SANTA CLARA – The 49ers play the Denver Broncos today in their third preseason game. As you already know, the third preseason game is typically the most serious preseason game, the “dress rehearsal” before the regular season – starters play into the second half and coaches game plan for the opponent.
But Jim Harbaugh said this preseason game would be no different than the other Niners preseason games. He doesn’t seem to believe in the “dress rehearsal” philosophy. Last season, Alex Smith threw just six passes in the third preseason game against the Houston Texans, while the opposing quarterback, Matt Schaub, attempted 24 passes.
With that in mind, here are five things to watch in Sunday’s game.
- Injuries. The most important thing in the preseason is to stay healthy. Three key Niners have gotten hurt – Aldon Smith, Brandon Jacobs and LaMichael James. The Niners can’t afford any more injuries before the regular season starts.
- Joe Staley and Anthony Davis vs. Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller. The Niners absolutely cannot afford Alex Smith to get hurt, so that means the starting tackles – Staley and Davis – have to hold their own against the Broncos’ talented pass rushers – Dumervil and Miller.
- Alex Smith vs. Peyton Manning. If Alex Smith gets protection from the offensive line, it’s key for him to keep pace with Denver’s QB – Peyton Manning. If Smith can out throw Manning, that would be even better. Smith and Manning will be compared all season long because the Niners “evaluated” Manning in the offseason, and did not resign Smith until Manning chose to sign with Denver.
- Randy Moss. He needs to catch one deep pass from Alex Smith. So far this preseason, Smith has used Moss as a decoy to get other receivers open, but that’s not why the Niners signed Moss. They signed him to catch deep passes and touchdowns. Smith needs to develop the deep connection with Moss before the regular season starts.
- 5. The battle for the backup QB. Harbaugh says Colin Kaepernick is the No.2 QB, but Kaepernick needs to play well in this game to keep that job. Last year in the third preseason game he had a 20.8 QB rating, completing 6 of 16 passes and throwing an interception. If he gives a similar performance this year, Scott Tolzien or Josh Johnson could become the No.2 QB.
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Aldon didnt make the trip, how about Jacobs? Grant your # 2 & 5 is what I will be looking at.
Maiocco just tweeted that Aldon is dressed up at the game
MaioccoCSN
Aldon Smith is wearing game socks and cleats. No word on whether he’ll play in today’s 49ers-Broncos games. He’s not 100% with hip bruise.
Yes my source just corrected themselves. Thats what I get for reading the Merc
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2012/08/26/aldon-smith-will-miss-second-straight-exhibition/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+49ersHotRead+%2849ers+Hot+Read%29
Quick heads up for any other fans who find themselves in Lower California today; the Niners’ game will be shown down here on channel 11 (KTTV) at 1pm. GO NINERS!
On another point, can anyone explain to me why sports writers and bloggers all seem to think opposing quarterbacks actually play against each other (point #3)? They’re never even on the field at the same time. They don’t play versus the same defense. Near as I can tell, neither has ANY impact on the play of the other. Of course we’ll be watching Alex. Of course we’ll be watching Payton. But in what way, exactly, are they playing against each other?
As for comparing their success/output/stats, well, it might be a good idea to remember what Coach Harbaugh says about “comparisons”…
Football-wise, he’s a pretty smart guy. If he doesn’t do it, there might be good reason…
Rusty, I was thinking the same thing. The qbs don’t compete against each other.
I think the only real battle left at QB is between Johnson and Tolzein.
I think the need for Alex Smith to have better stats than Manning is imagined. I think the only stat to compare between the two will be wins.
I think Alex can hook up with Moss anytime he needs to. Not needed in preseason.
I think if Alex can produce a long drive ending in a touchdown they should put the baseball cap on him, and let CK play until halftime.
Starting the 3rd quarter would be Johnson and I would let him play the rest of the game, hiding Tolzein while providing JJ with an ample opportunity to showcase his intangibles.
Grant what’s your prediction, do the 49ers keep 4 QB’s? y/n?
Oh crud my bad. Posted this in wrong place go ahead and delete.
The post is just fine Coffee.
You keep 4 because you can trade QBs for way more than theyre worth (Kolb, Flynn, Foles?, etc…)(I know Flynn wasn’t traded but that was a blunder). You keep JJ because you may want to trade CK. You keep Tolzien because you may want to trade Tolzien.
LoL! Tolzien, and Johnson have no trade value and CK won’t be traded any time soon.
In Tolzien you have an undrafted QB that has never played against anything but the second half of exhibition games against mostly roster filler. And with Johnson you have a QB who in the offseason was a free agent that no one else wanted. Teams don’t waste draft picks on trades.
CK is the QB of the future here, some may not like that, but that’s the way it is…
“CK is the QB of the future here, some may not like that, but that’s the way it is…
Very true. He needs to learn to stay in the pocket. Bay’s comparing him to VY and RC is not a good thing. Look at the SB winning QBs. Pocket passers. It’s nice to have the wheels to make defenses think twice (see SY) but QB’s win SBs with passes.
Tolzien, with a couple years under Harbaugh, will have more trade value than you think. I agree CK should be the QB of the future, but the only reason they’d keep JJ is because they think he can do better (some time way in the future).
Hofer,
He does a better job of hanging in the pocket than Smith. Where he needs to improve is his accuracy from the pocket.
JT,
Right, Tolzien may eventually have trade value, but he has none now. They need guys at too many other spots to carry 4 QB’s this year “in hopes” of trading one in 2-3 years.
So, Jack, does that mean Tolzien or JJ is cut? JJ, right?
JT,
Anytime there are two players of similar skill level I would always go with the younger player. Their potential for improvement is greater. So in this case, yes, I would cut Johnson.
..I think I will have to wait and see CK play a couple of real games before I put myself out there saying he is the future……
…Dude is unknown…..even though we know he is not mentally wired as QB’s we know win the NFL, gunslinger skill, super athletic………but he will remain unknown because we want to give him a chance to show us what he can do…..
“CK is the QB of the future here, some may not like that, but that’s the way it is…”
Jack once again it shows how dull you are and confirms the fact that you don’t get it………
…oneniner…watching one game would be a good start for you…
“He does a better job of hanging in the pocket than Smith. Where he needs to improve is his accuracy from the pocket.”
Jack,
What sample size are you using to make that statment? The 5 attempts during the regular season in 2011 or the 17 passes this preseason? Either way, I couldn’t disagree more. Just not enough of playing time to say that unequivocally.
Jack
While CK has all the tools he doesnt seem to scramble with the intention of throwing the ball downfield. Once he decides to flee the pocket he just runs instead of buying time and looking downfield a la B Rothlisberger
….”He does a better job of hanging in the pocket than Smith.”……..that is total opposite of what everyone including teammates say about him…
…..Jack believe me when I say you don’t get it……your comments on this thread are perfect example of the fact……
Hofer,
The same sample size you used when you said, “He needs to learn to stay in the pocket.”
From what I have seen this preseason the issue is accuracy, not staying in the pocket.
…lol oneniner…you don’t seem to get it….I couldn’t care less what someone who hasn’t even watched a preseason snap this year thinks…you are a goof.
Gametime, time to go WATCH the game now : )
Jack, you compared him to a guy that has 1900 attempts in the NFL – 5 plus 17 is a small sample size. I was stating that in the 22 attempts, he tends to look at his first read, if not open, then run.
Hofer,
1900+ passes and still poor pocket presence. I might be right or wrong. Time will tell. Enjoy the game today : ) We can rehash this discussion another time.
Jack, I was giving you a break for what is and was a silly statement. LOL
@MaioccoCSN
Did not travel: LaMichael James, Brandon Jacobs, Joe Hastings, K.Brown, Culliver, Fleming, Hampton, Mario Manningham.
Why no MM?
Grant do you know anything about this?
@MaioccoCSN
A couple people have pointed out, @Manningham49ers wrote on Twitter that he is grieving the loss of someone very close to him.
His grandfather died, according to Matt Barrows.
…..I am still looking for one person to say nothing is wrong with Manning, that he is perfectly the same as before……..his passes are just like before……
Manning is just like before… a happy-footed nervous-nelly who shrinks under the bright lights and throws ducks in the biggest moments.
?? maybe a couple years ago I could agree if you were talking about Eli but to suggest that about Peyton is a pretty hard sell.
…well he does move alot on his toes…
…with all that talent he has only 1 SB
….a gunslinger is not suppose to be duck thrower…
….I am buying it….
@Jt
Just playing with you here, but dang if P. Manning doesn’t cut the mustard we’ve got some pretty high standards! Lots of wins, a SB ring, and when he can’t play his team falls from perennial contender to the worst record in the League. I think he’ll find a good mesh with his receivers towards the end of Sept.
@ 19r
We can watch today and see how he looks. If there are physical problems, then my prediction above won’t come true.
@BrothaT
Grew up in the Bay in the 80s. If y’aint trawlin fer Lombardi trophies yer wastin my time. Peewee Manning had his time, and if he was all “that” he’d have 3-4 trophies and a lopsided postseason winning pct.
Do they really want to show any deep passes to Moss in the preseason? Why give DC’s anything to look at on tape?
What’s the downside of putting it on film? Green Bay will be expecting it either way.
Expecting it and knowing exactly what it looks like aren’t the same thing.
I’d imagine there’s more than one play in the Niners’ playbook that has Moss go deep.
Save it for the regular season when the preseason isn’t even an afterthought.
If Randy is on form, it makes no difference whether they know it’s comi g or not. Most unstoppable, talented WR to ever put on the pads.
Ur unstoppable talent couldn’t outrun 3 defensive backs.
Ok so you got what you asked for but what did it mean. Has Moss lost that much of a step that he can have 3 guys easily keeping step with him. My first guess is that that probably started as double coverage and a third guy was able to peel off and easily catch up.
Has Alex Smith improved his arm strength or again has Moss lost a step to the point that Alex can easily overthrow him?
Or was it just bad timing, did Alex throw it too soon in the pattern?
Grant you want 108.0 Alex Smith to keep up with 48.9 Peyton Manning? You like Peyton Manning? He’s the lesser Manning. Under .500 in the postseason. Thanks, but at this stage in both their careers, I’ll take Alex.
On top of that, Manning is only attempting 15 passes a game in the preseason. Let’s see how the body/neck/shoulder looks when he’s slinging it his usual 40-45 times in a game.
Peyton Manning is the most overrated NFL player of the last 35 years. Being from a football family, being polite, wildly flailing around pre-snap, and losing more than he wins in the playoffs are his hallmarks. Eli, on the other hand, quietly goes about his business and spanks Tom Brady when it counts. Let’s thank Eli for keeping Joe at the top of the heap. And let’s not give credit where it’s not due… Peyton is a loser.
……Jt_oSnowlovan is confirmed!!!
The most overrated player in the last 35 years just moved the ball on our first string defense like he was playing my local high school team.
……” it’s key for him to keep pace with Denver’s QB”………that makes no sense Grant…..
Hey oneniner,
Are you finally going to watch a game? : )
GC, agree with your number 1 key to game as the most important. Let’s see a sustained drive and score by the offense and then get ST and JJ some work. Staying healthy and getting the subs some work should be the priority today.
I agree Razor.
I don’t paricularly feel that Alex has to outdual PM. Working on developing chemistry with RM should be a key in this game as Grant alluded to.
I don’t see the Bronc’ keeping PM in the game more than the 1st Qtr. And his play-time could change if our pass-rush is consistantly penetrating their O-line.
This will likely be the biggest test for PM yet. But that’s Denver’ concern (lol).
Our O-line will be tested today as well. There should be some very interesting match-ups early on.
A.Dixon may be playing for his 49er future. Owasu, Tyms, and Palmer will be playing to get past the first cut. Owasu may be the best of the three.
Much intrigue going into today’s game.
Point number 1 is the only key I’m concerned about. I’m not expecting any other flavour than vanilla today, aside from a refreshing beverage on my side of the tv.
5 weeks til this guy is watching the Niners lay one on the dysfunctional Jets live at the new Meadowlands.
So, does Cam Johnson go on IR? I can’t see cutting him
Looks like Baalke has a prototype in mind for his OLBs (DeM-Ware mold: 6’6″-275+; see Aldon, Ikaika, Cam, Kourtney)…
JTO
That title should belong to B. Farve who has thrown more INT that any other QB in history. Thank god we no longer have to listen to people make excuses for when he throws in to tripple coverage “He’s a gunslinger trying to make a play.
In the game today I want to see NAPALM do something, anything . All we heard this offseason was that he looked like the best rookie WR was beating our #1 db in drills and so on. So far in games he has a big drop and not much else. Owusu has played the best out of the undrafted guys. Tyms has been better than napalm but not too spectacular either.
Provided that we keep 6 WR on the roster we will most likely only keep 1WR on the PS now is the time to step it up and see who it is.
Personally Id like to keep Tyms because of his size (only other WR taller than 6’1 is RM) athletic ability ( 40 inch vert and 4.4 40 time) and IMO his celing is the highest of the 3 since he is the rawest and has played the least so theoreticaly he will improve the most.
In reality i wouldnt mind any of the 3
Lets hope everyone stays healthy today
MB is reporting that Moss is going to start.
T.O released today!!