SANTA CLARA – Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick both made a few beautiful throws against the second- and third-team defenses in Monday’s practice.
Smith hit Vernon Davis (covered by reserve linebacker Mike Wilhoite) on a deep route for a 25-yard gain, and then on the very next play Smith hit Randy Moss (covered by reserve cornerback Anthony Mosely) deep down the left sideline for a 30-yard gain.
Smith’s best throw was a perfect deep pass to Kendall Hunter down the right sideline. Smith threw the pass right over Hunter’s shoulder.
Chris Culliver broke up two deep passes and one touchdown pass in a red-zone drill. He looked like the best cornerback on the field today.
Carlos Rogers smacked a touchdown pass out of Michael Crabtree’s hands. Alex Smith threw an intermediate pass over the middle into the end zone and Crabtree caught it, but Rogers raked the ball away immediately, and then screamed in Crabtree’s face.
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Deep pass to Kendall Hunter, the running back? I can’t wait to see the new look offense during the regular season.
+1
Let’s hope we see some of this during the next game.
I seriously think we’ll keep our hand close to our chest. Green Bay has no film to look at with these weipons and I think Harbaugh will keep it that way!
Don’t even play our starting WR’s Moss and Mannigham.
What about Crabtree Prime? Has he already lost the job?
Our starters will be Crabtree and Moss most likely.
I would rather see Moss and on the outside with Mario working underneath or vertical with VD. Then on 2 TE set have Delanie work the slot or stay in and block and then have VD work middle and the seem route which he is awesome at, Moss deep, MM across the middle and sidelines where he has made a living.
I just don’t think Crabtree does anything better than those 4 guys. With the emphasis on the run, better to have the 2 TE’s in so you can do both. With MC in there it takes away the art of deception and MM and Moss are clearly better on the outside.
Midwest that would mean the battle is between Crabtree and Manningham. You think Crabtree is better reciever than Crabtree?
Just let ‘em roll with it MidWest. It is good comedy.
Prime, if you base a receiving option on his first there years of play, then that means Vernon Davis is classified a bust. And we all know that isn’t true.
Guys Manningham was the Niners biggest offseason acquisition, he’s a money player that has performed an done well on the biggest stage. Moss didnt come out of retirement to be a part time player. Based on all the reports comin out of camp, those two guys are performing and developing chemistry with Alex.
What’s #15 doing? Stretching, nursing and watching from the sidelines.
Sorry Jack but the facts are the facts and Crabtrees is being over taken on the depth chart. Winners want to play, they have tasted it and never let it go. Moss and MM have that and both guys are proven and are continuing to prove it. MC is not, he’s workin on getting healthy while the other guys are working daily with their teammates. This is why the organization went out and revamped the position.
You are predictably awesome Prime : )
@midwest
VD though displayed abilities in those first three years that MC hasn’t. Add to that the fact that VD has not done the stupid things that MC has done in his career, and you can’t compare the two.
VD’s first catch was much like one of his big plays against NO. He scored a TD on it though. MC has never displayed the burst/acceleration that VD showed off on that first catch of his career.
I have a feeling that Alex Smith is going to throw for 35ish touchdown passes this year, especially with all the bad defenses the 49ers play this year. Packers, Patriots, Saints, Rams, and a few others…
Back in the 50′s LSU ran a package called “Chinese Bandits” Harbaugh is a student of the game and he has a perfect opportunity to duplicate it. Reserves have 4 basic roles: 1 To protect against loss of a starter 2 To provide quality competition in practice 3 To improve themselves and 4 To participate in special package and teams. Having had to prepare defensive game plans (albeit high school) I can’t imagine stacking for the 9er run attack, doubling Davis and Moss and contingency planning for a spread wildcat. Picture Kaepernick and James in a shotgun with Manningham K Williams T Ginn and D Walker spread. These are special talent guys who could
create some spirited practices and drive defensive coaches into selling insurance.
…how many special offenses i.e.”wildcat” etc…have won the super bowl??
It’s a sub-package. Also, the wildcat has only been around for a few years anyway, so that question isn’t really valid.
Kurt
Besides Miami who else was even good at the wildcat? In addition, they aren’t very good at it now. Defences caught up.
Wild cat has been around for decades, it was called something else back then – single wing. One of the variations of the single wing is the “Buck Lateral Series”. There are lots of variations of the single wing some more effective then others but its pretty much the same as the wild cat. Are they exactly the same, I dont know probably not but the phillosphy of it is the same.
…my point is if your QB can’t stay in the pocket and be a successfull passer 75% of the time……..you not winning the SB…..
Sounds as if Mr. Rogers is already lathered up. Once Cowboy returns…forget about it.
Mr. Roman has the ability to run any type of offense only restricted by his imagination. VD/Moss/Crabtree/Manningham/Gore/Hunter/Walker/James/Ginn/K-Gun…Anxious to see just how creative he is.
@Razoreater:
I understand your desire to see Roman’s creativity, but I would prefer it if the offense first focused on mastering a set of core plays before Roman gets too mad scientisty. If you believe that excellence comes from practice and constant repetition (and I tend to think it does), then the offense would benefit more from practicing the base offensive plays over and over than from experimenting heavily with new plays and new ideas.
Razor I dont think the offense will be that much more different than last year with the exception of maybe more passes being targeted to the running backs.
Harbaugh’s philosophy has always been the run and playaction passes. I think we will maybe see VD down field more and Moss and Mannigham on deep come backs and along the sidelines, after that, I think if people are looking for a prolific aerial attack, they will be disappointed.
The strength of this team is its defense and special teams and the offense will be asked to keep pace but not relied upon to take many chances.
One thing that is encouraging and we have seen the development of the offense is its ability to sustain long, time consuming drives. If that means field goals and good field position, I think Harbaugh will play that game all night long.
I agree to a point, however if the status quo is what you are looking for down in the Green Zone I would beg to differ. This is where Mr. Roman must utilize every offensive weapon at his disposal to get the ball in there. That will help out the defense and the team as a hole more than anything.
whole…lol, sorry spelling police.
…like FDM stated…passes to the RB will increase near the red zone…..
For sure Razor, redzone scores will be key this year but it would be nice if our personnel could create big plays/YAC and get in before hand.
It seemed like last year we had to fight so hard for our points. Id like to see Crabs, Moss, MM and VD/Delanie run after the catch and get in the endzone from outside the redzone.
So Grant notes that Scott wasn’t “on” on Monday. Barrows called it “up & down”. Its sports; everybody has some days better than others. Do you play golf or tennis? Ever slice one and look down at your club/racquet and think ‘what did you do?’ Not too big a deal.
Grant reported what he saw with good detail. By adding that last paragraph he put the critique in perspective and spoke to fears frequently mentioned here (by me and others) about ST’s arm strength. It also made clear that this wasn’t some snarky cheap shot at a player.
Then a commenter inferred its excuse-making for Tolzein…….(deep sigh). Man, we here in Bay Area are getting just as snarly as Philly or NY fans. So anyway, Grant, good choice adding that last paragraph.
@hackphx i like your idea. nothing drives a coach more crazy then having to spend precious practice time preparing for a “special” offensive package. you do’nt have to run it more than a few times a game [if its successful] to force a D coordinator to prepare for it.
Something that bugs me about the red zone. Last year the Niners were one of the worst if not the worst at it. The year before they were one of the best if not the best. Alex passer rating was a 122 in 2010 the best in the NFL in the red zone. What happened?
as hard as it is to believe i think the play calling in the red zone became more conservative last year than the year before. i think smith was allowed to throw the ball on 1st down in the red zone 2 years ago.
Then why are so many blaming AS for the red zone failures of a year ago? I tend to agree with you by the way.
I agree the playcalling became way more conservative but in the offseason, Roman talked about the installation process of the playbook and they just didnt have enough time to teach and implement what they really wanted to do down there.
This year should be different as the vertical passing game and redzone shoud be much improved.
So what did Kapper do that was good? Only read about Alex Smith. Barrows reported he threw a pass to himself but that’s all I read.
I just looked at MM. He also doesn’t mention CK but does mention Smith’s performance and his growing rapport with Manningham/
Interesting side note: MM writes, “.. the gap between Smith and the next quarterback (whomever that might be) is significant — in every way.” In contrast, y0u get the sense from Grant, that 1. there is no special difference between the QBs in performance (he said as much a few day ago) and 2. AS is always less that we and JH see (note his begrudging account of Smith’s Friday performance). Again, there is no account for this except either laziness or bias, but I can’t help but point it out. In this I am giving G. the tough love that his papa might have neglected.
Judex, you definitely don’t want to revisit Grant’s comments from the time when Alex was yet to be re-signed.
Thanks for the warning. I only want to think the best of him, which is why I generally read his headlines, ignore his myopic blather and plunge right into the comments section. But sometimes, like a guy driving past a car accident, I can’t help but look.
You mean when the front office was chasing Peyton Manning disguised in hoodies and Smith was looking for love in Miami!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! lol.
Glenn, here is an excerpt from Inman’s report:
“Sequence of the day: Colin Kaepernick completed three deep passes in a short time span to Kyle Williams, Ted Ginn Jr. and Garrett Celek.”
That’s good to know. Where do I find Inman’s report?
@Judex:
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2012/08/13/practice-review-day-13-depleted-defense-sees-williams-exit-early/
This is especially for those who love to yell at the wind:
Michael Crabtree, 49ers 2012-13 Starting WR.
If haters are truly motivaters, then MC can thank ‘DS’ ‘Prime’ and Latino Heat (intern hater) for his upcoming great season (lol).
“ALL IN!”
I must be in a class all by myself since I think *both* Alex and Crabtree are weaknesses on this otherwise strong team. Seems like everyone likes either one and dislikes the other.
I dont think thats true Fabio. Like Alex last year, certain fans want to see the player step up in their performance. Alex last year, although not elite level performance, showed he can reduce his INT’s and win games. He is a systematic QB, whatever that means, he wins games.
Now Michael Crabtree is under the microscope after a lucklustre playoff performance. Some fans, myself included, want to see a better year from Crabtree. It will only make the 49ers better. Its not a matter of liking one player and hating another, its about seeing every guy contribute more and more each year so that we can win a superbowl. we need Crabtree but if he cant get it done, then next man up!
I can dig that. I think both of them need to show major growth to come close to living up to their draft selection.
Fabio says:
August 14, 2012 at 1:35 pm
“I can dig that. I think both of them need to show major growth to come close to living up to their draft selection.”
@Fabio
Good points, I agree that Crabtree and AS must improve on certain areas of their game. Crabtree must improve on routes and find a way to get open more often.
AS must be willing to take a few more risks and that means throwing the ball and allowing his WR’ to make a play.
The offensive line must continue to open running lanes and keep AS upright.
There is definitely room for improvement on many levels, which should include other players not necessarily named MC.
AES
I agree with you that AS needs to take some risk. I do remember a game last year Alex did just that and what happen, interception. It was a throw into the endzone, not a good throw, but Edwards could of, should of, done anything to include pass interferance to ensure that the ball was not intercepted. QB has to have faith in his reveivers to make a play on the ball, Edwards did not. Shortly after that he was released. I have often wondered if Harbaugh thought the same thing.
Undercenter,
At least you saw at least one of the throws from Alex to Edwards. Most of them were so far off target that Edwards certainly couldn’t catch them. Edwards was openly complaining about Smith and his accuracy issues as they related to edwards. That’s why he got cut. He will adress it when the Niners play Seattle hopefully at some point.