I was in an airplane somewhere above Nebraska or Colorado when Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media in Santa Clara Monday afternoon. He reiterated all the good things his players did against the Packers on Sunday, and he spoke about the upcoming opponent – the Detroit Lions – and the “mini-controversy” surrounding last year’s slap handshake with Lions’ head coach Jim Schwartz. Here’s a complete transcript, courtesy of the 49ers.
Opening statement:
“Good morning. Well, it’s good to be back here in Santa Clara. It was a good trip home. Again, just really excited about the way our guys played and fought and handled themselves out there in Green Bay. And back for a great week of preparation this week and a great week of work. Reviewing the film, lot of positives, lot of really good to point out. Again, defensively along the fronts, [DT] Ray McDonald, [DT] Justin Smith were outstanding versus the run. Nine runs Green Bay attempted and it was 56 passes I believe. But, a lot of real good solid play in our defense. [LB] NaVorro Bowman had an outstanding game, as was pretty evident to see watching the game. Also, [CB] Chris Culliver makes the big play at the end in pass defense. Physical play by [FS] Dashon Goldson, [SS] Donte Whitner, all of our defensive backs that played in the game. Four, sometimes five, and sometimes six on occasion. And then again, [LB] Ahmad Brooks gave us the big sack. Played really well down the stretch, did Ahmad. [LB] Aldon [Smith] had a terrific game as well, and so did [LB] Patrick Willis. Good game from that standpoint. Special teams, of course the highlight, [K] David Akers with the 63-yard field goal and perfect on field goals, once again for us. Three or four touchbacks in the game. Thought we covered well. [CB] Tramaine Brock stood out. Two tackles inside the 20 on the punt and forced a fair catch as well. So, outstanding. Offense was good, was on the field the majority of the time. That really helped us in the ball game. And [QB] Alex Smith, [RB] Frank Gore, the way we played up front, thought everybody doing a job, hustling, playing 60 minutes. Exciting game, exciting game for us.”
With LB Patrick Willis, he tweeted out earlier today how happy he was for LB NaVorro Bowman. Have you ever seen that before, where one guy sort of takes another guy’s place in the dime, and yet is so happy for that guy as he performs well on the field and he’s on the sideline?
“Well, and Patrick was in on the dime, too, I believe 12 plays when NaVorro wasn’t. But yeah, we see that a lot. We’ve got a lot of those examples just from our own team. Guys for each other. On each other’s side. We’re showered with that daily.”
WR Randy Moss did everything that you expected to see from him in his first game after a while?
“Yeah, terrific performance by Randy and all the receivers. [WR] Michael Crabtree had some, just terrific catches. He is just a great example for young receivers. Hand catching the football, good as you’ll ever see. And in traffic he had some physical runs. And [WR] Mario [Manningham] as well, just getting it and going. Running good routes, getting the ball and headed up field. Randy was outstanding coming off the ball, good speed, etc. Also, [WR] Kyle Williams, really effective in the punt return game. Got us the big 20-yard return right before the half there that set up the [QB Colin] Kaepernick run and then the Akers field goal. But just, everybody playing solid, doing a job like we said, hustling and playing well.”
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers isn’t just obviously a great passing quarterback, but running. How happy were you with how well you were able to kind of contain him in terms of what he did on the ground?
“Well, it stands to reason that when you have a star quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, and that ball was coming out so quick and accurate. And then his ability to run, which is well-documented and he runs, and he runs to hurt you. And then the great group of wide receivers and tight ends and playmakers that Green Bay has, it stands to reason that you’re not just going to shut them down, play after play after play to negative yardage. But what you hope to do is not give up the big, big play in the run game or the pass, which I thought our team did an outstanding job of not giving them. And then eventually, you get them shut on a series of downs and you get the ball back. But I thought pursuit was the key. Nobody staying on the ground, nobody staying blocked. Getting off blocks, pursuing like the dickens. And you saw that with any number of our guys. Aldon early in the game, getting a sack. And that kind of play, that kind of hustling backs on the back end, tackling and not giving up big plays was essential to getting them shut on some of those series.”
What makes this team so poised on the road? And that’s a hostile environment, and they did it last year. Is it being opportunistic? Is it fundamentals? Is it preparation, everything? This team’s a good road team.
“Well, I can’t disagree with you. And I think poise comes from confidence. You’d be darn surprised if they didn’t have confidence. They work extremely hard. They prepare so well, and that’s something that we need to keep doing. That’s something that the way we work, the way we prepare, that’s one of the best things that we have going for us. And you want to see that continue.”
Yesterday you mentioned you played the game with your minds. They played the game with their minds. Could you have done that last year? Or having more coaching this year, does that allow that to happen?
“It’s not a new thing. We’ve talked many times, just how intelligent this team is, these players are. How well their study habits go. And it’s 16 sprints. Every single week is a new sprint and they understand the mental preparation that goes into it. And take pride in their job and doing a good job. And doing the job out there on the field.”
I often hear coaches say that a team makes its biggest improvement between week one and week two.
“Big believer in that.”
You do?
“Yes.”
So how do you improve from yesterday? That was pretty good.
“Well, any number of ways. And there will be specifics that we’ll be attacking this week. You always feel like you’re either getting better or you’re getting worse, you never stay the same. And you’re always looking for that mile an hour faster, percent better. We’ve talked about that. But, definitely when you go from week one to week two, you feel like you can make your greatest stride in any given week the entire season because you’ve done it before. Now you’ve done it before. You’ve played in a 60-minute game where everybody had to suck it up and play for 60 minutes. And coming off a preseason where some guys are only playing a quarter, a quarter and a half. So, now you’re doing that for the second time. And there are positives to use as a foundation, as a platform, to get better at. There are things that you’d like to see improved. And you make those corrections. And the players see it and you’re working out on the practice field.”
Anything specific you’ll be looking at in terms of anything?
“Yeah, there are definitely some specifics that we’ll be working on. And always like to get the players to tell them knee to knee before we release that to the public, before we talk to them is a general rule.”
You mentioned David Akers and the big field goal yesterday. Can you kind of take us through that play from your perspective, the decision to let him try it from that range and then also kind of what you saw as the ball was in the air?
“Sure. Well, the decision to kick it was we looked at it and said, this is going to be a 63 yarder and we basically just threw two passes just to get the clock down to where we would kick the field goal, and that would end the half. From that distance, you’re going to have to cover, too because they have the ability to return. But, had seen David hit the 60 yarder, 61 yarder in pregame with a few yards to spare. So, felt like we’d have a heck of a shot to make it. What I saw on the kick was, and I think David would tell you that he didn’t hit it as well as he would have liked to, but what he did do was hit it straight. That ball tracked straight. There was no variance left to right on that kick. And I think that was the difference, I really do. The trueness, the straightness of that kick is what made the difference.”
Everyone seems to agree that Alex Smith is a little better, or a little different. Aaron Rodgers came out in support last week saying all that stuff about managing a game. What did you see in Alex that maybe you didn’t see last year?
“Well, saw a lot of the same things that we did see last year. I couldn’t really list any dramatic differences. Alex plays at a very high level in this league. And did that last year and continuing to do that this year.”
Does it bother you that people from the outside, and mainly East coast people, seem to belittle Alex in saying, what has he done? Or 49ers are a running team, or they win on their defense, etc. As a coach, and a former quarterback, does that bother you at all?
“We kind of come from the sticks and stones school.”
How did G Alex Boone do in his first game at guard, and the offensive line as a whole?
“He was outstanding I thought. Just love Alex Boone, love him, love him. Love being around him, love the way he competes. Love the mentality that he brings, the attitude that he brings to our team. I thought he did a heck of a job. And I think he’s going to get better and better as well.”
How has G Leonard Davis, kind of learned where he fits in, coming in on that offensive line on the end there?
“How’s he learned? He has fit in. It feels like he’s fit in, he’s one of us. Another guy that’s just a pure joy to be around. Pure, pure athlete and good guy, and that’s what we have on our team. We’ve got good guys, wanting to play for the team, wanting to do well for the team, take pride in their own job and their own performance. Character guys, smart guys, tough guys, really makes it a joy to coach them. ”
With the officiating situation, do you have to change your philosophy on challenges, at all? You might face something late in the game that’s just completely blatant that you wouldn’t expect, that you could reverse with a challenge, possibly.
“No. I don’t think I’ve changed my mentality on challenges.”
Health good? Anything that we might not know about? Everybody come out OK?
“Pretty darn good. Pretty darn good, yeah.”
Here’s Detroit again, a year on from the handshake kerfuffle, what’s your view of that whole thing? It’s going to come up this week, I saw it on TV, a clip of it already. What’s your approach to all of that and what’s your view of that a year on?
“Our approach with the mini-controversies are really to give them the attention that they deserve, which isn’t much. Now, people that will use that to promote this game or any other game I think are really missing the point. The game is just so much bigger. As a rule of thumb, I have too much respect for the men who play this game, on both sides. And too much respect for the game to give it anything less than what it deserves.”
In hindsight on that, I’m wondering, do you think that did anything to just further fire up the locker room and bond you guys together? It could easily be looked at as just a total distraction, but it seemed like the guys in the media that week really digged it. I remember having a coach get into it with another coach when I was playing as a kid, and it fires you up a little. Could it have a positive effect or something like that?
“I really think it’s just a mini-controversy, that’s completely irrelevant. To put it next to the game itself is missing the point, in my opinion. I don’t know that I really have any more that I could possibly add to it.”
Last year when you guys started getting on a roll you talked a lot about making it suck for yourself, getting up early, those types of things. After a big win like this, is that something you have to remind the guys again, or is that engrained in the team’s DNA?
“We’ll see what we can do about that. But, professional guys that love to play, love to practice, love to study. My dad told me a great story this morning about Mohammed Ali that I can’t wait to share with the fellas, and it’s something along those lines.”
Don’t take this, but last year you told us you were going to change your handshake approach. Not trying to harp on this.
“Again, out of respect for the game.”
Ok, ok, but you had a little fun with us and said that you were going to change your approach. That’s all I was going to ask you, if you had done so?
“There’s nothing I can possibly add.”
What’s your feeling about post-game sportsmanship, in general, philosophically?
“Philosophically I know what you’re trying to do.”
No, I’m opening a question?
“I know exactly what the open question is. I hear what you’re saying, now is not the time to address it. I can’t possibly add any more to that topic.
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Houston talking sh!t about Moss is an example of the IQ of the Detroit Lions. It feels like this might be a beat down.
Beatdown would be fine with me Razor…I really don’t like the Detroit team. Don’t like the coach, or the the dirty ball the team plays.Curious to see if coaches even bother to meet at the end of this one!
I absolutely love when Harbaugh talks to the media. Always priceless in a good way.
Seems that the Niners D will nickel and dime their way through the Sunday game. With Kevin Smith as their primary back, I doubt that the Lions will even pretend to have a running game (unlike the Pack who felt obligated to keep Cedric Benson happy with nominal number of carries). I guess our ILB will get some extra rest while Cox and Brock will get some valuable game time.
All I know Mood is we have one of the best coaching staffs in the league. They will come up with a scheme that will attack Detroits strengths and weaknesses while highlighting their own.
After yesterday’s game, I have full confidence in JH’s staff to have the boys ready to play and compete hard.
Grant next time you make predictions like you did in the 49ers @ Packers game you should put you job on the line………………………………………………………………..
ZZZZZZ…..
Jons
How may posts have you written on this blog that wern’t an attack on Grant?
Were you bullied by him in school?
everything I write on here will be about how bad of a reporter he is….that’s just the way it is. Just want better writers/reporters/journalist that’s all, whats wrong with that?
ds and midwest grants biggest supporters
But Grant had nothing to do with this media session. Oh wait, I know! He’s a bad reporter because he was on a plane. Shame on you Grant!
How do you know where he was, are you his little puppy dog?
No even close dude. When Grant writes something that I wouldn’t even sneeze at, I either let him know or just don’t post anything with that write-up. If I like/love it, then I post something about it. Sorry but your accusation just had a hole burned right through it. Try again, and this time, BACK UP YOUR CLAIM WITH FACTS!!!
So you are saying Grant was on a Plane and he is taking credit for another reporters work? how professional is that? very unprofessional is what it is.
How do you know where he was, are you his little puppy dog?
Nope, just a reader who looks at both sides of the coin and through just HATE goggles.
Look before you post. He clearly says that it is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers. Keep reaching. I’m sure you’ll reach the point of no return in DUH soon enough.
Jons
You can think what you like regarding Grant. Just add a lot more football in-between.
And maybe, just maybe…you’ll get to a point where you don’t think he is horrible. Likely, you’ll never think he is good. That is fine. But lay off the guy some.
FYI I may have gotten into the most heated discussion with Grant he’s ever had on this job last year when he discussed 3rd down comparisons. So, I’m not one who lays off when I think he’s wrong.
But Grant admitted he was wrong with his prediction and gave the team nice grades. What would you ask of him? That he invents a time machine, pays for all such expenses with the near starting salary a journalist gets in Santa Rosa and go back to change his prediction so that you are happy?
I’d hope if Grant had access to a time machine that he does something to help society/world that extends beyond predicting a football game myself. You?
DS I know you have given Grant crap before…It just seems like 9 out of 10 articles he writes, he does not think about it, he just blabs about something and tries to make himself look good, it doesn’t make him look good at all, just ignorant…..I mean it’s one thing to predict a score, but predicting what receivers and a qb is going to do is ignorant. I can not stand him, I stopped reading his articles and came and read a press democrat article hoping they had replaced him and it was one of the most ignorant articles I have ever read. Another reason why I bash him is because every time I criticize him he takes my comments down because he can not handle being criticized about something he writes. If he thinks he is going to be criticized for something and does not like to be criticized then he should not write it period
Jons
I think Grant writes better articles than blogs. He is more detailed in his articles, and I like that.
No matter what Grant writes he tries to bash the 49ers….2 very recent examples are….1 the grade on the 49ers special teams because cobb returned a punt on the 49ersa that the packers blocked dixon in the back when the flag was waived off. 2 He tried to bash there 3rd down conversions when they were just running the clock out, got a field goal, a TD, ec…..he just tries to find anything to bash the 49ers about, the only reporter in the world of sports that does so.
I’m not going to waste much time on this because it’s dumb but…
This is a press conference transcript. Grant didn’t write this.
Lighten up. If you don’t like it, go follow one of the other guys, there’s a nice selection to choose from.
When you have members of the media that first of all feel a need to bring up ridiculous subjects that are long since dead and then secondly repeatedly try and get him to answer when he continues to tell them to drop it doesn’t make me feel the least bit sorry for them when he decides to be difficult.
No, but it sure makes for some great comedy material when you read how a reporter makes a fool of himself/herself.
Grant
I thought you were going to add who asked the questions to the transcripts? Were you able to ask JH any questions that he chose to answer?
again in a plane over nebraska or colorado
With people doing conferences across oceans, it doesn’t seem that hard for me to think Grant could have contacted a fellow reporter and ask him to ask questions on his behalf to me.
Wow lets keep annoying some one about one question and one topic that has nothing to do with football “the hand shake” I could see the look in jims eyes and on his face, ready to jump the podium to rip your throat out.
I was in an airplane somewhere above Nebraska or Colorado when Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media in Santa Clara Monday afternoon.
So tell me how Grant could have his throat ripped out according to you. Good grief. Look before you post.
Got the grant supporters on here…..they must love horrible reporters.
So was grant on that plane with you?
Please back up your accusations with actual facts. Otherwise you’ll just look like a fool full of hate. There are also other options besides Grant. Try one of them.
Hy Grant I bet your raiders lose this game
Hey Grant your raiders just fumbled, would you like some tissue?
Jons its like this – I cant even call you a pr*ck because a pr*ck is part of a man and my friend your no where near part of a man. You know a good name for you, hemroid a pain in the a@@. Thats highly unusual that I respond like that – sorry.
Aww, you must be a grant lover
Awww, you must be a whiner.
Hahahahaha Under. It is unusual for you, LOL, but sometimes a button gets pushed and…….Its old news now anyway. Besides, all the unflattering & antagonistic stuff LC has written about Rayduhs over the years and this dude called LC/GC fans?
I did choose the raiders to win, but I hope they lose since its Grants and his daddy’s team
Grants team is the UCLA Bruins who upset the Cornhuskers this weekend in college ball. Love Jim Mora Jr.
I did not know that UCLA played in the NFL….Just so you know, it is a known fact that Grant is a raider fan
Can you prove that Jons? For the record I am not a Grant supporter or hater, just a troll slapper!
Jon’s, his style is just like his Dad, he writes to generate controversy, get rises out of people. It is what it is.
Jons you need to get laid…….relax…. Guuuusssfrabaaaa LOL :)))
dude i get laid too much bro…I just hate ignorant writers…….
+1000 for the gusfraba reference.
And Jon, seriously, get laid. No one likes virgin angst.
Grant, it wouldn’t bother me one bit if you axe this guy!
Just did. Everyone say goodbye, Jon!
Why? Cause he was critical of you? If being critical of someone on here was cause for dismissal, half the haters would have been turfed long ago.
Goodbye Jons
Thats cool Jons, your life, your decision, I just don’t like the double standard.
hi
Thanks Grant. That guy was just plain irritating. By the way, thanks for the transcript.
Jons made at least two accusations with no basis that questioned Grant’s credibility as a writer and he would not talk any football. I’d kick his butt off too Prime.
Noooo! I was having fun with the unknown virgin!
We all were Msclemon, but sometimes enough is enough.
I guess it’s not an easy task catching up to you when you use a different name every week is it?
Your work here looks very familiar to the infamous ‘oneniner’ (lol)!
Let’s see is it ‘oneniner’, latin (vato), or the new presonality ‘who dat oneniner’?
(lol)!
Lol wouldn’t be the first time he’s been booted.
You mean like how oneniner pointed out you were banned from 49erswebzone.
Are you implying oneniner is using different names or are you just on the fence as usual.
@AES – I bet you thought Alex passes were accurate against the Packers.
The 49ers did to the Packers, the same thing Ward did to Dawson. TKO!
Watchin the Raider-Charger game. An AFC West Sorority Pillow Fight.
The oaktown raiders should be called the oakland comedians. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a team that finds ways to lose more than this comedy act!
Sad indeed.
I actually felt bad for that guy filling in at long snapper. First time I’ve felt bad for a Raider since Undead Al moved the team.
If you’re the back up LS, shouldn’t you practice? And I don’t mean on the sideline during the game. I don’t know if this is on the player or the ST Coach, but Dang!
A certain level of competence is expected. The Niners have been through phases of incompetent kicking game, and it sabotaged any chance they had for success. Mickemeyer? Difference between 6-10 and 10-6 + PO in Monte Clark’s last season. Erickson era? Pffft! Or how about SD last year with no coverage? You can’t give away ST performance!
Brotha,
Don’t forget the Singletary punt return disasters. Yikes.
It is up to the coaching staff to provide time to practice long snapping to the back up.
Likely that they didn’t.
Goethel and Kyle Williams happen to be very close friends from Arizona State, and they train together in the offseason.
Goethel went to high school with my close friend from UCLA, and I met Goethel a few days after he got drafted.
Grant
Then all they need is a punter friend to really help them both both out a lot, don’t they?
:- )
Grant I just post a comment some minutes ago but I dont know if it was posted can you check please?
Funniest thing I’ve seen on a football field since the old NFL football follies movies! RAIDERS!!!!! This is hysterical!
First and 2nd round pick for Carson Palmer……..Ripoff Lol!!
The future looks bright Raidas!
Can you long snap Crab? Any of us could do what this guy has done tonight. WOW!
Hammer – Raider fans are still convinced they’re going 15-1!
Careful Crab – those Raiders fans might stab you in the parking lot.
Msclemon – I hope it’s that Raider fan in the gorilla suit.
Make your move gorilla.
They would proudly refer to it as “shanking”. Don’t be this guy: http://www.popgunchaos.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/raiders_fan_article.jpg
Lmao, what else can you say? There is a lot of prep work in that costume. Silver face paint, check. Black face paint, check. Scary contact lenses, check. Leather cap with plush silver horns, check. AUTHENTIC top of the line shoulder pads, check.
crab15
Judging by its behavior, how can you tell the difference between a gorilla and a Raider fan in a gorilla suit?
I’m betting the real gorilla behaves more civil and is smarter.
@Crab my friends call me Clem and I would be honored if you did the same.
Watch out for the Raiders’ gorillas man.
Clem/BigP/DS – Thanks for the “great ape” humor!
At the beginning of the game Dilfer was going on about some Raider being a classy guy and my only thought was what’s he doing playing for the Raiders?
Wow, thank you Big P! The raider fans are unique. I think eventually they will turn it around! Lots of reminders on how much more fun it is to be a fan of a team going in the right direction! Once again Harbaugh is amazing, I know he and bill Walsh are very different and Jim has not one the big one but lots of similarities. Like I have written before, I have felt since last year he and his coach inching staff are two steps ahead. Fun to hear even though he can be so fiery, he can be friendly to the average joe. Talking about the couple that were having a baby at the same time as the harbaughs. Sure he can be a pain to the. Media and opposing teams bot glad he is our guy!
Their newbie coach reminds me of a young Shanahan in his wiry personal style. If he’s half as smart as Shanahan he’ll have a fine career. Sitting T. Kelly for a few plays to get his attention made sense.
There’s fresh meat in the FO & coaches; they may be on the right track. It takes time, but both teams seemed like underachievers to me; yeah, SD should have won bigger.
@brotha
“If he’s half as smart as Shanahan he’ll have a fine career.”
If his career mimics Shanahan, he’ll be fired from the Raiders, and then come back to kick their butts 2 times a year as a divisonal foes HC. He won’t be the coach of the Raiders.
This is by far my favorite reaction to the 49ers’-Packers game. It’s a tweet from Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders, the statistics gurus who predicted, on the basis of established statistical trends, that the 49ers would regress this year and likely win 7 games:
Well, the 49ers so far seem to have decided that general historical trends can go f&*k themselves.
*reaction to the 49ers-Packers game
I saw that too Claude. Definitely a chuckle.
In Schatz’ defense, he did say he thought the numbers were wrong and the 49ers would do better than projected.
msc,
Even then he said 9 wins as opposed to 7, so he’s not completely off the hook. Still a lot of season to go but I couldn’t think of a better start.
@rocket good point. I’m probably too soft on Schatz because he’s a good dude. If you ever talk to him you’ll see what I mean. He’s a genuine football fan.
msc,
I actually like what they do, but the prediction this time around came solely from historical data instead of focusing on matchups the Niners would have this season. I like rubbing it in a bit, but have nothing against Schatz or the site at all. Great site for delving further into statistical data.
Nice, this edition of the Niners doesn’t fit any of the ‘molds’ that the experts like to put teams into. They ‘should’ve’ been good the last 3 or 4 years, instead of just last year.
If a supposed expert on stats and football can’t get it right, then why should any of us try to use them to prove a point?
Observation is the best route.
@DS:
There’s a huge difference between using statistics to explain what happened in the past and using them to predict the future. The former, when done properly, is reliable. The latter? Less so.
The problem with observation is that it is inherently subjective and unreliable more often than people realize.
Moreover, FO’s application of the plexiglass principle to the 49ers has been largely misunderstood. It was not so much a definitive prediction that the 49ers would regress, but more of a statement that the odds of them regressing by 5+wins were greater than the odds of them repeating last year’s 13-3 record.
Claude,
Exactly. Predicting based on stats is seeing trends that developed previously and trying to recycle them to analyze the future. Problem is, so many variables change from one season to another it’s a crap shoot to do so. As I said above, FO’s prediction for the Niners this season was based on historical precedence; not in how they matched up against their schedule. When you have a team this deep and talented, not to mention how well prepared they are, you find you have to put them in the special category that doesn’t get stereotyped by the percentages.
If I remember correctly, most of the predictions of regression were based on the belief the Niners couldn’t possibly duplicate their TO differential and go through the season with so few injuries. That could still happen and blow up the season but so far so good.
claude
If the subject were something that actually matters (not sports) but something like vaccine efficiency, I agree.
But stats in a game where it is played by people who are not numbers, but who have thoughts of their own, it just falls flat.
Baseball is the only sport which may have stats mean something. Because only the catcher/pitcher/batter are involved in every play.
Football though has 22 people involved vs. 3 in baseball who at any given moment make decisions that have a direct outcome on the play. The variables to account for are enormous.
To have good stats, you must have all or most all the variables accounted for. If you don’t all you have are calculations without meaning.
For example AS running on 3rd and 15. Knowing he won’t get a 1st down, but forcing the opponent to burn a timeout late in a game.
Where does that show up in stats? It is a failed 3rd down conversion, but it forces the opponent to use a precious timeout. Which might very well wind up winning the game because that timeout isn’t there later. Had it been, the opponent might have won.
Stats show it as a failed attempt. But observation shows it to be a good decision. In another few months, if you forgot/never saw that play, you’d think it a failed play and categorize it as other failed 3rd down conversions if you look at stats. Unless you have a seperate category (variable) for such plays. And even if you do, how much weight do you grant such a variable?
It gets very confusing very quickly.
So, you just observe over a long period of time, and you’ll remember the decision making of that play. Considering how much I hear about decision making, there isn’t a stat to really indicate it now is there? Especially for non QB position decisions.
Football is played by people who are all making lots of decisions on their own/together. It isn’t a microbe which has a known habitat, infection rate, etc.
@DS:
If there are too many variables for meaningful statistical analysis (a premise I do not accept), then there are too many variables for meaningful observation. The human mind can only observe and process so much data at a time.
The mere fact that there are limitations to statistical study doesn’t argue for the abandonment of all statistical analysis. Instead it argues for minimizing those limitations as much as possible and for factoring them into the analysis.
Claude
Then who is to decide which stats to use? Look at this blog for example. AS is 9th! No, AS is 29th!
You still have choices among stats. So it doesn’t clear up anything. Only confuses matters more. People choose the stats that fit their observation. And dismiss those that don’t. Might as well not use any and stay with what you end up doing atthe end besides. Observation.
I choose the observation that AS has led the team to 14-3 the last 17 games. And that is true no matter which stat you use.
Usually the past can be used to predict the future. However in sport, that can not always be used due to the changing of variables. The variables are too numerous to elaborate on. Predictability is often subjected to interpertations of the stats by the user. And Claude is entirely correct about observations. To the best trained eye, often misses or misinterperts many things. This has been proven many times in the legal system. Take two witness to a crime and and you will get two different accounts of what actually happened.
To make a sports prediction I do believe you have to use both stats and observation and the best you can come up with is still a crap shoot. Thats why we play the game.
As bad as the Raiders are what’s more telling is how the Chargers were only able to win by 8 points over a team that couldn’t even punt the ball.
While we’re booting people, can we perma-IP-ban brotherwilliams/bbthekitty/”.”/whatever his other name is? Not only is he a blog cancer, but he has an extremely disturbing animal fetish that is borderline criminal. No, I’m not making this up; I can provide further details and proof if necessary, although it certainly doesn’t pertain to this blog. I just think we would all agree he is a piece of absolute trash and brings nothing to the discussion.
But yeah, Jons Niners was a chode. Adios, douchebag.
I think he comes from several IPs, so hard to prevent. Its like ants in the house; you deal with it and get rid of them. When they return, you do it again. Agree he’s a waste on here; don’t know about the other stuff but seems creepy in the extreme. He’s also been here under ‘Telecat’ and ‘.’, which I call Dot.
Ah yes, Telecat. Well I might as well share my story in case anyone is interested:
Late last season, bbthekitty got sick of me calling him out on his baloney, so he made a bet with me about something 49ers-related. Under the conditions of our bet, I had to donate to a local animal shelter of his choosing had I lost. I remembered the name of the shelter and by complete coincidence, several months later I discovered that my cousin works for said shelter.
She told me this crazy story of a volunteer that would perform certain “acts” on the animals when he thought nobody was looking. Once they found out, he was obviously banned. I mentioned that I heard of the shelter from a member on a Niners blog, she asked me his name. I didn’t know, all I knew was his handle “bbthekitty”. Well to her and my shocking surprise, the animal molester’s login name on the shelter computers was, you guessed it, BBTHEKITTY.
A few weeks later, she heard that he had been banned from yet another animal shelter. I’m sure one can assume why. Personally I think the guy should be in prison.
I swear this is not some bogus story; you really can’t make this stuff up. I’ve been on here for years and I would never dream of fabricating implications such as this.
Anyway, back to 49ers business. Sorry to get off topic Grant.
Has be been around since the last banning a couple of weeks ago? I don’t think so, no one has been calling for career ending injury to AS lately.
I see that the NFL network/.com has the Niners ranked number one. Thats where they should be. The Niners host the Lions on Sunday eve, the second of the prolific QBs that the Niners face this year. Here comes Stafford and Megatron with their passing attack. The Niners probably will give up 300+ yards passing once again. Probably 45+ passes once again. Get use to it folks, the enemy cant run so they will pass. The secondary once again is going to have to play great ball. No worries the offense is more then capable to put points on the board. We win our second game.
Grant could you remove my post from yesterday eve at 8:02 PM. Not too proud of it.
@undercenter
“…the enemy…”
I like it! I bet some expert will choose the Lions to win though.
Also, the chances Grant will delete the post increases a lot if you email him. From personal experience, I know.
DS thanks for the info I will try that.
ESPN has them #2 to NE. Grrrr.
Thats just not right Rib, Espn got a lot to learn still. Right now the Niners, Ravens, Texans, in any order you want to put them are the top three teams at this point in the season. To me those three teams are the most complete teams in the NFL at the moment.e
New England beat Tennessee while we beat Green Bay on their own playground. Even the morons at ESPN should see this as a no-brainer. That just makes putting egg on their face after we’ve won our sixth Lombardi trophy all the sweeter.
What the hell was the Ali story about? Anybody ask,find out?
The Raiders..as I feared. But less on defense and more on offense..still adds up to I didn’t think they would beat SD.
Allen,not a thinker.
And its always a huge red flag when a coach in game,cant change whats not working and try something else. THAT defines the great coaches from the also rans.
Stan
New coach, new GM, yet the Raiders still suck. Other than a handfull of Raider fans like yourself, nobody else really cares. Raider Nation my a$$.
Stan,
From what I saw, the defense played pretty well and stopped the run better than they have in a decade. Offensively it appears Knapp is the same guy he’s always been which is not a good thing. Very few shot plays, focusing too much on the quick dumpoffs that the Chargers were figuring out right away. Unless Knapp takes more elements from the Kubiak offense he came from, it’s going to be a long frustrating season for Niner fans. It’s hard to plan for losing the LS but that was the key to this game. That area alone handed 3 short fields to the Chargers.
*Raider fans* not Niner fans.
Nobody gives a damn about the raiders. Take it elsewhere
Grant, just wondering if you’ll do another top five matchups for the Lions game.
Absolutely.
Thanks. I didn’t agree with all you said, but it was still good to see your take. And they’re good discussion points.
#StopCohn
#StopIdiocracy
#stop coming here
“But, definitely when you go from week one to week two, you feel like you can make your greatest stride in any given week the entire season because you’ve done it before.”
If that’s the case, Lions won’t know what hit them. Be very afraid, felines.
I hope the Lions look like chow mein after getting slaughtered by the Niners. (evil chuckle to self)
Week #1 Standings:
1-ninermd-12
2-Crab15-12
3-elGuapo-11
4-Maliboo-11
5-hjt396-11
6-D Rogue-10
7-pirate49er-10
8-oldcoach-10
9-Angus in Canada-10
10-Nick Row-10
11-oneniner-10
12-rocket-9
13-Coffee’s for closers-9
14-Jack Hammer-8
15-msclemons67-8
16-49erGirl-8
17-exgolfer-8
Group avg 9.8
What’s this Coffee?
Blog weekly pick’em game results.
Can you tell me how to join? I’m involved on another pick ‘em elsewhere, and I was 10-6 there.
Go here: http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/pickem
use this GROUP ID# 64737
password is : cohnblog
The weekly totals will be added up. I will post the weekly and overall standings each week.
Oops, I forgot to mention the only rule. You have to use your blog name as your team name.
Thanks Coffee. Will do.
I’m in. Behind the eight ball, but I’ll do my best and enjoy the friendly competition. Thanks for letting me join Coffee.
Glad to have ya.
We picked up another new one as well. Who is DClark? That’s not a name I can remember seeing on here before.
Me neither. Will DClark please stand up and reveal himself? Or in this case post and reveal himself.
Good thing there are 16 weeks left. Need to start rallying : )
Do you just post your picks Jack?
Coffee – I’ve seen a D. Clark in here before, might be the same dude.
OK thx!
Don’t forget, Thursday night games have started early this year. Need to make picks earlier in the week now.
Removed Oneniner from the game since he’s no longer a member of the board.
Not off to a good start…will have to study more this week (i.e. – don’t pick so many “upsets”, lol!).
But, hey…I got the Niner game right, and that’s really the only one that counts!!!
I am super stoked the 49ers beat GB at GB, but it is still just ONE game and no one is handing out rings or crowns for that one game. It could be that GB just is overhyped much like DS has pointed out. They never played a good defensive team.
It’s far too early to crown this team yet. I certainly love being able to saw SF beat GB at GB, but its 15 more weeks before we see the playoffs.
A win at Lambeau, especially in the 1st game of the season, was a validation that last season wasn’t a fluke and that this is a very talented and well coached team. Wow, it’s been so long since we could say that. A very large monkey was also removed from the Niners and their fans backs (1st win at Lambeau since ’90′) and this team is also 7-2 on the road under Harbaugh. It’s hard not to get so optimistic this early in the season but you’re right with ‘only’ 15 games to go a lot can happen. LOL. Thank you JH and staff for coming to the Niner organization and to TB for doing a teriffic job in a such a short period of time as a newbie GM. Niner football is big time fun to watch again!!!
Arghhhh Spam again. The PD is going down the road of perdition with that.
wow what a game. I told everybody we play well against high flying teams. Minnisota and the Jets bother me. Lions i believe we will smash them.
Minnosta just something about that team says trape all over it.
The Jets are just unpredictable with a good d.
The Jets allowed the backup Bills RB to run over them for 169 yards. That is in no way a good defense.
Grant what are your thoughts on the Lions.