http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/05/SPO714I6VN.DTL&feed=rss.sports Instead of loading up on such offensively pungent food items as raw onions and limburger cheese to breathe into the facemask of his esteemed opponent, Eric Heitmann said he'll have his usual pregame meal of eggs, grits and bacon Sunday. Besides, even if the 49ers center had a plan to stink up his breath before his encounter with titanic Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins at Candlestick Park, he wouldn't say so. "I'd love to answer that question," Heitmann said. Either way, Heitmann will need every edge he can against Jenkins, a 6-foot-4, 350-pound mobile monolith in the center of the Jets' defensive line. With Jenkins clogging up running lanes like a giant finger in a dike, the Jets are No. 4 in the league in run defense. "I've had an opportunity to play against him in the past," said Heitmann, who saw Jenkins twice when he was a Carolina Panther, in 2004 and '07. "When he turns it on, he's tough to block. He's definitely a guy you can never fall asleep on. You have to be at your best against him. You would put him and (Tennessee's) Albert Haynesworth in the same category - big, powerful, strong men who can move laterally." Since Frank Gore has a modest 92 yards rushing the last two games and the 49ers are 25th in the NFL in rushing offense, prospects for success on the ground do not look promising for the home team. "When teams face us, what's the first thing they're going to take away?" offensive coordinator Mike Martz said rhetorically. "They are going to take 21 (Gore) away. Now, they create some good things for us in the passing game. You have to be able to transition in and out of the passing game and the running game." In the same interview session Thursday, Martz called Heitmann the best center he's coached in his 17 years in the NFL while also saying "Eric has his work cut out for him" in facing Jenkins. "He's the best center I've had by far," Martz said. "He's much more physical than most centers. He's got so much size to him and pop. He's very quick with his hands and very strong in the hips. Guys who are smaller in the lower body ... get pushed around pretty good. He does a good job of getting on nose tackles. You appreciate all those things." The 49ers appreciated Heitmann enough in October to sign him to a contract extension through the 2011 season, with a $1.25 million signing bonus. At 28, he should be the 49ers' center for years to come. Heitmann called the 49ers "gracious" for signing him to the extension when they did. Suffice to say Jenkins will not be at all gracious Sunday. Defensive linemen don't do gracious. The anchor of the Jets defensive front, Jenkins has 32 total tackles, 21 solo, eight tackles for losses and 3 1/2 sacks. "You start with the nose tackle," Martz said. "He's as physical and violent at that position as there is in the league." All the more reason for Heitmann to stink up his breath Sunday. At least a healthy dose of garlic in his grits.
Wow. That is officially the worst simile in the history of journalism. "Man, did you see Kris Jenkins toss that center and tee off on the running back?! It totally reminded me of that story about the little dutch boy who saved Holland by plugging a hole in the man-made waterway. Fuckin' gangsta!"
I like how Martz calls him ""violent at that position" Nice to know we have a big, violent finger plugging holes at the nose
i know some bull dikes that jenkins wouldn't stand a chance against, let alone sticking his fingers in one! OT: nike came out with a new line of running shoe for lesbians, called 'dike-ees' :metal: ...but had to recall them b/c the tounges were too short :rofl: :smile:
