49ers Will Be in a Rush to Get to Kosar Sunday

SAN FRANCISCO â€”  The San Francisco 49ers are taking aim at Bernie Kosar. And why not? The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback has been a pretty easy target so far this season.

“When you look at (Kosar), you think there’s a chance to bat some balls down because of his sidearm release,� said 49ers defensive end Pierce Holt. ‘If we can get him to run he’s fairly accurate throwing on the run, but we don’t want him to get comfortable.

“If he gets comfortable in the pocket, he can pick you apart.�

Kosar has rarely been comfortable this year. He has been sacked 20 times and knocked down after passing another 36 times.

In a move to bolster its pass rush, San Francisco (6-0) has activated defensive end Larry Roberts for Sunday’s game against the Browns (2-5). The 49ers recorded 14 sacks in six games so far this season, ranking them 16th in the league.

“It’s been tough not being out there, not being part of the defense rushing the passer,� said Roberts, who injured his shoulder in the 49ers’ preseason opener and suffered a hamstring pull earlier this month.

“But being on the sideline I’ve learned a lot.�

Roberts will make his return against a Cleveland team that had two lineman retire before the season and another two injured, leaving the Browns with an inexperienced line in front of Kosar.

“The offensive line is getting better every week,� said Cleveland coach Bud Carson. “But with a 2-5 record, we’re not doing the things we’d like to be doing.�

Kosar has a 1990 quarterback rating of 64.2, more than 20 points below his career average. He has thrown more interceptions (7) than touchdown passes (5), which if he continues the rest of the season would a first in his six-year career.

Kosar’s problems are directly linked to the problems with the Browns’ offensive line.

“I think the defense has probably been more disappointing to me than the offensive line,� Carson said. “... That’s not exactly a rookie defense. We have some seasoned players back there.

“Listen, nine months ago, we were in the (AFC) Championship game in Denver. So what happened in nine months? Did they all get cardiac arrest?�

The Browns have given up more points than all but three other teams. They surrendered 233 rushing yards to Cincinnati Monday night in the Bengals’ 34-13 victory, and they will be up against an improving San Francisco running game.

The 49ers passed their way through their first five victories, gaining 83 percent of their yardage through the air. Last week in a 27-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 49ers gained a season-high 150 yards on the ground to go with 157 passing yards.