Here is the live blog for the 49ers preseason game against the Denver Broncos. I’ll be updating this frequently from by bedroom, where I have the big screen TV.
FYI – I will be at the 49ers’ final preseason game and the season opener in Green Bay. I’ll be your eyes on those games.
1:05 Terry Bradshaw just said re: the 49ers’ offense today, “I do believe they’ll go deep.”
1:17 Peyton Manning completed two passes on the Broncos first drive – one for 11 yards to Joel Dreesen and another for 16 yards to Demaryius Thomas. The drive stalled when Carlos Rogers grabbed Brandon Stokely over the middle and Manning’s pass fell incomplete. The Niners had very little pass rush without Aldon Smith.
1:22 The Niners offense went three-and-out on their first series. On third and six Elvis Dumervil blew by Joe Staley to sack Alex Smith. Clearly the Niners think they can improve on third down by getting more third-and-shorts and running up the middle with Brandon Jacobs, but the Niners don’t seem any better on third and long yet.
1:33 Now it’s 10-0 Broncos. Peyton Manning made his second series look easy. He threw a 10-yard TD to Eric Decker, who turned Carlos Rogers around in the end zone. Manning looks terrific so far. He’s a better quarterback than Tim Tebow, that’s for sure.
1:45 Now the score is 17 to nothing and it’s still the first quarter. Alex Smith converted a third and one by rolling to his left and throwing against his body to Michael Crabtree for a four-yard gain, but then Smith fumbled the snap on the very next play. Four plays later, Manning threw TD No.2 to Eric Decker, who beat Tramaine Brock in the back left corner of the end zone.
1:49 The Broncos tried an on-side kick but muffed it. The Niners got the ball on the Denver 44-yard line and on the first play Alex Smith threw a nice pass to a wide open Vernon Davis down the left sideline for a touchdown. 17-7 Broncos. Alex Smith has not thrown a pass to Randy Moss yet.
1:51 Manning leaves the game with a 148.6 rating, completing 10-12 passes and 2 TDs.
SECOND QUARTER
1:55 Perrish Cox just picked off Caleb Hanie, who was trying to throw a back-shoulder pass to Eric Decker, who was expecting a deep pass.
2:00 After the interception, the Niners offense went three-and-out. On third and six from Denver’s 15-yard line, Alex Smith back pedaled in the pocket and then threw the ball away. David Akers made a field goal to make the score 17-10 Broncos. The Niners said this isn’t a dress rehearsal, but Alex Smith and the first-team offense is still in the game.
2:04 Eric Bakhtiari is down on the field. It looked to me like he took a shot to the helmet.
2:06 I don’t get how Troy Aikman can say the Niners’ offense is completely vanilla today after that 44-yard TD pass to Vernon Davis. That wasn’t vanilla. That was a clever play.
2:11 Will Tukuafu sacked Caleb Hanie on third and 12. Hanie fumbled but recovered the ball. The Broncos punted and Ted Ginn Jr. called a fair catch at the 13 yard line. Alex Smith is coming back in the game. This feels like a dress rehearsal for the offense.
2:14 On first and ten, Alex Smith play faked and overthrew Randy Moss deep by five yards. Moss looked triple-covered.
2:16 Out of timeouts, Alex Smith takes a delay of game penalty.
2:17 On the very next play, Mike Iupati gets penalized for a false start. First and 20.
2:21 On third and 18 Alex Smith checks down to Anthony Dixon for a gain of three.
2:32 Caleb Hanie just threw a 5-yard TD pass to Joel Dreesen to make the score 24-10 Broncos. The Niners’ second-team defense missed about five tackles on that drive. 26 seconds left in the first half.
HALFTIME
The Niners defense has not looked good this preseason. That’s a problem, because this team is built around the defense holding teams under 20 points.
THIRD QUARTER
2:55 On third and 1 from the Denver 26, Anthony Dixon busts through the line and runs all the way to the end zone for a touchdown. Good for him. 24-17 Broncos. Ted Ginn Jr. seemed to hurt his right ankle on the drive.
3:00 The Niners force Brock Osweiler and the Broncos’ third-team offense to go three-and-out. On third and 9 Ian Williams brought heat on Osweiler, forcing the rookie QB to throw the ball away.
3:08 David Akers just made a field goal. 24-20 Broncos. Anthony Dixon gained 19 yards on two carries on that drive. He should make the team over Rock Cartwright. Dixon’s much younger and a better running back. Colin Kaepernick made one nice pass on the drive – a 15-yard bullet as he was running to his left. He’s been terrific when he rolls out, but much less effective inside the pocket.
3:21 Kyle Williams caught a short pass from Kaepernick and turned it upfield for a 45-yard gain. Williams will make this team. Anthony Dixon ran right up the middle for a first down on second and four. He’s having a terrific game, averaging 8.8 yards per carry.
3:26 On first and 10 from the Broncos’ 14, Kaepernick threw a beautiful pass from the pocket to A.J. Jenkins, who made a nice catch with his hands and then hit the turf immediately. Gain of 11.
3:27 Harbaugh calls three straight runs inside the five yard line. Unsurprisingly they don’t work. David Akers makes a short field goal. 24-23 Broncos. Why not go for it on fourth down? It’s a preseason game, and Harbaugh already knows what he has in David Akers.
3:39 Scott Tolzien comes in the game and right away he converts a third-and-nine to Brett Swain for 16 yards. A.J. Jenkins dropped a perfect pass on the sideline.
3:47 Akers kicks another field goal and the Niners take the lead 26-24. I do not get what these Akers field goals are supposed to accomplish.
4:09 Another meaningless field goal for Akers. 29-24 Niners.
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Grant, good to hear you’ll be at the opener in GB.
Let’s go 9ers everyday all day!!!!
Lets play tough and no injuries, Go Niners.
Hear, hear!
Afternoon Hof, we play on thurs, then final cuts then on to GB to start the new season. Hard to get any better then that!!
…Nobody!!
Preseason, not so much! LOL
Hofe – You watching the Fox broadcast with Bradshaw/Aikman or a local channel?
Crab, Fox. What local channel??
Center – Don’t jinx us man. :-)
Crabs, man I sure hope I didnt, but if I did just have a beer on me maybe two.
@ 19r
Don’t know whether you’ve got today’s game available, but in pre-game Aikman said he thought Peyton looks healthy and is making the throws. We’ll get a look.
Hey Grant,
Why my post is deleted?
Links to watch games online are not allowed here?
was
Check your e-mail
Alright. Thanks for the response.
Illiterate, much?
TAikman comparing his game to AS. TAik was never a big stat guy…just won SBs!!
Looks like PM is throwing to the right just fine to me.
Look at that pocket PM has…jeez!
Yep Alex had even better pockets but the scrub takes forever to throw the ball.
John Fox was overjoyed after that FG.
Wow that was a lot of movement
pre snap
Looked like a late hit (spear to the head) on Crabtree….no flag?
Not directly on his head.
Almost DS.
1st down production? FG lost 2 yards and put the offense in a hole.
make that 4 yd loss
Moss was WIDE OPEN and Alex Smith never even looked at his side of the field. Do the coaches see this???
You saw this on the 22 film? lol
Watched the Fox pre-commercial replay… Moss stutter-stepped his guy and there was a 10 foot wide lane to throw the slant after a 3-step drop, would’ve picked up at least the 1st down…
JT just be happy with what Alex does well. He checks down and he throws to VD. If Moss plays with him three more years he will begin trusting him and throwing him the ball.
Donno if they see it, but Alex sure doesn’t. Yet another lovely ywo-yard pass on the first possession.
When will this torture end?
What the hell goes through his head? If Randy Moss is on the field and you don’t even consider him, are you being willfully ignorant? Go to him EVERY time!!!
scanning the field continues to be a weakness.
some things get better with repetition, experience, etc. This appears to be a structural flaw.
Don’t need to scan on a 3-step drop. Need to pull out, see your guy, hit your guy. If Moss is on the field, he should be your guy 99% of the time. It’s not about scanning, it’s about not being a total idiot.
hmmm. the play you referenced seemed to be a short drop where the target was the other side of the field. he had Moss on the other side, and didnt look at him. so, if i picked the play you were critiquing, would you rather have the play always go to Moss’s side? seems a bit unrealistic, right?
Unrealistic? I don’t know. What’s wrong with throwing to Moss/Rice when you need a play?
never mind. enjoy the game!
No pressure on PM yet!
No Aldon on the field
No Aldon no Justin
See Niner WR’s. Do what Stokley did.
Peyton looks very sharp so far.
Good OL makes a difference!
And halfway through the first quarter, the Alexcuses begin!
Manning got crunched
Look at the time PM gets…count the seconds.
On the swing pass for 1st down, Aldon probably gets there, and Bowman maybe makes the play vs Grant.
*instead of Larry Grant against Stockley.
PM putting on a clinic.
What’s going on Fangio???
Our defense so far does not look good.
Of course it’s just pre season.
Let’s hope the Coaches are preparing another surprise for the NFL this year.
This coaching staff is worse than Singletary-Raye
During preseason? Possibly. During regular season? Naw?
*Naw!*
Jt!
Control yourself. LOL :>)
JT – Why panic in the first quarter of a practice game?
Seriously, we know they don’t game plan preseason. Play calls are for testing players today. Now agree its sad sack so far, but it sure not about the coaches.
This doesn’t look good so far.
Tell me about it.
Defense cannot stop any drive.
PM 8 for 8 on the second drive.
Running game going nowhere (negative yards so far).
Passing game – some completions but a sack and a turnover.
Ugly.
Anyone know why Grants in for Bowman????? Honestly defense looks so weak without him, we need to commit to Bowman nxt season as well i dont care if we got to give him 35 40 million
No wonder JH pursued PM in the offseason
Despite all the lies JH has told about that…
Defence hasn’t been good all preseason. Team doesn’t seem focused on either side of the ball.
Manning looking good. My suspicions of the pass defense is growing. Teams cant run on us they will pass.
The NFL.com spokes crazy guy in the commercials? a rip off of Brian Wilson.
Beach Boys?
The Giants. Same crazy stare and of course the beard. I think Wilson feels flattered…
FG isn’t productive on 1st which is affecting 2nd and 3rd down. OL?
add AS to that list
Manning showing why Harbaugh seeketh him.
agree. he’s decisive and aggressive. IF he gets time in the pocket, he knows how to use it. his weapons arent any better than ours – arguably a lot worse
agree. he’s decisive and aggressive. and if/when he gets time, he knows how to make the most of it.
Exactly, I finally agree with you Stan the Raider fan
Crabtree lookin good so far. 3 catches already.
All for not though. VD showing why he’s the best on the team. Way to go, Vernon.
Werent you accusing someone of illiteracy earlier? Not? Boy, are you dumb!!!
Yes he has. Won’t see what I need though from him (4th quarter). No drops by him or anybody else, so that is good.
Geez
lol
Seriously???
I have an idea!!! If you don’t like playing pre-season games, just forfeit. This is horrendous.
This one looks over before it ever started.
Yep. Game over.
Can’t fumble snaps vs GB Alex.
The replay clearly shows that the ball never even got to Alex’s hands. Clearly it’s his fault because he’s now supposed to reach down and grab it from the center apparently. Nice call.
Coffee – My bad then.
Yes, their OL outplaying the 9ers OL. Meh, practice game.
We are not playing like a 13-3 team>>> more like 3 -13
Fire Harbaugh!!!!
Grant can you do something about this Troll please?
Do something about what? Are you pleased by this pathetic display?!!!
AND WHO FUMBLED??..I missed it ..and no replay.
Another game, stinking up the joint! C’mon, guys. Where’s the great defense that was so heralded before the season started? Let’s hope somebody steps up and contributes defensively, otherwise we aint going nowhere.
Hey tree stump the defense will be fine like it always is, what about alex meek smith he is and always will be the problem till that bust is out of the league.
I was making a bologna sandwich..
You were already fulla it, why pile on? ;)
PM is really sticking it to us!
Glad it’s only a scrimmage.
How much time did PM have for that TD throw? No pressure at all.
Hofer, your bias is showing. Why knock a future HOF player for solid QB play. AS needs to elevate his game and PM put on a clinic on how to do it.
Yeah, Manning had all week. Not much pass rush.
Seahawks are going to destroy Niners.
Least Crabs looks good possible his best preseason game ever lol
LOL….It doesn’t take much to be his best preseason game ever….it’s only his second!
Just preseason guys.
Manning looks atrocious! Thank God we have Alex Smith. Peyton Manning< Alex Checkdown Smith.
lol.
Yea, all on AS. Didn’t know he was playing defense! LOL
AS still sucks in the redzone and 3rd downs.
Ohhhhh,Denver wants to rub it in huh?..Harbaugh is so popular with his comrades..
Jeez the defense is looking awful today. Peyton picking them apart
Correction grant he turned tremaine brock aroud for the TD
No. He turned Rogers around for the first and Brock for the second
YUP thatas how its done
Hey oneniner?
You watching this?
I guess your smack about PM’ demise need to be put on hold.
TD! AS to VD!
AS to VD, the connection we all love. Perfect play
AS still finds VD in stride
No linebacker can cover Vernon Davis.
WHEW, 2011-12 Alex,not 2003 -2010 Alex shows up….
Thanks guys, we needed that
Huh. We woke up finally?
There we go! The 11-85 connection.
Alex made up for that fumbled snap turnover.
We’ll need to see if that was on AS. TAikman thought it was on JGood.
Crabs are you catching this dialogue… So freaking humorous…. It’s never on 11 lol.
Does anyone think AS will make the first cut today?
It’s unfortunate that some can’t deal in facts. I didn’t see the play, but TAikman stated he didn’t think “AS had any opportunity to come up with that ball”. If you don’t believe me, listen to the comment on the replay. Pick you battles, especially the ones you can win! lol
Hey Neal, does everyone think your a moron?
About 100 different people nodding their head right now!
Your not funny, your a joke and need to find a new forum to express your stupidity. And don’t tell your Dad Jack Hammer, I don’t want him scolding me for picking on you.
Hey Slime,
Does your Mommy know that you are on the internet?. Can you say Loser.
Hey Prime Perv,
Any truth to the matter, that you and BS are going to share a studio apartment? Since you both are joined by the hip.
DS, Hofe – See what happens when you take a shot early!
That’s what I’m talkin about Alex!! Beautiful man!
Crab
AS and VD, nothing new. And big point: VD was open.
Still perfect throw. VD got himself open. Didn’t need to be thrown open. And most importantly, he caught it.
Are you speaking from personal experience, peyton?….Don’t shut the door on the Boys from the Bay just yet.
Defense missed Aldon and NB.
Feel stupid now? No, not any different from before I’d wager.
To the haters Crabs looks damn good so far, thank goodness we have VD
MC almost broke a long play. He’ll be a major asset this year.
yes he will
Why is DS so quiet now?
Let’s keep it that way. If AS threw 11 interceptions in one game, ofcourse it will be Crabtree fault.
Yep I’m quite sure you’re correct, the season is over.
Preseason or not, 17 points in first quarter is unacceptable.
Fangio better light someone up during film sessions!
The 9er 1st down runs have been poor. How about a 1st down pass?
Agree Hofe, resembles Jimmy Raye calls.
dont remember if TD was a first down pass?
Under, yes it was…maybe they will realize not a bad play to throw on 1st??!
Why is Dixon in? Its the 2nd quarter
Alex can’t even call a timeout without being tentative
I like that the commercial for the movie ‘Possession’ is “Based on a true story”..sure,its true a little girl had thousands of locusts fly out of her mouth! Who doesn’t believe that?
Red Zone > Alex Smith!
He threw one pass where everyone was covered. Did you want him to throw a pick?
Yes
I guess anything to make your Josh Johnson NFL Starting QB prediction look better lol.
Redzone still the same.
San Francisco 49ers Red Zone…… Where wide receivers die! Lol.
Youre so pathetic
Go away BB. We all know its you. You are one sad excues for a human
Looks like hes gone
Youlike that one 707?
I think offense is in vanilla mode.
Was that TD pass to Vernon Davis part of vanilla mode?
Had to show something? I mean it wasnt looking good.
That’s what I think.
Grant
From home, it looked like the first AS to VD TD in the title game. If teams haven’t seen that, they should be disbanded
It was, Grant. Everyone knows Alex can throw to Vernon.
Crabtree was open and had the the defender sealed off behind him. Alex looked at Dobbs then VD first. It happens.
The safety was over the top in front of the route.
tkamB – What? I watched the replay 3 times, the safety wasn’t within 10 yards of Crabtree when he broke open. You were just guessing. Watch the tape.
I wasn’t blaming Alex, VD & Dobbs were Smiths first two reads but they were both covered. Alex didn’t have time to check his 3rd option on that play.
I thought I saw the safety on the replay, maybe I’m mistaken.
It ALWAYS happens to Smith. Never sees the open guy.
smith is the worst starting qb in the nfl. He’s a scared, inaccurate scrub.
We might have to line up Stan at OLB
Moot question/point paytondoes.
What concerns me more is how poorly the defense has been playing.
This is our core group and PM toyed with them.
Not a good showing so far.
Eh Bowman wasn’t on the field and we were missing the Aldon pass rush. Plus Brock was in at DB and hopefully that won’t happen too much this season. Looked like our schemes were pretty vanilla too so I’m not too worried. If anything this will get them fired up to show up against GB.
You have a point but it is clear to any rational thinker the defense was not going to duplicate last year’s performance. It’s not that they’re that much worse but it’s tough to maintain that level of play, esp against a QB like Manning (that would also include Rodgers, Brees, Rivers and a number of others) who has seen so much in his career.
If the 49ers defense cannot maintain the level of play from last year, we’re looking at the 6-10 some have predicted because without that glorious turnover ratio from last season, the 49ers would have been 6-10. Alex cannot win games in the absence of the advantages handed him by the defense because he’s just not an NFL caliber QB.
Ah well I like how you claim that any rational thinker will think the way you do so I obviously would have to be irrational to disagree but alas I do. Every player on D will have a second year in the system which will help, plus most of the players on D were fairly inexperienced last year. Brooks/Brown/McDonald/Bowman were first year starters and Aldon/Culliver were rookies who made contributions and should get better in their second year. I don’t expect much of a slowdown from Justin Smith and I don’t doubt Willis ever. The only question mark I feel is whether rogers can play as well as last year but I think the addition of Cox will help in the slot and I thin Culliver has progressed this offseason enough to be a great starter if Carlos falters. That isn’t to say the defense will be as good stats wise as this schedule looks harder but I can’t fathom a massive regression.
Tule!
Duh! LOL meant Tuke!
3 on Moss meant somebody was open..
It also means Moss isn’t quite as fast as he used to be especially since noodly armed Smith was able to over throw him.
Good point.
I was thinking that Randy might have been savvy enough to slow down to keep the DBs from picking it; since he was triple covered.
Well bro..that’s possible. Since his times in the 40 are still fast.
So far just one attempt..hard to tell..
Did I see 3 defenders on Moss?
Yes you did.
I like that Alex! Way to take a deep shot!
Alex goes DEEP! And overthrows a triple covered Moss by 10 yards…
Maybe that was a good time to look across the middle?
Nice, Alex!!! Delay of game
Didn’t particularly like the deep shot to RM. RM had three defenders around him. Alex has to be more selective and not just throw it because it’s Randy “Freakin’ Moss.
These replacement refs are flag happy.
This is absolutely pathetic. Are we the F&*^%^G raiders??
2010 offensive sequence flashback happenning. Arrrrhhhhgggg!
49ers are dull, man.
Penalties and 1st down runs hurting productivity.
Hofe – Hopefully Harbaugh/Roman are holding back some of their better plays for GB, probably don’t want to show their hand too much.
Just need to leave this preseason game healthy.
Worst game I’ve seen in forever. And these replacement refs? This bites.
I have made a couple of mentions about the ref thing awhile back. We need the regular refs. Pay them the money and call it done.
No pass rush. Any QB can look good.
Ok now missing tackles. No excuse for that
Why aren’t we blitzing the QB? …The phone call was made thing?
The phone call was made thing?
HUH??? One too many beers there old man?
I know we’re playing a vanilla scheme, but there are some things happenning that won’t cut it during the reg. season.
Defense is slow, sluggish and missing tackles. Offense, aside from AS to VD is not clicking at all.
Harbaugh does not look like a happy camper on the sidelines.
Might be a very rough week of practice coming up.
Haven’t seen a single safety blitz on that backup QB.
A good blind side hit,turnover, and we are back in business.
Guys are going to have their ears full for those missed tackles on Moreno.
Kept the drive alive.
I don’t about those temps..but the thighs I liked!
49er got caught in Payton Manning’ headlights in the first qtr. and are yet to recover.
No pass rush, no AldSmith, no NB, no TBrown. Not to worry.
I am with you on that Hof – even tho its hard on the eyes – no need to worry
Shame on them, not matching intensity, not tackling. They must be believing all their hype. Last year’s done.
Lack of intensity on defense is my biggest concern. Then again, a future HOF QB put on a clinic. I hope AS was paying attention.
Tackling? TBrock has looked terrible.
Brock missed the tackle.
Brock doesn’t deserve a spot on the roster.
Tramaine Brock, I need your pads and play book!
All the time in the world..
All we can bank on is the hope that we are holding back the offense for the regular season. With the exception of the VD play, the offense as a whole has been AWFUL. 1 first down? Can’t run the ball for S*#@. And the starting defense has allowed scoring drives on 6 of the 7 drives they have faced. Luckily its only pre season but this is looking awful
I would like to see Harbaugh keep the first team offense on the field in the second half. The whole 1st team offense needs to find their rhythm.
The defense has pitched a ‘stinker!’
Worst football I’ve seen in a LONG time
Wilhoite has to get his head turned and look for the ball on that TD, poor technique.
Jeez, getting a serving of humble pie in Mile High City
Caleb Hanie, you read that right, Hanie out-playing AS.
9ers couldn’t even get smooth play calls out before time outs or flags were thrown for . Every burp, boil, stutter, hiccup has sucked any rhythm out of this offense.
Not a good way to ease into the season.
Seahawks are most definitely our biggest division rival if Russell Wilson starts. He’s what CK wants to be. The evolution is Terrelle Pryor (horrible) – CK7 (potential)- R. Wilson (master level).
The sky is falling!!! What is the 2012 record after this game? LOL
Yeah, Hofe. This is the Einstein who thinks Nate Davis….oh, well, we’ve heard the blather before.
If you look at this solely from an entertainment aspect, just nothing interesting to watch other than VD walk-in to endzone.
CK just overthrows a WR by a mile…..at least get it in the vicinity. (Has happend twice while writing this)
Tolzien Time, lets leave the Nate stuff in the past.
Record: 0-0
Bad signs: Many (lol)!
Well… This won’t work in the regular season. I hope Harbaugh is telling the truth and they didn’t game plan this thing because we stuck. Btw, this site its horrible on a phone.
It’s Alex. The players have no confidence in him. I don’t care what they say, look at what they DO…
An Optometrist. See one.
Now you are a Psychologist? LOL
Who said PM sucks?
It could be the SF Giant effect. Beat the bad teams…lose to the good..
Do people really not remember how awful we looked last preseason?
Dixon!!
Boom! Finally! And Dixon to boot!
Nice run Dixon! Hope you get picked up by a good team.
Offense shows signs of life (lol). Hope TGjr is ok.
CK missed a few deep. Perfect throws gets a completion. Great pass protection on all.
AD TD. Kept his feet.
We see that often
Dixon always has the best hair haha.
Whatever happened to Nate Davis?
He just ended season with a small outfit in Texas, Arena football.
Won the championship with the Venom. His arm is too big for that small field, but he adjusted and found a groove. If I were him, I’d camp out for a tryout in Jacksonville or Arizona. Big problems ahead for those teams, but then again no OL in both.
Nice CK!
Nevermind. Nate is with something called the Amarillo Rattlers of the Texas football league.
Sorry but our o-line just can’t protect.
Damn, those Bronco cheerleaders are fine!
Defense did bad last preseason also and look what ended up happening…. If u pay attention we’re the most vanilla team in the league during preseason
Mark it down :)
A. Dixon will make the team
We’ll be lucky if we have any healthy big backs left.
Can’t see AD making the team. Too many RBs, would have to cut Cartwright.
Neither Cartwright nor Dixon is a good short yardage back, that is why we got Jacobs. So the best special teams player wins the spot, unless we find a better CB available after the cuts. Then they both might be cut.
Funny Nick, I was just about to say this has the feeling of an audition film for Dixon’s next suitor…
It would be nice but I just don’t think we have a roster spot for him. Best case scenario is to get at least something for him in a trade but he’ll most likely be released. Could totally see him ending up in Oakland too :(
I like him but it really doesn’t matter how good he looks on offense, hes gonna have to make it on special teams and I don’t know if hes good enough to make it over Cartwright in that area.
ADix makes the team. Younger and more versatile.
Hof…
I think the Niners are showcasing him for a future trade…..could be wrong, but with the stable of RB’s here, this is definately a possibility.
The commercials with the beardy is getting on my last nerve.
Adam,
Is this the same guy who does the California Lotto commercial?
Irritating as heck!
CK looks good.
damn!!! I thought the game was at 4!!! pacific!!! missed the 1st 3 quarters!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What Did i miss? lol de we still look crappy?
sounds like I missed a pile of dung!!
OK, so I’ve moved on past the KW mistakes in the playoffs, but then he dives/lunges to catch that punt? Yikes, I’m jest a leetle nervous………
agree. his skills are ok/good, his judgment is poor. if he catches 3 out of 4 of those, we net some yards, but if he muffs the 4th its a disaster…as we know from last year.
Gore hasn’t played? That’s a red flag.
AJ needs to catch that one.
KW looks good. How is Swain doing this now?
Brett Swain is definitely a player that has been overlooked as the Fox commentator just said. The guy is solid and may certainly make the team.
There is 0 chance Swain makes the team.
I wouldn’t count him out. He has some NFL experience and seems to make any catch thrown his way.
AES*,
If Swain were to make it, who does not?
sadly, only Tolzein seems to be able to connect with him!
@fesnyc
What are you talking about? Swain caught the TD pass on AS first series of the preseason. And a few more.
DS, i was going to give you a “fair point”, but i checked the NFL website and they show Swain with a total of 2 catches in the preseason coming into this game.
i was going to defer to you as i normally dont get to see preseason games, but now that i think of it, i’ve watched every play of the prior 2 plus this one. i cant say i’ve kept score assiduously, but i have a strong recollection that Swain has been mostly un-utilized.
part of this might be my recollection from late last year – especially the NYG game, when it seemed like Swain was essentially a bad decoy. overthrown a lot. at the time, i blamed it on Swain’s lack of top end speed.
seeing Tolzein hit him in stride…now, not so sure about that.
Ok
Does Swain’s great block on the CK TD run give him bonus points?
Swain is just better this year. No matter the QB.
that’s kind of what i was implying – i had previously thot Swain useless, but i’ve come to think that his lack of effectiveness isnt all his fault. the implication of that in turn may or may not make you happy. or put bluntly, it would be interesting to see what Swain could do with a qb who can a) see the field and b) make aggressive decisions to go down field and c) put the ball on target, on time. but for purposes of roster cuts, we may not have that luxury.
I like Bradshaw..even for a redneck republican,he’s no clone.
Tolz is da man.
Ok, running is a bad idea.
Time out. Did Napalm miss a play?
Denver woke up..the challenge.
oop.not reviewable..jeez Denver is stuuupid!
This sucks
Amateurish……….in a Billion $ enterprise.
Green Akers!
The sub refs are going to make me up my anti-acid meds if they are still around for the regular season (lol).
+1
Even with the fumble by Tolzien- I think both him and CK are better Qbs than smith. I am tired of watching Alex Smith misplace his passes anytime they are past 10 yards
+1
Anybody but AS
DCarr, KKolb, DMcNabb, etc, etc??? LOL
I definitely didn’t understand the reason for kicking it on the 4th & goal. What was gained, what was learned from not going for the touch down?
I completely agree.
Winning.
I’d say ask Harbaugh what he was thinking but we all know what that would get ya.
AS had 7 attempts,CK 4 attempts, and FG two touches – seems they have a plan for the preseason. BTW, St Louis Rams were 4-0 in preseason last year and 2-14 during the season. The 9ers just need to stay healthy.
Each QB had a different package to run; the coaches were working their players not game planning.
I’m with Adam and AES . . . that bearded blue suit dude is damned annoying! I find myself muting the TV and turning away so my eyes don’t melt in their sockets! :)
Good call, that’s like the anti-ad. It does the opposite of what it’s intended to do.
The announcers are fawning over Tolzien.
Amazing how fast we started driving once he got in. Those chains started cruising.
CK looked good today, but still, it just looks easier for Tolzien.
How is Nate doing these days?
He’s in the Texas league..some semi pro team called the Amarillo Rattlers. Poor guy.
I know Super Stan. Sled wants him to replace Alex. The sled punched him back one too many times : )
Any 3 of them would make me happy as a starter.
Quality of QB play will be good this year with lots of improvements for many mediocre teams.
Texans good, Falcons good, Titans good, Seahawks gonna make things more interesting for us.
Sled,
Maybe it’s time to revisit the old adage: “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” (lol)!
Against the 3rd stringers. You are a master of ignorance.
Doh. I just now picked up on the Broncs guy Jeremiah Johnson; what better than a Colorado team for a player with that name?
Harbaugh was in a movie? The adventures of Brisco County Jr? Why was I not informed?
Air date: May 20, 1994.
Haha http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2355566/
I propose calling Harbaugh Mason “Cowboy” Dixon from now on.
OK,Grant now its up to you to link to that movie on the net…someplace.
With Vince Young soon to be available on the market I wonder if the Cards will give him a try.
Game almost over.
Some things became abundently clear today.
1. Michael Crabtree is the 2012-13 Starter
2. CK7 is the 2012-13 Backup QB
Those are my absolutes.
More to come after the game….
What if anything should be read into the fact that JJ came in as the #4 guy once again?
The offense has been eerily similar to last years. With all the work to get better receivers and all the talk about getting better in the ‘red zone’ we still have a victory that consists of 5 or more FG’s.
How can you puff your chest about being better in the ‘red zone’ and then kick the field goal on the three yard line in a preseason game?
agree. i imagine Harbaugh and Roman are holding a lot back, but good teams tend to be the ones that can execute plain vanilla plays. i hope we’ll be better in the regular season, but the passing game looks way too much like last regular season (when we ranked #29, if i recall correctly)
Good point cfc.
And this will need to be rectified asap!
A good example of the offensive struggles is the 1st Quarter drive where on 3 and 6, the pass protection broke down, Alex Smith – as usual – panicked, tucked the ball, and tried to run for a 1st down. On that play, Moss was 1-on-1 and open on a slant pattern. If AS had kept his eyes up field, perhaps he would have seen Moss and hit him for a 1st down.
Nick, you’re grasping at straws. RM hasn’t played for over a year. He’s not the savior of the offense. I see VD and MC having bigger years and the 9ers making the playoffs.
Nick
How do you know that? I don’t recall the announcers or the cameras showing that.
The replay angle clearly showed Moss open by at least a couple of yards. I’m not drawing too much from a single play, but at least it indicates that AS still needs to improve when the play breaks down.
..and more proof that without Manning,Denver ain’t worth a damn. It would have been a sure Super Bowl if he had settled here…no doubt at all.
They need to let JJ throw.
Adam
They did. He missed the most open Niner WR in the game and he had no pass rush in his face. I think his fate is sealed.
JJ may have overthrown himself off the team. When the competition is as close as it has been between him and Tolz, any mistake could be your last.
Jordan,
What do you think is going to happen with your boy, JJ?
It doesn’t look to good for him.
Josh, I need your play book. If you can’t hit an open guy. You can’t be a San Francisco 49er! See ya!
Plenty of teams could use JJ 23. Luckily lots of openings for a guy like him this year.
Who’s your pick to replace AS? T or C?
Yes sled. I heard the Amarillo Rattlers are looking for an upgrade at QB.
“No country for old men” Hammer.
Some of you guys have been watching since Kezar so you’re used to garbage QB’s.
Us young cats were pampered, Montana was our 1st. We know what a real QB looks like.
Go take your multi-vitamins.
Sled,
I grew up on Montana too. That’s a poor excuse for you being clueless.
I like Kap. Just need him to take care of the football. He makes some horrible reads at times. Tolzien is composed. His arm strength is the problem. I need to see the stick throws. In addition to that, he’s a little slow. Thats never a good thing with our O line having issues with the zone overload blitz.
Maybe JH will do Josh Johnson a favor and cut him so the Jets can pick him up. They are atrocious. He could star for them. Tavaras Jackson got traded today so anything is possible.
Josh made his own bed, he’s gotta lay in it. Man, those 2 overthrows were bad. Just lay that up there and let the rceiver run right under it. He’d be in that 2nd string QB conversation right now. Damn Josh!
@ Sled
Wow, you’re alligator mouth just keeps flapping, huh?
Yesterday you asked us to let go of your (dumbass) Nate Davis comments, so OK, I was willing…..but now you’re reprising your “don’t trust anyone over 48″ remark? If you watched Joe Cool then you’re over 15 years old, so why do you come across like a 15 year old?
Jordan,
So, you’re officially admitting you were completely wrong about JJ, right?
Actually, you were spectacularly wrong, in neon, about JJ.
Not saying I was wrong. It takes reps but you cant overthrow open guys all the damn time. I don’t care who you are. He’s got to hit those throws. Everyone overthrew guys but everyone is not fighting for a job. Crap happens!
If qb performance this pre season or any regular season mattered alex 3 and out smith would be unemployed. Ooops he almost was, in a qb hungry league nobody wanted poor little alex in free agency lol.
Good comeback 23J!
Our players must produce and never leave plays or TD’ on the field.
Love your honesty bud. Keep it real!
I see what you did there, Jordan. Well played, I applaud your new found sense of subtlety.
2 quick thoughts from today:
1). Tramaine Brock is not very good (understatement)
2). So long Anthony Dixon.
Number 1 yes, number 2 not so sure.
Dixon may make the tea, looks like Johnson won’t.
@Jack
Why do you think Dixon wont make the team?
Nick,
I think that the spot he is fighting for with Cartwright is more about performance on special teams, and I think Cartwright is better in that area.
Dixon’s workload today just seemed a little like an audition for other teams.
Anthony Dixon had a fine effort today. I can’t guess whether it earned him a spot, but it has to have helped his chances here or elsewhere.
A lot of panic for a preseason game. I enjoy the complaints of “take shots to Moss” then the complaints of “why was that shot to Moss taken”. Time to relax and realize it’s practice.
Our first string defense not looking good, Manning 10 -12, 2 touch downs, 148 QB rating. They were even pretty bad in the run. Not saying much if our defense can stop our offense in practice.
Maybe this puts a stop to those here who were writing PM’ epitaph (lol).
Manning looked darn good and the scary thing is that he is not 100% yet.
Wouldn’t surprise me if we see them in the SB if PM stays healthy and our Offense and Defense can iron out some obvious wrinkles.
Not convinced yet if we our Super Bowl material, last year is history and we need to be much better this year.
Neal,
The D was so Vanilla that Dan Snyder was shipping some out to Fangio. Add that they were going with no Aldon, no Bowman, and no Culliver.
Yea Jack I get it but still we are suppose to have a deep squad. PM could of had a picnic back their, no rush at all.
Vanilla. The only blitz look they showed was a simple stunt by Haralson, and Manning beat Grant over the top. A much better matchup for us with Bowman in coverage.
@Neal and Jack
Vanilla or not, the defense is a big concern.
Nick,
C’mon man. Go back and rewatch the game and look at the D. They were playing base. No matching up of personnel groups, etc. Add to it that they were missing 2 starters and the Nickle substitute and ou get what happened today. That fumbled snap didn’t help either.
Yeah come on Nick, the Greg Cossell of the blog has spoken. Game plan or not, the defensive line got zero pressure on Manning, let some big runs up the middle and the entire defense, P Willy included did not tackle. Now ask Hack if game planning helps players execute the fundamentals of the game?
LOL If you’re worried about the defense and not alex smith you are officially brain dead, defense will be fine like always, alex will be umm alex aka not good enough.
Pigskin, why don’t you call Neal up and you two jokers can head on over to the dumb shop and get a tune up? It might be your lucky day and you two nobody’s can get a two for one deal.
Prime Slime,
You don’t need to be Dr. Phil that you are a unhappy, miserable, angry man. Get some help, you will make yourself a better son to your poor Mommy, who has to put up with you.
I can see Kaper being our first string QB next season or even this season when AS starts to struggle, great arm, good pocket presence, he is as fast as the wind.
Perhaps. He needs to learn that his options aren’t read one and run. I still haven’t seen one option QB win the SB (yet). SY was the most athletic SB QB, but he learned to win with his arm.
Hofe,
Alex isn’t going anywhere. He is our Starter, and will improve on all facets of his game. By week 4-5 the AS to RM (deep ball) will find it’s rhythm. And the AS to VD and MC connections will thrive as well.
Today, the O-line did not open good gaps for our RB’ and did not provide AS the time needed to look for 2nd and 3rd WR’s. These areas will improve sooner than later.
No worries!
AES, agree. Don’t forget to add the MM/AS connection as well!
Not saying he is a polished veteran but he does not seem that x factor.
There has been quite a few athletic running QBs with X factor that couldn’t get to the “big game”.
Dixon made a nice run for a TD, but it was due to more a failure on Denver’ D than it was a great run. It would like to see A.Dix make the team but I still saw him dance or stutter-step a couple of time when he should have just hit the hole.
Old habits are hard to break and this may very well spell the demise of Boobie as a 49er. R. Cartwright runs with more commitment and looks to take on the contact with better force.
A. Dixon will resurface on another team. That’s the good thing.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Plus I think his attempt at playing FB has failed because he’s too soft.
Dixon made some great blocks as well. I say keep Dixon, cut Rock. Keep the youth.
See your point Jordan, but with Cartwright and Dixon it’s not about their running or blocking, both would be at the bottom of the depth chart. The one that provides better value on special teams will stick. The edge there goes to Cartwright I think.
I think age may factor in as well.
Grant,
Agree with you on the age thing for areas where you would develop a player, but the 5th string RB/special teams ace isn’t one of them.
The carries for Dixon today were all about saving Hunter, etc and taking a look at the blockers in their heavy packages, ie Dobbs, Tukuafu and L Davis.
RC and JJ will be released and age will be the difference. When it’s too close to call, they usually go with age as the determining factor.
I think you will be 50% correct Hofer.
Dixon is a cold stone lock to make the team. ( maybe)
Youth doesn’t make-up for poor habits. Dixon still isn’t hitting the line the way a player of his size needs too. Cartwight may be older and smaller but he hits the line with an urgency I have not seen from Dixon.
My guess (only a guess) is that Dixon is gone.
To me, Dixon seems quite decisive when he needs to be and patient when needed. The run on which he got banged up, he drove the pile back a good 3 to 4 yards.
Nick
Talk about players moving the pile, did you see KW run another 5-8 yards with that defender on him during one play (I think it was a punt return)?
I have to agree with Jordy on this one.
This team has no room for one trick wonders, unless it’s really good. Boobie is done!! Cartwright should make the team. At least he hits the hole hard and plays the same quality special teams. His play at FB had a lot left to desire, plus Miller does that job fine with the addition of every D lineman we have to block.
That was a hard game to watch. Things that disturb me. 1. Tackling, 2 pass coverage, the delay of game without timeouts, penalties, snap exchange. I would include play calling but I think that is by design.
CKs roll out to the left and connecting on the pass was a plus. AS throw to Davis was really nice. Crabs looked good. Pass blocking was a little better. I also liked seeing 3 guys on Moss. Everyone wanted AS to go deep with him and he did. If they are going to pay that much attention to Moss that is going to open a lot.
ST looked good I thought. He looks in command and has good field/pocket presence. He was 1 – 4 with two drops.
I am not going to lose any sleep on this performance. Eh at the end of the GB game will be the time to start thinking of what the Niners are about.
@undercenter
I agree. To me, the two things that have nothning to do with scheme at all/playcalling are
1. Drops
2. Missed tackels
No matter what else is going on, if the ball is there, you need to catch it. If an offensive guy is in your area where you cantackle him, you must.
Scheme may put you in bad situations where you get beat, but when you have absolute power over what happens in the next moment (not dependent on anyboody else at all) you need to make those plays. To me, that includes catching the ball and making tackles.
Today, we were ok with not dropping the ball. Our tackling though, atroucious.
I should of included drops also.
The 1st cut-down date is almost here.
Any predictions?
If Dixon is going to be cut I hope they do it tomorrow. Might enhance his chances of catching on with another team.
undercenter,
They need to keep him for Thursday night. With Jacobs and LJ dinged, and wanting to limit Gore and Hunter they are left with him and Cartwright to carry the load.
yep, manning had that secondary to boost his spirits as i alluded to yesterday
Man Manning looked old and slow but i guess its because his head is hanging on by a string . Glad he picked Denver. Wheeew.
MD – How bout PM’s poor accuracy? He should’ve just medically retired.
I know. It’s truly unfair for his recievers. To have to play with an old hack like him. Denver fans must be pissed that Tebow is in NY.
I thought first time manning got hit he would be in a wheel chair? Ooooops stupid fans you are wrong again!!!!
Its not a matter of the first hit pigskin, its being able to withstand a number of hits throughout the season at 36 yearsold.
Nice article from M.Maiocco in interview with Mike Martz.
Kinda puts those dark years for Alex and Martz into perpsective.This is the one thing I have always appreciated about Smith, the ultimate professional. Ailing shoulder, not able to complete throws and never once complained or let his coaches know about it, just soldiered on. This is why this new regime is sticking with Alex. They know he will do whatever it takes to win and this staff knows they will do whatever it takes to make him a winner in their system. Potential is still there at age 28.
Agreed FDM.
Alex’ courage and toughness was once questioned by M.Nolan. My, how the tables have turned on that one!
While Alex is on the uptick of his career, MN will be nothing more than a D-Cord that bounces from team to team.
Coaches and players would do themselves a huge favor never to denigrate their teammates. I’m sure MN learned this lesson the hard way.
Well its cost him his chance at another head coaching postion, same as his buddy Singletary.
So let’s hear it what’s the excuse for alex playing like trash and peyton manning looking great?
Did you watch the game, you tell us what was the reason?
FDM easy, alex smith does not have the skill set to be a starting qb in the nfl as has been proven over 8 looooong season. Fans that understand football don’t need 30 years of blooper reels to see that a qb just doesnt have it. Smith is an inaccurate scrub.
PigSkin says:
August 27, 2012 at 11:53 am
FDM easy, alex smith does not have the skill set to be a starting qb in the nfl as has been proven over 8 looooong season. Fans that understand football don’t need 30 years of blooper reels to see that a qb just doesnt have it. Smith is an inaccurate scrub.
Your right, Im convinced! Thanks for opening my eyes and showing me the light.
Pigskin,
This kind of response would make much more sense if we play like this during the regular season.
Harbaugh is going to destroy teams this season with his mad scientist offensive and defensive schemes.
Watch the Alchemist work his magic!
Ok AES than I will make a comment after week 1 when alex stinks it up against green bay. I love Harbaugh he’s such a smart coach but unfortunately alex smith is pulling the trigger not JH, but if you dont see alex smith is garbage at this point you never will.
5-7 with a TD and he played like trash in your eyes? Go troll somewhere else.
You don’t understand football nerd. Easy to have a high completion percentage when you are throwing 2 yd checkdowns every play. The key stat for a qb is yards per attempt where alex ranks bottom of the league. Please learn football before you open your ignorant mouth.
I loved the timeout then delay of game penalty or getting an int and getting the ball at Denvers 18 and little alex marched them 4 whole yards for a david akers field goal. Yeah he’s talented lmfao!!
FDM says:
August 27, 2012 at 10:48 am
“Well its cost him his chance at another head coaching postion, same as his buddy Singletary.”
@FDM
There’s some truth to that. But in Sing’s case he just didn’t have the wherewithall to be a head coach. Had he kept M.Martz on board he may still be coaching.
Singletary had to feel he was the alpha-male and having MM around would have had him constantly looking over his shoulder. J.Raye was not a threat to Singletary. But sometimes having people around for the sole purpose of making you feel comfortable is not always a winning solution.
Rice and Montana on NFL live right now