Lenoir Stirs the Pot Ahead of 49ers-Seahawks Clash
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir has thrown down the gauntlet, specifically targeting Seahawks’ rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. While Seattle boasts a reputation for having one of the league’s premier wide receivers, Lenoir is ready to step up to the challenge and make a bold statement.
A Call-Out to the Seahawks’ Star
After the 49ers secured a decisive victory over the Bears on Sunday night, reporters turned their attention to Lenoir in the locker room, eager to hear his thoughts on the looming rivalry. Without hesitation, Lenoir set his sights on Smith-Njigba, stating, “Hopefully, I’ll get to shadow JSN. I’m ready for this. I hope he’s ready. Man-to-man coverage, me and him. That’s what I want. Me and him.”
Such a straightforward strategy—placing the 49ers’ top cornerback against the Seahawks’ top receiver—seems logical. However, the 49ers’ defensive deployment may not align perfectly with Lenoir’s ambitions.
The Challenges of Matchups in Zone Coverage
Despite Lenoir’s enthusiasm, the 49ers have traditionally leaned towards zone coverage under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. This season, Lenoir has been primarily stationed at left cornerback, with no opportunities to shadow opposing receivers in the slot. In light of this, I sought insight from Saleh during a press conference, asking him to elaborate on the implications of assigning a single cornerback to follow a wide receiver across the field.
“That’s a good question,” Saleh responded, his smile reflecting his eagerness to explain. “In a zone-based defense, the dynamics change significantly. While it might be simpler for the guy who travels, it complicates things for the rest of the defense. If we’re in man coverage, how do the other players align? What if the player we’re focusing on isn’t on the field? It requires adjustments and can lead to confusion, especially for the players not traveling.”
Saleh elaborated on the intricacies of transitioning from zone to man coverage, emphasizing that moving Lenoir into the slot could pose challenges for nickelback Upton Stout, who typically plays outside cornerback. Given Stout’s stature, this switch might not be ideal, and it raises questions about how effectively the team could execute such adjustments during the game.
Confidence in the Defensive Lineup
Interestingly, Saleh’s comments seemed to hint at a level of confidence in Stout’s ability to handle Smith-Njigba one-on-one. Lenoir has been vulnerable this season, having allowed five touchdown receptions, compared to Stout, who has given up only one. Should Stout struggle against Smith-Njigba, Saleh has the flexibility to adjust his lineup—potentially benching Stout during critical third downs while shifting Lenoir to the slot and bringing in Darrell Luter Jr. or Renardo Green outside.
This strategic flexibility mirrors tactics employed by former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who famously adjusted his coverage schemes to counter the 49ers when they had Anquan Boldin on their roster. Carroll often played zone coverage on early downs but switched to man-to-man on third downs, moving Richard Sherman into the slot to match up against Boldin. Saleh, who was part of Carroll’s coaching staff during those years, might consider similar tactics this Saturday against Smith-Njigba.
Anticipation Mounts for the Showdown
As the 49ers prepare for this critical matchup, the chess match between Saleh and Seahawks’ offense will be one to watch. While Lenoir’s willingness to engage in a personal rivalry with Smith-Njigba has captured headlines, the real question remains: how will the 49ers’ defensive strategy unfold? Only time will tell if Lenoir gets his wish to directly challenge the talented rookie and if Saleh’s plans will align with the ambitious cornerback’s desires.
