The 49ers play the Jets Sunday at the Meadowlands. In the meantime, I’ll break down one key matchup per day.
Running backs Shonn Green (5-11, 226 pounds) and Bilal Powell (5-10, 204 pounds) vs. the 49ers defensive front.
The Vikings proved that you have to establish a running game and stick with it to beat the 49ers. The Jets like to run – they’ve rushed 91 times this season, 5 fewer than the Vikings – the problem is the Jets aren’t very good at running.
Shonn Greene, their starter, is averaging 2.8 yards per carry this season. He has no burst or elusiveness and he tries to run everyone over.
Their backup running back, Bilal Powell, has rushed only 22 times through three games, but he’s played better than Greene. Powell is averaging 4 yards per rush and 13.3 yards per catch. Don’t be surprised if Powell gets more touches than Greene gets against the 49ers.
Powell and Greene need to combine for at least 30 carries for the Jets to have a real chance at winning. Mark Sanchez is not a good quarterback, but he can be effective sometimes on play action passes if the defense respects the Jets’ run game.
So far this season, the Jets are averaging 3.73 yards per rush on first down. If they can average 3.5 yards per carry on first down against the Niners, then the play-action passing game will open up for Mark Sanchez on second down like it opened up for Christian Ponder in Week 3.
But the Jets won’t average 3.5 yards per carry on first down or any down against the Niners.
Adrian Peterson, an All Pro, averaged 3.4 yards per carry against the Niners. Powell and Green are going to average fewer than 3 yards per carry against them on Sunday.
Advantage: 49ers
49ers RSS feed
Loading ...
Grant
If Sanchez isn’t good, how did he win playoff games?
Jets had a great Defense. Sanchez is a terrible QB.
I was hoping for a bit more than that Zee.
Great defense, and Thomas Jones/Shonn Greene playing out of their minds in those playoff games.
Hopefully our D can turn it back on…watching last week how PONDER could just drive on us like that..guess our weakness is the short game…
So one week ago it was spread out the Niners D by using 4 wide receivers and now the plan is to jam it down the teeth of the Niners front seven? Crazy how fast things change in the NFL… I think the Niners just got straight up beat by the Vikings, but I don’t think that’s suddenly the best “blueprint” to follow if you are trying to beat the Niners. This is still one of the best run defenses in the league and I continue to firmly believe that every time an opposing offense hands off the ball that this is a “win” for the 49ers. The Jets are the perfect team for the Niners to “circle the wagons” on; the defense will absolutely feast on the Jets in this game.
The Vikes simply out thought us. Their opening drive our D was set up to stop Petersen. They got chunk plays by passing to their TEs. This worked because they attacked our strength – Willis and Bowman. They were keyed in on AP and so werent tracking the TEs. Susbequent set of drives Willis was on Rudolph. They start using the run game straight up the gut. They attacked Aldon Smith on playes when he was an OLB inc screen plays where he had no man so bit on pass rush and was then flat out beat for speed by Harvin. Speed kills us. Its why the Texans and Falcons are tough match-ups for us. Plus their o-line and d-line beat us up. There is soo much to look at from the Vikes game. they really game planned well for our personnel and flat out beat us. A re-match down the line would be interesting.
Our defence is set up to take away the big pass, with safeties over the top. This leaves the linebackers in single coverage underneath against TE’s and RB’s. The 49er’s have been playing that style for some time now. For, I don’t know, the last 2 years now, teams have been throwing to the TE against the linebackers, (in single coverage, that’s a hard ask of the LB to cover a pass-catching TE).
Our LB’s are good, obviously, but our scheme means that that is the weakness of our defence, not it’s strength, and that’s why teams, very often, make their TE’s a big part of the game plan against the 49ers.
Sanchez is not nearly as mobile as ponder. i think that may be the biggest difference from last week.
@Old Coach
Nor as gutsy as Ponder to stand in and deliver. Some of Ponder’s plays were under pressure. Gets some hits on the QB, as always.
brotha
Ponder was fortunate our DB’s forgot how to catch the ball.
The throw near the end of the first half should have been picked off by Culliver. At the least that prevents the Vikings from getting their FG at the end of the half. And Whitner dropping a sure Pick-6.
Those drop Int’s account for 10 (11 possible if we go for 2) of the points we lost by which is….11 points. Opportunities were there for us to take. We just didn’t do so.
@DS
Yes, Ponder took some chances that were dicey, but when you look at his stat line and the final score………..
I’m not sure he can get away with that every week, I’ll agree. Also, the game seemed to have a bit of fate going for the Vikes, but still, Ponder performed under pressure.
Ponder played very well and was a huge reason that the Vikings won.
hopefully the 9ers will start using more press coverage.
Coach, are our primary cb’s good/strong enough to play press and then fast enough to recover if/when they get beat? Rogers and Brown got beaten up pretty bad last game – each allowed a handful+ of catches. Of course, I’m not aware what coverage they were playing for most of the game…
coach, are you talking about press coverage against the Jets or against every team? I’m not an expert on the Jets offense, so do they run a lot of timing routes? Do you see Brown and Rogers as CB’s that can jam and then get back on receivers right away?
I’m just wondering because I have seen other posts saying the same thing as you. What’s your rationale for press coverage with the 49er DB’s? Do you see that as their strength? Thanks.
Spaceborn
I see our CB’s as more technicians than brutes. I know CR depends a lot on studying game film. Brown, I’m less sure of. But he isn’t a big guy by any means. So I tend to think he likely isn’t a big press guy.
Don’t the Jets have big WR’s? Press against a guy bigger than you seems likely to backfire on you if you keep it up for long.
DS9, my thoughts were running along those same lines both as far as the 49er DB’s and that press coverage against larger receivers that can get off the jam and get behind the DB’s could lead to some big downfield plays.
I expect the defense to play much better this week. Last week was the worst I’ve seen the defense play in a long time, and they will be fired up to prove that they are much better than how played against the Vikings.
hannah, you from frisco?
Here are the 49ers 3 defensive keys to defeating the Jets on Sunday:
1). Be strong up the middle – The Jets are very similar to the 49ers in that they want to run the ball. Starting RB Shonn Greene has averaged 2.1 yards per carry over the last 2 weeks, and backup Bilal Powell has averaged 4.1 yards per carry the last 2 weeks. Greene is not a threat to beat you around the corner, in fact through 3 games the Jets rarely try to run wide unless they are running the Fly Sweep or Read option out of the Wildcat formation with Tim Tebow.
2). Stop the bunch – The Jets are very effective when they line up or motion into the bunch formation. They do a good job of creating space for routes out of this formation. Thus far Santonio Holmes and Jeremy Kerley have been the Jets most explosive weapons. Holmes has averaged 15.2 yards on his 16 receptions, and Kerley has averaged 23.1 yards on his 8 receptions. When the Jets go to 4 WR’s, Holmes and Kerley are usually lined up in the slot. This will provide another tough matchup for Carlos Rodgers and Perrish Cox for the 2nd consecutive week.
3). Get the ball out of Sanchez’s hands quick – Mark Sanchez has completed just 50.5% of his passes so far in 2012, quite a difference from what the 49ers saw last week against Christian Ponder. Sanchez regularly misses wide open throws, and the routes are mostly set up to utilize only 1/2 the field. I would expect to see the 49ers emulate the approach of the Steelers in week 2 and send extra rushers often in passing situations.
Etc…Former 49ers Practice Squad TE Konrad Reuland started at Fullback last week for the Jets. He looked to hold up well in the run game and made a couple receptions.
Nice write up here Jack. Perhaps, SF was a little guilty of looking ahead last week. We’ll see soon enough.
We’ll get a close up look at the Jets rookie WR Stephen Hill – the guy we passed up and instead drafted AJ Jenkins. That will be an interesting side bar to this game. I expect the Niners D to keep him in check – Sanchez’ inaccuracy also helps.
Nick,
Hill injured his hamstring last week against Miami, and may not play.
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2012/09/jets_stephen_hill_iffy_for_nin.html
Thanks Jack. That’s one less player to worry about.
Jets just signed my cousin to their active roster. Maybe he can contribute to their running game.
http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-1/RB-Grimes-Signed-from-HOU-Practice-Squad/f4cbff0f-0756-4565-b2a9-9d2560904399
Good for your cousin, but I won’t be rooting for him this week.
grimey
So you’re asking him for the expensive Christmas gifts then.
lol
Last week you said the Vikings would be stupid to try “establishing the run.” You said the same thing about the Packers and Lions. One lackluster performance by the defense and suddenly the opponent needs to run it 30 times to have a chance to win.
If anything, the Jets have a much more explosive passing attack than the Vikings and a worse running game. Don’t be so quick to turn a complete 180.
+1
I hope to God teams try to run an run and run. I love watching the defense shred any pride in others running games.
Haven’t watched the Jets this year. I get the impression from the national sports media they’re a fairly mediocre team.
Not too concerned about our run defense. It’s still strong and capable. I am concerned a bit about the play-action pass, screens and/or their offense attacking the short outside routes and flats over the head or beyond our hard-charging OLB’s, though (see: Harvin, Percy).
Compounding upon this concern, I feel like we just didn’t get enough push this last game what with sending 4 guys most of the time combined with Ponder’s ability to get the ball out quickly. Of course, sending more men to manufacture pressure opens up those routes the Vikings exploited last game… it’s a vicious circle.
Here’s a thought regarding the call last night and the negotiations:
The review official is not a locked out ref or a replacement ref.
If he overturns the play and gives GB the win as they deserve, his fellow union members have no leg to stand on. He can start controversy on a nationwide stage by allowing the play to stand. Now, the locked out officials have all the public support to pressure the NFL owners at the bargaining table and the NFL owners see a loss in revenue as a win and a loss will play out in the playoff picture and who makes the post season.
@ Chris/Jason:
I’m not sure that is correct. The replay official in the booth does not determine whether or not to overturn the call on the field. The on-field referee reviews the play and determines whether or not to overturn the call. The replay official merely decides whether there should be a review in the last two minutes of the half.
While it is true that the replay officials and the league supervisors have taken to giving the replacement referees guidance in reviewing plays, the final decisions on review have still been made by the (replacement) referees.
Besides that, Chris, your theory gives the booth reviewer a lot of credit for quick thinking. Not to mention a complete lack of morality.
I hope you are not naive enough to think that a billion dollar industry is being entrusted in the hands of a referee who only has high school and junior college football experience.
Here is a link that brings up the question of just how much input the booth supervisor has over the replacement referee.
http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/replacement-officials-replay-booth/
Again, like any post on here, it’s an opinion and posed as a question. I’m not writing doctrine here or rewriting the bible. I am merely posing a question.
I think Claude is right about the chain of command on who makes the final decision. That being said, I wouldn’t give my 5 year old the keys to unit 626 and I think the NFL is in the same boat. So, I don’t believe the NFL is going to give final say to an unproven referee 3 weeks into the season, when there is this much controversy going into the third week of the NFL. They could, just like my five year old could be going down 101 code 3, but nothing good is going to come from that.
It’s sad that these guys get hung over their job. These guys were thrown into the fire and this game is way to fast for them. All of the blame is on the cheap owners and the regular refs. They make 6 figures a year for part time work. RG is a puppet for these owners. He does what they want. Although I’m frustrated at the refs I have to give them a break. It’s like throwing some simpleton on a murder case.
Medic
All of them are rookies. A retired ref said that the usual way is to fit only 1 rookie with all others being vets.
That is why things are so messed up.
I don’t have any pity for the replacement refs. No-one is holding a gun to their head, and forcing them to be scabs in a labour dispute, that puts them in a position they’re clearly not ready for.
They should be declining to ref the games if they’re not competent to do so.
Angus
I don’t know what line of work you are in, but imagine getting a chance out of the blue to work for the top of the line. I’d take it. I imagine you would as well.
Now, crossing a picket line may be another issue, but the chance to work in the NFL…come on now. Of course they would.
@Chris/Jason:
I hope you are not naive enough to think that a billion dollar industry is being entrusted in the hands of a referee who only has high school and junior college football experience.
I very think the owners have done precisely that in an attempt to gain leverage in their negotiations with the referees union. They don’t care about producing an inferior product because they believe (correctly, it seems) that the use of substandard replacement officials isn’t going to result in lowered revenues. TV viewership isn’t going to drop, and there is no sign that NFL merchandise sales have been affected.
There is some speculation that the replay officials in the booth have taken on a greater role in the process (the cited article is nothing but speculation and admittedly so), but that’s only speculation, and even that speculation acknowledges that the referees are still making the final decisions.
Besides, wouldn’t it be naive to think that NFL is entrusting its multi-billion dollar industry to men who are members of, or who sympathize with, the locked out referees union?
Moreover, I am pretty sure the in-booth replay officials are not members of the referees union.
DSX, I don’t dispute your point about the replacement refs jumping at the chance. However, my point is, it’s their choice, and if they’re terribly incompetent at it, they should think twice about actually doing it.
NFL are cheap ! They’ll wait until mid season, to give the NFL official a contract that’s favorable for both side.
If we don’t get only 1 flag against the Jets, and actually come to play on defense, and take away a lucky throw for a td, and an easy INT, and the offense can score more than 13 lame points. Like they did last season. Then this game or any game in the future will be very tough for the opposing teams. Thinking back and watching it again. I firmly believe the 49ers came in their with the press praise articles folded up in their back pockets. Look for the same kind of 49er win. Tough stifling defense and ball controlled offense.
And Grant don’t go putting up your blowout predictions. I know you might think you’re due. But you’re not. Prove it to yourself first with a silent prediction. ;-(:)
freddy p soft traveled with them to Minnesota. I hope they leave him there.
Sanchez has some talent, but he’s erratic. he can make a couple of good throws in a row, then make a mistake. I’d like to think the Niners can shut the Jets down pretty well, but as they say, any given sunday.
Sounds like the 49ers QB.
From what I saw in Minnesota, all the momentum of the football gods were behind the Vikings at least the entire first half. On top of that Simpletaries Vikings were more physical with a “F”. They beat down the 49ers. It still hurts….
From what I saw in Minnesota, Christian Ponder is for real. Just rewatched the first half and the D Line was doing a good job of getting pressure on him, but they let him escape, and he was able to buy time and make a play, whether it was a scramble for positive yardage or making a nice throw on the run.
The 49ers were playing a lot of zone in the first half, and Ponder just picked it apart by getting the ball out quick and extending plays with his feet. It also looked like there was some coverage issues with the LB’s getting caught in space, either stepping up too soon, or dropping too deep depending on the situation.
The other thing I saw was a nice call for a “shot” play on the team’s second drive. It was the same play they beat Washington on last year, Play action with Miller on a wheel route. Minnesota did a good job covering it, and then Smith slipped while trying to make something out of it. For those of you calling for them to go deep, I can say that it wasn’t there, at least not in the first half.
Is this the all 22 footage?
Yeah Hofer. Do you have it?
No, I’m still deciding since I purchased remote Sunday package after receiving the home Sunday package. What do you think is it worth it? I can typically see 4/5ths of the field on my DVR replaying the game.
For me it is. It opens up the field and shows coverage and pass protection much better.
if you would, give me some insight on RM. Was he open deep and what type of routes did he run?
I’ll have to go back and look just at him to be exact, but for the most part they have him running curls, drags, and outs, nothing vertical, those were Crabtree and Manningham.
On the shot play he runs a deep curl, and the safety takes a step, unfortunately the outside DB does a good job of maintaining his responsibility and picks up Miller.
My compliments on the analysis Jack. Well done and a pleasure to read.
What a refreshing change of pace from the “Smithers”, Smith-Haters, and other assorted ranters who make this site so boring at times.
Hofer,
If you are an x’s and o’s football addict, it’s a must. I haven’t coached in 5 years but watching this makes me yearn to do it again. It’s amazing what you miss with the TV view sometimes. Not a lot of instances but I’ve noticed at least 3-4 plays each game where what I initially thought had happened, didn’t.
Jack,
Excellent breakdown. Well done.
Rocket,
Pretty sure you have the “all 22″. Can you take a look at the 49ers first 3rd down of the 2nd half and tell me what you see?
Jack,
I do have the coaches 22. I just looked at that play and I see that Alex probably had 4 options.
1. Crabree in the corner end zone.
2. Williams about 3 yards up on that same side inside of Cratree.
3. Gore running into the flat.
4. Smith runs with it himself or throws the ball away.
VD came from clear across the play but he can’t get there in time to be in this play.
Jack, the play was open but that ball had to be out on time to Crabtree for the touchdown. Only way they score is if Smith throws it on time to Crabtree’s left shoulder near the pylon. Cratree was open as you can see his disgust after Smith gets tackled as Crabtree makes this disappointed genture with his arms like damn! Kyle was open for a split second right away but then he got covered up.
Clearly, Smith didn’t want to take a chance throwing a pick there. lots of defenders in the area. Gore was never open. Crabtree was there but the pass needed to e a good one and it needed to be thrown on time. D. Winfield was covering Crabtree and I don’t think Smith liked that matchup.
Tell me what you see Jack.
23 – I don’t have the “all-22″ is it worth the price?
Crabs,
Ive had rewind for a couple of years and the 22 was only an extra 22 bucks so yeah it was worth it to me. I need to see how many of our receivers are running around scot free and can’t get a pass thrown to them.
Ill tell you this Crabs. We had a cheeseball passing scheme set up for ths game. All this short garbage drove me crazy. I gotta admit, I hope they trust Smith with more than the route tree thats on that coaches 22 film. Pretty sad if you ask me.
23 – The entire game plan was garbage.
I think our coaches “crowned themselves” after the Detroit game and got lazy!
We needed Dennis Green to straighten *h*t out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPmQC86oIzY
Jordan,
Crabtree was covered by the safety and is pretty open. Smith would have needed to put it high to get it over the top of Winfield and towards the boundry to get it to him, but that is a throw that needs to be made.
Jack,
Gotta just let it rip. Make a play, and believe that Crabtree will make the catch. I don’t understandvwhy he didn’t at least throw it. He never had a chance on earth to run for it.
Jack,
It was a play in which Smith needed to throw it early, either to Gore or to Crabs and he did neither. Crabs broke open the minute Alex turned the corner. It was a TD if Smith had thrown it, but it looked like he was looking at Gore or nobody and just tucked and ran. Not a good play by Smith.
Thanks for the reply Rocket. That’s what I thought too, but wanted to make sure another objective observer was seeing the same thing.
Grant – Please forget about mesmerizing us with all of these match-ups for several days and jsut get to the one that counts……..can the 49er pass protect against the Jets front 7; more specifically, can Staley possibly hold up?
All of the other chatter and static does not matter worth a hill of beans if the 9ers cannot protect.
49ers cannot continue to roll away from Staley because it cuts the field in half and gives AS few options.
May need some TE left formations and some chip calls like when Finely nailed Seahawks rushers last night and floored them.
The Jets front 7 has been unable to get to the quarterback consistently this year. Their pass rush was non-existent against the Dolphins last week. Look for them to blitz a lot more this week – they only blitz 2 times last week. This will expose them to the big play, let’s hope Alex Smith and the rest of the offense can take advantage of those opportunities when they present themselves this week – and believe me – they will.
Grant – Please forget about mesmerizing us with all of these match-ups for several days and just get to the one that counts……..can the 49er pass protection protect against the Jets front 7; more specifically, can Staley possibly hold up?
All of the other chatter and static does not matter worth a hill of beans if the 9ers cannot protect.
49ers cannot continue to roll away from Staley because it cuts the field in half and gives AS few options.
May need some TE left formations and some chip calls like when Finely nailed Seahawks rushers last night and floored them.
Mike,
I hate to see Smith rolling period. Man, he was so inaccurate on his throws rolling Sunday. And that was indoors, he kept jumping to throw the ball quite a bit. And it seemed like the ball was just inaccurate period. He threw a couple of really nice balls to Manningham and the 2 to VD. Other than that, the short underneath stuff, Minn. was giving us that. They dared us to go deep. We have to try and find a way to get deep on teams. This 8-9 in the box is gonna shut our running game down.
No, they didn’t “dare us to go deep”. They kept db’s over the top and took away the deep ball most of the game. You might want to go watch the film again.
Jordan,
Since apparently you have access to the 22 film (as do I) maybe you should take AngusinCanada’s advice. They were CONSTANTLY taking away any chance of the deep ball.
Quit making stuff up.
@Angus:
Thanks for clearing up that nonsense. I note from Mood_Indigo’s 11:43 pm comment that the Vikings only rushed 4 and played a Cover 2 deep shell most of the game. Assuming that FO’s description is accurate (and your observation confirms it), it’s absurd to claim that the Vikings “dared” the 49ers to go deep. I also think that playing a Cover 2 deep shell would make it difficult for the Vikings to put 8-9 guys in the box, which is something that the welcher also suggested the Vikings did.
Apparently, watching the all 22 film doesn’t help if you don’t understand what you are watching.
Angusin,
The stats, score and film tell me everything. It tells me that offensively, we have a QB that can’t and won’t pull the trigger unless a guy is absolutely wide open by 5 yards. The film told me that he played a piss poor game and that he accepted responsibly for it. You sound upset with me. I reveiwed and saw everything quite well. Thank you!
Fraud Nuts, LSX,
The truth hurts doesn’t it. Fraud didn’t even see the game but calls Smiths game a mediocre one. LSX, you didn’t tell him that Smith played like CRAP! Am I making that up too. Oh thats right, you guys are Smithers so old blue eyes played like a pro bowler. Yeah right. Fraud, I’ll ask you again. Who will you be rooting for when Alex is gone next year?
Jordan,
You are wrong in saying that they dared them to go deep. As the game wore on they sat in soft coverage daring the 49ers to beat them underneath.
The missed opportunities by Smith in the red zone were huge to the outcome, but saying that Smith played like crap is a bit of an overstatement. He was basically the same guy on Sunday he had been in weeks 1 & 2, minus the Red Zone efficiency.
Jack,
I just gave LSX the plays he crapped on, thatsbnot including the red zone gaffles. Fraud said he played mediocre. You think he played mediocre as well. He didn’t overthrow Moss 3 times against Detroit and Green bay. You are overstating his play in the Viking game Jack. The team dropped 5-7 balls in the Detroit game. The team dropped 1 pass in this game. Smith made a bunch of bonehead plays. Do you remember the 3rd down play where he rolls right and looks right past Manningham and throws behind Williams. This berates Williams for not catching a pass that was thrown 3 yards behind him? Manningham was open for the 1st down but Smith never threw the ball. I’ll give you the play later if you don’t remember.
Jordan,
That was a bad choice. That doesn’t change my stance that saying he played like crap was an overstatement.
Your armchair psychologist act is getting old as though. On the play you mention Smith is changing the play, and using hand signals to get it to the WR’s. His reaction tells me that someone missed the signal, but there is no way to know to whom his frustration was directed. For all we know it might have been Crabtree or Davis on the other side.
@23welcher:
Nice attempted dodge. Multiple commenters have called you out for your b/s about the Vikings putting 8-9 defenders in the box and daring the 49ers to throw deep, and your only response is to issue different attacks on Smith. Yeah, you’re credible.
Fraud Nuts,
ALEX Smith was mediocre this week. Bwahahahahahaha! The truth hurts.
Now somebody warm Kapernick up!!!!! We’re trying to win a superbowl here.
NO MORE CHECKDOWN DOUBLETAKE SMITH!
Jordan,
Not trying to pile on, but the Vikes played the Tampa two (cover 2 Dungy style) for pretty much the entire game. I told you in an earlier thread that the CB on Moss played way off and there was usually a safety over the top as well. They didn’t have 9 in the box at anytime during the game that I saw and usually went with 7. The Niners ran the ball pretty well but got behind and had to go away from it – or at least Roman decided they did – at some key times in the game.
Smith did not have a good game, but there is more to it than that Jordan. As Jack mentioned, it looked like there was a problem in getting changes done at the line due to the crowd noise and it appeared to happen a couple of times in the blocking scheme as well as there were a couple of times I noticed Goodwin and Boone take the same guy and let the other DT slip right through.
Just a bad game all around. They’ll bounce back this week imo.
Jordan,
I agree with you that Alex had a bad game. But throwing it deep into double and triple coverage wasn’t going to be the solution. he needed to do what Ponder did against basically the same defence, beat it underneath.
I remember someone brought up at the begining of the season that Staley wasn’t good. I can’t remember who it was, but I remember thinking that I thought the comment was off. He was a probowler
Now, three weeks in, I think I was wrong about Staley. He certainly doesn’t look like a probowl lineman. If you have to keep backs and tight ends to help protect him than you are limiting the options for Smith.
I hope to see Kaepernick in more plays as an answer for Staley. Kaepernick has the mobility and the courage to go down the field either with his arm or with his legs. There are only a handful of teams who have a good line, so I am not going to make excuses for Alex Smith based on his line. Many other teams have worse lines and they are winning, so I question the excuses.
Medic,
I agree with you about Staley and our line in general. We run block like demons. Our pass blocking is rather suspect and it has been for years. Smith is takings some punishment but what disappointed me was that when he left the pocket. He was throwing so accurately while rolling. He was making these jump throws when there were times where he could’ve stopped and set his feet. If he’s gonna have to run often to keep a play positive, might as well put someone in the game that can really run. Minnesota does have a great defensive line. Allen is a monster. He hadn’t had a sack all year, so he was due. Speed rushers give Staley trouble. Here come another one in A. Maybin for the Jets.
Jack,
You’re putting words in my mouth. I never said smith changed any play with hand signals. You’ve got the video, yeah Smith was upset with himself on that shot while he was slappingbthe sides of his own helmet while looking at Williams. Jack, before you start you critique me, you need to look in the mirror. Nobody her has mentioned that play. Why don’t you explain what Smith was doing or where he was directing his frustration? It was at Williams! Blaming someone else for his poor play. He’s got a little Jay Cutler in him I guess!
Jordan,
Not putting anything in your mouth. I was describing the 3rd down play YOU brought up. You are so hell bent on making every loss about only Smith that you are missing things.
On that play Smith changed the play at the line and used a hand signal in which he hit the sides of his helmet with both hand while in the Shotgun. After the play when you see him yelling at someone on TV, he is doing that same motion. You and I don’t know who he is motioning to at that point.
Jack, all I know is that he had a wide open Manningham and he looked right past him and threw behind Williams. Manninghame had 1st down yardage. Take a look at that and tell me if we can agree on that? You seem like you’re an objective observer Jack. Tell me what you see on that play. Forget about Smiths reaction after the play. Did he have Manningham open for a 1st down right in front of him?
At the point when Smith is releasing the ball Manningham had not yet turned his head.
Jack, why are you even trying to use rational argument with this guy?
Same reason I try to use rational arguments with you Ribico.
Jack I have to respectfully say you have added some great insight lately but ribico is right, trying to rationalizes anything with 23welcher is pointless. He will talk in circles but you try and see what happens.
Thanks FDM. Truth is we all talk in circles around here 90% of the time.
Well I admire your uniformity, Jack. Good luck with that.
Just agree with him, he’s always right! LOL
Jack if your comparing 23welchers commentary to the rest of us, well lets just say you need to have more conversations with him and then make that analogy. But good luck trying to have one with him and understand where he is going with most of his comments. Cant wait, this should be fun as it looks like it has already started with this new camera view. He is seeing a different game/player. I will let you figure it out.
FDM,
You don’t care for Jordan, I get it. My point is that we all talk in circles. Did you see that Crabtree thread that continued on between a few posters for almost a month?
@ Hammer,I did as it was a very slow time of the season where one little comment by Prime and DS got blown out of proportion in that they were called haters. I think that was totally inaccurate to say those guys were hating on Crabtree. Like most fans, we all wanted to see what Crabtree could do with a full camp, offseason, and finally being healthy. Of course there was questions marks with him, but those two bloggers are Niners fans to the max, they were not hating, they were questioning, which Crabtree deserved and now is answering.
But back to 23welcher, thats not questioning, that is personal with Alex, or he is trying to get a rise out of people. Either way its immature and if you condone it, congratulations, I think he and his attitude are a joke.
Its one thing to be critical and have an opinion, but to be redundant in your comments and lie about things that he has done on the field is another. Like I said, you will figure it out soon, just keep dialoging with him, you will see.
Jack,
Take a look at the 2nd 22 shot when you get a chance. As soon as Smith rolls out, Manningham slides in the direction that Smith is rolling. Manningham was looking at him. I’ll take another look after work this evening. I’m almost certain that Mario was looking at smith.
Jack,
Take a look at the 2nd 22 shot when you get a chance. As soon as Smith rolls out, Manningham slides in the direction that Smith is rolling. Manningham was looking at him. I’ll take another look after work this evening. I’m almost certain that Mario was looking at smith.
Jordan,
Nope. Have watched it from both angles multiple times. As Smith begins his throwing motion Manningham is looking away. Either way, is this the best you can do to support your “he payed like crap” assertion.
I agree the red zone misses were bad and had a huge effect on the games outcome, but it seems like you want to pin this loss only on him and I disagree.
Reading GCossell’s analysis doesn’t seem like a bad read option after all of this hyperbole the last couple of days from those that filter the truth.
FDM,
“one little comment by Prime and DS got blown out of proportion in that they were called haters. I think that was totally inaccurate to say those guys were hating on Crabtree.”
Now that’s funny. Thanks for the laugh. WHEEEW!
Have you seen my/primes posts about MC since the start, and 23J comments about AS?
If those read the same, to anybody, nothing I nor Prime can do but shake our heads.
In JH I trust.
Waaaa?!?
DS, I thought you don’t read my crap and hate me.
Thanks for checkin in little buddy : )
It looked like Alex wanted KW to sit down in that spot of the zone instead of continuing toward the sideline where the throw would have had to go over the LB drifting that way.
Jordan Manningham was not looking Smith’s way when he threw the ball to KW. It actually looked like Manningham was unaware of the change to be honest, but I can’t be sure on that.
Jack,
Just take a look at the 2nd shot when Smiyh begins to roll. Manningham is looking right at him. Not when he’s about to throw, when he rolls.
Jordan,
I see what you are saying, but Manningham was not ready for a pass. His head was on a swivel, and as Smith is getting ready to throw Manningham is not looking.
Jack, you win bro. But it sounds like you’re giving me an Alexcuse. I wish I could pull the exact frame I’m talking about and send it to you. Manningham had a good game Sunday. Amazing that Smith didn’t throw it to him on that play. Thanks bro. We’ll do it again soon. Enjoyed the debate and appreciate the respect. You get respect when you give it jack, much respect.
Jordan,
“I wish I could pull the exact frame I’m talking about and send it to you.” Me too, it would be great to know how I can link some of those pictures on here. I think it would really help further a lot of the discussions.
Rocket,
Never feel like you are piling on. The Smithers opinion doesn’t count. I know you can be objective. Watch the video again. The 2 deep safeties were not there all game. Mostly in the 2nd half but not all game. 22 would often come towards the line of scrimmage late before the play would start.
Smiths game was not mediocre, it was poor. Even with that defense, we still have to threaten it rocket. So we get more of the same against the jets this week. Alex missed 2 touchdown throws. We lose by 11.
So what happens when the season ends and the vikings are in the playoff? Will everyone still think it was suppose to be an easy week 3 VIctory?
That certainly seems possible now that GB and DET are both 1-2. I don’t think Chicago is better than Minn. Also seems like Seattle is the one team who is benefiting most from these replacement refs. Against AZ, they got extra yardage and an extra TO at the end of the game they didn’t have. Against GB, well, we all saw it.
I am very concern with our OLs ability to pass protect so Alex has the time to make a throw! Hopefully our defense and OL shows up on Sunday! GO NINERS
Chicago,
That may be why we need someone behind center who can throw better on the run and punish the defense with his legs when he leaves the pocket. Hopefully that bad game from Smith was an aberration. If he has another against the jets, get Kap some reps. If Smith keeps taking shots on sacks instead of getting rid of the ball, he may well get hurt.
Rivers McCown over at Football Outsiders has an analysis of the Vikings-Niners game that’s worth a read.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/any-given-sunday/2012/any-given-sunday-vikings-over-49ers
I agree with him that the TD on fourth and 1 was the turning point of the game. It totally changed the tone early in the game and the Vikings became the aggressors. That Percy Harvin pass play that he has analyzed encapsulates how the Niners were beaten by Bill Musgrave’s excellent game plan. His version of WCO leverages AP and Percy Harvin in unique ways. If the Viking front office can draft well, this team will be on the rise (at the expense of Chicago which is aging and Detroit which is a collection of headcases led by an suitably unstable coach).
Also, FO studies the coaches film. McCown writes:
“The Vikings were able to get pressure on Alex Smith with their front four, and they were able to play a deep shell and keep the passes that were completed in front of them”.
I believe the Bears and the Vikes are now the only two teams in the NFL that play Cover 2 in base defense. Since the Viking D could pressure Smith with their front four, there was no need to blitz and the safeties could stay deep. Hence, not many “Mossingham” plays..
That article also has a statistical nugget that I was not aware of:
“In 2011, the 49ers had our third-ranked defense, but their success on pass defense was built on shutting out big-name wideouts; they finished 24th in the league on passes to running backs. And on screens and quick hitches, San Francisco allowed a 35.2% DVOA, which is roughly 22% worse than the league average.”
Is that the Achilles heel of Niners D? Are they not sniffing out screens fast enough (a recurring problem in Nolan years)? Is the problem with the CB’s when playing man to man? Are our LBs not up to task in coverage?
@mood
I think the turning point was after the VD TD. Our offense was destroying them. Had our D gotten a 3 and out, or the ball back quickly without allowing any points, I think we score another TD, take control and win.
They held the ball for a long time. We lost our momentum due to it, amd only got the ball a few more times after that.
As for the RB receiving stuff, I’m not too concerned. Teams get anxious. Look for the big play. It is a hard thing to drive the ball 80 yards for a TD without big plays. We stank horribly allowing 3 such drives. I bet we allowed a similar number all of last year. That won’t happen 3 times in a games again.
Mood,
““In 2011, the 49ers had our third-ranked defense, but their success on pass defense was built on shutting out big-name wideouts; they finished 24th in the league on passes to running backs.”
The reason for that is the 49ers D often plays soft in the green zone in an effort to keep everything in front of them and then rally up for the tackle. Once they get into the Red Zone they stiffen up and play tighter thus their success in limiting opponents to so many FG’s.
The D also thrived on getting TO’s to stop drives last year averaging over 2 per game. Thus far through 2012 they have been unable to match that production.
Football Outsiders had the turning point partly correct. The production of both QB’s in the Red Zone played a key role. Christian Ponder was able to connect with Rudolph for 2 key TD throws. On the other side Alex Smith missed on 2 opportunities leading to FG’s instead of TD’s. The first being the overthrow of Moss on the teams first trip, then failing to throw the ball to an open Crabtree on 3rd down following the Williams kickoff return to open the 2nd half.
Regarding the Vikings offense, as I said in my keys to stopping the Vikings post last week, their offense runs through Percy Harvin. It isn’t a lot of down field plays, rather the underneath routes. He is the leading YAC WR in the NFL.
The other key was keeping Ponder inside the pocket by maintaining pass rush lane integrity. Their failure to do so led to the Ponder TD run, along with a number of other short scrambles and completions due to his ability to escape and extend the play.
The positive takeaway in all of this is that the team was not “beat down” as many have suggested. Instead it was a failure to capitalize on opportunities that led to the defeat. Increased execution, especially in the Red Zone, moving forward will get them back in the W column.
Is anybody else glad that Smith’s streak of passes with a pick is ended. I got the impressuion that Alex was getting a little too timid maybe in an effort to continue the streak.
Now I am not suggesting that Alex start throwing into double or triple coverages, but a little more agressivenes may not be a bad idea.
Rick,
It’s funny you mention that. I felt the same way. I was feeling like he feel like he thinks he has something to prove by not turning it over. He’s done it so much in his career, he doesn’t want to be criticized for it. Picks happen. However, TD’s do too. You have to take your shot. Alex Smith does not take all of his shots. He is truly a game manager, whether he likes it or not.
Sorry for the typo in my prev post. I meant streak without a pick.
Jordan, here’s an article I thought you’d enjoy.
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/26/4855327/mountain-lions-qb-johnson-looks.html
Sean,
I had already read the article. May have been your attempt at a joke but its all good. I take them as well as I give them. Josh is gonna be back in the NFL soon enough, youll see. Honestly, how do you feel about Kap getting some playing time in this offense. Do you think he’s ready yet. I’ve got the coaches 22 film and it pairs Alex Smith in a bad light. The views truly make it appear that Smith is really only to make the basic throws for shorter distances. His chemistry is there with Davis, I must admit. But has very little with the rest of the receivers. He still struggling to get the ball to Crabtree downfield.
I think this situation is about to get worse for us. We’ve got some tough defensive teams to play coming up. He and our offense is about to be tested. Gonna be interesting.
Not sure what game/games you have been watching but Crabtree did not run a route over 15 yards against the Vikes, Pack, or Lions. He is being used primarily in the slot and the intermediate passing game (10-15 yds)
So in another attempt to diminish Alex, you fail with providing facts that are simply not true.
It all comes down to winning. You keep trashing but keep in mind that with every win, you lose both as a fan and as a critic of Smith. If throwing deep is a way for you to dtermine a good QB, so be it but dont look like a liar doing it.
FDM
I certainly don’t remember seeing MC run a deep route. Manningham did. VD did. Does it really matter anyhow?
It does matter DS because if people are going to be critical, substantiate it with fact. Something 23welcher does not understand when trying to have a football conversation insted of fueling his ego with fantasy analogies.
@FDM
“…if people are going to be critical, substantiate it with fact.”
But you read 23J’s post (I assume). Shame on you if you think he would. That is on you.
My real point was MC has had some nice plays this season. Come thru when we needed him to do so. So, I don’t really care if MC is running deep routes or not. Big plays in big moments, he’s been as good as anybody else (playmaker) so far.
I read everyones posts DS and I understand people have differing opinions. I just think there is too much lying going on when trying to prove their points. This is why this blog is heading south fast!
Hopefully it will start to warm up then as it nears the equator. But if we’ve already passsed it, it will get quite chilly indeed.
(I get your point and agree. Just having some fun)
:- )
@ FDM
Yeah, that and redundancy……….
FDM,
It hurts when you expect the captain of your offense to make plays against an opponent when you defense has an off day. What is a fact is that captain CHECKDOWN did not get it done. The 4 yard outs are not enough when we need yardage in chunks. Chunks meaning maybe 10??? The CHECKDOWN KING , your idol ALEX SMITH crapped all over. The field Sunday. He turned it over twice, he overthrew Moss 3 times, once for aforementioned sure touchdown. He under threw Crabtree. He took 2 hellacious hits on sacks that he didn’t have to take. One while this dummy was standing right next to the sideline. He rolled out once and sacked himself with nobody within 5 yards of him. He rolled right once on third and 8 and had an open Manningham I. Front of him but instead tried to throw further downfield to Kyle Williams. Then had the audacity to try and berate Kyle, knowing he made that piss poor throw!
These are facts! Dispute them Smithers. Yeah, explain all that away. List the Alexcuses. In the meantime, I say let’s warm Kap up!!
FDM
I’ll make a bet with you. If I give you plays where Crabs is running routes more that 15 yards in the VIKING game, you stay off of the blog for a week. If I can’t, then I will. Deal????
>>Deal????
lmao.
J23,
“These are facts.” That’s funny, really, really funny.
>>In the meantime, I say let’s warm Kap up!!
Every idiot fan always wants the guy who’s not playing. Somehow only idiot coaches, Sing for example, buy into that. We know who the idiot fans are, thank god our current coaches aren’t.
@brotha
“Yeah, that and redundancy……….”
Hopefully it will start to warm up then as it nears the equator. But if we’ve already passsed it, it will get quite chilly indeed.
(I get your point and agree. Just having some fun)
:- )
The welcher wants to bet and says he will stay off the blog for a week? What do you think guys, can we trust he will keep his word this time?
@FDM
We’ll see some new faces around for a week.
@FDM
Well, making a bet with Jordo is kinda like signing a Peace Treaty with the US Bureau of Indian Affairs; you pretty much know how it will turn out in the end.
Buyer beware.
FDM,
The question is, do we have a bet? I thought you take a step back. I guess I wasn’t lying about Crabtree, you were.
DS,
Would you like to take the bet as well. There are secretly 20 people who would love to see you off of this blog for a week!!! Bet????
Brotha,
You don’t seem very happy about the way Alex played either. Do you think he had a medioce game. If so, yes you’re wearing those rose colored Smith shades as well. He played poorly! But I think you know that. Bwahahahahahaha!
EX,
Thanks! I thought it was too! Bwahahahahahahah!
How bout this 23welcher. You identify 5 plays where Crabtree runs a route over 15 yards, not a broken play where he drifts up field, but actually runs past a 15 yard marker and I will stop referring to you as welcher forever?
You have to provide time and down during that game so I can go back and check. It has to be more than 5 plays where Alex completely misses him and the route is over 15 yards.
Now if you lose, you have to change your display name to 23welcher for 1 week, do we have a deal?
@23welcher:
The “bet” schtick is old. No one is going to bet with you because you have a track record of welching.
FDM,
You Smithers think that name really bothers me. I’ll change it now as a favor to the Smithers. You all won’t be here long to see it after Alex Leaves at the end of season. How do you like that.
I did see that you ate your words. Crabtree hasn’t runa route past 15 yards all season????? That’s right, clean it up!
FDM, Smithers,
There you have it! Bwahahahahaha.
Now, back to that piece of crap stating QB we have………………… somebody warm Kapernick up” it’s about damn time!!
Now find the footage, do your homework and come back and tell me where Crabtree runs 5 or more routes over 15 yards vs. the Vikes?
>>somebody warm Kapernick up
That somebody will have to be you, if security doesn’t drag you out in handcuffs first.
Rational beings, like our coaches, do not have a meltdown over a single team loss. Do not pull a starting QB whose rankings and ratings put him in the top 5th of the NFL. Coaches that have had a 16-5 record, the best in the NFL, since he’s been starting for them.
At this point, I am now 100% convinced that Jordan has a mental handicap of some sort. That is the only explanation I can come up with.
Jordan, this will be the last time I read anything you have to say, or address you. I really hope that you find help some day.
I also will never comment or address anything this tool has to say. As welcher would say, lock not it in!
Ahhhhh, heck guys. I’m OK with Jordo/W when he’s not offering wagers or talking QB. I realize that’s a narrow slice of his work, but he can talk football when not obsessing. So, I skip over the QB stuff. I usually can let the wager offers go w/o comment, but not always.
LSX
Bad play sir.
Mental handicapped people are just as nice/mean as the rest of us. I’ve experienced it firsthand.
brotha
I could care less about the wager stuff. It is him being a jerk calling names all the time that brings the blog down. Not some wager thing.
LSX,
I’m gonna miss you! That means I have one less groupie from the Smuther cult. Don’t worry, I still have
BS
Prime Crabtree Michael onenimer Latino heat time
Fraud
FDM, he’s my favorite!
Rubico the snitch. He’s my least favorite.
Hofer, my main man.
Adam- gonna miss that cute helmet thingy he has.
Exgolfer-
Oregoniner/
I’ve left a few Smirhers off, but their resumes have not been approved. So LSX, my crew is still strong!!!
Tuna,
My man. I just give back what I get. I’ve never called you anything but your screen name. I will continue to do so. Give respect where you get it.
>>Rubico the snitch. He’s my least favorite.
Awesome. Time to tell me f-off again, eh?
>>Give respect where you get it.
Welch, you get my respect by being an adult somehow functioning with the reasoning ability and emotional makeup of an 6 year old. Beyond that, very little.
Rubico,
It’s hard to read your messages from the witness protection program. Stop snitching!!!! Snitches get stitches! Lol Bwahahahahahahaha!!
I’ve never called you anything but your screen name.
Tuna never welched on anything.
Snitch on what? Something you wrote for everyone to see? Or is the concept of an open board, nothing private, just too complex for you? Since you go on and on about who can reply to your rantings, it must be the latter.
Jordan, just read your response and yeah, I’m just poking some fun at you. I’m not a fan of the wildcat or the pistol or whatever gimmick offense so as far as using Kaep, I don’t see him quite ready for running a legit offense. I, of course, just roll with who the coaches put out so if he gets a shot then I’ll cheer him on. Looking forward to being in NY for a bounce back game!
Sean,
Jets are hurting and mourning. Revis was big in that defense. We’ll squeak by em!
I smell some tebow playing time. I’d bet that The Jets looked at what ponder did and will try to get Tebow some touches.
Good point MD. Especially in the red zone.
md,
Tebow is going to play this week, just as he has the 3 weeks previous. They have brought him in to run the Wildcat each week, and during that time they have called for a pass 1 time the rest being fly sweeps and the read option.
It would be a huge advantage for the 49ers if the Jets try to get him out running and throwing. He is no where as accurate on the move as Ponder.
Jack,
+1
We’ ve seen Christian Ponder, we know Christian Ponder, Tim Tebow is no Christian Ponder.
MD, Tebow will be playing today and the jets are going to use the Vikings defensive and offensive strategy!
I hope the 9ers do see a lot of TTebow. He doesn’t throw on the run as well as CPonder and he definitely isn’t as elusive. Maybe we see him in the second half when the 9ers are up by 21 points.
I have to admit the Jets are playing better than I thought, they actually are a reasonable facsimile of an NFL team. Their wins have come against doormats. Yes, Sanchez is up and down, similar to Smith in a way, but the team doesn’t have the coaching to deal with it. That they let that Holmes-Sanchez feud fester so long and finally blow up in a game they needed to keep their playoff long shot alive is just inexcusable.
I’m going to go with the assumption that the Vikings game, and the success Ponder had especially running with the ball, as a complete outlier. Our front 7, our defensive team speed, will negate anything Tebow brings to this game.
Agree, Rib, that Fangio can game plan Tebow, but he’ll still be trouble close to the goal line; extra big back.
Interesting if thats how they use him Brotha, so far they haven’t in the red zone. If fact there’s not been much rhyme or reason as to when they stick him in the game. I suppose that’s to keep the other team “off balance”, but they’ve not had much success out of their wildcat. The converted fake punt about the only positive in their Tebow package of plays.
Lets hope Bowman has an improved performance against the Jets. His play against the Vikings was subpar.
You mean the 18 tackles? I guess he should have had 20+, he sucks.
None of those tackles were for loss or no gain.
I don’t think the Vikings proved anything.
The Vikings success running will tempt Ryan to try and run the ball on us also. That’s what he likes to do. I think the fellas know how to correct that, but we’ll see. Their D Line will be a challenge to our running game.
This game won’t be easy.
On another topic, we fans sure bail out fast. Did anyone think we’d be undefeated? Not me. Last week on this blog we’re a team of supermen; this week its all “Total team collapse!” What a crock, LOL.
Tuna,
What success did the Vikings have running the ball? If not for the 20 yarder that AP broke off at the end of the game, he would’ve averaged under three yards a carry. That’s not very good.
The Vikings won the game by cobbling together three long drives, primarily using short passes to move the ball and ill timed penalties by the 49ers [some were horrible calls by the fake-refs; e.g., the personal foul inside the ten yard line on Goldson - after the game the fake-ref's explanation, through the NFL, for that call was helmet to helmet contact - of course, there was clearly no helmet to helmet contact]. They did continue to run, bless their hearts, but the Vikings were largely unsuccessful doing so.
Ex,
41 carries, 146 yards. Not a big yards per rush average but they stayed with it and kept or defense on it’s heels. They ran on us effectively. Hate to admit that.
@ExGolfer
AP’s stats didn’t look great, but the running game was purposed for keep-away ball control and it worked. By not abandoning the run, and do to the remarkable talent of AP, Fangio & the LBs had to play it honest, and as someone already pointed out, that helped open up the TEs. That was the success.
The Jets don’t have AP, so I don’t think they’d succeed, but imo Rex Ryan will think he can.
Jordan,
Take away Ponder’s TD scramble [which counts in the rushing totals, but wasn't a running play] and AP’s twenty yard run near the end of the game, the Vikings’ rushing total is around 100 yards, for an average of a little over 2.5 yards a carry. Not very impressive, if you look just a little deeper than the surface stats.
Tuna,
If the Vikings 2.5 yard per carry rushing attack opened up the short passing game for the Vikings, why didn’t it do the same for the Packers and Lions?
To me, the Vikings handed the 49ers a huge advantage by putting themselves in a bunch of second and third and medium to long situations and still gained first down yardage.
That was bothered me the most about the defense on Sunday, not the Vikings rushing attack keeping the 49ers’ defense “honest” by “gashing” them for 2.5 yards a carry.
Tuna,
If you are understandably wondering where I’m getting the 2.5 yard per carry average for the Vikings, see my post to J23 two posts above this one.
Sorry for not being more clear.
hopefully, the fake piped in sound when niners are on offense will not be as loud…
@ DS I have to disagree with you. I think the turning point in the game was when we only got a field goal after that long Kyle Williams return to start the second half. If we punch it in the endzone there that would have been HUGE. Especially considering VD’s ensuing TD on the next drive which would have tied the game instead of making it a one score game. After we only got that field goal to start the 2nd half I had a strong feeling that we would lose.
There was no single turning point in this game, instead there were points.
The first turning point was Smith missing an open Moss in the endzone on the 2nd possession. Instead of a tie, they kick a FG and are down 4. End result Vikings 7 49ers 3
The second turning point was the blocked Akers FG. Instead of trimming the lead to 14-6, the block set the Vikings up with great field position and they cashed it end with a FG to end the half. End Result: Vikings 17 49ers 3
The third turning point came after the Williams return to start the 2nd half. On third down, Smith rolls right and does not attempt a pass to an open Crabtree in the right corner of the endzone. End Result Vikings 17 49ers 6
The final turning point was the Vikings response to the 49ers TD making it a 4 point game. They answered the score with a methodical TD drive of their own, and a great play by Ponder to give his TE an opportunity to make a play in the end zone. End Result Vikings 24 49ers 13
Jack,
+1
I posted the same list [with a couple of more critical points] yesterday, so why wouldn’t I agree?
Ex,
Sorry I missed yours. Trying to pin that loss down to one play or series is impossible, but some keep trying.
Jack,
No big deal.
That’s what made that game so maddening, the 49ers had so many chances to seize control of the game and botched pretty much every one.
In a way it makes the game somewhat encouraging, assuming the 49ers can right the ship.
@Vegas
That is one of the big moments of the game. Sure. In the post game blog, I had that down as one of them.
But the way I see it, the Niners got the 94 yard return, got a FG. Then our D came out and got a 3 and out. Forced a punt. KW had another nice return (yeah, we all wanted him gone, or at least not returning punts/kicks. That is why we are the fans and not the coaches) and AS led the Niners on a great TD drive. We had scored the last 10 points, there was plenty of time left in the game and we had all the momentum.
If our best unit, the defense holds the Vikings to no points and a short drive (especially a 3 and out), I think our offense doesn’t miss a step following their TD drive, and we get another, take the lead and never let it go. We had the Vikings D on the ropes at that moment. The Vikings held the ball for another 7 minutes or so on that drive, and gave their defense a chance to catch their breath and firgure out what was going on.
The next time we had the ball (if memory serves) following the Viking TD, FG fumbled after yet another nice KW return, and at that moment, I had a bad feeling that we might not be able to pull the game out.
As for the last 4 minutes or so, I dismiss that. It was crazy.
Chris Mortenson Espn- locked out refs may be coming back soon after positive negotiations.
Yeah, no s***. The pressure built up and finally they (NFL) are moving on it. That MNF finish was discussed even in the Wall Street Journal and on Nightly Business Report. The pic of the two refs in the Endzone was everywhere. The NFL finally is starting to feel embarrassed.
You see, WSJ & NBR started talking about the integrity of the game vis a vis advertisers. When the $ come into it, all of a sudden the NFL starts paying attention. The owners & Commish are laughing stocks.
Haha,
Amazing how it was the last play of MNF. Nowhere to hide from that play.
I wrote yesterday that we need to play more press coverage. i did’nt mean that press is the coverage that our db’s play best but that press coverage will take away 3 step drops completely and 5 step drops for the most part. the biggest reason to not run press is no confidence in your 4 man pass rush and your blitz packages. if we take away the short underneath routes this week i believe our pass rush and blitz packages will just destroy sanchez. for those who think harbaugh/roman are going to take more shots down field i think you will be very disapointed, i expect to see alot more of gore and hunter. i believe the main problem with the O last week was we went away from our run game in the first half. i think if we had kept pounding in the first half we would have ended up with over 200 yards rushing.
Do you think Gore will get 20 carries against the Jets? I don’t think the 49ers want to overuse him in the regular season.
Grant
I think the Niners didn’t use KH enough last week. He never got into the flow of the game. And that only helps the opponent.
I expect under 20 for FG and a lot more carries for KH than he had agaisnt the Vikings.
I think Hunter will get more carries this week, too. The Jets run defense is especially vulnerable around the edges.
FG was out of gas the last third of the year in 2011. It’s smart using FG about 15 carries a game, but KH needs to be more productive in the backup role than last week. I know KH only had 4 carries but he never looked in sync. FG may be required to play more just to ensure the 9ers make the playoffs banged up or not.
hof
Do you still have the game? There was perhaps 1 time KH could have been better. The other times, the OL just sucked.
You’re going overboard here. KH was hardly given a chance. When he was, the Viking D was right there to take the hand-off. He’s still a very good player. Doesn’t seem right you of all people to give up on such a guy. And KH looked great week 1, 2.
Nobody looked good hof. That is why we lost.
Grant,
I see them running the ball around 30 times this week, with the carries being split relatively even between Gore and Hunter like they had the 1st two weeks.
Any word on the status of Brandon Jacobs?
He practiced in full pads today, according to reports.
Jack,
The question is, ” Will we attempt to throw the ball deep at all?” The Jets have the blueprint!
Somebody WARM UP KAPERNICK. Get him reps this week just in case captain discount doublecheckdown decodes that he can’t see the whole field again, or overthrows half the teAm.
Captain discount doublecheckdown……that’s pretty funny.
Angusin,
I do my best! All in fun bro. It’s never personal. It’s a blog for Christ sakes! However, I am getting paid by the post this week! Lol!