SANTA CLARA – Sorry this post is so late; practice ended at 7:30 tonight. This is the good. The not-so-good will follow.
Chris Owusu caught roughly five passes, including the catch of the day against the first-team defense. He beat starting cornerback Tarell Brown deep down the sideline and leaped to catch a Josh Johnson pass over free safety Dashon Goldson. Owusu has been on a tear for the last week. At times he looks as good as the starters.
Chris Culliver continues to look like the best cornerback in training camp. Today he broke up both of Alex Smith’s third-and-long passes, and on the second one he almost intercepted the pass but Michael Crabtree hooked his arm so he couldn’t make the catch.
Colin Kaepernick was the only quarterback to convert a third-and-long against the first team defense. On third and 12, he threw a bullet to Brett Swain, who was being covered by Tramaine Brock. It’s nice to see a Niners QB attempt a pass like that.
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Heard Manningham had another impressive day today. Good to see him starting to step up.
He did, but he couldn’t beat Culliver today. Nobody could beat Culliver as far as I could tell.
Grant, which qb has thrown the fewest interceptions in camp? I rarely hear about Kaepernick throwing a pick.
The knock against Owusu has been that he disappears for long stretches. I thought his best year at Stanford was 2009. Maybe he has made big strides in his game and will be a consistent force in the pros, perhaps for the Niners if they can stow him out of sight in the PS for a season or two. His role as a gunner in ST has been a bit of a surprise, and he can also return kick-offs. All good if he can stay healthy and concussion-free.
Keep it coming Grant!! Thanks for standing up to all these Alex fan boys. We dont always agree, but at least you’re not a big wussy like some of the beat writers. Truth!
Why are you trying to start an argument? Do you have a need to insult others in your efforts to sound superior?
Let me guess, you’re still bitter because we cut Nate Davis haha
“It’s nice to see a Niners QB attempt a pass like that.” Sounds like a little jab at Alex Smith Grant. From what I hear, Alex looks poised to have an All Pro year. Can’t wait to get this campaign started.
I agree Razor, but it would be good to see Alex try throws like that – at least in practice and preseason games.
The striker to VD against the bounty hunters is still etched in my mind, and probably will be until the playoffs.
Nick, it’s not that Alex can’t make a throw like that, it’s that Alex doesn’t attempt throws like that. THAT is the difference.
I think Bay hit the nail right on the head. He *thinks* too much and therefore takes himself and the team out of potential big plays. He also worries too much about accidentally doing the wrong thing instead of taking a maverick approach that is a hallmark of some other highly touted QBs.
Bay,
Truth is, we’ve always heard from former teammates, players and coaches that Smith lacks the confidence in his own game. He’s obviously at a point in his career that the critics have scared him into not wanting to fail miserably. Hes never shown the confidence to be superior. We may never know if he’s ever had “IT”, because he’s been too hesitant to show it all the time.
He’s scared to fail so it affects his possible ability to succeed! Now, cue the Smithers to defend their hero from the truth!
And this children is what hot air is.
Agreed Razor.
I t does sound like a little jab at AS. But it comes with a token of truth.
AS will need to make throws that may fall under the risk category this season.
He will need to throw passes that allow for his WR’s to make plays on. I believe that his INT ratio will take a little hit, but we will get more bang for the buck from our WR’s getting more 1st downs on 3rd and long as well as TD’s in the Redzone.
The season of “No Excuses” is upon us. And that filters down to AS, MC, O-line, Off-play-calling etc.
Every player is held accountable this year, not just the ones that frequent this blog.
….”The season of “No Excuses” is upon us. And that filters down to AS, MC, O-line, Off-play-calling etc.”……….one the dumbest thing you ever wrote…….
No, no excuses only applies to alex, since he’s had more excuses and more chances than any professional athlete in sports history. O Line and play calling is already prove. Niners O Line ranked 5th in the nfl.
It may not be AES. Unless he typed his name wrong. He added a * by mistake if it is him.
oneniner says:
August 16, 2012 at 7:54 am
….”The season of “No Excuses” is upon us. And that filters down to AS, MC, O-line, Off-play-calling etc.”……….one the dumbest thing you ever wrote…….”
@oneniner
Hey “oneparolee”
Wuz up! is the “Restraining Oder” M.Maiocco put on you still in effect? (lol)
So you think that the adage “The Season of No Excuses” does not have merit?
Care to explain why?
“FANS” claim they want Alex to take more shots, interceptions be damned, but how long will the good will of last year last when he does take those shots and the occasional int occurs? Look at some of the QB’s that “fans” claim are so much better than him, and look at their INT ratio, they get delusional. Steve and Joe weren’t perfect, they threw their share of boneheaded ints, but too many “fans”, many of which never saw them play outside of highlights, which may explain why they just assumed they were always perfect. Seems like so many “fans” demand Smith to be perfect and if he were to throw 14 ints this year, even if he threw 32 tds, they’d find fault and complain and moan and groan.
I’d be a little hesitant too with those as my previous experiences. It may not be a conscious decision but I’m sure the unwarranted boo’s and chants for a washed up back-up impact his decision making to an extent, what percentage, who knows.
Great information Grant, it sounds to me like Kapp is going to me the back up and if we need him, he will keep the Niners going forward.
I’m ok with AS doing what he did last year with more weapons and experience in the offense to improve red zone and 3rd down performance. The reason we won 14 games last year was +28 in take aways. Our D is poised to continue forcing TO’s and with the ST will give us good field position. We start every game with an advantage there. The O’s job is ball control not a big strike high scoring game plan. I think the O line comes into its own and we continue to run the ball effectively with all the backs we have giving us better 3rd down situations. Alex has a much better WR corp now so mixing in more passes of all types will keep the opponents off balance and moving the chains. We will see some big plays running and passing and red zone will be better too resulting in 30 points a game. Of course this is all predicated on staying healthy which is my only concern. In JH we trust!
Nice. Optimism! : >)
Its unrealistic to expect to repeat our ++ turnover differential, but stay tuned, I think the D will continue to have some success with that. The DBs have been emphasizing stripping receivers and contesting catches all through TC.
…..dumbasz AES thinks your comment is an excuse…….according to the loof if we repeat the same stats and win and loss record as last year ……and are proud to defend it from the haters who think our stats should fantasy league like – its an Excuse…..
Hey onelame…. So you would take smith over brees, Brady Rogers and Eli? Just wondering because I don’t see why any team fan wouldn’t want an upgrade at the most important position in football. It’s a hypothetical question. Let’s see if you got the balls to at least answer this one.
I’ll play your game. Easy answer, yes. I’d also take Calvin, Fitz, Andre, Roddy, Steve Smith, AJ Green over Crabtree. Hypothetical questions prove what?
Oneniner shut up you wacko. Every year you have been wrong, I told you nolan was a bad hire you argued with me and loved him until he dogged your wimp alex smith, turns out I was right. Same exact thing with singletary until he decided alex stunk. You have been wrong too many times, how dare you insult everybody else, you are an alex fan not a football or 49er fan.
Too often when one of the self appointed experts starts yelling excuses, he is in reality making excuses for himself for ignoring obvious factual data.
Are in a self-appointed expert on self-appointed experts?
Are you… that is.
Lets talk about the Greenbay game. If we start strong and win this game it could send us to the superbowl.
I really hope there is a hidden competition for the starting qb job. I just think Kaep is far more dangerous than Smith. The pieces are set in place. We need to move past Alex Smith. Bring on Cunningham JR!!!!!!
Having seen both Kaep and Randal Cunningham play in college, and of course then having watched Cunningham as a pro, I will agree that I see many similarities between them. However, Kaep does not have the same finesse that Cunningham had as a runner, even in college. I have never seen anyone who could slip tackles like Cunningham. And Cunningham threw a very nice deep spiral as well. Keap may have a slightly stronger arm than Cunningham did, but his passes, even his deep ones, are more line drives than Cunningham’s smooth arcing spirals (in fact, Johnson throws more like Cunningham did than Kaep does). Still, I think Kaep can have a similar effect to Cunningham (if Kaep can fix or compensate for some mechanical issues) in the right offense.
Yes, Randal had a natural elusiveness that CK doesn’t have. I see that elusiveness in the Raiders’ A. Pryor; but I still prefer CK.
Cunningham did require 2-3 years to refine his game for the NFL.
RC was fun to watch….
Maybe there will be more similarities down the road, but if you put a split image of RC and CK next to each other on a TV screen they don’t have much in common in terms of release, running style or elusiveness.
he aint at cunningham status yet, but I can see him going that direction. In the end hes just plain better than Smith and needs to start seeing real game action. Harbaugh will mold him into a pro bowler!
I don’t want to take anything away from Randall Cunningham, but how many championships does he have?
I am not looking to replace our QB with a guy who plays like a guy who won 0 superbowls.
I am in no way putting down the comparison. I am merely making an observation as a 49er fan. As a fan, I want to win the superbowl each year. My opinion is that the NFL has already addressed running QBs even recently. They don’t win championships.
There are some brilliant minds in the nfl, there are amazing schemes drawn up, but at the end of the day, the Kordell Stewart’s, Michael Vick’s, Randall Cunningham’s don’t win championships.
Just my thoughts as a fan on the topic.
Grant,
Heard something interesting on Culliver (believe on Brian Murphy’s show last week), whatever kind of sabermatrix/stats the NFL keeps on CB … showed that Culliver was a top 5 DB in 2011. Pass rushers, QB, and LT make the big bucks, but do you see the 49ers extending big $$$ to Culliver next season?
I still am seeing the CB’s being beat, WE face some of the best passers in tehleague this year and that hasn’t been a concern blogged about yet? Goldson continues to be beat by our qbs who some have said can only look good against the guys who aren’t making the team. What does that really say about our secondary?
“It’s nice to see a Niners QB attempt a pass like that.”
So subtle, so immature.
I don’t know how subtle that is at this point since we’ve been waiting 7 long years for Alex to incorporate that type of pass in his arsenal (or lack thereof).
Hey romance boy, weve been waiting for an offensive system to be implemeted that our NFL players could compete with other teams with. Weve been working with coaches who should not be coaching highschool football the last 7 years.
why do you need to start name calling? We’re all 49er fans here. It’s an opinion.
He is name calling because the truth hurts. Hopefully, Smith can start attempting and completing those throws, he is more than capable of doing it. He has never felt comfortable doing it, many other QB’s do.
Some of Alex’ “Quality Control” crowd are in a ‘tiff’ over Grant’ subtle jab at AS, as they interpret it.
I don’t see any problem with Grant giving his opinion here. No names were mentioned in his comment. And if it was an indirect comment at AS, he’ not far from the truth.
I’m not afraid of the AS “protectors” you can rant and rave at me all you want. I’ve said on more then a few occassions; AS will need to take more chances this season, period!
Safe Alex will need to become a little more edgy.
It is what it is, like it or not!
4 paragraphs that say absolutely nothing. well done.
whats not to understand?
AS needs to take more chances
Take chances to the point he is working outside the philosophy of the offense? That is not Harbaugh’s offense. If your looking for a more open passing offense, its not happening. JH as we have seen in all his coaching stops has been a big proponent of running the ball and playaction. Ii doubt we will see pass plays over 30-40 yards.
When you have a defense like ours you play to its strengths. Field position and special teams with an offense that is going to consume long sustaining drives. What did the first drive of the preaeason look like, 12 plays, 84 yards, TD. Maybe 3 passes that entire drive?
There are always windows to throw into in the NFL, some QB’s are more comfortable doing it then others. It’s not about offensive philosophy, it’s about completing the pass.
“Ii doubt we will see pass plays over 30-40 yards.” We aren’t talking about 40 yard pass plays, we are talking about stick throws during a 3rd and 10 situation. Smith obviously knew he had room to improve in that area and worked on his mechanics during the offseason, which is a positive thing. You make it sound like Harbaugh has a Ferrari in Smith, but will only drive it around the block at 5 mph because that is his philosophy.
FDM Alex is nowhere near pushing the offense to a point that he is “working outside of the Philosophy of the offense”. Your words not mine.
If he was anywhere near those boundries, the front office would have felt secure enough to pay him franchise QB money and lock him in for a longer term deal. Not a series of one year contracts.
Are you privy to information regarding the offense?
You said ” I doubt we will see passing plays over 30-40 yards”. Is that why they brought vertical threats like Moss and Manningham to the Niners? Expensive decoys?
If Smith gives us more of the same, especially in terms of red zone numbers, QB scoring and 3rd down conversions, this will be his last year. There is no defending average.
Smithers used to attempt to use Andrew Luck as an example of how this offense would run. Luck had the deep pass in his arsenal. That means the offense has it in it’s arsenal. Alex Smith had better add it to “his” arsenal given the weapons that have been added.
Im not privy to any information regarding the offense, but based on Harbaughs history, he will play to the strength of his personnel everytime. That means his defense, special teams, running the ball, and taking chances downfield when needed.
Im saying do not expect a new type of offense, one where on 1st or 2nd down you will see pass plays of over 20-40 yards.
Regardless of Moss and Manningham who by the way Bay, do more than go deep, they will chip you down, wear you down then take a shot. Like I said, that’s what JH did at Stanford, and that’s what he did last year in his first in SF. This is who and what the Niners are and how they are built. 300-400 yard passing games will unlikely never happen, its a philosophy/system that the Niners are not accustomed to doing. They have a formula, it works, it got us 13 wins and now teams will have to plan against our physicality, our all world defense, and now some upgrades in our passing game.
The reason Alex and the offense didnt take chances in the championship game, look who he had to work with” Crabtree, Swain, Williams, and Hastings!
But for some reason he was able to hit VD deep, why is that?
But you read it. So what does say about you? (lol)
@ AES
I think that both you and Grant hit the nail on the head. It’s time for him to make the next step. I didn’t see it as a shot against Alex Smith when I read it.
Explain to me why he needs to take more chances. Would him doing so have beaten the Giants in the title game? Keep in mind that the last 10 points the Giants scored were off TO’s. Which is the losing end of what happens if you take chances.
DS
Would him doing so have beaten the Giants in the title game?
YES
Here’s a cut and paste from Cam Inman’s article on Jan 24th:
Alex Smith’s “tentative and uncertain pocket play” played a key role in the 49ers’ NFC Championship Game loss Sunday, Greg Cosell wrote in his blog for “NFL Films.” Cosell, after reviewing coaches’ film, noted three poor plays in particular:
In the first, Smith failed to hit a wide-open Michael Crabtree on the 49ers’ first third-down play and instead threw an incomplete check-down to Frank Gore.
In the second example, Smith overthrew Kyle Williams with a 50-yard bomb on their first snap of the second quarter.
And, third, Smith took a 7-yard sack rather than pass to an open Delanie Walker on their first snap after halftime.
“Smith was reluctant to let it loose on routes and throws that were not only well designed, but were open,” Cosell wrote. “They were primary reads. No progressions were involved.
“One of the attributes that separates high level quarterback play in big games and critical moments is the willingness to make stick throws into smaller windows. Smith did that with confidence against the Saints. In the NFC Championship game, he was hesitant and cautious on throws that were clearly defined. Simply put, Smith left a lot of plays on the field against the Giants. While (Kyle) Williams publicly shouldered the burden of defeat, it was his quarterback who failed to deliver on the promise he had shown a week earlier.”
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2012/01/24/nfl-films-cosell-finds-several-faults-by-alex-smith-in-nfc-championship-game-defeat/
DS, I think if they take more chances, they have a better chance of getting away from the close games. They didn’t blow anyone out last year. The Giants game was winnable, the 49ers just didn’t do anything to actually win the game.
They had the play not to loes mentality instead of the play to win.
Nick, why do YOU think Alex made the throws in the NO game and not against the Giants?
Was it because what everyone from Aikman who called the game to Jerry Rice who asid the Niners receievers were not winning the one on one battles and getting seperation?
Chris
Forgot the TB game already? Largest margin of victory since JM was the QB
Tampa was terrible last season, plain and simple.
>>I think if they take more chances, they have a better chance of getting away from the close games. They didn’t blow anyone out last year
Sigh, how many times do I have to post this. It’s no argument that the strength on last years team was it’s defense. Last year’s average margin of victory ranks right up there with the NFL’s historical defensive powerhouses.
2000 Ravens – 10.5
70′s Steelers – 10.75 (average of their 4 Steel Curtain championship years)
2011 49ers – 10.06
Maybe this year they will be the 85 Bears, blowing out teams on both sides of the ball. I’m not expecting that. Still a defensive oriented team, I predict the majority of games will be close, the occasional blowout here and there (you overlooked Tampa Bay, Chris), but as history goes, a 10 or 11 per game average margin of victory. And that will be enough to get them to the Super Bowl.
@FDM
From my observations, it seems like Alex feels more comfortable making throws down the middle of the field, even when there is a tight window. The D. Walker catch in Detroit and the V. Davis catch in the NO game are good examples of this. Where Alex needs to trust his abilities more are on intermediate throws outside the hashes – especially in the redzone and on 3rd downs.
FDM,
I’ll answer your question for you. Because he is inconsistent period.
Answer me this, how many times have you seen Smith have a decent game and you find yourself thinking, ” maybe this is the game that gets him over the hump”. Then he comes back with a so so game. Go over the games and look at the inconsistency. It’s right there.
The 4th game of the season Smith passed for 291 yards. He followed it up the next two weeks with 170 yards and 125 yards the following week.
The 11th week he threw for 267 and followed that up with 140 yards the following week.
The 13th week he three for 274. The next three weeks he threw for under 190 yards three straight weeks.
Smith has quite a few areas that require growth, the inability to carry high level performances with him game to game is a big one.
I did completely overlook Tampa Bay. That was a fun game especially with all the commentators telling us that we were going to be tested there.
Thank you Gentlemen.
Chris
The haters want to ignore that game. But at the time TB was coming off a Monday night victory. They were 2-1. They were the darlings from 2010 winning 10 games I believe but failed to go into the playoffs. And most importantly of all, that same team came into our house in 2010 and shut us out at home 21-0 if memory serves.
Then we destroy them, and TB ends the season going 1-13 after we beat them. Just before the game, the haters said this was a big test for AS. This game would show if our (AS) 2-1 was legit, or a straw house. Then AS and the Niners destroyed the Bucs beating a team by more points than SY ever had.
If the haters didn’t hate, they would have been on board with AS right there. They set the standard that AS beat the TB Bucs, AS did, and they acted like they never said it. They spent the rest of the year not recognizing the obvious. AS was better than they thought.
Chris
The haters want to ignore that game. But at the time TB was coming off a Monday night victory. They were 2-1. They were the darlings from 2010 winning 10 games I believe but failed to go into the playoffs. And most importantly of all, that same team came into our house in 2010 and shut us out at home 21-0 if memory serves.
Then we destroy them, and TB ends the season going 1-13 after we beat them. Just before the game, the haters said this was a big test for AS. This game would show if our (AS) 2-1 was legit, or a straw house. Then AS and the Niners destroyed the Bucs beating a team by more points than SY ever had.
If the haters didn’t hate, they would have been on board with AS right there. They set the standard that AS beat the TB Bucs, AS did, and they acted like they never said it. They spent the rest of the year not recognizing the obvious. AS was better than they thought.
This game plus the Philly game were landmark wins for this team last year.
Spin it Doctor Spin, spin it. Tampa was horrible last year. Why do you think they replaced their coach?
Everyone knows that Cosell hates Alex Smith!!!( sarcasm) Cosell tells it like it is. He has no axe to grind with Smith. He gave Smith credit in the Saints game. He didn’t in the Giant game. Plain and simple.
“I’m not afraid of the AS “protectors” you can rant and rave at me all you want. I’ve said on more then a few occassions; AS will need to take more chances this season, period!”
AES, not to worry. AS has the most talent (players and coaches) on this team that he’s ever been around while in the NFL. He won’t be perfect, but he will continue to get better this year. Good times.
BTW, good read by MSando with his summary on the 9ers after his recent visit.
Hofe,
I don’t place you in that category. You have been fair across the board more often then not.
And yes, AS will have a great season and he will bring ALL his WR’s along with him!
Hofer,
Thanks for the heads up on the Sando piece. That guy gets it. Best non-local writer imo.
Jack, agree! MSando is as good as they come and along with GC, MM, MB, and the great EB, a day doesn’t start without my MSando (9er news) read. lol
First you say that Alex Smiths 3rd and long passes were broken up by Culliver. Then you say that Kaepernick completed a 3rd and long pass. Then you say it was nice to see a qb attempt a throw like that on 3rd and long.
We’re you talking about Tolzien and Johnson not attempting these 3rd and long passes? Because it sounds like Smith did attempt those throws.
DS and FDM
Here is what I mean by taking more chances: On any given play there are 5 options unles one or more stay in to block. Many times if the 1st option is a) covered b) open but there is a defender in the area AS just checks down to FG or a runing back. We even saw it in TC on a 3rd and 10 he throws a 5yrd pass to FG who gets tackled short of the marker. What I want is for AS to believe in his ever improving accuracy and laser it in there the way he did to VD on the vernon post.
We see it all the time when his back is against the wall he is capable of of making clutch throws in to tight windows. I want to see more of that and not only when there is no other choice.
I dont want him to become P.Rivers and toss it up into double coverage but I would prefer to see less checkdowns on 3rd down and more “chance” throws. Even if it means 2-4 more ints from him on the season.
I mean if he checks down and we punt vs him taking a chance and getting picked off its only 30 ish yrds of field position
Well said Bos49er, but I think the instruction from the coaching staff is “take what the defense gives you”. nIf that means check it down, well let our defense and special teams control the field position battle and take our chances when we absolutely have to.
Now Im not in the coaching meetings or saying this is the 49er way, Im going off what Harbaugh has done at Stanford and last year with the 49ers. Maybe its just his philosophy, others will say its Alex, and some will say its the WR. Whatever the case, if it wins games, thats all that matters!
To add to that, JM said on 3rd and long (10) you have little chance of converting. You throw the safe pass, hope the WR gets the YAC if your other options aren’t looking good. You use the best punter/D in the NFL to get you about 15 yards field possesion and try again.
A big problem last year were the number of 3rd and longs. We just weren’t equipped to handle them. So, we got a bunch of new offensive players.
Don’t forget that Harbaugh tried to get Manning as well, he would fall under “bunch of new offensive players.”
There goes DS making up Joe Montana quotes again. Where is your source DS? Or are you going to tell us your usual line, that you forgot where you heard it exactly. You don’t remember where you saw it…..
DS
Here’s evidence that discredits what you just stated regarding JM.
SF at Philadelphia, 1989
4th quarter, after a big time come back, the 49ers faced 3rd and 4 with the ball at the Eagles 33 yard line. The score was SF 31, Phili 28. Yes, the Niners were up with 2:08 left in the game.
So what happened? JM throws it in the end zone to JR – who was double covered. TD, game over, shut it down.
That’s called courage. We need AS to develope some of that, play more consistently, win a couple of Super Bowls, etc. Until then, stop comparing the two.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9hxLacC4r0
Nick,
nobody minds a shot taken and missed. That gives your team a chance. It’s the shots not taken that bother me the most.
Was the receiver open? Not open? Could he have made a play? Not made the play? You don’t know, because the attempt was never made.
Nowhere was that more evident that the NFC championship game….
Nickrow,
Great video. Nothing like Joe going for the jugular.
Bayarea says; Was the receiver open? Not open? Could he have made a play? Not made the play? You don’t know, because the attempt was never made.
FDM says: What down is it, where are we on the field, this guys not open, whats the score, take a chance or not, were up, were down, need to score, dont need to turn it over.
So many things no one knows but the playcaller and the QB. Its not black or white Bay, its football and what matters is at the end of the 4 Quarters, did you win or did you lose? You cant look back at certain plays and say he should have or shouldnt have thrown it, hindsight is a joke, just like stats in football, its never going to give you an absolute account of what you were good at or what you need to improve in its entiriety. The only true measure of success in the NFL is wins, who really cares about the rest.
Look at the NFC championship game FDM. Look at the attempts to WR. That will tell you all you need to know. Did the ref blow the Bradshaw call? Yes. Did our punt returner choke yes. Did our QB play too safe especially in the 4th Quarter? Yes…..
I believe it was Smith’s game against the Giants that determined the front offices low offer to him. I also believe it was that performance that was the catalyst for looking at Manning….
Time to move on from all of that Bay ( NFC Championship game), it looks like everyone and everything from that game has made the necessaryimprovements.
My point is we wont see much of a different offense when it comes to throwing it deep.
“I believe it was Smith’s game against the Giants that determined the front offices low offer to him. I also believe it was that performance that was the catalyst for looking at Manning….”
Possibly. But we know it is the reason for the upgrade at WR!
>>I also believe it was that performance that was the catalyst for looking at Manning….
I beleive it was the once in a generation-type player that PM was (still is? we’ll find out soon) that was the catalyst for them looking at him.
Nick
That didn’t discredit anything. You know that JR is the best player in history regardless of position, right? None of the Niner WR’s are close to him.
Courage? Man you’re bad. Courage isn’t found in thowing a football. Get a new word will ya? Besides, 2:08 left, our D was ranked #1 that year with HOF type players coming into replace our starters.
How may times has MC been the inended target and the CB still caught it? How many times for JR? The chemisty between JM and JR was better. So JM felt comfortable throwing it. What in MC’s career or TG career has told you that they will make the catch? And if it is incomplete, we make the FG. Still win it unless our D stumbles up (not likely).
That wasn’t a quote either from you. And please point out where I brought up JM? You are having reading comp issues along with bay of pigs and buggy. Read what I wrote.
Note: JR forced 2-team, and made the catch. Much like VD did.
Nick
With so little time left, what JM said would not apply. 2:08 left, you won’t get the ball back unless
1. Philly scores
2. Our D stops them. In which case, we do victory formation.
Either way, we are not going to punt and get the ball back for field position. That was my point. Obviously, at the end of games, this outlook goes out the window. And AS did exactly what JM did in those situations last year. Make the big throw to win the game. We weren’t going to punt no matter what in that situation.
From Inman regarding practice today:
“Alex Smith looked flawless in red-zone drills, as did Josh Johnson.
Cornerback Chris Culliver successfully defended back-to-back passes from Colin Kaepernick into the end zone, doing so in coverage against Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree.”
Sounds like another good day for Alex and Cully. Grant has been singing his praises throughout camp. He is going to be key against the QB’s on this schedule.
DS94everXev says:
August 16, 2012 at 10:15 am
‘Explain to me why he needs to take more chances. Would him doing so have beaten the Giants in the title game? Keep in mind that the last 10 points the Giants scored were off TO’s. Which is the losing end of what happens if you take chances.”
@DS
Well in that game, had he hit on a couple of those passes (KW and DW) yes, it would have made a difference. And that had to do more with accuracy issues then anything else. But obviously that’s a little grain of truth you have hidden somewhere in your huge AS ‘witness protection’ file (lol).
Weren’t you at the forefront of bashing MC because of his lack of speed?
Well now we have speedsters in R.Moss and MM. Do you really think Harbaugh is going to insert an offense that allows them to go 10 yrds for a catch to protect AS’ INT ratio?
You don’t go out and purchase a Lamborgini just to drive at 25 mph.
C’mon DS, calm down. It’s to early to fly into AS protection mode.
He may very well be able to complete the long ball. No need to worry bud, let’s see how it plays out (lol).
“ALL IN!” (for “ALL” 49ers!)
AES
Leave it to you to bring up MC. You can’t help it. Your obsession with him is scary.
Besides, you missed the point completely. The talk wasn’t about accuracy, but of him throwing the ball in certain moments. You’re All in is a joke. You say nothing about how MC didn’t provide an open target, and place blame on AS completely. ALL, IN FOR MC is what you are.
I have said he missed that KW throw plenty of times. If you bother to read the posts and not copy paste, you’d have known. And EM missed more open WR’s. You keep forgetting that while you are all in.
I think we can be all in and still criticize/wish more for our team. We can be a bunch of bo-bos and swallow eveyuthing were given whole, or we can use our judgement and form our own opinion of what we want our team to be/play like etc. Every AS post doesnt have to revert to MC baching and vice versa. We are on here because we love the 9ers and want to talk about them but just like family we r not going to love everyone on the team just because they wear the red and gold. Yes we root for them but we realize that they are not perfect (except cowboy and p willy-never seen an argument centered around them on here) and there are things that they can improve.
All In (but still hoping for improvement from AS MC and AD)
After my poor posting of yesterday I shall try again. None of us are privy to what is happening in TC. You have to read many sources to hopefully get a good picture of the team. What I have gathered from all the sources is that AS is playing his best ball and has without a doubt seperated himself from the other QBs, MC is playing his best ball, RM is looking really good along with Manningham. Jenkins and James has some improving to do, they both are up and down. Dont here to much from Jacobs but he looked good in the game. CK, ST, JJ, are pretty much equal even tho CK seems to be emerging as the #2. Still not enough data on those three as far as I am concerned. The defense is playing good but as good as last year? The pass defense is suspect but who really knows except Harbaugh and company. Culliver is having a good camp. We also know that Crabs is currently the number one receiver and I have ZERO problem with that. We know that Williams has done very well. The special teams looks very good, not surprising. We know that Aldon and Walker and others are working thru something. You guys we have a very good team with lots of depth everywhere. I am not going to cite sources, you all can read from MM, MB, Branch and others and of course Grant.
Undercenter,
Well said. What tends to get lost in these battles over different perceptions of players, is that this team is damn good from one end of the roster to the other. For the first time since Young retired, I feel like the Niners can win a Championship and it’s exciting.
It’s good to get some daily news, but it can’t be taken too seriously. It is interesting how the beat writers see the same practices but their summaries (views) are different. Looking forward to the game on Saturday.
True that, Hof. Back before the web and social media, we as fans didn’t know any of these details. Didn’t seem to effect the outcome of the team’s performance much :)
Good comment undercenter. It is a great time to be a 49er fan!
Yes it is!
yes it is
Excellent post Undercenter,
thanks for sharing that.
Sometimes we get carried away as passionate fans. But we are part of the 49er family. If last year’s ride was great, this year’s ride will be indescribably awesome!
Nate Byham was waived today.
DS:
“A big problem last year were the number of 3rd and longs. We just weren’t equipped to handle them. So, we got a bunch of new offensive players.”
@DS
But now we should have the “equipment to handle it.” Hence my war cry; “The Year of No Excuses.” That adage is not meant for one or any group of players. This runs from the FO down to the Coaches and Players!
you make it sound like superbowl or bust, pretty high expectations you have set there aes
Latino Heat says:
August 16, 2012 at 4:22 pm
“you make it sound like superbowl or bust, pretty high expectations you have set there aes”
@LH
Well I’m not sure how you interpret comments on this blog. But I do shoot for the moon and play to win at everything! (lol)
I would not consider not going to the SB a bust year. But I would consider it (based on the upgrades on ofnse and locking up our dfnse) a huge disappointment.
DS:
“How may times has MC been the inended target and the CB still caught it? How many times for JR? The chemisty between JM and JR was better. So JM felt comfortable throwing it. What in MC’s career or TG career has told you that they will make the catch? And if it is incomplete, we make the FG. Still win it unless our D stumbles up (not likely).”
@DS
Your points would be better served if you had added AS’ name to this list of names. Stop protecting AS’ legacy DS, he doesn’t have one yet! (lol)
Off topic. But Grant don’t you think it’s time to put out another APB on 49erGirl?
She hasn’t been here all summer and don’t worry about the roasting from the jealous posters!
Waiting for todays TC report once it’s over.
Thanks Grant,
Why? She was as useless as you with your phony baloney All in campaign thats only Crabtree related. However when it comes to Alex it’s the season of no excuses, classic flip flopper!
Hahahaha Prime! You’re shameless (lol).
Why don’t you try staying off this blog for a couple of weeks and see if anyone misses you (crickets..). Well, I know your ‘connected at the hip’ twin DS will. But that doesn’t really count for anything in these parts (lol)!
If anyone missed Bowmans interview on NFL network here it is. The man is a class act.
http://www.49ers.com/media-gallery/videos/NaVorro-Bowman-on-NFL-Network/4f096d75-a415-45d0-a885-276fc091393f
NB needs to work on his pipes…his pitch is a bit high. jk lol!
I really hope the 49ers manage to keep Bowman and Willis. It might be a lot of money for the ILB position but they are so dang good.
They are worth keeping togeather
DS94everXev says:
August 16, 2012 at 11:04 am
AES
“Leave it to you to bring up MC. You can’t help it. Your obsession with him is scary.”
@DS
Was it the pot that called the kettle black, or the other way around? (lol)
Hahahaha! No DS, we all know you have the corner locked on obsessions around here. Your obsession towards AS has bordered on “Retraining Order” level.
Give it a break DS (lol).