SANTA CLARA – Yesterday I asked the defense five questions. Today I asked Greg Roman and Alex Smith four questions. Here are their responses followed by my conclusions.
Question 1: Now that Moss and Manningham are on the team, can we expect more long passes in the games?
ROMAN: It all depends on who we’re playing. If (the cornerbacks) are playing way off (the line of scrimmage) then I doubt it. If they’re playing up close, I would say yes.
ALEX SMITH: In the end I’m still going to take what the defense gives me. I’m still going through my reads. I’m not just going to drop back and throw it up. Now, Randy does provide some opportunities where if he’s one-on-one you’re going to take some shots. He plays the ball that well in the air. But I’m still going to go through my progressions and reads and take what the defense gives me.
My follow-up question: Does Moss change your reads?
ALEX SMITH: Yeah, for sure.
My conclusion: I don’t expect Alex Smith to throw significantly more deep passes this season. He had Randy Moss single-covered on a deep route against the Texans and he didn’t throw to him. As he said, he’s still going to take what the defenses give him, which is mostly short passes.
Question 2: Who are your starting wide receivers?
ROMAN: (Turns to the PR director) Who are our starting wide receivers?
P.R. DIRECTOR: Are you asking me?
My conclusion: Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree are the starters, but Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham should be the starters. Manningham is better right now, but Moss will get the start for fear they’ll lose him if he doesn’t start.
My conclusion No.2: The PR director secretly draws up the game plan.
Question 3: Why do you think the offense will be better on third down this season than it was last season?
ROMAN: That’s a good question. I think time on task. I think No. 1 – a very wise man said this to me and I found this to be true – when you look at statistics, that’s great but anyone can look at statistics. The thing you want to know is why are these statistics the way they are? That’s really what you’re looking at. Why was your third-down percentage what it was? As we studied it in the offseason and throughout the season last year, it was a matter of execution – a lack of cohesion. I would attribute that to time on task. I would fully expect our third-down production to be much better due to the fact that we have much more time invested in it. I think it’s that simple. Now we’ve got to go out and do it. Going out and practicing it doesn’t guarantee you a thing. I fully expect our third-down production to be better starting with time on task – guys knowing what to do, what spots they’re going to be in, all the multiple coverages and protections. The best third-down teams are generally really efficient in the passing game on all downs and really good at short-yardage situations. It’s something I think will happen with our development and evolution.
ALEX SMITH: I think in the end it just comes down to execution. For me, the quarterback, it comes down to being decisive and pulling the trigger. Last year at times there were some opportunities out there and for whatever reason we didn’t get them. Maybe we were unsure or hesitant. As an offense, and myself speaking, I think we’ll be better at pulling the trigger this year, taking our shots that are there. Executing. Negative plays kill drives. If you’re productive on first and second down, I think that helps your third down. We were in a lot of third-and-longs last year, and the entire NFL in general is not good on third and long. It’s a difficult situation. I think that played into our lack of success at times last season.
My conclusion: The 49ers were 31st on the third down conversions in the NFL last season with a 28.11 conversion percentage, and they were equally bad on third-and-short and third-and-long. Time will tell if “time on task” will significantly change that.
Question 4: There was a second-and-7 against the Texans on Sunday. Alex Smith threw a pass to Vernon Davis and Davis dropped it. On TV it looked like Moss was breaking open deep. After looking at the film, did Smith make the right read?
ROMAN: In case somebody from an opponent is reading this, I don’t want to let them know about our quarterback reads, but I thought it was the appropriate decision. I think there’s times when a quarterback has to make quick decision. Let me put it to you this way – how open was Randy and how open was Vernon? You have to make that decision quickly. Generally speaking, when you run somebody on a shorter route and somebody deeper and it’s man-to-man coverage, you’re generally going to look at the shorter route first because he’ll probably be open quicker. That’s not true of all plays, but I thought it was a good throw and I know Vernon was pretty upset that he didn’t grab it.
ALEX SMITH: Yeah, it was the right read. I think, if anything, I would have loved to give Vernon a ball pulling him away – I kind of put it up on his face. He was running a crossing route. If I hit him running there, how many times have we seen him pull out of that and score? If I had to do it over again, (I’d want) more ball placement if anything. It’s critical versus man (coverage).
My conclusion: It was not the right read. Smith had Moss one-on-one, and as Smith himself said in this interview, if Moss “is one-on-one, you’re going to take some shots.” Smith has great chemistry with Vernon Davis. He needs to practice throwing deep passes to Moss. The preseason is the perfect time to do it, and he needs to do it more.
49ers RSS feed
Loading ...
Oh he’ll do it, but why advertise it now? Save it for the Packers. I fully expect at least one TD to Mr. Moss against them.
Exactly! why would SF show their cards on offense at any time BEFORE Green Bay? Moss will get aTD in that game and Alex will throw 2.
“My conclusion No.2: The PR director secretly draws up the game plan.”
Did this one come from Grant or Stan? Either way it is pure GENIUS! LoL : )
that has to be the oddest thing a coach has ever done. Asking the PR guy? That’s not his/her job. It maybe was a slight to Grant, but who knows since it wasn’t filmed.
Grant, what was your thought when Roman was asking the PR person about WR’s?
My take: Roman was being funny. Obviously a little too subtle for some brains.
Wilson,
What was it like spending all that time on that island with no one but Chuck Noland?
Obviously he was shining on the questioner.
Thanks for the clarification Captain Obvious.
Reporting for duty, General Obnoxious. *salutes*
That’s a good one Ribico, +1 for you, -1 for me LoL!
;) Your alright, Jack.
“He needs to practice throwing deep passes to Moss. The preseason is the perfect time to do it, and he needs to do it more.”
i’m sure it’s happening now but without media access, it can’t be seen. There will be some deep passes this year that will help win games. No need to focus on one VD drop. Stay tuned…
To be brutally honest, the world would be a better place if Alex Smith captained the Costa Concordia and this guy captained the 49ers.
reads are done in a progression if the first .read is open then it is always the right read. i think if davis had caught the ball where it was thrown he had a decent chance of turning it up the sideline. if alex had led him and davis had caught the ball i think there would have been a very good chance he would have broken it. it was absolutley the right read but not a great throw. if harbaugh had wanted smith to look at davis then throw the ball deep to moss he would have told him. from what i have read he is the only coach in the nfl that stays on the mike with his qb right up till 15 secs left on the play clock and talks to him
OC, of course. Some just can’t call it straight!
Coaches dont tell good qb’s where to throw the ball. Good qb’s take command and read through numerous progressions when they have the time, and Smith did on that play. Its not the end of the world, but the problem is Smith has a history of doing these things.And for his game to grow he’s gotta see Moss and others open before his first read and stretch the field. Defenses are going to continue to give him under routes, that is a big reason for 3rd and longs and his 3rd down issues. He’s got to make the defenses respect his recievers deep,THEN he can throw the under passes with more yac and success. Bottom line is Smith from last season isnt going to cut it this season.
I completely agree with you MD. I think you stated it more clearly than I would have and hit each point I thought of.
FG and Running the ball against the most prolific teams in the league just won’t cut it. It’s why they almost lost against NO last year.
Chris, I’ll take an almost lost over an almost won every day of the week, especially on Sunday.
Yeah Chris. It won’t produce anything better than 13-3 reg season; we better abandon that FAST!
Conclusion: you don’t know what you’re talking about. At the moment of release the cb (Joseph I think… Also the number one cb on their D, along with the safety floating over for help…meaning the Presnap read already is leaning to VD as the #1 mismatch) anyways… The cb is on Randy’s hip, with a safety coming over the top, while VD already had a yard on his man. So the high percentage play, (and coincidentally is what offense is predicated on, in case you’d ever like to learn about football) is VD and that is the correct read.
What you are insinuating is for a qb to avoid making the correct read, increase his potential for harm and turnover by holding onto the ball, something you’re also critical about, and continue onto additional reads after the first one was open. How does that make any sense? Oh and by the way you completely ignore the fact that waiting for moss to get open means ensuring the safety didn’t disguise the coverage and isn’t coming back over the top for help… Which at the snap is exactly what he looks like he is doing before randomly stopping at mid field (the safety actually makes the wrong read). So Alex did make the correct play, and you made the mistake of advertising you’re lack of play recognition to the general public.
+1
Conclusion: Alex Smith is god and can do no wrong, in the eyes of some.
He’s right, actually. Smith made the right read. There’s plenty that Smith could improve on, but harping on this play shows how little some of the commenters (and Grant) here understand the game.
Conclusion. You’re a tool
So by this logic AS would never throw deep. Don’t see how you can put down Grant with this.
So true. No NFL QB would go deep. The defense could shut down the deep threat by playing man with a safety over the top. My goodness, the man is a genius!
The point of the question has deeper meaning that just did Alex Smith miss a read. He missed a throw. He has a pattern of missing reads. He has a turbo clock in his head.
Big M- Absolutely correct, I can’t believe this was even a topic of conversation. Anybody who really *understands* football would never question that play reagrdless of who’s throwing the ball. It was completely obvious that there was a safety over the top. Next!
It’s called stirring the pot.
No, by this logic, Smith isn’t going to look at the seam first against Cover 1. If a defense plays 2 or 0, then the vert is a more viable option.
I hadn’t seen your comment before I posted, Bray. My last one was directed @ Brian in Oakland.
It was a good question Homer, let it go
Grant,
Are you not believing the answers from Roman and Smith?
That was a reply to BigB not jack my Bad. On the cell at the airport…
Doesn’t matter, GC nixed it! lol
Good thing, way too much talk of swinging going on around here today…
Jack
I believe everything Baalke/Harbaugh and coaching staff say, no reason not to. But there are things said I take with a grain of salt.
Jack your post was to Grant I know but it was about believing. I am hesitant to post this but what the heck.
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/08/22/same-word-different-coach-roman-on-evaluating-manning/
under,
Personally, as I watch the replay from the end zone camera, my instinct says against that coverage and the position of the db’s to drive the ball into Moss about 20 yards downfield.
Regardless, he put the ball on VD, and it would have been a positive play.
Do you think there may have been a twinge of gamesmanship on the part of Roman? Saying to the media it was the right read, but having a different conversation in the meeting room with Alex?
Jack,
RM’s role was simply to clear the underneath. VD catches the ball and scores, there is no further discussion. I can see them coming back to that play during the season and going deep to RM. Good times.
Hofer,
If RM’s role on the play is to clear the underneath, why do you think they will hit him for a score when they come back to it later? Based on what you just said that’s not his role on that play call.
Jack,
Very simple. If VD is covered, AS takes a shot. Progressions remember.
Gosh.
It isn’t that hard to figure out. VD is open. VD is the best player for AS in the passing game the last 3 years. VD was the first read. The pass to VD is easy with virtually no risk.
Guess who I throw it to, knowing this?
And why is this such a talking point?
Hofer,
In every offense I have taught the safeties and coverage determined the progression, and those progressions always went deep to short, not the other way around. If you were to try and go short to deep the QB will never get the ball to the deep route because he will be too deep by the time they get to that part of the read.
I could go on, but I don’t want to put you any further to sleep…
Jack, sometimes a throw under is a quick depending on what the QB sees in coverage pre-snap. With RM going deep, if the ball is caught there is room to run after the catch. We don’t know exactly the intricate details of the play. AS and GR were happy with the read as discussed during the presser.
Hofer,
There are a lot of things that I could say in response, but like I said, I don’t want to put anyone to sleep.
Whether he missed the deep read or not he put it on Davis for positive yardage, which is well, positive : ) Good times indeed.
It never puts me to sleep. :)
Hofer,
Ok then. There are pre snap and post snap reads. The pre snap read looks like cover 3, but post snap the LB blitzes and at that point the QB knows it is cover 1. Looking at the route combinations and based on the deep to short progression I mentioned earlier, the progression I would want is 1) deep to Moss, 2) flat to VD, 3) stop route over the middle to Reuland.
The interesting thing about this play is that because the protection had stopped the blitz they actually had all 3 of the reads come open almost exactly in that order as well. If you watch the endzone replay view you can see it best.
At the end of the day, and not knowing what Alex saw, it appears to me that he saw the blitz, thought he had to get rid of the ball, knew VD would beat the LB so he went there without looking anywhere else, and it should have been caught for a positive gain.
The coach in me will take that all day, while also making a note to discuss it later. It comes back to the pocket presence we talked about a the last couple of days, and having faith in the protection holding up. He seemed to make mention of that today as well. Those are the only hurdles he has left, and once he gets past those the sky is the limit for him. As you say and I agree, good times.
“The pre snap read looks like cover 3, but post snap the LB blitzes and at that point the QB knows it is cover 1. ”
Jack, that’s exactly the way I saw it. What is the weakness in a cover 1? Underneath – crossing routes, pick routes, etc. What did AS hit? A crossing route to VD that was a clear mismatch with a LB.
Exactly. The seam isn’t the first read against Cover 1. The drag is the man-beater and it’s the correct read.
Moss is also a man beater against cover 1, and when he wins as he did on this play the QB needs to at least look at him. Why else bring him on, to just run 8-10 yard stop routes?
As I stated above, the throw to VD was a good read and he hit it, but the better read is to see your playmaker open and get him the ball.
You disagree, and I accept that. Smith will demonstrate throughout the year if he can take advantage of his new weapons and there will probably be many more instances like this to discuss.
Well said Jack, I agree with your take.
AS has always been a good soldier. He follows instructions really well, that’s why the coaches like him. He goes through his progressions, etc.
Great QBs, however, have a bit of renegade in them. If RM is open for a possible TD, you throw it to him come hell or high water.
Yeah, it was the right read. I think, if anything, I would have loved to give Vernon a ball pulling him away
It looks like the offseason visit to the shrink didn’t do much good for making AS a bada$$.
“It looks like the offseason visit to the shrink didn’t do much good for making AS a bada$$.”
This is your conclusion after *12* preseason passes? lol
Well Hofer, 12 is a pretty big sample around here. Considering everybody and their mother have drawn conclusions, even to the the point of asking pointless questions of Niners players and coaches, from *one* pass play.
Nick,
We’ll see how it plays out starting Sept 9. For me it all goes back to his pocket presence, or lack thereof, and that was on full display again Saturday night.
Sunday will be another barometer of that. Dumervil and Miller are going to be a good matchup with Staley and A Davis. Interested to see how they and Smith handle it this week.
@Hofer
I was basing my statement on what Alex Smith said, not preseason play or performance. AS indicated that under the same scenario he would throw it to VD again. This has less to do with sample size, rather it gives us a glimpse into AS’s mentality.
Jack,
I’m not just disagreeing – I’m telling you from an informed perspective what the read against that coverage is. If Smithlooks at Moss and the FS reads his eyes and stays in position, that’s a pick. Cover 1 usually complements a blitz, so Smith shouldn’t expect to have the time to look off the safety when that isn’t even his read. Sometimes more than one guy will come open, but there is only one ball and a reason for the route progression.
Thanks for providing your “informed” insight Big M. It is appreciated.
Considering almost all coverages include a safety reading the QB we better hope Smith never throws a deep ball, for fear of a pick….
…@jack……Do you or have you played Madden?…..
Onelame do you or have you ever even watched a game?
oneniner says:
August 19, 2012 at 10:10 am
“I didn’t watch the game…”
So quit discussing it with those that did ; ) LoL!
…..hell yeah!! clown… I watched this game against the New Orleans Saints.
“….The final score was 36-32. Alex “The Great” Smith threw for 299 yards, three touchdown passes with no interceptions while rushing for an additional touchdown.
Alex “The One” Smith led touchdown drives of 80 and 85 yards in the final 4:02. He scored on a 28-yard touchdown run, and he threw a game-winning 14-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with nine seconds remaining, eschewing a more conservative open receiver that would have settled for a field goal and a tie.
Analysts Ron Jaworski said “Alex Smith won the game, not Alex Smith by not making mistakes. His performance won the game for them.”
Alex “The Phoenix” Smith also became the first quarterback in NFL playoff history to lead two go-ahead touchdowns in the final 3 minutes of a game….”
Yeah…I am sure you don’t recall, that game cuz you wished it never got played……..
man, rocket science is tough
“what the read against that coverage is. If Smithlooks at Moss and the FS reads his eyes and stays in position, that’s a pick. Cover 1 usually complements a blitz, so Smith shouldn’t expect to have the time to look off the safety”
That’s why drag, pick, crossing, and breaking routes work well against the cover 1. The receiver catches the underneath pass and there is room to run after the catch. Pre-snap it was cover 3 and post-snap cover 1. The safeties (FS and S) switched out and and the Strong Safety (GQuin) covered Reuland. AS read it correctly.
…football 102 from hoferfan………niceeee
Taking the shot to Moss against Cover 1 works too.
To steal from LC’s piece today, “If Jerry Rice was open deep, I can’t imagine Steve Young saying “I didn’t throw to him because he was my second read.” Please.
Jack, the problem with that statement is if VD catches the ball and scores, it doesn’t matter. Scoring is the objective and the bottom line is AS is taking the unabridged scrutiny for a dropped ball. Fair and balanced?
Hofer,
That would have been a 5 yard gain if Davis catches it, not a TD. The LB had the angle on him. If you watch it you will see him wrapping up Davis as the play ends.
Jack, wrapping up? VD slows down after dropping the ball and the LB (BJames) gives him a shove in the back. VD had a step plus on him.
And James had the angle on him. It wasn’t a blown coverage like the NY game when he had no one within 5 yards of him.
Jack, we were discussing what you called wrapping up. That’s not true. I’m working from home office and just replayed it. Even in slow motion VD has a step plus and if he catches the high pass, there is no way BJames catches him. 4.38 would pull away from 4.71 all day long.
In a straight line yes, but that’s why defensive coaches work constantly on pursuit angles.
He didn’t have the angle, but I’ll let it drop. It’s preseason and I’m only debating because some can’t call it straight.
@Jack Hammer
Safeties usually don’t have the benefit of a corner trailing and bracketing the WR in zone. If they do, that means someone else is WIDE open. You also won’t see as much blitzing with zone coverage, so there is time to read deep to short. If that play were against Cover 3 instead of Cover 1, then the throw should have probably gone to Moss. But Cover 1 dictates that Smith hits Davis. Point being: There will definitely be instances where Smith can attack the deep zones. This just wasn’t one of them. It’s better that the QB plays within the system and misses a big play opportunity here and there (against broken coverage) than for him to stray from the progression and build bad habits. Sure, Smith could have gotten lucky and guessed that the secondary failed to play their coverage correctly, but a better safety will bait Smith into making that throw and take advantage of it.
>>To steal from LC’s piece today
Lowell’s harping on this one play from preseason too? We can see how far the apple dropped from that tree.
I have to disagree with you, jack. VD came open before moss. And IF VD was Smith’s first read on the play, he’s supposed to hit him.
Also, not every read is deep to shallow, it depends on the play call.
Yes
…exactly!!!!……this is what I don’t get about Grant….are you a fan/hater or a reporter…….I believe Hoferfan when he says Moss was not opened before the pass…….Grant hasn’t commented on if that is a fact or not………….instead he is trying to feed the sheep……….
@oneniner
Given the fact that AS works well with VD, I would have him throw to VD all the time if he is open. If not, then AS should find another open WR, and throw it to him. If there are none, then we need to get some new WR’s.
That is a brilliant observation DS!
BS,
I vote you PD blog head coach of the year. Amazing suggestion. You are special, yellow bus special.
“BS”
Stop talking to the voices in your head 23welcher.
DS,
Still having Larry Fitzgerald dreams?
Lambs picked up Gholston…
Not good for my image hearing “Ill take what the defense gives me” that sounds like the same passing attack as last season. Good God NO! Although its “fine” its not good enough to win it all in year two AND its not good for my BET!!!! Damn! ;-)
But Ninermd, “I’ll take what the defense gives me” is something ol’ V. Lombardi used to say. Worked well for him, and while Vince is ancient history, most of his precepts fit rather well with Harbaugh’s philosophy today. Besides, what’s the alternative? Throwing deep into deep coverage?
When asked, Roman said he didn’t see the point in looking deep if they’re playing off. Sometimes, as in this over-analyzed play, we reach paralysis-by-analysis. Smith & VD connect on two or three 1st downs with that play in a game and the Safety is going to start cheating up………….
Uhhh…..
JM says it as well. Find me quotes where JM says a QB should normally force the ball into a bad situation.
Of course, those rules don’t apply if you are down, and it is late, and you need to score like right now. But for the first 3 quarters at least, you don’t risk it (unless you are down by a ton of points).
..@brotha tuna…..damn bro take it easy……ninermd the clown has no clue who Lombardi is……..you will give him a digrane………
LOL Good Lord, 19r, I wouldn’t knowingly give anyone a digrain! But I migress…… ; >)
Oh brotha! LMAO!
…bro…..:)
Brotha…….This isnt the 60′s dude. Did we win last season on “the defense giving him what he took?” Nope. Wait for season two if he continues to throw short with recievers are open downfield. Depend on Akers and defense and running game again. Lets see where that get the 49ers this season. Unlike Onelame I WATCH THE GAMES!
Oh and Thanks for the question Grant. Even though its a covert answer. I still give you a thumbs up for asking
-1
-10
Why do I get suckered into this amateur writing every time? Grant you’re pathetic. How do you continually get a press pass is beyond me.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaa
You get suckered in because it’s good. You’re critical because you’re a punk.
Boo Hoo, I was forced to read this and now I’m mad……
Grant
Would you agree that AS made the right read had it been the regular season, but the wrong one for the reasons you mentioned in the pre-season?
NO!!! Its a game and he has a history of checking down and going with the first read only. IDC If Im not Grant,. Thats the answer you wont and dont want to hear, but its the truth.
~”NO!! It’s a game…”
If it’s a game,why the double !?
Calm down.
3!. Makes my point more-so.
That sounds reasonable. The issue – and AS brought it up himself – is that Moss changes the reads. The primary read may be open, but if Moss has one-on-one coverage deep, that’s a shot the offense owes itself to take.
En Fuego Mr Cohn. Keep it going or go hit a table quick.
Grant
Nobody on the team has done more for AS passing game than VD. If he’s the first read, and open, I would give it to him in the regular season 100% of the time. If RM is 1st read and open AS throws it to him.
It was Cover 1, Grant. Moss got open, but the drag is the man-beater and Smith was correct to look there first. If Tim Ryan doesn’t make such a big deal about it during the broadcast, I doubt this is such a hot topic.
“That sounds reasonable. The issue – and AS brought it up himself – is that Moss changes the reads.”
That doesn’t mean he changes his progression. What it means is that when Smith reaches Moss in his progression, he may feel safer pulling the trigger than he would with other WR’s.
Grant,
If you look at the play,waas the Smith was releasing the ball, VD is wide open (with a LB in trailing coverage, no less) and Moss still had a CB on his hip. If you want to say that Smith should’ve anticipated Moss was going to come open, OK. But that would be lower percentage read.
There elements of Smith’s game to criticize, but this play isn’t one.
….all this from Big and golfer….and Grant keeps quiet………I wonder why?
“…and Moss still had a CB on his hip.”
That didn’t stop CK from throwing one up to him that should have been caught….
Jack,
I’m not saying Moss wasn’t open, just that VD was more open. With long green in front of him.
Jack,
On top of that, the pass to VD was the easier of the two to hit.
Yet CK was able to….
You know why your a hater and a clown Hack Jammer?
I’ll tell you why. You talk about one issue over and over again, say your neutral but always revert to something anti-Smith. The second reason is your talkin about a play in the preseason that the offensive coordinator said the QB made the right play and you act like he is lying or you know more.
To a T, you are a hater clown!
How many times do I have to tell you this, I don’t speak Dumbinese.
Your a master at it! Did Nick and Fitzbob teach you?
Prime
If Jack only put a few posts about it, that is fine. But he has put in like 100+ I bet on this issue!
Dude does not get that he is not as smart as AS/JH/GR when it comes to what the Niners are teaching their players. What they want them to do is not necessarily what Jack would want. Ego maniac to the nth degree man.
He’s made his point a million times over. A point that he somehow fails to see how useless it is. 1 stinking pass in a pre-season game I bet has never garnered this much attention in blog history. If he just sat down for a second, and thought about that, he would have to laugh at himself for putting in so much energy about AS throwing to a wide open VD who has been his best target since he’s returned from surgery by far and away. Nobody. Not his precious MC has come close to performing like VD has for AS. If the guy is open on an easy throw, you give him the ball. Not complicated to a elementary school kid even.
And yes. He always seems to conclude that AS could have done something better no matter what the issue is. Neglecting the rest of the offense, and oh yeah. The coach. He claims to be a DC. I bet he likes it when his players ran off to do what they wanted to do and not what the playcall told them to do. Know which pro team that sounds like? The Raiders. How good is their defense when players run off and do what they want?
I hear you DS but can you imagine him all year on this blog examining every throw Alex makes? Oh my God, it could be a long season!
Prime
There might be a hidden gem in that. If Jack spends this much time on every AS pass,he will collapse from exhuastion due to lack of sleep. And for awhile anyway, we will be spared of his expert opinion.
Always look for the positive in a situation Prime.
:- )
I’m looking forward to a lot of good things from the 49ers. Hack Jammer is not one of them.
Jack,
Because CK made a similar throw once, it becomes the preferred read?
No Ex, Alex said it best himself, playmakers like Moss change the reads. When they get him matched up 1-0n-1 they need to take the shot. Once they start hitting on those it will open up everything else.
As I have stated, getting the ball to Davis wasn’t a bad choice, I just think it Moss would have been a better one.
Jack,
There should’ve been an “All things being equal” preceding Smith’s comment. IMO, things weren’t equal on that play, VD was the superior read. I agree to disagree on this one.
Ex,
It has now come to fixing Smith’s quotes? C’mon! ; )
I agree to disagree as well, but would like to thank you, Hofer, and Big M in debating/discussing this and keeping it straight up.
Prime Slime,Talking about being a hater, is their anyone you like on this blog.
Nope, especially not a fool like you! Go find out when the supplemental draft is Fitzbob!
On question #1, I think (hope) Smith is lying. I would expect to have more long passes in the game plans with the additions of Moss, Manningham and Jenkins.
On a side note, there has been alot of chatter about how I think Jenkins will rarely (and some say never) make the 47 man game rosters this season. Jenkins is getting alot of reps this preseason and has consistently made daylight between himself and the defender. I have a gut feeling Harbaugh will sneak Jenkins into games, even early games. Maybe some special pass packages.
I would also not be surprised to see Kaepernick-LaMichael-Jenkins getting tossed a no-huddle drive or two per game. I’m not expecting it, but they must be considering it.
It’s also good for the D to practice against the no-huddle, as Green Bay uses it once in a while to change things up.
GC said “My conclusion: It was not the right read.”
Well what was the point of asking them then? Who else can you possibly ask then that would have a better answer if it was the correct read? These are the two people truly know better then everybody else what the correct read was and they both said that Alex made it.
If you’re just gonna disagree with the answer cause you don’t like it then I seriously don’t see the point in asking.
coffee
Do you really think AS would say anything else? And RM won’t talk. Just saying, I knew the answer he’d give. Even if it isn’t true.
Again, then why ask the question in the first place if you don’t think the person is going to give a truthful answer??
coffee
Me personally, because it is my job (if I’m a journalist which Grant is). But AS has given the same basic answer every time for 8 years running.
So unless every other Niner offensive player is perfect, and it is always AS fault as some here actually believe, then that means AS is covering for the failures of his teammates at some point.
Which, as I stated earlier, is what leaders do. And AS is a leader. We don’t get 6 comebacks without AS, and AS doesn’t get them if he can’t lead. No way he can.
First it was JH lying about Manning, apparently, now some are questioning Roman’s honesty?
WOW!
Prime
Jed York sure hires a lot of dishonest people. Maybe he should check into his accountant.
lol
Smith in this offense always plays it safe. It worked out well for the most part last year. The question is: Will Alex take advantage of situations that present themselves as medium risk, high reward – like Moss in single coverage – or will he consistently go for the low risk, medium reward? The great ones are able to do the math, which may not always be where the script takes you.
Wilson,
That’s a Brett Favre move. I personally don’t like BF’s style of play. He was great at it, but he was too inconsistent. Tons of TD’s on big plays, but almost as many INT’s. I’ll take consistency every time.
I’m not saying Smith has achieved that, yet, but I liked the throw to VD.
Only in this team a QB is criticized by throwing to an open receiver, which, by the way, is arguably the best offensive threat on the team.
A couple of names for you…….Montana, Young, Brodie and Tittle. Get the picture?
Allan
Nobody who knows the team can argue any of those points.
Then why bother bs? Everything is Alex Alex Alex…..Save it. Youre not a 49er fan because your favorite player is on the team. Get real
md
Taking the lead of welcher.
“BS”
You know about the “S” part a great deal. If you say it is BS, then who is to argue with somebody who is the “S” part. You know that better than I. No doubt.
For years you have demonstrated the only emotion you can consistently display is “hate”. That is why you are a “hater”.
I don’t hate players on my beloved 49ers. Just so called team fans that hate certain players and never find fault in another. I don’t bash Alex smith. I stay honest with his faults and give him credit for his achievements. Can’t say I’ve seen a positive post about MC with you bs. Oh how do you feel about MC again???? Yeah skip this post like you and onelame do so often.
Don’t write to or about me, and I won’t reply.
By the way, I don’t read most of your posts. If it seems like I do, that is because you are a 1 trick demented pony. Blah, blah, blah..hate. Blah, blah, blah, hate.
I know what you write bevause it is the only thong you write.
You need to ignore me. Unless you don’t want your wife to know you are obsessed with a blogger.
Lol riiiight ds. You are the best. Ha ha haaaaa. Hey I give you credit this time you actually responded to post that exposes you, but the problem is you didn’t reply to that. You spin it in your hateful way. Bravo! But it doesn’t work with this guy. Oh and I’m sure my wife isn’t worried about being “obsessed” with an idiot even she laughs at. You are a celebrity comedian in this house. Ha ha haaa
..ninermd says ..”I don’t bash Alex smith. I stay honest with his faults and give him credit for his achievements. “……
ha ha ha…lol….lmao….lmfao…..rolf…..lmfaoshicgiboaih….
Blog Clown = Confirmed!
oneniner
Really? md said that? I don’t think he’s ever read any of his posts from last season or the one before that, or the one before that.
Of course this is the same guy that says the reason AS had so many comebacks last year was because the Niners offense (code for AS) didn’t give the defense a large enough lead heading into the 4th quarter, so they lost the lead because of AS and his virtually no TO’s last year.
oneniner says:
August 19, 2012 at 10:10 am
…..Finally Hoferfan67 thinking outside the hater box……
“I’ve got the play stopped on that exact play on my Directv box and AS has released the ball at the 9ers 35 (in stop action the ball is in flight at the 31) VD has his man beat at the 24.5 yd line, and RM is at the 16 in lock step with his man (hasn’t beaten him yet). The point is the ball has been released and in the air before RM is open.
The point is he didn’t miss him. The ball was already out before RM beat his man. Take a look!! BTW, if VD catches that ball it is a big gain or a score. That side of the field is wide open.”
I didn’t watch the game but detailed breakdowns like this really help clean the blog of haterade comments…
Enough said……. This clown is taken seriously by some? LOL These two smith bots couldnt seperate Bashing from Faults in this lifetime. LOL
Here are my concerns as a 49er fan. I want Alex Smith to take the next step. I haven’t seen that in the preseason. To game plan against Smith, it would appear that blitzing packages from the safeties are the best mode of disrupting his rhythm. He doesn’t get past a first read which eliminates any deep threats. Alex Smith hasn’t shown a killer instinct yet and that concerns me 7 years in.
My next concern is Randy Moss. If he isn’t making the deep catches, he has a history of giving up. Alex Smith can’t seem to build chemistry with Moss. That worries me.
Third, broken record here, the 49er Secondary.
Fourth, Greg Roman and his vanilla play calling. I think Alex Smith unfairly takes some of the heat the coaching staff should get for their conservative approach.
All that being said, no team is perfect and I think this team will rise to the challenge.
Well said. I agree with the killer instinct especially. But I have to say Smith got a whole lot of confidence last season. Lets hope he gets that Killer instinct you’re talking about.
DS94everXev says:
August 22, 2012 at 9:58 pm
Chris
Point 1: I woud like to see AS take the next step as well. But he can’t do that because the OL can’t pass block and provide any place to step up.
You were under pressure against the Houston Texans. How do you see your pass protection developing this year? Is it better now?
“I do. I feel like it’s much better. I said this to [Comcast’s] Matt [Maiocco] after the game, I take credit for quite a bit of that during the game. I felt like a lot of that was self-inflicted. First play, definitely my fault, that 3rdand7 sack, I really felt like I ran into that. Same as the other sack, which was really kind of a no-loss, it was right at the line of scrimmage, but on me as well. I really felt like protection was pretty good. There was the one where I got the roughing the passer. That’s the only one that really stands out in my mind. Other than that, protection’s been great. And I think we’ll do a better job. Same thing, it falls on all of us. Offensive line, it starts there, but it’s on backs, quarterbacks, receivers, getting the ball out, understanding when we’re getting pressure, things like that.”: A Smith
And bs continues to speak for Alex even though he debunks her points everytime. And bs has the nerve to call out anybody who doesn’t take the words of roman or harbaugh. Round of applause for bs. The blog mastermind. Now it actually speaks for A Smith.
Feel free to ignore this one too bs. It feels so good to not have a response. And it saves some face. Wheew
DS94everXev says:
August 22, 2012 at 9:58 pm
Chris
Point 1: I woud like to see AS take the next step as well. But he can’t do that because the OL can’t pass block and provide any place to step up.
You were under pressure against the Houston Texans. How do you see your pass protection developing this year? Is it better now?
“I do. I feel like it’s much better. I said this to [Comcast’s] Matt [Maiocco] after the game, I take credit for quite a bit of that during the game. I felt like a lot of that was self-inflicted. First play, definitely my fault, that 3rdand7 sack, I really felt like I ran into that. Same as the other sack, which was really kind of a no-loss, it was right at the line of scrimmage, but on me as well. I really felt like protection was pretty good. There was the one where I got the roughing the passer. That’s the only one that really stands out in my mind. Other than that, protection’s been great. And I think we’ll do a better job. Same thing, it falls on all of us. Offensive line, it starts there, but it’s on backs, quarterbacks, receivers, getting the ball out, understanding when we’re getting pressure, things like that.”: A Smith
Stop throwing everyone else under the bus to protect Smith. Knowledgable fans and reporters were saying exactly what Smith said as early as Sunday. Smith caused himself to get hit due to his lack of pocket presence. As Harbaugh said a couple weeks ago, Smith doesn’t need people to stand up or him he can do it himself.
Chris
Point 1: I woud like to see AS take the next step as well. But he can’t do that because the OL can’t pass block and provide any place to step up.
Point 2: If RM quits here, he is done in the NFL. Having never won a Super Bowl. Not the way a HOF WR wants to end his career. Besides, RM has barely been in the game. If JH thinks those two needed more time together,they would call more plays. In JH I trust. I hope you do as well.
Point 3: Starting QB’s haven’t hurt us against our 1′s a lot. Schabb only kicked butt against our whole 2nd team D. Unless we field them all in a real game at once, that drive didn’t hurt my faith at all.
Point 4: No team is showing anything playcalling wise. Can’t knock on Roman for that now.
>In Harbaugh’s “coach em up” I trust!
>In Baalke’s draft choices I trust!
>In the Yorks wanting to win I trust!
>In the 49er way I trust!
I like that prime.
Anybody disagres with that…they mean nothing on a Niner blog.
Chris,
You have all these feelings after two preseason games? Smith has played about one half of preseason football. Don’t you think you might be jumping the gun, just a little?
IT’s PRE-Season. Alex can throw, Randy can run, Vernon is healthy, everybody is present and accounted for. You people are neurotic. I’m more interested in the flashes we see from 2′s and 3′s than debating whether or not Smith made the right read on a pass that was definitely not the “wrong” read; nor was the throw “terribly inaccurate.” Considering that the crossing route Vernon ran on THE drive against NO was fed with a beautifully led throw, why is everyone freaking out because AS put this one on VD’s face? Lol, Moss dropped the pass from CK, is he not a top 3 receiver of all time anymore? Knee-jerk pre-season reactions. Be concerned if Alex can’t complete A pass, if Vernon can’t get off the LOS, if Randy looks 35+… These aren’t problems. Sit back, enjoy watching the expanded roster, and get ready to buckle down for the real show in a few weeks. Deep breaths people… Wooooosaaaahhhhhhhhh
Well put, Bently.
Prime Time says:
August 22, 2012 at 10:13 pm
>In Harbaugh’s “coach em up” I trust!
>In Baalke’s draft choices I trust!
>In the Yorks wanting to win I trust!
>In the 49er way I trust!
DS94everXev says:
August 22, 2012 at 10:24 pm
I like that prime.
Anybody disagres with that…they mean nothing on a Niner blog.
@Prime/DS
*With one stipulation: This does not include Michael Crabtree (lol)!
Do you two really think for a moment that after all your MC hate spewing that you can actually present something here of any value?
The fact that you two agree on this is a sad commentary on your credibility.
Sure Prime, on the suface this looks and sounds good. But your words never match your feelings bud. You hate Michael Crabtree and so does your twin DS. There’s no team rah-rah chant that you present that can get you two off the hook (lol.
DS can you show me over the last three weeks where you have gone one day without taking a shot at MC?
Prime, while you tell others to move on from past history regarding AS, you yourself continue to bring up all of MC’ past.
Keep your rah-rah chants to yourselves boys, because I know it doesn’t include ALL 49er player.
But if you enjoy fooling yourselves, to each his own!
Not all Niner players. You mean like you and AS. For years. How many times did you defend CR? Adam Snyder? Gotcha. Hypocrite king.
You are the only one hating. You see in the grown-up world, you can have your own opinion and still trust in somebody and follow them.
When MC/player x become a FA, then we will see how much they offer, pursue that player. Do you think he earns $6 million if he has a year like last year? I don’t. Not from us anyway.
You are a run on joke AES.
Grow up AES.
This was a perfect opportunity for Mr. All in to show up, and agree with that statement.
But once again, you choose to fight over a choice to be All in. Not cheer on a post that was actually “All in”. Keep the same joke going for long, it isn’t funny for long.
If you start a fight about what Prime wrote, the last thing you are is “All in.”
Later.
C’mon DS, take your medicine like a man (lol).
You can take umbrage is much as like, but the truth is that you no credibility at all.
Your hate for MC has been on public display for almost 4 weeks. Joining in on Prime’ little rah-rah chant just smacks of hypocracy.
As long as you continue to bash a 49er player (leading WR) I will be here.
AES, looking for confrontation once again? Both DS and I have told you that we will hold out further judgement on MC til the season.
You like a rash in my pants can’t let it go. Find somewhere else to go with your repertoire of needling this topic.
I’ll wait til week one and beyond to see how #15 performs. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and cork the whole Prime/MC commentary that I hate him. Your just instigating unnecessary drama.
Yes, we have said that prime. AES acts like we will be cheering if MC does poorly. Whatever.
This time last year, I thought T. Brown sucked. I was quite convinced he did. When he got hurt in the title game was the only time I doubted we would win that game. That is how much TB improved,and how much I was wrong.
Same thing I hope happens for MC this year (him improving like TB did last year). Find a single post where I expressed “hatred” for TB last year at any point. You can’t. Because I didn’t. Just like I don’t hate MC. I doubted TB abilities, yes. But hate, never.
MC after all, at the very least would leave me alone if I asked him to. Several people here, won’t. So, I have no reason at all to hate MC.
Of course you don’t actually hate Crabtree DS, and no one actually hates Smith, we don’t even personally know them, but that hasn’t stopped you from being a player hater with him.
“player hater- someone who dislikes or resents or disapproves of a player (the term is used to criticize people who are jealous or who don’t respect successful people).”
Ok. The football world can live now. Espn has stopped everything for a Rex Ryan speech about an o-line player. Man I never get to hear about the Jets. Thank you espn.
Then you are going to love this screenshot:
http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2012/08/today-in-extraordinary-espn-tebow-fluffing.html
Its a joke. We all should get some funds up and make our own west coast espn. At least the nfl network switches back from NE, Phi, NYG and NYJ. It’s pathetic. I guess 13-3 and a fumble away from a Super Bowl isn’t good enough for at least 5 minutes a week.
Oh its not ALL East Coast you-all; there’s all those reports from Denver on what breakfast cereal Peyton had this morning. Hmmm, I wonder what’s up with Brett…..?
That Jet’s excuse of a right tackle is going to pay big dividends for us come Sept 30.
I believe that right tackles object to you referring to Wayne Hunter as one of them. He’s a turnstile.
#4 is the right kind of question to ask, Grant. Keep asking them.
Re: the pass from Alex Smith to Vernon Davis that fell incomplete:
Rocket – “he hit his best receiver in the numbers on a play that would have resulted in a first down easily. ”
Alex Smith – “I would have loved to give Vernon a ball pulling him away – I kind of put it up on his face. He was running a crossing route. If I hit him running there, how many times have we seen him pull out of that and score? If I had to do it over again, (I’d want) more ball placement if anything. It’s critical versus man (coverage).”
Rocket, do you care to revise your statement? Davis should have caught the ball but Smith’s placement wasn’t very good. I’m pretty sure Alex Smith was reading this blog and he agreed with me and thought you were wrong. : )
Houston, that ball was catchable. Each and every pass won’t be on the numbers. Come on, you should know that AS *isn’t* going to say, yeah it was the correct read and VD should have made the catch for a 1st down or a TD. AS never puts blame on his teammates – as someone else noted (Undercenter?), a good sign of a leader.
Time to focus on the season.
…come on houst…..your better than that…..if every throw was perfectly thrown we would see passing numbers in thr 7000 yrd category…that you know is impossible…i cant believe your still talking abut one throw and one drop that happened in the a week afo in preseason…time to roll one up vato’s……
…..nah…dude…Houston isn’t better than that….he is a confirmed old school Alex hater…….Houston 9ers hates everything young and new……..he represent the old south – bitter and ignorant of all things about the future (49ers)……
Houston 9ers says “I’m pretty sure Alex Smith was reading this blog and he agreed with me and thought you were wrong.”………this is loof that thinks a comment like that is funny, ………and doesn’t realize it shows how dull a brain he got between his ears……..I mean you have to be freaking old school to have a thought that Alex will agree with anything you think especially after hating and putting him down for 7 freaking years…….
Ahhhh…. the troll is back. Did Nurse Cratched lower the dosage on your meds?
Rocket said Smith’s pass was perfect. I said it was most definitely catchable but it was not a perfect pass. It was a short pass that should have hit Davis in stride. Smith made the catch a lot more difficult than it should have been. IMHO, this is the biggest issue with Smith’s accuracy. He is good enough to throw catchable balls but he very rarely throws a pass where the receiver can catch the ball without breaking stride. Last year, the pass to Davis against the Saints was a great pass where Davis caught it on the run without breaking stride and took the ball down for a huge gain in crunch time. Unfortunately, those passes are not the norm for Smith. To truely become a great QB he needs to improve on his placement where he consistently throws the ball out front and lets the receiver run to the ball instead of making the receiver contort his body to try to make a catch while the DB catches up to him. It’s a very small window but for Smith to make the next step that’s where he needs to improve.
Agreed, Houston. And that’s what Alex said about it when asked, that if he’d led VD correctly it might have broken for a big gainer.
Harbs has everyone trying to get better in every way. Alex needs to, Anthony Davis and Alex Boone need to, P.Willy & Bowman need to also. Its not about being bad, or being the best, its that if you’re not getting better, the other guys are catching up or passing you.
Houston,
No problem admitting when I’m wrong. In this case I guess I was. Looked pretty good when I watched it but it’s apparent that Smith thought it could be better and Davis did have to turn his body a bit so I stand corrected.
Houston,
Glad you’ve revised your opinion of the pass, too. In earlier posts you were making it sound like a horrible pass [which it wasn't]. It wasn’t the best pass either, but it should’ve been caught for a big gainer. VD’s drop was the bigger error on that play, and it’s not even close. Nice to see you realize that now.
Houston,
I hate it when Alex refutes me. I thought he was supposed to be a nice guy.
Rocket,
Denver has a pretty good defense. I think this week is going to be pivotal if our #1 offense plays at least a half. We certainly need better protection from our offensive line. Question, it seems to me that Smith is responsible for setting the protection. Do you agree?
Jordan,
From what I remember Smith sets the protection but Staley also plays a role in that. One time last year he actually got Smith to change it from what Smith had decided to go with.
I agree this will be a good test. John Fox defenses are traditionally pretty good and the Oline will be up against a tandem of great passrushers in Miller and Dumervil. Let’s hope they step up and kick some ass.
Prime Time says:
August 23, 2012 at 8:35 am
‘AES, looking for confrontation once again? Both DS and I have told you that we will hold out further judgement on MC til the season.
You like a rash in my pants can’t let it go. Find somewhere else to go with your repertoire of needling this topic.
I’ll wait til week one and beyond to see how #15 performs. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and cork the whole Prime/MC commentary that I hate him. Your just instigating unnecessary drama.”
@Prime
I’ve got no qualms with you or DS holding MC for judgement. That’s your absolute right.
But the problem I have is that your judgement stops with MC, O-line, and everyone not named Alex Smith.
I like AS and think he is on his way to a great season. But you two treat AS like a holy shrine that can’t be touched by human hands (lol).
Do you really believe that AS has arrived after one good season?
Are you two the only people in the sports world who think AS will not be under the microscope to see if he can deliver now that the Org has provided him with weapons?
Even I know that you two aren’t that naive. Guess what? AS will be under MORE scrutiny then MC this season. He will have to show that the Org was right in signing RM, MM, and chosing a WR with the #1 pick.
You two can hate on MC all you want, but I’ll tell you now that MC is going to be the least of your problems if AS can’t deliver…
You know AES you seem to make a lot of assumptions of what I think about this and what I have said about that but one thing that I have said and you don’t seem to understand is, the performance on the field will determine all.
Thats all I have ever said about Alex and Crabtree. Alex stepped up last year, now it’s time for Crabtree. For some reason you got out of that Alex has arrived and I hate Crabtree.
Let’s just let it play out. Do you need me to fax, email, twitter, take a photo for you to understand that this is the last of our dialogue regarding Crabtree or what?
Last I looked, so did MC to the tune of leading the team in receptions. But while you toot AS’ horn for stepping up, you have gone on record as saying that MC’ numbers were “meaningless.”
That’s not an assumption, that’s a fact.
A is for annoying guy who can’t let it go.
E is for even when asked to let the play on the field determine the arguement, he can’t still can’t shut up about it.
S is for slow in understanding that I’m done trying to critisize Crabtree and his game any further. I’ll wait til week one and beyond.
…and if you flip flop it over….you get SEA…….a large body of nothing that may be connected with a hater, like the asinine Sea which lacks a natural thought.
Or maybe he is a SEAttle fan hoping against the Niners? In any event he is an annoying guy who can’t let it go!
AES, I think Prime Time and DS are right, you need to see that there was alot of skepticism regarding Alex last year. He delievered, you cannot deny that. Now dont take that as he is a top 5 QB in the NFL, it just means he showed he can win and at times carry the load. The 6 comeback victories are for real.
Now Michael Crabtree going into this season faces some warranted skepticism in that he needs to deliever and play at a higher level than he has. Lets see what he can do.
Maybe FDM,
but maybe there we shouldn’t have had to have been in the position to have to come back in several of those games because of the defense that we have.
In other words, we were put in the position to have to come back by the guy that is getting credit for the comebacks…. Just saying….
Our defense kicks ass on the Lions, Smith stinks up the joint and only throws for 127. But he comes out a hero and gets credited for a comeback… Get my point?
I dont really see your point because the game dictates itself. Penalties, drop balls, playcalling, bad throws, noise, etc. all could have been the result of why the Niners needed to come back in any of those 6 comeback wins.
Your pinning it all on Alex fior gettign them in that position. Thats not accurate. Now with that being said, all the comeback wins cannot be attributed to Smith and Smith alone. However, the guy behind centre when leading a comeback cannot make any mistakes, especially with limited time. He was mistake free and made all the necessary throws as every other player did in doing their own specific jobs.
Saints game. Smith was all world in the 4th quarter. Got a comeback victory. Should he have really been trailing with 1:47 to go when the defense handed him five turnovers….. Just saying. I hear what you are saying, but when someone throws out that a QB had 4 come from behind victories, and it ties a record of JM, that indicates greatness. Lets be honest, Smith who is described as average is not that…. Just saying, the come from behind victories were in part due to a very mediocre offense. Who gets credit when they score? The QB usually. Who should get the blame when they don’t…..
“Should he have really been trailing with 1:47 to go when the defense handed him five turnovers…..
No, but in the past it would have maybe included 3 INTS and that was it. That was a classic playoff game. I never thought that game was over til the final scream from Eric Davis. That offense (SAINTS) was never going to roll over.
Now we are seeing the progression of game manager, system QB, to letting it go as he undersatnds the offense that much more.
As far as the Montana comparison goes, thats just silly! I dont go there.
Tell em Bay. Where is bs to defend Smith with this. It still refuses to give our defense credit. Should we have been having to comeback when the O was given 5 turnovers? Or in the Lions or Bengals games? Why do you think they wanted Manning……They want an all world beater! Smith better find those Moss misses this season. Watch him now. He’s got it this year. Top 7 Faithful. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEW
Md I don’t get that arguement about the Saints. When they had to open it up and throw the ball, Smith did that, twice in the last 4 minutes of that game and scored both times?
NO had the best offense last year in the entire league, you weren’t gonna keep Brees down the whole game no matter how good our defense played.
In the playoffs against good teams, leads can be diminished, it’s weird but that’s the NFL.
I can respect your take FDM. But in an offensive scheme that was centered more on running, MC’ team leading receptions should not be sneered at like Prime and DS often do.
FDM, I have no problem with fans that want to show their dislike of players. But to minimize and call MC’ stats “meaningless” borders on hatred anyway you cut it. With all due respect FDM (you do seem reasonable), if someone were to call AS’ last season’ accomplishments “meaningless” there would be an FBI investigation around here (l0l)!
True prime. My point was the offense was given a 5 turnover lead a couple of those were on their 50 or less. Smith “since he is the general of the offense” tallied 13 points off of those. Yes nobody was going to shut down brees, my point was if smith and co had scored at least 2 td’s in the 5 t.o the game would have been over then. The comeback was great, but there shouldn’t have been one with that many chances. Most of the time a team gets 5 t.o’s that early its a wrap. That was my point. I give smith credit for the comeback that should never have happened. He played my emotions like smokey did with big worm. Lol this season I want some blow outs if he’s given those opportunity’ again. Example: like the TB game.
….Vic Fangio = “one of the reasons we were really good on defense last year is because we had a really good offense that protected the ball. We had very few short fields against us. “….
>>Why do you think they wanted Manning……They want an all world beater!
Two things, md. It was only an evaluation, not a want. And Manning beat “the world” just once in 14 seasons. Are you willing to give Smith 6 more and see if he can beat the world?
oneniner
Shhh!!!!
md will hear you and find out yet another Smither is Vic Fangio. His world will collapse in on himself and he will be sucked out the universe by the black hole that follows. Never to return.
We don’t want that now, do we?
@jackhammer earlier you posted that most reads go deep to short. thats true in the case of check downs. in the case where the under pattern is a short crossing route, drag route or a quick post a qb reads short to deep. vd on a te short cross would be the first read unless like you said the pre snap read was different.
Coach,
That’s not the way we taught it. If there was a deep route on a play that was the first look in the progression. This was done for a few reasons, 1) the safety is the key for showing coverage so by having the deep read be 1st he can quickly see the coverage and the deep route, 2) we always wanted to push the ball upfield if possible, so it is the first look, 3) by looking short first the deep man gets too far downfield and by the time the QB gets back to him he is too deep for an accurate pass.
It has nothing to do with check downs. On this particular play, as I stated I think he saw the LB coming and went to VD. It should have been completed for a positive gain but it was dropped. Now go back and ask if he even looked to Moss. My guess is that conversation took place in the meeting room, and as Roman himself said, they aren’t going to get into details, nor should they.
At the end of the day they added weapons to take advantage of situations like this. Will Smith look to take advantage of them when opportunities arise? We’ll find out soon enough.
part of what defines the read is also the QB’s drop 3 step drop is one read 5 step drop another and 7 step drop the qb will make a different read. read miaocco’s latest blog entry and i think it will expain why smith makes the reads that he does and which order harbaugh and roman want him to make his reads. i really believe everything smith does now is part of harbaughs plan for him and his part of his O scheme
You are correct coach. On this play it is a 7 step drop, one that should be a high low read.
Jack everything you just said makes perfect sense. Perfect sense to everyone but a Smither. Not one of them will come out and tell you that maybe you have a point.
So Bay, is Greg Roman lying about that play? Better yet, what do you think about his presser yesterday and everything he said in it?
FDM, do I believe these coaches like to keep things in house? Yes.
So if we are to believe that these coaches are lying then really, whats the point of it all? Why even have the presser?
At some point the players read or watch these things and if they are questioning their coaches remarks, dont you think that would cause a lot of dissention?
Now if they do keep things in house and tell the media one thing and tell the players another, thats a lot babysitting going on and or some very waste of time meetings. So Bay, it seems really odd that Harbaugh would lie to the media and then Roman as well. I highly doubt it, its not the CIA.
Jack,
Just because the QB reads the safety, doesn’t necessarily mean the first receiver he looks at is the one running the deepest pattern. It CAN mean that, but it doesn’t have to. The teams you coached must have had dominating talent to run that kind of offense, if the team was successful, anyway.
Exgolfer didn’t you know Hack considers himself a NFL type level coach. He knows it all, especially the QB position. World renowned and highly respected.
Of course this is all self proclaimed.
We were decent golfer. We didn’t have much size so the misdirection Fly stuff suited our run game and made play action and spread stuff go pretty well in the passing game. Got to the playoffs in 3 of 4 years, had some very smart, talented, tough kids.
Jack,
Very nice.
good article on mm’s blog this morn. does a good job in explaining roman and harbaughs offensive philosophy and why smit QB’s the way he does and why it probably wo’nt change.
Grant if you’re here this morn. my last 2 posts disapeared
Fixed it.
thanks
Grant – Under the heading “trending topics” we’ve always had only the last 5 posts listed in here, is there anyway possible to increase that amount to 10 or more? I think it we be helpful for all of us and cut down on time searching for replies etc.
Many of us have to step away from the blog then return throughout the day and it would be nice to see the last 10-15 posts or more, rather than just five.
Thanks for any help Grant!
Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Also have the persons name who worte it visible, that way we can avoid certain people and eliminate the hostile remarks that can happen.
FDM – That’s a very good idea. :-)
crab15
Because I know there are only 5 posts there, I don’t correct spelling errors unless it changes what I mean to say. Of course an edit option would be great as well. So I may correct the error while not taking a recent post spot.
Yes DS and edit option would be good. My spelling is terriable on my best days. On my bad days its a wonder any of you can figure out what I write.
Also would like the blog stay in order after Grant boots someone.
Since the Alex Smith street fight seems to be losing steam, let’s start on Kaepernick:
Harbaugh Officially Names Kaepernick No. 2
Thanks for that update Claude. I know this won’t be a popular opinion, but I really think he is going to be very good and once he gets his opportunity there won’t be any looking back.
@Jack:
Why won’t that opinion be popular? It would bode well for the 49ers.
Claude,
Have you seen the comments the last few weeks? I have really liked what I’ve seen in the preseason so far.
Jack
IF and thats a big if, CK turns out to be the best QB I think most of us Smithers would be ok with that. All we want to do is win, no matter who the QB is. At this point CK in my opinion isnt ready, thats why I was hoping that he would get lots of reps these last 2 games.
undercenter,
Who said anything about Smithers? And I agree with you, CK still has a bit to go, but I am really liking what I am seeing.
Jack, if CK does work out as well as you think, then he’s earned the position longer term. A lot depends on AS and his play this year. The key for me was the comebacks during the year and the playoff performance of AS. With everything on the line, he came through. Some will say AS didn’t perform well in the NYG Championship game, but replace those starting 9er receivers with today’s 9er receivers and it’s a different story – 9ers win.
Jack
“I know this won’t be a popular opinion,”
Wouldnt the Smither group be the ones that would have an unpopular opinion? Is why I said that. Is that a problem?
Under, good catch. Jack, are your true colors coming out?? JK lol
undercenter,
I hadn’t even thought of a particular group. A week and s half ago there were a lot of folks saying Tolzien should be #2 remember?
Smithers and now Tolzieners?!! Really Jack? Now CK is the underdog. lol
Gotcha, I forgot about Tolzien. Tolzien is going to be a good QB someday, today isnt one of them tho. I really like that guy. Very impressed on what I have seen from him like you are with CK.
@ Hofer
not to be disrespectful, but I think that’s spelled:
Los Tolzeineros
(Oh, so then you’d be Jofer!)
under,
I like Tolzien too, he seems like a really good guy and I hope he gets the 3rd spot.
Harbaugh is only evaluating CK7 as the #2 QB.
Were is the blog about this story Grant?
I hope these guys figure out how to get Hunter 12-15 touches a game. I really don’t want to see him carry much more in the preseason. Give the extra work to Cartwright and Boobie and James….
Can’t wait to see what wrinkles JH has for James. I don’t think he is strong enough right now to be a traditional runner. Special packages to beat the blitz. Screens, maybe draws. For the most part, just want to see more of Hunter.
@ Bay
Shhhhhhhhhhhh! (just kidding)
But these guys/the Niners coaching staff are all liars by your account. They lied about pursuing Manning when they said it was a evaluation that they do for every free agent. Now they are lying that Alex made the right read on a check down/designed play for VD underneath so how can you trust anything they do?
They might say they will give Hunter the ball but it would just be a lie. So by your admission, the Niners organization and everyone employed there is a lying fool!
What’s sad POS you are prime…
prime….classic bay….turtles when he is called out…..hispanic my rear, vato is soft like butter…..
Yeah Prime. They fly out in the still of the night and go out to the field in full hoodies like thieves lurking in the shadows.
But hey, I’m sure they do this for every free agent, right Prime? (lol).
But I guess you still believe in Santa as well (hahaha!)
AES,
JH and GR really weren’t on a secret mission to see Manning. They were actually there to see Brandon Stokely. They were going to bring him in to take Crabtree’s job. We all know that Crabtree is about to get traded to the Arizona Cardinals along with Patrick Willis for Larry Fitzgerald. Gotta be excited about that. DS is orchestrating that trade. Stand by!
AES
“But I guess you still believe in Santa as well (hahaha!)”
From your remark I take it you dont believe in Santa? I hate to tell ya………. :)
I knew it!
Undercenter is Santa!
Bay,
I think you have seen one wrinkle already with James. Coming from a primarily zone read scheme it is going to take some time for him to get his tracks down in the base offense. Don’t forget he missed almost all of the OTA’S so he is playing catch up. I want to see him on the fly sweep.
Harbaugh has come out and said CK is the #2 QB going into the season and that Jacobs has more or less done enough to make the team. Not looking to good for Dixon but you never know with Harbaugh. When are the first cuts?
I am with you on Hunter no sense playing him much more in pre season. Probably going to be Cartright, Dixon, and James if healthy.
Under,
First cut down comes Monday.
Thanks Jack
I thought Cartwright looked ok in the last game. He showed his experience; he’s a smart, patient runner and can catch.
Bay,
Totally agree with you, on Hunter, anyway.
For thursday’s Comedic Comment of The Day Award I’d like to nominate the gentleman (ahem) who put forth the proposition that Nate Davis is currently still a better quarterback than Alex Smith.
I ain’t lying; scroll up.
Is Tim Back?
Off & On Maybe. Nah, Tim is Lightyears ahead of my candidate, just to give you an idea. Scavanger hunt, or dumpster diving depending on your perspective, to find the quote. Not really worth it.
And any way you spell ‘oneniner’ it always comes up “oneparolee” (lol).
I haven’t seen around for a while ‘oneparolee.’ Oh, my bad, I think I did see a couple of your posts. Didn’t the most recent one have something to do with giving TGjr advise. Let’s see, “less is more” hmmm. WTHeck? (lol)!
I won’t even ask you to explain what your mumble jumble meant???
Do yourself a favor ‘oneparolee,’ go play with your Madden 7, or is it 8?
You and Prime and your comic relief buddy DS are to predictable. You resort to the name calling when someone puts you on blast. Too easy (lol).
And hey Prime, looks like you now have ‘oneparolee’ to join you and DS on your cute little rah-rah cheer you so brilliantly created. You three can fight over who uses the pom-poms (lol)!
Predictable:
AES getting into fights with others who were in no way addressing him. That is “All In”.
AES turning a post saying
In JH I trust
In TB I trust
into a fight. Really “All in” there weren’t you?
You complain about oneniner all the time starting stuff with you. Well, what did you just do? All in for fights. That is what you are all in for. Too bad you can’t win an argument.
When you were just the flip-flopper, you were at least interesting to read and didn’t start fights, Now that you are “All in” (but not) you are still flip flopper and you are annoying looking for fights. You were a lot better before.
Wow DS, I am so flattered to hear that you thought I was interesting at one time (lol). Of course making your ‘thought provoking’ list has been a life-long goal of mine.
C’mon DS. I would rather see Joan Rivers get another face lift than have any interest in making your list (hahaha!).
But let me humor you here. So, suddenly you find my posts annoying, hmmmm?
Could it possibly be because I’m the only person who has called you out on your MC bash-a-thons?
Nah, of course not, right? (lol).
Buckle-up DS, I’ll be annoying you all season bud. You will hear from me every time you take a cheap-shot at MC (lol)!
“ALL IN” (mean every 49er!)
He wants to battle DS, you called it. I thought at first he was pretty smart football wise but he faded fast. Same as Jack.
Looking forward to 3rd game. Starters need to play hopefully 3Q.
Some key jobs on the line. Running back I see Dixon getting cut. Safety will be interesting. Robinson and Thomas are battling for a practice roster spot. I think they like Robinson a lot.
Where else?
Rocket,
Saw your response on the stunts but can’t find it again. On the first one, the rollout, don’t you think that Hunter should have slid off the end and picked him up?
It’s a work in progress, and they face another good front this week. They are definitely getting some good work in to get ready for the season.
Jack,
Possibly, but that’s a lot to ask of the RB who is already blocking the DE that was passed off to him by the RT. It looked like Boone disengaged immediately expecting Davis to pick him up and then Davis was throwing his arms up wondering what just happened.
You are correct though, it’s a work in progress and for the most part they seemed to be pretty solid in pass protection other than the documented plays. I’m hoping they hold up against the sack masters this week.
DS:
“AS should find another open WR, and throw it to him. If there are none, then we need to get some new WR’s.”
@DS
Ahhh, we just found new WR’s DS.
Allow me introduce you to Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, and A.J. Jenkins. Still need more? (hahaha!)
Look at the stupid thread about whether AS should throw it to the open VD or the covered RM. Jack has gone on and on about it. That is what this post was about. Throw it to the open guy. Simple. Execpt around here, it isn’t. Somehow, the issue of AS throwing it to the wide open VD, and it being the wrong read has became a hot spot for the blog.
And if those starting WR’s aren’t getting open (MC, RM, MM, AJ, TG whomever they might be) then we get the other guys a shot. Simple. Again, but not here. Here, them are fightin’ words. Or at least to you they are.
“All in”. All in for fighting for sure. No doubt about that. How about “All In” for AS throwing it to the open guy no matter who it is? Is that a problem for you? Does that insult MC in some twisted way that only you can see it?
It might help your cause a lot more if you supported posts where a blogger is “All In” for a Niner player, no matter the player. You though get your panties in a bunch whenever I write something positive about AS/VD. Why aren’t you supporting them?
Actually DS, i’m inclined to believe that AS did make the right read after watching the play a few times.
RM had not yet broken free when AS was in his throwing motion to VD. I needed to see it a few times to get a fair assessment. Alex to VD on that play will work 9 times out of 10.
I’m sure that AS and RM will have plenty of opps this season to hook up. It’s going to be a great ride in 2012-13!
Just having fun talking ball DS, and I didn’t say it was the wrong read, just not the best.
undercenter says:
August 23, 2012 at 5:42 pm
AES
“But I guess you still believe in Santa as well (hahaha!)”
From your remark I take it you dont believe in Santa? I hate to tell ya………. :)”
@Undercenter
I stopped believing in Santa when I pulled off his beard and he was my Uncle (lol). Now the Easter Bunny? Hey, but that’s a different story altogether!
DS:
“All in”. All in for fighting for sure. No doubt about that. How about “All In” for AS throwing it to the open guy no matter who it is? Is that a problem for you? Does that insult MC in some twisted way that only you can see it?
It might help your cause a lot more if you supported posts where a blogger is “All In” for a Niner player, no matter the player. You though get your panties in a bunch whenever I write something positive about AS/VD. Why aren’t you supporting them?”
@DS
This is where you have totally misconstrude my “ALL IN” chant (which I actually adopted from Hofer67).
I have been about the team from the mid-50′ when I attended my first 49er game at Kezar Stadium as a small kid.
I don’t care who catches a TD pass from Alex as long as we win, period!
And please do you best to understand/comprehend this next comment:
I don’t care one way or another if MC is on the receiving end of those throws!
My contention with you and your twin Prime is that the two of have disparaged MC’ team leading stats based on your personal ill-feelings.
You can dislike any player you want, it’s your right. But to call a 49er player’s team leading numbers as “meaningless” is completely disingenuous, disrespectful, and frankly, shows your level of marginal fanhood towards the team.
Have you forgiven KW for his muffed punts? Or do you still hold it against him?
Have you forgiven AS for overthrowing KW on an open post pattern against the Giants? Or have you forgiven him?
I guess you don’t need to answer those questions since you are probably thinking that I have an ulterior motive.
Your MC bash-a-thons certainly give a strong sense that you have not forgiven him for all of his past inequities.
Rocket has formulated a well thought out argument with you regarding MC, but you won’t have any of it.
Claude also made a strong and very reasonable case with you regarding MC, but you let it fall on deaf ears.
Hofe recently gave his take on MC, but you are still stuck on ‘hate’ mode.
These are three of the most respected and fair bloggers here, but your ill-feelings of MC run so deep that you are completely immune to their comments.
Face it DS, you are not “ALL IN” with every player.
My “ALL IN” has included ALL 49er players. Can you say the same in regards to Prime’ rah-rah chant?
It is what it is.