Bee staff writer Matthew Barrows and Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune hosted an online chat Thursday about Saturday's 49ers-Saints game. Here are some highlights:
GORDON: Could you compare the Saints' locker room vs. the 49ers'?
BARROWS: The 49ers don't have a lot of guys with playoff experience. I think there are 11 who have been to the post- season, and many of those are one-and-done experiences. But it's a very low-key, levelheaded locker room led by blue-collar guys like Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, etc.
TRIPLETT: If there is any "locker-room" edge to be had, the Saints are in great shape. They've got arguably the best leader in the NFL in quarterback Drew Brees, both on and off the field. They've got a veteran team and a very unselfish team full of playmakers who don't mind sharing the wealth.
NEIL: Which Frank Gore do we see – early-season Gore or late-season Gore?
BARROWS: I think you'll see the Frank Gore of old (early season). I think he's healthy, or at least healthy enough, and he'll get 20-25 carries as the 49ers try to keep the ball out of Brees' hands.
VSTEEL: How much can the grass potentially slow the Saints' offense?
TRIPLETT: I don't think the grass itself is all that daunting, though I'd be curious to hear Matt's take on what kind of shape that field is in.
BARROWS: We're in a La Niña year, which means there hasn't been much, if any, rain. However, Candlestick is right on the San Francisco Bay at sea level. Legend has it that on a high tide, the bay can actually rise through the bottom of the field, making it mucky (and smelling like dead fish and crabs).
NY49ERFAN: Everyone is doubting the 49ers' offense, yet the Saints' defense is not that impressive.
TRIPLETT: That's a great point. I actually think they're both underrated. The Saints' defense … shut down guys like Chris Johnson vs. Tennessee and Adrian Peterson vs. Minnesota. So they're pretty good at taking away the opponents' strength, and I imagine they'll make sure Gore doesn't beat them. But they are vulnerable to a big plays in the passing game on occasion since they play a risk- reward style with a ton of blitzes.
TROY: How much crowd noise can Candlestick generate compared to other stadiums, and what effect could it have on Brees and company?
BARROWS: It was designed for baseball, so the acoustics aren't exactly ideal for football noise. But it can get loud. The crowd noise was a factor in the 49ers' win over the Giants earlier this year.
GUEST: Name a Saints player that 49ers fans might not recognize as a household name but could have a major impact on the game.
TRIPLETT: I've got two – receiver Marques Colston and cornerback Jabari Greer. Colston might be the best player never to make a Pro Bowl in the league today, and Greer is a very, very good corner, a true No. 1 corner who is just on the cusp of Pro Bowl status every year.
MYRTLEBEACH49ERFAN: Any friendly bets between you two?
BARROWS: Mike is sending me gumbo if the Saints win. If the 49ers win, I'm giving him crabs.
WANT MORE?
Check out a replay of Thursday's entire chat.
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