49ERS l Offensive line expecting pressure
er what they’re going to do. They’re going to try to intimidate Alex and get in his face. Whatever we do, we have to protect our quarterback.’’
That was a tall order even when the line was at full strength. Smith, sidelined since Oct. 23 by a knee injury, seemed especially vulnerable to the pass rush in his two NFL starts.
Despite his reputation for mobility, Smith has been sacked a team-high 12 times, thrown five interceptions and lost a fumble in each of his starts. The Cardinals will try to add to those totals with their high-pressure tactics.
‘‘ I’m a rookie and for the next little while, that’s going to be the case with most defenses when they face me,’’ Smith said. ‘‘ They put pressure on quarterbacks, because under pressure they don’t make good decisions. That’s something I need to prove wrong. The bottom line for me is making good decisions.’’
Providing time for him to make good decisions is in the hands of a unit that has changed three of its five parts in the past two weeks.
During a conference call this week, Arizona Coach Dennis Green cited the constant shuffling of his offensive line — tackle Leonard Davis is the only lineman to start every game — as the principal factor in the team’s league-worst rushing attack.
Green, speaking in general terms, said he thought it could take any offensive line at least several weeks to mesh as a unit, particularly in the running game.
But Heitmann said the 49ers are ahead of the curve because of all the practice time they’ve had in their respective positions. Heitmann practiced extensively at center because Newberry was never healthy enough to practice during the week, and Snyder and Baas got many scoutteam repetitions before playing at tackle and guard, respectively, in a game.
‘‘ We’re changing a lot of positions in the game, but we’re putting guys in positions that they do have experience at, so I don’t really look at it as a big change,’’ Heitmann said.
Said Baas, ‘‘ I’ve gotten plenty of repetitions in there. Now it’s my turn and I have to be accountable. I’ve got to be prepared, just like the other guys.’’
Smith said he’s embracing the game as a new beginning, for him, his fellow rookies and the rest of the team’s youthful offense.
‘‘ The young guys that are out there on the field need to take advantage of the reps they’re getting and get better from them,’’ Smith said.
Coach Mike Nolan said he expects Smith, Snyder and Baas will get that chance over the final five games of the season.
‘‘ We didn’t go into the season hoping it would be that way, but that’s the way it is now,’’ Nolan said. ‘‘ But I don’t want to say it’s unfortunate. I’m actually more excited about the fact that the three of them are in there, as we go forward, because that’s why we drafted them. I knew it would take time to get them in there, and it’s time right now.’’ Contact Dennis Georgatos at dgeorgatos@mercurynews.com