I don’t think there’s 1 specific x-factor. I think the QB matchup will be big given the ability to stop the run. I do think that means Chris Johnson vs. 49ers rush defense is probably the most important matchup. If the 49ers can’t stop Johnson it won’t matter what VY does. If the 49ers can contain Johnson I think they win this game.

As for prediction, I’ll have one later in the week.

Well, the transition into the Mike Singletary has certainly had its highs and lows. If you want to read an interesting article about it, check this columnist out (his articles can be annoying at times, but he makes a lot of good points).

Singletary has changed the culture of the team, but he’s also showed some ability to adapt his own philosophies. He wants a team that indeed is a power running team with the great defense. However, given the struggles of the offensive line, the offense has had to mix in some more pass-friendly plays. The team actually tends to pass more than run at this point.

In terms of pieces missing, they definitely need help on the offensive line, and getting a big time pass rusher would probably help as well in getting to that framework of power running and top notch defense (although the defense is definitely much improved).

Do you all have a thread dedicated to the Alex Smith vs. Shaun Hill debate?

We’ve had numerous discussions about Smith versus Hill. Too many to count really.

I think at this point Alex Smith is at worst a serviceable stop gap. He’s not an awful QB, but rather has been in such a horrific situation that it has stunted his development. It’s entirely possible he could be the franchise QB of the future, but it’s really too soon to tell. He could end up being nothing more than an average to below average QB and that wouldn’t surprise me. But I do think the tools are there for him to potentially become a long-term answer.

However, I don’t think I could answer that question at this point. It’s one reason I’m exciting for the remainder of the season. We’ll get some kind of answer in the Alex Smith debate after years of injury and excuses.

rams, seahawks, or cardinals jersey

a coach that has never done diddly besides show that he can be a hard ass to vernon davis(no disrespect meant at 49ers ppl). you guys need to get over the jersey crap and worry about football again.

He hasn’t been as bad this season as he was in 2008….but he’s still pretty terrible.

The loss of Clements hurts in all aspects, but actually could be a pain in the rush defense. Clements is a great open field tackler against running backs. However, Tarell Brown and Shawntae Spencer should be able make things happen.

The issue will be getting some kind of pass rush on Vince Young. Although VY has great mobility, if he has to make passing plays under pressure, I’d like to hope he’d struggle.

The team has been juggling lineups. Their season opening starting RT was demoted to sharing the RG position with somebody else. The guy who replaced the RT was lost for the season due to a shoulder injury, so the demoted player was moved back to the starting RT position. Their LT is their best or second best lineman and they lost him for 6 weeks to a shoulder injury.

Basically it’s a juggling act that will struggle all season long.

how much do you guys pity us for having to deal w/ BBS twice a year?

on a serious note:
nate clements. you have already touched on his absence, but more generally, how do you guys view him? most people ripped the 49ers for the size of his contract (at the time it made him the highest paid defender ever), is there any buyer’s remorse or has he been worth it?

who is the best player a non-9ers fan has probably never heard of?

I’m confused by your question. His numbers last season went down from the previous season. Can you clarify what you mean?

At this point I really want to see what Nate Davis might do down the road. If the 49ers take a QB in 2010, I would imagine it wouldn’t happen until the middle to later rounds. Of course, I also think this answer can’t really be answered with any kind of certainty (and even then not much) until the end of the season. I say this, not just because that’s the canned answer, but also because the team wants to see what Alex Smith can do. If he can finish off the season as starter, we’ll have a much better idea of what we have with him, and can accordingly make a much more informed decision.