Saturday, 27 September 2014

This week in 49ers history......Week 4: 1973

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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