled at the start of the postseason.
The Ravens moved left tackle Michael Oher back to right tackle, 2012 second-round pick Kelechi Osomele was shifted from right tackle to left guard and veteran Bryant McKinnie stepped in at left tackle after playing in just 11.73 percent of the offensive snaps during the regular season. This reshuffled unit has allowed just four sacks of Flacco this postseason and will face a 49ers' pass rush that has cooled over the last few weeks. Over their last four regular and postseason games, the 49ers have just five sacks and outside linebacker Aldon Smith, who had 19.5 sacks in the regular season and was voted the team's MVP, has been held without a sack since Dec. 9.
Rice handles the bulk of the duties in a running game that has averaged 175.2 yards per game over the last five regular and postseason games. Rice has received around 21 carries per game this postseason, gaining 247 yards and two touchdowns, but is not the only team's only option. 2012 fifth-round pick Bernard Pierce has the speed to pick up big gains if he's able to get outside the tackles and turn up the field.
The Ravens' production in the ground game has decreased the last two games when they faced Broncos and Patriots defenses that were solid against the run throughout the season.
The Ravens may run into more trouble against the 49ers, who were the NFL's No. 2-ranked run defense, according to Football Outsiders' advanced metrics as Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman may be the two best inside linebackers in the entire NFL.
When the 49ers have the ball: The 49ers ranked 11th in the NFL in total offense this season ? fourth in rushing offense and 23rd in passing offense, but were third in both rushing and passing yards per play. It is worth mentioning that the 49ers played in the same division as some of the top defenses in the NFL ? Seattle, Arizona and St. Louis were Top 10 defenses, according to Football Outsiders' advanced metrics ? which helped the 49ers rank fifth in Football Outsiders' opponent-adjusted team offense DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average).
The key to the 49ers' offense is quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who took over for a concussed Alex Smith to pass for over 1,800 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions to go along with 415 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The 2011 second-round pick out of Nevada has taken his game to the next level in the postseason, completing 33-of-52 pass attempts for 496 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
Kaepernick has also rushed for 202 yards and two touchdowns, though much of that production came when he ran for 181 yards in the divisional playoff win over the Green Bay Packers, setting an NFL single-game record for rushing yards by a quarterback.
At 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds, Kaepernick presents a unique "run-pass" challenge to opposing defenses when operating out of the pistol formation, which he ran in college at Nevada.
"It can force a defense to play certain ways that they might not play," 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said of the pistol this week. "If that is the case, so be it. I just think it is another way to get first downs. That is what we are trying to do.
"The option pistol stuff that they?re running, I know Washington runs it some, but it?s a little different," Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees said on Thursday. "Everyone talks about No. 7 (Kaepernick), but 21 (Gore) can beat you just as easy as 7 can and he?s still, to me, the main focus."
Second-round running back LaMichael James could not get a jersey on the first 12 Sundays of the 2012 season, but has provided some explosive plays in the running game in limited duty over the last six games, including a 15-yard touchdown run in the NFC championship game win over the Atlanta Falcons. Between Gore's size, James' speed Kaepernick's, well, everything, and a 49ers offensive line that has uses two pulling guards ? Pro Bowler Mike Iupati and first-year starter Alex Boone - a Ravens defense that, according to Football Outsiders' advanced metrics,
ranked 26th against the run will have their hands full on Sunday night.
When Kaepernick does put the ball in the air, fourth-year receiver Michael Crabtree has emerged as his top target. Crabtree had a somewhat frosty relationship with Alex Smith and caught 56 passes for 771 yards and seven touchdowns since Kaepernick stepped into the huddle.
Crabtree has benefited from playing opposite Randy Moss, who still garners considerable attention from opposing defenses. Both could have good days
against a Ravens defense that ranked 20th against opposing No. 1 receivers and 30th against No. 2 receivers, according to Football Outsiders.
Remember Patriots Defense last year in SB?
The Ravens were good when defending opponents' tight ends and running backs this season, which could help them shut down Gore and Vernon Davis, who emerged from a lengthy hibernation to catch five passes for 106 yards and a touchdown in the NFC championship game.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/super-bowl-xlvii-preview-49ers-primed-hoist-lombardi-151900583--nfl.html
Super Bowl XLVII: Friday morning links
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/super-bowl-xlvii-friday-morning-links-125817104--nfl.html
:0003
The Ravens will want to avoid this.
On the 49ers' run game, and the challenges it presents: "One of the most fascinating plays -- and I've seen it college, which shows you how much the college run game is coming into the NFL -- was the LaMichael James touchdown in the NFC Championship game.
It was really cool, because it was two concepts in one play. It was a jet sweep concept with LaMichael James, but they also pulled the guard, and it was power for Colin Kaepernick if he didn't hand the ball off.
On Joe Flacco's improved mechanics: "The thing about Flacco is that he's always been a big-time thrower. I think there's been a couple of issues with him -- at times, he struggles with two things.
He struggles at times with erratic ball location, and there are times when I feel that his pocket awareness and pocket command -- it's not very good. [Recently], he's done a much better job in the pocket.
Now, keep in mind that sometimes, it's better to get sacked if you don't have a clear picture, and you're not seeing it, and the pocket is collapsing. He's not Kaepernick -- he's not going to run around. So, if the pocket's collapsing, you don't throw it up for grabs."
Hey diddle diddle ... Ray Rice up the middle.
pic from last Years Turkey day game @ Ravens
On Baltimore's protection concepts: "Joe Flacco has been sacked just four times in three playoff games. They're a deep-drop passing team, and they don't give him a lot of three-step, 'get-it-out' throws. The Ravens' offensive line has some a really nice job ... they've done more slide protection, which takes you away at times from one-on-one matchups at times.
On the back side of a slide is man-to-man, but you can still use a back to chip, or a tight end, And I think they're going to do that. particularly when they're in their three-receiver personnel package.
They'll either slide to Justin Smith or Ahmad Brooks, and it doesn't matter, and then they'll chip the other guy.
I don't think they'll feel comfortable on deeper drops, just asking Bryant McKinnie to block one-on-one on Aldon Smith. Or Brooks, who is the most overlooked and least talked-about player on that 49ers defense."
On how best to stop Ray Rice as a receiver out of the backfield: "One thing that the 49ers have done in the playoffs, and have been effective with, is called a zone exchange. They rush Patrick Willis, and they drop out either Brooks or Smith. It remains a four-man rush, so I don't call it a zone blitz. They work it based on the front -- they feel that they can have the offensive linemen taken care of, and that Willis can get in through a gap.
They could do that as a way to keep Ray Rice in the backfield.
Bill Belichick was a master at this when he used to play the Colts with Edgerrin James, who was an excellent receiver out of the backfield.
Belichick was not a high-percentage blitz guy, but he would blitz just so James had to stay in the backfield and block.
You remove him as a receiver. Now, this might happen just three times or so, but if it's three critical plays... I've seen that on film, they've had success with it, and I would not be surprised to see that in this game."
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/shutdown-corner-super-bowl-preview-podcast-greg-cosell-141017362--nfl.html
MORE to Read from other sports interviews and writers :
Something special about these Ravens heading into Super Bowl XLVII vs. Niners
The New Orleans Saints' recently reinstated coach was breaking down Sunday's Super Bowl XLVII matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, and he gave a very technical, intelligent and persuasive assessment of why he believes the Niners are likely to win.
When it comes to such assessments, I trust Payton like Manti Te'o trusted his imaginary girlfriend. But I also trust my instincts, and after ignoring them five years ago when I picked the undefeated Patriots to beat the underdog Giants in Super Bowl XLII ? and before Baltimore's recent playoff upsets of the Broncos and Pats ? I'm going with the feeling in my gut, rather than the one in my brain.
The Ravens are going to win the Super Bowl ? not because they are the superior team, but because they have a collective spirit that is defiant, resilient and resoundingly powerful.
I've suspected that they were a special team since late November, when I stood on the Qualcomm Stadium sidelines and watched them win a game that required Ray Rice to pick up a first down on a fourth-and-29 checkdown from Joe Flacco.
I've seen them battle through the heartbreaking disappointment of last season's AFC championship game defeat to the Pats and channel the emotion of Ray Lewis' last ride, and I'm a believer.
"I've seen a bunch of [Ravens] around the hotel, and they look completely at ease. It kind of reminds me of the way we felt last year, and [five] years ago. You get challenged by circumstances and adversity, and you work your way through those challenges, and you start to feel invincible. Not invincible, actually, but just so confident that you can find a way to fight through any obstacle, and very calm about whatever awaits you.
"I guarantee the Ravens aren't worried at all about this game. They're not thinking, 'What if we lose?' because losing just isn't an option. They think, 'It's our time, we'll find a way.' And I think it's their time, too."
I've paid special attention to the Ravens over the years, partly because they have compelling competitors like Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Anquan Boldin, and partly because they have a history of openness and provocative speech in their locker room.
I believed they were the best team in football a year ago, and when they couldn't close the deal in that AFC title game in Foxborough, I thought there was a distinct possibility that the opportunity for a second championship in the Lewis era had been squandered and that a major upheaval was in store.
When Lewis gathered his teammates four days before their playoff opener against the Colts and told them he was stepping away, they felt the power of the moment and understood the urgency of their situation in a uniquely intimate way. The emotion of their last ride is real. The strength of Lewis' leadership, and the way his teammates feed off of it, is true and pure and genuine and sincere.
This doesn't mean that the Ravens will definitely win this game. The 49ers are a tremendous team, and they have plenty of motivational magic of their own. Payton, and the betting public, may well be right: San Francisco could win, and it could win big.
ummmmmmm the betting Public i read so far and some dolts i know are on Ravens
I will know more on game day if it's public on one side or not ; I have Freind named Bill who worked in Vegas and can ask one of his friends at the originator of the Line sports book LVH now known as Las vegas Hotel
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--something-special-about-these-ravens-heading-into-super-bowl-xlvii-vs--niners-062926588.html
Ravens cheerleader says she was left home from Super Bowl over 1.6-pound weight gain
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/ravens-cheerleader-says-she-left-home-super-bowl-002248343--nfl.html
Super Bowl XLVII preview: 49ers primed to hoist Lombardi Trophy for a sixth time
When the Ravens have the ball: During the regular season, the Ravens were right in the middle of pack offensively, ranking 16th in total offense, 11th in rushing and 15th in passing and were 29th in time of possession. The Ravens fared no better in Football Outsiders' opponent-adjusted metrics, ranking 13th in offensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) with their rushing offense (seventh) outpacing their passing offense (15th).
The Ravens offense began to flounder late in the season, resulting in Harbaugh making a change at offensive coordinator. The team fired Cam Cameron and promoted quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell, even though the former Indianapolis Colts head coach had no play-calling experience at the professional or major college levels.
"It wasn?t like we made many significant changes in terms of what we?re doing from a schematic standpoint, because we were too far down he road for that," Caldwell said on Wednesday. "What we did was, do the things that we knew how to do well and try to crystalize it. I also want to make sure that you understand that there is no way that I take credit for any of that. We have players that are very good players and have been in the system for four or five years that are maturing and getting better as time goes on. It just so happened that towards the end of the season things were really starting to come together. We?d shown flashes all through the year, but we just had some ups and downs a little bit here and there.
"Obviously, we?ve played a little more consistently since we?ve been in the playoffs and that?s worked well for us."
The Ravens have been better in the post-season, averaging just under 425 yards of total offense per game and 30 points per game, the latter figure reflective of an 80 percent success rate in the red zone.
Baltimore's offense runs through quarterback Joe Flacco, who, despite an average completion percentage, has thrown for 853 yards and eight touchdowns this postseason. Most importantly, Flacco has largely played turnover-free football, losing just one fumble during their run to Super Bowl XLVII with zero interceptions. Flacco's preferred target this postseason has been Anquan Boldin, who has 16 receptions (on a team-high 26 targets) for 276 and three touchdowns, including two in their AFC championship game win over the New England Patriots. The Ravens like to move Boldin around before the snap to create mismatches and will likely be trying to find nickel cornerback Chris Culliver, whose homophobic comments served as a distraction during the team's preparations this week and could have him off-balance on Sunday night. No. 2 receiver Torrey Smith has just nine receptions this postseason, but is the team's deep threat and has the talent and skill-level to go off at any time.
Quiet in the wild-card win over the Indianapolis Colts, Smith had three receptions for 98 yards in the double overtime win over the Denver Broncos, including two long touchdowns against future Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey (old over rated CB .)
Tight end Dennis Pitta has caught 10 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns this postseason and has caught the attention of the 49ers' secondary.
"Pitta is starting to emerge as a top guy for them," 49ers safety Donte Whitner said. "He?s getting behind the defense, he?s scoring in the red zone, and he?s becoming just a reliable, all-around guy for them. Developing into a top tight end in the National Football League. It?s hard to jam him, so we?ll have to be physical with him. He?s pretty good."
The Ravens are expected to involve running back Ray Rice more in the passing game, though that will be difficult against a 49ers defense that, according to Football Outsiders, ranked eighth defending opposing running backs in the passing game and have allowed opposing running backs to catch three passes for 16 yards this postseason.
A 1,629-pound factor in Flacco's success is an offensive line that was reshuffled at the start of the postseason.
The Ravens moved left tackle Michael Oher back to right tackle, 2012 second-round pick Kelechi Osomele was shifted from right tackle to left guard and veteran Bryant McKinnie stepped in at left tackle after playing in just 11.73 percent of the offensive snaps during the regular season. This reshuffled unit has allowed just four sacks of Flacco this postseason and will face a 49ers' pass rush that has cooled over the last few weeks. Over their last four regular and postseason games, the 49ers have just five sacks and outside linebacker Aldon Smith, who had 19.5 sacks in the regular season and was voted the team's MVP, has been held without a sack since Dec. 9.
Rice handles the bulk of the duties in a running game that has averaged 175.2 yards per game over the last five regular and postseason games. Rice has received around 21 carries per game this postseason, gaining 247 yards and two touchdowns, but is not the only team's only option. 2012 fifth-round pick Bernard Pierce has the speed to pick up big gains if he's able to get outside the tackles and turn up the field.
The Ravens' production in the ground game has decreased the last two games when they faced Broncos and Patriots defenses that were solid against the run throughout the season.
The Ravens may run into more trouble against the 49ers, who were the NFL's No. 2-ranked run defense, according to Football Outsiders' advanced metrics as Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman may be the two best inside linebackers in the entire NFL.
When the 49ers have the ball: The 49ers ranked 11th in the NFL in total offense this season ? fourth in rushing offense and 23rd in passing offense, but were third in both rushing and passing yards per play. It is worth mentioning that the 49ers played in the same division as some of the top defenses in the NFL ? Seattle, Arizona and St. Louis were Top 10 defenses, according to Football Outsiders' advanced metrics ? which helped the 49ers rank fifth in Football Outsiders' opponent-adjusted team offense DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average).
The key to the 49ers' offense is quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who took over for a concussed Alex Smith to pass for over 1,800 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions to go along with 415 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The 2011 second-round pick out of Nevada has taken his game to the next level in the postseason, completing 33-of-52 pass attempts for 496 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
Kaepernick has also rushed for 202 yards and two touchdowns, though much of that production came when he ran for 181 yards in the divisional playoff win over the Green Bay Packers, setting an NFL single-game record for rushing yards by a quarterback.
At 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds, Kaepernick presents a unique "run-pass" challenge to opposing defenses when operating out of the pistol formation, which he ran in college at Nevada.
"It can force a defense to play certain ways that they might not play," 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said of the pistol this week. "If that is the case, so be it. I just think it is another way to get first downs. That is what we are trying to do.
"The option pistol stuff that they?re running, I know Washington runs it some, but it?s a little different," Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees said on Thursday. "Everyone talks about No. 7 (Kaepernick), but 21 (Gore) can beat you just as easy as 7 can and he?s still, to me, the main focus."
Second-round running back LaMichael James could not get a jersey on the first 12 Sundays of the 2012 season, but has provided some explosive plays in the running game in limited duty over the last six games, including a 15-yard touchdown run in the NFC championship game win over the Atlanta Falcons. Between Gore's size, James' speed Kaepernick's, well, everything, and a 49ers offensive line that has uses two pulling guards ? Pro Bowler Mike Iupati and first-year starter Alex Boone - a Ravens defense that, according to Football Outsiders' advanced metrics,
ranked 26th against the run will have their hands full on Sunday night.
When Kaepernick does put the ball in the air, fourth-year receiver Michael Crabtree has emerged as his top target. Crabtree had a somewhat frosty relationship with Alex Smith and caught 56 passes for 771 yards and seven touchdowns since Kaepernick stepped into the huddle.
Crabtree has benefited from playing opposite Randy Moss, who still garners considerable attention from opposing defenses. Both could have good days
against a Ravens defense that ranked 20th against opposing No. 1 receivers and 30th against No. 2 receivers, according to Football Outsiders.
Remember Patriots Defense last year in SB?
The Ravens were good when defending opponents' tight ends and running backs this season, which could help them shut down Gore and Vernon Davis, who emerged from a lengthy hibernation to catch five passes for 106 yards and a touchdown in the NFC championship game.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/super-bowl-xlvii-preview-49ers-primed-hoist-lombardi-151900583--nfl.html
Super Bowl XLVII: Friday morning links
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/super-bowl-xlvii-friday-morning-links-125817104--nfl.html
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