SAN FRANCISCO — Here’s the transcript of Alex Smith’s post-game press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
Can you put your finger on how things can change so quickly? Last week, from 621 yards to this week?
“It’s a fine line. They are a good team, good defense. They don’t give up anything easily. We forced some things tonight. I feel like I forced some things. We, uncharacteristically, turned the ball over. Any time you turn the ball over like that, it’s tough to win. When we did get down to the red zone… in that first half, we thought that we were moving that ball down the first two drives but ended up kicking field goals. You can’t do that all the time.”
Was your finger an issue?
“No, it was fine.”
In the interception was it them cutting into the route, or you just not seeing them?
“They were all different. On the first one, I stepped up in the pocket and didn’t have great visibility but was trying to let [TE] Delanie Walker make a play, and they made a play on the ball. It was a force, trying to get a shot down field. The second one, on the third down, I believe the second one was on the slant. The ball just got up on me. I was trying to work [WR] Mario [Manningham] on the slant there, I felt like he was getting grabbed, try to make the throw to see if he can get the call. All of a sudden the ball gets up and picked off. The third one, yeah, they got me in a good play, coming down, stepping in front of [WR Michael] Crabtree. Once again, third and long, you’re trying to make a play and forcing it.”
How much did the Giants pressure affect you?
“They are tough. They are good up front, so you can’t be back there just hanging out. You have to be efficient, get the ball out, be good in the pocket. They are good, they get their hands on balls. First half, a couple tip balls. I mean maybe I rushed a couple. Hindsight makes it easy to say that.”
Was this game surprising, the way it went?
“It’s tough to speak on any other facet. We made it tough on the defense tonight. Short field a lot of the time. But as far as offensively, yeah, for sure, they are a good team. They played well. They made some great adjustments to us. I think we will have time to learn from it. It’s a short week so I don’t know how much we’re going to get done, maybe after the Seattle game. But it didn’t get done in a lot of areas, you’re right.”
Is it hard, when you’re playing from behind?
“Eventually, you do get to a point where you have a make or break point there. You have to force some balls and throw some balls. It’s tough to always figure it out and gauge that.”
On the third interception: 3:17
“Yeah, the safety made a really good play on it. They kind of okie doked me. Kind of looked like Tampa 2, Mike [Crabtree] was running high, he held his depth until I came back to throw it, and jump the route. It was a good play. I didn’t see it.”
Are you still adjusting to playing with backup QB Colin Kaepernick?
“Yeah, when it’s working, it’s great. It’s like everything when we’re winning. He’s coming in to change up, for the most part, I don’t know about today. Part of this is that it had been efficient. With Kaepernick going in there, he had been playing well.”
There was so much buildup about today, did you feel that there was too much?
“I know a lot was made of it, for sure. I think at the start of the week, obviously, pretty jacked up. But at the same time, it was another game. It wasn’t a playoff game. It was a conference opponent. It was a chance to get another win. I think there is a little more in the sense that two things, one you played them twice last year so you’re pretty familiar with them and then they’re the defending Super Bowl champions. I think anytime you play them, it’s a chance to say something. It didn’t get done today.”
Did it feel flat?
“It’s tough to get up when you’re not executing. I think that’s what comes first. I didn’t feel flat at the beginning of the game, I don’t think anyone did. It was more of a sense of, when things aren’t going well it’s tough. You’re out there grinding, you’re out there trying to make things happen. When it’s not working and you’re not playing well, it’s not easy to be up.”
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ninermd says:
October 14, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Kapercrapper??? Really hof? And he has no agenda of his own? Child please
Hoferfan67 says:
October 14, 2012 at 7:43 pm
MD, you sure jump ship quickly! I’ll be there this year in the playoffs and I’ll save this comment from you believe me!
Jump ship? Because I’m telling it like it is? I told you there is no consistency with Smith. And go ahead and keep this one. I don’t see you defending CK’s name. What kind of 49er fan would call him Kaeprncrapper???? So that’s all good Hof? Sorry your boy sucked today and still looks lost, but its becoming clear that he may have hit his ceiling. That sucks for the team IMO. That would suck for you personally it sounds like.
Md,
Top 7.I know you wantthebest for Smith but I also know you know better. You’ve seen this guy for 7 years. You know this guy has never been consistent. He does just enough to make you think he can win games for you. He can only beat the sorties because they are soft and our defense will step up most of the time.
I’ve said it forever and I will continue to say ot. If we want towin a super bowl, we need another QB. We will NEVER win a super bowl with Alex Smith at QB! We wont get past the Giants. They now own Smith.
MD, no other QB plays poorly? Have you seen the numbers from other top QB’s this year? AS is not infallible. How long before his first pick? Do we even know that the finger wasn’t bothering him? Let’s see how this plays out before jumping ship period.
hof
md is a joke. He says top 7, then bashes him at will. I don’t see him saying top 7 for any other position and then bash them at will for their poor play. And today, there were a lot of them.
But we all know who the focus on this week will be. Alex Smith. Same tired song.
Yeah I’d say he forced the first one, the second one could have happened to anybody and that third one he wasn’t even looking in Webster’s(?) direction and tried putting the ball in there to 15 and it got picked. That was just a heads up Defensive play, knowing that Smith who hasn’t been targeting 15 much during the game would look his way on 3rd Down when he needed to convert.
Was Smith Forcing things? Sure. Not even Mr. Discount Doublecheck was playing well this season until tonite. Dude lit up the stingy Texans Defense tonite. 6 TDs’ which is his career best. O.O
Oh c’mon hof. The finger? Really? You’ve been on my back today brotha. I’m concerned about consistency in smiths play. Do you see him being consistent? Where have I bashed him? Or said I give up on him as our qb? Show me.
And bs. Where have I bashed smith? When? That’s your problem stupid. You can’t handle HIS just criticism. I will stand by my only concern about smith. That’s consistency. Like I told ribico and that hater Canada. Prove me wrong and show me how he’s been consistent. Ill take your no answer. Because its the best one you could give. Beat it smither. This is a niner blog.
That’s your problem md, you have to get personal when others don’t agree with you. Why can’t they just be ignorant(i.e. Uninformed of the facts, unknowledgeable of the truth) nope instead they must be stupid just because they don’t agree with you or call you out.
EVERYBODY played badly today. I don’t get or understand the need to throw one player under the bus. 15 still couldn’t get open much if at all today. Webster was once again in his hip pocket. Moss played fairly well when he got on the field but I expect that of Moss.
Akers?!? What the hell was up with Akers? I get that we rely on him way too much but he’s better than this normally. I think the only players that were on their game were a handful of them and Lee and Jennings were our best performers. Not a mucked up snap or Punt all game long. Williams should have just given up trying to Return the Kick and just downed it in the End Zone. He ran right into the wash every time he got the ball and much of the time put our Offense in a hole to start from. Thank god Ginn, let that last punt go into the End Zone instead of trying to Return it. Seely normally has his guys working pretty well. But I think some of the problem today was the Stadium was full of Smurfs fans. There was hardly any crowd noise for most of the game when the Smurfs were on the field. You’d think that this game didn’t mean anything to 9er fans the way they let the Opposing fans in their seats. I never been so peeved at 9er fans in my life than I was today. O.o
Hey md
It’s DS you foolish one. Learn to type or get the hell out of here.
>>Also yesterday you could see it in his eyes
Ah, you had not only field level seats, but a seat ON the field to make that observation?
Wow, you have been listening to the hater-base here, they make those kinds of silly statements day after day. Like I said yesterday, we only have to put up with you for one game, it’s all season long with those guys and their magic x-ray specs.
AS first pick was just a bad read by AS throwing a drop in pass into basically triple coverage…
it just seems to me the giant defense did a great job baiting AS into throws
and possibly AS has been listening to not throwing into tight windows talking heads and subjected himself to more ridicule by forcing the issue and coming up plenty short
3 coverage jg?
It was 1 on 1. Better man gets the ball.
The first int was not 1-on-1 coverage DS. They had a man on him with the safety coming over the top. There is no excuse to throw that ball to Walker.
For the Giants it was a simple plan….take VD out of the game …who’s the only playmaker (props to Irvin even though I hate the Cowgirls most of any team) the niners have in the 4th quarter, then stop the run…we did both the picks and sacks were icing on the cake. Now that said I want you Niners fans to know I dont hate the Niners, you have a class organization. But setting all things aside…In todays NFL in order to win the Super Bowl you need a QB who can throw deep consistenly and get on a roll hitting your wideouts and unfortunatel for you guys alex Smith will never be that guy. Also yesterday you could see it in his eyes after that first pick how rattled he was and you cannot let that affect you as
A QB. The thing thats confusing to me is that Jim Harbaugh further complicated the issue by bringing CK in and out of the game. This not only killed your continuity on the offensive side of the ball but made alex Smith crawl up into an insecure ball of crap.
He shoulda just put CK in and left him in the game..this would have given you guys a better chance of winning this game. Like I said I’m not a Niner hater…the bright side is that it will come down to us 2 in the NFC championship again albeit a different setting MetLife stadium…will be a game for the ages.(Until ELI wins 3 more rings and 2 more Super Bowl MVP’s Motana is the ELITE of the ELITE)
see you guys in the NFC chamionship
Go Big Blue
Big Blue – well said. You are not going to get any of these guys admit anything.
Big Blue
We stopped the run. You didn’t. We decided to play cutesy and musical chairs with our QB position. For the second straight time, we abandoned our identity and in doing so, lost the game.
Good for the Giants for taking the plays that were offered. The Niners failed to do so.
good point … playoff game on east coast….26-3……with very possibly very little useful game film to reset strategy against the SB champs….nyg has recently done a fine job evolving their team as the season goes on….
i don’t see the niners evolving…..maybe showing up from time to time with an overpowering game but evolving into being able to match up to any kind of game as was once was professed to be part of the niner mantra is not showing up on my radar
agree..VD was taken out of the game by the defenders redirecting him with little bumps and shoves
I say we got the guy we need to get it done. Seems to me you forgot just how close the Smurfs came to sitting at home with the smell of hot buttered popcorn wafting out of the kitchen.
Two failures and both of them from one guy.
Then of course let’s not forget the Bradshaw dead ball fumble and it’s not like Eli was lighting the field up for over 3/4 of play.
Enjoy the success of your team but please don’t make like the Smurfs won the Championship game handedly. Cause they didn’t. Smith is going through the same crap ole Eli was going through for 5 years. But at least Smith didn’t have anyone but Frank and Davis on his side of the ball. Eli has been on a stacked team since he was drafted.
Anyone that agrees with this clown(no offense meant here) can go cheer on Eli as he throws picks for no reason at all and looks dumbfounded that it got picked. Have some pride and don’t buy anything other fans say. It’s not like they watch all the 9er games all season long. This guy only watches 9er games when they play his team.
Can’t believe all our fans sellin out their seats to Giants fans. That game was like watching Meadowlands East. Couldn’t believe all the Giants fans in the Stadium. People should be ashamed of themselves for doing so. O.o
I did not like the use of CK in this game, to be honest I did not like it because it didn’t work, it felt like it broke the momentum of the few drives we did have. I’m disappointed in todays game and hope the 9ers will be ready and up for Thursday night when the important games start.
IMHO, Alex Smith will be the starting quarterback the entire year and next year.
IMHO i think he will stink it up again against sea chickens….hopefully we get to see what CK can do with at least a half…Ihave a feeling AS is going to get hurt on thur night….
Seattle will be a tough game to win…did you see what that D Line did to Aaron Rodgers…one other thing here is the list of the most sacked QBs in football
1. Kolb 27
2. Rodgers 23
3. Bradford 18
4. Vick 17
5. Dalton 17
6. Smith 16 Red Flag!
Guess who’s been sacked the least?
32. ELI 4
so dont feel bad you guys couldn’t get him no one else has
there is the blueprint for the niners evolving….fix this sack issue going on here in niner land
It makes a difference when the OL can keep their QB upright but some don’t see it that way.
BigBlue… The Shewhacktards wouldn’t have won the game if Golden Tate didn’t shove a Defender out of the way and if the Veteran Officials were there. That was an Interception. That team is full of cheap shot artists from 1 to 53. I’m not worried about them at all. If I were them I would worry about the 9ers cause the last time the 9ers had a bad day they dismantled the Jets at the Meadowlands.
Outcome would have been different if Roman had made calls that were true to the 49er identity. I wonder what the score would have been if that azzhat Coughlin and your idiot Coordinator didn’t whine about Smith getting away with murder. Seems to me that there was A LOT of Bluehats with fistfuls of Red Jersey all game long. Not a single freaking flag thrown on em either because the whining that took place for nearly a week straight. Better hope you fools don’t see our team in the Playoffs again. It’s not goin down like that the second time.
Oh and I don’t feel sorry we didn’t get to him. Kinda hard to get to the QB when your OLine has fistfuls of 9er Jersey in their hands. For someone that “respects our team” you talk way too much trash. It’s okay the other shoe will drop the next time your Smurfs see our 9ers.
Smith needs to execute better. Hopefully he and the offense will do better against the Seahawks on Thursday.
Alex Smith, “…He’s coming in to change up, for the most part, I don’t know about today. Part of this is that it had been efficient. With Kaepernick going in there, he had been playing well.”
Am I reading that right? Did Smith just throw CK under the bus? Smith said he forced some things but never said that he was playing poorly. He seemed to indicate CK played poorly. Not sure Alex Smith should be pointing fingers at anyone after he threw 3 Int’s and looked pretty bad most of the day.
It’s not against CK just poor playcalling. It could be ST and it was a bad time to do so. I get it so should you.
I don’t think so. I think he’s questioning the play calling today. Rightfully so because CK wasn’t utilized the right way and times by Roman today.
Mid, it will get ironed out and the QB shuffle will go away – plainly it’s not working and they were winning without it in the first couple of games. AS will play better knowing he will be in the whole game.
Mid,
Hopefully Smith gets benched and we see what Kap can do. Smith is not the answer.
Tell me about it. If I recall, some of us thought doing this too much would come back to bite the team. And guess what? IT DID.
@23Jordon
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
Abraham Lincoln
Again 23, this isn’t all on Smith. The team was horrible today, and the playcalling even worse. It doesn’t matter who’s at QB if everybody else can’t do their job, including the coaches.
Maybe we can get Lincoln in here to take some reps. e all know he can’t beany worse than Smith. What was Peyton Manning thinking about? We are suffering and he is too!
He’s a Bronco 23. Get over it already. And just two losses is suffering? Right.
17 – 5 in two years is suffering! LOL
It’s absolutely the worst Hof. lol
Just ignore Jordo guys. Dude is sprouting an Elm Tree tween his knees for Alex and feels the need to trash him to get his attention.
We’re 4-2 with Alex Smith as the Starter. In the two games that this team lost, there was no attention paid to the Run game in the 1st half for the most part and there was ZERO use of the Jumbo Pack. This team plays well when they’re able to impose their will and not so much when they don’t.
But of course everyone with an Alex to grind will all blame it on Smith. This is standard fare and not worth my time anymore. If they know so much better than Baalke and Harbaugh they should contact Jed and lay their credentials on his desk. I’m sure they’re right cause they’ve forgotten more about Football than Harbs and Baalke know combined.
@ceadderman
Actually we did have the jumbo package in there. Right before the 2nd Int I believe. It was 3rd and 1. And our fat lard OL who eats too much had a false start. Making it 3rd and 6. Then it became a passing down. Then the Int happened. No false start, no Int. And likely a 1st down because the Giants weren’t stopping our running game.
Still might as well have not been run at all DS. Thank you for reminding me though. So yeah they lined up in the Jumbo for 3rd and 1. Personally that was the time to Play Action deep pass instead of sending Leonard Davis on the field to muck it up.
At least we know that if our team lays an egg it’s gonna be a BIG egg. :/
Going off what it appeared with Leonard Davis moving in a more forward direction in his false start, that would imply that it is a run. Right?
OL move forward on run plays and back on pass plays if I’m not mistaken. And Davis moved so far, I am sure it was a run play.
And he can stay in AZ for all I care. I’ll even help him get there a little early. Donations accepted to get Leonard out of SF now welcome.
Just need to bench the game manager and go with Kap. Moss can’t even get involved with Smith in the game. There is no way that we can keep sending Smith out there against quality opponents and expect different results. Alex Smith is not the answer for this team. JH’s hunch was right. He tried to get Manning because he knows that he can do no more with Smith. Smith has to make the plays but he’s still making the same mistakes. He’s still not seeing the field. He still inaccurate. He still can’t play effectively against quality opponents. He is the definition of INCONSISTENT!!!!
Unless you’re running for President like the other two jokes are, then quit flipping. It’s annoying. Also, quit focusing on just Alrx Smith as the. only fault. The team failed completely as a unit today. Smith doesn’t play on defense, kick the football in field situations, play on special teams, or call plays from the sideline. Blame Smith all you want 23, but the fact of the matter is that the Niners have a lot of things to correct before Thursday.
Yeah, I loved Jordo’s prediction that JJ would beat out both CK first as backup then AS as starter. LOL
Midwest,
Alex playedvgreat. He was spectacular. Can i try on those rose colored glasses? We need a QB! I keep telling you guys that. You’ll get a chance to see Smith gag again this Thursday.
The defense did not play poorly. Smith put them in holes the entire 2nd half. 3 picks, 13 points. How many points did that smith led offense produce??? I thought so.
@# Jordan…why are you such a PUTZ???
Hofer,
What does JJ have to do withnSmith today. I certainly think JJ could have played better than the BUST did today. JH cantbchange Smiths diaper his whole career. Alex Smith is done. Just stand by. I can’t wait to hear your mouth after he chokes again on Thursday. You are hilarious my friend! BWAHAHAHAHA!
The defense didn’t play poorly? So no sacks, one QB hit, our secondary getting owned, and having a 100 yards rushed on them isn’t playing bad?! You’re reaching 23.
Eli had a great 2nd quarter. Throwing for something like 100+ yards in that quarter alone. But that isn’t the defense’s fault. Just AS’s fault.
If our defensive players aren’t pointing the finger (at least 4 back at themselves) after this game, they suck. They didn’t make a single game changing play. The Giants who are not elite, did.
seriously jordo? Thats ridiculous. bench smith and start Kap, and if Kap doesn’t work out, you’ve now lost several games and your on to what? Tolzien? BAsically you are suggesting we tank the season.
Smith stunk it up today, but he’s clearly the best QB on the roster Right now.
I love how jordan busts our his bwaahahahaa after we get our butts kicked like he is feeling really good about himself and he’s feeling victorious. Real nice buddy. What kind of tool is happy after a loss?
Dangle
Didn’t you see the great CK play, where he faked a hand-off or toss or something to an invisible player? Because that would work on any other defense. Just not the Giants defense.
CK did that out of habit. He didn’t know what was going on this game, and because he does that fake toss/hand-off thing almost every play, he did it when nobody was even there. Looking ridiculous and wasting precious time to perform whatever the play was supposed to be.
Dangle
Everything in the universe makes sense. You toss out the notion that 23 is remotely a fan, and it makes sense. Sounds like something I’d say on an opposing teams blog if I were trolling over there.
23 has been trolling here a long time.
Hey guys… (Ignore me Jordo I’m not talking to you)
What’s the difference between Kappy and Smith?
Smith runs every style of play. Play Action, Shotgun, Designed, IForm and Pro.
Kappy thus far has only run Designed Play Action.
There is a difference. When Kappy throws he has a designated target. When Smith throws it could be to anybody.
So let’s do it. Let’s change after 4-2 with Smith and let Kappy Start a few games. What’s the worst that could happen. :|
What’s the worst that can happen?
Well, CK could just toss it to the imaginary RB’s who aren’t there a bunch of times in the game. He’ll get protection from the goon squad. They will blame AS’s white teeth blinding CK’s eyes or some crap.
Or CK can complete 4 passes over 20 yards. While missing 30 passes underneath and running backwards for 20 yards to get sacked eventually after completing a 50+ yard pass.
CK is far from being able to take AS job right now. Far, far, from it. He can’t read a defense. He is overwhelmed.
MidWestNiner says:
October 14, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Unless you’re running for President like the other two jokes are, then quit flipping. It’s annoying. Also, quit focusing on just Alrx Smith as the. only fault. The team failed completely as a unit today. Smith doesn’t play on defense, kick the football in field situations, play on special teams, or call plays from the sideline. Blame Smith all you want 23, but the fact of the matter is that the Niners have a lot of things to correct before Thursday.
You are right mid…. So then why do some bring up a 17-5 record? Qb’s aren’t pitchers. Unless he’s throwing, running and catching the balls. It’s a team game. I thought? It’s the team who failed today. But hey let’s give Alex the glory and blame the others in defeat. HyOOOOcrites. And we know who I’m talking about. Wheeeeeew!
MD, why do we bring up a 17 – 5 record? Because it is fact. What do other bring up other than hyperbole?!! Call it straight!
Dangle,
Yeah Smith looked
Ole the greatest QB on the roster today. He sucked azz. He will continue to suck azz whenever he is facing a decent defense. You guys don’t get it. Smith does not have what it takes to lead us to the promised land, so why continue to labor with the game manager. We are going nowhere with this 8 hrs experiment. I’ve been through with Smith. JH will have to learn the way sing and Nolan did. That Alex Smith will play just well enough to get you fired! Lol.
Dangle,
If Smith is the best QB on the roster, why is JH giving Kap 10-15 plays a game? Manning’s backup does not come into the game. How many others have a backup come into the game? Maybe you’re mistaken in your assumption that Smith is so much better than Kap???? Might want to reconsider that.
When you can actually focus on the whole team and not just Alex Smith, let me know 23. You talk stats? Well guess what? The stats show that Roman called a bad game. They also show that our D got chewed up and then regurgitated. Finally, they show the team’s true weakness, which is special teams. It has never, and will ever be, about just Alex Smith. The team failed as a whole. No matter how hard you try, the facts prove otherwise.
I didn’t give Smith the sole credit for the 17-5 record MD. 23 claimed we are suffering. How is that record a sign of suffering? It’s nonsense.
So hof. The 49ers are 17-5 because of Alex smith? Really? Out of those 5 losses. How many were due to the special teams or defense not having a good game? Ill Shoot it straight hof. Our defense is a top ranked defense. Our running game is a very good one. Now what part of the team has struggled more than the other part of the team? How about you shoot it straight hof. Yes they are 17-5. But is it because of the passing game? Has Alex smith shown any consistency in the passing game? Today brought back some old demons. Alex smith can’t put this team on his shoulders and grind out a win. I seen receivers open again today and smith not taking the shot. He started off throwing well, and I even posted that after the first int it might hinder his willingness to continue to throw aggressively. And it did. One case in point. The 4th down play. WHY on earth would he throw a 7 yard pass when they needed 15? I said it last season the game manager play isn’t going to cut it this season. He must settle into one of the top spots in the league. You can take it as a slam against him. I don’t mean it in that way. I want them and him to succeed. And I have no interest on who’s right or wrong about him. Are there other issues? Yes.
The pass rush is a ghost so far
The special teams is a joke.
Bit there is one constant…. The passing game! And it doesn’t look any better than last season. The weapons are there, but the consistent qb play isn’t. I still challenge anyone to prove me wrong on this. You guys act like its a made up hateful slam. When’s its just the obvious truth. So you shoot it straight Hoff. Smith has continued to be a roller coaster so far this season. Is he not?
I have to disagree with you MD. Smith is better than what he was last season. Can he still improve his play? Absolutely, but I’m nowhere near close to throwing up a red flag on the passing game. And when I do, it won’t be just on Alex Smith but the rest of the offense as well. The OL needs to protect better and Roman needs to call better and more consistent games. I also don’t think the passing is the constant right now, but rather the team’s inconsistency. When they have won, everything is clicking; when they’ve lost, absolutely nothing goes right for any part of the team. This has got to change.
@midwest
“When they have won, everything is clicking; when they’ve lost, absolutely nothing goes right for any part of the team. ”
Agree. Look back at my first post after the Vikings game. The same as it was here. They sucked. All of them. JH sure does the team concept down. We win, we’re all good. We lose, and they all suck. Nobody in either of our losses was good. In our wins, nobody played poorly. This team does stand together, and fall together. No doubt.
5 losses by niners
which dimension of the team lost those games
nyg playoff….clearly IMO a special teams loss
this years two losses is most attributive to game planning and sorry sucking on the field by all three phases, O, D, ST
the other 2 games (ravens dropped balls and refs) well even they are AS fault he has made up for them with the NO playoff win and his big participation in the philly game getting the team back into a position for the justin heroics….
and sure defense did have a bigger say in lots of the wins the niners have had in the last couple of years
and maybe even the
Houston,
My take on it was that Smith was simply stating that bringing in Kaepernick had been successful up until that point, so that’s why they did it against the G-men. It clearly wasn’t successful against the G-men. I don’t think he intended to, nor did he actually, throw CK under the bus.
Say what you will about Smith, he’s never been one to point fingers or make excuses. He’s been a model athlete in that regard, always saying the politically correct thing, almost to a fault.
Hofer,
You are hilarious. So now I ts time to blame the coaches?? I only blame the coaches for giving Alex Smith the starting job on this team againg for the 5th year of his career without making him win the job. If he tuly won this job, then we don’t have a starting QB on this roster, period!!!
If you’ve been following the post game reaction instead of spewing the same comments over and over, TBradshaw, Mooch, and DClark have questioned the playcalling with the QB shuffle. They said AS had been play well until the platooning that was yielding much unless you include the tds that weren’t needed against the Jets and Bills. AS will play better knowing the flow and playcalling will be better moving forward. Stay tuned…
Hofer,
That’s what you said. That’s not what they said. Smith didn’t have Kap subbing for him when he threw those 3 pics. I already told you weeksvago that Kap will continue to play more and more and Smith will play less and less. Eventually, Smith will not playing at all. If we need someone to throw 3 picks, Kap can that too. The fox guys (JJ and HL) said that JH must be transitioning to Kap from Smith. Something you need to get your head wrapped around because it’s going to happen. It’s game 6. It’s about that time.
Unless you’re in Harbaugh’s head 23, I don’t see how you or anybody else comes to that conclusion. If that was the case, CK would be getting more snaps than he is. Harbaugh could shock us all and put Tolzien in at QB, move CK to WR, or even release Sop before the next game. Nobody, and I mean nobody, knows what’s going on in Harbaugh’s head.
Mid, CK is mainly in for running plays. His passes have been minimal and not productive to date. I believe JH and staff will see this is more detrimental to the offense than helpful. I don’t we see much more of it the rest of the year.
Agreed Hof. This offense needs to find some consistency and maintain it.
Nobody knows what’s going on in Smiths head. That’s this teams problem. Sure he’ll play well when we’re playing nobody. But what about a quality defense? Nothing. I said it last week. Alex smith would crap all over the field. That’s what he did.
So expkain CK getting sacked twice then. Was that Smith’s fault? Or how about Gore and Hunter hardly getting any touches? What about the poor play by the OL? How about the bad playcalling?
Unlike you 23, I don’t just focus on one reason for a situation. I analyze everything thoroughly to find each problem.
Explain, not expkain. Typed too fast.
Hofer,
Kap didnt have 3 stupid picks today. Alex Smith did. I would suspect that his playing time may need to diminish a bit, not Kaps. Smith has always been the weak link. He continues to be the week link. I’m ready to see Kap. Im sure Alex is tired of dumping us during big games. game managers don’t like that kind of spotlight!!
First Manning, then Josh Johnson, and now CK. Who’s your next flavor of the week, Tim Tebow? Matt Flynn? Brady Quinn? You’d make a great politician 23. You flip so easily.
Midwest,
I kinda like Tebow. He’s got a bad trigger but he will pull it!
23
Did u see Kaep throw it right to the CB (i think it was webster) at the top of the screen where the CB dropped a sure TD? CK decision making has not been superb this year. He just isnt ready. When he runs 10 yards back to avoid a sack and still gets sacked = further proof that he is not ready. Its ok to think AS cant cut it but UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WE DONT HAVE ANOTHER CHOICE. JM isnt walking through that door neither is SY and right now why would we sabotage CK confidence by playing him before he is ready. Like u say JH knows best and by playing AS over CK he is saying that right now AS gives us the best chance to win whether u like it or not (u clearly dont) Just be patient and eventually a better option will emerge (whether AS gets better or CK improves enough to overtake him)
Alex Smith will get better when the 9ers get back to their 60/40 run to pass ratio.
Not sure if that is a slam, but I have to agree. This offense work better when we are running well. Today we got behind, and abandoned what we are, a power run offense…
We abandoned a balanced offense completely after the first quarter.
Alex Smith is DONE! He’s reached his ceiling. he can’t get any better, and we can’t settle for average. AVERAGE ALEX cantbtake us to a super bowl, let alone win one!
Do you need really attention? Good grief the 49ers got their stuff handed to them, and all you can do is gloat about Alex Smith. You really are the worst fan I have ever seen.
We are a QB away from a playoff win. Ring a bell 23?
23jordan/Alex is who I said he was!, you are a cancer to this blog you are constantly offensive to other posters on this blog, you are rude and have no respect for other people.
Worlds greatest,
Does that mean you’ll leave and won’t come back? See ya!
>>Does that mean you’ll leave and won’t come back?
No. Only lying liars make that promise then welch on it. Gosh, what lying liar would that be?
^^ Welcher certainly gets quiet when reminded of that.
every Giants fan was saying
thank god we have a super bowl qb and hall of famer
laughing at us and alex smith…polishing two rings…
11 will bring us 0, none, nada, zip
i can see it, too bad the people in charge cannot
No teams willing to sign Alex Smith during the off-season says something…. Miami even opted for Garrard over Smith…. And we only re-signed Alex because we couldn’t sign Peyton.
Didn’t Miami make an offer to Alex? But they chose to go with Gerard over Smith?
I’m not sure your timeline is right. I do know that they had to make a decision pretty much right away. But I’m also sure that their accountants are smarter than most fans accountants considering that the 9ers were just under the Cap by $19 Million. They knew that Manning wanted a MINIMUM of $18 Million a year.
Now if the Baalke had had all his players re-signed, they might have held out for a 14-4 QB who was two Special Teams Fumbles away from the Super Bowl. But this team didn’t have 5 Defensive Starter re-signed and hadn’t yet signed Manningham or Jacobs. They couldn’t cut Goldson to make room for the 5 Starters as he was already tagged unless he didn’t get into Camp and sign the tender sheet. But that was a long ways off.
Now I don’t know about your accountant, but my basic math says there was no way Manning was going to be a 49er no matter what. If Manning wanted to be a 49er he would have been under Center today. Not Smith and Kappy.
I seriously do not understand what is so difficult to understand about the numbers that people even feel the need to cling to this incredibly ignorant thought process. I no longer live in the Bay Area, so is there something in the water there now? Is it Fluoride poisoning that has people so out there that they continue to believe that any team was unwilling to Sign Smith?
Cause I seem to recall from the moment the Championship Game was over, that Harbaugh was openly courting Alex Smith and saying that he was their guy. I don’t know about you, but if I know a girl is “taken” or “spoken for”, I don’t waste my time(or money) courting her. Maybe they do things differently in the Bay Area since I’ve been away. :/
The NfL is a business. If any team was interested in this bust, they would have made him an offer. Nobody wanted Smith and today showed you why. Nobody wanted him then and nobody will want him next year. He is done. His best game is behind him. He crapped all over the field today. It is exactly what I expected from him today. I’ll be so happy the day that the Niners cut bait with this sad excuse for a QB. If we can’t win a super bowl with him, we don’t need him.
@Ceadderman
One blogger is always going around with some stupid link which he thinks proves the Niners were going to pay PM a ton of money.
No local reporter ever got wind of such a story. Nor did they ever report it after the fact. Why? Because it is full of crap.
The math of it all does not make it remotely possible. Like a presidential nominee. Makes up the numbers that fit his plan. Not reality.
One poster constantly defends Alex Smith for his years of failures and posts everywhere in an effort to protect Smith when he really can’t be protected. If the Niners front office weren’t willing to sign Manning, they wouldn’t have waited around like fools for him to turn them down and choose Denver. I wish alex had gotten an offer from Miami, he would’ve have thrown 3 picks for us and stunk it up today.
Thank goodness he won’t be here next year and we can look forward to hopefully getting some better play at QB instead of that crap we got today from Mr. elite!
Funny how nobody wanted Smith and Jordo wanted Mike Vick 2 years ago.
I forget what’s the Iggles record the last two years and how many turnovers has Vick had compared to Smith thus far?
I bet Andy Reid would slit your mother’s throat to get Alex Smith right now. xD
Obviously Jordo doesn’t understand simple math.
But that shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody. The 9ers will work a trade with Green Bay.
Kappy for Rodgers and Rodgers will agree to play out his current contract if he can send Smith to the bench for the rest of Smith’s career.
That is SURE to work cause everyone knows the NFL Salary Cap is just a suggestion anyway right? :D
Ceadderman,
Youre a lowlife bitch.
I don’t think it’s so much people in charge can’t see it. I think people in charge don’t have any other viable options. AS can sell tickets now until you can bring in a QB.
‘We’ didn’t turn the ball over, Alex….. YOU did. 3 times and could have been more. Alex Smith, the great 8 year wonder….
Who else runs out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage for a sack or throws it 5 yards when you need 15 on that 4th down? Ugh….
I like coming to the blogs after a huge niners blow out loss and reading all the sniveling comments complaining and whining about people that get injured for there entertainment. Sometimes it seems like these “fans” believe they can play the game of football better then the professionals themselves. When it comes down to it though their athleticism extends only to trips to the fridge for more snacks and beers. I remember these same fans whining about steve young saying he sucked and clammoring for Joe Montana, pathetic trash.
@Worlds greatest man
“I remember these same fans whining about steve young saying he sucked and clammoring for Joe Montana, pathetic trash.”
Should have continued to say “after they hated Joe Montana saying he sucked and clamored for Steve Young.” Because that happened as well.
Yeah but neither of them were ever compared to DeBerg. So at least they didn’t have to suffer that indignity.
Oddly enough, I never heard read or listened to anyone relate Coach Walsh making this statement regarding Alex Smith. Coach must be spinning like a top in his grave every time that quote is misused.
I think Kaepernick deserves a great deal of criticism. He had a ghost play action where gore was no where in the vacinity. Kind of hard to fake a hand off when you turn around to find that your back went the other way.
He also just Collasped instead of trying to throw the ball away. He looked lost and unable to catch up to the speed of the game.
This defense did all it could. When your offense and special teams gives the Giants 50+ yards how much do you really expect the D to do? Special teams coach should be fired. OC should be fired. BJ should be cut. Rest of the team needs to see there is accountability in SF. Do I expect anything dramatic? I wouldn’t be surprised to see BJ released. That would send a message like Braylon Edwards did just before the playoffs.
Coaching wise though, not until the offseason. If anything Greg Roman just assured that he won’t be sought after after this season. AS could have the same OC for 3 years. Let’s hope not.
Chris
They all stank. Every last stinking player. Every last stinking coach. Every last stinking fan who sold their tickets to a Giants fan. Every one of them.
That is why my grade is F- for them all this game.
You’re too nice DS. My grade is a big fat zero all around. Coaches, QBs, the O, the D, the ST, everyone of ‘em.
No. Negative infinity is too nice a score midwest. I am really pissed off right now about this performance. I’m glad we have a game on Thursday now. Get this taste out of my mouth ASAP.
True. I’d hate to be the Seahawks right now.
Yeah what the hell was up with that? Sell your tix to the hottest venue in town so you can see the Giants fans make Candlestick, Meadowlands West? WTF?!?
“On the first one, I stepped up in the pocket and didn’t have great visibility but was trying to let [TE] Delanie Walker make a play, and they made a play on the ball. It was a force, trying to get a shot down field. \”
Precisely why the notion of “throwing open a WR” or “letting the WR make a play” on this team should be forgotten until one such WR proves he can do it. By first getting himself open all the time and never dropping the ball. Then AS will have the justified faith to “let the WR make a play” (the Giants WR’s did) after that happens. Till then, screw this crap. The only possible exception on this team is Vernon Davis.
Alex, don’t throw it till he is open. We win when you do that. We lose when you don’t. All these stupid reporters who say Alex needs to do it to become elite, need to look for a new job. Because they are giving horrible advice. Making great catches is due to the skill of the WR. Not the QB. If the WR’s can’t make them, don’t throw to them in such a situation.
I have to say all the reporters who say to do that are fine right where they’re at. Cause lord knows if they can’t see that QB’ing in the NFL is about timing, then I’d hate to see the kind of job they would do elsewhere. Is Cal Trans looking for Tollbooth operators? That’s about the only job I can see where they couldn’t possibly screw up. xP
@ceadderman
I suppose if they were suicide counselors giving such bad advice, they wouldn’t have to worry about their pension plans getting cut. They won’t be around long enough to put anything into them.
And I don’t know about them becoming new toll booth attendants. Many of the same people wanted Peyton here at any cost. The math didn’t work out. Don’t know if I want them counting change back to me. lol
Yeah true. Okay forget Tollbooth Operator. Can’t think of a single place they could work where they couldn’t mess up then. Fast Food is out for sure if they can’t Operate a Tollbooth. :p
Not if they don’t cook the “meat” properly. Then you’ll get some weird diseases that medical science hasn’t discovered yet.
Nope. Fast food is not for them.
First off every fan here knows this team is loaded, with talent moss Mario Ted Crabtree Davis walker gore hunter miller Jacobs the O-line is good what more do we need, I’m sorry Alex is the problem like it or not , Alex has two come backs Seahawks and saints in 7 and halve years , y can’t we ask the QB to take the game over ? It’s time for Alex to start because the D won’t all ways play well or the special teams or the running game , so answer my ? Y can’t the niners ask Alex to get them out of a hole , Eli’ did against us in the playoffs, they said he threw 59 times in that game so Y CANT ALEX DO THE SAME TAKE THE TEAM ON HIS BACK AND DO IT AGIN ?
Maybe you’ve been out of the earths atmosphere for a tad too long. But AS had 6 comebacks last year. And he is down for 13 comebacks in all. Not 2.
“you’ve been out of earth’s atmosphere too long” he says to Sputnik… .Silly funny.
Playcalling by the OC plays a role as well. And our line has been mediocre at best.
Our Line was playing stood up all day long. Played like canned dog doo doo. What the hell was Leonard Davis thinking when he went before the snap to take us out of a makeable 3rd and 1?!?
He was my Candidate for Harbaugh to make an example of the very moment he did that. Dude is an 8year plus Veteran and he was so far off the timing that the Officials were falling all over each other to get that flag out of their pocket an on the field.
I don’t know about you guys but if I or any of my teammates did this from Jr High into High School, we’d be cut before we got back to the Locker Room. “You’re parents here tonite son?… We’ll see you back at school” “clear out your locker”…
I don’t know where Leonard was at but I suspect he was having yearnings to go back to Arizona a mite earlier than the scheduled date. :/
Our line played so great yesterday they allowed the Giants to double their season sack total. In one stinking game.
@Ds
And those games you are talking about the hole team was playing well with the exception of eagles , I’m talking about when the D is not clicking and the niners are down 17 or so points and Alex makes a come back , the D lost the Vikings game Alex threw those ints not any one els so he was the only one turning the ball over to day fact , and verey one says we lost to the G men in the playoffs cause of willams hmmmm let see I know he turned the ball over sound familiar
Yes, let’s forget the playoff game against the Saints, shall we?
sputnik
JM had elite defenses his entire career here. AS didn’t. JM also didn’t have a lot of comebacks in the 4th quarter when the team was down by more than 10 points. In fact he only had 3 such comebacks out of a total of 34 in his whole career.
I did the research back in September 7th on it.
“Only 3 out of 34 comebacks did JM manage to bring us back when down by 10 or more to start the 4th. So you are seriously demnented if you think JM had all these huge comeback Niners are down by 20 points wins (he only managed 1 by the way that was 20 points, his first one).
By the way, AS managed a 20 point comeback last year in Philly.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/comeback.cgi?player=MontJo01
You can go back and take a look at it. Be prepared to have your memory of JM being perfect and having huge comebacks in the 4th quarter smashed.
*Supposed to have that reply here*
It’s obvious that anyone who thinks Joe had all these monumental comebacks is only working from highlight films from NFL Network and probably aren’t old enough to have seen Joe work the field, were too young to remember having seen him play or are in the final stages of senile dementia and don’t even remember who John Candy is.
I was in Mississippi when Joe had that comeback against the Saints an if I remember correctly that’s the 20 point game you’re referring to. I remember being in the bar with my Mates and they were all cheering the Saints on, and were ribbing me for being a 9er fan. I told em to just watch the game and that if Joe couldn’t come back and win that game I would buy the next round. But if he did they would each buy me a round. I went back to the ship extremely plowed and barely made it over the Quarterdeck and to my rack afterward. ^_^
Here we go again with the joe Montana comparison again. Now you want to talk comebacks with the GREATEST CLUTCH player ever. Ha ha haaaaaa.
Yes Ceadderman. That NO game was the one I was referring too. According to some here, that means JM had a downward turn the rest of his career never matching what he did in his first comeback, because he never matched that again.
Pathetic man. Comebacks are hard to come by. You go down by more than 14, and you’re in trouble. He never in his career played with a defense which wasn’t good, so games were kept close. Look at that link, and you’ll see a lot of very low scoring games. Meaning the offense stank and the defense kept them in the game till Joe turned it on.
@Ds
If your going to insult me don’t use undertones , just do it
I got in trouble with some here who felt I was too harsh. I can do it alright. Best be careful what you wish for though sputnik. Just warning you.
@midwestniner
I said them
In order for the QB to carry a team as you say, his offense needs to execute properly. That term in my opinion is so full of holes it isn’t even funny.
wow, the west is a 3 way tie at 4-2. Sea is going to be Pissed on thursday because they have already lost 2 division games. Lets hope the coaching staff threw the junk (aka the vikings game plan) to clear the desk space for this thursday matchup which will be huge, and is also against (gasp) pete carroll.
Montana was excellent at winning when it came down to the last possession.
A game like today, not so much, this was like that awful Vikings playoff in 1987 when we just couldn’t do anything right.
Some days, there just is not going to be any happy ending. We just need to get to work and try to right the ship on Thursday night. If we go 3-0 in the next 3 division games, it will take a lot of the sting out of today.
Get INTO the playoffs, then try to get on a roll. No one remembers who won in October; it’s all about January and February.
You see a JMo once in a lifetime. There is no comparison out there and that includes EManning. Yup, NYG’s were 9 -7 last year and got on a role. Eli lost 7 games can you believe it? I thought he walked on water. LOL
*roll*
Grumpy
No doubt. But the last possession implies that we were close enough to win it on the last possession. We weren’t today. Also, many of Joe’s first comebacks were via FG. Not TD. When the Niners got better playmakers (AKA JR especially), the comebacks were game winning TD’s instead of FG’s.
If that matters to you at all. To me it doesn’t. Only winning does.
yep, the st Louis cardinals seem to be demonstrating get hot and roll for a second year in a roll from the wildcard position and this year from the 2nd wild card position….
DS94everXev says:
October 14, 2012 at 10:46 pm
What’s the worst that can happen?
Well, CK could just toss it to the imaginary RB’s who aren’t there a bunch of times in the game. He’ll get protection from the goon squad. They will blame AS’s white teeth blinding CK’s eyes or some crap.
Or CK can complete 4 passes over 20 yards. While missing 30 passes underneath and running backwards for 20 yards to get sacked eventually after completing a 50+ yard pass.
CK is far from being able to take AS job right now. Far, far, from it. He can’t read a defense. He is overwhelmed.
Spoken like a true hater. Even though this moron or any other reasonable fan hasn’t really seen what he can do with first string snaps and a full game. I’d bet he would perform better than what we saw from #11 today. I’m not saying put him in, but I am not saying he couldn’t perform better than smith did today either. It would kill this idiot if CK was starting. Again a true hater and a true smith fan only. Keep up the hate bs. It’s glorious watching you sink! Ha ha haaaa
I haven’t seen the game. I worked. The tea leaves Im reading here it seems the niners Offense is getting too creative. The Harbaugh game, is the kind of game that dudes in leather helmets played. Fundamental football! Not this qb back carousel.
So lets get this straight. Because I’m sick and tired of these smith fans making excuses for his poor performance.
1 the O-line classic excuse. The o-line played fine. 6 sacks and 4 were due to AS and Ck. watch the game again
2 the coaching… If smith was playing well you wouldn’t have seen CK in the damn game. Period! You know who else uses two qb’s? The Jets and we know why. The play calling is a dud because smith won’t or can’t look downfield and hit a reciever. Watch the game again.
3 the newest one. The finger. I knew sure as *hit if he struggled today this would come up. Well if his finger was the problem why was he playing? Isn’t that a little selfish? Because it damn sure hurt the team today.
4 the defense. Yes they are having issues with the pass rush but can any of you really sit there and say they would be this good without them? This is the problem with a dink and dunk offense that can’t stretch the field. You run into some trouble and are in a hole it’s very difficult to come back and win with that kind of offense. Yes it may work but its one dimensional and what’s the problem with having an offense that can put up points in a hurry? It seems like some of you know it’s not smiths game and are willing to settle for less or settle for just good enough. That isn’t a fan who wants the best for the team, just for a certain player. You can say I’m bashing smith all you want. With no evidence. But in reality I’m bashing you smith apologist’ because I really don’t think you give two craps about this team. You bash MC, FG, the coaching, the defense and an idiot like augustfromcanada calls CK out of his name. Now you tell me Smithers what kind of fan does that? I don’t expect a truthful answer from any of you. Because I know how hypocrisy works. So I’ll just ask you to google what a fan is. And look to see if its ok to be frustrated and to call out the weak links on your team.
Yup, I’m an AS fan because if he does well, the team wins. Take a look at the games against the Vikes and the NYG’s – Grant who is usually fair – graded the *team* poorly (both games) all around including AS. Both games are *team* losses yet some only want to focus on AS.
You, Jordo, Bay, etc, would have a good argument if everyone was graded a C or higher and only AS was an F – NOT the case. So your argument and the debate is not a good one.
Still waiting for anyone to point out that Alex Smith played well. I think most reasonable fans would see this a team loss, not just on the QB. Can you say that any group really played lights out?
MD “I know how hypocrisy works” U sure do buddy.
So lets look at ur point #4 When U call out AS because u think he is a weak link Ur just frustrated But when Angus calls out CK by altering his name (alice smith sound familiar??) he is an “idiot”. DDcheckdown is ok because fans are frustrated but craptree isn’t because he is a 9er and deservs our undying support. Also point #2 If AS played lights out we wouldnt bring CK in? Did u happen to catch the Bills game where AS had a 158.6 rating? CK played quite a bit not counting garbage time.
As a fan it is my right to hope, root, critisize, and be frustrated when my TEAM doesnt perform to my expectations, and that doesnt just work for the QB it goes for the whole TEAM. So when Cully gets burned by D.Hix i can say WTF when Spilman misses ST tackles i can say WTF ditto for CK phantom play action and AS throwing an 8yrd patern on a 4th and 15
+2
ok I just watched the game. sheesh horible coaching. why is jacobs not starting lets get that big ol boy from louisiana rolling! lets pound the rock! and pass a little. i dont know what this ninermd is talking about? what are you supposed to be a doctor? doctor of arm chair qbing. who cares who starts as long as he is the best option avaible. smith/kaep bla bla bla.
Obvious now that AS padded his stats over the last year with a record setting defense. The only two tough defenses he faced this year dominated his passing attack. He now has weapons and he is getting the same poor results. Thinking that AS has arrived because he throws high percentage short passes is laughable.
I also do not like how they are inserting CK. Have a plan for him when you do that. Give him a half of a game, or an entire game. Until you are ready to do that, let Smith sink or swim on his own. Smith was pathetic today. While he isn’t as bad as you saw today, he is what I’ve always said he is. …. Averge.
>>Averge (sic)
So bay, have you chosen your new team yet?
Rib,
since you cheer for average then maybe it’s you that needs to pick a new team to follow. Our Niners deserve fans that want the best and do not settle for mediocrity.
PICK YOUR NEW TEAM YET? Since you obviously care more about an average QB and defending him instead of wanting the best for your team….
Nope. Between the two of us, only YOU have publicly stated that you will dump the team if they keep their perceived “average” QB.
Words matter there, wordsmith.
Who is cheering for average???
.just not throwing out the 49ers Quarterback, unlike some….
The Niners lost as a team….in all 3 phases of the game…
Bay…. It sad isn’t it? I’m not saying start CK yet. But imagine if this was another player playing like this. They would be going nuts. Calling his play out and saying that position needs an upgrade. It’s simple. Some on here don’t give a crap about the team. Look at the blame already. OC, recievers, o-line, defense. They took NO time at all bringing up their play. It’s pathetic. This is why I can’t blame J23. He might not be a smith fan, but his venom is directed purely at some of these smith fans. Because they refuse to critique smith at all.
There is still a lot of season left, and I still believe this team is going to win a Super Bowl. Anything short of that will be a huge disappointment.
I don’t want this back and forth with Smith and Kaep. It’s not fair to either QB. Does not allow either to get into a rhythm. Let Smith sink or swim. If you are bringing in Kaep, give him a quarter. Give him a half or a full game.
Smith threw passes yesterday that looked like a panicked high school QB. Later in the game he further showed who he was by throwing short of the marker on 3rd and ten and 4th and 15. Please give us a chance AS or sit and let someone else give us a chance.
Our defense is NOT as good as last year. We need help from our QB or we will not get to the SB. Yesterday showed we are not in the Giants class period.
>>Because they refuse to critique smith at all
ribico:
>>a career worst game
>>yesterdays stink-o
As usual, you don’t knoe what you are talking about. Haters just see what they want to, that’s what haters do
.
MD, who said AS played well? So your thought process thinks its fine to slam his play but if someone mentions the poor play of any other player or unit (see Grant’s grades) it’s a cover up for the QB and the lovers are making excuses?? Really. I don’t see the excuses last night or today – who said AS played well?
hof
Make believe. Haters hating. If nobody writes what you wanted them to, just pretend like they did, and go off on that.
Md,
Read what I wrote would happen this week. There comes a point and time when you just have to respect a player for who he is. All the Smithers giving this disclaimer saying,” Who said Alex had a good game?” That’s a bunch of crap.
The defense played poorly??? No they didnt. They gave up 13 points. They were put in some very bad situations from Smiths 2 picks and the kick return at halftime. They spent far too much time on the field in the 2nd half because of the turnovers and Smiths inability to move the offense.
Hof you’re smarter than that. You know who I’m talking about. The people who skate around the fact that smith isn’t consistent. I myself have said there is no pass rush and st is dreadful. So what’s your point? I keep it fair when judging my team. The problem is some dont. That’s the problem. You even have bs digging deep into the alexcuse chest and bringing up JM again. Again hof. Show me where I’ve been bashing Alex? I like to think I’ve been pulling for him since last season. But I guess in your thought process it’s all or nothing with his play. Hate or love. Well brotha that’s not how I think. If he’s playing well I give him his due, if he sucks I try to point out the problems I see. Sorry you can’t wrap your brain around that way of thinking. But don’t start labeling me as a hater. Unless you label me the same when I say the pass rush an st and some coaching decisions suck. When I post those things I never get called a hater. Right?
MD, then what point are you trying to make? Most here are seeing it as a team loss. They see the team turning it around on Thursday – the whole team. BTW, you do recall we beat the NYG’s during the season and they ended up with a 9 – 7 record on their way to winning the SB. This team will be back.
MD, who called you a hater?
Same thing every week some defend Alex and some hate on Alex, blah blah blah Alex this and Alex that, who cares the team lost!!! Lets look forward to the next game against the seahags and get back on track and consistency from the entire team period!!
Thank you!
Who cares? I care! This was a measuring stick game for this team. Especially Alex. Why? Because our defense, running game and coaching have been consistent. Qb play and st haven’t. There’s a reason that there is arguing every week about smiths play. Every WEEK! This window they have to win it all isn’t going to last to long. Remember that.
MD
Why not? If we keep JH as coach and develop a good system why cant our window be wider. Remember when JH took over we said give him a few years to get his personell and system in place etc. So the window wasnt suposed to be open until the 2013 or 2014 season. And now because JH had sucess in his first year expectations ran wild and a window that was suposed to open next year is almost closing? Cowboy and CR are the only people in our D who are over 30. With good drafting and player development our window should extend for as long as JH is here. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE C’Mon we sucked for the last deacade and now in a span of 1 year its SB or bust every season? Its good to expect greatness but enjoy the journey as much as the final destination
Think what you Smith haters want, but no matter what you whine about, the fact that the whole team struggled cancels your whines out. It doesn’t matter who the QB is if the rest of the team has a bad day along with him. Everything has to click. If one part falters, the other parts have to make up for it. But if every part falters, then no team can win. Blaming a team failure on one guy who only plays on one side of the ball is just plain idiotic. Stop looking at only one biased aspect and focus on the whole puzzle for once. It’ll hurt and may affect your pride, but I’m sure you can do it.
So Smith’s 3 Int’s giving the Giants a short field didn’t play into the defenses poor performance?
Yes.
And let’s hope that evidence puts to bed further talk about “just sling it”, “throwing receivers open”, and “interceptions are the same as a punt”.
Hey Rib, Mr fake 49er fan, we still need to sling it and throw receivers open, we just don’t have a QB that is currently starting that has the ability to do it.
Yes bay, completely average.
Again, who is your new team?
Oh c’mon Short Bus. Smith’s first Int was a long pass thrown into double coverage. Troy Aikman literally said he couldn’t believe Smith made that decision because Walker was double covered and the inside receiver was wide open. The other 2 Int’s were short passes that were wildly inaccurate. There was nothing gunslinger about bad decisions and inaccuracy. There was no opportunity to throw the man open on any of the Ints. On the slant pass that was intercepted, the receiver was bracketed high and low and Smith overthrew the receiver but even if its a perfect pass it’s still intercepted because there was an underneath defender. Smith is not and never will be a gunslinger. He must be able to consistently hit intermediate level receivers and so far this year he has failed miserably at that.
Houston let them defend their hero. It’s all they have. Hey Smithers, on a positive note, Smith is still ranked in the top ten QB rankings. He fell from number one, to number seven in one week. I must say the QB ranking is a very legitimate ranking system. The proof is, Smith is ranked ahead of Eli Manning. smh….. NOT.
>>He must be able to consistently hit intermediate level receivers and so far this year he has failed miserably at that.
So miserable that when the gameplan calls for that he has >100 QB rankings.
Man, you are right it is hard defending him after yesterdays stink-o, but the haterpollooza on here is just amazing.
With Alex’s 4 picks this season, he finally tied Aaron Rogers, Joe Flacco and Matt Shaub. He’s gaining ground on Eli Manning, Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, Michael Vick, Matthew Stafford, Cam Newton…
Rib,
you are failing miserably with your positive spin. Yes Smith is now tied with other top tier QB’s in terms of INT’s. But, with increased INT’s, there should also be increased production. His production is still equal to last years even though he has more weapons. Nice try though.
As far as his QB rating, he had two games in which he padded his stats against low ranked defenses. Why don’t you pull up his QB rating against the two tough defenses. Tells you all you need to know.
I want a QB that gives me a chance to win, who is actually going to take shots. Smith had nothing to lose. Needing scores on 4th and 15, instead of going for a TD, he checked down. In a nutshell, that is AS. We needed him and he doesn’t even give us a chance.
You support the QB and you are not a real fan? It seems to me they were doing fine before they started the QB shuffle! It’s not ok to call out poor play from anyone but the QB? Really fans or pre-set agendas??!
>>But, with increased INT’s, there should also be increased production
By “production” you mean wins, and not just FF yards, right? (I hope so, you aren’t *that* stupid)
Top Tier QBS:
Vick: 3-3
Rodgers: 3-3
Brees: 1-4
Newton: 1-4
Stafford: 2-3
A lot of good that production is doing those “top-tier” guys.
Then we have:
Ryan: 6-0
Shaub: 5-1
Flacco: 5-1
Followed by the $hittiest QB in the league, soon to be benched:
Smith: 4-2
I hate having to defend Smith after that crap game, but you haters are just serving up hanging curveballs.
Rib, it’s best to move along.
The team lost and they can’t take it. They don’t think the blame should be shared – on only one guy! The grades say it all – the team played poorly period. Next up, Seattle.
Rib last year without perceived elite weapons Smith had 8 tds. This year with better weapons he has……..
… 8 tds. That’s why they are rushing Kaep along
Ribico,
At least you can see the writing on the wall. Smith will eventually get benched and he will not be on this squad going forward next season. I’m with JH on this one. He is going to continue to keep Kap on the field for this team. Smith is just going to have to accept that. He is a backup in this league and you will soon find that out. It’s unfortunate that it took you so long to realize it but at least you came around. Welcome to reality Ribico!
23 try and stay away from the predictions as much as you can, or at the very least say why with a bonafide reason.
23 says “Smith will eventually get benched and he will not be on this squad going forward next season”
Now you could be right but history says no. I also hope you are wrong and you probably do to because as real 49er fan, if Smith were to get benched that would mean the offense has collapsed miserably, we have lost consecutive games, the team is in turmoil, and now we might be going with a guy who is not ready, and not able to lead this team just yet.
Result, missing the playoffs. I dont think this team is ready for that just yet. One game man, one bad game if that on all facets, including our leader Harbaugh.
HOUSTON
Smiths 3 Int did not affect the D allowing Bradshaw to run all over them in the 4th quarter when we desperatley needed stops to get the ball back.
Nice try Hof. Smith’s poor red zone stats forced the Kap experiment
That is your opinion…where has that been stated by anyone from the team…
“Smith’s poor red zone stats forced the Kap experiment”
Bay, where’s the link validating this?? Please post…
Hofer,
really? Do you have to ask that? If a QB was successful in the redzone, do you think a HC would tinker with that?
The only validation I need of that statement is common sense.
Hofer last year you said this year was the year of no more excuses. You said Alex with a better oline and a second year under Harbaugh with upgraded receivers would improve.
HASNT HAPPENED.
Where is the link?
Your Opinion….So state it that way….
Bay, if they run the ball when CK is in that is more of an indictment to the RB’s. He hasn’t thrown it down there so I don’t see it your way. Again, prove me wrong with a link please…
JH said Kap plays because he is an added weapon on offense. We know he has more athleticism than Smith. We know he has a stronger a than smith, we know he is a faster runner than Smith. We know he has 2 running TDs( 3 really) sounds like a weapon to me.
Alex can dream of this throw:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/0ap2000000079689/Kaepernick-to-Manningham-for-36-yards
If you see the poise and how fluint this was ;)
damn he missed a more wide open KW for a sure TD just to the right…
just sayin with his arm strength there was no way a defender would have gotten to KW in time
rOB,
Hof said that CK was only being brought in to be a running back. Now they have him throwing it around. Next they will increase his workload.
The transition is happening before our eyes. Those that are in denial are in denial. They just don’t want to see their hero replaced.
It has nothing to do with ANYONE’s hero, it has to do with not wanting the team to suck so bad we have to result to bringing in our in-experienced QB a year or 2 early. That ‘transition’ didn’t look so hot yesterday. If they want Kap to transition, they should just do it then, pulling their strings like a puppet will ‘hurt’ both players and the TEAM.
Getting bitch slapped a couple times early in the season, will only help ‘fill the cracks’ before playoff time.
Just read thru all the posts, WOW the hate is really on!
Prediction:
The team will regroup and beat the Seahawks and Smith will play well, also we will see much less of CK in this game. There will be a much better game plan and the defense, which was embarrassed Sunday, will dominate. 49ers by at least 10.
+1
Jacktoo,
I respect your optimism. I really do. We are all fans and we really want the team to do well. However, some of us are realists as well. I try and take an objective approach to every game based on the teams history.
I’d love to say we’re going to beat Seattle and Smith is going to play well. However, I don’t believe that so I can’t say it. It doesnt mean that I’m spreading hate. I just want our tea m to have the best chance possible to win the superbowl. Alex Smith has not played great these past 2 years in JH’s offense against quality defenses. Seattle now has one of the best in the league. I think we both know that. The only benefit for Smith is that we are at home??? Not necessarily, we were at home yesterday. We shall see. 3 more days.
CK was held to no impact by an average defense. He plays Seattle’s D as a QB, he’ll be destroyed. If you have hope for CK, Seattle isn’t the team to build back his confidence against.
BS,
What was Alex held to?? Lol.
Jordan,
Not once has BS said that AS has played a poor game, he says everyone else did, but hell he is the only person in the world who thinks that AS would win multiple Super Bowls if he had the same team as Montana did in the 80′s.
The married couple return from their honeymoon. You two liked the loss. We all know it.
You suck as fans. Get a new hobbie.
IMO, Alex thinks every pass beyond 10 yards is a force, unless receiver is wide open.
Alex sounds like a politician now with those answers.
Just say “I played like caca today” and I will accept that Alex.
Enough with this “force” crap!
Good post crabs…. I know you aren’t I’m the business of “bashing” smith. And I’m sure your fair critique here will be considered bashing. But fans have to call it like it is. And you just did. With a price to pay no doubt. It’s pathetic that some on here take this critique about smith personally. It really does show their true agenda and fan hood. Good fair and accurate post
Try selling those PSL’s with that type of play.
md – Thanks, I call it how I see it. I’ve been giving Alex praise most of the season until now. Even when he’s suckin I pull for him but that was garbage yesterday.
ummm….
“San Francisco fans are racing to buy PSLs. After all, most fans don’t buy PSLs to make money—they buy them to see their favorite teams.
“No team, no arena, no ballpark has ever been as sold through this far out from opening as we are,” Guido said. “Frankly, we just couldn’t be happier than we are at now.””
http://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2012/09/05/nfl-psls-have-become-very-risky-investments/
Yeah, just go ahead and try.
Crabs,
You caught that too huh?” We turned it over too many times?” I didnt know we threw the football. There were 3 picks thrown in that game. Alex Smith threw all three and should have had 4 or 5. (tipped ball) Crabs, I’m just a realist. We could win every game the rest of the season but if we see the Giants in the playoffs!!!!! Alex Smith can not beat the N. Y. Giants.
23J – He’s 0-2 in playoffs vs Giants with two poor games. Imagine if those two games were in MetLife Stadium. This was a playoff-loss-revenge HOME game yesterday.
I don’t wany any part of Eli Manning in the playoffs. Anyone but Eli.
o-1 sorry
Manning is Elite. The boy makes some great throws. He anticipates his receivers body position well. I’m sorry, Smith doesn’t have that shot on his bag. He just doesn’t. Either you have it or you don’t. Alex win in N.Y. ???? NOT!! Even though the Giants play like crap at home most of the time.
Jordan,
Elite Eli completed 53% of his passes yesterday, for less than seven yards per pass. Those are not elite numbers.
ExGolfer – How are you and the fam? Those are not elite stats, but it felt to me like Eli connected on 80%, threw 4 TD’s and had 400 yards passing. Eli ripped my heart out!
Ex-
he got the job done. Look what his counterpart did. 41.3 rating 3 interceptions. 2 inside of our 20 yard line. Alex Smith ripped our hearts bout yesterday. 2 interceptions in 5 throws? Cmon man!
This game was just a horrible game all around but i just dont understand it when we are playing at home on the 3rd and 1 and our OL goes offside to put us on a 3rd and long situation!!! To my opinion that is not acceptable!
Chicago – 4th and 15 down by 20 points and Alex throws a 5 yard pass??? That is unacceptable in High School.
Smith looked like a nervous high school QB yesterday. If he can’t manage a close game he’s out of his element and definitely cannot be a playmaker against a good defense.
bay – If we’re going to play “musical chairs” with our QB’s, why not throw Tolzien in there for some reps? First down Alex, 2nd down CK7 and 3rd down Tolzien. Lol
Bay, it could be EM, PM, DB, or TB, no QB is going to be confident playing the QB shuffle. Right when AS makes some good yardage moving the ball on the first two series, they bring in CK and the team is stifled. It even affects the RB’s and WR’s. It’s one thing if they were more than run option handoffs but they weren’t. During the presser last night JH alluded to the fact there was too much platooning. I think they stick with running and the occasional pass that picks up big yardage similar to the first two games. Ball control…
Crabs,
My position has never change aboutnSmith and it never will. Alex Smith and this defense can beat 17 teams in this league. What about the other 14? The problem is, his inconsistency will never make this a championship football team. Yes we can win this division. Yes, we might even beat a team in the playoffs if we get a break or 2. However, we can never fall behind by more than 10 points in any game against a quality opponent.
Alex Smith has yesterdays game in his arsenal. You will see a lot more than those than you will the buffalo game last week. Love him or hate him, Smith is not the answer for this team. Keep integrating Kap into this offense because the games you win with Smith, you’re still going to win with Kap in the offense as well. Kap is gaining some valuable experience that he’s going to need in case Smith.
The teams you lose with Smith, Kap certainly can help. It’s no coincidence that every time the team needs a strong or deep downfield throw, they put Kap in the game. So clearly, Kaps arm is considerably stronger than Smiths. That throw from Smith to Delaney walker into triple coverage??? Smith finally decides to give someone a chance to make a play and it’s Walker???
Smith plays the same way against solid defenses. He plays with no confidence.
Hofer,
There is a reason they don’t play musical chair with EM, PM, DB, AR and TB.
Hofer,
I agree. But the question you have to ask yourself is why is there a QB shuffle? Why did Harbaugh implement such a strategy, and why is Kaepernick’s role expanding and growing week by week?
Don’t dodge the question. Why is it?
did grant just ban the ‘low-life bitch’ spouter
offense seemingly got off to a good start, the niner secondary began cracking first and eli was getting time and then bradshaw had moments of success to keep the niners defense honest….
i do think roman and JH got a bit CK happy …. CK did have that nice pass to manningham at end of 1st half but that was about it for his contributions …how many snaps did CK get 15-20? that is closing in on about a third of the snaps…seems to me this is pretty disruptive to offensive cohesiveness
staley goes down and then both davis’s have poor 2nd half games as well as iupati
then AS began his meltdown and but i thought at the time roman was calling too many drag routes but then again the line protection was not very stout so pretty much the house of cards, so to speak, came tumbling down…
the one thing i did take away from the end of this game was the niner’s defensive front getting a bit pissed and going a bit titan….
i have to admit AS is not a transcendent football player…also have to note CK put the niners into a couple of deep holes at inopportune times
roman has had a few poor games against good teams….is he really head coaching material
+1
JG,
Take a look at the quote from Ceadderman in the post before. My comment was for a reason.
ribico says:
October 15, 2012 at 7:43 am
Yes.
And let’s hope that evidence puts to bed further talk about “just sling it”, “throwing receivers open”, and “interceptions are the same as a punt”.
Yeah and sacks aren’t that bad either. You just don’t get qbing. That’s obvious. You said yesterday that nobody would hear arguing from you after that game. And yet here you are. Applauding average style qb play. That game managing play you love and brag about showed its ugly head yesterday. It’s one dimensional and is not effective for any kind of 3 possession hole. So basically instead of wanting a potent offense you will just cross your fat little fingers and hope the defense continues to carry this team and put them into a position to win close games against the top tier teams. Wheew that worked last season and its working again. Oh and how is smith consistent again????? Your problem with the truth must suck in your everyday life Ribico. I mean spending most of your time defending one player must be a great life for you. In the famous words of Hof…. Call it straight!
It was a game every potential championship team goes through in a season if indeed we are to become champions. A beat down, a melt down, and a domination that hopefully will serve us well in the long run.
What I do not understand is the people jumping off the bandwagon, not necessarily on this site but the entire sports world. Look we faced a complete team, just like ours, but we underestimated the heart of a champion. That Giants team is battled tested, deep, and needed to prove to the rest of the NFL that they were still the champs. They did that in almost every facet. Every single component of their team made a statement. Defense, special teams, offense, and coaching.
The Niners coaching staff for the second time this season got away from their teams strength. Maybe the Giants took it away but interms of establishing anything early in the game, they did the opposite.
On offense this substituting of Kap has run its course. It does not work anymore. Gimmick plays, wildcat, good for short yardage and thats it. Maybe one or two possessions a game, thats it. It was ridiculous yesterday and it made the Niners coaching staff look incompetent.
Defensively, Fangio blitzed when he should not have and sat back when he needed to blitz. Give Gilbride credit, he called a perfect game. It was chess at its finest and Vic was playing checkers.
As for Alex, he played poorly. There is no denying that but for some to say he has reverted back to the “old Alex” or that he cant compete against an elite defense is an easy excuse. What was the game plan yesterday offensively? Roman tried to be too creative. They got behind and abandoned the run and they were forced to drop back and throw it. This is the blue print of winning in the NFL. Make a team one dimensional on offense than you can mix up your coverage and confuse the QB. Thats what the Giants did. Rush four, play coverage and jump everything underneath. Is that not what we have done to teams? Its not a science, its how you win effectively on defense. Alex forced throws cause he had to, they were down.
Nothing went right from the missed FG’s, the potential INT’s, to the defense getting gashed in the run game in the 2nd half. It was a well prepared, well played game by the Giants. Harbaugh and staff got what they deserved and the players deserve equal blame. It happens.
Now we get a division opponent on a short week and good teams rebound from bad defeats. I think this Niner team will bounce back. Its who they really are.
FDM, you are a known AS support yet your read is balanced, including the analysis of AS, “he played poorly”. You called it like it was/is. Good read.
Thanks Hof and I think all of us “Smithers” have always alluded to the play and results on the field will merit Alex getting the recognition and criticism he deserves. Like every other 49er yesterday, not a lot of recognition to go around. Bad games happen, players struggle. For weeks before last night, people asked probably the best QB in all of football ( A. Rodgers)what was wrong, why has he struggled? He said nothing was wrong, they played some good defenses and things simply did not click, it happens, its the NFL. There are never any easy weeks and wins are difficult no matter who and where you play. Look at CLE, pulled a big win out. Does that mean Dalton and the rest of the Bengals regressed? Highly unlikely.
The most encouraging aspect of the loss is great teams rebound from defeats like this. We have no time to wallow, we play the 2nd best team in our division and it will be another battle. Im sure JH and co. will be ready like we have seen in the past.
FDM, agreed. I’m more interested in how they respond on Thursday – coaches and players.
The Kaepernick package works fine (5-9 for 89 yards, 12 carries for 112 yards and 2 TD’s), but they should just have him keep it on the option and run it. The reality is that Smith wasn’t playing well and his interceptions had nothing to do with CK, they were just uncharacteristically bad throws. If CK is Harbaugh’s future QB, it would be better to make the transition during the offseason and let this season play out, there is a lot of football left.
FDM,
Nice write up.
BigP,
I agree and I don’t think the intention is to replace Smith. I think they have become enamored with Kaps athleticism and the different ways they can use him. It’s now gotten to the point that is affecting the flow of the game. I think they need to let him play a series here and there as opposed to the switching back and forth in the middle of a drive.
BigP, you make a good point but what team historically does well with a QB shufffle?
As Rocket points out, it’s affecting the whole offense including AS, who did have a very poor game yesterday. The suggestion of finishing or starting a series may be the better way to go…
with the best running game average–6 yards per play—why mr. roman do you put the game plan in alex hands .The giants formula for victory was to stop the run and see if alex can be a elite quarterback.mr. roman helped them and lost any chance of victory.Alex is what he is——after 7 yrs—-he just doesent have it.
The game was lost on the first two drives. When you keep the ball for about 13 minutes and twice drive deep into the opponent territory, you have to come up with at least 10 points. If the Niners had converted just one of the two drives into a TD, the Giants would have had a different mindset being down 10-0 instead of 3-0.
I thought Roman got a little bit too cute once the Niners got inside the 30 on the first two drives. You are moving the ball at will, keep pounding it down the Giants throat. Instead he brings in Kaepernick and tries low percentage trick plays. Too bad we did not have Jacobs. He would have been pumped up facing his old team, and Roman would not hve needed to call those trick plays.
To top it off, the kick coverage team went AWOL just at the wrong time. They gave the Giants a short field at a crucial juncture and it led to a back breaking score.
Just one of those days. No need to panic. There are a lot of games to go. I still see the Niners as the class of the NFC. I have no doubt we will see the Giants once again in the playoffs and we will beat them when it really counts.
Go Niners. Go (SF) Giants.
4-2 guy… The 49ers got out played by NY and have to suck it up and move on… THE GIANTS ARE 2 – 1 AGAINST THE 9ERS AND HAVE THEIR NUMBER PERIOD. Just as the Saints have had NY’s number since Coughlin’s been there (1 – 3)! Let’s just hope they don’t face NY again in the playoffs.
In honor of of one of the most famous Bay Area products, let’s do a “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” breakdown from yesterdays game.
The Good:
Hmmm….the weather was nice. If I really try I can give the Defense credit for holding the Giants to FG’s after the two Int’s Smith threw deep in Niner territory. Other than that…the weather was nice.
The Bad:
No pass rush for the most part. Last season this Defense was effective because they were able to get pressure with 4 most of the time. Yesterday, they barely touched Manning and it cost them dearly. Culliver was beaten deep by Hixon, and the CB’s just couldn’t hold up at times with Eli having time to throw.
The ST’s continue to be a problem both with Akers missing FG attempts and the coverage units giving up big returns. The opening KO return of the second half was deflating for the players and the fans at the Stick. Going down 17-3 put the Niners into a seriously bad position and one they are not accustomed to dealing with.
Wasted opportunities again cost this team. The first two drives by the offense took up most of the first quarter and piled up yards, but they had to settle for FG attemps on both and one was missed. That can’t happen against good teams. If they score even one TD and hit a FG on the other, this is probably a much different game. Instead, it allowed the Giants to get their act together and come back strong.
Carlos Rogers had a chance to turn the momentum with an int. that hit him right in the hands and he dropped it. Antrelle Rolle made a one handed stab for an Int, and Rogers can’t catch one that hits him square in the hands. That’s the type of day this was.
The Ugly:
No matter what side of the Alex Smith debate you are on, you cannot despute the fact he played a poor game yesterday. One of the best attributes of Smith’s game the past couple of years has been the fact he will not make the big mistake either by throwing it to a bad spot, or getting panicked and making a throw that isn’t there to be made. Yesterday he did both. He looked great the first two drives and then…he fell apart. He forced a wheel route to Walker that wasn’t there bypassing Manningham who was open down the middle. He just locked on to Walker and paid for it. Later on he had Manningham wide open down the sideline, underthrew it and an easy TD was lost. In the second half with the score 17-3, he hesitated on a 3rd down play because Crabs wasn’t able to get open on the slant and forced a bad throw that sailed over Crabs head and was picked by Rolle. To finish off the trifecta of ugly, he then was baited by Rolle on another slant that pretty much ended any chance this team had to come back and make a game of it. Without question the worst game Smith has played in the Harbaugh era and maybe even the Sing era.
The Playcalling. Last week we were wondering if we might lose Greg Roman to a HCing job next year, this week I’m wondering if he is drinking up in the booth during the game. I will never understand why we get away from the formula that works for this team. This is an offense that runs the ball and mauls people, then throws off of that. This is not a team that should be throwing it at the expense of the run. Frank Gore had 8 rushes yesterday, that is unacceptable especially given the fact he was averaging 4.5 a carry. Even at 17-3 it was too soon to panic and get out of the the gameplan that has worked so often, but he did and it predictably fell flat.
I like the Kap packages that were put in in recent weeks. He is a nice change of pace guy who makes defenses have to defend the edges, but yesterday they overdid it. Every QB in this league has got to be able to develop a rhythm for the game and it seemed everytime we started to get something going with Smith, they’d bring Kap in and it would come to a halt. That’s not to say Kap didn’t have some good plays, he did, but they have to use him differently. Give him a series to play instead of bringing him in and out. If Smith has something rolling, stick with him and let him see it through. Roman gets way too cute with his playcalling sometimes and yesterday was a clear example of a scattered gameplan. It’s like he was just throwing things at the wall instead of having a clear concise idea of what he wanted to do.
Unfortunately games like this happen sometimes. It sucks to watch, and is very demoralizing, but it has to be forgotten immediately. Dwelling on this only exacerbates the impact of it and will affect them on Thursday against Seattle. If I’m Harbaugh, I burn the film and forget about it. Don’t focus on it even for a minute and just move on to Seattle. As a fan that is what I’m hoping they do because a win on Thursday will put them at 5-2 going into Arizona and the good times are rolling again. If they let it linger, they are in danger of dropping a game to their closest division rival and all of a sudden a season that started with so much promise is in danger of leaving them 4-4 at the bye. This is where Harbaugh has to step up and get these guys focused on the Hawks and away from lamenting the Giant game that got away.
rocket, excellent write-up as per usual.
Thanks Rib. Much appreciated.
Rocket,
You summed things up very well. I especially appreciated your thoughts on the weather. It would’ve been even better if there was a little more detail, though. Was there a breeze? Were there any clouds in the sky? Did the fog roll in toward the end of the game? That kind of thing.
Smith played a horrible game, and he had plenty of company. Just a bad, bad, game for pretty much the whole team. And, no, I am in no way insulating or excusing Smith from his awful play yesterday.
I hope we look back on this game and it was the like the 40-8 beat down the Eagles put on the Niners in 1994, leaving them 3-2.
I find it funny that there are posters accusing others of defending Smith’s play by discussing other aspects of the 49ers’ poor play after having already noted Smith’s horrible play. The anti-Smith crowd are forcing the “Smither” barbs the same way Smith forced some of his passes yesterday.
Just so you guys know The Giants score alot of points every week, I think this is one of their lower scoring efforts. The niners scored 3 points, Smith threw 3 picks and lost the game for the niners. You guys need to just have alex smiths baby because your love of him has nothing to do with football. The guy is terrible just watch him, he’s a meek scrub with a terrible skill set, you shouldnt need 8 years to realize that. Your learning curve is as slow as alex 3 and out smith.
Gotta love that even though we were down by 4 scores old alex is still checking down passes for 4 yards. No sense of urgency with this loser, everything needs to be handed to him on a silver platter to have the slightest success. It’s pathetic to watch the human blooper reel alex smith.
Alex’s two biggest problems which he has yet to evolve: He holds the ball a little too long, and he can’t extend plays. When he reads the D right, he usually does well. When they take away his option, he doesn’t know what to do. Yesterday was a team loss — but it was also a chance to make a statement that he’s broken through against a good defense. The play calling was bad but good times find a way to come back. he did it once against a good Philly team at the time, when they were booing him. But he didn’t close the deal.
He can make the throws, he has to develop better awareness and you can’t coach that. Look at Russell Wilson, he threw 2 long passes against NE, and he doesn’t have a strong arm.
CK is not ready for the big leagues yet but he has a huge arm. He throw a rocket to KW.
Ya, it was a complete team loss today. Even coaching was to blame. The team is as good as it will get with AS @QB. You have to stick by him for the rest of this year as it is too late to do anything about it. And the team would only get worse if you try and change it now. Stop whining they are 4-2 and the season is far from over. The Lions have a decent backup QB named Kellen Moore, the scouting report on this guy looks like a carbon copy of one Drew Brees when he first came into the NFL If you want to do something swing a deal with the Lions and get this guy in here in the off season!