FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Falcons should expect the San Francisco 49ers’ defense to punch them in the mouth on Sunday, if for no other reason than the 49ers have taken on the personality of their head coach, the legendary former Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary.
But if they’re looking for more reasons, then maybe it’s because 3-1 San Francisco’s best defensive player, linebacker Patrick Willis, a two-time Pro-Bowler in his third season, had an uncle, Arthur Joe Willis, who was a light heavy weight boxer who fought 33 professional fights between 1989 and 2000. Willis’ uncle had a big influence on the former Ole Miss standout, according to the team’s media guide.
They key for the Falcons will be to punch back.
“They’re physical up front,” said Falcons right guard Harvey Dahl, one of the team’s most physical players said after watching the 49ers’ game film in the morning. “They do a lot to confuse you, but then they play really, really hard and fire onto the ball.”
Dahl agreed the game likely will be won in the trenches between the Falcons’ offensive line and the 49ers’ front seven.
“Yeah, absolutely, that will be key just because of all the things they do and they play real hard, real physical,” he said.
So when they go on the road this Sunday looking for running back Michael Turner’s second 100-yard effort in four games, the Falcons will have to match the 49ers’ intensity even while ironing out some of the technical aspects that they need to improve upon.
Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith said after evaluating the team’s 2-1 start with the benefit of last week’s bye open date “that on offense, defense and special teams there’s a lot of areas we can get better.”
Center Todd McClure said the Falcons are on the cusp.
“I think we’re going to have that break-out game,” he said. “I just hope it’s sooner rather than later. We’re doing it right, it’s just small breakdowns that’s stopping us from having those big runs.”
Turner said for the running game to excel the offense needs to do a better job finishing blocks while he needs to improve on finishing his runs -- working through the initial hit and continuing to drive until the whistle.
And Turner, a Chicago native, knows to expect a physical defense.
“That’s Mike Singletary,” he said. “I used to grow up watching him on TV, being in Chicago. I’ve seen the Bears. I know what kind of attitude he brings week in and week out. And it’s carrying over into the team.”
One plus for the running game will be the return of running back Jerious Norwood, who missed the New England game with a concussion. Smith said Norwood’s presence makes the team “faster” and Turner called Norwood the team’s “x factor.”
CLIMBING THAT HILL: Falcons corner back Tye Hill, acquired from St. Louis just before the Falcons’ final preseason game, has yet to be activated.
Smith had said the bye week would be a pivotal week for the team’s evaluation of Hill.
Hill arrived with the Falcons at a point when much of the live hitting of training camp had come to an end, which complicates the coaching staff’s evaluation process.
“It makes it more difficult, there’s no doubt,” Smith said. “We have seen Tye be able to change direction and he’s showing the speed and the things we saw when we were preparing for him in the first preseason game” when the Falcons played St. Louis.
Smith did not tip his hand much as to when Hill will get his first opportunity on the field.
“I thought he performed well, “Smith said. “We have to be patient with Tye and Tye has to be patient with us.”
But patience is difficult and Hill admitted he’s getting “very antsy.”
If Hill gets his chance on Sunday, he will bring with him an intimate knowledge of the 49ers’ personnel.
“You know I do,” he said. “That was my division [the NFC West] for three years. I know personnel-wise. I got to look at the offense. I don’t think they’re running the same offense. I believe it’s a little more West Coast. I’m pretty familiar with their personnel, so that’s a good confidence level.”
Hill did not seem to take much satisfaction in seeing his former team, now 0-4, smacked down by the 49ers by 35-0 in Week 4.
“Maaaaan, I just feel bad for the guys who are there like O.J. Atogwe, [Ron] Bartell, those guys that were there when I was there,” he said. “It’s a hump that hopefully they’ll get over... I know the team, I know [Coach Steve] Spagnuolo and he’s going to have them working hard. He’s a hard-nosed guy.”
FRISCO AT THE BRANCH: Despite the overnight rain and the San Francisco-like 50-degree weather with mist falling on Monday afternoon, the Falcons practiced outdoors instead of inside the barn. The temperature was a similar 56 degrees in San Francisco on Monday, but Sunday’s forecast is for a sunny 69 degrees.
Usually the players do not practice on Monday, so, with the bye week, the day was a bonus for the team and the coaching staff. Smith said the staff began introducing the team to what the 49ers do on Monday but will provide a heavy dose on Wednesday.
