SAN FRANCISCO – Here’s a transcript of what Michael Crabtree said in the locker room after the loss to the Giants Sunday night, courtesy of the 49ers.
Did the weather affect the game a lot today?
“No, it couldn’t be the weather. The other side of the ball was catching the ball.”
Did you feel like you were open?
“Half the time you aren’t going to be open. That’s why they call you a playmaker. You have to get your chances. I can’t say anything else.”
How did the defense play you?
“They played me the same really. That’s it, just opportunities.”
Were they rolling a safety to your side?
“Yeah, half the time. When they’re not rolling the safety we have to hit it.”
You’re obviously good friends with WR Kyle Williams. How do you feel about that?
“It’s football. You can’t just go crazy over that play. I know you love the game, but at the same time it’s football. Game over, there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s just how it is.”
Did you say anything to him?
“I told him just don’t do anything stupid. It’s a football game. I know it hurts, but it’s going to hurt.”
People were calling this the team of destiny. How shocking is it for it to suddenly be over?
“Defense played great. Great defense and you can’t say enough about them, they were great. Sometimes you just have to move the ball. You’ve got to make plays and give people chances to make plays.”
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Unless you have a QB that doesn’t trust receivers to make plays. Only one time all season Alex threw a ball to a receiver who wasn’t wide open. It was the slant to VD that won the game vs N.O.
Crabs didn’t say anything bad. What he says is true…
B.S.
Crabs dropped just about everything thrown his way against NO.
Bay, he hasn’t won those battles all year and why risk a turnover? Like I said last night, debate or disagree or start the name calling that you are good at, it will come down to what the org believes the 9ers need in the draft and WR is high on the list.
Andrew from Rishikesh said it well, “He threw as many touchdowns as Manning and brought the team back after falling behind 17-14.”
I agree with Sims, Bay. We can’t have it both ways: Either we’ve got a QB who simply will NOT turn the ball over (which is what we’ve got, NS big part of how we GOT to the NFC playoffs), or we’ve got a QB who’ll take some chances when the WRs aren’t open. From what I’ve seen, our WRs aren’t exactly the most tenacious, aggressive guys on the field, so throwing them a “toss up” and hoping for the best doesn’t seem like such a good plan.
You want your “chances” Michael? Then EARN them! Starting in training camp!
I was reading Kawakami’s post over at the Merc and her was his comment:
“Michael Crabtree has been targeted once by Alex Smith, Kyle Williams has been targeted twice. I’ve been watching Crabtree, who hasn’t been open. He’s being defended by Corey Webster, and Crabtree is not open.”
And… from a later post…
“I was watching the entire field for those plays. I can tell you Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams were not getting open… and if the 49ers put third-WR Brett Swain out there at any time in an offensive set, I didn’t see it.
This was not Alex Smith’s fault. Was not. The Giants defense didn’t have to worry much about the 49ers’ WRs–CB Corey Webster erased Crabtree, essentially–so they could focus on other things.”
I don’t know. I’m sort of back to ambivalence about all this. Whatever Harbaugh and Baalke want to do on offense, I will support. Make some tweaks or blow the whole thing up?
Kawakami is talking about offering up CK as part of a trade to jump up to get Floyd or one of those guys early in the draft.
I think one of the three throws he dropped in that NO game was smiths fault. Smith threw it to the turf a foot from crabs.
Bay seriously man, the act is old. Get over it. It’s not always the QB. Manning didn’t play that much better. He threw it a lot more times and missed a bunch of passes and should have thrown two picks. Get off Smiths ass already.
As Kawakami pointed out, Crabs wasn’t getting open, and we’ve seen all year where the guy rarely gets much separation. Do you honestly think Smith should throw the ball to a well covered receiver with a wet ball? We saw Manning try it and he should have been picked twice.
Just once try and be objective and look at all the issues and not just the QB. Smith didn’t play all that well, no question about it, but the conditions weren’t allowing great QB play. He made enough plays to put 17 on the board against a defense that was playing really well. He didn’t turn it over and the team was in position to win the game. That’s all you can ask for when you have such an evenly matched game like this.
Rocket,
there is your excuse for this last game but not the entire season. Like it or not, I assessed the entire team QB too. Not going to go over the list of items again but Smith is not our long term answer. If you think he is, then be satisfied with average…
Bay, jeez give it a rest already. JH just said during the presser (emphatically) he wants AS back and it will help with continuity. Get some playmakers other than VD and this team can be back.
An excuse? What exactly did I say that constitutes an excuse of any kind?
As for the season, Smiths progression from beginning to end was very good. Go look at the QBR ratings he put up the last few games of the season in the wins. They were ProBowl level in both the ESPN and NFL versions.
The problem I see with you and Jordan, is you want flawless precision play from the QB, without allowing for the fact that is impossible considering the offense was installed in August for the first time and there is a dearth of playmakers to throw to.
Eli Manning has played in the same offense nearly his entire career and much better options yesterday. I didn’t see him making game changing plays all game. In fact he almost cost his team big time with picks and a fumble.
For whatever reason, you guys can’t be objective on this subject. Alex Smith is not a great QB and didn’t play well yesterday. That doesn’t mean he didn’t improve and put his team in position to win. He did that all year in the first year of a new system yet again. Until you face reality you aren’t going to be happy.
This was a veiled knock against his QB, OC, and everybody else but himself. Dude: GET OPEN!!! They were pretty leaving this cat in single coverage all NIGHT!!!! He could not get away from the corner. Smith doesn’t trust him. At all. Did you see that pass that he threw to VD near the end of the game, into double coverage??? Because he trusts him. I keep hearing that this guy is soooooo talented but he’s slow and can’t get separation from good corners. Dude needs to get a clue and use this offseason to become better between the white lines on the field and stop with the hidden message between the lines. Cant wait to till Joshua Morgan comes back!!!!!
Yeah. Morgan is 10x the receiver the pass-dropping, can’t get open, blames everyone else for his failures Crabtree. I hated the draft pick then. I hate it more now.
@moses
You were being sarcastic about Morgan, right? Never hear a peep from him or a complaint. Guy just does what he can.
Josh Morgan is a third receiver at best. He is Arnaz Battle 2.0 . Don’t get me wrong, he is reliable, strong, decent hands. He also isn’t running away from anyone. We go out and get a solid number 1 then I can guarantee you Crabs is #2 on the other side. We go three receiver set, the third receiver is a small quick slot guy.
While I like Morgan, he is not the answer.
Looking at what I wrote, I could see why you might of read it the way I think you read it.
But, no, I respect Morgan. He’s really starting to blossom as a WR because he has heart and talent. More of each than Crabtree. His getting hurt really set our passing game back.
@Moses
I get it now. Thanks for clarifying.
@Adam
Tim’s comments are supported by every other pro, expert there.
Though I would offer MC not CK. Unless Tolzein is showing something more, then do it.
If I could trade MC and KP for a bag of Doritos I’d do it. What you saw out of KP in pre-season is almost certainly what he’s going to be. All those picks..
He couldn’t even read pre-season vanilla defenses. Just like in college he couldn’t beat a defense on a team that finished .500 or better… Nate Davis was a QB better prospect than CK. Same with Troy Smith. They were merely lousy against top competition, not abysmal…
And, over the past few years, I think I’ve made my opinion known vis Crabtree… And while they were put down as Alexcuses… I think any honest fan who has watched Crabtree and his inability to run good routes and get open might be seeing my point after last night’s fiasco. Where he was shut down by a second-rate cornerback.
Get to anger management much?
Oh bull crap. Crabtree struggles to get open. When he gets open, he drops the ball. Except some 49er fans and some clueless twits in the media, not too many people think much of Michael Crabtree.
The bottom line is he was shut down in single coverage by a cornerback who runs a 4.55 – 40. And we’re not talking Dieon Sanders in his prime. We’re talking about a corner you think “needs upgrading’and is a corner who was routinely beaten by good WRs this year.
Ultimately though, it was passes to Davis last week that proved Smith can make the tight-window throws. Passes that put lies to your Smith blaming. Smith can make the throws. He’s just not going to throw to a covered WR in some macho-grandstanding so you can complain about his throwing picks because he was too stupid to see the WR was covered…
Adam, I didn’t see the TK article – I’ll check it out to get his perspective. But it is clear MC didn’t get open and maybe if there was a threat on the other side that would help his cause.
He was SINGLE covered. You are hoping they won’t cover him at all with someone on the other side? Use a DE to cover him?
“Only one time all season Alex threw a ball to a receiver who wasn’t wide open.”
Really and Walker was wide open in the Detroit game???? Love your revisionist history. My how hate distorts reality.
But then what happens when he does the ball when your not wide open and you screw up? He’ll take most of the blame even if it was your fault. Work on your chemistry in the offseason and come back strong next year
+1
+2
Michael has failed to convert a few well thrown shots downfield this season – including a heartbreaker where he didn’t get his 2nd foot inbounds. This isn’t and indictment of his considerable talent – it just seems like a timing/chemistry issue. Besides that, Crabtree’s market value out college was yards after the catch. I’m not sure he was ever envisioned as our deep threat.
Some of the mock drafts have Baalke considering a WR in the 1st round in May. At first, that’s a head scratcher to me but it makes sense. Morgan has the best chemistry with Alex but it remains to be seen if he’ll return 100%. Ginn is a beast returner but average (if that) route runner. Williams has promise but lacks size and now has that bad-in-pressure tag. Finally, with Edwards gone, the corps lacks size. Crabtree would do well to do everything he can to workout with Smith in the offseason and participate fully in pre-season for the first time in his career.
Maybe Michael you need to recommit yourself this offseason. Stay in town, work with coaches and Alex to become this self proclaimed playmaker. People talk about Alex not throwing into coverage but if the WR cannot get separation why throw it up there. I’m down on all our WR cause none of them created anything. If Vernon can get open why can’t they? This is the second straight meaningful game where Crabs didn’t do anything, coincidence? Doubt it. We need speed and guys at WR that are ultra competitive, size would help too.
@Prime
Remember Arnez Battle?
Up till his last year here, he was always a guy who found a way to get open. Often on 3rd down and often for a 1st down.
If we had Battle from those playing days, we win the game yesterday.
“Alex needed to throw the ball to me.”
You could’ve just put that and called it a transcription…
Either way, yea, Alex should’ve gave him his shots. But still, he should’ve beaten coverage and gotten open so the QB doesn’t have to squeeze balls into tight windows on a rainy, windy night. All the replays showing him running his routes showed him tightly covered. I was expecting him to come on in the last bit of the game, but he didn’t.
Coaches should’ve given the ball to someone who showed they were ready to break a big play: Frank Gore. I didn’t agree with the F in the coaching grade (the defense adjusted well, played brilliantly in the second half, and they were well called, and special teams was excellent outside of KWs two flubs), but I really really questioned Roman’s desire to throw the ball when they were running the ball pretty easily.
I hate to say this, but they could’ve Tebow called this game and won it… handily.
Losing Ginn hurt… his speed causes openings underneath, not to mention his special teams value.
@Joel
I saw the same thing you saw and the Fox announcing crew. MC was not getting open.
AS could have thrown the ball at a covered MC, but the Niners got to the title game because the QB wasn’t stupid and didn’t throw passes that should not hawn been thrown. That results in Int’s. And, before the TO’s, the Niners were winning that game regardless of all the bad (no WR receptions, 3rd down conversions crap, not going for it on 4th down a few times, stupid refs).
And, about Tebow, did you notice the WR who caught the ball against Pitt? That guy was as wide open as wide open can be in that game time and time again. The WR made Tebow good. Tebow didn’t make him good. If so, then Tebow would complete a lot more passes than he does. Face it. That Denver WR is way better than MC. Those were easy throws to make because of the WR. Not the QB.
A couple of neighbors went to the game and one of them that played football at a very high level in college and he said there was little to no separation. Why do you think MC is saying just throw it and I’ll make the plays. No mention of being open in that statement. When teams lose, you start to hear the individualists not the team complain.
My Tebow comment was in relation to the games he won only throwing 10-15 passes a game.
@hof
What game are you talking about?
The Denver vs. Pit game or the Niner game yesterday?
If AS throws it 10 times to a covered WR, how many times will the ball fall incomplete vs. how many times will the WR catch it vs. how many picks would AS have?
I think AS knows the answer, and knows that the risk is much higher than it would be if he had Eli’s WR core, or NO’s or the Pats. Get the theme here? All great QB’s have great WR’s cores.
DS, I’m talking about the game yesterday. Throw 7 times in the 1st half speaks for itself. AS is trusted. The staff isn’t going to throw anyone under the bus but the draft is around the corner – doesn’t matter if AS or CK or PM is your QB – upgrade is needed at WR.
Were we watching the same game? The Giants were stuffing the run in the second half with all the predictable runs on 1st down. I thought Jimmy Raye was back calling the offense again.
The passing game was awful, the running game was significantly better.
I guess we were not watching the same game.
A few Kendall Hunter’s runs to the outside or a screen pass to either him or Gore could have won the game for us. We just needed 30 yards to try a field goal at some point.
Joel…….I suggest you watch the second half of the game again. The run game was going no where and the play calling was predictable.
Allan I was wondering where the screen passes were going to come. Sucks that they never really came against that rush.
@dc9er
The Niners had the same number of yards of offense as the giants did going into OT. Eli had nearly 300 yards passing. AS, not close.
So, the Niners were getting yards from the run game.
And, they didn’t get all those yards in the 1st half.
I am not saying the niners should have abandoned the run, but the play calling on 1st down was a predictable run…..which was stuffed alot of the time in the second half. I think the niners should have thrown on 1st then ran to mix things up would have been better…….they also threw it on most 3rd downs. As far as yardage in the second half…..i’m pretty sure i’m right……just wait for the stats to come out. I’m pretty sure the successful runs were mostly in the first half.
I don’t know how much I agree on the “predictable” thing, starting to read as knee jerk. I’m seeing one 1st down running play that you can considered stuffed (a 2 yard gain) in the second half (including OT), there are runs of 4, 6, 11, 14, and 18 yards, all on first down.
The running game was more effective than the passing game. I was mystified as to why they went to the air first in OT. If they wanted to get cute, they should’ve done it with Gore/Hunter backfields/formations.
I agree bro. Frank should have gotten more than his share of chances. He’s the offense, give him the rock!!!!
Crabtree is overated. No DB fear him, he is too slow and doesn’t have the size. He can’t create seperation on a consistant basis. You can’t blame Alex Smith on this one. Play makers make plays. Crabtree is not one of the. I would release him, I guess the niners would take a hit salary cap wise. The playoffs was the time for Crabtree to put up or shut up.
I was at the game with a great field view and I paid a lot of attention to the receivers and the Giants Secondary. I can tell you that our receivers, ALL OF THEM, do not get separation and do not get open very often. They were getting jammed at the line and had trouble getting back into their route tree. The Giants did a great job of taking these guys completly out of the game. The fact that we had Brett Swain as the #3 receiver is all you need to know about our wide receiver crop. Harbaugh reads the press and he will NOT be happy with Crabtree’s comments. Especially as a former QB. The Team. The Team. The Team.
That sounds about right. There is the “throw them open” angle, to some extent. Smith is conservative and that has its pluses and minuses. But in the end — Swain? Hastings? Seriously? We need better WR’s.
Problem is, you can’t throw bad WRs open. You can throw Jerry Rice open because you know he’s going to win the battle 90% of the time. And if he doesn’t, he’ll do his best to protect you.
Crabtree just gives up. He’s like JJ Stokes, only at least Stokes had great hands. Heart the size of a pea, and no burst… But he had great hands with the lowest drop rate of any 49er receiver since Dwight Clarke in his prime. Even better hands than Rice.
Mike,
Same here. At every down that seemed to me to be passing downs, I had my binoculars trained on the wide receivers. It was remarkable how few times the receivers got any separation. Crabtree looked slow coming off his stance, and Corey Webster did not seem to have any problem covering him.
Barley,
For throwing open, the receiver has to get to a certain at a certain point in time. Some of Smith’s incompletion appeared to be him trying to throw open. Smith “throws open” to Davis all the time.
Mood, good to get your perspective. Seems it’s only one side that sees it the other way. I heard the same thing you are stating. AS is being the class act as usual he won’t throw anyone under the bus.
He isn’t good enough to throw anybody under the bus. His biggest accomplishment this year was cutting back on his turnovers. It was a very calculated, conservative offense that maximized the talent of the team. The coaching staff did an amazing job. They got this team to the NFC Championship game with the 26th rated offense. 29th in passing, 8th in rushing. Vernon Davis was being ripped by everyone until he actually got the opportunities in the playoffs and responded with 10 catches for almost 300 yards and 4 TD’s. Meanwhile, people were calling for Kyle Williams to start after the first Rams game. The only part of this team that is championship caliber is the defense and special teams, and it could look much different next year after free agency. It will definitely be an interesting offseason, lots to do.
BTW Grant – Everyone seems to forget Kyle Williams had 3 (THREE) Fumbles in this game, he lost two of them. He totally botched that reverse which would have gone for big yards, and that killed a 49ers first half drive on the spot.
I do agree that KW would have gotten lots of yards on that play. To much focus on the play call. Not enough notice on how open that play was for the Niners if KW does not fumble it.
For me playoffs showed who the prime time players were. We seen people step up in clutch situations and we seen players crumble and under perform in pressure moments. We know what we have and what we need moving forward. Alex is someone we can build around, Crabtree, Williams, Ginn, and Gore have maybe identified that it’s time to move in a different direction. I love Gore but he might not be healthy enough moving forward. We need playmakers at WR’s, it’s that obvious.
I agree with most Prime.
But, if you get rid of Ginn, who is going to return kicks as well as he does?
And Gore still has something left. The Niners need to stop with the FG runs outside though. Up the middle, FG was pretty good. I wanted more quick passes to KH out of the backfield though. I bet my money that he does something good more than not against that Giant LB core.
Sorry. He actually had a negative rated game. He was only successful on 33% of his plays. Hunter, OTOH, was successful on 50% of his plays.
And it’s been like that all this season and all of last. Westbrook was more effective/efficient last year. Hunter was more effective/efficient this year.
Sure, every now and then the line destroys the opponent and Gore gets a clear field and gets a big play. And that really burns into your perception of him, especially as it reminds you of the Gore that was once a good back.
But he’s not that back anymore. I saw it last year and I have wanted him to be replaced since then. At this point in his careery he’s just running with his head down into the backs of his linemen instead of finding the hole and getting one or two yards.And it’s all those one and two runs that kill this offense.
When Gore was carrying our running game, it literally, took points off the board this year. Just because we were in so many bad down-and-distance situations. When Hunter was is, the offense ran better and had a net positive impact. Same with Westbrook last year.
So, I appreciate what he did. But he’s 1989 Roger Craig. A once great back struggling to stay in a game he’s no longer good enough to play as a starter.
@moses
Still disagree.
Gore isn’t busting the big runs and gets caught from behind.
But, he still manages to get a good 4 or 5 yards often enough. Especially this last game.
I am all for having the two of them in there at the same time. I would like to see both go out for passes, and see how the LB’s choose whose going to cover who out of the backfield.
I don’t know about that success stat thing you were showing. KH was in fewer plays. So, if only a few of his plays are successful, he is going to have a higher % than a RB who is in there all the time.
Wow, Prime! Really? Gore, really? I don’t think we’d have gone 14-4 w/out FG.
Crabs & Williams & Ginn? So we bring in all new guys, some proven some not and let them learn the offense and begin to develop chemistry all over again?
I’m for improvement (and you KNOW Jim & Trent are), but let’s make someone earn it. Don’t strip & reboot. Build on what we’ve got, and if someone doesn’t make the new team…………….. We absolutely need playmaker(s), so 1st or 2nd Rd I hope.
Let’s not panic here; don’t need to hate on some of the guys that got to 14-4.
FG is the man, still can get it done. ‘Tree: he can go. He’s a whinner, not a winner. VD’s the receiver we have. Bring back Morgan, Ginn and Williams (the kid is young and will get better). We still do not have a true #1 WR. Hopefully we can draft one and send ‘Tree back to Texas where he can alligator passes for the Cowboys or Texans.
Guys like I said, I love Gore, we dont win 14 games without him but there are clear cut signs that he is wearing down. He just does not look like the work horse of old. He was battling something all year and did not look right. Maybe the surgeries and age are catching up. All im saying is that drafting another successor could not be such a bad idea.
Roman went away from the run in the 2nd half, couls it have been because gore was ailing and they dont have enough confidence in Hunter?
Gore is definitely not the same player. If you look at the stats, they are ok, but the film tells another story. The initial burst has dropped off and he gets caught from behind even sooner now. Gore is a warrior, but after reconstructive surgery on both knees, both shoulders and a broken hip, there just isn’t much tread left on the tires. That being said, I think Boobie Dixon is the odd man out next year.
Ginn and Gore don’t belong in this statement.
Ginn is an OK #3 or 4 deep threat WR, who did make the occasional play. He’s a reliable return man, he was missed.
Gore deserved more chances. He was playing well, I haven’t seen him make those cuts and change of field runs in a long time. He was ready to put the team on his back.
Even as bad as the offense was, they were good enough for 17 points.
That should be enough to win the game for us because the defense completely SHUT OUT the Giants on the second half.
Kyle Willian’s knee (dumb, inexcusable mistake) and two interceptions that got away because Dashon Goldson accidentally hit our CB changed the game in the Giants way.
I guess they did have the lucky bounces in the turnovers last night…
Prime Time is correct. And the 49ers will bring in more WR’s. When they do don’t be surprised when they beat out and take roster spots from Williams and Ginn. Williams is a limited WR, and his return skills were on display for all to see. Ginn is an exciting return man when healthy, and an absolutely horrible receiver. In this game his propensity for injury was a liability, killing the 49ers return teams by leaving them with no other option than Williams.
I love Gore, but he has little left in my opinion. His burst isn’t the same, and he gets caught from behind. I think you’ll see that even more next season. We need another back who hits the whole FAST and doesn’t dance at the line. Someone to take the mantle from Gore when he finally is done. Are you reading this Dixon?
Lastly Crabtree needs to just shut up. He didn’t make plays, and he’s not so subtly throwing Alex under the bus. Sound like anyone who used to play for the 49ers (TO)?
I would feel no loss if they traded Crabtree in the offseason.
Rap, I keep thinking about Bill Walsh’s take on aging players: Better to let them go a year too early than a year too late. I’m not sure I fully agree, but no doubt, Frank is slowing a bit. But here’s another thought: Would you really want to let him go, given that he’s maybe the best protection back in the league? I’ll bet Alex would have a few choice words to say about losing the best protection we’ve had in years? Decades?
As a constant Crabtree supporter I am very disappointed in his statements. I was wearing the cats Jersey and continually saying come on Crabs “get open quick”. But when they put the camera on him he was hand fighting with a d.b. in single coverage. You did not win your match ups son. It is what it is..
Exactly what my neighbor said. When has MC won the “throw him open battle”? Of course you have to be concerned with a turnover in that situation – he’s not CJ! His comments don’t sound like team to me. He’s frustrated and needs a break.
I agree MC played like crap, but to play devil’s advocate a little, there were some comeback throws at the end of the game where Alex could’ve given him a shot at the ball and still could have “thrown it away.”
Sorry DS, I still am searching for the video interview but just from the written all I am getting from it is AS didn’t do enough to get him the ball. I’m trying hard to give MC some time to mature and become the player he was drafted to be, but the fact he refused to take accountability is huge.
If the Niners resign AS, I don’t see MC in the Niners future.
@Sean
I looked for it too. It should be in the post game show tab, but why can’t I watch it?
But, it would appear that a lot of people have similar opinions as you after reading this.
I see the Niners resigning AS. I don’t see the Niners selecting MC over AS in any scenario.
It’s too bad the AS debate has taken a 180 degree turn again. It looked like we were past it but what have you done for me lately, i guess.
I’d feel for MC a little more if it didn’t seem like he’s throwing AS under the bus.
Sean, only if you let it be part of the debate. JH won’t let AS go anywhere and they will be back with more talent at WR (9ers achilles heel all year) through FA and the draft. Too bad they didn’t want to pay for the BLloyd trade. At this point, a 5th or 6th round pick would have been inexpensive.
@Sean in Canada
Who besides the ones who hated AS are blaming AS?
I have read a lot of posts, and I have not read any saying AS is to blame. I don’t read the posts of several bloggers who hated AS all year, so I don’t expect them to change their mind.
He’s not throwing Alex under the bus. He was very emotional during the interview. You can tell he had been crying. He is a wide receiver. Like any receiver, he wants the ball.
We are going to be in quite a predicament this offseason. We are all in agreement that we need a number one receiver. It had better come from the draft. Talk about QBR all you want, a receiver looks at offensive output. TRUST ME ON THIS…. NO top WR will come to play on a team with a QB that ranks dead last in yardage, TD’s and 3rd down conversions for a starter that started every game. That is not trash talking, that is the truth.
Bay, do we win the game if JMorg was playing and MC was out with injury?
@hof
I don’t know if the Niners win with J. Morgan.
But, he would have provided a lot more than MC did. No doubt. In a super close game, it is not unthinkable that the Niners win that game with J. Morgan.
Hofer, I’m not sold on Lloyd but as a stop gap I guess it may have worked out better than this, hindsight and all.
Bay, I’m not sure if free agency is the way to go, anyway. As far as QBR, that stat is terrible and I don’t care for it.
DS, I try to steer away from some of that pro/anti AS stuff.
On a side note, I’d like to thank all of you Niner fans that, despite disagreements on certain subjects and positions, have the same goal in mind. Niner success. It’s definitely theraputic talking about this stuff to fellow faithful.
Drafting a stud WR is our best bet but you cant tell me free agents dont want to come to SF because of Alex? That is ignorant. Money, climate, great coaching and being a #1 decides what free agents. your telluing me D. Bowe would not love to come to SF and play for a contender with an offensive minded HC? Cmon man!
Hofer, I would say if we had J MORGAN this season we would have more explosive plays at the Wide out position for sure. JM is under rated and a total team player with good chemistry with Alex.
I guess it is pretty simple.
Alex could have thrown risky ball to MC and he could have made a great play. That is true.
But he could just as easily get intercepted and lost the game.
Instead, he threw safer balls that were good for 17 points that WOULD BE JUST ENOUGH for the the win with the way the defense just completely shut down the “GREAT” Giants and the “ELITE” Manning in the second half.
Think about it.
Just like Alex Smith, Kyle Willians could have tried to get big gains on punt returns or just played safe and fair catched most balls.
He obviously chose the first option. If he had chosen the safer path, which was this team M.O all season, we would be going to the Super Bowl.
People can harp on Alex Smith and the offense all they want.
Truth is the Niners game plan was to do just enough on offense and don’t make mistakes because the defense would win the game for them.
The offense did their job. Barely, but did.
The defense played lights out. Outstanding job.
Kyle Willians on the punt returns did not (he was great on the kick returns, though), and that just cost us the game.
I’m ok with the OT fumble. He rolled the dice and it didn’t bounce our way.
The first one though is inexcusable. Either catch it or get the heck out of there. Without that mistake the defense would win this game in regulation.
I’m sure it will be a valuable lesson for this team down the road.
I just wish it happened in the regular season, not in the Championship game.
But we will bounce back and I hope KW bounce back too.
I’m mad at him now, but I will support him next year.
Yep exactly. We were in a defensive battle all game, just throwing prayers to Crabtree was not what we needed. Turnovers lost us this game, it is really that simple.
It was like a nightmare. I felt for the all faithful fans going home with broken heart last night. There were quite amount of “blue” in the stadium and the 49ers fans who sold the tickets to the Giants’ might get flowers + thank you letter from them this week.
It’s time fore Gore to admit his health issue. He hadn’t looked the same since even before his record-breaking game. Usually, after each run he then turned to the sideline signaled Rathman to send Hunter or a replacement out.
Crabtree is just fraustrated. He didn’t show up for the two playoff games but not having a threat on the opposite end lets the defense focus on him also. I think Crabtree is a great 2nd WR. We need to find our 1st!!
@baller
A great 2nd WR is at least an average #1 WR. And an average #1 WR should get separation against average CB’s especially given the field conditions yesterday.
Call me crazy, but I was hoping Greg Roman gets the Penn State job. I doubt JH would let him go after just 1 season. I’d like to see us getting the new O-coordinator. Greg’s play callings have not been good not just this game but throughout the season.
Pay attention. The Penn State job is already filled.
I hope the niners up the ante next season and bring in a true number one receiver. Hopefully we get a good draft as well, gonna be a tough schedule next season.
Everybody keeps saying that.
But how many easy to beat teams did we play this season?
I thought we had an incredibly hard schedule this year. 5 east coast games. Playing on Thanksgiving having to travel across the country. How many teams did we play at the time we played them and just said “They really suck. Easy win.”
Maybe Cleveland at home after the bye. That is all that I see. The Redskins had a good D and we were on the road. Cinci ended up making the playoffs. And our division was pretty good the last half of the season and that is when we played them.
So, please point out to me how we got a bunch of easy wins against a bunch of bad teams. Who?
ive read every comment on this blog and i agree/disagrre with some.ive screwed up at work before and damn near got fired,but the owner took me aside and told me exactly what i needed to do to correct my problem and he saud to me” if i fired every person that screwed up around here,i would be working by myself”.that was 12 years ago and now that im responsible for an entire marketing department,the first thing i tell new people is not to be afraid of mistakes.learn from them and move on.that would be my advice to mr.williams and all of the fans who are mad or upset.my beloved niners exceeded all myexpectations and more.sure losing was disappointing,but my smile hasnt gotten any smaller due to our loss yesterday.
+1
The game last night showed what should be the priorities last night. For what the Niners are paying Crabtree, he should be a #1 receiver. He is a #2 receiver at best. He either needs to take a pay cut or be released. Regardless of what happens to him, I feel like this team needs to get a wide receiver in both free agency AND the draft. Also resign Morgan. He has a better skill set than Crabtree.
Other preseason priorities:
Resign Smith for 2-3 years with an option for a fourth. Unless Drew Brees is willing to come to the Niners, Smith is the best option at this point. Plus this will allow Kapernick and Tolzien more time to learn the QB position if one is needed to replace Smith.
Resign Rogers. He is the best option at CB.
Resign Brooks. He is a solid linebacker with room to improve.
Tag Goldson. He needs to show he can have back-to-back seasons of excellence.
Bring in competition for Brown at CB. Nothing like having to constantly look over your shoulder at your potential replacement. That ought to improve his skill set.
Draft a successor to Goodwin. No telling when he will break down.
Release Spencer. He is too injury-prone and was replaced by Culliver this season
Open the playbook on offense. In the losses the team had, conservative play-calling hurt them.
If they do these things, I’m sure this team will be in the thick of it next year.
Forgot to include resigning Ginn, but only returning and being used as a fourth or fifth WR.
I like your suggestions. Although I would still give AS the same kind of deal I would have last week (4-5 years).
Even Tim K of the San Jose Mercury News said that it was not AS fault. Add the great game he had against NO, and that is a very impressive player (AS). He is still rather young with another 10 or more years left in him and the Niners should sign him to a contract to cover themselves for at least half that time.
If you go the short contract route, then the Niners could be in a for a huge payday for AS when the Niners win the Super Bowl next year!
I want to see what Hunter has to offer before we replace Gore. Maybe he is the replacement. We’ll see.
It’s funny how storylines play themselves out based on the outcome of a game.
Eli being called “Elite.” He was shut down in the second half, there’s no doubt about it. SF’s defense played lights out.
KW is the game’s goat. However, after NYG scored the TD off of the muff recovery, KW returned the ensuing kickoff 40 yards, which led directly to the field goal which tied the game. (This is one reason why I feel the ST grade was too harsh.)
Completely agree.
All of a sudden the Giants are great and had the perfect Game Plan all along. But if it wasn’t for that terrible mistake by KW touching the punt with his knee and gift wrapping a TD for the Giants (which they almost didn’t convert), all we would be talking about would be how great our coaches adjustments were in the halftime because Cruz torched Rogers in the first half but never saw the ball in the second half.
Let’s keep it real: The Giants did NOTHING offensively in the second half. The Niners completely SHUT THEM OUT.
The Giants got luck to get that punt back and it wasn’t even a good ST play. It was just a dumb mistake by Kyle Willians.
I can’t stand people saying how great Eli and the Giants coaches are because they did…well…nothing.
Their offense wasn’t better, their defense wasn’t better, and their adjustments weren’t better.
They got lucky on that play (not to mention the 2 INT that they got lucky too) and in a close game like this, it made the difference.
If Dashon Goldson doesn’t hit Brown, we got the INT, win the game, and Eli would be the goat.
Would, coulda, shoulda, I know, but that doesn’t mean that Eli and the Giants did anything excepcional either.
I guess it’s better be lucky than good.
The definite thing that caused the loss was the horrific call by the refs with two minutes remaining in regulation. That was the quickest whistle for forward progress being stopped that I have seen in any game ALL SEASON. If not for that, this team would be in the Super Bowl despite it’s flaws.
Crabtree is an a**. In other words, “just throw it up, I’ll catch it.” Really? Like last week with your four drops? You want the QB to let you tip the ball in those conditions and cause an INT?
JH has kept the locker room drama “”in-house” all season, and done a great job of propping up guys he knew were problems. But we can have no doubt he knows who are the real team guys and who isn’t. Once they get the WR position fixed in FA and the draft, Crabs is going to be real lonely, and maybe even gone.
Agree with this comment completely. Harbaugh will get the problem areas addressed, and Crabtree is one of them. At this point he is a bust, and his inability to get into camp early and work with Smith is quickly marginalizing him. The clock is ticking on him whether he realizes it or not.
I also see no merit in the argument that elite receivers won’t want to come here. All they have to do is look at Vernon Davis’ numbers to see what is possible with this system and this QB when they establish trust and timing. If you want to play in a few super bowls, this is probably the place to come.
Guys, let’s be logical, I have supported Crabtree since he signed the contract when the media and some fans ridiculed him. Crabs comments where inappropriate to the public and a sign of frustration due to lack of trust and chemistry between the QB and the wideouts.
Let’s face it, trust is earned and Alex will not just throw the ball and hope a wideout is going to be there when they have not been able to do that all season. We need to sign Ginn as a return specialist, sign morgan cut swain and get two top speed big target wr in free agency and the draft.
Crabtree must decide to either make a commitment to build chemistry with Alex or move on. I believe this offense will be much better next season. Bottom line Alex did not lose his game and he did enough to put us in a position to win with the superb defensive performance. Go Niners
I was the same way-but how can a Welker get open and not Crabtree?.. I wonder if Crabtree has the heart after having the money given to him?
@stan
Welker wants it more. And it has nothing to do with TB. Welker is good because Welker makes himself good.
Stan its about chemistry and trust! Brady has been in the same system and has establish that trust by demanding it. Alex is more demand by action rather calling guys out. The QB and WR need to get on the same page or move on.
It would help if Crabtree would be available for pre-season games, for once.
I notice that a certain type of athletes who sign big contracts-love fashion. Crabtree,Zito,Russell. And that Oakland headcoach who was into pedicures and beauty parlors.
Connect the dots.
Allen well said. You are so right on.
Good read:
http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/niners-talk/post/49ers-Mailbag-Questions-about-QB-WRs?blockID=636510&feedID=2539
IMO Ginn has got to go. Always injured when we need him, I feel angry but bad for KW. The ref that blew the fumble dead should be fired. The Defense played their arses off. And right now Im 50/50 on Alex Smith. Worst game of the year at the worst time. Gotta say if he doesnt get better with trust and accuracy next year they have to look elsewhere. The defense isnt getting any younger. I do believe he deserves a shot next year. At the least he earned that. He’s got some polishing to do with his game. Lets hope the trust can get better next year. Im depressed and going to sleep for a week. Good season Faithful Im proud of my team, but wished we were going to Ind. Lets get it next year. Cheers and tears Faithful! Whew!
MD, would agree with most of what you said but you let MC off the hook. JH said AS isn’t going anywhere so WR’s are needed – FA, draft, trade, whatever. Good ride this year!
If Crabtree had consistant hands this season maybe Alex would have more faith in him and throw him the ball more. You have to capatlize on opportunities. If you had proved in the regular season you could be a play maker then maybe you would have “got your chances”.
i thought this was going to happen when AS found MC in the endzone a couple of times early in the season but no TD was recorded because of a refs call one time and just missing getting both feet in bounds….MC had extended himself and had great hands then it just kind of pettered out after that with a resurgence a couple of game left in the season but again no follow through….
this will ultimately be a coach’s read … maybe a trade for 2nd round pick or something is worth exploring if indeed MC is an issue
I would trade MC for a third round pick, he is not a happy camper. JM should be a third down receiver, we need to get two big fast play making receiver’s. AS although he had a good season, he needs to get better, yesterday he was short arming his throws and threw the ball in the dirt when he was going outside of the pocket. Our playing calling was horrific, wished GR got the Penn State job,I re-sign Tedd Ginn for special teams but he is a horrific receiver. KW keep him far away, or cut him, the guy fumbles the most important punt return of the season, he let’s another one hit his knee, he dives for another punt, and lucky that he caught it , and also fumble on that reverse play. It’s amazing how bad we are at offense we still kept the game close. Get a get a power 1/2 back, runs North to South like FG, who will be mashed potatoes in two years.
Trade Gore, crabtree and kapernick for a top 5 pick. With two first round picks, grab a rb and wr in the first round. Sure up the DB’s in the second rd and the o line, later. Cut chilo, Spencer and Harlyson. Draft an olb to that can cover a TE. Sign Bowe and add some Stanford players that know the system.
The loss was bad enough, but watching all the overpaid idiots on ESPN going on and on about the greatness of the Giants was nauseating. If someone missed the game and only watched the post game “analysis”, they would swear the Giants must have won 34-10 or something.
The fact is, the Giants got all kinds of breaks throughout the game, and the still had rely on a two ST turnovers to eek out a 3 point win. The “elite” Eli Manning was totally shut down in the second half. Yet the ESPN talking heads barely acknowledged how hard the Niners played.
Let’s face it: The networks and the national media wanted the Giants to win and they got their wish. Now they can all go to hell as far as I am concerned.
It’s not about facts Rick. It’s about hype and the details get lost in that. It’s this same rollercoaster the Niners have been on all season. Any non fan simply looks at the stats and writes them off as a lucky team that can’t play with the big boys. The analysts are no different really.
@rocket
In the real world outside of sports, analysts actually have to look into things. The analysts have computers to look and compare stats. The analyst is there to use their human brain to determine things and not depend on the silicone chip brain.
How have the human brain at all if that is what you are going to do (only use stats)?
sorry
“How have the…”
should have read as
“Why have the…”
WR and CB are bigger concerns than RB. Gore is wearing down, but he the better option right now. And I want to see Hunter’s progress next season.
I wonder what the Vegas odds are for Crabtree to make a training camp
I certainly agree that Crabtree is not a ‘burner’ but the Org knew that when they drafted him. Crabtree DID make some good catches this season, but obviously the ‘drops’ were a sore spot. I still believe Crabs will be a viable option for our offense, albeit more as a ‘position receiver.’
There will be some attractive FA’ testing the waters this off season. But considering our ‘safe’ and ‘no risk’ passing offense will they be interested in coming here?
I believe we will need to look at the draft to find our ‘speed’ WR. Choosing the ‘blue-chip’ WR doesn’t always guarantee a ‘keeper.’ If our scouting network has done their due dilligence, perhaps we can find the next M.Colston or V.Cruz in the late rounds (Cruz was a F/A). As much as I like Crabtree, I’ll have to admit that he is not keeping opposing DB’ up at night because he poses little threat of stretching the field and that limits our offense.
Still, having said that, I believe Crabtree will be in the starting line-up next season.
Draft: these are the essential needs.
1st pick. WR
2nd pick. DB
3rd pick. O-line
4th pick. RB
weather didnt seem to make one bit of difference. not only did the Giants have to deal with the same weather, there were few slips, almost no egregious drops that i can recall, only one fumble, and unlike the games of the 80s, there werent gaping chunks of turf coming up on every tackle.
Crabs just didnt show. Alex missed him on a couple, probably missed him being open enough to throw to, but in a game like this there are no excuses. If your stat lne is 1 catch for 3 yards, you just dont matter.
unlike many on this blog, i do NOT see Crabs being a useful #2 receiver. not only does he not have speed/moves/strength/desire/smarts to get separation as a #1, he shows none of the reliability required of a #2. A #2 has to actually make a lot of catches, often in traffic. Crabs just doesnt put up numbers. A Championship team needs to have a #2 who steps up and makes lots of catches when the #1 is blanketed in coverage, not one who vanishes when he is needed most. Crabs as a #2 receiver? its fricking laughable.
Can’t throw the ball to himself. Braylon was down on Alex. Crabs is down on Alex. Think free agents don’t hear the whispers. See all the lack of production? No free agent will come here unless we grossly over pay.
I don’t see any physically big WR in the draft that I like either. Well other than Blackmon….
i hear you Bay, and you make a fair point, but in addition to the production, i worry about the attitude. the successful teams have that “buy in”, where each guy is prepared to give up his body for the team…one LB takes out a fullback so another LB can make a tackle…a WR goes over the middle and lays out for his team…as much as the production, Crab’s (apparent) attitude concerns me. he seems like the antithesis of Rice & Montana. (I’m not saying we’re going to get Hall-of-Fame lucky with our next WR draft pick, but we both know that run-thru-a-brick-wall-to-win attitude is worth a lot of yards). and by throwing Crabs under the bus, i am not endorsing Alex in a back-handed kind of way…i’d like to think i see the pros/cons of both and the interrelatedness of those pros/cons. (course, i’m just a fan, sitting in a fricking barcalounger, so now i’m gonna shut my yap! Go Niners!)
Lol
Your tight end just caught ten balls in two playoff games for 272 yards and four touchdowns. The notion that your offense would scare off a premium WR is nonsense. This is a very attractive situation.
Guys
A Chargers fan is telling Niner fans that a top WR would not be scared to come here due to AS being the QB.
If another teams fan can come on here and proclaim such a statement, then maybe the argument is all in out silly/ridiculous/mind-numbing discussion. Note that the Chargers hae had an elite QB and WR’s for awhile now, so he knows what they look like and what they need.
fesnyc – I agree. Crabtree has shown me very little in 3 seasons. He won’t get another contract and my guess is that he is not on next year’s opening day roster. Mike Wilson was a fine #3 receiver in the 80s who got himself FOUR Super Bowl rings (remember his huge catch in the third quarter of SB16). Crabtree is certainly not his equal. Walsh always found great receivers and he only used on #1 pick (Rice) to get them. I suspect that Trent is already got a list of 20 or more names, college and free agents that he’ll be considering.
Chargerfan,
I know you live in the AFC. Look at our wide receiver stats in the last 7 years.
DS do you believe anyone that supports your thought to automatically be credible? Lol. Never cease to amaze.
I would be hard pressed to name another NFL team whose wide receivers have been as bad over the last seven years as the 49ers. Other than Nate Burleson, are any of the other ex-9ers even in the league? When one of your guys leaves and then breaks out somewhere else, I’ll look inside your organization for the problem. When they all leave the team and then flop, they appear to be the problem. The fact that your tight end is a deep threat only reinforces my opinion.
@chargersfan
Some here don’t bother looking at the very long list of great WR’s who were great before coming here, stank while here, then were great immediately after leaving here. (sarcasm)
If you ask for an actual list, you will be ignored and attacked for bringing it up. I know because that is what happened to me.
But you make more sense than some long-time bloggers here.
Were you hoping to get a new HC in SD, or has Norv worn out his goodwill there?
Did Kawakami actually suggest trading CK to move up in draft to get a WR? Gotta be NUTS to do that. Besides the fact that CK looks like he could become a great one (Alex might backslide or just get hurt as many QBs do), I have come to the conclusion that you the WORST position to use a high draft pick on is a WR. Since 1985, the only true impact receivers I can think of drafted highly were Rice, Calvin J, and Fitzgerald 9and Rice was #15 I think). There are ALWAYS very good WRs available in rounds 2,3, 4, etc. There are more busts at WR in the first round than any other position and more “hits” at that position later in the draft and in free agency. First round – depending on need of course, teams should mostly look at QB, pass rusher, OL and CB. Also LB someone looks special. There will ALWLAYS be wide receivers.
You’re dead right Kezar.
Victor Cruz and Wes Welker were undrafted.
Marquis Colston was a 7th round pick.
Antonio Brown was a 6th rounder.
The only problem is rookie receivers tend to not be very good. The 49ers will need to bring in a free agent if they want production next year.
DS94everXev-
We are still reeling from having both SDSU and the Chargers pass on Harbaugh. I love the guy and did when he was at USD. What a coaching talent! Passing on him is the gift that will keep on giving.
I’m no Turner fan but so long as Cowher and Grudin lack the desire (and fire) to get back into coaching, I don’t know who out there is clearly better than Norv. By the way, if you get Vincent Jackson, keep the women and children off the roads.
“Me personally, even though they didn’t result in touchdowns, but the first and second down catches that I gave up – I always look at myself and what I could have done.” – Carlos Rogers
A lesson to be learned for MC. I’m sure he has a mirror in his house, maybe Mr. Crabtree could try pointing a finger at it.
Bottom line ….
Alex is a decent QB who is good for the moment and is definitely not a long term solution. For the 49ers to pray and get a very good QB through the draft means we have to eat dirt once more and pray for a # 1 or a # 2 pick in the draft. Hoping we can find the next Brady in the midle picks of the draft and I have faith in JH to find a very close one.
Primary need in the off-season is to find a good WR1 material. I raised my eyebrow when the King Crab was drafted # 10 in ’09 and lost interest when he decided to hold out ’till week 7. It is troubling that he seems to have been injured in the pre-seasons in ’10 and ’11 and for both years being able to contribute only at about the 7th or 8th week of the season. For a WR1, that Crabtree is rated for, he only has 12 TDs in a 3 year career and averaging roughly 720 yards/year. The guy does not seem like he wants to be here. Trade him or move him to WR2.