The 49ers have a big problem with Justin Smith.
Even if he is able to play in the playoffs, a triceps injury is very painful, especially when the elbow gets beyond a normal range of motion. The 49ers probably would have to brace his arm and restrict how far he can extend it. This would limit his ability to push people away from his body and to play off blocks that require explosive strength. Also, it would inhibit his pass rush technique, like a bull rush or a butt and run with a jerk technique.
That’s the best-case scenario for the 49ers and Justin Smith. The worst case scenario is he misses the playoffs. Ray Lewis missed 12 weeks this season with a triceps tear.
The 49ers defense has looked terrible without Justin Smith the last six quarters. They’ve given up 73 points. We know how Smith physically affects the run defense and the pass rush, but the 49ers have six other Pro Bowlers on the defense. They should not turn into a sieve just because Justin Smith is out.
So why is his absence affecting the 49ers so dramatically? Could it be affecting the 49ers mentally?
He is their best player. It’s hard to overcome the loss of your best player in late December, right before the playoffs.
The 1990 Los Angeles Raiders lost their best player, Bo Jackson, in a divisional playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Kevin Walker tackled Bo from behind and dislocated his hip. The Raiders managed to win that game 20-10, but the next week they were annihilated by the Buffalo Bills 51-3.
Even without Bo, the Raiders should have put up a better fight in the AFC Championship game – they still had Howie Long and Marcus Allen. But they couldn’t mentally get past the loss of Bo, their stud.
Are the 49ers in a similar situation with Justin Smith?
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I dont know but they better figure it out quickly..I dont know what it is but the glass is looking half empty..Guess anythings possible look at the NY Giants last year…
He’ll be able to play with it. JS at 75% is still better than most DE’s in the league.
Guys with one useful arm don’t play in the NFL. Particularly not on the line. Unless he makes a miracle recovery, he will not be effective if he did play. He would have no ability to shed blocks, and no pop in his pass rush charge.
This is grim news.
He does a lot of grabbing and pushing with his legs. It’s all about pain tollerance now. His arm isn’t completely done. A biceps injury is way worse. I’ve had tricep/ elbow injuries while playing football. It hurts but it’s nit debilitating. I expect him to play.
“Guys with one useful arm don’t play in the NFL”
Have you seen Mark Sanchez?
LOL, msclemons. Got me there.
Lemons for the record I would never say what some are saying that I said about your wife. We have never got along and I am a jerk to some haters but for the record that was not me who said anything pertaining to your wife.
If the running game is non-existent and the 9ers can’t get convert third downs, the defense is going to get winded, Justin Smith or no Justin Smith. The forty niners need to get back to the ball control game, but realize that Gore will not be able to do it alone. LMJ and Dixon are really going to have to step up, and the 9ers are going to have to think long and hard about next year because Gore seems to wear down by game 12 every year for the last few.
That is why i was angry at Harbaugh for not playing Brandon Jacobs. When Hunter went done he should of got more carries. Gore should not be averaging 16 carries a game like he is this year. He hasn’t had a 100 yard game since we beat the Seahawks in October which seems like a year ago. Look at Ladanian when he was Gores age he became a backup for the Jets. Its too hard on the body Gore has been doing this for 8 years most rbs last 3-5 years tops. Steven Jackson is Gores age and he just said he might retire. Here we are running Gore to the ground like he is 25 again. Lamachiel James is a nice change of pace but he doesn’t hit the hole like Kendell Hunter. Anthony Dixon is 2 yds and a cloud of dust. Jacobs and James and Gore should of all split carries. This coaching staff doesn’t use there bench they like to wear guys out like our defensive line playing every snap which is ridicalous. Harbaugh should swallow his ego and have a talk with Jacobs and get him ready for the playoffs. He could really help especially in short yardage where the niners struggle.
If a depressive malaise from the loss of Cowboy effected the Niners, my guess is that last week was their meltdown and now they can move on. I can’t say for sure that they will, but Patrick Willis’ comments lead me to think that they can. Sho’nuff time fo the Big Boy Britches.
The defenses best friend in an offense that controls clock and scores. We need that. In New england, we scored too quick so our defense was always out there; not to mention the 3 and outs in the second half that didn’t help. They were gassed period at the end of the season. That had more to do with the Seattle game than anything.
One consideration regarding how critical Cowboy is to the Niners might be a look at the Steelers. Lost variously Hampton & Harrison & Troy P. And guess what? The dominant Steelers D wasn’t this year. A couple of injuries on offense too, and now they miss the playoffs.
With our defensive personnel I think we can play well without JS. Fangio’s deal isn’t rocket science, its about knowing and doing your job individually and teamwork. We’ve got the team speed to do it.
adjustments!!!
The defense is the heart of the team and Justin is the heart of the defense. There’s still a lot of talent in other spots though – the LB corps in the league, solid safeties. Fangio will find a way.
I have one concern that keeps nagging at me – is Aldon Smith the 2.0 version of Dana Stubblefield? Stubby played great when he was next to Bryant Young and then descended to average when he didn’t have Young at his side. Aldon has looked sort of average the past 6 quarters.
It was harder to attack directly at Aldon when Cowboy was there. Teams will want to know how good Aldon is at the point of attack and to wear him down. It also tests the new guy. Makes sense.
Dana recorded 15 1/2 sacks one year without Bryant.
Grant, there’s really no way of knowing how big of impact the loss of J.Smith will be going forward.
I’m preparing myself (phycologically) in the event that JS is unable to play in the playoffs.
Your Bo Jackson example is a good one, but for every Bo Jackson who can’t be replaced there is an Earl Morrell who can come in and lead the team to victory after their star QB (Bob Greise) goes out with an injury.
I said earlier that you can’t replace a player like JS, I can only hope that the next man up can step in and hold his own.
I thought that RJF did a good job in the Patriots win and against the C-hawks.
Vic Fangio’ said today in his presser that 5 Justin Smith’ would not have made a difference against the C-hawks. Right now, I’d feel a whole lot better just having one.
Grant, you have a keen eye for the obvious.
This fanbase is the whiniest in all of the NFL. Even when they are winning they whine and cry. Must be a San Francisco thing.
Hahaha. Well, Desert Dude, I hope we play like we can and beat your boys’ butts, BUT some days I’d agree with your point!
Cards Fan,
With that list of QBs you have on your roster, it’s a wonder that you’re not whining. I guess you don’t expect much from a team that has lost 9 of their last 10 games. Soon to be 10 of 11. How does it feel to be the new doormats in the division? Get used to that. You’re gonna be there for a while. And yes, you can have Alex Smith for 2 number 1 draft picks. The Bidwells are dumb enough to make that deal! Good luck Sunday! Thank God I’m not a Cardinal fan!
Cardinals fan…. Lol like there is such a thing!
Niners just pretenders, the QB is another failed experiment. There was a reason he fell to the 2nd round. Your coach panicked, he was maybe a 6th rounder.
Cards Fan,
This is a football blog, go to St. Louis if your a Cardinal fan and enjoy your baseball, their is no team in the NFL that are called the Cardinals.
Neal did not realize you were the president of this country. I will post whatever I want. Your team is getting cold at the right time. Whose got it better than us? The Packers, skins, and Seahawks. You guys are beat up with an offense that is led by basically a rookie, good luck with that Neal.
Cardinal fan.
Your team has been cold for 3 years hahahah. With all that you said, we will still win the game easily and hey good luck next season, maybe your Cards will win 6 games. LMAO !!!
The Niners have had one good season and choked in the playoffs last year. Now they might be one and done in the playoffs. Harbaugh and his pom pom coaching wont last long. He is already making bone headed moves-smith, Jacobs, drafting Jenkins, all bad moves.
Jenkins will be looking good this week and the playoffs, Jacobs was a idiot and you can have Alex next season. LOL
Gladly we will take Smith. We have the better defense, the better WR’s, and all we need is two olinemen which we will get in free agency. If there is one team in the division on the decline is not the rams, not the seahawks, and we are bad but will be great next year. What about you guys, not so much, the window has closed for the red and whiners.
Cards fan please ignore Neal, no shape or form does he represent this fan base. He is just a kid who does not know football, anything he says is just baby talk!
Not so weird that Prime, the guy who mocked a cancer patient, is now siding with the opposing team. Got no clue, got no integrity, got no pride. Prime, you’re a total joke, an insult to humanity, and a complete loser for coming back again and again and again and again and again no matter how many times Grant erases your idiotic comments. You’ll be deleted yet again the next time Grant logs on. Get a life, sister.
Mr. Everything, keep dreamin son. Prime is not going anywhere.
What’s funny is you keep bringing up that lie about lemons wife. Hmmm?????
I could take the Cardinals seriously… but no. I mean, a franchise that last won a championship when? 1947? Really? REALLY?
The Steeler and Packer fans I can at least respect.
LMAO. Come back and crow when you WIN something other than a prize in the cracker jack box. Like five Lombardi trophies.
Until then, you’re just like the Bidwell family: LOSERS. Same as it ever was…
Prime
It’s your curse, you pathetic weirdo. Your comments will be gone come sunrise and with them, again, sadly, your integrity again, and again and again and again and again and again.
Adios, Prime Santa, you cancer-mocking virus.
Lol he said they have a better defense. Ha ha ha haaaaaa! Wheeew!
Now wait a minute, CardsFan. I went with you about there being some whiners on here, and yes even when we’re winning. But now you think your defense is better than SF’s? C’mon, a simple look at stats tells you what’s real. And how about you ging on about our ‘failed experiment’ or CK being a 6th round value. Yeah, right.
Besides, evidently there isn’t anyone in the State of Arizona who can competently evaluate QB talent, including you. Your just stroking yourself now, lost all cred. Move along, Troll.
Good call on the Bo Jackson thing. You could kind of sense Fangio trying to set it up so that doesn’t become an excuse. Think you are on to something…
Just remember that we also held New England in their last 2 series to win the game there with our defense without Justin Smith. When we dominate Arizona with our defense again this Sunday, know that they deserve the credit for doing it without Justin Smith. As far as I’m concerned, the rest of our defense should be personally insulted. It’s almost like those 5 pro bowlers are overrated or something. That’s exactly the way I feel like they should take it. Beating Arizona will not be good enough for this defense. Arizona is about to get destroyed by this Niner defense.
On another note, per ESPN Vernon Davis was cleared by an independent physician. He may be cleared by this weekend to play. I’d rather him sit until the playoffs.
Sorry, Grant, but, uh, Jim Mora-Defensive Genius?
That was a brutal game. I thought UCLA would win that. Good thing I don’t live in Vegas.
As a Golden Bear alumn, how can you say that? :)
USC is the enemy. UCLA has been little brother to USC for so long that I don’t hate as much as I should anymore.
Kind of like how the Emperor made Vader seem less bad.
I was impressed with SJSU. They are a stepping stone for coaches so most won’t last long there, but what a year they had in 2012. Congrats to the Spartans!!
I dont think the importance of Justin Smith to this defense can be overstated. I dont think this defense can run the 3-4 without him truthfully. The other options at his position are ok pass rushers but cant hold the point of attack or keep defenders off the linebackers. With the Linebackers being the strength of the Defense, they have to be kept free to chase the play down.
Without Justin there, the best lineup to keep Willis and Bowman free might actually be a 4-3 lineup alternating the Sopoage, RJF, Ray MacDonald… Brooks and Aldon are capable of playing DE in this lineup Although I dont think they could be an OLB in it.
From second and long to 3rd and 4 or more the niners could start playing in a nickel defense more frequently. This still keeps Willis, Bowman and Aldon on the field and gives a little more help to our struggling secondary.
I’ll be at the game on Sunday. So excited.
Should be a good game – the Cardinals are struggling but a division game is never a sure thing.
Tuto
Didn’t like the new name?
Oh yeah, just logged in from a different computer.
(on the field)
sorry
Boy, the mentality of our fan base is nothing like the mentality that you want from our team. What a bunch of whinny little men.
One guy goes down, you move on. You cannot cry all week about it? Coach Fangio said it, “we have to keep moving.” Who is next up? Who’s the next man up who’ll say “I’ll kick some arse!”
RJF? Cam Johnson? Dobbs? Who says “I?”
Let’s go people! Stop your __itchin’ and let’s get a win and tear it up in the playoffs! Man up everyone! Goodness! C’mon! Get fired up!
I worry about Kaep’s look of confusion and fear during the Seahawks’ game. It almost looked a bit Mark Sanchezish. I hope he man’s up and just plays! And tears it up!
You just bitched about our fan base being whinny little men. You talk about getting fired up, and then you end by being whinny yourself…..
How many personalities do you have in there???
And if you are hoping that Dobbs is the next man up you’re clueless.
He’s on IR.
I’ve always said football is 80% Mental, 50% Physical.
Hey genius,
80+50=130%
Sorry for your confusion, but it is a tongue in cheek expression that means football is more mental than physical. See John Madden cameo in the movie Little Giants.
Alright. Who’s going to the game this weekend? I think I heard Jordan and Crabs. MD?
Lets all meet up finally. We can do it pre-game outside, or we could meet at the Gridiron for a post holiday drink.
Playing for the NFC West crown and hopefully a first round bye. WHO’S GOT IT BETTER THAN US??????????
The Seahawks?
You mean the Seahawks who are 3-5 on the road and who needed a gifted victory by the replacement refs to even be here?
The Seahawks don’t get another home game regardless. And under the national spotlight of the playoffs, refs will not let them hold linemen and interfere with receivers.
On a separate note, if we as a fan base do not get fired up and begin to believe, then why are we here?
Taking a look at their last half of the year versus the 1st half of the year especially their last 3 games, the Hawks are peaking just in time for the playoffs. Not a good.
*not good*
Hofer,
you are becoming less and less a fan by the second. Why is it that you were so optomistic with AS at QB and now the entire sky is falling all at once?
The Seahawks are a different team at home. On the road they lost to the
Cards
Rams
Niners
Lions and Dolphins
Dude start being a fan of the team again instead of a glass half empty guy. Why do you not post this stuff after a victory? Funny cause right after a big win in Chicago not a word from you. After a victory on the road against the Saints, zero. After a victory on the road in N.E. barely a word.
But we lose one in cold rainy weather in Seattle who also has the biggest home field noise advantage in the NFL and you start listing doubts.
Real fan???? Not a real fan you are. ( in my Yoda voice )
I’m glad I’m not the only one who saw that Seattle was holding on a lot of plays. They get away with a lot from the refs at home for some reason. Moss got bumped in the endzone and never had a chance to catch it and no flag. Then Terell Brown gets called for same play and they get first down. Moss has been getting robbed with lack of calls all year and I don’t know why. The old Moss always got those calls now the refs show him no respect.
Bay,
“Less of a fan by the second”?
I only post facts. You, not so much. If you think the 9ers are peaking right now you are incorrect. SEA is peaking right now based on their last several games. If you wish to ignore this fact and call people less of a fan because you disagree, that is your issue.
Additionally, you have a very bad habit of telling people here what to do and when to do it. I’ll comment whenever I’m not busy and I’m able to do so. I’m on my own schedule not yours.
I will take Ronnie Lott opinion over all of you bozo’s, this was just one game, the game before that we were pick to win the Lombardi, we need to stop living in the moment.
Neal,
exactly…..
Neal,
RL is an all time great and a HoF.
“The moment” still has left a bad taste in my mouth, no matter how many times I brush my teeth. Will a win against Arizona get rid of it? I don’t think so. A dominant win against Pete Carrolls’ little Seahawks in the playoffs would be the Listerine needed to get rid of it.
Going to be in Tahoe Shredding mountains with my son. I WILL be at the playoff game.
http://ninerchatter.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-to-improve-49ers-offense.html
Jack,
I am curious as to why the writers let JH and Roman off the hook this week regarding JH calling plays in the second half.
It either had to do with amount of time it took to get plays in, or play selection.
Either way, I look for that to be fixed this week. I also am not a fan of the pistol if they don’t speed things up. Just wondering how they can speed things up if they can’t even get a play off at the line.
I am putting my vote in for least favorite play this year. The bunch formation QB keeper on 4th and 1 versus the Patriots. Hated it.
Hey Bay, I’ll be at the game. I would love to meet.
El,
I think the Gridiron Grill is the best place. Between 12:15 and 12:45 I’ll be in there. I’ll be with my kid who’s 12 and I’ll have on my red #7 jersey…. Would love to meet up.
Bay,
The writers let him off the hook every week, they ask very few pointed questions.
And I agree. If they are going to utilize the Pistol stuff the tempo needs to pick up, get into a no huddle with it, and from what i understand Harbaugh can still get the plays to him through the headsets while at the line.
Kaep should be good with it from his college days…
Why do you cut and paste a link? What’s up with that Jack Hammer?
Are you new here, Bush? Or just as brain dead as your namesake?
He does it because he wants to. Lots of us post links from different sites, no big deal. Jack does analaysis on his own and post the link here.
The 9ers should win this week. Calling the offense fixed after this game would be foolish. I already mentioned that the key stats on offense are all trending down from the 1st half of the season to the last 7 games versus the other 31 teams.
Who said it would be fixed after this week Hofer? We won’t truly know until their season ends.
Hofer does it hurt you to see the night as well without Alex Smith? All your posts are all of a sudden so negative dude. Cheer up fella.
The Niners
Jordan, good to hear from you. Happy Holidays.
Unfortunately, looking at the stats, they are what they are. Others including Jack are discussing the same subject. Jack’s new blog read is “How to improve the 9ers offense.” Have you see it? It is at the beginning of this comment string.
Hofer,
I think the injuries are going to have an effect on the offense and we just have to hope that the team is prepare well enough to overcome some of these injuries and players have to step up. I like our chances. We’ll start this week and take it from there.
Hofer,
So how do you propode we fix this drop in the numbers you point out with this offense? What should the Niners do? Is there anything they can do?
Jordan,
Didn’t you read Jack’s blog? I’m waiting for more insight from him. Stay tuned…
Jack
Kudos, my man. From among your analyses I’ve read, that was the best piece to date; well-reasoned, well-organized, and argued with examples of real games. Great!!!
Good stuff as usual Jack.
Good post Jack. Essentially that’s what Steve Young was talking about when he said use the CHI game plan, 22 personnel, utilize PA and throw behind the LB’s. Covering fast TE’s out of PA is a tough thing to do, very few MLB can do that, we have the best.
Thanks guys. Glad to hear you enjoyed.
Jack:
Thanks for your insight. I agree that they need to go back to 22 personnel, running and working in some 12 personnel.
I’m afraid this will not be a popular notion, but the offense you suggest will work best with Smith at QB. Apparently he is better than Kaep at reading the defense and choosing between plays at the line.
On the other hand, maybe Kaep’s issues with the run have to do with the pistol and the use of the read-option.
I’d like to see Harbaugh start Smith and have about 20-25 plays for Kaep. I think that is the best use of their differing skill sets and would prevent problems for the opposition. With a limited play list, maybe Kaep could run an up tempo approach when he enters the game.
However, I think I am dreaming. I don’t think Harbaugh thinks that far out of the box and I fear our Superbowl hopes are doomed because of that.
Jack,
Thanks for the post but I believe you stated the obvious. You didn’t add any thoughts regarding why you believe they switched from the 22 personnel in the first place and why the pistol formation isn’t working (your opinion).
You state, “The 49ers offense has been very up and down, from week to week, and even series to series all season long”. What does this have to do with the recent change to the pistol if they weren’t utilizing it in the first 8 games of the year? I’ve already stated there are 8 categories on offense where the rankings have dropped from the first half of the year to the last 7 games including third down conversion and time of possession.
Do you have any thoughts why they switched up the base offense in the first place (assumptions)? Thanks Jack.
Hofer,
They were running the Pistol/Read option stuff in the first 8 games as well with Smith, and sometimes Kaep. I get the feeling that Roman outthinks himself sometimes, almost like he gets bored.
The other thought is Kaep is the shiny new toy, and he can do so much more than the old worn out one. As a result you try to do more things, push the envelope.
Now they have a wider variety of add on plays to go with their base stuff. Gore’s carries have been kept under control to keep him fresh, and with the chips down it is time to feed the beast.
Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride.
Jack,
That’s nice but the trend on 8 categories on offense is trending down since the first 8 games. Third down conversions, time of possession, yards per play, plays per game, team passing TDs per game, team rushing yds per game, and rushing 1sty downs per game are all moving south. Not a good thing heading towards the postseason!
drs,
The Super Bowl hopes ride on the defense. They need to step up their game. What we have seen for the last 6 quarters will not cut it.
Jack, time of possession has decreased and the defense has been on the field more than in the first half of the year. A fresh talented defense is the best defense.
It’s all good Hofer. Like I said, enjoy the ride.
Jack, fair enough. We’ll enjoy the ride until it’s over.
Not sure on your yards per play stat Hofer. The 49ers are still one of only three teams averaging 6 or more yards per play…
Jack,
Yards per play did drop. One spot.
The stats that dropped more drastically were time of possession and third down conversions.
Hofer,
I have already cited they had something to fix and gave a couple suggestions on how they could.
Do you have any suggestions?
Jack,
I’ve asked you a question first that I don’t believe you addressed in your blog or here. Do you have any thoughts why they switched up the base offense in the first place (assumptions)?
Hofer,
I already answered you. Scroll up and read my response to you from 7:49.
Roman says “We’ve just got to execute at a higher level and finish drives better.”
Where’s the accoutability? Execution may be part of the problem, but game planning has been atrocious at times. Roman should man up and take the blame for it. He has to get his $hit together.
+1
Yes. If I had to pick one person on the offensive side of the ball that has to execute better, it would be Greg Roman.
Didn’t Singletary keep saying the players just had to execute better? Or was it Jimmy deathRaye? Next thing you know, Roman will be mooning the guys at halftime!!
Some of you guys are a little too rabid. Let the Cardinals fan crow (no pun intended), he’s an American isn’t he? It’s nothing more than a game. You believe the best is possible for the Niners as he does for the Cards. Personally I don’t think the presumed win is a lock. And I think the Cards will be auditioning for Alex!
Ill bet Larry Fitzgerald would live to have Alex Smith…