Contra Costa Times article on the Chiefs/49'ers Game

[CaliforniaChief]

This article had a couple of interesting insights so I thought I'd share it.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/49er...nclick_check=1
By Daniel Brown
San Jose Mercury News
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Dexter McCluster's trash talk for the 49ers-Kansas City Chiefs game began last winter, before the game was on the schedule and before McCluster was even on a roster.

The draft prospect took the podium at the NFL scouting combine and recounted the day he made Mississippi teammate Patrick Willis "look a little silly" with a juke move during drills.

McCluster added that he was ready to do it to Willis in the NFL, too. "I have a little more experience under my belt," McCluster said, "So I hope he's ready."

He's ready.

Having led the NFL in tackles over the past three seasons, Willis sounded unfazed about facing his former college teammate Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. Willis wasn't exactly pining for a rematch, since he said he barely remembers McCluster at all, let alone the specifics of the play that made him look "silly."

"If you've been a defensive player playing football all your life and you've never been juked, there's something wrong," Willis said. "Offensive guys are going to make plays. Defensive guys are going to make plays. But we'll see this Sunday.

"It's us against them. It's not about me and McCluster at Ole Miss. It's the 49ers and Chiefs."

Willis was a senior when McCluster was a freshman and remembered enough about him to say, "He's an electrifying guy. ... You just have to know where he is at all times.

"He's a guy where they want to get the ball into his hands when he's on the field, so we're aware of that. We're just going to play our defense and play within our scheme and see what happens."

He compared the way the Chiefs use McCluster to the way the New Orleans Saints use Reggie Bush, noting that he lines up in the backfield, as a slot receiver and on special teams. The 49ers kept Bush in check Monday: Before he suffered a fourth-quarter injury, he had five rushes for 4 yards and four catches for 30 yards -- including beating Willis for a 6-yard touchdown catch.

So far, McCluster, who is listed as a receiver, has been quiet from the line of scrimmage (two carries, two catches) -- but a supernova as a returner. His 33.3-yard punt return average leads the NFL and includes a 94-yarder for a touchdown against San Diego that ties a Chiefs record.

But there are others to watch. The Chiefs (2-0) rank fifth in the league in rushing, at 137.5 yards per game, and do so by mixing a straight-ahead fastball Thomas Jones (33 carries, 122 yards) and a slider Jamaal Charles (22 carries, 141 yards), with McCluster serving as a changeup.

Aubrayo Franklin, the 49ers' run-stuffing nose tackle, said his pre-snap read includes looking into the backfield to see which runner is on the field. If it's Jones, he'll brace for an up-the-gut run. If it's Charles, he'll look to the outside.

"Kansas City does so many different things as far as their variations. They can attack you in so many ways," Franklin said. "With most teams you know they are going to run straight power.

"But they've got two 1,000-yard backs back there that have two different running styles. Thomas Jones is a guy who can cut back. He's been in the league a while and has had success. The Charles dude reminds you of Chris Johnson. He's fast and he can take it to the house any time."

Since the start of last season, the 49ers have allowed only 39 runs of 10 yards or longer. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers (36 rushes) are better during that span.

Since Mike Singletary took over as coach on Oct. 26, 2008, the 49ers have allowed opponents only 3.60 yards per carry -- the best mark in the NFL. (Pittsburgh is second at 3.61 and Baltimore is third at 3.66).

So McCluster can juke all he wants, the 49ers say. They have a way of making opposing ball carriers look silly.

"I'm confident in what we have," Willis said. "So we'll see."
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