I gave you my season grades for the 2011-2012 Niners, now read my dad’s wrap up column. He starts by reviewing the team’s astonishing accomplishments and then he discusses where the team needs improvement, starting with head coach Jim Harbaugh. To read my dad’s column, click here.
Polls
Loading ...
49ers RSS feed
Have to agree, it was on the coaching staff keeping Williams in so long. Every time he came near the ball it was a disaster waiting to happen. As far as looking for a receiver, the two types that seem successful are the Wes Welker quick twitch kind and the big fast tight end. Even the wideouts like megatron are tight end size. I don’t believe this organization will sell out for a free agent wide out.
What the hell’s going on out there! Someone must have taken a wiz in Lowell’s Fruit Loops.
Just because Harbaugh does not give in depth answers at the press conferences, specifically to Lowell, does not make it right to point any finger or even a sliver of critisism towards Coach Harbaugh.
First he says 6- 8 wins would have been remarkable, Harbaugh leads them to 13.
Then the mistake to keep Williams in. As much as I blame KW, that’s what good coaches do, they give their players ultimate trust and if they fail you, you live by the consequences. You start pulling guys after mistakes then other players see that and start playing tight, afraid that if they make a mistake, they could get pulled. It sends the wrong message and players start to quickly tune out those coaches. Anyone remember Singletary amd the debacle with Smith 2 years ago against Philly. That was the turning point where players started to question SIng and his tactics and how he treated his players. You never embarrass players like that.
To critisize a coach like Harbaugh after the rift raft we had prior to him almost makes this article seem personal between Lowell and JH. It’s clear JH will win coach of the year and every decision he has made with this team has worked to perfection. I’m encouraging people to doubt JH especially with Alex comin back cause coach is the kinda guy that loves proving people wrong. Ask Jim Schwartz how he feels about the comments he made towards JH in the offseason, how did that turn out?
Nice post Prime. I was going to bring the Sing part up, but as I read your post further I found you already did.
great points, Prime
That’s what good coaches do in the regular season, not in the NFC championship game.
It’s fairly obvious that your dad biased against Harbaugh.
Harbaugh barely tolerate him in press conferences, so it appears to be a mutual feeling.
Would I have pulled KW after the dive for a punt, maybe. Would I have pulled him after the muff, yes.
But it’s easy to second guess and even easier to be right after the fact. Much like when I question why I ever return to this rag after Maiocco left. Once I get here, I realize the error I’ve made.
Dance with who brung ya’
Second guessing is always easier to do after the fact…
I do not agree! Can you please let us know what is a good coach! a coach that calls very conservative plays!!! or a coach that try to create opportunities for his team. I disagree with you and your dad about all the finger pointing to Jim H. We should have won this game if the players executed the game plan as planned.
Grant also with regards to your dads questiosn they were very silly! So please do not get upset if Jim H choose not to answer silly questions. Just being fair.
Very thought out and fair points by you Prime Time! It is hard to get to a championship game but we will always be in the hunt with Harbaugh!
Thanks Prime i was so angry reading this post that i had to hold off before posting my blog. Thanks for a logical blog. GO NINERS and JIM Harbaugh
Harbaugh’s done a fantastic job, obviously. But nobody is above criticism. It’s not automatically an insult, or bitterness to criticise. And, for the record, many well reasoned people have criticized some of the coaching calls against the g-men.
It’s ok. I’m pretty sure Harbaugh can handle the inevitable criticism when they lose a game they should have won. If he can’t, he’s in the wrong job.
Anyone think there will be any ramifications from the leauge or organization towards Aldon Smith for his DUI? I’m really excited for next year. Hoping the D is able to stick together. Hoping that two big receivers get signed on and possibly adding some depth in the O-line.
Unless there’s something we don’t know, the general policy it a fine for first timers.
Lowell is back, great column Lowell, I agree regarding KW, who the hell dives for punt and then who is a bone head that let’s a punt hit him in the knee, it’s one thing that you throw interception or fumble a ball or a punt its another to have a zero IQ in football intelligence. They teach you that in Pop Warner and I wished JH dumped his ass to the bench.
i watched a replay of the game tonight and am changing my opinion on one matter: while KW made 2 mental errors (diving catch of a punt, then getting close enough to knee another one), he also made some very good punt/kick returns, one of which set up the Niners on their last fg if i recall correctly. fact is, niner offense is so anemic, the decision to keep KW in might have been a calculated bet by JH – sure, he’s shaky, but if he busts a return for us, we might get the field position we need to end this game. lord knows the niners offense wasnt exactly driving 80 yards per possession.
it remains a damn shame our defense, Gore, VD, Alex, etc didnt get a chance to get to the super bowl. but i’m really proud of how the Niners played overall – no way i thought they’d get there, and when we got to the playoffs they played like they belonged there.
i wish the draft were this weekend…i dont know how i’m going to get over the fact that the season is over…hopefully there’s some sort of post-NFL rehab…ok, pitchers and catchers report in a few weeks
Kyle Williams is probably teachable, he’s young, and he has talent. He might stay for next year. Having an off season might be enough to get him over this problem.
I’m also someone who thought that, under the circumstances, anything over six wins would be a bonus.
The special teams coach, who is recognized as outstanding, is the one who would be responsible for KW. It would be interesting to know if there was any discussion about KW during the game. Only the shadow knows.
150 return yards. 1/3 of all the positive yards for the Niners.
Sorry, bb ain’t gonna do it… Football season is over, it’s going to be a long cold winter. Regarding Lowell, he’s a sad case. The Niners had a great season. Best in nine years. They are headed in the right direction. JH is far supieror to his predisessers. We lost the big game. We need to get up, dust off and get ready fro thew next round. Buck up Niner Buddies, the best is yet to come. GO NINERS!
LC and I agree regarding KW. I stated here that when KW misjudged the ball and dived to make the catch on that one punt, I knew the 9ers were in trouble and that something very negative was about to happen soon. I’m not so sure that they had a plan B punt returner waiting in the wings.
LC mentioned the reverse play that was botched and during the live blog I stated they were trying to be too cute. Now the player on that play and fumble was the aforementioned KW.
I’m not overly upset about the KW fumble that ultimately yielded the FG and the game, but the punted ball that hit KW’s knee was a huge mistake. It hits his knee and then doesn’t even try to go cover it??! uugghh!
I’m definitely looking forward to the draft…
Yup, Hof, it was KW who lost the ball on the reverse…and if you look at the replay, it’s easy to see why: His head was pointed upfield, as he looked for where he could run, BEFORE getting control of the ball. Leaving him in (especially after that boneheaded play during the Saints game, where he suddenly grabbed the punt after it’d bounced, and was between two Saints…very, very risky, to the point of stupidity) was the one time I’ve second-guessed Harbaugh this entire year. Especially after seeing Hunter successfully return KOs. Why wasn’t HE in?
I don’t know Harbaugh’s thinking, and I guess, given his tight-lipped style, we never will. But he WAS a rookie coach in the NFL this year, so it’s not unreasonable that he’s got a learning curve going on, too. And looking at the outcome this year from this rookie head coach, one thought keeps occurring to me:
Who the hell’s got it better than us?
Draft 3-4 solid players and well be fine. Sign our guys plus a Wr and we will be fine.
Re the defense on that last drive: sure, you hope they can stop them, but one big thing needs to be pointed out: they had played over 90 snaps. In the average game, the defense plays roughly 55-65 snaps. Over 90 and they are going to be exhausted, and that was when NY was able to run the ball. We have the best run D in the league–but not after 90 snaps.
To a lesser degree, the defense had to deal with excess time on the field all year. That’s were the team concept comes in. Better third down offense is a major factor in outstanding defense.
I’m sure that the coaching staff will work on all the areas where there have been problems this year, and that they will have learned more from this season than any of the local critics, including LC.
My only dumfounded Harbaugh moment this year was when John failed to call time out when he saw his kicker running onto the field with no time to settle in before the kick.
“To a lesser degree, the defense had to deal with excess time on the field all year.”
That’s not entirely true. Of the 16 regular season games, 10 of those we won ToP. Alot of those were by quite a bit. In the 6 losses, 5 of those were so close it didn’t really matter. The lone time we actually got killed in ToP was the first game against the Giants.
So when I first read this article, my 1st thought was that that’s easily said. The defense was tired. Just got off the field not to mention the near 9o plays they already been out there and however many snaps some of the d-line was on offense. As far as leaving KW in there, JH was never one to throw a player under the bus. Showing the confidence was something we’ve seen evidence of all year. KW did have some good returns and when they punted to him that last time, personally, I was thinking he could be our only hope to score. Him fumbling it just put the inevitable right on the front burner IMO. Just LC’s way of sucker punching JH again!
I’m not listening! I’m not listening! No more Lowell, please. Have pity.
Cause we know that Lowell is using his blog to try and get back at Harbaugh for not playing the media game. His objectivity went out the window long ago. Of course it’s like a flea attacking an elephant.
All Harbaugh can say to Aldon is “been there…done that, let’s move on”. Oh well. When young meets fame a lot of bad can happen.
Regarding Lowell’s column, great read. The point in the entire article was comparing KW’s not being ready for the big stage along with JH not being ready. You don’t know what it’s like till you get there.
Great year, phenomenal entertainment all year. We may not get to 14 wins but we’ll be better next year!!!!!!!!
This was a great year for a Niner team that hadn’t had a winning season since 02. Quite a feat to go 14-4 sans an offseason with a rookie head coach that decided to keep a (lol) coach killing bust of a QB plus a rookie OC and an young O-line still learning the ropes. So many accomplishments due to great decisions in not even a full year. As a long time Niner fan, I’ll live with any imperfect coaching decisions Harbaugh made in that Giants game because, in his first year as Niner HC, he’s already light years ahead of most of the current HCs around the league. After 6 years of horrible offensive coaching, Alex made big time progress under Harbaugh’s guidance for still not having any wideouts that are game breakers and another inconsistant O-line. 6 fourth quarter comebacks and a 7th to tie the Giants and send the Championship game into OT. Both have produced much better results than could have been expected this year so to sum up a great season by criticism of a couple individuals in the championship game well that has to come from a pretty jaded point of view. July can’t get here soon enough for me!!!
Grant, how would you know what a good coach is? Last time we had one in these parts you were still in diapers.
The reason the 49ers lost the championship game can be summed up in 2 words….Alex Smith.
That dude is a pie thrower and we need to get him a one way ticket out of here, and bring in Peyton Manning to take this team where it belongs. Bring in PM, add DJax, and BAM! Instant Super Bowel!
Idiot
“Bring in PM, add DJax, and BAM! Instant Super Bowel!”
Yeah.
Just like the Eagles did bringing in the dream team.
What’s a “Super Bowel”?? LOL… But, yes…your comment is wrong. Alex had his issues, but he also scored the points that kept us in the game. He will be much, much better next year.
Jack Hammer and the Super Bowel. Ah… the visuals!!
Stop! I’m going to go blind.
Bring in Manning to be the OC. Jackson plays for himself not the team. He wouldn’t be a good fit.
Ahhhh, how sweet. Look at how Grant sticks up for his daddy.
LOL!!!
C’mon Pork Chop. What are you? A Smith lover. If this team is going anywhere they absolutely need to bring in Manning, and a speed receiver. Plus wit DJax WR can get rid of Williams and Ginn. 2 fer one.
Manning had (2) neck surgeries!!! He has also been in the same system for his entire NFL life. Can he run our offense, behind our line, with our un-open receivers? Yes he has a Super Bowl, but he has a history of chocking in the playoffs!! And, after we pay for Manning, will we have any money left over for a stud WR? I just don’t see this as feasible. Look what Alex did with no receivers. Resign him, get him a proven #1 WR, and you will see an offense to go with this D!!!
You’re a PM hater now. How dare you be critical of a non AS QB. (Sarcasm)
I don’t understand why people want to get rid of Ginn. Remember that blog by Grant that talked about Ginns’ leadership in the locker room? That and obviously missing him in that last game is a no-brainer to me.
I agree. Ginn’s value to this team is underappreciated. (maybe less so after that last game where he didn’t play…..)
“Mike Singletary had the same players with a few exceptions and couldn’t deliver.”
~Cohn
Harbaugh had EIGHT different starters on defense, alone. I have to wonder if Lowell really watches the 49ers games…
The title “49ers season in review” is laughable.
LC mostly wrote about the Giants game, with 20/20 hindsights which was talked all over the radio and the web. Nothing insightful from LC really. I think the main purpose of this article is to needle JH some more, and to think Cohn is giving JH coaching lessons is just, pardon me, BS.
Sorry. Lazy writer and lazy editor. Where’s season review part?
Rev,
True, but only two [Rogers and Whitner] weren’t on the team last year. So maybe the problem isn’t whether LC watches the games or not, but rather with your reading comprehsion. LC didn’t say Singletary had the same starters, just mostly the same players. Which, for the most part, is true.
And LC didn’t go into details how the “few exceptions” that were changed had some major impacts this year.
Suppose to be a “Season Review”, right? LOL
Retooled OL w/ a new center and a new blocking back. ..Retooled secondary…Aldon Smith..
Replacing Nate Clements and Takeo was major moves for the better.
Surely you’re not trying to say that the adjustments in personnel are primarly responsible for the seven game improvement in the 49ers’ record, and not the vastly improved coaching. That would be just plain foolish.
Sheeeooot Rev, he was too busy looking up the origin of the term of Trickeration to even watch the last two games.
Good Lord Grant, Go buy your father a good laxative. Anyone that full of crap needs relief. Poor Lowell is clearly a man who is not going to let go off his vendetta against the best coach we have had in …Oh I do not know, when did Bill Walsh retire?
Grant.
Tell your dad to be consistant in his logic. He praises Harbaugh for assembling a great coaching staff and then critisizes coach for not trusting their evaluations.
As usual, your dad needs to feel superior to Harbaugh because his tail end wasn’t kissed.
What’s inconsistent about the logic of what you just described? You have to pick between praise and criticism? If you wanna talk logic, your implied assumption is a logical fallacy.
The person who should have seen one of his charges making a fundamental error that indicated that he should be removed from participation is the Sports Editor of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
@dr
????
I believe he’s saying that LC should’ve been removed from the game.
Bring in someone still recovering from three neck surgeries in in 19 months at the age of 36 who has only played in offenses catered to him only? He may not even be ready by next season. That is a risk not worth taking considering how much money he’ll probably demand and with key free agents needing to be retained on this team. Like it or not, Smith is the best choice so there is some continuity for once. It will also allow the team to find a WR or two in free agency and the draft in order to take the heat off Davis and Walker in the passing game.
Wow, I just responded to a comment earlier and then just got down to yours. Not word for word, but we said the same thing…LOL!! Good post.
@niner559
Just curious.
If the comment was written in a manner which you would not agree with the material, would you still say “good post”, or “good post, but” or not say anything at all.
Not trying to start anything. Just a wondering curiosity. lol
Never really thought about it DS??? LOL… but good post!!!
Grant, There is no u in awesome, only me.
If I recall, Williams was on injury reserve his rookie year. He has a full season of learning under his belt now. He’ll get better. Give the guy a break already. If a seven yr. old kid can, then so should ACTUAL FANS.
Completely agree with you!!! He is young and he has to live with this game. The kid looks like he has talent. Hope next year he does some exciting thinks and puts this game behind him.
Or does that make me a Williams lover according to some fools?
@midwest
Yes. You have now started the KW love group.
I’ll join…lol
I’m not sure why I dont feel like the media has in treating “poor” Kyle. He blew it-big time. And his post game non apology seemed like he was a dunce who could blow it off because his “Teammates have my back”. I didnt see any real emotion from him. And what gets me? the COACH’S KNEW knew he was a ..well,choaker. He fumbled at Arizona in his last game to cost the team a bowl game-sound familiar?. And,he has a history of concussions…you did read where the Giants said he looked dazed early in the game after being tackled?
And yeah,somethings wrong with Fangio when the team admits that the last drive that won the N.O. was called by Geep. I haven’t read one single explanation of why?..although where was Geep when the 49ers ended the NFC title game with three straight 3 and outs?
Harbaugh had a Bochy like way of pushing all the right buttons…until the (NY)Giants game..irony!
Stan, what does Fangio have to do with Geep? Why would something be wrong with Fangio, the DC, if Geep is calling some plays on offense?
Crap–I meant Roman.
OK, that makes more sense. As to your question of why Geep, I would speculate that at that point in the game they needed to call plays that Alex would be extremely comfortable with and who would know better than the QB coach (Geep). I think that was the reason that all the passes went to Vernon.
The winning play was designed by Geep based on his personal knowledge of the New Orleans defense in that situation. The play was called for the New Orleans defense, not for Smith.
The play went into the playbook during the two weeks before the game. Roman and Harbaugh called the play.
Harbaugh takes good ideas from anyone who has them, including high school coaches. :)
Oh DS, you poor little sloth.
Your love for Smith is not letting you see how weak he is, and that he is holding this team back. If we had a real QB, instead of a AAA reliever, we would be talking about our chances of beating Brady and the Patriots right now.
Even with the surgeries Manning would be an upgrade over your prince charming. Get a clue sloth boy!
Thanks for coming loser.
Find the nearest bridge and jump off it. You are not any good to any one.
Hey Grant, who’s the double-poster?
Adam,
Is there a way to tell if someone is a double poster, or are you surmising?
Yeah, there are a few ways they can tell who it is. Could be a brand new knucklehead, who knows. But yeah, they can tell if it’s someone posting under a different name.
I think it’s a new knucklehead.
Jack Hammer = Al Onelyman = Vince Lombardee
Dang! Three new knuckleheads for the price of one! :P
Adam,
I should’ve been more clear. Is there a way to know other than deduction?
Yes. Your IP address and email address are enough when put together.
@exgolfer most blogs/forums track the IP address of the poster.
It is extremely easy to spoof your IP though so only really lazy trolls will get caught.
Yeah, there are technical ways for them to do this. This is a wordpress blog/CMS if I remember right, there are tools inside the admin for this that can determine what’s going on.
I don’t want to spell it out and tip anyone off though. More fun to watch Grant bust the knuckleheads. :P
Niners 559, Haha, a Super Bowel is where Alex’s game comes from. Smith plays like a piece of sh!t.
Must have stepped on a nerve…. You are a funny kid, usually very wrong, but still funny. I enjoy laughing at you…
@miner559
Boy. Mr. Bowel Movement can’t seem to spell anything.
If he wants to be an ass, go all out.
Grant,
Sounds like your dad might have been drinking a little too much “red” when he wrote that column. Who do you replace Williams with mid game to return punts? We need to remember that the Niners play a field position game with their special teams. Punter backs them up and returner gets better field positon for the offense. Who would you turn to on the bench and feel anymore comfortable or capable of achieving your goal of field position? Nooooobody.
Your dad has got to get over his obsession with Harbaugh. This is getting to be boring. I couldn’t finish the column.
@Dennis
My point exactly.
It isn’t like a QB/WR/RB or any defender; where they can get some reps in on the sideline to get warmed up. I’ve never seen a punt returner practice on the sidelines taking real punts.
Considering TG took up a bunch of reps in practice, and KW took a lot as well, I just wonder how many other Niner players got some practice time in with fielding punts (forget about returning them). And in those weather conditions, wet track and the wind (remember AS said the wind was a more a problem than the rain) howling all over, I just don’t think putting a new guy in there would have been the smartest coaching move either.
JH was kinda screwed in this manner. He had to have KW in. That, and as Prime said, the HC needs to have faith in the players and not hold a grudge against them if they make mistakes. This is football.
And we always hear that football is life. Well, in both people make mistakes. Although some here think that is not the case in either.
Hahaha, look at the Alex love bringing together another couple. DS and Niners559, I now pronounce you Smithers.
Just a little history lesson, I have been supporting alex ever since he was drafted. Just like I support all the players, alex is just the most controversial. I don’t think anyone is going to say that alex had a great Championship game, but he did make plays. Would they be talking about how great Eli was if those two throws where intercepted? Not a chance, the game would have been too big for him.
I also love how they break down how alex had “a few WR open” during the game. Let’s break down how many receivers Eli had open. Every QB leaves plays on the field and we want to talk about the few that alex had?
This isn’t high school anymore jack, there is no peer pressure. I have my opinions, you have yours.
Manning would definately be an upgrade but also a liability and expensive. If he were to sign in SF, forget about signing Brooks, Goldson, Morgan and probably no Costanzo or Spillman. All that money goes to Manning and your new draft picks. You lose depth, character and am three starters for one guy who once again, is over 35, 3 surgeries in 19 months, and in the most vulnerable position of the body, the neck. Not a smart business decision.
Dennis, Mr Cohn is still workin on more questions about trickeration.
It is obvious that he is so tweaked by how Harbaugh dismisses him in press conferences that he has lost all objectivity.
You should switch over to the Merc. They do a far more comprehensive and objective job at covering the team than Tweedle D and Tweetle Dumb. These guys are more worried about how many posts they get on their blog.
@ Jack, I misssed the ‘trickeration’ part. What is that in reference too?
Harbaugh used the word “trickeration” which is a commonly used word in football.
Lowell pretended not to have heard it before and asked the coach if he had invented it.
Harbaugh was not impressed with the question and took it as just another attempt by Lowell to provoke a reaction.
I also like the CSN site. Maiocco is pretty fair.
Dennis, in the Monday presser Harbaugh referred to the fake field goal as “trickeration” which led to about 3 questions from Mr C on where it came from.
OK, thanks. I sure LC is saving it for a future column.
@Jack, you may be right about Alex and Super Bowls, but until they get someone he can throw the ball to with confidence, other than VD, I don’t think it is fair to put it all on Alex. Peyton Manning coudn’t take this team to the Super Bowl. You can’t throw with success if you don’t have people who can catch it.
For me I would rather have Larry Fitzgerald here with Alex as QB than Peyton here with the receivers we have.
+ A Bunch
Why call him “Alice”? Just a question. If you don’t think he is going to lead us to the Super Bowl, then just say so. Why change his name to a girl name?
Because some people are just nasty little trolls. Same type of people that tweet death threats to Kyle Williams, I imagine. Low-life scumbags.
And if you read Lowell’s latest he got his share of low life troll pot shots too. And his newest crowd at his blog? Jeez with readers like that…and I doubt Lowell has the same opinion NOW,of who Oracle hires then before. If he even gave a thought to it before..
Stan… what?????
That is exactly what I said and then I read your post. Can’t stop laughing!
Dennis, stop putting it on the receivers. Alex won’t throw it unless they are wide open and that doesn’t happen often in this league. That’s why we need Manning. Smith proved last week he isn’t a championship quality QB.
@Jack, didn’t VD catch some balls from Alex TD’s? Alex needs more VD’s. We don’t need another QB, especially Manning. QB’s don’t make receivers great. But a great reciever can make a mediocre QB look good, (ie. Skelton in Arizona)
Sure, the 9ers should go after a 36 yr old damaged QB that took a year off for neck surgery and rehab. So they sign PM, how long does that plan work? Two years, three maybe? Do you think the 1st year is automatic SB? Looking at the top teams, NE, NYG, and the NO, the thing they have in common are QB’s that have been with their systems for a long time (6+ years) with QB’s in their prime.
TB and EM were drafted by their current orgs and DB was still quite young when acquired by N.O. If the 9ers were to switch out QBs, then go younger not older. This band-aid approach is not how to build a team for success for the longer term (see Minnesota).
This PM plan would be foolish if not an act of desperation and would set the team back for years. Why take a step back? Seldom do older QB’s (35+) go to new teams and help immediately by winning a SB.
Joe MOntana to the Chiefs was one game away fro
The Superbowl, Kurt Warner came to the Cards got a Superbowl. It happens Hofer.
What I’d like to know is why you won’t answer if you are somehow tied to Smith by friends or family. You’ve also NEVER answered when asked to point out his flaws. Why? I’m respectfully asking why? You want to get other upgrades on the team but won’t even consider upgrading QB. Why? You’ve even mentioned trading CK. Why?
Team first Hofer. Not #11 first.
Is that you Telecat?
Bay,
While I would like an upgrade at QB, just as at any possition, I don’t think PM is going to be the answer. He’s been so slow to heal up to now, what makes you think he’s ever going to be healthy? And, should he get to the point where he can get back on the field, how do you know if he can take a hit?
On top of his physical issues, PM would have to learn new personnel and a new offense.
My view on PM is this:
I don’t see it happening, and there is not a good track record of bringing in old QB’s at the end of their careers to win a championship…But if everything were to fall a certain way…well, hear me out.
If he’s cleared medically and was more interested in winning a SB than getting paid, then the Niners would have to explore it.
I see no way the Niners would be interested in him for 20 mill or more, but if he agreed to a two year 30 mill deal? Well I think that would peak their interest.
I can think of worse things than having a HOF QB for a couple of years and tutoring our young guys Kap and Tolzien.
Ultimately it comes down to his health. There is a good chance he’ll be forced to retire if he doesn’t start making more progress in his recovery, but if he’s healthy you have to look at it imo.
Bay, if JH upgrades the QB position than so be it. If they do change the QB, they should go younger not older. JMo as you point out did go to the chiefs but what happened after he left? That short term success for two years set them back for years. Not worth it unless it yields a SB. In PM’s case, he is more of a risk than JMo was at that time. Not a good plan. At this point, I don’t see a QB change happening.
If the haters dont believe that continuity and chemistry is a factor on offense in football, stop reading this entry now.
You bring in any QB now with the possibility of three new receivers, add the current playmakers of signed WR’s and tight ends, and basically your looking to start over completey on offense in the offseason. Everyone now is learning the intricacies of this new QB, he’s learning theres, and mostly likely, new plays are developed for each new player and how it revolves around the entire offense.
Insted, use that money to sign all your free agents and draft picks, add one free agent WR and another through the draft and build what you were working on last season.
Grant a great thing to find out would be at what point in the season was the vertical passing game implemented? I mean the 49ers had so many other things to install, at what point was this installed based on priority to the running game, mid passing game, and situational game concepts.
This is a GM decision on bringing in PM. If you can get him at a good price, you have to explore it. It also takes the heat off the organization regarding Alex Smith. The coaches know alot more ab0ut what he can and can’t do. While we’ve seen him get better this year, there are some things we can’t blame on the 7 OC, and that’s his style of play. He was probably instructed not to force throws, which means he won’t take chances. While he may not have the WRs, there is also something inherent about how he plays. He’s a good dude and I like him. But PM, if medically cleared, is all upside because i think we get him for 2 years while CK learns the game, and if PM gets hurt, then CK steps in. AS played efficient and smart. He did not play spectacular. So you wonder if, CK can match that type of play with one more year under his belt. You also know that if PM does play as a Niners, teams will respect him. He will be rusty, but he also has the track record of being a good baller.
All this talk of whether he can get along with JM is irrelevant. Manning knows the Niners were two blown plays from making it to the SB. He knows the strength of the team is the Defense. If he plays to the ability in his pinky, he is an upgrade over Smith. No other FA aquisition can bring that cache. Smith is well liked on the team, so you can only ugrade with someone proven to be a HOF. While we question how clutch he is, he did make it to the big dance twice. Won once. How can you not at least consider that deal if he is healthy?
Huh… go figure. From Eric:
“Smith didn’t ignore his wideouts in the playoffs, but he did fail to connect with them. He completed 8 of 29 passes for 51 yards and had a 51.1 rating when targeting wide receivers. He completed 28 of 37 passes for 444 yards and had a 151.2 rating when throwing to tight ends and running backs.”
Wonder why that is…
Adam,
I saw that the other day, too.
I’m sure it’s nothing more than a random quirk in the stats. There’s no way it could have anything to do with the 49ers having weak WR’s. That would be a ridiculous conclusion to draw.
Careful Adam, you might give certain people migranes around here using logic. Emotion and logic mix about as well as oil and vinegar. You just have to hold the container in question and just shake the he!! out of it to get a palatable mix. LOL
You think Eric is good at tying people in knots, check out what Barrows posted:
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2012/01/turnovers-not-alex-smith-killed-the-49ers.html
I agree with the others here Adam.
Why did you have to go and present some facts that will hurt certain peoples view on AS, Niners, football, life, universe.
It will all crumble down before them, and they will live their lives in doubt.
Adam, thanks for posting! MB called it straight!!!!!
The Cohns are P A T H E T I C
David H
David, yeah but Linda Cohn is kinda hot don’t ya think?
Jack Hammer funny how Alex three deep to VD at will in the playoffs and he was tightly covered. Do you think that 90% of the people who professionally report on the 49ers and said the WR could not get open in the Championship game are all “Smithers” and are biased towards Alex?
Yes Prime I do. If he HAD hit the open receivers, ie Williams down the middle, Walker on the wheel route at start of 2nd half, or Crabtree on the corner route in the 4th quarter we wouldn’t be having this discussion because we would be getting ready for the Super Bowl.
But as all good Smithers do, I am sure you will go to great lengths to defend your limited hero.
Well said 23Jordan!
Ive said it before and I’ll say it again. Alex Smith has major limitations. He’s had his 15 minutes of fame in the Saint game. We will never see that consistently from him. He was horrible sgainst tge Giants. We were never going to win that game. Alex couldn’t even complete a pass. He’s the liability, though better wide receivers would help a better QB.
Jordan, for a guy for was laughably wrong during the regular and post-season, I see you are starting the off-season the very same way.
How sweet Ribico…you use a picture of Alex as your avatar. Too bad he will be gone by the time training camp rolls around.
Look at all you Smithers getting your feathers ruffled when the truth is spoken. This team is destined to be an also ran with your boy as QB.
Poor Smithers.
Oh it is so easy just go get PM and we are SB champions! Blah, blah, and more blah! Another blamer that will whine when TB, JH and staff look for WR’s in the draft and PM is no where in the plan. lol
Jordan the Jack Hammer. :P
Adam, my thought as well…styles are very similar. lol
Someone needs to create a new alias “Hack Jammer” to counter this fool.
If he were myself, I’m sure Grant would point that out. Just ask Prime time Crabtree.
Hey Jack,
Give us your plan then. What realistic changes do you see the Niners being able to make at the QB spot. Manning as of this moment isn’t a realistic option. That may change, but right now we don’t even know if he’ll play. What else do you see that can be done to improve the QB spot?
If you can’t bring in PM, then bring in Josh Johnson for a year while you keep developing CK for down the road. Johnson is familiar with the system, would be cheaper to help save on cap space so you can re-sign your defensive core and can manage the game as well if not better than AS can.
For the lunatic and ultra-sensitive Alex Smith jock sniffers – such as FDM, DS94, PrimeTime, etc. – Smither may be too soft a word. There are reasonable Alex supporters like Hofer and Adam, but the three I mentioned above go haywire any time someone is remotely critical of Alex Smith.
Guess you can’t stop thinking of jock straps, hips, groins and dicks.
Are you capable of writing a post about football only? Or do you suffer some sort of illness or disorder we shold all be made aware of?
This comes from a lonely women pretending to be a man … go figure
Wow, lot’s of hate on this lovely Sunday morning.
Get a grip, people. There’s isn’t much, if anything, to disagree with here.
1) Trick play. Stupid.
2) Receivers have a hard time getting separation. Fact.
3) Alex Smith missed some guys, on occasion, who were getting open. That’s always been an issue, as it is with every quarterback. No such thing as a perfect QB – I don’t see any completion percentages out there at 100%.
4) Cohn gives Harbaugh tons of respect for what he (and the staff) have been able to do in their rookie year. The turn-around from the previous season is remarkable.
5) Kyle Williams is a good kid who had some fantastic plays earlier in the season. It’s unfortunate that he will be remembered for this. He just has to shake it off and try to make the team next season. No big deal. Stuff happens.
6) The defense did mangle a few things as well in that last game, Cohn is correct.
Not a big deal, people. We had a fantastic season of football and yes, Harbaugh has room to grow. So does Alex Smith, so does Kyle Williams, so does the defense. We do need some weapons at the receiver position, whether it’s adjusting Crabs in motion, as Cohn suggests, whether it’s drafting a guy like Sanu or Jones, etc., and maybe bringing in Steve Johnson or Dwayne Bowe, as Eric Branch suggests.
I don’t see what fuss is about. Pretty fair assessment if you ask me.
Except for the Kyle Williams “no big deal” It ended a championship run. That’s big.
Yeah but mistakes happen. He needs to have a short memory and blow it off. Learn from it, get better and move on. That’s where I was going with that.
If he let’s that define him, he’s done. If he’s back here next year he needs to make some good plays. Winning solves everything.
Kyle Williams was the 5th receiver at the beginning of the season. Once the 49ers improve that position he’s gone. As he should be.
Adam,
+1, except I don’t think the trick play was stupid. Think about it. Had KW not bobbled the pitch and he went for big yardage, would you have been saying, ” Boy, that was a great 37 yard play, but it sure was stupid!”?
Yeah, I see what you’re saying. It’s one of those deals where it’s “genius” if it works and “stupid” if it’s blown up.
I guess it’s all in the context of success or failure, right?
I didn’t care for the play. To me it was too cute by half. The field (and the ball) are wet and slippery to some degree. Just seemed unnecessary.
I suppose I could be so used to the plain “run it up the middle” stuff we’ve had for so long that it’s going to take me some time to get used to creative offense again. :P
A week earlier, Kyle Williams was being lauded for a great crackback block on Smiths TD run. He had a bad game, unfortunately it came in the most important game of the season, but it happens.
I wrote this on another topic board but Cohn said nothing that anyone should have their shorts in a knot about and actually made some pretty positive comments about the team going forward.
The offense was really stifled by the lack of preparation time due to the lockout. There really was a rather small package of go to plays that I saw them run every week with a few wrinkles mixed in. With an offseason to prepare, I think we’ll see a much more creative and complex offense going into next season. They will continue to build on what they did this year and it will be that much better next season.
Cheered when the 49ers hired Harbaugh. Love what Harbaugh has done with the team. Huge improvement. Great job. Great coach. The 49ers are lucky to have him. But there are two decisions that never made sense to me.
1)
Harbaugh’s “what’s your deal” brain seizure against Tampa, sending Morgan on a TD pass attempt while 40-ish points ahead with a few minutes to go. No other current NFL coach would have attempted that kind of pass so close to kneel down time.
Team insiders were talking about how this was going to be Morgan’s breakout season. A healthy Morgan would have meant us blogging about the 49ers in the Superbowl this week.
A healthy Morgan = Ginn getting less offensive snaps = Ginn likely staying healthy = Ginn (not Williams) returning punts in the NFC championship game = Super Bowl.
2)
VS Dallas, late in the 4th qtr with a 7 point lead, after kicking a field goal to make it 10, the 49ers declined a 15 yard penalty and a new set of downs. Would have burned much more time off. If they did not make another first, it would have been an easy chip shot field goal. Even if the FG was missed, the time taken off the clock would have been about the same strategic payoff. No downside on taking the penalty, only an upside. And yet we declined, and Dallas used that extra time for its second score, sending the game into OT.
That was the rookie coach mistakes in what otherwise was an almost flawless season. Harbaugh has been magnificent and his staff is outstanding too.
I agree about the needless pass in a bow out game. On the other hand the counter argument about taking the penalty is that bad things can and do happen when teams take points off the board.
You and I might take the penalty to run the clock, but a lot of coaches wouldn’t. Wasn’t that the second game after a lockout? Maybe Harbaugh will think differently in the future when he knows how reliable his players are.
I wouldn’t be surprised if having no offseason played a big part in those decisions early in the year. As I posted in the LC post, from what I’ve seen in the 18 games that counted this year, JH and staff, in just their 1st year, are light years ahead of most of the other coaching staffs in the league . Jed and Trent done good!!! LOL Once again the Niners will be a force to be reckoned with if they don’t lose too many of their own FAs.
Now that the season is over,I can now devote myself to the 5CD’s of exercise so I can be ripped in 60 days of jumping jacks in my front room,fake punches, and other acts of delushion to making myself 24 again. Ahhh..to think that at 24 I could jump high enough to ALMOST touch the bottom of the hoop’s net. Almost-lol.
Stan, at 38 I could touch the rim — barely. I’m 5′ 10″. Now, forty years later, I’m always waiting for next year. It’s an admirable goal. ;)
Guys like Jack Hammer don’t just appear and start picking fights with people who have defended AS out of the blue. He’s been here a long time, he just has a new sign-on. I wish you guys who defend AS would stop being bated. Obviously he knows who you guys are. I’m on here all the time and can’t remember who you guys are. It makes the blog very boring because eventually it will deteriorate into the personal barbs that you guys got tired of when Jack was using his previous sign-on.
The point is guys that the major reason is why the Colts will part ways with Manning is his contract cuz they need to surround Luck with more talent it has not much to do with surgery only cap figures matters.
I think if we made a move for Manning we would be deadly cuz Manning has all the intangibles you want in a QB he is even a better fit in a WCO than Smith who is still more a Coryell or Spread guy.
Some of you guys dont have a clue where they are talking about a WCO is about high football IQ,instincts and selling playaction something Manning is elite in BTW in almost everything he does.
Regarding receivers, all we can measure them on is their performance in games. As one person pointed out how many receivers have left the Niners and showed they were elite players that just suffered because they were on the Niners? None.
JH always talked about how guys practiced and it’s importance to the game. I don’t think people pay enough attention to this, but how people perform in practice is really very important in terms of the game.
My conclusion all year has been that AS takes more risks during practice to practice plays they want to run. Who do you think does the best during practice? Probably VD and Delanie Walker. What do you think happens when AS throws to Crabtree or Williams when there is tight coverage in practice? I’ll guess balls were batted down or intercepted. The benefit of having such a great defense is that even the scout team challenges the offense, and you have to know that Alex wasn’t going to make the same mistakes in games that happened in practice. And I’m pretty sure in the game planning AS is conferring with Roman and Harbaugh and they all know what they can do, and what is risky. That’s what they learned during the week.
The first time the starting defense practiced against the starting offense this year was during the two week period before the New Orleans game.
Your idea is a good one but that’s not how NFL teams usually practice.
Brandon Lloyd did pretty well after he left. I hate him with a fiery passion, but he’s put up some pretty good stats.
@Angus
Only in Denver has he done well (2 years ago).
When we traded him, it was to the Redskins, and they were not happy with him. And, apparently Denver didn’t desire his services anymore either (strange to you?). This after a great 2010 season stats wise.
And notice that Denver started to win once they got rid of him as well. He has never been a major player on a winning team. Add it all up, and I am not sad to see him in a non-Niner uniform.
Victor Cruz can get open. The more experienced Crabtree can’t. Nuff said.
Victor Cruz has Eli, the more experienced Crabtree doesn’t. Appearently not ’nuff said.’
We could go on and on with this theme that could easily cut both ways, but what’s the point. All the hypothetical scenarios won’t change anything. Changes will be made by Harbaugh and Co. and after Alex has been provided with the weapons he needs we can make a better assessment based on fact rather then conjecture.
Grant, I read your Dad’s column expecting another one heavily weighted toward your Dad’s obsession with dumping on Harbaugh… but I was surprised to find only a little bit of his obsession filtered through. I hope your Dad can get over it with all the Harbaugh stuff.
@grant, why would JH change his approach in how he manages his players and nullify his trust and repoire he has built up with everyone in that lockerrom? That’s why they played so hard for him all year and bought in and the results speak volumes.
You start pulling guys like KW off special teams in that game and then ask him to mke plays as a WR in the game, what kind of response you think you’ll get? JH does that and risks losing all confidence in a young player not only on ST but as a WR in the game. Good coaches stick to their philosophy and put trust in their players and let them play. The consequences of doing it like you said could result in players playing tight cause their looking over their shoulder wondering if they make a mistake will they get benched.
But what does that matter, you thought the 49ers lost cause Alex missed on two throws in the 1st half.
It might happen that way, Prime, but I can imagine that if Harbaugh takes KW out of his special teams position, 1. it may help him focus a little better when playing offense, and 2., it might give the rest of the guys the confidence of knowing that Harbaugh’s always going to do what’s best for the TEAM. I’m pretty sure his bond with the players is strong enough for them not to interpret a change in personnel in one unit as throwing a guy under the bus.
Hard to know, but I guess everyone involved will do better next time.
A review of a season that very quickly degrades into a bunch of second guessing the championship game. Anyone can second guess a loss. Shoulda done this, shoulda done that. 3rd grade stuff.
I would have left Williams in. He had the capability to break a big return. A capability he had already shown in the game. In a close game, one good return would have won it. But he screwed up. It happens. You always need a little bit of luck, we didn’t get get any. All the breaks fell for the Giants.
I waited many years to see the Niners re-emerge, I was three hours from game time and I fell, broke my femur and fractured my shoulder in two places. Ouch. Needless to say I missed the game. Would someone who doesnt hate on Alex or thinks Alex is the next coming please give me a fair and unbiased opionion on Alex performance of the game. Can hardly wait for next year. Really hard for me to type so I wont be posting for awhile.
Undercenter, sorry to hear about the accident and hope that you recover soon buddy!
I don’t think Alex sucks or is elite, and he’s better in some games than others. So how was he in this game? I walked away thinking this was a C+ game for Alex. He made some perfect throws to VD (for two TD’s), made some nice runs, seemed to check down a little too early a few times, missed a few throws and didn’t have any ‘wow’ plays like he did against NO.
But he wasn’t horrible. For all the criticism I take into account 4 things; 1) pretty good D on NY side, 2) very high pressure game for a lot of guys who have never been there, including AS, JH and the receivers, 3) it was cold and wet, seemed to affect both teams, 4) he really needed a health Walker (I think he was more important than a lot of other people, but it affects my view).
But I do think he was more cautious, and I think this affected him. Can’t say if it was the pressure, the plan, the D….But certainly it’s hard to win a game like this when the QB brings his C game, and yet they almost did. And I don’t’ judge AS on this game, it’s just one game and I’ll leave the bigger decisions to Harbaugh and Balke.
Thanks Woody I think that you did a very good job for me.
What offense do the Niners run if they were to get PM? I don’t believe he runs the west coast in Indy so do they change systems, like the Jets did for BF(that worked well) or do they make PM learn a new system?
For the record, I don’t think he goes to the Niners and I’d be surprised if he goes anywhere else.
Blah Blah Blah ….. !!!! Whatever Lowell, i completely disagree with your opinion and analysis. Yes it was Harbaugh that fumbled the punt and stood around the ball while the football hit his knee! it was Harbaughs fault for having trust in his player who has been working with the special team all year catching punts! It was JH fault as a coach for not taking Kyle out of the game in the first half and put some one else in the GAME!! Really, can you please explain who did you have in mind that had more experience in catching punts in a HUGE NFC championship game! Can please let us know from a media viewpoint how you just put another person in the game to catch punts that has not being practicing all season since J Morgan was injured and D Walker just came back from a Jaw injury!!! would you put in the rookie DB or Reggie Smith! Also the reverse was such a bad idea now! how about the Alex run for a TD a week before! Its was JH fault that Wr could not get open since three of our strating WR were not even playing in this game!
Biased facts don’t count. To prove that I’m not as such, here is a list of negatives on AS from my point of view.
He takes too many sacks instead of throwing away the ball when the line actually gives him time.
He has decent accuracy, but tends to overthrow or underthrow to his receivers.
He doesn’t have a strong arm.
He tends to misread the coverage at times.
He is injury-prone.
He tends to be too cautious, causing the defense to sometimes shoulder more burden than necessary.
He needs to be more like a general on the field.
Good enough to show that I’m neither a Smith lover or hater? Probably not for some people.
Midwest,
Very accurate and well said. Good enough proof for me.
What does a 49ers fan do after Alex Smith throws for 300 yards in a game? Turns off the XBox.
Jack,
That’s pretty good bro. Very funny!