I promise I will have a post surrounding the 49ers' current fortunes up at some point in the near future, but for now please enjoy another fine piece from Paul Kadwill as he delves into the archives to look back at a Week 4 clash from years gone by.
For week 4 of the 1973
season San Francisco took the cross-country trip to Atlanta Stadium
where they faced divisional rivals the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons were in
just their eighth year of existence at the time, forming during the
1965 league expansion.
Although still in their
first decade, the Falcons team had already been built up into a very
competitive outfit by their head coach and long-time 49ers foe Norm
Van Brocklin.
Van Broklin spent the
majority of his successful NFL career in Los Angeles playing
quarterback for the Rams before finishing with a stint with the
Philadelphia Eagles.
In 1973 the 49ers were
still under the guidance of head coach Dick Nolan, who had steered
them to three consecutive playoff appearances between 1970 and 1972.
Returning from a
successful '72 season, the 49ers roster featured All-Pros Gene
Washington and Ted Kwalick, both of whom had led the league in
touchdowns at the respective positions of wide receiver and tight
end.
Another area of
strength was the depth at the quarterback spot.
For years the 49ers
had relied upon the efforts of John Brodie. However, Brodie was
injured in the 1972 so backup Steve Spurrier started nine times and
made the most of his opportunity by taking the team to the playoffs
and giving San Francisco confidence that either QB could get the job
done on the field.
Brodie came back to his
starting job for 1973 but age was finally catching up with #12.
Indeed, Spurrier started five games in the '73 season before Brodie
called time on his football career after 17 years with the 49ers.
Injury issues also
plagued the Niners' rushing attack as both starter Ken Willard and
backup Vic Washington would spend time on the sidelines.
On the defensive side
of the ball the 49ers relied on several veterans including outside
linebacker Dave Wilcox and defensive lineman Charlie Krueger.
The 1973 campaign was
the peak of Wilcox's career, with the seven-time pro-bowler and
four-time all-NFL player amassing 104 tackles and forcing four
fumbles that year.
He was just as
effective in coverage too, recording 14 interceptions in his pro
career.
Krueger, a 15-year
member of the 49ers, was the consummate pro. He became a starter in
1959 and had not missed a game for over five years heading into the
'73 season. Quite a feat for someone playing on the defensive line.
He was a technician at his position and someone that had earned the
respect of offensive linemen throughout the league as a tough and
talented competitor.
The 1973 49ers draft
was pretty average aside from the addition of Willie Harper. The
Nebraska linebacker was selected by the team in the second round and
went on to complete 11 seasons of duty for the 49ers, serving as part
of the team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl in 1981.
The first-round pick
from this year was a S/CB from Texas Southern University by the name
of Michael Holmes. At 6'1” and 180lb with blazing speed, return
abilities and numerous school defensive records to his name, a lot
was expected of Holmes. Sadly after just two seasons with the team,
he was released. He eventually wound up as a receiver for the
Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL and was a real success. His
post-football career, however, has been even more rewarding as this
interesting article reveals.
The game
The divisional rivals
met in Atlanta with identical 1-2 records. Both teams were desperate
to get back to .500 and to push on in their quest to play in Super
Bowl VIII in Houston, Texas.
After a cagey and
scoreless first quarter, the 49ers went ahead through a 10-yard Bruce
Gossett field goal after being stopped short of the endzone by
Atlanta.
Vic Washington then
scored what was to be the only TD of the game with a seven-yard rush
during the second quarter, making it 10-0 to the visitors before
Atlanta hit back with two field goals before the half.
Both defenses continued
to dominate in the second half.
The Atlanta secondary
did a sterling job of covering their targets and breaking up passes,
only allowing Brodie to complete 54 percent of his attempts. He
finished the game with just 168 yards.
Offensive weapons Gene
Washington and Kwalick were both held to three catches each, with
Atlanta giving up 67 yards to Washington and 48 to the tight end.
On the other side the
49er defense was even more successful, racking up four sacks and
knocking Falcons QB Bob Lee out of the game. Lee was replaced by
Dick Shiner, who endured a dreadful day, posting a 40 percent pass
completion rate with an interception.
San Francisco stretched
their lead with a field goal in the third, giving them a seven-point
lead. They were unable to add to their 13 points however and, with
Nick Mike-Mayer kicking a 37-yarder in the fouth quarter for Atlanta,
the final minutes were edgy as San Francisco tried to hold to a
four-point advantage.
Once again it was down
to the defense to step up for the 49ers and they did that stoutly,
stopping any chance of an Atlanta fightback to ensure that Nolan's
men emerged victorious 13-9.
The win gave the 49ers
a 2-2 record and hopes of returning to the playoffs for a fourth
consecutive year.
But the season was
marred by injuries to key players for the second year running,
although this time the backups could not rescue the situation as San
Francisco only managed third place in the NFC West with a 5-9 record.
Thanks for reading,
Paul Kadwill
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