Here is the live blog for the 49ers Week 3 game against the Minnesota Vikings. I’ll update the blog frequently with analysis from my living room.
9:25 The 49ers inactives: Scott Tolzien, A.J. Jenkins, Ted Ginn Jr., LaMichael James, Brandon Jacobs, Joe Looney and Iam Williams.
10:02 The 49ers win the toss and defer.
10:18 What a first drive for the Vikings. Christian Ponder threw a touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph on fourth and goal on the one yard line. He was rolling to his left, Dashon Goldson was in his face and Ponder floated a pass over Aldon Smith in the end zone. The Vikings marched down the field easily, running on the first four first downs, and passing for significant gains on second down. Still, Ponder had to convert a third and 10 in the red zone, and the Niners defense almost held them to a field goal by stonewalling Peterson twice at the goal line. The Vikings were aggressive, going for the touchdown on fourth down. Now the 49ers offense must respond.
10:23 Alex Smith converted the first third down he faced. The Vikings blitzed, the Niners’ offensive line picked it up and Alex made a nice throw to Vernon Davis over the middle. Smith didn’t convert the second third down, however. He rolled to the right, saw that his primary read – Crabtree – was covered, so Smith stood still and took a sack from Chad Greenway. Not a great play design. It seemed like there was only one read.
Earlier in the drive on a second down, Randy Moss dropped a high but catchable pass. He needs to catch those, or else he’ll lose even more playing time to Mario Manningham.
10:29 The Vikings passing offense has been dangerous on second down. On the second play of their second drive, Ponder hit Percy Harvin for a 24-yard gain down the left sideline. Harvin beat Carlos Rogers at the line of scrimmage, threw him off balance. Aldon Smith ended the Vikings drive, stopping Adrian Peterson for a two-yard gain, and then hitting Ponder on the next play. Kyle Williams returned the punt 16 yards. The Niners start their second drive at their 35 yard line down 7-0.
10:37 The Niners are moving. Alex Smith hit Crabtree for a 6-yard gain on third and four. Crabtree has been one of the best third-down receivers in the NFL this season.
Smith slipped and fell on a scramble a few plays later. That wasn’t good. But he followed that up by audibling to a run play at the line of scrimmage on the very next play. Gore took the hand off and gained 11 yards on 2nd and 10. First and 10 at the Vikings’ 30 yard line.
SECOND QUARTER.
10:44 David Akers just made a 19-yard field goal. 7-3 Vikings. Alex Smith made another good audible. He noticed a cornerback was giving Moss a 5-yard cushion, so Smith killed the first play and threw a quick out to Moss, gaining 8 yards on 2nd and 8.
But Smith couldn’t finish the drive. He overthrew Moss in the end zone, missed an easy touchdown. Smith threw the ball right before he took a shot from Kevin Williams. Alex Boone let Williams run right around him. Still, Smith should have made that pass.
11:00 Christian Ponder is playing like an upper echelon quarterback today. On third and 11 he completed an 11-yard pass to Devin Aromashodu, and then on the very next play Ponder scrambled up the middle 23 yards for a touchdown. 14-3 Vikings with 5:29 left in the first half.
11:00 The 49ers have gotten completely outplayed so far, but they can still get back in this game quickly. Their offense should have the final drive of the first half and the first drive of the second half.
1:06 Alex Smith has converted two third downs on this drive. On third and 7, Smith hit Crabtree in the middle of the field for 9 yards, and on third and 5 Smith hit Vernon Davis in the middle of the field for 13 yards. The Niners are in business. First and 10 at the Vikings’ 46.
TWO MINUTE WARNING
11:16 The Vikings just blocked David Akers’ field goal attempt. The 49ers had been driving beautifully until they got near the red zone. On first and 10 from the Vikings 33, Smith hit Randy Moss for a 7-yard gain. The Vikings are giving him too much respect, too much of a cushion. On the next play Smith was almost sacked by Jared Allen, but Smith threw the ball away. On third and 2, Smith threw in the flat to Delanie Walker, who was tackled immediately.
11:25 Vikings rookie kicker Blair Walsh just kicked a 52-yard field goal at the end of the second quarter. 17-3 Vikings.
HALFTIME
Perhaps the Vikings’ opening touchdown made the 49ers panic. They have not established their running game even though Frank Gore has gained 32 yards on 6 carries. Greg Roman should have called more runs for Gore in that half.
Alex Smith has passed 19 times, and he’s averaging just 4.7 yards per attempt. He hasn’t tried a deep pass yet.
Before this game many of us said if the Vikings were going to win, they would have to take Frank Gore out of the game and force Alex Smith to beat them. Interestingly enough, Greg Roman has been the one who’s taken Gore out of the game and forced Alex Smith to win it, and that choice isn’t working. Now, down two touchdowns, the 49ers will have to pass their way back into this game in the second half.
11:38 Kyle Williams just returned the kickoff 94-yards to the Vikings’ 14 yard line. Who needs Ted Ginn Jr.?
11:41 And the 49ers offense squanders their great field position. Hunter up the middle on first down, Gore up the middle on second down and Smith around the right end on third down all lead to fourth and two. Akers makes the short field goal. 17-6 Vikings. That seemed like a perfect time to throw to Moss, but Greg Roman went ultra-conservative.
11:46 The Vikings go three and out. Peterson gains four yards on first down and then four yards on second down, but on third and 2 the Vikings call a pass and Ponder has to throw it away. They punt and Kyle Williams makes a fair catch at the Niners’ 14 yard line. There wasn’t one defender within 10 yard. Williams needs to run that.
1:57 That was the 49ers best offensive drive of the season. They needed a TD and they got it easily, Smith to Davis in the back of the end zone on first and goal from the 1. 17-13 Vikings. The 49ers never faced one third down, and they only faced two second downs. Smith completed passes to five different receivers. They’re back in the game.
12:11 The Vikings have responded with a great drive of their own. They’ve been feeding Percy Harvin, and it’s working. He’s catching passes out of the backfield and running up the middle like a running back. The 49ers defense has committed two questionable, costly penalties on the drive – both unnecessary roughness penalties on Dashon Goldson.
FOURTH QUARTER
12:15 On third and goal from the 2, the 49ers blitz Ponder, he backpedals and throws a floater to Kyle Rudolph. Donte Whitner is all over him, but Rudolph reaches out with one hand, his right hand, and makes the catch. 24-13 Vikings. The Vikings have made the 49ers safeties look bad all game.
12:18 Kyle Williams returns this kickoff 50 yards to the Niners’ 43 yard line. He’s keeping them in the game.
12:21 Frank Gore fumbles on the first play of the drive and the Vikings recover. The refs called Gore down, but the Vikings are challenging and it appears they’ll win the challenge. The 49ers have not gotten the breaks today.
12:25 The Vikings win the challenge. They have the ball at midfield.
12:27 The 49ers force them out in three. Adrian Peterson gains 8 yards on first down, and then the Vikings curiously call two straight passes. Neither work. Vikings punt and the Niners take over at their own 20. Vikings’ offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave really blew that drive. Up two scores, he needs to run down the clock. And the run was working. But he called two passes.
12:35 Kendall Hunter goes almost nowhere on back-to-back runs, and on third and 8 Smith scrambles to extend the play but throws behind Kyle Williams. Andy Lee punts and pins the Vikings to their 2 yard line.
12:39 The more I think about that offensive series, the worse it seems. The 49ers are down 11 with 10 minutes left and they’re calling run plays, using the full play clock.
12:42 Isaac Sopoaga hurts his right leg and Adrian Peterson breaks off a 20-yard run.
12:43 On third and 8 the Niners bring lots of pressure, Ponder throws off his back foot right to Donte Whitner, but he drops it. Whitner’s had a bad game, and he has really bad hands.
12:47 The Niners get the ball at their own 17 yard line and go three-and-out. Vernon Davis dropped a pass on 2nd and 6, and then Smith tried to force a throw on third and 6 to Davis, who was covered. Vikings ball at their 30 with 6 and half minutes left.
1:01 The 49ers catch a break. Harbaugh called his last timeout, then challenged a play on the field. The refs allowed this, reviewed the play and gave the ball to the 49ers – Gerhart fumbled.
1:03 Smith completes his first two passes, Antoine Winfield knocks away the third. Then Smith sails his fourth and the Vikings pick it off.
1:05 And Toby Gerhart fumbles on the very next play, but the refs don’t call it. Harbaugh challenges the play. It looked like Gerhart recovered it.
1:06 The refs confirm Gerhart recovered the ball. The Niners are out of timeouts and challenges.
1:11 Gerhart fumbles again! That’s his third fumble in the last 2 minutes. The Vikings are trying to hand this game back to the 49ers.
1:12 Willis is helped off the field.
1:13 On first down Smith throws a beautiful pass to Mario Manningham for a 22 yard gain, and then on the next play Smith gets sacked by Jared Allen and fumbles. The Vikings recover. Allen beat Staley to the inside. The Vikings win 24-13.
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Let’s go 9ers everyday all day!!!!!
Include Freddie P. Soft to the inactive list.
So far its been another great weekend. Giants clinch their division, the Ducks win 49-0 and now the Niners are going to have a feast at the Vikings expense.
Grant any chance James will be active at any point this year
Only if a couple running backs get injured.
Freddie P. Soft is dreaming.
Vikings 0-4 in Super Bowls! Big game CHOKERS!
C15
The Vikings were in 4 Super Bowls?
Fran tarkenton era
DS – You knew that
Joe Kapp was Vikes QB for one of those SB trips.
Crab,
How was the baseball game yesterday?
Nick – It was fun but Angel stadium is just a very corny atmosphere.
I wore a White Sox t-shirt and nobody said jack.
No goons there. :-)
Go Niners!
This will be another physical game. I hope the Niners don’t come out flat. The one thing that could lead to an upset is if the Vikings jump to an early lead.
For those gamblers out there, look for the Niners to win but the Vikings will cover the spread
Grant, I’m really need you today! Living in Ontario, I have the Buffalo-Cleveland game on 3 separate channels. You’re my eyes!
Stream the audio feed online from KNBR
thanks Nick. I used to be able to stream the video feed, but my old computer blew up, and I can’t remember the websites….argh.
The game is actually on KGO and audio can be streamed at 49ers.com
p2p4u.net?
A new NFL dance…the referee huddle!
Bend but don’t break
Harvin just got smacked down. Flag, uggghhh.
Maybe it induced a migraine.
Need a turnover now.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
They are attacking the D exactly how they should, and it’s working.
The is TE is killing us. They can’t/won’t go vertical. Beating us our way.
THey don’t need to go vertical and are smart for not trying. Holding them to a FG was huge there.
Never mind, sloppy D.
Lol
needed a better tacckle on that one
Who’s got the damn TE!!!!!!!!
Absolutely horrible defense that drive. Dreadful
pathetic
I think it was good offense. The Niners need to make some adjustments, and quickly.
played that well except the AS coverage
Any given sunday. Time to step it up.
Uh,eh,The destruction has been slightly delayed. Fear not….I hope.
Nobody can cover Rudolph frickin Reindeer?? 4 catches??
Wheres that dominate defense against a bad offense? I hope they wake up.
Now they need to adjust to this crap.
SF doesn’t make adjustments. They trust what they’ve game planned all week for.
The game just started, what are you talkin about?
No they need to adjust.
The Vikings are not doing anything you haven’t seen through their first 2 games. Pound the ball, get it to Harvin, and play action. Gonna be a long day boys. Buckle up.
Only really watched one Vikes game last year and Ponder looked pretty horrible.
He looks like a different person this year. Fantastic accuracy and touch on the little short routes.
That was the best drive against our D in a long time.
How overrated does GB and DET look now? How “great” is our secondary? I’ll hold off the I told you so until after the game is over though.
It wasn’t the secondary that was at fault that drive. The TE got the bulk of the yards. Give your secondary hating a rest.
Who had coverage in the endzone??
Let me guess that wasn’t Brown’s fault in the secondary?
I saw Aldon covering Rudolph in end zone.
I meant the 24 yard reception down the field. Sorry, I didn’t differientiate.
Is this topsy turvy week? You know-niners lose and Raiders win? has that smell…
Grant everytime u post we are going to dominate i get a funny feeling….someone needs a kick in the shins……
they need to man that TE up!!!
Defense you just can’t show up.
Grants last post was 10 02..whats up?
oH,OK,
AS can’t play the pass..
Lets go Crabs!, Maybe Freddy P soft has entered Delanie Walker and our DEF! Oh well, It is early!
Almost got Walker killed on that.
Love our Davis!
11-85.
That was a key3th down.
Defense looks liked Freddy P. Soft on that opening drive.
come on alex!!!
Randy, really?
Pass too high but Moss should’ve caught it.
throw the ball out of bounds!!! don’t take the sack
Alex thinks taking the sack is good, remember?
Uh oh, this isn’t good.
Get rid of the ball dude! You can’t take that hit! You’re already out of the pocket!
flat for the second week in a row!!
If Moss makes the catch…
He should have caught it, but the ball was high.
Have to admit, either Moss gave up on the route, Smith was very inaccurate with the throw or maybe a bit of both. But Moss shouldn’t have had to leap for a short pass like that.
It was high but catchable. RM does like to catch in the middle of the field.
WTF?????
Our D needs to wake up and make a statement now!!
The problem with the roll out is the field gets cut in half and MC was blanketed. AS needs to see that and throw the ball away.
Defense will wake up now. They had time to make adjustments now.
Pardon me as I’ve been in Europe for 3 weeks and missed the first two games. But does it really seem like Alex is getting some zip on his throws this year? The few passes he’s thrown today have been really great. Has that been the same over the first two games this year? Seems like he’s improving in that regard from previous years.
That’s a stupid sack. Throw it into the stands Alex.
yup. High IQ needs to use it especially on 3rd down.
Honestly I’m just happy to see him try to get something out of the play to the very end. The old Alex would have thrown it away well before the play broke down. Good to see him wanting to make a play.
Everyone needs to relax, geez.
Exactly
Exactly why you throw the ball out of bounds when you are outside the tackle box. That sack totally is on Alex for not dumping the ball. Needless! Bad awareness and execution on his behalf.
Moss wide open, Smiths pass was high then Smith does what Smith does, takes a sack for no reason.
Yes it was high but RM should have got it. He never has liked catching in the middle of the field.
You are right Hofer RM should got that one!!!!!
The masses will attack you for pointing out out the flaws in the Precious.
Miss your other picture!
Not to rub it in, but I predicted in the ‘how to beat the 49er’ post, that vike’s would go to rudolph a lot. Teams always go with the te. Doesn’t matter..niners got this one.
When conservative works Alex will be defended for his style of play. This first series reminds me of the Alex I know. Check down, high pass to a wide open Moss and taking a critical sack without taking a shot. Accepting the sack….
Lets see how Smith plays from behind.
+1
Bay, you don’t read much? The coaches would rather a ck down than TO.
Agreed, it was the usual Alex.
First, somewhat, bad series from Smith all year and the haters get hatin.
8 in the box on Smith. Gotta look to hit someone deep to back them off.
Get em Willis!
Film of Willis should be used to teach tackling.
AKA Band-Aid?
?
Nice tackle Aldon
Aldon has go-go-gadget arms.
Love the term Go-Go Gadget, Awesome nick name Bip P!
Lol, you either get that phrase or you don’t. I have always loved the rebelscum74 moniker, the force must be strong with you.
Too Much Force especially around my Middle! Always thought of myself has a Han Solo unfortunately I am looking more like Jabba the Hutt! Need to exercise , eat more salso with out the chips! Least the wife has not kicked me out of the bed yet!
smash em Aldon
Ok Alex let’s do it!
Now that’s more like it.
Need a TD on this drive.
Interesting the 9er offense struggles and Bay/Jordo come on board. LOL
Ok the team has had it’s wake up call now. It looked like they were still asleep. Lets go now!!
Andrew Luck can throw!
Thank goodness they tackled Manningham – he was running the wrong way.
LOL!!
I think Minnesotta has shown you what they intend to do all game. Play the short game and keep handing off. Bring the D up, then hit Percy deep on any of the secondary. None of them can cover.
I still believe SF wins this game even if they spot Minn 17. I just think anyone who said they were in their own league is a little off.
I know huh….
The OL needs to give him an xtra second.
They came right up the middle, recognize it and get rid of the ball, which Smith did. Not every play can be a TD.
we need to pound them on the ground!!
Atta boy Alex throw to MC on third downs.
Mario looks quick
Finally starting to use Manningham but there needs to SOMETIME be a shot taken…they’re cinching up on all the short routes.
Self sack! Lol
Why does it take SF being hit in the mouth and being down early for them to open the playbook? For once I’d like to see them start a game up 21
Sorry, that would require the three turnovers Alex needs to score more than nine points.
boone pushes gore forward
Lol that shove by Boone
Boone tossed Gore about 5 yards… damn he’s huge
Nice push Boone.
I heard the College game chamged the rule about pushing the pile. Now you can push but not pull. How does that pan out in the nfl? Are you allowed to push the back forward like that?
They can get RM deep just need OL to hold up. It’s coming…
However, the pass will be off target. Book it.
Is it Romper room where they chant Roll Alex Roll, Not the crippest ploay love the last play where Gore squirted throw and Boone pushed him for a first! That Boy is Big!
Who pushed Frank? Had to laugh.
Fraaaank!
Sweeps to the left. It likes like they want to attack Allen’s side of the field or they don’t think they can run up the middle.
You hear about ankle breaking cuts… Gore just made one.
Boone looked like he was tossing a horse shoe.
Checkdown.
Decent toss to Moss.
Uh oh, the bad Alex can’t hit Moss.
Alex threw that before Randy made his break, nice
He audibled to that play. Kill, kill!
Overthrow! The real Alex smith!!
Have to agree on that play.
Someone drank their haterade this morning.
I think it’s way to early to take shots at Smith. He isn’t getting any protection. He is missing some throws, but he is still calling the right audibles.
Yea people saying “the real Alex Smith” when he has been the most accurate qb in the NFL so far this season is just pathetic. Missed a couple of throws but again thats what 3 missed passes all year? Chill
Nice catch Moss! Keep him involved! Then Alex throws it too wobbly High!!!!! Ok alex is improving but he drives me nuts still at times!!!!
Missed Moss for the easy TD.
Got have that Alex. That was not good. Moss was wide open
I thought Randy Moss had a near 50″ verticle?
He does, the problem is that ball was about 60″ away from his hands.
It was def a high throw. Maybe a catch if Randy jumps, imo
Maybe as a rookie, but that pass was stupid high. Inaccurate pass, simple as that.
Maybe 10 years ago. Not anymore.
He needed 100 for that one! Lol
throw was probably foot and a half too tall, Moss uses that verticle and its chest high
Adam,
Yeah right. Maybe a step ladder!
Trap game! Smith will need to stretch the field. The 4 yard outs and check downs simply won’t do. Did Kap suit up. This game may be too big for the check down king.
Another trip into the red zone, another field goal. Does anyone else get sick of this?
Andy Lee had trouble with that snap… hope that isn’t an issue later on.
On each miss AS had someone in his face. The OL will get better!
Aaaaaaaaaaand, the excuses begin.
It was a bad throw, plain and simple. Don’t start blaming the O-line for Smith’s mistakes again, that is a broken record.
Hofe – No excuse for that pass to Moss.
Not an excuse – he should have thrown it to the pylon.
why are playing scared? why not go for it?
They’re playing the same style last year and this yr – they won’t change.
I agree.
Alex rushes when he has time,takes his time when he should rush. He’s jittery today.
Alex needs to relax a bit. Playing a little hyper.
Line needs to give him a little more time.
Time to make some adjustments, settle down and play ball.
Yes, it’s still early. The hyper-critical over-analysis of Smith on each and every play is getting tired. 9ers got this one.
They need to connect on a long one to open up their short passes or it will be a long day.
Alex won’t throw long. He’s afraid. He’ll check down.
You can’t sit in the pocket all day against the Vikings, they are aggressive. Smith will have to make the tight throws like Ponder is currently doing. Just need to get some rhythm going.
To be fair?
Need a stop D!!
NB and PW are having a poor game thus far.
so is the D line
I’ve read this was a trap game and it’s proving to be for the 49ers so far. Very flat.
too much time…
Musgrave is KILLING Fangio right now.
Damn, is that Favre out there or Ponder?
No pressure on the QB!!
Boy that’s some secondary.
FLAT!!!
Ponder does it all; throws, runs, tackles.
I just need STL to score a Td for all of my morning picks to be leading at Half time. Thank you Miami, I was a little worried you would let me down.
What the HELL is going on? Musgrave (and Ponder) are KILLING us.
And Tenn is beating Detroit by 11 in the second quarter. Gosh, what an “elite” team that was….LOL
Ponder looks pretty damn good, give the kid some credit.
Now he looks reallllllllly good.
Well the vikes are giving the rest of the league the recipe to moving the ball against the D.
Harbaugh may need to drop his pants at half time in locker room.
Funnyyyyy!!!!!!
49ers are totally flat today. Been reading too much press.
Will be interesting to see what they come up with in the second half, but Alex has a whopping 4.5 YPA so far.
He’s going to have to do a LOT better than that. I think he’s too scared of Jared Allen.
One QB is looking like a star in this game.
True. I think our D is elevating his status immensely!
garbage!!!!!!!!
We are simply getting outplayed
Ponder??? Ok , Lets play ball boys, I know we were not going to win them all but boy are we off a little!
Ponder is out playing AS so far
Big time!! Hopefully Alex will settle down, when he gets excited or nervous or whatever the balls go high!
I saw Dingleberry rubbing his wooden cross on the sidelines.
The Niners just seem Soft today on defense and the offense is sputtering at the moment. No worries we win.
Looked like Bowman was tackled my a lineman from behind on that play.
Defense looks a step slow this morning. We need seven. No turn overs here.
Who said the 9ers where to feast on the Vikes ?……. What’s is going ON????
Hey, Latino Heat! Welcome back vato!
Damn, oneniner got kicked out in a half second! lol.
What was your prediction GRANT….please someone kick him in the shins
Like I had feared, the Niners look flat. Now, its up to the Offense to do its job
Is Alex up for the challenge?
Hunter is fast!!!
Grant, you jinxed them!!!
They just need to use the 5 minute clock for a score and it’s 14-10 at half.
I’m not convinced Alex can do anything today. He certainly has been a big, fat zero so far.
He’ll be alright.
Do you think TGerhart helped run the 9er offense this week?
Check down! Covered!
WHO’s calling the 49ers plays? Greg Knapp?..as conservative as Reagan.
LOL
Crabtree is the dude!
Señor Fangio’s got some ‘justing to do…..
MC first down. Good throw Alex
Do we miss Paryl Haralson? is Aldon Smith a fit at DE?
You realize Aldon mostly played DE last year right?
Great Hands Crabs!!! Way to go Crab15 way to blog and catch at the same time!
rebel – It’s called multitasking. :-)
Run Forresst Run!!! Give that boy some Dr. Pepper!!!!
Drive Vernon!!!!
Good run smith!
Being critical of the team during the week is normal.
Openly cheering mistakes on game day? That’s a bit weird.
Seriously…
Who’s doing that?
Chris/Jason
MC perfect time for YAC and he dances. damn.
Sure isn’t his arm!! I am not hating, I respect Alex for his grit and toughness but boy he makes me nervous!
He should make you nervous. He’s a system fit and a game manager with no pocket presence and no ability to throw deep with any consistency. He doesn’t even look downfield. He can’t see guys open in the secondary unless they are open by 10 yards.
Vikings are doing a good job of matching up and out numbering Niners at line of scrimmage when SF goes to its substitution groups. They have an adjustment to AS’s “kill” calls, too, and not just playing their original defensive front and coverage.
One td and we r right back in it. Sticking with 24-13…ok, 24-14.
Give Frank the ball. 7 yard run is better than the 3 yard check down. Moss and Manningham are saying,” what kind of crackerjack offense is this??? Activate Jenkins next week. We need more decoys for Smith to throw underneath for 6 yards instead of 4.
please no fg need a td
JStaley come on dude
I think early adversity is a good thing.
I don’t believe it!! Smith threw the ball away!!!
Barely. JS is getting BEAT.
And the excuses begin
And the BLAME ensues. Game isn’t over and you GIVE UP!
Checkdown
THE CHECKDOWN!!! THE CHECKDOWN!!!
For a LOSS.
Bad play calling. We throw on 2nd and 3 with gore running well!
This is the BSchem offense today.
In no way, shape or form is 19 passes to 8 runs a Bo Schembechler offense. The team is pass happy today and they simply don’t have the talent for that.
The D is playing a zone so soft it almost looks like prevent defense.
I have no idea what Harbaugh, Fangio and Roman are thinking today but it doesn’t look like 49er football.
Not the game plan the conservative calls.
Ah… I can see that.
I think it’s going to be an early drinking day Hofer.
Now Akers is blocked? Hope we get to see some adjustments and a surge in the second half!
Ok now its clear we are getting outplayed in all three phases of the game…
It’s obvious , we can’t play from behind
Amen, this style of play is not meant for close games or playing from behind. We are not aggressive enough on offense. Aggressive decision making at QB. Throw the football down the field.
ST a bit disappointing this year. Vikes won 1st Half already, they can hurt us if they score here.
3rd down and 3 we have to throw the ball passed the yard stick. Not a 1 yard pass.
Need better play calls than that Roman.
Walkers gotta run a better route
This staff better make some adjustments and get their crap together at halftime.
Giving up too many 1st downs
Sing is just a lb coach don’t think he is the DC.
pick 7 come on!!
Holy cow!
We are struggling today.
We are being beat in all 3 phases of the game.
need to get some turnovers on defense
Patrick and Bowman are getting outplayed today!
This is how I thought the Packers would attack the Niners in the opener.
We look a little slow.
need to wake up and get going
At least we get the ball to start 3rd quarter.
Can’t even tackle to save 3 points
It’s early. The 49ers need some adversity to grow. I’m not worried. Even if they lose this game, the team has all the pieces in place.
Back in 1994, Philly blew out an SF team and made them look silly. After that game, SF hit a zone and went on to win the superbowl. Losses aren’t always a bad thing.
go trolling somewhere else, why are you here anyways? this is a NINER blog!!
did you see the holding on carlos rodgers? that TE grabbing him by the shirt from behind?
Ok make that 24-17…
Any given sunday.
Our boys are getting punked. Looks like my bad weekend in sports continues. Whew
go for a walk MD, switch it up a little….lol
I will never understand completeing a pass on third and short and STILL not getting the yards to make a first down. What is the point? If it is 3rd and five- why throw to receivers on the 2 or 3????
Can someone explain this to me???
YAC! But it doesn’t work without a speedy receiver like KW.
It doesn’t work without hitting the receiver in stride.
CK the pass to MC before the FG try. He should have kept running.
We have mr safe at QB, he does not understand that the guy he’s throwing to is open because he is short of the 1st down. Don’t rely on the receiver to get YAC. Not when you only need 4 yards. Throw the damn ball downfield.
They need to get VD on a couple of mismatches and the D needs a fumble and INT. NOT OVER.
Our defense is very slow and flat, no pressure on the QB, AS is not very sharp or accuate, wide open Randy Moss, crappy crappy pass, looks like the Rev and Jimmy Raye are back again on the side lines. Let’s see if we can come back and see what we are really made of.
Well that half was embarrassing. Now that its out of our system lets open the 2nd half with a TD, not a FG, a TD. I dont want to have to hide my face for a week
Also Grant, with all due respect, please stay out of the prediction business, you are now 0 -3.
I said they’d beat the Lions.
You said it would be a blowout. That was not a blow out, it was almost a disaster.
They completely dominated the Lions until the very end. You want me to nail the score every week? You’re tough.
9ers lost focus flying east.
No need to fret. Alex will lead them back.
He’ll need to – a couple of TDs and probably a pick.
First road trip last year against the Bengals was going much the same way.
Alex Smith< comeback! Lol
smelling salt for everyone int the Niner locker room. WAKE up!!!! Get your swag back and hit their QB!!!! Where are the blitzes?
Vikes are now in the position to disrupt – can you say PASS RUSH? jStaley needs to tighten up so they have time to make vertical throws.
lead draws!!
49ers need to score on this first possession, then get back to Gore!
KYLE WILLIAMS!
kw!!
Well now, that’s a nice start
Here we go!
I’m looking for the Defense and for Alex to bring us back. There’s no way the Vikes are better then us.
Time the shake off the duldrums.
Yes! K.Williams!!!
Better that us today?
It’s not just the offense.
We’re getting outplayed in all 3 phases of the game.
Need to step up in the 2nd half.
Need to scrap the game plan. Getting beat in all three phases
Those 3 offensive calls were ridiculous.
Run. That was the perfect time for a roll out in the RZ.
Great return Kyle!!
Wow after the kickoff two runs? Now the pass rush!
A freebie to the red zone and Alex FAILS.
thats a good shot in the arm KW
WTF????
If you we’re gonna run that play on 3rd and 3, why not use Kap????
Smith takes some incredibly stupid hits sometimes, just run out of bounds.
The playcalling after that KO run was atrocious!
beyond atrocious
3 pts not good
horrible play calling
C’mon Alex, that was weak. Throw it if nothings there.
Bring in CK for the redzone.
That was lame
Just need 4 more field goals now…
/sigh
Don’t say that. Fans of The Precious will get mad at you.
Roman sucks as a play caller period!!! JH needs to grab a hold of that now!!!
Field goals will not win this game.
Don’t tell the Precious that.
Precious = GR?
CHUPA Band-Aid
Hofer: I agree. We are playing way too conservative. We need to seize opportunities.
Every other play they are rolling Alex Smith out and every other play hes getting knocked. Just keep him in the pocket ffs. Defense needs to dominate this half, live up to that number one defense.
Too many running plays inside the 10 yard line. Why wasn’t Moss on field third and goal??
horrible
Wasted opportunity.
YUP. Gotta pass. Slant would have worked there.
We just need more weapons for the red zone????? We need a competent QB in the red Zone!!!
Two runs + one terrible playcall. Go back to your cave.
3 runs? They weren’t passing so your comment is typical. Do you know anything about football?
Ok D that’s what we needed
Maybe we could score in the reed zone if we would let Alex throw. Gore with a bad missed block on Alex Run. I bet we do win with 4 more field goals
Run Williams Run!!
D finally makes a stop!!
The D played stout there. Wow KW could have picked up easy 10 yds on that punt why the fair catch? Damn.
Great fair catch. No one within 10 yards.
Ok let geta long TD drive now
Well, good return for the kick off and the defense held thme to 3 and out.
Now if only the offense could score a TD we might get the momentum on our side.
Need TDs not fieldgoals!
MC friggin RUN! Dancin again! No wonder no YAC!
It’s the Crabtree show!!
I want to see a bomb!!!
Randy Moss went over the freakin Middle!!!!! Get down !!! Duck!!!!
Gore!!! More Gore!!!
Keeping VD in to help JStaley. I guess there is problems with the OL?!!
rythm!
I see you Game Manager!!! Move those chains.
Vernon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A sense of urgency, we like this!
YUP. Why not game plan like this?
I wish I had the answer to that, it drives me up the wall. You would think a more aggressive offense would provide a early lead, which would help the defense and the running game.
Nice Audible Smith.
Alex to VD good throw and catch
Should have been to you though , Next time!!! Keep Multitasking out there!!!!!
Davis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice play action there
VD!!!
Sweet
Better playcalling makes a difference!!!!!!!!! WWWHHHHEEEWWWW!
C’Mon now D!!!
Almost a false start on that TD! Damn.
Put it in the QBs hands! LOL
Waiting for the haters…
TD!! Here we go Hofer!!
We’re back in business
New game Fella’s
Is that BS somehow attached to my posts?
Ok. That’s Niners ball. Looking better.
+1
+2
+3
I guess it is – last post for this game c ya go niners
I think the NFC west teams have the strongest defensive units as a whole .
This is 49er football.
keep it up.
Now, that was a “precious” drive and score.
Oh, Precious.
CHUPA Band Aid
Momentum has switched!!! they’re awake now, lets get a pick 7
Niners have finally realized that the Vikings were slightly better than a junior college team. Blitz Ponder. I think he is starting to choke
Vikings have given up running Peterson…There in trouble.
Hey band-aid, go cover a scab. There’s plenty on the field.
Holdin on Aldon all day!!
We have got to Blitz
PHarvin killing us out of the backfield
Defense needs a stop right now!!
Thay haven’t all day. But it’s AS fault, right?
C’mon defense this is pathetic.
Man, Ponder and Harvin are killing our defense
Make the tackle not the ball. Wrap up!!!!!!
refs!!!
Goldson, the good & the bad
Nope you can’t hit in football anymore. Refs killin us
How about a sack now?
Knuckle headed plays on defense, just giving the field away.
Unbelievable how bad this defense looks today. We won’t win this game if the defense can’t stop the Vikings.
Very little pass rush. Tackling is not as good as usual.
The Offends is going to have to step up and win this.
Our D is overrated.
Oh here we go FLAG City!!!!!!!!!!
Flag happy refs are killing the game
Goldson with boneheaded penalties. So frustrating.
that was a clean hit.
J smith=beast
f these refs!!! there garbage!!
Worst the 49ers defense has looked in a long long time.
We need to generate more pass rush.
Maybe we try some blitzes on the 4th.
This goalline stand is crucial right now
DW is playing terribly today as well!
DWhit
offensive PI!!!
how do they not see that push off to the face?
So bad Fangio, so so bad.
All out blitz on the goal line. THAT’LL WORK!
Easier to manage a game than to go and attack and win. If Smith really is a top ten QB he will show is in a game like this.
Trolling much?
Alex last drive 6-6 68 yds one td. I like how when the Defense lets them drive down the field you go right to attacking Smith.
Yeah, maybe if his RB hangs on to the ball, he might get that chance.
In other words, again md… a team is more than it’s QB, top ten or otherwise.
Fangio is getting schooled today.
The penalties hurt. But this defense has been terrible all day. Can’t win on the road that way. The defense has been humbled which can be a good thing because right now they look very overrated.
The offense doesn’t look very prolific either. They have scored 13 points.
JH needs to go for it on 4th and 1 once in a while (speaking of the 1st FG)
Well, it’s time to mount a comeback.
We can’t get a pass interference call against teams because we don’t stretch the field and make them cover the entire field. We have to throw the football downfield! The refs are jokes but we don’t force them to make bad calls for us like other teams do. Throw the damn ball downfield and force their defense to make a play!!!
Refs gave them that touchdown. Offensive pass int not called. O well, One Quarter to go. Those field goal choices and not going for it are coming back to bite us. Can’t win em’ all. A turnover might turn the tide.
jinx!!
Kyle Williams looks great.
Way to jinx us grant. Everytime. Guess the other way once in awhile. :-)
play action bomb to RM now!!
I think we have seen the last of Ginn jr.
I don’t think he wants to play anyway.
gore fumbled
Wow not good
WTF Gore.
oh, oh that’s not good
Gore fumbled, f$%&#$@ pisses me off. These guys ALL look like s$%# today.
With you brother!!!!
Quiet at my house right now
It appears we are going to lose this one.
Never ever surrender!!!!! We are stinking it up but we fight and never conceede nothing!!!!!!
Unbelieveable.
We’re getting kicked big time.
Damn Frank!!!
Holy crap – looks like the DID send hookers and strippers to the Niners hotel…this is getting ugly!!!
Frank’s little action is having that cold start effect. Maybe time to hang it up..let LaDamian try …
They need to score quickly now… they should put kaepernick out there and see if they can stretch the field and get back into this game quickly. If kaep is throwing deep and running- this offense can put up a lot of points very quick
The Niners weren’t going to go 16-0. If they lose, which looks likely at this point of time, it may not be a bad thing. The team seemed to play better in an underdog role. This well get them refocused.
hold them to 3 here!
Good call – POSITIVE!
zero is better
We are losing the turnover battle this season. The Defense needs a turnover.
it’s like we are watching the same old Alex
we have the best team in the NFL, could win multiple titles….
but will win 0 with Alex…
no bueno, he’s a great guy though….
How are you putting any of this game all on Alex is beyond me
Double poster?
Yeah, it’s Alex’s fault Gore fumbled. It’s also Alex’s fault the defense can’t seem to stop the Ponder or Harvin as well. The whole team has played badly today. The coaches seemed to be outcoached as well. It’s a teamwide failure if they lose.
Give it a rest, we still have a shot at victory.
3rd King,
+1,000,000
man we look terrible on defense….can’t stop them for squat. where in the world is the offense? why did they not start off running?
Time to get a TD on this next drive! Dial it up Roman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haha they wasted no time on that.
Wow! Those incompletions saved is almost 2 minutes of clock.
Lucky there.
Looks like Freddie P. Soft has some influence on todays game…..is anybody
thinking flat in all phases today?
Yep – everything is a split second slow or half a foot off today.
3rd and long isn’t good.
no deep throws?
Pick up the pace cmon.
We don’t even think about stretching the field??????
fire Roman now!!!
Roman realizes were in teh fourth quarter right? Down 11? What is he doing?
KW didn’t read the audible right
Almost looked like KW expected Smith to run and started blocking.
Grant you have to ask WHY the playcalling…running, running and running?
It’s like they’re making up for not running in the first half.
8 in the box and we don’t audible out of that and throw?
they’re too predictable.
AS isn’t looking downfield
down by 11 rush,rush and incomplete pass
+1000
time to key the TE here. a pick 7 would be nice to. man to man defense
it is clear now- the coaching staff KNOWS Smith can’t throw it deep. Just throw kaepernick out there- we need big chunks of yardage not the dinking stuff
Not sure about bringing in CK, but they need to open things up
I’ve said it for 2 years. They don’t trust him to throw it deep. It’s because he doesn’t trust his own skills to do it. If he’s not throwing to VD, he’s not throwing it at all.
These short passes won’t do any good
CAN’T go vertical as they are all running underneath. If AS rolls out someone needs to release deeper in the zone.
Looks like Jim Hostler is calling the plays today….
Worst playcalling on both sides of the ball. Like worse than the Jimmy Raye/Greg Manusky era.
What the hell is this lameass play calling?
Not enough time left to be screwin around with these up the gut runs.
Need a turnover now
So you don’t throw it to an open Manningham and then you throw it behind to Kyle. The game manager need to be fired!
Which team are you you for?
It’s obvious. When the 9ers are losing or paying poorly he shows up. Not a secret!
True…
Defense gives up a buck and a half on the ground. Care to fire them also, welch?
Txtree,
Same one you’re for. I just have my eyes open and I don’t own Alex Smith blinders.
Bull
You support anyone but the Niners QB. It was a team loss, and yet all you are doing is calling out one player.
Txtree,
How did Alex Smith play? Does he get any of the blame? the bigger question is, “Why didn’t we throw downfield in the 4th quarter or for all season for that matter?” who cares about losing this game. You’re missing the bigger picture. Smith can’t threaten the entire football field. Smith can’t get the football to Moss downfield. Smith is not the answer sir. I know that hurts but it is true.
Yes, the defense gave up 24 points. But this team isn’t capable of scoring 27 points. Smith had chanced to keep the the in the game. The early high pass to Moss when he was wide open running across the middle. What about the touchdown that was overthrown. Take the blinders off. I know you’re a Smith fan but you do know that he’s not very good???
>>But this team isn’t capable of scoring 27 points
Welcher, want to tell the board what the scores were the first 2 games of this season?
And after you do, sit down and STFU before you turn yourself into the biggest ass ever seen on this forum.
How did FG play? Did he have a great game? Did PW and or NB have a outstanding game? Did Whitner drop an int? Why are you not calling out anyone else?
how about Akers for letting his FG get blocked
You are the worst kind of fan, one that takes glee over a loss, because he doesn’t like a player. Did AS lose the game all by himself? No, the NINERS as a team lost.
Jordo, did Eli get any of the blame for their 7 losses last year before winning the SB? AS accepted his poor play today. Move along…
hmm would be nice to get a turnover now that they are backed up in the red zone
Christian Ponder has impressed the hell out of me. I haven’t followed him much since his days at Florida St but damn, he’s a player. He doesn’t have any help at wide receiver whatsoever but the guy just makes plays. They will be a dangerous team if he keeps developing and gets some help at WR.
Is Hunter telegraphing his runs with his eyes? Sure looked like it. Time to go 4 wide! Use the toys!! Time yo play!
No urgency whatosever on the play calls. Down by 11 and 2 straight runs. Bad all around day for the coaches and the team.
Gosh that 4th and 1 in the first quarter sums up Harbaugh lack of killer instinct. He sent the message to his line, his offense, and his team that they can’t pick up 1 yard against the 0-2 Minnesota Vikings. Since that play, the offense has looked defeated.
Min is 1-1 btw
With Soap out, the Niners get gashed
Game over- night folks,drive safely.
Come on Whitner. You kidding me.
NO!
That was my pick 7…..
Oh man Whitner was so close to a pick six
D Whit just dropped a pick six…that’s the theme of the day for the Niners…ugh!
2min offense needs to be started now.
Can’t go vertical if running underneath routes. Need no huddle to get urgency going.
3 yard out on 1st and 10, down by 13 points? Great. The check downs never stop.
Two TO’s they couldn’t come up with – fumble and INT. Bad day all around!
DDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!
can go 2 and 2 after next week with a tough game against the Giants after that. Not looking good
Game Over…..2-1, on to New York and the Jets.
WTF is going on? Someone forgot to tell the Vikings they were supposed to BE DOMINATED by the 49ers, not dominate the 49ers…
Dang it, and I am going to here about this for the next week from my boss, a HUGH Viking fan.
You got that right…..they obviously didn’t get the latest version on the NFL Power Rankings…
I have a buddy who is a Bills fan talking sh*t…I told him when the Bills beat a good team he could talk sh*t…
game over!! we were flat last week tooo
Bad play, bad play-calling and flat out just bad. The Vikings flat-out dominated the Niners today.
He’s challenging to keep the clock from starting. Shrewd!
The only positive thing from today game is AS’s extended his record for not throwing an int.
spoke too soon, did you..
yep too soon …I turned off too early .
He is who I’ve always said he was. Alex Smith is a game manager and a system fit. How can you lose a game by 2 touchdowns and have 150 yards passing??? By not throwing the ball down the field!!! Ck could’ve played better than this today. Alex Smith is mr Safe. Good news is, he still doesn’t have an interception.
Someone said Smith deserved a new contract! That’s the biggest joke I’ve ever heard. We have an average QB and a great scheme. I’ll say it again. Shaun Hill could run this offense! Alex Smith is nothing special. Never has been, never will be. He is who I said he was!! Bwahahahaha
Meanwhile, back at the ranch. The defense played like crap. It was said all preseason long. You can’t expect 38 turnovers this year.
You sound so happy that they lost, dude.
Big P,
You’ll know my happiness when we have a new starting QB. Make no mistake about it. I’m a diehard bit I know we need a WB to win a Super Bowl. I don’t have to tell you my issues with our QB. They have been well documented. I just mention the flaws when they crop their heads.
Our defense didn’t play great. But they gave up 24 points. Look at the scoring around the league in the NFL this year. Teams have scored in their 40′s in game. We don’t push the envelope on offense. It’s because we don’t have a WB to get that done. Remember, we needed weapons. Those weapons are decoys.
I said we likely would lose this game. Not because I’m not a fan. But because I’m a realist. Look back at my comments about this game before this game. Put 8 in the box and dare Alex Smith to beat you deep. Reality, Big P, not hate. Love the Niners, been to over 100 games and 3 Super Bowls. I just don’t like the play of our starting QB. Never have, never will. Much respect.
>>How can you lose a game by 2 touchdowns and have 150 yards passing???
I’ll take by not stopping the other team for 50, Alex.
You can get on your soap box and cheer for anyone but AS. Have to wonder what team you support, Niners or anyone but AS?
Jordan please tell me how Smith cost us this game cus what I saw was Minn dominated from the very begining of the game with that 16 play drive to start and didn’t look back and controlled the clock.
I think I’ve always thought you were a douche bag. Let me write it down for the record.
I agree with the thoughts on the team, but this will get deleted.
>>I’m not going to gloat.
Yeah, a so-called Niners fan *not* going to gloat when they lose.
>>I am just going to go to other sites that have a writer who understand football and has the courage to write their own opinions.
Good riddance. Don’t let the door hit you where it don’t shine.
Wow. Looks like the officials screwed up on that challenge but we’ll take it.
These refs suck.
Why wouldn’t you run OUT OF BOUNDS on that?
Poor decision. Not smart. He’s joining the rest of the club today.
Poor choice in words Hofe. Since when has AS played on a different club?
The defense was off big time today. The offensive play-calling was atrocious. AS was inaccurate on a few passes as well as snap decision making, and the O-line was getting spanked.
That sounds like a TEAM loss to me. No need to protect anyone here.
why didn’t Smith get out of bounds on that. That was a really stupid play
Oh no. there goes Smith’s streak. that was an extremely poor pass
Well, THAT couldn’t have come at a worse time…
Bad day to be a Niners fan.
Yeah…bad throw by Alex…piss poor throw
Terrible throw.
Game over fellas
A bracing dose of reality: beat in every phase of the game. Outhit on both sides of the ball. Outcoached. Defeated mentally and physically
The Vikes just made the blueprint for how to beat the Niners…
Worst game in years.
It’s that proximity to Sing. Does it every time.
lol…no kidding…we must be Dracula flinching from Sing’s 12 inch cross…
Boy you have a short memory. There were 10 games worse than this in Singletary’s last year. TWO YEARS AGO
Well actually the Baltimore game last year was pretty bad but this thing was a colossal failure from top to bottom.
Poor coaching / game plan. They decided this game was the game we’re going to roll Alex Smith. Seriously? We didn’t play Niners football on offense until the second half – which really only worked for maybe two series.
Defense couldn’t get off the field. This is the first time in a long time the D could NOT shut the other team down.
Other than Kyle Williams on two nice returns and a kick pinned deep, special teams wasn’t all that hot either.
My score was flopped but I pretty much called it in the other post: If we can’t stop AP (which we did occasionally) and our secondary is still a bit suspect, we’d lose.
I didn’t anticipate stupid play calling and inept referees. Actually if we’d pulled that off, the Vikings would have had cause for a major beef with the league on that fourth time-out. These refs (Jebus bless ‘em) are terrible.
Oh and on Harbaugh, he needs to quit with the lunatic bit. He’s reportedly “zany” and so far it’s cute or considered a novelty but the tirades and the weird behavior are getting old.
Adam, well balanced read. Their game was off across the board!
So Adam, which is it – worst game in years or worst game since the Ravens game last year? You seem unbalanced today. You’re usually not this sporadic in your comments. Alex’s poor play affected your brain I think.
You mean the team’s poor play?
Houston, why not read GC’s synopsis, he’s never been a homer for the 9ers. No one had a good game.
And finally, the pick. It was inevitable.
Some day, when we have a real quarterback. Like Christian Ponder?
Go support some other team, it was a team loss, not just the QB.
If we had a QB, we might have had a chance to come back. Where was the Alex from the NO game? Oh wait, he can’t do that consistently.
dont say “we” like you are a niner fan you piece of trash
You are not a fan..anyone with half a brain cold see it was a team loss.
That was butt ugly – hate to say it but we deserve this loss. 2 turnovers!
Vikings are a good team. 9ers slept walked through this one on offense and defense and it looks like the offensive game plan was poor. Early season wake up call. We’ll still get better and still be a great team this year.
Good analysis.
Good analysis. NYG didn’t play well until last 4 games last year. Wow how fans bail on the team!
They lost focus last week with OWilson and VVaughn coming into the post game speech.
What will it take for Alex Smith to be pulled??? After 8 years we now know what alex smith is good at. He protects the ball, manages the pre-snap efficiently and can throw any ball you need within ten yards of scrimage.
What he cannot do is throw a deep ball accurately or consistently. I used to think he just had poor vision for what was open deep- but now i am getting the sense he doesnt look out there because he just cannot make the throws with accuracy so he intelligently refuses to do it.
So if that is the case- let’s be open. When the niners are down late and they need to score multiple times- put kaepernick out there!!! Kaepernick can throw it deep- and he can open up the whole offense with his legs.
I am assuming the only reason the niners wont do this is they dont want the media harping on the decision and beating smith up. So media if you will please- just call alex smith a GREAT qb- and talk about how revolutionary it would be utilizing TWO great talents in smith and kaepernick- if the media plays nice with smith maybe this coaching staff will stop being scared and play the best player for every situation.
They weren’t running vertical routes. But nice try! Whole team including coaches lost this in the 1st half and didn’t adjust well in the 2nd half.
Hofer,
The receivers can’t run vertical touted unless they are being used as decoys. Smith can’t complete those routes unless he gets VD in single coverage. AlexSmith fears throwing footballs anywhere near a safety. You know it, I know, Alex Smith knows it.
Jordo, your right!
The only way Alex gets pulled is if he dies. I’m convinced he has pictures of Jed in a gay bath house. How else would he even be on the team?
Boy, we’ve got to be kidding.
Big time!
Smith’s record with Harbaugh is 16-5 (counting today) and during this time he beat Eli Manning, Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford (2x) and Aaron Rogers.
And this year he just is playing even better then last year, converting 3rd downs and sustaining drives.
Why on earth would Harbaugh pull him after one bad game when the team as a whole did not play well?
Seriously!!!!
Alex smith has been converting 3rd downs this year????
What games are you watching? we are talking about the 2012 SF 49ers right??
Like it or not Smith is the best chance for success. He is poor at the deep passes but the 9ers strength is the run game. The game plan called for Smith to pass alot early which I question. Smith is not a great passing QB so the game plan didn’t play to the strength of the offense.
CK doesnt have to take over permanently- Smith is probably the better choice if the niners have the lead- but when the team is down and has been flat all day- why not put CK in???
Quite honestly I think there are 2 reasons:
1. Jim Harbaugh sees alot of himself in Alex Smith. Harbaugh was never the most talented guy in the room but he competed and had moderate success because of his toughness. He treats Alex like he would have wanted to be treated and I don’t think you can blame Harbaugh for that.
2. They don’t want to injure Alex’s delicate ego. I know everyone says Alex is tough because he’s been through so much. I honestly don’t think that’s the case. Alex does not come across to me as a supremely confident guy. Any perceived slight could impact his game in the long run as if he’s always looking over his shoulder.
Houston, Big Suede,
It’s all about this offensive Scheme. You are right Houston. There have been a number of players and coaches associated with the Niners that have said that Smith lacks confidence in his abilities at times. Sing, Raye, Rice, Hanks, Nolan, Bubba Paris. Call them haters if you want but they do know the guy and know how he plays.
Remember why Sing traded Shaun Hill? Because he wanted Alex Smith to know he was the unquestioned starter. JH did the same thing. He boosts smiths confidence on the regular. People think I hate the guy. I just know that after 8 years, he does not have what we need to compete for a Super Bowl. Sometimes our defense is gonna play like this. 24 points??? Our offense has to pick them up like the defense does for the offense.
Jordo, excellent read!
Big Suede,
I’ve said the same thing for years. Game managers come a dime a dozen. We can’t afford to get behind by more than 7 with Smith at QB. The man simply has no confidence in his ability to throw accurately downfield. We were down 2 touchdowns and we’re still throwing 4 yard outs.
We got all these alleged toys and we don’t even attempt to stretch the field. I said this was going to be a problem when we squired these guys. I said,” who is going to throw them the football?” Alex Smith can’t.
It makes no sense that we have such a weapon in CK and can’t get him on the field.
Jordo, right on! I just don’t know why they don’t listen to you – couldn’t agree more!
Well, there are some days when nothing goes well.
That’s one of them.
If you think that on that blocked field goal that turned into a 52yd FG for the Vikings, you could see that things were not going our way today.
He is who I thought he was. Smiths attempt to throw a 20 yard in, Interception. I’ve said it before. He is who I said he was. Game manager, system fit!! Can’t throw successfully up the middle of the field.
I got an idea. Let Smith start the games. When we get behind by more that 10, bring Kap in the game. Game managers don’t lead comebacks of more than 3 point deficits!
Well, that game manager did that 5 times last year.
First loss of the season and the haters come out in droves, we played awful in all phases of the game but lets put it all on Alex like always. Didn;t see you guys post when we were winning whats up?
This is how it always is here. You know that. One bad game and it’s the Titanic all over again. All the Nancypants wringing their hands and crying for Alex Smith’s head.
Never ends.
Yes, NYG lost 9 games and won the SB. It’s the end of the world…….!!!!
*Make that 7 games*
@ Adam,
Hypocrite much. You criticize people for calling out poor play and in this very same string of comments you say “worst game in years”. You completely forgot how bad the 9ers were before last year. Your criticism of others for doing exactly what you did is quite bizarre.
Man, you’re delusional. Period.
May have been the worst let down in years. But it was a team failure, wasn’t an “Alex Smith” failure like the two or three (that only seem to show up here when we lose) would like to have you believe – as usual.
He didn’t play great, he only had a 70% comp rate and 81 QBR today and the play calling was horrendous – whether by design or by audible. So, what’s the point?
Defense couldn’t get off the damned field. Where’s that criticism form the “fair and balanced” clowns? Oh yeah, right, doesn’t exist.
Wow Adam, Seems like your more upset that Alex played poorly and is receiving appropriate criticism than you are for the team losing. Are you a fan of One Niner or the team?
Niners aren’t as good as we thought. Its still early in the season. Let’s hope this game serves as motivation
Outcoached, out played, especially in the Qb and defense. If the defense plays like crap, we have no chance to win.
I agree Neal,
JH, Roman, and Fangio got schooled today. They took the Vikings too lightly.
These early time slot (10am) road games are tough. The team came out flat and fell behind early in a tough enrivronment. Let’s hope this is a wake up call.
Ugly loss, but I think it is the way they lost that stung. The Niners got slapped today, it was a fairly decisive loss. They just looked flat, from Harbaugh on down. I don’t think they took the Vikings very serious, it certainly seemed that way during the game. And now Patrick Willis just limped off the field……….and Smith just has his second turnover in as many possessions. Ughh.
Yup. Poor throw earlier but fumble on good play by JAllen.
Yeah, good play by Allen but a snapshot of their day as a whole.
Ouch!
Wake up call
Well, at least the 49ers got this game out of the way early in the season. Should knock out any complacency they may have been feeling. Just a poor effort on both sides of the ball today.
Yea good to get this out of the way early. We definitely need homefield advantage it looks like though so we’re going to need some wins.
I felt bad about this game all week. They weren’t going to go 16 – 0. No big deal! Next week regain the friggin FOCUS!
Exactly, but it was just such a ugly loss. They got outmuscled today and they just looked flat. I think it’s an aberration to a certain extent, but it’s still unsettling.
Yeah, they need to take it as a learning lesson. Let’s see if they are good by responding big next week against NYJ.
They absolutely looked flat. Terrible game. Agreed, let’s hope they learn something from this.
Also we shouldn’t take anything away from the Vikes. Ponder was on fire today and we had a much harder time than usual stopping the run.
The Vikes actually looked like the Niners in this game. Nice balance, dominate the time of possession, etc. Nice game for them
We were just out-played on all levels pretty much.
Outplayed and out coached. It will be a sad week. Niners offense was given all the chances in the world to bring it back and couldn’t do a thing.
They got back into the game in the 3rd and the D let Minn pull away again with the help of refs on that DG legal hit that they called.
Fumble by FG and two TOs that they couldn’t come up with told you it wasn’t their day. Time to flush this game.
Love being a ninner fan!!!! Losing stinks but we are competative, we have a ways to go and gota be positive
Alex Smith played like the Alex Smith of old, but this loss isn’t just on him. The TEAM as a whole played terrible. Defense made Ponder look all-pro, the Special Teams looked sloppy in the first half. Theplay-calling was atrocious…this is an overall TEAM failure, coaching staff included, not a failure on Alex Smith and ONLY Alex Smith…
One game will need them to re-evaluate underneath routes.
The Niners got beat at their own game. They need to suck it up and move on. On to the next…
Hofer,
Evaluate the arm strength and accuracy of the starting QB. Bwahahahaha!
Jordo, I can’t and won’t disagree. You’re always right!
Jordo,
Alex Smith SHOULD shoulder some of the blame, but its not all on him…the TEAM failed, not just Alex Smith
Mike Singletary is giggling hysterically in the locker room going “hahahahahahah, I GOT winners and don’t have to look at the film”
Freddie P. Soft is thinking to himself “job well done”
and Jim Harbaugh is thinking “WTF??”
I’m thinking it’s time to drown my sorrows – don’t care if it’s only 1pm!!!!
Like the team, fans need to flush this one. Not a big deal. FOCUS time!
I’ll focus tomorrow…I’m allowed at least 24 hours to be pissy after that one, lol!
Bump in the road to the SB. Character builder!
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere 9ergirl…I think I’ll drink a few too
This Lions Titans game is crazy.
Freakin Shaun Hill…that pass was perfect
Not really it was a ricochet catch. Calm down.
I’m just emotional right now, damn it! lol
Haha. Perfect.
Whew…
That was a healthy reality check. Sopoaga and Willis limping off is the biggest concern. The anti Smith crowd should be pleased. That was a bad day in all 3 areas.
Barrows tweeted that Willis wasn’t limping later so one bit of good news.
Clem, great news to hear! Thx for posting some positive news!
That is good news. Thanks, msclemons67.
Hate to go from bad to worse, but Shaun Freakin Hill just threw a bomb to Titus Young to tie the game for the Lions….the Hail Mary just got answered…
Maybe he should be the Lions starter?
Or maybe the Niners should have never traded him?
He should be our starter!!! Lol. I told you Shaun Hill could run this offense. Lol.
Jordo, your right…you always right! 9ers win the SB! LOL
He couldn’t do any worse…but its only one game and the TEAM was bad in all three phases, plus our coaching staff was outcoached…its a wake up call…
Already started, just surrounded by damn cowboy fans.
I knew Smith was out of it mentally early in the game when he took that sack instead of tossing the ball out of bounds. Smith is supposed to be this super-smart QB but staying in bounds late in the game instead of getting out of bounds was about as stupid a play as I’ve seen a QB make. You can criticize Smith for the poor throw to Moss which should have been an easy TD and the poorly thrown interception but in today’s game he did not play smart. He had more mental errors than I’ve seen him have in quite some time. It looked like the team in total played lackluster with no aggression and made stupid plays all day. Good news is this was the 3rd game of the year. You can bet Harbaugh will use this game to fan the flames and hold people accountable for their poor play.
Yep team loss. Need to rebound next week!
Smith is who we know he is Houston. He’s just not a very good QB. Harbaugh knew what he was doing by going after Manning. Balke knew what he was doing by offering smith the deal he did. Kap could’ve ran this offense, like 20 other QB’s in the NFL. Smith does not have it. Don’t allow what your eyes continue to see from him fool you into thinking he’s a quality NFL QB. After 8 years, people think he just needs work. How many attempts at throws of over 15 yards this season? Game manager 2.0.
Jordo, you’re right! Always right! Time to buy our SB tickets. WWWHHHEEEW! LOL
Could Kap have made some plays on D today Jordan? Maybe he could’ve blocked for Akers on the field goal? Enjoy the loss.
Sean,
24 points isn’t an automatic loss in football. The defense wasn’t like we expect but with all the new TOYS we have, we need a QB to get the ball to them. I said it 5 months ago. We need a QB to get the ball to them.
Sean, I have to agree with Jordo here. He’s calling it straight!
Jordan, the loss is on the team, not one guy. The entire team looked off today. You think Kap or Josh Johnson or Troy Smith or Nate Davis or whoever could’ve change the entire outcome on offense, defense and special teams?
Sean, don’t disagree. Jordo has never been wrong here!
Sorry, Hof. I keep forgetting that the root of all evil and losses begins and ends with Alex Smith.
23J, I’ve got to disagree with you. As a team the 9ers are too good to have to endure the growing pains of a first year starter like would happen with CK. My opinion of Smith is well known but he’s still a better option than CK. This is a Super Bowl winning team in every phase except the passing attack and every position group except the QB. Enduring poor play and mistakes from a 2nd year player/1st year QB starter would be a huge mistake on the coaching staff.
Damn. Guess I got censored. Forgot to use the code words “delta bravo.”
23jordan
What team are you supporting? Cause it cannot be the Niners, if you only put this on thee offense.
Tree, he’s correct! He’s always right!
Hey Jordo,
Keep being you. Your incorrectness helped us last year so keep posting the snark and the 9ers win the SB! Good times.
Gofer,
Don’t worry, I got you covered all year. How’d your hero look today? Quite average. He is who I said he was! You, my friend are a Smither in denial. Don’t worry, this board is full of them. He needs 10 #1 picks on offense to be halfway efficient. He’s a game manager and a system fit who is afraid to throw the football downfield. You see how badly that pick was thrown? Now that’s the Alex Smith I know and didn’t want to see back here this year. Sorry Hofer, your boy is an average Joe!
Jordo, couldn’t agree more! You’re the ultimate Freddie P Soft!!!! We need you! Keep it coming…
Thank you for the compliment, but your boy Alex Smith is Freddie P Soft. Did you see that passing display today? Man can’t throw a 15 yard pass between the numbers just like I said last night.
Exactly. I agree! Good call.
Can we freakin throw the ball down field to Moss or Manningham, just one time.
They only use them deep to open the underneath.
Neal,
I’ve been telling you since before the start if the season. We have toys but nobody to throw the ball to them. It fell on deaf ears. Let Kap play NOW!
I jumped on the AS bandwagon too soon, he is not as bad as I thought he was and not as good as I thought he was.
How did I know that! Neal take your sorry a$$ and jump off, an take your clown hater fans with you! Typical coming from you after one game. I called it! Let’s see who else starts bailing!
Primate, your football knowledge is next to nothing, you remind me of the high school bully that has no friends, and is a insecure loser in life, oh that is right you live in Mommy’s primate basement, your nothing but a instigator on here, that has multiple profiles on this blog because that is what you do. How many profiles do you have Primate, 4 or 5. (( L O S E R ))
Keep talking 23welcher/fitzperv, it’s comical!
Genius.
Slime Perv, or is it Latino Heat, One Lame, WHO ARE YOU WHO WHO.WHO, am I missing missing Profile perv.
Guys, come on. Jordo is correct on this thread as well. He’s calling it his way!
Smither Slime so upset with me, he must have no life if he takes opinions so seriously on this blog.
Neal,
Prime Crabtree one Niner Latino Michael time has 4 screen names. prime time is his favorite. He is a class AAA multiple poster and an Alex smith apologist. He’s no bully, he’s soft as booting like a baby. He’s hurting because his lover stunk up the joint today. Alex Smith can’t throw between 14-20 yards I’ve been saying it since last season. Go look at the archives. He is who I said he was! Average Alex. System misfit, game manager 2.0. Why do you think nobody pursued him in free agency? There’s no mystery about Alex Smith. Just a lot of Alexcuses and man crush.
Don’t worry ladies, life will get better, just keep staying positive and things will turnaround. But if you need this blog to escape til things change, it’s okay, we all understand. Keep believing!
Jordan,
The Smithers are actually the same person, damn Prime should go for a Oscar, with all of those profiles.
bad team effort lets hope we take a lesson from this
Not all bad this weekend…our SF Giants clinched the division!
Yes indeed! Sweet!
My opinion…….. This wasnt a trap game, coach knew his offense was a run horse. He decided to try a pass 1st approach against a team he thought he should win against. It just didnt happen. I watched 95% of the gamme and didnt see smith throw it in the air more than 20 yards until manninghams pass late in the 4th.. Alex Smith is still a managed Leader. He had opprotunities to air it out, he decided not to. Our D was outplayed prolly cause we havnt een tested y a diffrent kind of O that wasnt pass heavy. Like i said this is my opinion of the matter. weather ppl like it or not smith still has to e managed until its not known what we are doin on offense then he is dangerous. coach took a gamle he lost. its only week 3. so now since that L is out of the way, lets move on
I agree…on to the Jets
It could be worse…we could be 0-3 like the Saints…
It’s not just the 49ers having an off day; the whole league is nuts today.
Matt Cassel leads an 18 point comeback? Seriously?
Philbin calls a timeout to ice the kicker and then the Dolphins block the kick. Jets get a second try and win.
The Titans score 44 points. WTF?
Blaine Gabbert leads a 4th quarter comeback. Gabbert?!?
Matt Stafford got injured – wait, that’s normal.
We discussed some teams following the winning scheme of the 9ers and BMusgrave followed JH’s blueprint. Good move.
Clemons, it’s what makes the NFL so great. You just never know. Nice to see that clown Schwartz give the game to the Titans at the end.
Every team has a bad day during every season…….well almost every team and I hope today was our day……
Ugly loss, but it was ugly all around. Nobody played well, and the coaches didn’t coach well. Trying to pin the loss on Smith or anybody else is ridiculous, this whole team was flat. When was the last time the Niners had a kick blocked, threw and INT, had two fumbles and allowed the opposing QB to throw for two TD’s and run for another in ONE GAME? It is what it is.
Agreed BigP – the whole team looked bad today. This wasn’t a one guy loss. Defense stunk, offense stunk, play calling stunk.
Time to flush this turd of a game and start looking at the Jets.
BigP, well said. The key is how they respond next week!
Absolutely 0 surprises from the Vikings offense today. They attacked the 49er D just like they had the opposition the first 2 weeks.
The 49er offense was off balance today. Too many passes early, then the blocked FG. Add to that a missed TD opportunity to Moss due to an inaccurate throw and it was an uphill battle all day.
At the end of week 3 the team finds itself in the same position as last season. Next week will tell us if we need to worry.
A good loss. Maybe a great one. We are not the type of team like we were in the 80′s and 90′s when we can come out with half a head of steam against a mediocre team, strap ourselves to Joe or Steve’s back and win the game with some second half paazzaazz. We win when we stick to the formula. Limit our turnovers, create turnovers, field possession, special teams, come prepared and focused, don’t fall behind and above all else,,don’t expect Alex to pull out a magic wand and perform any miracles. Thats not his game.
The NYG lost 7 games last year with an elite QB. There is no need to panic. These were losing scores from SB champ NYGs:
28 – 14 loss to skins
36 – 25 loss to seahawks
27 – 20 loss to 9ers
17 – 10 loss to eagles
49 – 24 loss to saints
38 – 35 loss to pack
23 – 10 loss to skins
The question is how they rebound from this loss today.