Here’s how Greg Cosell explained Vernon Davis not catching a pass against the Seahawks Thursday morning on The Murph and Mac Show.
COSELL: “First of all, I don’t think their pass game was very dynamic. I don’t think it was very multidimensional this week. Watching the film, I definitely got the impression they felt this would be a low-scoring game. They were going to run the ball.
“I don’t think that they really did a lot schematically with their passing game. The thing with Vernon Davis, he does not run a wide variety of routes. He runs maybe three or four routes, and many of them are shot-play type routes. If those plays don’t work, then he doesn’t necessarily hit big plays.
“I think what we’re seeing is a slow evolution to the fact that they want this to be a running game. They’re somewhat limiting Alex Smith, and when they feel they can win a game with their defense as they felt they could against Seattle, [that's what the 49ers are going to do.] I think this game played out probably exactly the way they wanted it to play out.”
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Yes, the Harbaugh way – Win without showing too much! This is perfect, especially for the fact that we play them again late in the season which might have an impact on division standings.. I love it, win the game and only use the explosive plays IF necessary.
I agree winning is the most important thing.
I’ve been a fan since 1976 and we were spoiled by the 90′s. Every game we “expected” not only to win but to score first and on the first possession.
I analogize it to boxing. Very few fighter have a “one-punch-knockout.” They win with combination punching.
It’s frustrating and it seems to take longer and has less flash BUT as long as we keep winning – I can handle it.
On the other hand, in Minnesota and against the Giants, they tried to be a pass first team… and we know how that turned out.
Jomona
The thing is, those two teams are able to get pressure on the QB with 4 rushers. So they don’t need to blitz. That means they have that extra guy in coverage to help the secondary.
And I don’t care who the QB is. If you can get a good pass rush with 4, that QB is going to have a rough day.
Agree w/DS94ever.
That’s why I was hoping for a “no-huddle” offense as a counter.
Jomona,
Agreed! That’s why it’s so perplexing that Roman would abandon the running game.. the fact that the viqueens and gints are excellent pass-rushing teams is no secret, so why go pass-happy? It played right into their hands.
The way to beat teams like that is to turn those pass-rushers into run-stoppers.. turn the attackers into defenders, it’ll wear them out quicker. After a couple of quarters of defending the run, those pass-rushers will be gassed.. THEN you’ll see the QB having all day to throw, because the pass-rushers won’t have the energy to attack.
I’m no coach, just a student of facts. Considering the strength of this team’s offense to run the ball, seems like you’d try to dictate the game to your strengths instead of creating a vulnerability.
@ jomona:
Yeah, but the fantasy football geeks want big passing yards! They’re bright and shiny! Who cares if they don’t correlate very highly to winning?
Who wants big passing yards Fraude? I never pointed out 300 yards in this game. I said Smith couldn’t get a pedestrian 200 and he didn’t. And my bigger critique of average eleven are the missed scoring opportunities.
Missed two more TD’s in this game. But go ahead and defend that Fraude.
>>But go ahead and defend that Fraude.
W.
So I think my point is correct; The 49ers do not need Vernon Davis to catch for more then 50+ yards a game to win.
LoL Coffee!
So in other words VD didn’t have a catch cause no only do we all know Alex sucks, but the team has to limit him in games. Aide they can’t depend on him to win games. My thoughts exactly. Why?………… Cause ALEX SMITH SUCKS!!!!!!
Hahaha ! You’re funny and a terrific poster.
Grant, can you just post the full article like last year, or at least a link vs. breaking it into 3 or 4 different pieces. I understand it helps your stats, but it’s like beating your head through a paper mâché wall!!