SAN FRANCISCO — The 49ers tied the Rams 24-24. Here is the grade for the 49ers special teams.
Special teams: F. Let me count the ways the 49ers special teams failed against the Rams.
- They gave up two fake-punt passes for first downs. The first time, the Rams were backed up into their own end zone. Special teams coach Brad Seely called an all-out blitz to block the punt, so Chris Culliver left his man. The punter, Johnny Hekker, who was the scout team QB at Oregon St., immediately threw a perfect pass Culliver’s man, who was wide open. Seely was outsmarted by the Rams.
- The Rams’ second fake-punt pass came on a critical drive in the fourth quarter. If the 49ers had stopped the fake, they would have won the game. Instead, the Rams finished the drive with a touchdown. You’d think Seely, the assistant head coach, would have learned his lesson the first time.
- They allowed Danny Amendola to return a punt 62 yards. True, the refs called the run back due to an illegal block-in-the-back penalty. Still, the 49ers did not cover that punt well.
- David Akers missed a 41-yard field goal in overtime that would have won the game. Last season Akers made 48 of 56 field goals. This season, he’s missed five field goals in the last six games.
All in all, not what you expect from a division champion.
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A well deserved grade!
One word: UGH!
Nailed that grade, Grant.
F-. Absolutely terrible.
I’m not sure what was worse, the defense that had zero turnovers and gave up over 450 yards to the friggin’ Rams, or the special teams!??!?
The only bright spot was Kaep overcoming his initial suckitude and performing admirably. That said, if Smith misses any significant time, this season is going to be dicey….Teams will crash blitz kaep all day.
I’d strongly prefer alex to start over kap so I’m hopeful he will get cleared, but I have some faith in our coaching staff’s ability to coach some wins and success out of Kap if need be.
But also yes… F- for ST
I would of given them a grade lower than a F. Our special teams have sucked all year. When Ginn returns kickoffs same thing , get’s stopped at the 19. Seely suppose to be the best special teams coached in the game, I don’t see it. Unprepared, horrific tacklers
Sorry I give them a D. They did force a fumble that led directly to a TD.
one fake punt ;ok ; two unacceptable.
Was going to say the same thing, a D for the fumble that lead to the go ahead td.
Fisher is the king of special teams fakes. Anyone remember the Music City Miracle? The first one I don’t think was called. It was something the punter was probably told to do if he saw that. Good film watching. Gutsy to do it out of the end zone! The second was designed really well. The punter made it look like a run and drew the defender at him then threw it to the guy the defender was on. We need to make adjustments when we head to their place. Fisher will come up with something new. They have nothing to lose.
On the second punt, when the guy went into motion why didn’t harbaugh call a time out and put the defense back out there? Clearly they were not prepared for what was coming!!!! Coaching has to get better.
Point #5: Ted Ginn continued to run from the back of the end zone and not make it across the 20. While Ginn has the stones to create a big return, you don’t run those out from the BACK! Between penalties, injuries, and worse starting field position take the knee Ginn.