Some of you may be wondering why Aldon Smith and Dashon Goldson were not finalists in my midseason defensive player awards.
Let’s be clear – they’re both having Pro Bowl seasons.
Dashon Goldson is having the best season of any safety in the NFC. He’s defended two passes, intercepted two passes and scored a touchdown. He also made the hardest hit of the 49ers season Monday night on Early Doucet.
Aldon Smith is tied for fourth in the NFL with 7.5 sacks. He also has 27 pressures. Over the last two games, he’s accumulated 3 sacks and 8 pressures. He seems to be hitting his stride as November approaches.
What about Ahmad Brooks? He’s having a Pro Bowl season, too. He only has four sacks, but he has 26 pressures and he’s a better at dropping into coverage than Aldon Smith.
These three have been excellent. Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman and Justin Smith have been even better. That just goes to show how great the 49ers defense is.
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Aldon has been great at rushing the QB and can over power and slip by his blocker to make tackles in the backfield. But on more than one occasion when the run went to the opposite side, Aldon has lost backside containment when the runningback cut back toward’s Aldon’s side. Too often he runs straight to where the back is going instead of making sure his gap/hole is still taken care of. Also, early in the season I noticed Aldon out of place when the offense shifted and moved a receiver from the opposite to Aldon’s side. I’m guessing that should have changed Aldon’s responsibilities from Rush to some sort of man or zone coverage because that receiver ended up getting the ball in an area of the field completely vacated by defenders on Aldon’s side.
Parys Hareslon didn’t rush the passer like Aldon Smith and wasn’t as explosive at making tackles in the backfield. But he did maintain backside containment and knew his coverage responsibilities. Which is why he played the early running downs last year.
critique of Aldon culd be accurate but his ability to get sacks trumps all his negatives. In the nfl rushing the passer is a bigger deal than stopping the run. That is why PH is on the bench
@hangover…
I believe PH is on the bench because he’s hurt…didn’t he tear a muscle during the preseason?
@55niner…injury or not, PH waz informed he wuld be on the bench this season
PH is on IR, not riding the bench. He was not “informed he’d be riding the bench”. Aldon was given the inside track, but Fangio pointed out early in mini-camps that if Aldon didn’t play well in run support that PH would get more minutes.
Aldon has played well, but he has indeed lost backside containment enough times that I can remember them. That’s mental and so its correctable. Haley’s aggressiveness made him susceptible to boots & reverses too, but Aldon is already better against the run than Haley ever was.
You’re just blatantly wrong. Aldon has been stellar against the run. He has been suspect in pass defense, however.
then you haven’t been watching closely enough.
watch the Packers game and especially the Vikings game again. Cutbacks to the backside were vulnerable. Again, Aldon does a good job when the run comes to his side or he breaks into the backfield and chases down the runner. But he’s lost backside containment on a few plays because he aggressively pursues the runner and sometimes gets caught up in the scrum.
I think all you guys are right for the most part. Aldon Smith is a great pass rusher. He’s very good against the run. He’s poor when he drops back in coverage. At this point, Brooks is a more complete player than Smith. I do agree with whomever said Pass Rush trumps all. A sack in a critical time is equivalent to hitting a home run ball when it counts. A sack is devastating to an offense.
I disagree with whomever said he loses containment. I think he’s actually very good on backside support. I still don’t understand the philosophy of dropping him into coverage so often. He was guarding the TE against the Vikes when Ponder hit that TD falling away in the first half. They literally had Aldon lined up against Harving in the slot against the Vikes and Moss in the slot against the Jets. I just don’t get that strategy. Smith is a top pass rusher in this league. IMHO Smith is too long and lacks the lateral quickness often required in pass coverage. He will never be good against the pass. It’s just not his game. Part of the issue with the pass rush is the scheme. Why in the hell are they dropping Smith into coverage so often? Fangio deserves the benefit of the doubt and he surely knows more about defense than I ever will but I still don’t understand what he’s doing.
“ninermd-But those wins aren’t HIS! That’s all I’m saying”
Seriously guys we really have discuss drug testing those that comment on here
Is this clown normal? This has to be the funniest quote from an alex hater
They will never be happy, those fans are rooted in for the long haul. If anyone cannot see that Alex Smith has discovered his game under this regime and that he has the capability to win many more games, there is not one arguement, fact, evidence, video, that will be able to convince them.
I say, too bad, let the crying continue, at least its entertaining.
Axel, my twin brother, this is why these clowns are called the Jive Turkey Gobblers!
Hey onetomanynames….. Try a drug test yourself. This isn’t even the right column. So busy stalking me you don’t even know where you are. Dummy! I would loooove for you to go on the actual post and refute my posts. What? You scared of calling grant out again? Go on one to many…. Refute my posts with some of your all knowing madden knowledge. Sorry homie. You’re gonna have to share your boy dream. :-(
Actually he could refute your senseless post with this – “For the first time in his career, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith was named the NFC offensive player of the week. His performance was near flawless as he completed 18 of 19 passes for 232 yards and three scores. Not to mention his quarterback rating was an impressive 157.1.”
but not to worry they must have voted for him because his first name starts with an A.
Peter king – “Take away one 17-yard gain by Frank Gore, and the Niners struggled running it all night (3.4 yard per rush excepting the 17-yarder)”
ninermd = “You got me wrong dude. You just don’t like the fact that the strengths of this team doesn’t include smith and the passing game.”
I don’t know who is more confused this guy or mittens. One thing is clear they both suffer from romnesia!!!
One thing is clear tho – “Ignorance is when you think you have it right when you don’t, and there is no proof you are wrong.”
The person who you quoted there at the end sounds very wise Messi.
:- )
The Condor accelerates and closes in on his prey like no other. Any truth to the rumor Ronnie Lott called The Goldson after the game? Nice “Whooo” hit.
Razor – I can’t locate any truth yet but I still love your post!
Love the “Whooo” Blast
Ronnie was the Best!
And you’re right the Condor closes in on his target faster than anybody I see playing the game right now. Scary Good!
Our defense is the most solid group on this years team. However, they don’t seem fo be as explosive or exploitative this year……not sneaking up on the opposition like they did last season.
55 – Defense not explosive??? That’s a first.
C15
Maybe he means “not explosive” in terms of getting all the sacks/TO’s like we did last year when I’d say we were explosive.
@55 Other teams have studied the 49ers for a year and schemed against the D, but they’re still getting it done. They haven’t duplicated the turnovers, but it was probably unrealistic to expect that they would. Opposing running backs are still coming up battered after playing SF.
This is Aldon’s second season, but it’s his first season as a complete 3-4 OLB. Injuries to the two rookies plus Parys Haralson have had a subtle effect on Aldon’s play. He was scheduled to start, but I doubt Aldon was expected to play over 90% of the defensive snaps.
Pass Rush: It’s coming after a slow start. His sack numbers are slowed by QBs making more 3-step drops. Since he has to be on the field much longer then originally planned, Aldon may also be using fewer energy consuming “bull rushes”, restricting sack attempts to stunts and edge rushes.
Look for Aldon’s sack count to increase if/when Clark Haggans can effectively play more snaps.
Run Defense: Aldon sets the edge very well when a run play is designed to go outside. He’s also shown great speed chasing down runs going to opposite way from behind. Another BIG plus is he’s starting to get more tackles for a loss… just as good as a sack. But if a run at first goes inside, then cuts outside, he’s often out of position (as allforfunnplay pointed out).
Coverage: Needs work. Tends to lose track of runners out of the backfield. Offenses are attacking his side with bubble screens and short passes to the left flat behind Aldon and in front of the safeties. (Would Aldon be a better 4-3 DE?)
Summary: Love Aldon Smith. It’s really his firsts season as true OLB, and he’s doing relatively well. I’m certain Aldon will improve in run gap discipline. Hopeful bit not as certain about disrupting passes in the left flat. If Clark Haggans can get on the field more, look for Aldon to have a great second half.
http://ninerchatter.blogspot.com/2012/10/3-areas-of-concern-for-49ers.html
What are your top 3 areas for concern/improvement for the 49ers in the 2nd half? Let’s try to keep Alex Smith out of it : )
Thanks to MidWest for the question.
Okay I’ll bite,
Everybody seems to focus on Alex because he’s the QB but this IS a Team Game and to me the Secondary has to be more consistent just like Alex.
Look at the 2 losses against the Vikings & the Giants? The Secondary did not play well at all so there’s an area that needs improvement in terms of Consistency. And that goes for the Pass Rush as well in Sacking the QB because we all know those 2 tangibles go hand in hand.
Want to see more YAC out of the WR’s, yes the Cardinal game was by far the best in years so let’s hope that continues in the 2nd half of the season.
ST’s Coverage, this too has improved based on what I saw Monday night but again this is a Team Game & they need to be more consistent as well.
There you have it.
Jack
As the OL goes, so does everything else. The QB is the most important position, but also the one most dependent upon others. And that starts with an OL. You can hide poor WR/TE or RB play. But you can’t hide poor OL play. No holes for a RB, no time for a QB, you’re screwed no matter what. Even if you have Walter Peyton or JM back there.
Everybody is talking about AS after Monday night. But tell mehow often AS had blocking so good he didn’t have to reset his feet hardly at all? This AS is what we’ll have if the OL blocks like that.
AS will repeat that performance as the norm more or less if the OL repeats their performance. One needs the other. And a QB needs his OL.
@ Jack:
Good list. Here are 3 different things that concern me.
1. Injuries
The 49ers have been above-average in avoiding injuries for the past season and a half. Has it been good fortune, and is the team due for a regression to the mean, or does the training staff give them an advantage? Either way, a serious injury to the wrong player(s) could derail the team’s playoff hopes.
2. Lack of Depth on the Defensive Line
I haven’t kept track of the minutes logged by Justin Smith and Ray McDonald, but it seems like they are still playing way too many snaps, which has to be stunting the development of Dobbs and Tukuafu. Both Smith and McDonald wore down on the Cardinals’ long scoring drive and had to come out. What if that happens in the playoffs (or, God forbid, an injury occurs) and the team needs quality minutes from Dobbs and/or Tukuafu?
According to Barrows, Jean-Francois has been stealing more minutes from Sopoaga as the season has progressed, so I am not as concerned about the NT position.
3. Roman Getting Too Cute with the Gameplans/Play-calling
I am of the opinion that the most efficient offenses master a fundamental core set of plays that they can execute to perfection before they start branching out, and adding exotic formations/gadget plays, etc. I am not sure that Roman subscribes to the same philosophy, although I have no factual support for my belief, just a sense or suspicion. In any case, the 49ers have only been in his offense for 1.5 seasons, and have only had 1 off-season to learn it. I hope that they are still working on mastering those core plays (it would seem that they have in the run game). I also can’t dismiss the idea that sometimes Roman wants to show how smart he is, which leads his gameplans/play-calling to stray from the 49ers’ strengths.
Because I am feeling generous, here’s a bonus concern.
4. The Reduction in Justin Smith’s Pass Rush Effectiveness/Numbers is the Result of Age Catching up with Him and is Therefore Irreversible
God, I hope not.
Good stuff Claude. I think 2 and 4 go together a bit. Smith played more than any time in his career last season. While still playing at a very high level, it isn’t where we saw him last year.
As for Roman getting too cute, I agree from the standpoint that he gets away from the run. Their run game is made up of core plays as you mention, just with different motions/formations (window dressing). Even the plays you see them run with CK are from their core run groupings. It is similar with their passing game as well.
Start with the run, and everything will come off that.
“The Reduction in Justin Smith’s Pass Rush ”
I think this is part of the strategy to get Aldon more sacks, justin has been involved more to occupy blockers which in turn frees up Aldon
@ Jack:
Yeah, they’re related, but the idea that Smith’s age means we’ll never see anything close to what he did in 2011 concerns/scares/depresses/choose your verbs me.
Thanks for your thoughts on Roman.
Here’s another possible non-Alex Smith concern no one has raised: David Akers. He hasn’t seemed quite like the same player this year. Is he getting old? Did the 49ers’ red zone problems in 2011 lead them to kick his leg off? Or am I blowing things out of proportion?
This is less of a concern because the team seems to be regaining its red zone mojo, but, still, I am less sanguine about Akers’ ability to nail a game-winning long field goal this year than I was last year.
@ Messi:
You could be right, but if that’s what’s going on, the strategy isn’t working. While Justin’s sacks have completely fallen off this season (7.5 last year; on pace for 0 this year) Aldon’s have increased only marginally (14 last year; on pace for 15 this year).
I wouldn’t be happy with such a tradeoff.
I think the decrease in sacks is a result of scheme more than anything. As I said earlier, the 9ers are dropping Aldon Smith into coverage more often. Also, Aldon is playing full games this year so he’s not as fresh when all the o-lineman are tired as they were last year. To me, sack numbers are more about the d-line gelling and coaches understanding the best way to use the players. By the end of the year, I am fairly confident the 9ers will be getting after the QB as well as any team in the league.
@ Houston:
I hope you are right.
Good article. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus blames the o-line for 16 of the 49ers 24 sacks allowed. The other 8 are on Smith, apparently.
Grant
I think a few of the sacks were on CK. I don’t know if he got the blame though for them.
Thanks Grant. Those numbers sound about right just based off watching the film.
Left and right A-gap seems to be a bit of an issue if the D-line overloads right there.
Smith and backs need to see that better, audible out or signal for protection.
The other half would indeed be Smith not dumping the ball or getting it out faster.
It’s all chick or egg though, line collapses or routes don’t develop he has to dump the ball to avoid the sack, regardless of who the stat gets pinned on.
How many batted balls does Aldon have this year? Seems to me he should have a lot with those long arms getting up there. I’d like to see him improve in that area as well.
I wonder in the history yrs of the NFL, if there waz ever a QB whose confidence waz questioned or doubted, after a win and he then play lights outs the next game (like 1 incompletion and 3tds)
One consistent thing about Alex is that he his a Winner.
Only a winner can erase all those losing records and quiet the haters, its obvious the ceiling is way high no one knows how better he will be.
After last season and last game we can agree he will always be better!
Alex is the man!
After 7yrs, some claimed that game against the Giant was Alex worst game ever.
I have to say if that’s true, in my opinion Alex is a good QB already climbing the ladder of greatness.
When in your opinion was Alex worst game as pro?
For me I am tempted to say that philly game during sing time, I am suprised I don’t recall many games especially since we did lose a lot.