Category: NFL

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Kaepernick death threats has no indication of reaction from events in Tulsa or Charlotte

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AP file photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and safety Eric Ried (35) take a knee during the national anthem before meeting the Carolina Panthers last Sunday

On the 49ers podcast with David, there is no indication that the death threats that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been receiving has any connection to what happened in Tulsa or in Charlotte. The issues that Kaepernick is protesting namely police violence against unarmed citizens or injustice in general these are things that have been considered before Tulsa or Charlotte. The death threats are kind of par for the course.

It’s the United States in 2016 and were a polarized society Democrats and Republicans whenever someone disagrees with you there’s a tendency for people to go overboard and over react whether it’s on social media or it’s through television or radio. You do something like what Kaepernick did  which is protest during the national anthem of a professional football game there are people who are going to feel strongly about that.

Hear the rest of David’s commentary on the SF 49ers podcast and each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders post game wrap: Ryan throws three touchdowns in Falcons win 35-28

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By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr at the post game press conference following Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons at the Oakland Coliseum

OAKLAND-On a day where the Oakland Raiders celebrated their illustrious past by celebrating the induction of the late Ken Stabler’s induction into the Hall of Fame, the current Raiders did not put a Hall of Fame performance.

Matt Ryan threw three touchdowns, including the game-winner that went off the hands of Tevin Coleman and bounced into the waiting hands of Justin Hardy in the fourth quarter, as the Atlanta Falcons held off the Raiders 35-28 at the Coliseum.

“1-1 is a lot better than 0-2 that is for sure especially on the road, I mean that is a good football team, Oakland is a very good football team those guys competed really hard,” said Ryan.

On the Raiders ensuing possession, it looked like they tied it up, as Amari Cooper caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from Derek Carr, but it the officials saw it different.

Cooper went out of bounds, and was the first player to touch the ball afterwards; therefore it was called a penalty for illegal touching, marking the fourth down.

The Raiders decided go for it on fourth down, but Jalen Richard was stopped just short of the first down, thus giving the ball back to the Falcons.

That was the second time that the Raiders went for it and fourth and short, and the first time, it succeeded, when Carr found Michael Crabtree for a two-yard touchdown reception.

Once again, the Raiders defense allowed over 500 yards of offense to their opposition, becoming the first team since the 1967 Falcons to allow it in the first two games of the season, according to Pro Football Reference.

The total of 1,035 yards allowed by the Raiders in their first two games breaks the 1951 New York Yankees for the most in two games, this according to Football Perspective.

“If you want somebody to blame, just blame it on me, if you need somebody to blame, blame the head coach, I’ll take it and we’ll correct it what needs to be corrected and we’ll go forward this is one game that did not go our way,” said Jack Del Rio.

In all, Ryan went 26-for-34 for 396 yards passing with three touchdowns and an interception, as the Falcons improve to 1-1 on the season.

Julio Jones led all Falcons receivers with five catches for 106 yards, and a touchdown, while Devonta Freeman carried the ball 17 times for 93 yards.

Carr completed 34 passes out of 45 attempts for 299 yards and three touchdowns, while both Clive Walford and Latavius Murray led the Raiders with six receptions. Walford, Crabtree and Andre Holmes caught touchdown passes from Carr.

Murray led the Raiders in rushing, he carried the ball eight times for 57 yards and a touchdown on a hot day at the Coliseum.

Raiders Instant Report Card: Raiders fall short in home opener to Falcons

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

AP photo: Oakland Raiders Derek Carr had his successes with three touchdown passes and 299 yards but the Raiders fell short to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum

OAKLAND, Calif — Well, I guess a 2-0 start for the first time since Oakland’s Super Bowl season of 2002 was not in the works for the Raiders after all Sunday.

On a day where the Oakland Coliseum was electric as ever with strong optimism from the sold out Raider Nation crowd, the Raiders couldn’t neutralize Matt Ryan and the Falcons, losing 35-28 to Atlanta in Oakland’s home opener in Week 2.

Checkout each unit’s grade following Oakland’s (1-1) home loss to the Falcons (1-1) below:

Quarterback (A) – For the second straight week, Oakland quarterback Derek Carr played a terrific game, completing 34 of 45 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns (all in the second half), with no interceptions.

With Oakland trailing Atlanta 13-7 in the third quarter, Carr engineered an 8-play, 81-yard drive in 3:43 and delivered a soft pass to a streaking Clive Walford for a 31-yard touchdown up the Raiders’ sideline that gave the Raiders a 14-13 lead.

It was one of Carr’s best throws of the day against a Falcons secondary that played aggressively all day.

After two games into the season, Carr has thrown for 618 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Running Backs (B) – For the time being, Oakland appears to be taking the “running back by committee” approach this season, given how no running back had more than eight carries on the day.

Starter Latavius Murray led the team with eight carries for 57 yards and a touchdown. Murray’s 1-yard score gave Oakland its first lead of the game, 7-3 early in the second quarter. Murray was also heavily involved in the passing game, finishing tied for the team lead with six catches and 44 yards Sunday.

Rookie running backs DeAndre Washington (six carries for 46 yards), and Jalen Richard (seven carries for 17 yards) continue to give Oakland the change of pace runners the team lacked last season.

Offensive line (B) – With Austin Howard starting in place of  right tackle Menelik Watson (groin), the offensive line surrender their first sack of the season, but kept Carr clean for the majority of the game.

After the offensive line racked up 167 yards on the ground against New Orleans in Week 1, Oakland finished with 155 yards against Atlanta Sunday.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends (B) – Carr looked for his tight ends early in the game to get the offense in rhythm, connecting on his first three passes to reserve tight end Lee Smith (who caught the first of the two), along with Walford.

Walford finished with six catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Amari Cooper led Oakland with 71 yards receiving on five catches, but could’ve had more if not for a questionable illegal touch pass call midway into the fourth quarter.

With Oakland trailing Atlanta 28-21 and facing a 3rd and two at their own 49-yard line, it appeared that Cooper was forced out of bounds by Falcons’ cornerback Desmond Trufant, came back on to the field and  took a Carr pass 51 yards for the tying touchdown.

Not the case.

By rule, Oakland loss the down, forcing 4th down which the Raiders didn’t convert after just gaining one yard on a hand off to Richard.

Cooper is still seeking his first touchdown of the season after two games, while fellow starting wide receiver Michael Crabtree (2-yard score) and Andre Holmes (6-yard score) hauled in their first touchdown catches of the season in the fourth quarter with Oakland rallying late.

With four catches on Sunday, Crabtree is tied for the team lead with Cooper with 11 catches. Crabtree totaled just 31 yards against the Falcons.

Rookie wide receiver Johnny Holton caught his first pass in the NFL, a four-yard catch in the second quarter.

Offensively through the first two games for the season, Oakland is leading the league in total yards per game (486.0) and rushing yards (167.0), second in points per game (35.0),and sixth in passing yards per game (319.0).

The offense can score points at will and rack up a chunk of yards, but the defense is having trouble stopping the opposition early, which could hinder Oakland’s chances of being a playoff team this season.

Defensively, Oakland is dead-last in total yards surrendered per game (507.0) and passing yards (419.0), and second-to-last in points (34.0). Surprisingly, Oakland is 10th in rushing yards against per game (88.0).

But the defense got trashed again Sunday, allowing 528 total yards to the Falcons. Oakland has given up 500+ yards of total offense in back-to-back weeks, which is outright unacceptable for any defense to allow that type of production.

Defensive Line (C) – Atlanta’s strong running game took advantage of some holes in Oakland’s defensive front, rushing for 139 yards. Starting running back Devonta Freeman rush for 93 yards on 17 carries for Atlanta.

Backup defensive tackle Stacy McGee recorded Oakland’s lone sack of the game, while defensive end Khalil Mack had another tough Sunday handling double teams and chip blocks from Falcons tight ends and running backs.

Linebackers (B-) – Starting outside linebacker Malcolm Smith, who took over calling the defensive plays for the defense from middle linebacker Ben Heeney after the defense was shredded by New Orleans for 507 total yards last week, finished with five tackles.

Heeney, led all linebackers in tackles with six. You could see that Heeney played looser Sunday without having to call the plays on defense.

Secondary (C+) – The secondary didn’t get blown up for 423 passing yards, four touchdowns (one going for 98 yards) as Saints quarterback Drew Brees piled up in Week 1, but it did allow 396 yards and three touchdowns to another NFC South quarterback in Matt Ryan.

Ryan completed 26 of 34 passes, but did throw an interception to cornerback David Amerson in the end zone after trying to hit his tight end Jacob Tamme on a post route in the third quarter with Oakland up, 14-13.

The nine-year veteran from Boston College shrugged off the interception and found Tamme on the Falcons’ next drive for a 14-yard touchdown that gave Atlanta a 19-14 lead before converting a two-point conversion that made the score 21-14.

Julio Jones, the Falcons’ all-world wide receiver who was battling an ankle injury during the week, caught five balls for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Jones capped off a 10-play, 76-yard drive with a 21-yard score in the second quarter that gave Atlanta a 10-7 lead.

Jones’s 48-yard reception where he beat safety Reggie Nelson (finished with a team-high 10 tackles) over the middle, and his 20-yard catch and run past cornerback Sean Smith in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference-makers for Atlanta closing out the game.

Raider Nation will have to wait until Oct. 9  (Week 5) to see their football team, as the Silver & Black will be on the road for the next two weeks, traveling to Nashville to face the Titans (1-1) and to Baltimore to play the Ravens (1-1).

 

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Will the 49ers get a read on the Panthers plays like in the LA game?

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AP file photo: San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly got the jump during Monday Night Football on Sep 12th with play calling against the Los Angeles Rams in shutout at Levis Stadium on opening night

On the 49ers podcast with Joe, the 49ers knew what was coming concerning the Los Angeles Rams plays, alignment, and motions in the backfield which guided them to throw a shutout on Monday night. The Rams offense struggled with ten first downs, 185 yards, and head coach Jeff Fisher just couldn’t get quarterback Case Keenum to even move the ball anywhere close to the end zone.

Will the 49ers be able to get a read on their next opponent the Carolina Panthers. Their defense will be facing a very potent Panthers quarterback in Cam Newton an expert in keeping the ball and a quarterback who led the Panthers to the Super Bowl last season. Also the Panthers are ready for the pass rush so knowing the plays and a blitz package on Newton will be a true test for this first regular season road trip this Sunday for San Francisco.

 

Oakland Raiders-Atlanta Falcons preview: Raiders look for first 2-0 start since ’02; host Falcons in Week 2

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

AP file photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for some daylight as he’s pass rushed by the New Orleans Saints Paul Kruger (99) during last Sunday’s game at the Superdome in New Orleans

OAKLAND, Calif — The Raiders opened up the NFL season in dramatic fashion, knocking off the Saints 35-34 in New Orleans last Sunday and have been one of the trendiest sports topics for the week, thanks in large part to the two-point conversion that head coach Jack Del Rio dialed up for quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

But the NFL is a week-to-week league and Oakland (1-0) will face another NFC South opponent when they host the Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at Oakland Coliseum Sunday in what should be a sellout for Raider Nation.

Kickoff is at 1:25 p.m. PDT.

Carr finished the game 24 of 38 for 319 yards passing and one touchdown, including the two-point conversion to Crabtree with 52 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Carr’s clutch throw to Crabtree  earned Carr the Castrol Edge Clutch Performer of the Week, for Week 1 as announced by the NFL Friday.

“Everyone on this team is so confident in what we can do,” Carr said after practice Wednesday at the team’s training facility in Alameda. “It’s not arrogant, it’s not that we think we’re better than anybody. We respect every team that we play. At the same time, we know the work we’ve put in. We know how to compete.”

Carr drove the Raiders 75 yards in 11 plays, capping off the game-winning drive with a 10-yard touchdown to wide receiver Seth Roberts.

Crabtree finished with seven catches for 87 yards, while his fellow wide receiver Amari Cooper finished with six catches and led the team with 137 yards receiving.

Oakland’s running game was in good hands with starting running back Latavius Murray (14 carries, 59 yards, one touchdown) and rookies DeAndre Washington (five carries and 14 yards), and Jalen Richard (three carries and 84 yards).

Richard’s 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was a huge turning point for Oakland in the game.

Oakland’s defense seemed to be  heading in the right direction in the first quarter, when newly signed outside linebacker Bruce Irvin sacked Saints quarterback Drew Brees forcing a fumble that was recovered by rookie defensive tackle Jihad Ward inside Saints’ territory.

The Raiders converted that turnover into a Sebastian Janikowski 47-yard field goal, but that was the only pressure that Brees felt all day from an absent pass rush that saw star defensive end Khalil Mack facing countless double-teams and chip blocks from tight ends and running backs.

But the secondary took a beating from Drew Brees and Co., giving up a total of 507 yards of offense. Brees completed 28 of 42 passes for 423 yards and four touchdowns.

High-priced free agent cornerback Sean Smith had a day that he wanted to forget, giving up huge plays in the passing game, most notably the 98-yard touchdown pass that speedy wide receiver Brandin Cooks caught that gave New Orleans a 24-10 lead in the third quarter.

Smith was benched in favor of former first-round draft pick D.J. Hayden after giving up the touchdown to Cooks.

Cooks finished the game with six catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns, but fellow wide receiver Willie Sneed gave Oakland fits also, burning the Raiders for 172 yards on nine catches and one touchdown.

Defensive coordinator Ken Norton and the defense are going to face another high passing attack in the Falcons, led by quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones and Mohammed Sanu. Atlanta’s passing offense can feast on a Raiders’ secondary if they miss assignments.

Atlanta is traveling to the West Coast after dropping their home opener last week to Tampa Bay, 31-24.

Ryan finished 27 of 39 for 334 yards and two touchdowns, while Sanu finished with five catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, and Jones hauled in four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Jones has been dealing with an ankle injury and has been limited in practice for much of the week, but should be ready to go Sunday.

The six-year wide receiver from Alabama finished in 2015 tied with Pittsburgh wide receiver Antonio Brown for the league lead in receptions (136) and edged Brown for the league lead in receiving yards (1,871 to Brown’s 1,834) is still one of the premier wide receivers in the league even at less than 100%.

“I’ve played through things,” Jones said earlier in the week via CBS Sports. “It’s nothing that’s going to hold me back from going out there and producing or doing what I do.”

Atlanta’s running game has the potential to have a big day against Oakland, after just rushing for 52 yards Sunday against Tampa Bay, 10 by Ryan.

Starting running back Devonta Freeman (11 carries and 20 yards) and fellow running buddy Tevin Coleman (eight carries and 22 yards) are looking for bounce back games after facing a stingy Buccaneers defense that yielded  just three yards per carry to Atlanta.

Atlanta is looking to avoid an 0-2 hole after starting last season 6-1, before derailing to an 8-8 finish and missing the playoffs for the third straight season.

The Falcons defeated Oakland 23-20 in the last meeting between the two teams on Oct. 14, 2012 behind a Matt Bryant 55-yard field goal with one second left in the fourth quarter.

Starting off the season 2-0 for the Raiders would be a confidence booster for a team that hasn’t seen a 2-0 start since 2002, the year the team reached the Super Bowl.

Winning exudes confidence and with Carr, who finished with 3,987 yards passing and 32 touchdowns in 2015 already off to a promising start to 2016, the Raiders may have the makings of a special team.

 

San Francisco 49ers-Carolina Panthers preview: 1-0 49ers Get Their First Real Test in Carolina

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By: Joe Lami

AP file photo: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton(1) makes a mad dash for it against the Denver Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94)  during the second half of Thursday Night Football on Sept 8th

After Monday night’s 28-0 shutout of the LA Rams, the 49ers’ will be flying to the East Coast on a high note. The defending NFC Champion, Carolina Panthers, will be their opponent. Carolina lost their opening week contest to the Broncos and will want some revenge for their home opener.

Cam Newton, of course, will be the player to look out for on the Panters. Although, he may still be battered up and bruised from what Denver’s front seven was able to do to him. Newton will be a great test for the 49ers’ defense, who played phenomenally against the Case Keenum and the Rams.

“We’re playing this week against league MVP, defending NFC champions. You know, they were in the Super Bowl last year for a reason. They’re a very good offense. So, it’ll be a big test for us defensively,” said Jim O’Neil, San Francisco’s defensive coordinator.

The secondary was batting down balls left and right against Keenum, but Newton will be a much tougher assignment with better receivers as well. The 49ers defense definitely will have it’s hands full against the Panthers looking for their first win.

On the offensive side of the ball, it will be no surprise that the run game will once again be leaned on. Carlos Hyde, who finished last week with 88 yards and two touchdowns is expected to be the workhorse once again. Carolina will also need to do a better job of spying Blaine Gabbert, who rushed for 43 yards and really opened up the read-option for Chip Kelly.

The surprise of last week was Jeremy Kerley, who came to San Francisco during a pre-season trade. While still learning the system, Kearley was a target early and often, catching seven of the eleven thrown his way for 61 yards. With his breakout performance, it’s going to be evident that Carolina will work on shutting him down. Another 49ers’ receiver will have to make up for it, and it could be a good chance for Torrey Smith to breakout for the first time this season.

While the 49ers’ record reads 1-0, Sunday’s matchup will show us all where the really are by going up against the top-class in the NFC.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Irvin and Mack want to notch up the sack total in Atlanta this Sunday

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AP file photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates with Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) after the Raiders win over the New Orleans Saints at in New Orleans last Sunday

On the Raiders podcast with Joe, the Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin who had the only sack for Oakland last Sunday in New Orleans called into question his concerns about how the Raiders are going to deal with the pass rush. Irvin’s concern was also shared by defensive end Khalil Mack who said they needed some help at getting to the quarterback. Mack and Irvin say it’ll be crucial to get to their next opponents quarterback Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan as the Raiders set out to play in Atlanta this coming Sunday.

The Saints executed using their offensive weapons to stop Irvin and Mack in their own right to protect quarterback Drew Brees. Irvin and Mack got a dose of blocks from rushing by the Saints tight ends, running backs, and even wide receivers. So reflecting on Irvin’s only sack for the Raiders in the very first minute of the game he said the Saints keyed in on him all day and couldn’t even get a hand on Brees after that very first minute.

Joe takes a look at the Raiders every week on the Oakland Raiders podcast each week. Also catch Jeremy Kahn for complete game day coverage of the Raiders at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: The rare accomplishment of a shutout in the NFL; plus a look at trip to Carolina

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AP file photo: San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) who scored twice on Monday night gets tackled by the Los Angeles Rams at Levis Stadium

On the 49ers podcast with Dave, Anytime you get a shutout which is the first the 49ers had been able to accomplish in Monday’s 28-0 blanking of the Los Angeles Rams in their long history on opening day. Any shutout whether it’s opening day or the last day of the season it’s surprising as shutouts are really difficult in the NFL. Even more difficult with 49ers defense and it wasn’t just that they got a shutout the Rams didn’t even have anything thrown in the end zone

The Rams had a missed field goal and they didn’t even make a field goal attempt. The Niners defense kept the Rams out of he red zone and any part of the field that would have led to a score. It was a very impressive performance and it’s always a surprise when an NFL team left alone the 49ers get the shutout it’s really tough to do. You don’t see it too often only a handful of times so for the 49ers to pull that off it’s great for them.

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: Orioles Adam Jones says in baseball he or anyone can’t protest the anthem like in football

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AP photo: Baltimore Orioles Adam Jones signs autographs for fans before playing the Detroit Tigers last Friday night at Comerica Park

On That’s Amaury’s Podcast, unlike in Major League Baseball the NFL has the most African American players out there and the Baltimore Orioles Adam Jones had his right whatever he wants to do it’s his right as an American. I said in previous editorials and it’s my point of view you can demonstrate in this country and you could disagree. Some people say it’s going to rain today and some people say it’s going to be sunny.

You can disagree on anything but there are two things in this country we should respect the national anthem and the flag. If we cannot respect those things then were in bad shape. Because we have all the rights in the world. These athletes they have the podium, they have the fame and they have a news conference and they say their taking up this cause for this and that. Jones has his right to express his feelings.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the TV talent for the Angels, the Radio talent for the A’s Spanish broadcasts and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

O’Neil schemed defense outshines Chip Kelly’s offense in season-opening shutout of the Rams

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By Morris Phillips

SANTA CLARA–Los Angeles’ professional football renaissance–23 years in the making–will have to wait one more week.  The 49ers saw to that.

A stifling defense effort, packed with strategical wrinkles courtesy of new defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil, kept quarterback Case Keenum and dynamic running threat Todd Gurley under wraps for 60 minutes in the 49ers 28-0 victory.

The Rams, bereft of points, had to settle for first downs instead, managing just 10 of those on the night.  Keenum failed to keep his offense on the field, throwing for just 130 yards and converting 3 of 15 third down opportunities.  Forced to beat the 49ers through the air with Gurley (17 carries, 47 yards) bottled up, Keenum failed miserably. Afterwards, the veteran quarterback tabbed by coach Jeff Fisher over Sean Mannion and No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff, credited the 49ers and their crafty looks.

“Especially on third down, a lot of looks we hadn’t seen before,” Keenum said.

Maybe the most effective of those looks schemed by O’Neil had safety Eric Reid crashing the line of scrimmage in search of Gurley and others. While credited with only three tackles, Reid was a focal point, along with linebacker NaVorro Bowman, for a defense that swarmed to the ball and was rarely caught out of position.

“He is physical and he is fast,” O’Neil said of Reid.  “He did a good job of timing it up. We tell our guys that we are only going to blitz the guys that are going to win.  Eric is a guy that can go win.”

While Reid starred along with Bowman, the San Francisco defensive line with emerging stars  Arik Armstead and Quinton Dial did the dirty work, staying in their lanes to combat Gurley, and getting enough penetration to bother Keenum. Armstead was declared a guy to watch early on in training camp, but rarely played in the pre-season because of a shoulder injury.  On Monday, O’Neil deployed his 6’7″ disrupter sparingly, but effectively.

“We had a game plan for how to use me in the game,” Armstead said.  “I  played a lot of passing situations and I rotated in there on first and second downs, too.”

Dial played directly in front of Bowman and kept him “clean” as radio color man Tim Ryan described.  But Dial did even more, deftly splitting double-teaming linemen in run situations.  First round draft pick DeForest Buckner rotated with college teammate Armstead, giving the 49ers an edge in combating the Rams’ top offensive tackle Rodger Saffold.

“I think that’s a good thing about the players we have on our team.  We can give you different personnel and give you different looks.  Guys can play their positions well.  It’s definitely going to pay dividends for us in helping us disguise our looks for opposing quarterbacks,” safety Antoine Bethea said.

The shutout was the team’s first since 2012, and they protected it fiercely as the satisfied Levi’s Stadium crowd headed for the exits in the fourth quarter.  The Rams longest drive of the night–11 plays–brought them to the 49ers 24-yard line.  But with no interest in a face-saving field goal attempt, Keenum was flushed and scrambled unsuccessfully on 4th-and-10 with 2:41 remaining.

For O’Neil, it had to be a redemptive moment.  Picked after several higher profile coordinators rejected the 49ers, the former Browns OC accepted the unenviable task of working opposite Kelly’s high octane offense that frequently leaves its defense fatigued from too many stints on the field.  But on Monday, the mix was just right as Kelly was politely upstaged in his debut.

On Sunday, the 49ers travel to Carolina with, for now, the NFL’s top-ranked defense for a more telling meeting with Cam Newton and the reigning NFC champion Panthers.