When two NFL teams meet in Week 11 with identical records of 3-7, they're usually out of the Playoff hunt and looking forward to the following season. That's unless you play in the laughing stock that is the NFC West, where a record of 4-7 moves you within one game back of first place. Facing off in the desert for a Monday Night match-up, both the 49ers and Cardinals had one thing on their mind -- winning.
With an injured kicker in Joe Nedney, San Francisco would be forced to use the inexperienced Shane Andrus, who missed a 47 yarder on the 49ers opening drive. Luckily for San Francisco, Arizona would be kind enough to give the ball back, when Cardinals running back Beanie Wells fumbled the hand-off minutes later. The turnover would work perfectly for the 49ers, who were sure to execute right away, as QB Troy Smith connected with Michael Crabtree in the end-zone just one play later. The Arizona offense responded with a big passing play of their own with a 48 yard pass from Anderson to Wells which set up a Cardinal field-goal. With 49er RB Frank Gore seeing limited action due to a bother hamstring he suffered in the first quarter after compiling 52 yards, Brian Westbrook and Anthony Dixon saw a majority of the snaps, carrying the ball. A Dixon touchdown run would make it 14-3. The rest of the half would be all about the 49er defense that forced three straight three-and-outs, before Westbrook added a TD run of his own, his first as a Niner. The only threat came before half time, but the San Francisco defense put an end to the surge, forcing Jay Feely to kick a field-goal. Arizona would then intercept a Troy Smith pass that was deflected off the hands of Michael Crabtree, but was unable to capitalize due to the clutch 49er D, as both teams entered the locker room at the half with San Francisco owning a commanding 21-6 lead.
Andrus who missed a field-goal in the first quarter, would get a chance to redeem himself two quarters later. However, Arizona would have other plans as cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie got a hand on the ball, preventing San Francisco to add to their lead. Andrus would eventually make on a drive later from 38 yards out, making it 24-6. Adding to the dominant 49er defense that did a lot of what it was expected to do coming into the season, making stop after stop, linebacker Takeo Spikes intercepted a Derek Anderson pass, setting up another 49er FG. With the displeasure getting the best of the remaining Cardinal fans come the 4th quarter, Anderson was given what I like to call the Alex Smith treatment, receiving more boo's than cheers, as the Cardinals dropped their 6th straight game. Coming into Monday's game, Westbrook had only 5 carries for 9 yards as a member of the 49ers. But when given the chance, the 2-time Pro Bowler registered a total of 136 rushing yards, reaching the 100-yard plateau for the 21st time in his career, and his first since December 7th, 2008 as a member of the Eagles. Along with Gore and Dixon, San Francisco totaled 242 yards rushing. Meanwhile for the Cardinals, Arizona's tandem of Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower combined for a whooping total of 13 yards rushing, their lowest in 845 games. After the game, it was learned that the 49ers would be without their 2-time Pro Bowl running back for the remainder of the season, creating some doubt in San Francisco's chances of winning the division.
Noteworthy - SF outran Arizona, 261 yards to 13 yards, as the 49ers leave the desert unscathed. The 248 run difference was enough to make it the third largest run differential in Monday Night Football history. The biggest story other than the 49ers inching only a game behind the division leading Rams/Seahawks who are tied atop the NFC West for first place, was the 188 rushing yards San Francisco was able to pile on, despite Gore leaving in the 1st quarter with a fractured hip. After the game that many were uninterested in due to the one-sided affair, Arizona QB Derek Anderson went on a Dennis Green like tirade when being asked why he was laughing and smiling on the sideline with teammate Deuce Latui, while his team was being blown out. Anderson denied ever laughing and stormed off the podium in front of a live newsroom, as seen here:
Continuing the plethora of offseason moves in the NFL, the most coveted player in all of free agency has found a place to play. Coming off an 8-year tenure with the Carolina Panthers, defensive end Julius Peppers signed a six-year contract worth $91.5 million dollars with the Chicago Bears. Also adding to their roster, former Viking running back and back-up of Adrian Peterson -- Chester Taylor, who signed a four-year, $14.1 million dollar contract. However, Chicago's shopping spree didn't stop there as tight end Brandon Manumaleuna also signed via free agency, helping solidify the Bears as one of the busiest teams this offseason.
The addition of Peppers alone makes the Bears defense a strong one and will be sure to keep the opposing quarterback on his toes at all times. Peppers is a 5-time Pro Bowler and is the Panthers all-time sacks leader, having tallied 81 total sacks. Along with line backer Brian Urlacher, the Bears have one of most feared defensive duos in the game. But that's if Urlacher can stay healthy. The 2005 NFL Defensive Player of the Year underwent surgery last season after dislocating his wrist in the 2009 season opener, causing him to miss the entire season. Similar to Chester Taylor's role in Minnesota, he'll play a back-up role behind another good RB, Matt Forte. As for TE Brandon Manumaleuna, he will be joining one of the top young tight ends in the game today -- Greg Olsen, in what I'm guessing will be a back-up role as well.
Lucy, I'm home! - Also finding a place to call home, is former Cleveland Brown Derek Anderson. The 26-year old QB signed a 2-year, $7.25 million dollar deal with the Arizona Cardinals earlier today. Anderson will be competing for the starting job with 2004 Heisman Trophy winner -- Matt Leinart. Leinart, who seen brief action at the starting position behind Kurt Warner, will be alongside Anderson fighting for the job much thought would be his a long time ago. In spite of leading the USC Trojans to a BCS National Championship in 2004, and becoming the school's all-time leader in career touchdown passes and completion percentage, Leinart is yet to play to his potential. With Kurt Warner retired and now out of the picture, could this be his year? Derek Anderson sure hopes not.
Other Key Additions: FS Marlin Jackson to the Philadelphia Eagles, S Antrel Rolle to the New York Giants, RB Larry Johnson to the Washington Redskins, and QB David Carr to the San Francisco 49ers.
Express Yourself - Have you ever said something to someone and then tried to take it back like you didn't mean it? That's something former Cleveland Browns QB Derek Anderson can relate to. Upon being informed of his release by the team on March 9th, Anderson made sure he didn't go quietly. "The fans are ruthless and don't deserve a winner. I will never forget getting cheered when I was injured. I know at times I wasn't great. I hope and pray I'm playing when my team comes to town and (we) roll them." The frantic Anderson said, referring to an knee injury he sustained during the 2008 season in a game against the Colts. But just one day later, the Oregon State Beavers all-time leader in career touchdowns and passing yards, tried taking a different approach.
After putting his team of 5-years on blast, Anderson seemed a bit apologetic towards the fans he called "ruthless", hoping to take back all he said. "Those of you who got to know me personally from covering the Browns over the past five years, know this was out of character for me. I wasn't taken out of context, but I was speaking out of frustration after my career with the Browns came to a close. I had some great times playing in Cleveland, especially during the 2007 season, and I met some great people and made many lifelong friends along the way. I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life." Anderson's first full year in 2007 seen him throw for 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, helping pave the way to a Pro-Bowl, capped off by a 10-6 record for the Browns. But since his Pro-Bowl season in '07, Anderson has seen little success. Inconsistency would then become a factor for the Browns QB as injuries came into play.
After 7 starts in 2009, Anderson would own a 42.1 passer rating to go along with a dismal 3 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. All of which resulting in his departure. The 26-year old is expected to gain interest from several teams and rumor has it he will be paying a visit to both Arizona and Seattle later this week. As for the Browns, the team has acquired both Jake Delhomme who was recently released by Carolina, and former Seattle back-up QB Seneca Wallace who was picked up in a trade. However, the QB possession isn't full just yet, as the Browns are hoping to get their hands on either Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen or Oklahoma's 2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford who is projected to be the number one QB taken in this year's NFL Draft. But with the 7th overall pick, the chances of landing Bradford are slim.
Breaking News: The Cleveland Browns have parted ways with Brady Quinn as well, sending him to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Full-Back Peyton Hills, a 6th round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and a conditional late-round pick in the 2012 Draft.
