49ers O-line improving but big test looms

Sep 24, 8:09 pm EDT

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP)—The San Francisco 49ers are going places if their offensive line can continue the rate of progress it has displayed during the team’s 2-0 start.

But coach Mike Singletary said the line still is a work in progress as the 49ers prepare for their biggest test yet Sunday against the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings.

San Francisco’s line had a breakout performance during last week’s victory over Seattle after struggling the week before at Arizona.

“We played better and more physical up front, but we’ve got to get much better to get where we want to go,” Singletary said. “We’re going to be as good as our offensive line takes us on offense.”

San Francisco rushed for 256 yards, its highest output since 2006, as halfback Frank Gore(notes) broke loose for 207 yards on 16 carries against the Seahawks.

It was a quantum leap over the season opener when the 49ers rushed for just 21 net yards and Gore was limited to 30 yards on 22 carries.

The difference came up front as the line consistently opened holes against an opponent that stacked the box with eight defenders.

Gore scored on runs of 79 and 80 yards, becoming the second NFL player to have two touchdown runs of 75 or more yards in the same game.

“It’s all because of those guys up front,” Gore said. “They played great. You can see it on the film. There were lanes after lanes for me to run in and I just took advantage of them.”

Inconsistent play along the line has been an area of concern for the 49ers, who began the season with new starters in three positions along their offensive front compared to their 2008 opener.

San Francisco ranked 27th in the NFL in rushing offense last season. The 49ers allowed a franchise-record 55 sacks each of the past two years and have had problems so far this season protecting quarterback Shaun Hill(notes), who has been sacked four times in each of the team’s first two games.

But the line seemed to settle into a groove against Seattle.

“Everything was better last week and I think it really showed,” said center Eric Heitmann(notes), the veteran anchor of San Francisco’s line. “We took the corrections from the first week and were able to implement them.”

Updated Sep 24, 8:09 pm EDT
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26 Comments

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  1. troyboy
    26. Posted by troyboy Sat Sep 26 1:28am EDT

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    #21 I stand behind my prediction.
    you talk about the browns and Detroit like they had a chance
    did you notice the vikes called off the dogs in both games
    garbage touch downs and field goals mean nothing
    when it matters or when it's close, don't expect the same mercy
    I wish you good luck this year, just not on Sunday.
    release the hounds
    vikings by 10
  2. hank
    25. Posted by hank Sat Sep 26 12:47am EDT

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    @ Twin Valley You haven't been watching much TV lately. That Craptree guy is going to sit out and destroy his career before it even starts. I bet he is drafted at #10 next year and they won't have a salary to go off of because there was no contract to compare to from the previous year. The last thing this Niner team needs is an ego that is larger than the team. Jed is wasting his time if he thinks he's going to sign this diva. GO NINERS!!!
  3. 49er Faithful
    24. Posted by 49er Faithful Fri Sep 25 1:03pm EDT

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    @22 Reggie.... man that must be TOUGH being a 49er fan in TX!?!?! WOW.... gotta give you props for sticking to your guns!!!!!
  4. 49er Faithful
    23. Posted by 49er Faithful Fri Sep 25 1:02pm EDT

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    @18 are you related to Mike Nolan?
  5. Reggie
    22. Posted by Reggie Fri Sep 25 12:50pm EDT

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    From 9ers fans in Texas...show vikings that we mean business!!!!. GO NINERS #1!!!!!!!!!!!
  6. Giant_Niner_Fan
    21. Posted by Giant_Niner_Fan Fri Sep 25 12:39pm EDT

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    #20 Please put in Favre's hands,anything but handing it to Peterson would be a blessing to us niner fans.Besides Im not impressed with Minn yet they did give up 20 to the Browns,and Detroit they were in that game till the 4th quarter.Go Niners!!!!!!!
  7. troyboy
    20. Posted by troyboy Fri Sep 25 10:16am EDT

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    2-0 is good 3-0 is better, too bad it won't happen. this is the vikes home opener , and to think your just going to waltz in and win , not going to happen sorry . the crowd noise will be too much , they expect favre to start winging it around , we won't disappoint, the defence will pick it up [ see crowd noise reference ] and A.P. will run like the wind, frank gore is good but so is EJ Henderson and he will shut him down !

    vikes by 10 sorry !
  8. Mdk
    19. Posted by Mdk Fri Sep 25 10:10am EDT

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    Well actually Dan, the Seahawks did have a QB, they just beat the heck out of him and he couldn't play any more. Pass blocking needs work, yes, but like the article says, they have 3 new starters on the line, so it is a work in progress. But you are definitely wrong about the secondary, they have 4 corners that could be starters on any team in the NFL, and as long as the keep the turnovers low, they can compete/win every game on their schedule.
  9. Dan Nolan
    18. Posted by Dan Nolan Fri Sep 25 4:39am EDT

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    The 49ers are so overrated.They give up 299 yards to the Cards and then beat a Seattle team with no qb or run D.The 49ers give up 3 sacks a game or more it seems.I'm not saying the 49ers suck but I wouldn't call you good either.Your division is really easy so I think you could make the playoffs.You don't have the 2ndary or the pass blocking though to be good yet.
  10. sctrojans09
    17. Posted by sctrojans09 Thu Sep 24 10:30pm EDT

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    If Singletary was envious of Martz' talents, as #12 suggested, does that mean the other 31 teams were also intimidated by his apparent genius?

    By the way: No, you can't make us think. Do yourself a favor and stop worrying about others. Instead of projecting your own preconceived shortcomings on others, you should be taking an active interest in working on some of your own in-house issues.

    GO Niners!!!!
  11. Mario
    16. Posted by Mario Thu Sep 24 10:08pm EDT

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    A lot of 49ers haters on here. Running at the mouth and don't have a damn clue what the 49ers is trying to do. Listen up, they are playing their best football since the 80's. The defense is off the rockers, not to mention GORE! GORE! This sunday will be another test, but in the end, the 49ers will prevail and for the first time (in a long time) they started 3-0. Keep winning and knocking these hater's in the mouth. Go 49ers! GO GO GO GO!
  12. ruben
    15. Posted by ruben Wed Jun 10 2:23am EDT

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    defence has to win eveybodys respect back.. they need more playmakers this year,more sacks,int. and more punts for the other teams... hope for the best go niners
  13. pgw_2000
    14. Posted by pgw_2000 Tue Jun 9 11:21pm EDT

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    The Cardinals proved all you have to do is go 9-7 to get into the playoffs. I say we split the cards games, (but hope they win here in AZ so I can watch it live), and beat the Lambs twice (no problem unless they pick up Mike Vick) and split with the Seachickens. And seriously, Slomedown, show some respect and at least spell Hills first name right will you?
  14. <i>bmcrae83</i>
    13. Posted by bmcrae83 Sun Jun 7 7:04pm EDT

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    Not going to happen the Yorks suck. The niners won't have any success until the Yorks sell the team.
  15. icantmakeyouthink
    12. Posted by icantmakeyouthink Sun Jun 7 5:11pm EDT

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    "San Francisco went 7-9 last season and scored only 339 points."

    Miami and Pittsburgh, both divisional winners, scored about the same. It wasn't the offensive scoring that led to another losing season, it was giving up all those points.

    Singletary was jealous of a real offensive coordinator, and now we will suffer for it. "Run first", suuuuuure, Mike.
  16. Slomedwn
    11. Posted by Slomedwn Sun Jun 7 12:49pm EDT

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    While I believe Alex Smith should certainly be part of this team, I just don't get why Shawn Hill isn't confirmed the starter from his performance last year. This can only help any team to firm up this position and for the 49ers this would be 2 straight years to play this game of who isn't be named the QB to start training camp! Where does that help the team, when your trying to be solid on the line, runningback, Tight End, WR but the key position your continuing to waffle.

    The QB on this team is Shawn Hill, and Alex is now playing the Steve Young roll of pressing him to be better. After the 2008 season I didn't jump on the Shawn Hill band wagon, because he only won a couple of meaningless games at the end of a bad season. But now he moves the ball effectively and is in a offensive system that will run first.

    Mike, end this media B.S. were going to live through again and name Hill the starter or go out and Trade for someone you convinced in.

    Chris Douglas
  17. Twin Valley
    10. Posted by Twin Valley Sun Jun 7 8:47am EDT

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    We can't just run the ball, though! We need to use our weapons downfield as well. Hill, Bruce, Morgan, and now Crabtree should equal a nasty receiving crew. Plus our TE's and the addition of Coffey @ RB should help Gore be more affective & healthy late in the season. Our biggest ? mark is our D-line and our ability to pressure the QB without sacrificing our LB coverage. Too bad we couldn't get Peppers from Carolina. We'll see. If the O-line plays to there potential, we will win some games this year and be in the hunt for the division title. Go 49ers, all the way from New Hampshire!
  18. D2
    9. Posted by D2 Sat Jun 6 11:03pm EDT

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    They`ll have to go 10-6 at least to beat out the Cards. Once in the playoffs they will get pounded. O-line will be dominated and the secondary will get torched.
    2011... a year after what appears to be an awesome draft/trade year for the NIners, could go deep into the playoffs
  19. gilbert m
    8. Posted by gilbert m Sat Jun 6 7:27pm EDT

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    So far, Jed York is making some important and correct moves, both with the roster and the coaches AND the front office (and including some important team consultants). I am talking about the reports that Jed is conferring with his uncle, EDDIE DEBORTOLO, on a very regular basis, on the correct way to to succeed in the NFL. His mother and father never consulted Eddie on ANY aspect of ownership, after they acquired the team from him, and it showed. With Jed at the helm, we will see a much improved team. Remember, the Debortolo family hates to lose at anything, and they will do everything possible to be not just successful but THE BEST team in the NFL. I'm glad John York is out of there, this team was just a hobbie for him. Aren't you glad you're a 49er fan instead of that team across the bay, with an 80 year old owner and a dysfunctional team from the players to the coaches to the front office (excluding Amy Trask). I hope Al lives to be a hundred years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  20. Tool_Man
    7. Posted by Tool_Man Sat Jun 6 1:23pm EDT

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    Being a long time niner fan, it looks as if they're starting to finally get their @#$% together, and stop making themselves, (Once a GREAT TEAM, 80's and 90's) look like a little league team, to all the rest of the NFL. You know they're all laughing each time they play us, They're like,,,,ahhhh pshhh,,,it's just the sucky 49'ers! I sure hope they have it together this year, cause I can't believe they screwed around and let The Pittsburgh Steelers, of all teams, have one up on us in SuperBowls. They need to start paying attention, that's it's been a long time since they won their last SB, 1994, is way too long of a wait. I do still have faith in them though, they'll eventually get back to Superbowl form,,Hopefully it will be this year, to shut the critics up!!!!!
  21. CoolHand
    6. Posted by CoolHand Sat Jun 6 12:15pm EDT

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    Yeah Go Niners!!!!!!
  22. RRRRRRRRR
    5. Posted by RRRRRRRRR Sat Jun 6 12:13pm EDT

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    If the 9ers beat the 'Cards'once and sweep the Rams and Seahawks, they will
    be in the hunt!And running the ball will definately cut down on sacks and mistakes.
    We will surprise a few good nfl teams.
  23. Usa W
    4. Posted by Usa W Fri Jun 5 10:32pm EDT

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    Hope and Change? Keep wishing for 8-8 season at best with this bunch.
  24. James T
    3. Posted by James T Fri Jun 5 10:24pm EDT

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    to be fair a lot of those sacks came with O'Sullivan under center because he couldnt decide to throw the ball quick enough.....
  25. Jim O
    2. Posted by Jim O Fri Jun 5 10:03pm EDT

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    I think everything will come together this year!! Sure have waited a long time. We are overdue for a breakout season.
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