Tribune News ServicesSANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was bull-rushed and befuddled into throwing five interceptions last Thursday by an aggressive San Francisco defense. Now 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky is taking aim at the Packers' Aaron Rodgers.
Manusky knows there will be opportunities for sacks Sunday when the teams meet in Green Bay. The Packers have a susceptible offensive line that has yielded 41 sacks. But Manusky wants his unit to focus on doing the little things that will create enough pressure on Rodgers to produce either sacks or interceptions.
"I always say: 'Do you want interceptions? Do you want sacks? What do you really want from a defense?"' Manusky said. "Last week we had opportunities to hit Cutler, which we did. He released the ball and we made some good plays on it. I think it is give and take. I'd like to have five sacks and five interceptions, but sometimes you just get one or the other and that is just as good."
Photo: Jay Cutler is pressured by 49ers lkinebacker Manny Lawson. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Tribune)
Linebacker Manny Lawson said the 49ers plan to take advantage of the fact that Rodgers holds on to the ball a little longer than most quarterbacks.
"We just have to hurry up and get to him," Lawson said. "He's holding the ball for a reason, because a play's about to open up downfield."
Neither the Niners nor the Packers have been especially strong in the sack department. San Francisco has 17 sacks -- the Niners tied for 16th in the NFL with 30 sacks last season -- and Green Bay has 18.
Those are the numbers people notice, not taking into account how much pressure a quarterback faces snap after snap.
"Whenever you look at making strides, you also look at numbers," Lawson said. "We all want more sacks. I think we can get more. When the opportunity presents itself, we have to take advantage of it."
Register with Chicago Tribune and receive Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks newsletters for free. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Get our updates on 
Leave a comment