Tag: Josh Johnson

Blocking Haason Reddick with non-offensive linemen is a very bad idea

The 49ers keep trying to block Eagles edge-rusher Haason Reddick with tight ends and receivers. They really should stop doing that.

Philadelphia Eagles edge-rusher Haason Reddick came into the NFC Championship game with a career-high 17.5 sacks, including the 1.5 takedowns he had in the Eagles’ 38-7 divisional-round win over the New York Giants. Reddick has been one of the Eagles’ most valuable defenders in the first year of his three-year, $45 million contract, which also makes him one of the NFL’s best bargains.

For whatever reason, early in the championship game, the San Francisco 49ers decided to treat Reddick as some rotational scrub with limited pressure potential. It has not gone well at all. Reddick had two sacks and a forced fumble in the first quarter, and on both of those sacks, San Francisco decided to put either a tight end or wide receiver on Reddick one-on-one.

The first sack, which came with 7:03 left in the first quarter and knocked quarterback Brock Purdy out of the game (at least temporarily) came about in part because Reddick was blocked by tight end Tyler Kroft, who had absolutely no chance.

That should have been a touchdown for defensive tackle Linval Joseph, who recovered what was changed from an incomplete pass to a fumble upon review.

Then, with Josh Johnson in place or Purdy and 4:11 left in the first quarter, the 49ers tried putting receiver Jauan Jennings on Reddick. You can guess how THAT went.

We do not know what 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff were thinking with these particular protections, but if the 49ers have any chance of heading to Super Bowl LVII, San Francisco should endeavor to try and stop Reddick with more conventional methods.

4 things to know about Josh Johnson, the journeyman QB forced to step in for 49ers vs. Eagles

Johnson has played for 17 different pro football teams, including stints in the UFL, XFL and AAF.

Josh Johnson was drafted in 2008. But after 15 seasons and stints in the United Football League (UFL), XFL, and Alliance of American Football (AAF), he made his first NFL playoff appearance Sunday afternoon.

That’s when the journeyman became the fourth quarterback to take snaps for the San Francisco 49ers this season, entering in the first quarter of an NFC Conference Championship showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles. He entered in relief of Brock Purdy, the rookie who’d been the final pick of last spring’s NFL Draft and who had started the season as the team’s third-string passer.

But Purdy suffered an injury to his throwing arm early against the league’s top-rated pass rush, fumbling in the process.

That turned the offense over to Johnson, a 36-year-old emergency option who started off his third appearance of the season in a drive that featured both a sack and a delay of game penalty. So who is Johnson, and does he have a chance to guide the Niners to Super Bowl 57?

49ers QB Brock Purdy (elbow) out for now, replaced by seven-team veteran Josh Johnson

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is out of the NFC Championship game for now, replaced by veteran Josh Johnson.

The first quarter of the NFC Championship game couldn’t have gone much worse for the San Francisco 49ers. The Philadelphia Eagles scored a touchdown on their opening drive in part after Kyle Shanahan failed to challenge a DeVonta Smith catch that wasn’t. Then, on the 49ers’ opening drive with 7:03 left in that first quarter, the 49ers tried to block Eagles mega-pass-rusher Haason Reddick with a tight end, with predictable results.

The officiating crew, led by referee John Hussey, originally called this an incomplete pass, but after Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni challenged that, it was changed to a fumble call… which meant that defensive tackle Linval Joseph, who recovered the fumble, should have been given a touchdown.

Not that San Francisco was in any better shape after that play. Quarterback Brock Purdy went to the sideline and appeared to tell Shanahan that he couldn’t throw.

So, for their next drive, the 49ers put in backup Josh Johnson, the 13-year veteran who has played with multiple teams throughout his career.

Things weren’t any better for Johnson when he got in there. The 49ers kept blocking Reddick with non-offensive linemen (receiver Jauan Jennings in this case), and that continued to be a problem.

The 49ers had better come up with a smarter plan for Reddick, or they could get blown right out of Lincoln Financial Field.

49ers’ QB Brock Purdy exits NFC Championship Game vs. Eagles with elbow injury

The 49ers could be forced to finish the NFC Championship Game with their 4th string QB after Brock Purdy was forced to exit Sunday’s matchup vs. the Eagles

The Eagles were able to get some early pressure on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and a Haason Reddick strip sack forced the rookie quarterback to exit the game.

Purdy exited the game with 7:03 left in the first quarter after an incomplete pass to tight end George Kittle that was disrupted by Haason Reddick.

The incompletion was later reversed and Reddick was credited with a strip sack after Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni challenged the ruling of an incompletion.

Shortly after the Eagles took over possession, Purdy exited the contest and was replaced by Josh Johnson as 49ers medical officials evaluated his elbow.

After exiting the blue medical tent, Purdy was seen throwing and trying to loosen up with San Francisco down 7-0.

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5 burning questions ahead of Eagles vs. 49ers in NFC Championship Game

We’re looking to answer five burning questions ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game

The San Francisco 49ers are heading to Lincoln Financial Field as the No. 2 overall seed and with the reputation of having the NFL’s top defense.

Even with elite pass rushers and an All-Pro linebacker, this 49ers’ defense has holes and it can be found in the back four, and when teams are able to physically match up with DeMeco Ryan’s defense up front.

Philadelphia (14-3) defeated the New York Giants 38-7 on Saturday to clinch a spot in the title game and then watched on Sunday evening, as the Niners (13-4) defeated the Cowboys 19-12 at Levi’s Stadium.

With kick-off just a few hours away, here are five burning questions that need to be answered.

Eagles unofficial depth chart ahead of NFC Championship Game vs. 49ers

Here’s the Philadelphia Eagles updated unofficial depth chart ahead of the NFC Championship Gane vs. San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field

The NFC’s top two seeds are set to meet on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field when the Philadelphia Eagles host the San Francisco 49ers.

The stage is set for All-Pro quarterback Jalen Hurts as Grammy Award-winner performer Anita Baker is singing the National Anthem, and Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins will be the honorary captain.

With kickoff fast approaching, here is the Eagles’ unofficial depth chart for Championship weekend.

Eagles vs. 49ers: How to watch, listen and stream NFC Championship Game

Here’s how you can watch, listen or stream the Philadelphia Eagles NFC Championship Game vs. San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field

The Eagles and 49ers are preparing for a heavyweight showdown on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, highlighted by star power on both sides of the football.

The 49ers are in the NFC Championship Game for the third time in four seasons, while Philadelphia is making its seventh NFC title appearance since 2001, more than every team in the NFL accept the Patriots over that span.

With kickoff fast approaching, here’s how you can watch, listen, and stream the NFC title game.

Eagles-49ers: Previewing Philadelphia’s NFC Championship Game opponent

We’re previewing the San Francisco 49ers ahead of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles and 49ers were the top two seeds in this year’s NFC playoff bracket and they’ll meet on Sunday afternoon in the NFC Championship Game.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 EST at Lincoln Financial Field, and Philadelphia is currently a 2.5-point home favorite.

The winner will advance to Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., against the winner of Sunday night’s Bengals-Chiefs AFC Championship Game.

With kickoff fast approaching, here’s a brief preview of San Francisco ahead of Championship Sunday.

Eagles updated 53-man roster for NFC Championship Game vs. 49ers

Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster for the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field

The Eagles and 49ers are preparing for a heavyweight showdown on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, highlighted by star power on both sides of the football.

The 49ers are in the NFC Championship Game for the third time in four seasons, while Philadelphia is making its seventh NFC title appearance since 2001, more than every team in the NFL accept the Patriots over that span.

With kickoff fast approaching, here is Philadelphia’s updated 53-man roster.

Eagles-49ers: Avonte Maddox returning to lineup for NFC Championship Game

The Eagles have all 22 starters available for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game as Avonte Maddox has no injury designation ahead of the matchup vs. the 49ers

The Eagles are heading into the NFC Championship Game with all 22 available starters set to play after Avonte Maddox logged a full practice ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

Maddox and Lane Johnson were full participants, while linebacker T.J. Edwards was a limited participant due to an ankle injury, but has no injury designation.

Maddox missed the last three games with a toe injury but started trending upward last week and was a full participant every day this week.

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