Greg Roman’s Thursday press conference transcript, courtesy of the 49ers.
Opening Statement:
“Good afternoon. Didn’t take our players long watching the film of cleaning up the Detroit game, moving on to Minnesota and seeing that these guys are a very, very good defense. They’re well coached. They’ve got a diverse scheme. They’ve got [Vikings DE] Jared Allen, who some regard as the best pass rusher in the National Football League and if you look at the film and the stats, I think they make a pretty good case. Multi-time defensive tackle in the Pro Bowl, [Vikings DT] Kevin Williams. Secondary is led by one of the toughest corners in the National Football League, [Vikings CB] Antoine Winfield. And [Vikings LB Chad] Greenway and the linebacking crew are extremely good blitzers and sideline to sideline, hitting the gaps. So, we’ve got our hands full getting ready for them. Any questions?”
You mentioned Jared Allen. What kind of game did T Joe Staley have going from Week 1 to Week 2?
“Joe played a really good game, really good game. We just look forward to that kind of improvement, really from all of our players as the season goes on. I think Joe experienced that last year throughout the season, just got better as it went. We certainly expect that out of all our players.”
That was obviously an emotional game, especially it seems for your offensive line. Is that a worry for you, coming off a game like that when you’re facing another talented team like the Vikings?
“What do you mean?”
There was a lot of emotion in that Lions game, especially from your offensive linemen. Do you worry about a drop-off in emotion, in energy after a game like that?
“I see. I think we’re always trying to keep our edge and I think if you let it slip for a second, then you need to get a grip. I think our guys, having watched the film of this team we’re about to play, understand immediately that it’s going to take their best effort. That’s week-in and week-out. These guys, especially when they’re in that dome, it definitely plays to their strengths. We’re having a good week of practice and I think our players are dialed in.”
Yesterday QB Alex Smith talked about how taking a sack isn’t always the end of the world. How do you –what’s the line you draw for a quarterback to just get rid of the ball and avoid the sack or stay on your feet and try to make something happen?
“That’s a good question and I think a lot of people probably have different opinions on it. I think one thing you’ve got to consider is, what’s your ultimate goal? If your ultimate goal is too keep your stats low, in sacks, then he needs to get rid of the ball. Our ultimate goal is to win games and you don’t lose games getting sacks. You’re generally going to have a hard time, statistics show and just real life experience show, of ending that drive in points. But you don’t lose games because you get sacked, generally. You lose games by turning the ball over and not scoring enough points. I think each play is a lifetime unto itself and I think you’ve got to evaluate each play within the context of that play. There’s sometimes where you quantify a sack as a smart sack for a quarterback, at least I would, we would. And sometimes he needs to get rid of the ball. It’s case-by-case, point-by-point.”
And that’s part of the quarterback decision making process on every snap?
“I think as it’s happening, yes. No question. There’s times when a quarterback might hold the ball too long, simply just doesn’t read the play correctly and he holds the ball and the protection was pretty darn good and we get a sack. That’s not what we’re looking for. But if somebody’s loose in protection, it really wasn’t that clean of a read, well, I can’t get the ball out because I have somebody here. He might knock it if I raise the ball to get rid of it, the ball might get knocked out of my hand and might become a potential fumble. Which would you rather have? It’s case-by-case.”
At this point in the year, how closely are you monitoring the teams in your division and how aware are you of them?
“From our perspective, we’re really not monitoring them at all. It’s Week 3 of the season. I think everybody, all of us coaches at least, we’re all fans of the game too. We’re going to follow how other teams are doing, but certainly not going to emotionally invest in it at all. We’ve got our hands full taking care of our own jobs.”
This might be a silly question but I’ll try it. Do you guys teach your quarterbacks how to take a sack? When they know it’s coming, no matter blind side shot.
“I think that gets covered, in terms of how to handle the ball and how to protect yourself as best you can. Now a lot of that is in the heat of the battle, guys are going to react naturally. Sometimes things are happening so fast, you can’t. I’ve been around people that have tried to do that. We really emphasize ball security at every position, and that includes the quarterback.”
There was the play in that Packers game where a blitz was coming off the open side. How did Alex hold on to that ball?
“I can tell you from my vantage point as that play was happening, about two seconds before contact was made I said this is a sack-fumble. He just did a great job of getting two hands on the ball as I remember. We were pretty fortunate there. It was a great job by Alex, again, just being very strong with the ball in the pocket.”
It just seems like Alex Smith is more crisp and efficient this year. Does it look the same way to you too just up in the box?
“Yeah, there’s no question. We fully expect him to be, and always have, just to continue his progress of running our offense. He’s just gotten better incrementally in everything we ask him to do. That’s what we expect from all our players, is just constant improvement. The more you do something, the better you should get at it. That’s not how it always plays out. And that’s what makes special players special is that they’re continuing to get better as they go.”
How unique is QB Colin Kaepernick’s running ability? We obviously saw that play against Green Bay, but you look around the league at quarterbacks. How different is he?
“I think it’s pretty unique because, I know you guys see it too, when he runs he’s covering some ground now. I mean, he’s not taking little typewriter steps. He is covering some ground, those stride lengths. When he builds that speed up, he gets rolling. I’d say it’s unique. Can you remember another quarterback that had the running style he had? I can’t off the top of my head. He can build up some pretty good speed and you saw it in the preseason game against the Vikes, where he outran the DB for the touchdown. Colin’s a unique athlete, got a lot of positives.”
What about former QB Randall Cunningham? Similar to him?
“I’m trying to picture Randall running. Randall might have been a little smoother, no offense Kap, but he might have been a little smoother running. He didn’t cover the ground that Kap did. But maybe a little bit more fluid.”
That might be a decent comparison just in height, size.
“Yeah, yeah.”
You guys are increasingly recognized for all your personnel packages that you tried out there. Was there a time in your career or some sort of influence you had when you realized how do different personnel packages to keep the defense off balance?
“I think we really started that at Stanford, where it really got multiple. When you’re coaching in college, you have more players at your disposal on game day. So, if guys earn the right to play and have a role during the game, you can get them out there. It definitely creates a lot more for the defense to prepare for, not only in what you might do out of that personnel group, but the individual skill set of each guy. We really took that to probably a new level there. But I’d say it comes from [head coach] Jim’s [Harbaugh] idea or just his mindset that if a guy can do something really well and he works hard at it day-in and day-out, he’s going to get an opportunity to do it on game day. It’s a self-perpetuating philosophy.”
What makes WR Kyle Williams a good fit for you guys in the slot?
“Kyle’s a really shifty receiver, has got great quickness, change of direction, really good short area player, has got good hands. I think Kyle continues to improve as a route runner. He’s got the quickness you look for inside. He can get separation from a defender in tight quarters. I’d say that pretty much sums it up. A lot of times in the slot you’re going to end up running routes on a defender and it’s either the first read or you’ve got to get open in a short area. He excels in that area.”
Is that the role you envision him maintaining throughout?
“Yeah, I think as he continues to improve. There’s a lot of competition at the receiver position. The receivers, I think, are playing pretty darn well and we look forward to diversify what we’re doing with them and expand on everybody’s role, practice as well.”
Going back to Stanford, what were your initial impressions of Vikings RB Toby Gerhart and what have you seen from an evolution in terms of his game?
“Toby was a very unique back. I thought he had really good patience and vision and then he could convert it to power pretty quickly. I thought he had a good understanding of the game and played that way with his decision making. Always happy to see somebody you coach go on to the NFL and do well. It’s obvious that that’s what’s happened with him. I certainly wish him all the best.”
As far as the multiple packages, is that harder to do in an opposing stadium, just in terms of noise and getting everybody knowing which play you called and in and out of the game, is that more difficult?
“I’d say, not necessarily but everything becomes more –the environment stresses everything. So, you’ve got to really prepare for that in practice. So, it’s not specifically your personnel packages. [running backs coach] Tom Rathman handles our sideline substitutions for the most part and does an extremely good job, so we’re very fortunate there. I think it stresses all communication, what personnel is in, what play you’re calling, what’s the snap count. It requires a higher level of focus.”
Did you have someone at Stanford similar to TE Delanie Walker in terms of versatility?
“Not off the top of my head, no. Delanie’s a really good player, had a great game the other night for the most part. Did a great job handling multiple roles and I was really proud of how he played. When [TE] Vernon [Davis] had to step out of the game, he just stepped into the Y tight end position, did a very good job. Delanie is a guy we count on.”
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I don’t understand questioning GR on CK’s running style. QBs win from the pocket. When athletic QBs realize that just the threat of a run is all they need to keep defenses off balance, they can then focus on being winning QBs from the pocket. If CK wants to start some day, then forget the run and focus on being a more consistent passer. I hope he does.
Aren’t you the one (and I agreed) that was wanting Smith to run more often last season? CK is 100% focused on becoming a better pocket passer, but his running ability is elite and it will most likely always be a part of his game. He showed noticable progress during the preseason and earned the #2 job, you can’t ask for anything more.
BigP, I believe in just enough running to keep the defense honest as they say. My point is why ask GR a question about CKs running ability? He’s not a running back and the last time I looked, running QBs either cause turnovers or get hurt. A planned run maybe 2-3 times a game is fine. But that is a very small number proportionate to passing plays that a QB makes so why focus on CK’s running and this question? Maybe trying to coax GR into answering a scheme play or the hearing the possibility of CK playing the option?
“A planned run maybe 2-3 times a game”
That is why they are asking about CK’s running ability. It helped get points in GB, and is part of the reason you could use him sporadically this year. He would allow the offense to run Wildcat types of concepts, but also have the throwing option which is usually not a concern of the D when you have a RB back there. It’s All Right Now!
Jack, I respectfully disagree. AS did fine other than getting hit in the nose on his run against the Lions. Did you already forget his 25 yd scamper against N.O. in the playoffs last year? If they utilize the run 3 plays a game, AS can handle that work load. I just don’t think it is worth getting a ascending QB hurt. Remember the pass from CK to JMorg last year during the regular season when the team was coasting to a victory? I think we could have used JMorg in the Championship game.
The 9ers are loaded with talent. If they need to bring a backup QB off the bench for a running play then they are using their creativity wisely. The run against GB yielded 3 points and wasn’t the determining factor. If they use CK 2 more times this year in a similar running situation I guess it won’t be the end of the world unless he gets injured. Not a good thing.
If the coaches think he will help the team, I’m good with it. They want to develop him and getting some game action is the best way to do it. I don’t see anything negative about that at all. He is an explosive talent. The fact that they utilize him occasionally with the read option is why the writers ask them about him.
Hofer,
I think it was simply to find out more about another club in the bag. Kap offers RB like qualities at the QB position and it worked out pretty well in GB.
The questioning can get tedious and repetitive when you talk to the same Coach every week so it was probably and attempt to steer the subject matter somewhere else for a few minutes more than anything.
Develop or showcase?
Hofer,
And I respectfully disagree with your take. I see a place in the offense to do this type of thing from time to time as a change of pace. That doesn’t mean that Smith can’t run, he has wheels, and they ran the read stuff with him last year. We’ll see how it plays out.
And those 3 points at the end of the half against GB completely changed the complexion of that game. Instead of going in up by 6, they go in by 9. Now they know they can play a little more loose on D in that one score does not put them behind. There is no way that you should diminish the value of that score. It’s All Right Now!
Big P nice call. If Hof reads something that he perceives to be a threat to Alex, he’ll take an indirect shot at it just to add his negative spin on it.
We all know CK is a more explosive athlete in all facets than Smith. The future of the 49ers looks very bright with him. But he does need to become a better pocket passer. Once he does he will have the makings of a top elite QB.
No reason to mention this now as it seems that Alex is turning a corner. Last game had the receivers not dropped so many passes, he would and could have had a 300 yard game. My lone complaint of Smith at this moment is that he still ignores the wide receiver deep route. Prior to Moss joining the team, we had no WR that commanded double teams. Now with Moss we do. The effect has been that everything underneath is open now.
Moss is going to become disgruntled if Smith continues to ignore him. That can potentially be dangerous to the entire flow of the offense. I guess Smith can continue to have that hole in his game as long as he does everything else as well as he’s been doing it.
Bay, not at all. I wanted to throw a “Bay tidbit piece” out there to see who would bite. Too easy! Kinda like your weekly posts. :)
Oh look, it’s a comment from bay in which he discusses an alleged “hole” in Alex Smith’s game.
That’s something different.
Oops, forgot to change my name back. Sorry.
Bay,
Smith has gone deep in the past, it’s not like that element is just ignored. One of the Niners best plays last year were those wheel routes to Davis and Crabtree that were big gainers.
It’s a matter of playing within the system and going with the percentages. Throwing the ball deep has a much lower percentage of being completed than throwing it underneath so it’s a matter of going with the best option for success. They’ll throw to Moss at some point but I wouldn’t worry about the disgruntled Moss showing up. Nobody likes their role to be diminished but Moss knows this is his last shot. Everything he’s done so far has been with a team first attitude. I don’t see that changing, but if it does, he’ll be on the first plane out of town. They aren’t going to allow the locker room to be poisoned by players worried about their own stats.
I don’t know Claude, Sherlock Balls has a nice ring to it. I think you should bring it out once in awhile to answer deep thought questions the Claude persona might have.
I agree with Rocket. Sherlock works much better : )
claude
I was hoping Chris/Jason had figured out to get the same avatar picture as you. Would have made it a lot more fun man.
Oh well.
The throw to Moss in the end zone that was ruled pass interference on Detroit was a nice ball that showed growth in Smith’s game. He had to put it up high to get it over the inside defender and fit it into a tight window. This was one of the types of plays everyone, myself included, had been wondering if Smith would pull the trigger on with Moss now in the line up. It’s All Right Now!
Bay you should just have template comment labelled “Alex”. That way you can just cut and paste the same boring comment every time.
Rocket,
Good points. Do you think Bay adds the deep vertical pass negative to each of his comments because he doesn’t think AS does that very well and only the “more explosive athlete” on the team can handle that pass?!!
BTW, RMoss conducted an interview with MBach this last week and he said he was very happy to be on the 9ers and he knows what his role is on the team. He didn’t seem to sound disgruntled. He sounded more like a mature team player.
Hof,
Bay has given Alex some credit before. I think Bay, and I’m just guessing from things he’s said in the past, just gets tired of the onesided positive views of some about Alex. If we are all being completely honest, the true range of Alex Smith views probably reside near the middle between the so called Smithers and Haters. He’s improved immensely, but he’s still not a guy you can associate with greatness and that is what many want to see in the QB of this team. It’s an unfair standard to hold a player to, but that is the reality of playing QB in SF.
Smith hasn’t thrown deep so far this year so that is something to jump on him for if you are trying to find a negative, which is why Bay has focused on that I’m guessing. As I pointed out though, Smith went deep at times last year and I’m guessing we’ll see it at some point this year. However why do it if you don’t have to? What they are doing is working so as the old saying goes: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Rocket,
I like to needle Bay because he almost always blamed the 9ers for their shortcomings prior to 2011. I will credit Bay for liking and suggesting the 9ers draft CK. He made the call on that one. I still think they wanted ADalton (more of a refined ST) but we’ll never know. Maybe that is his main motive for liking CK so much even though AS is have a good year and continues to improve each week. Good times.
*blamed AS*
Rocket, has not thrown deep this year? Have you not watched the games? Maybe not to Moss but a few times to 85.
Yeah Bay gave credit to Alex after the Saints game then followed it up with an entire offseason of his usual campaign. Then after 2 good games by Alex, he is silent, busy at work, funny how that happens!
Him and 23 are trolls!
Hof,
I hear ya, and the needling and back and forth is quite entertaining at times. I think we are starting to see some minds being changed now though. Smith is forcing people – not just on here but in the national media as well – to reassess his value as an NFL QB. Now all of a sudden the national media is catching on to the lousy situation he was in and how detrimental it was to his development. Before it was, Alex Smith is a bust. Now it’s Alex Smith has overcome his hardships to become a good QB. Everybody loves the underdog story right?
Prime,
You’re right he has gone deep to VD. I was looking at Moss moreso than VD and how everyone is waiting fo them to take the deep shots with Moss. I’m not sure there will be much of that but it’ll probably happen at some point.
Rocket, everyone loves the underdog story, but I think some (including the media) enjoy the beat down more. It’s more controversial.
Regarding this upcoming game, this is the type of game where there is a letdown and it can be a loss. I hope they can sustain the focus all year long. I had them at 12-4, but I can see 14-2 if they keep the focus. Tough to do when getting national attention.
Hofer,
“Develop or showcase?” As a fan, you should want both. It doesn’t matter to me. Either they develop him into a top notch QB or other teams see enough to offer a high draft pick for him. If he is eventually better then Smith, that is a positive because it will make the team better. If Smith is a Pro-Bowler and leads this team for the next 6-7 years, I still want CK to develop because it will bring trade value in the form of draft picks or players, which is also a positive. The same can be said for Tolzien.
Grant
Roman is saying KW is a really good slot guy. During the off season, this blog was full posts saying MC will be in the slot.
So far, has he been? Every MC catch I recall was with MC split out wide.
He has been lined up everywhere DS but most of his catches have come inside the numbers. This is great for our offense in that Crabtree can line up anywhere and play multiple positions.
I prefer Mario or Crabtree inside but the two games we have seen each receiver line up everywhere. Credit to Roman for being diverse.
LOL, DS, just figured out that you are a Deep Space 9 and Lexx fan!
spaceborn
Yep. Lexx was a freaky show man. The Syfy in America version edited out a bit of Xev in several episodes. The DVDs have the episode as it was meant to be seen. I don’t know if Netflix does.
Yeah, Netflix has it both on DVD and Instant Watch. Just put it on my list, but am currently going through an original ST series marathon first. Thanks
spaceborn
What is your favorite episode of either show?
DS9, Tribble-ations, for sure. But I’m biased because of the original ST connection and because I have met David Gerrold. I really haven’t watched enough Lexx to mention a favorite episode. But I will soon and will let you know.
Lexx is quite different. Have the kids to bed.
No problem with the kids, they are long out of the nest! Wife goes to bed at 7:30 and then the marathons begin, LOL.
spaceborn
For Lexx, you two may want to watch that together. Have wine and a bucket nearby (some stuff gets gross).
Episode wise- Brigadoom season 2 and The Game season 4. I actually don’t like season 1 as much.
DS9 – In the Pale Moonlight, Far Beyond The Stars. Both Season 6
Both were excellent episodes. Brooks really displayed great acting in both, but if I were to pick, I would lean toward “In the Pale Moonlight.”
As far as needing a bucket, that would be me. My wife is an ER RN and it is impossible to gross her out.
Do you ever go to any conventions like BayCon? I’ve been invited to be on a panel for the first time in a while after a long period of health issues and am looking forward to it – though I don’t know what the subject we’ll be discussing is yet other than it will be science fiction/science oriented no doubt, LOL.
That’s cool spaceborn. Though don’t they convey the topics to the panel?
DS9, they don’t have much confirmed besides that Lois McMaster Bujold will be the writer Guest of Honor. The convention isn’t until May, 2013. There is a lot more to be done these next few months and a lot will change. They could even scratch me, LOL, but I doubt it. I’m way too much fun! I watched the first season of Lexx last night. I didn’t recall having seen any of those episodes, but you’re right: Pretty far out stuff!
spaceborn
Season 1 was a little too serious for me. Season 2 is a lot of fun. Season 3 is more dramatically based. And season 4 is gold mixing in the drama of season 3, with the fun of season 2.
That is really cool you are key in the convention though. Well done!
DS9, it’s pretty common for any television series to find its identity (If they don’t get cancelled) in later seasons. Sometimes it starts with a novel idea for a pilot episode without a lot of forethought of where they want to go with a series if produced, especially as far as character development. You can go back to old series like “Lost in Space” where it was pretty much straight-forward SF the first season and then later changed to Will Robinson, Dr. Smith and “The Robot” dominating almost every episode with a comedic leaning. Same for original ST. It wasn’t really until the 2nd season that they developed Spock by exposing his “human” half and bringing “Bones” McCoy, Scotty, Chekov, Sulu into being the prominent characters we all know so well nowadays.
In the early days of Steve Young’s stint as a Niner .. the threat of him running certainly kept defenses off balance.. and that was a good thing !
Same with CK7 ! …
When The Harbs does decide to put him in .. the opposing defense has no idea what Colin is gonna do …
This makes for some great strategy ..and it makes it a little more exciting to watch …
I’m looking foreword to seeing more of Kaep this season.. and I think we’ll be ok, once he gets the keys to the new stadium !
Absolutely. He will have to develop further as a pocket passer, but his running ability is a gift. The threat of him taking off will give the defense fits, just like Steve Young did. There is a balance there, but I’m sure Harbaugh is the guy to find it. I want a cupboard full of QB’s!
“In the early days of Steve Young’s stint as a Niner .. the threat of him running certainly kept defenses off balance.. and that was a good thing !
Same with CK7 ! …”
MW, it wasn’t a good thing. It was torture. SY caused more turnovers when he was running every other play in the early part of his career with the 9ers. SY became a pro bowl player when he learned to stay in the pocket and run only as a last option in the 90′s.
Did you see the TTebow program on NFL net? SYoung stated that TT needs to learn to play from the pocket or forget about playing QB. Good advice!
Don’t know what you are talking about. His first three years as a Niner he was 7-2 as a starter when forced into action. His TD to Int ratio was good too.
Are you trying to talk about his TB days? Not fair, just like it’s not fair to talk about Alex and his Nolan days. You just don’t like mobile QB’s. It’s just another way of moving the chains.
In Kaps last preseason game he faked a handoff on 3rd and 1 and ran sprinted to the first down marker. Even though the DE had the angle on him he out ran him. You can’t game plan for that. One more year sitting and he will be ready. The Niners will be forced to make a decision. I love that he got to sit that long. I’ve never believed in forcing a QB into action too early. It’s ruined a lot of good QB’s.
SY had 8 fumbles and 6 INTs in limited play from 87- 90. His play started getting much better in 1991 and he stated that as well. SY believes successful QBs play from the pocket.
MW
Why are we going to see more CK this season?
AS can run quite well. Ask the Saints.
Smith was not even touched on that play because everybody was blocked. CK will see the field occasionally because his talent warrants it, plain and simple. If the coaches want him on the field, you should too.
“….MW
Why are we going to see more CK this season?
AS can run quite well. Ask the Saints…
I didn’t say we would see Colin more.. but, I would like to see him more !
You’re correct, DS, when you say that Alex has a pretty good pair of sticks … but then .. so does CK7 !
Hofer sez:
“…MW, it wasn’t a good thing. It was torture. SY caused more turnovers when he was running every other play in the early part of his career with the hers……”
Are you sure you’re not thinking of Wendell Tyler ?
I loved the guy.. but every time he touched the ball ..I had to hold my breath ! .. :-)
Sure .. my memory may be a little faded .. but I remember when Steve ran.. it sure gave opposing defenses fits ! …
I think his decision (later on) … to stay in the pocket, was probably the result of getting kicked in the head too many times !
Steve Young was a great athlete playing QB until he learned how to be a pocket passer. That is when he became great. Having the ability to run is a great trait, but QB’s have to be able to operate from the pocket to have success in this league. I like the improvements Kap made in that regard this preseason.
I might be overly concerned here, but I think Jared Allen is a much better pass rusher than Clay Matthews and Suh. I think Joe Staley is going to need help here and rightfully so. So, does that mean Gore stays in to block more and you run a screen with two back sets to Hunter? Or do they expect Gore to rub Allen and then catch the ball over his head? I’d be interested to know if the Wham play would work on Allen as well as it worked against Det, Any Ideas?
Chris
Staley played against another player: Kyle Vanden Bosch. he is supposedly a good pass rusher. Not as good as Allen is, but Staley has been prepared well. Plus, doesn’t Staley go against Justin and Aldon every day?
Roman is mistaken that Alex Smith has incrementally gotten better. Instead, it’s more like Greg Roman has incrementally opened the play book and cut the reigns they put on Alex Smith.
Alex Smith didn’t have Jamarcus Russel type numbers even when he had Raye as a coordinator. He has always had a talent for playing QB. Roman just hasn’t always trusted that talent.
I have always been a fan of Alex Smith’s heart, but not a fan of his early decision making. I didn’t like Rodgers out of college and thought he was a little smug in the green room. However, I believe that Alex Smith would have been even better in GB’s system and Aaron Rodgers would have struggled as Alex did.
Perhaps some of the blame can go on the coordinators, but it’s been mentioned before that Alex Smith won’t take a chance with the football until he is completely comfortable with the system.
Smith has gotten better, it’s not like he was held back by the coaches. He has worked hard to improve and it shows. Harbaugh and Roman utilize Smith perfectly. I think becoming a father has made Smith much more aware of his career as well, which is a good thing.
Big P,
Are you saying Smith was properly developed under Nolan and Singletary?
If not, I would remind you of one of JH’s favorite sayings: If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse.
Jason..”Roman just hasn’t always trusted that talent.”
Everybody always says “they didn’t trust Alex”. While I think that may partially true, this whole offense including Alex needed to be coached up big time after the Nolan-Singletary years. I don’t think the Niners were going to put Alex in bad situations behind a line that’s been very inconsistant in pass protection. 7 step drops are not conducive for your QBs health ala Mike Martz’s ‘you’re gonna get your QB killed’ schemes. As the protection continues to get better we’ll see more good things from Alex and this offense as Roman and Harbaugh see their players continue to develop. Look what’s happened in the last 20 games under Harbaugh & staff. Who’d have thunk after the 2010 season especially with the lockout!
61,
If you look back at Luck’s numbers at Stanford, they tell the story. In his first year, Luck’s numbers were good, but there wasn’t much production [I'm not sure, but I think I've heard that criticism of Smith, somewhere or other]. In Luck’s second year, his production exploded.
It seems this coaching staff [JH, primarily] has a well defined plan on how to build every aspect of an organization [much the same as BW], and they don’t appear to deviate from that plan.
One of the most important things to this coaching staff is to not turn the ball over, and it they take extreme measures to reach that goal [preferring sacks to throwing the ball under pressure, for instance].
That being the case, it’s not surprising that the passing offense had training wheels. It was very popular to claim it was Smith, and Smith alone, with the training wheels. While it’s true the QB is most important player on offense, the entire offense has to have the playbook down cold, if avoiding TO’s are a primary goal. I believe that’s what JH and staff employed a very safe offense last year. And it didn’t represent a lack of confidence in Smith, but rather an understanding that the entire offense, inlcuding Smith, wasn’t ready to open up the playbook and minimize TO’s.
I also think the offense will improve throughout the year and possibly into the next.
ex-golfer
…..agree with everything you say. I don’t expect to see the Niner’s offensive scheme ever turn into that of the Saints or Packers. As a matter of fact I was pleasantly reminded of a certain offense back in the 80′s-90′s on several drives in both games.
“These guys are good, but we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Peterson said, via Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “I don’t think they’ve faced a run-attack offense like we have. So I think that can switch things up. We’re looking forward to playing those guys.”
Be careful what you wish for.
@ BigP:
I wonder if AP is talking up Minnesota’s run game because their gameplan is to come out passing.
It might very well be, but the dink n’ dunk won’t work very well against these guys. Ponder isn’t getting the ball down the field very well this year, but he is mobile and accurate.
Or perhaps Minn comes out Harballing? They play the 9ers style with an unbalanced OL and run to the strong side of the line and force the 9ers to miss tackles.
“I want winners!” Lmao.
http://www.midwestsportsfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/mike-singletary-san-francisco-49ers.jpg
You are what you are and Minnesota is a running team. They may try to incorporate more playaction and 3 Wides but you can’t reinvent yourself in a week and if you try it is likely to lead to disaster. I’m guessing the Vikes just have a belief that they can run on anybody and will do so against the Niners. Not too many teams have shown the ability to do it against this defense but they have to try if they want to have any chance at pulling the upset.
@ BigP:
The thing is, he had winners, but didn’t know it. Or, maybe more accurately, he just didn’t know how, as a coach, to win.
@rocket, I agree that they are going to run and try to play the TOP game with the 49ers and keep it close. That’s why I think the 49ers need to score early with TD’s, putting up enough points so that they can in turn, play the TOP game in the 2nd half with their own running game. I really don’t want to see a 6-3 score at the end of the first half because that is the kind of game the Vikes want.
“I want winners!”
LOL, BigP. Think any of them have that phrase posted in the locker room somewhere as extra motiviation for this week?
49erGirl,
Lol, I doubt it, but they might have that picture posted in the locker room for pure comedy. That is a well groomed stache’.
Krueger: For any blogger or poster to insinuate a player is using PEDS is the height of being reckless!
Radnich: What percentage of players use them in the NFL?..Kreuger answered “A High percentage”…!
Uhuh..like I said..Alex’s last to best..just defies common sense when all other great sports increases have all been due to PEDS. That his shoulder is so well?..Like Bartolo’s.the very same story.
And ya know..when Alex was shirtless in the summer at SJ State..he was really ripped. 10,000 sit ups?..OR?..hee.
LMAO! Are you saying Alex Smith is juiced? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
I thought for just a brief moment you wrote KEDS and I was thinking: What the hell? Who wears those?
But I know it IS TRUE…for football we don’t care. Even I don’t. I just don’t want to believe the NFL fantasy of its all natural. It ain’t. Otherwise..play ball!
this might be a repost. I thought I asked this but now I can’t find it. Can anyone tell me how to add a pic to the avatar? Thank you.
I have to agree with others that Jared Allen is a beast as a pass-rusher, but after watching some film of his highlights on You-Tube, he seems to loop a lot to get his angle to the back-field. This would make me think that some off-tackle (Staley) plays would be inviting, especially with Hunter who can get outside. I’ve read mention of giving Staley help, but I also noticed (on film) that it needs to be more than a chip by a TE as he swats them away like knats because he is so strong. Maybe we’ll see Dobbs in more often if Staley struggles against Allen.
stan,
please stop with the Smith on PED rants. You’ve blown up Lowell’s blogs with the same argument with no evidence. It’s getting old.
“Innocent til proven guilty.”
I rarely post but I do enjoy reading all of your posts. I can’t get enough about this team. GO NINERS!
I honestly never have a clue what that Stan guy is trying to say