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Video Scouting the 49ers: NT Aubrayo Franklin
Written by Brett Solesky   
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 03:42
49ers defenseWhile everyone is rightly enamored with the Patrick Willis, Mike Singletary in his playing days comparisons Willis isn't the main cog on the 49ers defense that makes the 3-4 defense work.  Willis is the flashy super star linebacker who is playing at a Pro Bowl level arguably a defensive player of the year level in the NFL.  Willis is a bad ass, but as usual there is a player up front who isn't getting the credit he deserves because he's a lineman and they don't get all the accolades that the linebackers do. 

The man up front that makes the 49ers 3-4 defense so stout?  None other than nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin a 6-foot-1 317-pound behemoth who might be the most underrated NT in the NFL right now.  Pop in the tape on any 49ers game and this guy immediately stands out in run defense.  Franklin currently has 35 tackles from his NT spot which is damn impressive for an interior D-Line player. 

As is the case with an effective 3-4 defense it all starts and ends with the need for a dominating NT.  Franklin is just that, he can't be blocked one on one and if he isn't making tackles  he's getting penetration or needing to be double teamed and allowing other players to make the tackle.  Usually Willis or Takeo Spikes is the beneficiary of Franklin disruption by attacking a gap. 

The production is there as well as the 49ers are currently the fourth best defense in the NFL at stopping the run. Allowing a mere 93.2 rushing yards per game on the season Franklin is the guy in the recent Peter King article on free agents to be who is mentioned as "the best run stopper you've never heard of."  King was dead on his assessment based on the video I've watched of the 49ers' season so far. 

Aubrayo FranklinFranklin is likely going to be that guy who helps to slow down the Bears' rushing attack again this Thursday, unless the Bears figure out a way to slow him down or run away from him like the Tennessee Titans did in their game this past Sunday. 

Given the recent drop off in play this season by Olin Kreutz it will be interesting to see what the Bears are able to do to try and establish a running game against this guy.  Kreutz has struggled against even bad defensive lineman on the season.  While he hasn't been as bad as some Bears fans would like to label him as being, any sort of failure this Thursday will only serve to hammer home what Bears fans already think about him. 

Take note that there will be no running at Franklin and also note that the only 3-4 defense the Bears have had any real success against was the Steelers' defense in the second game of the season.  Although that now appears as though the  Steelers were just shaking the rust off from the Super Bowl hang over as they have been dominant ever since. 

What can the Bears do to get the ball rolling against the 49ers?  Right now I'd argue for benching Greg Olsen on running plays because he is such a liability with his run blocking.  Kellen  Davis has proven to be a better blocking option than Olsen so far this season. While Davis isn't perfect he's a far better blocker than Olsen and gives the Bears a better chance to set up the run. 

Also Davis has exceeded expectations as a receiver thus far this season too, so Turner wouldn't have to completely tip his hand by simply running behind Davis.  The best way to attack a 3-4 defense is to attack that five man front where you have the two outside linebackers lined up next to the DEs.  By attacking with the two TE set, it allows a double team on the NT while still allowing for a block on the extra 'backer that balances out the five man 3-4 D-Line front.  This is the key to having success against the 3-4, getting consistent good double team blocks on the NT while at the same time allowing for man on man blocking against the rest of the defenders. 

The Bears struggling against 3-4 defenses this year isn't because Ron Turner doesn't know how to attack a 3-4, it's because he doesn't have a strong blocking offensive front to successfully attack it.  Frank Omiyale was a liability and was subsequently benched, Josh Beekman's game isn't the over powering out muscle the man in front of him technique that would better succeed against a 3-4 defense.  So already the Bears are at a disadvantage when attacking teams with a strong 3-4 defense. 

Another smart thing to do would be to go no-huddle a lot to attack the 3-4 that way you are better able to exploit match up problems and wear out the defensive front you're facing.  No huddle slows down the attacking/versatility that the 3-4 defense offers up and by wearing down the big NT Franklin the Bears may have better success running against the 49ers later in the game. 

One thing is for sure, it will be another true test of just how physical our Monsters of the Midway are this season.  We'll find out whether or not there is hope moving forward as the Bears head into the half way point in the season.
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