Some things I forgot to mention about the 49ers’ performance against the Packers: Alex Smith and Greg Roman called brilliant running plays.
What Smith did: Each time the Packers brought an extra linebacker or a cornerback to the line of scrimmage, Alex Smith audibled to a running play away from the blitz. These audibles worked beautifully. Peyton Manning couldn’t have made better pre-snap adjustments. Smith’s were near perfect.
Before the season, Roman and Jim Harbaugh called Smith an expert in the offense. The audibles he called against the Packers were a prime indication of what they were talking about.
What Roman did: He brought extra offensive linemen onto the field to force the Packers’ defense to load up the middle, get them to play “in a phone booth” as it were, and then Roman called runs to the outside. This worked every time, and the Packers never adjusted to it, never seemed to know what the 49ers were doing. Roman called this play in the fourth quarter right after NaVorro Bowman intercepted Aaron Rodgers. Frank Gore bounced the run around the right side for a 23-yard touchdown. Gore is not a great outside runner at his age, but it didn’t matter because the Packers just could not stop that play. Kudos to Roman for coming back to it again and again.
Roman also figured out a brilliant way to run up the middle. He spread out the Packers defense by lining up extra wide receivers instead of extra offensive linemen, and then called runs right up the gut. These also worked. Again the Packers didn’t have a clue.
Roman recognized the Packers were expecting inside runs when the Niners had heavy personnel, and outside runs when the Niners were spread out. Roman used those expectations against them and as a result, he completely outcoached the Packers’ defensive coordinator, Dom Capers.
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Good stuff Grant. Here is what BJ Raji said after the game (seems to go great with your above comments:
“They really beat us out-flanking us, the toss plays,” said nose tackle B.J. Raji. “Plays that we really didn’t, quite frankly, really didn’t prepare for. You’ve got to credit them doing some unscouted looks. But we have to do better at that.” It was the utter simplicity of those plays that was the most galling. “Little high school tosses,” said Raji. “You don’t think those type of plays could hurt you but ultimately they hurt us.”
Sorry – last line got cut off: B.J. Raji further explained that the Packers were not expecting the 49ers to run the toss sweep with Gore. The vet got outside, to the edge, and did damage. The Packers were expected to see a heavy dose of Gore between the tackles, not outside.
Not only did the line do a good job getting Gore to the edge, the throw block by Miller took out 2 guys and opened the lane for 6.
Smart QB job by AS. He’s always been smarter than most. This is the first time he’s ever really been able to use that advantage thanks to JH.
“buffer”
He used it 16 times last season. He only had 1 bad game and that wasn’t even all his fault. The receivers had some unnecessary drops.
Seek professional help Jason. Your replies have nothing to do with my posts.
I think he’s agreeing with you that Smith is a decent QB.
Gotta grab allies where you can get ‘em. :P
Adam
Yesterday he was writing some crap about me. Some “buffer” thing regarding my posts where it shouldn’t have ben posted. So he says that about my post above, then replies to it.
Reading the thread above, I’d agree with you. But when the posts were coming up live, I don’t know what to make of it.
Grant,
Do you see Kendall Hunter and Gore switching it up week to week to keep the Defense on their toes. Seems like Hunter ran it up the middle more than Gore. Packers were expecting Hunter outside and Gore up the middle it seemed like to me.
I can’t wait until Sunday! Go 49ers!
Rogue – Score prediction?
Nice write-up, Grant.
A couple of other articles on the Niners’ plays last week that may interest fellow fans.
As someone pointed out in an earlier posing, ex-Stanford tackle Ben Muth is featuring the Niners this season. This week, he gives Boone some love:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/word-muth/2012/word-muth-49ers-packers
Good timing, Boone will probably be lined up opposite Suh.
Also, Bucky Brooks, who normally fills his column with fluff, actually features some football here, and makes a similar observation to Grant regarding crating opportunities for Gore:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000061128/article/san-francisco-49ers-offensive-creativity-cannot-be-overlooked?module=HP11_content_stream&module=HP11_cp
Grant, excellent read. I enjoyed your insight. Keep em coming!
What Hof said.
Grant, you’re really growing in your understanding of the game and ability to analyze.
Good one Grant, I like the phone booth play description.
Wait wait wait. The niners were supposed to lose I thought grant??? I mean they won the Sb an espn said their the best so that means they’d beat us right? F’n proof… Follow the facts not the popular opinions, reporter or not
I smell a bitter onelame.
What gave it away, the vitriol? Lol.
and the ‘….’ is another give away.
There’s some pee in the Wheaties.
buffer on this one for sure.
The Gnarly D knocked yet another dude out! GJennings not playing tonight!
Two great post those sour grapes may be turning to wine your GB experience has changed you for the better!