Steve Young spoke on KNBR Wednesday afternoon. This is his take on the 49ers’ blowout loss to the Seahawks and what the Niners should be doing on offense.
STEVE YOUNG: They got beat up. They got pounded. I was disappointed. Late in the year, great teams don’t allow that. Earlier in the year, I can see championship teams having struggles in September and early Octorber – just get obliterated in one game and go, “Ok, we learned our lesson there.” But in late December, a championship team getting blown up in the division, the more I talk about it the more alarmed I’m getting.
The Seahawks kind of bullied them. And the 49ers have been the bully. The 49ers, in my mind, what makes them great is they can come out in tight formations, goal line formations and push people around and dictate terms. I thought the 49ers holistically were the team most able to do that around the league. I thought this was the team that wouldn’t get bullied, and they got bullied and bloodied and they didn’t respond. They got hurt early, which you kind of figure. Go into Seattle, the noise, young quarterback – we might get hurt early. Block the field goal. OK, now we respond. But we never saw the response.
Q: How should the 49ers adjust going forward?
STEVE YOUNG: If I was the coach, I would immediately go to the game plan from Chicago. Tight formations. Bully them with the running game. Colin can get outside on boots and play actions. Cut the field in half deep-to-short. Don’t read sideline-to-sideline, especially now that we’ve lost receivers. Crabtree can be out wide. There are no three-receiver sets that I feel comfortable with, but I wish I could because I would love to put Colin in that spot.
But let’s go back. The first couple of games – Chicago, even New Orleans – it was Alex-Smith-like in a way. Tight formations. Very efficient. That has to be the mantra.
If I was the coach, that’s what I’d go to because I can see I’m not extending myself beyond my capabilities and my personnel. If you now demand that a young kid that has not played (A.J. Jenkins) and Randy Moss go play in three-wide-receiver sets just because Colin can do it and spread the field, I’m nervous about that.
But knowing Jim, he’ll put those guys in and spread the field. I would re-trench a little bit, especially for this week.
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Alex-Smith-like??? Hmmm
It is malpractice that AJ Jenkins has not seen significant playing time.
Same could be said of LaMichael James given his impact. As long as he successfully competes when he’s in there…all is well.
Sorry, meant to post under my stage name…Justdareal.
There might be good reason for Jenkins not playing; they may have discovered that they blew the draft choice.
After several days since the debacle, hopefully tomorrow I will be in a better mood! Having time to reflect, it occurred to me, that part of the schedule that we dreaded way back when is finally over. 4 outta 5 on the road in hostile environments and 90 some defensive plays in NE just wore us out! It was brutal even mentally to a fan. I can imagine how the players feel. So I’m not gonna take that Seattle game to heart. It was what it was.
It would be nice to get that 2 seed back to get that bye. Get re-energized for the playoff push. If that don’t happen, hopefully a couple weeks playing at home will be enough!
I usually recover from a loss by Wednesday but I’m still grouchy. I hate the SeaBastards. Steve Young was right – the 49er got bullied. Haven’t seen that since “physical with an F” was here.
Can’t agree more. 1) I’m still grouchy and 2) I think the whole team left it all on the field in NE. Hopefully we can get an easy or at least comfortable win over AZ. The team is emotionally spent and looking at some serious losses. Not just positionally but in terms of leaders. J Smith and Vernon mean a lot to the team, not just in stats. Manningham meant a lot coming back and then to lose him just like that (finger snap). Time for team and fans to dig deep into what it means to be a niner. The team can do this, can go all the way. You just gotta believe. I do.
That’s easy of Steve Young to go back to a game where our game plan not only worked but dominated.
I agree that we provided no response though. I mean, when you go back and look at the game it didn’t seem like we really tried to respond in any urgent way. I didn’t see a no-huddle/hurry up offense. Plus, now looking at the stats…Kaep should’ve had over 300 yds right? Teams throw the ball more when they’re down so to still only have just over 200…what does that tell you?
Granted, the defense couldn’t get off the field and that goes hand in hand with the offense, but I just didn’t come away from the game feeling like we really fought.
When is Steve Young going to join Flutie and Elway with his own “Dove Men Care” commercial? He’s more comfortable in his own skin than those two guys.
Hello everyone, can someone please answer my question? If the niners have to play wildcard weekend, will they play sat January 5, or Sunday January 6??? Does anyone have any idea? Thanks in advance
Big Steve – I’m not sure it’s been determined yet but if Niners host wild card game it will be vs Vikings, Bears or long-shot Giants.
The Giants are wild card 6th seed in playoffs if they beat Philly and get losses by Dallas, Vikings and Bears.
Steve – If Niners are a
#3 seed, then they host #6 seed.
That Bears game was an anomaly and its obvious they are inferior competition, with an overrated defense. Good luck repeating that against anyone in the playoffs except maybe for…the bears, if they somehow luck in.
AZ is mediocre vs the run and tops vs the pass. The initial offensive strategy is obvious and it is what they SHOULD have been doing vs SEA, even down 21-3. Of course, they shouldn’t have been that far behind because it was clear when they tried the FG that got blocked that they needed to be going for 7, not 3.
As far as the defense is concerned, I think Seattle was an anomaly. If the refs allow holding by the offensive line at the point of attack on every running play, no defense can survive for very long. That is a phenomenon of home field advantage — poor officiating favoring the home team. That will be gone this week. I think we will see a different D on Sunday, the absence of Justin Smith notwithstanding.
The lack of the dominant running game we saw early on is a function of the league having caught up with Greg Roman and Kaep’s inexperience at identifying the weaknesses in the defensive sets once he’s at the line. I think it is Roman who will take this team out of the playoffs. However, I also think we would have done better with Smith, despite Kaep’s obvious superiority in talent. I love watching Kaep play, but the change should have been made next July.
I hope the team catches fire and makes me wrong, but as of now, the next big question for the Niners is this: does Harbaugh have what it takes to shed himself of Greg Roman as OC.
“I think it is Roman who will take this team out of the playoffs.”
So are you saying Harbaugh will only be as good a coach as Roman allows him to be?
No, I don’t think he’s saying that, at all….but, it could be that just as in business, the boss is only as good as the people he surrounds himself with…basically because the boss chose the supporting cast.
Bill Walsh used to say Head Coaches who rely solely on the talents of their OC or DC would only ever be as good as the OC or DC which obviously begs the question why do you need the HC. He called those types of coaches – Chairman of the Board coaches. He did not believe Chairman of the Board coaches could sustain success over a long period. I’m not sure Harbaugh is a Chairman of the Board coach but it sounds like drsgrosse was saying that Roman would limit the 49ers chance at playoff success. If that is a true statement, then Harbaugh should take over play calling duties and get rid of Roman in the offseason.
DRSGrosse
Correction: “… the change should have been made LAST July.”
Yep, “last July.” Its interesting that Russell Wilson struggled and then was fairly mediocre his first 8 or so starts. He started to emerge after that. Wish this was Kaep’s 16th start not his 8th.
In the Seattle game it was quickly 14-0, I think, and then they got the Patrick Willis INT and did nothing. 3 and out, and then the blocked FG happened and you just get the feeling at that point it wasn’t our night.
Smith of 2005-2010 would not have done better. Smith of 2011, maybe. Smith before the concussion was playing really well and that’s the frustrating part of the switch. He already played the Seattle D once and they adjusted after half-time. Nothing we can do about it now. That’s why this blog is here! Could’ve Would’ve Should’ve!!!!
CK has been put in an impossible situation and would have been great if he somehow played like he wasn’t making his 6th start. But truth is outside the Bear game, when they played without their leader Jay Cutler, CK has shown flashes of greatnesses, followed by unacceptable play for a SB contending team.
We have no idea what’s going to happen in the playoffs with his play, or if the team puts him back in the shell and the let the D and run offense carry them, or if they try to take more risks and expose him to more inconsistency.
I can’t believe people are still talking about ALex..smh
People like Steve Young?
People like Schmeve Young?
A Steve Young hater now?
Wow, you guys really have this need to protect Kaep. You know what, he doesn’t need it.
Rib, is the ALL BUT ONE Club. We are REAL 9er fans and support THEM ALL but one. What a joke and pathetic!
Rib
You’re nuts. Young has nothing to do with Kaep.
Young is simply an impostor. A nervous little quarterback who benefitted from being coached by the best of all time and mentored by the best of all time but who could only win 1 Superbowl in a career despite playing every season of his career with Jerry Rice and John Taylor or Terrell Owens. Most overrated QB of all time.
Is he in the HoF?
*Rib, it is the*
Hof
Exactly. Hence “impostor” and “most overrated.”
Obviously I’m probably alone in my opinion in this community, but then again, my first football memory ever was “the Catch” and I grew up marveling at the impossible feats of Joe Montana. Steve Young was the guy who essentially pushed Montana out, and I’ve never forgotten that. I know I’m biased. No need to pop a vein!
He’s still a 9er isn’t he or is it the All But One Club?
Hof
How about that Lamar Divens?
See how talking about a non-starter is a non-starter?
I can’t believe that people still can’t give the man his due respect. SMH!
Bray
Alex Smith, the quarterback, gets exactly the respect he deserves. There’s no reason to give the quarterback undue respect that he hasn’t earned. Now, if you want to take football out of the equation, then Alex Smith, the man, should get all the respect in the world for how he has handled the many insufferable buffoons associated with the early stages of his career.
Yeah really ck shouldn’t have to hear about the guy he took the job from because he’s just a better qb. Great point. I agree.
Bray, well said.
Mr E.- He absolutely does not recieve the respect he deserves for his on the field play.
You must have missed alot of football to make a statement about SY like that. The guy was the best player in the NFL for 2-3 years.
Oh Bray, you are a misguided one. Steve Young was never even the best player on his team. No need to respond.
The fact that Alex Smith will get an opportunity to compete for a starting job next year is proof that he had gotten more than enough respect as a QB, considering his putrid play for all but about 10 games in his 7 year career.
Bray what has he won for him to get this “respect” you say he deserves? He’s a very effective game manager. I’ve heard tons of people give him that respect. Now what? Does this change the fact that he isn’t good enough in harbaughs eyes to start for this team? Does that comment make you feel better for him? It’s football not the respect show. Produce in time or reduce in time! His time was reduced. Get over it. And get behind ck like you did with smith.
Bray,
Exactly – 7 pro bowls, 4 All Pro, 2 MVPs. Yup!
Mr E- I can’t point and counterpoint with someone who refuses to see facts because of personal feelings getting in the way. That is precisely the reason I stay out of almost all ‘arguments’ on this blog. I’ll just say, You need to do some homework young man.
I have never championed Alex, never will, we will just have to wait and see what he can do somewhere else.
MD- I’m over it, never was involved in that mess, I like football, I like every player [except Ginn] on the Niners. I’ve been behind CK since the day we drafted him, I do however believe that the timing was not ideal for the ‘switch’. Nothing needs to be said for me to feel better, I’m not tied to any one player. It was only a comment in rebuttal to Big Niners post. I just want to WIN the game. By any means neccasary!
Bray
I appreciate your position. I need do no research, however, as I have never missed a Niners game. My allegiance to Montana and his 4 Superbowls notwithstanding, Young was above average, even very good, but he was not a natural, like Joe. I am a single deity kind of guy. Don’t hold it against me.
Gotcha E.
I’ll agree, SY wasn’t a natural QB, he was an athlete playing QB and due to his WAY above intellect, he was able to make himself great.
I am a no diety type of guy, so I won’t hold it against you. It’s that outlook that can skew opinions though, love is blind. We all have something we protect at all costs, just because ‘we love it\them’. Don’t mess with my family or my football team!
Off-topic, but in the wake of the last game, here’s some good news with all these 49ers making the Pro Bowl:
NaVorro Bowman, inside/middle linebacker
*-Dashon Goldson, free safety
Frank Gore, running back
*-Mike Iupati, guard
*-Aldon Smith, outside linebacker
*-Justin Smith, interior lineman
*-Joe Staley, tackle
*-Donte Whitner, strong safety
*-Patrick Willis, inside/middle linebacker
Really glad to see Gore made it. The others weren’t that unexpected. But I did think Andy Lee would have made it again.
Spaceborn
Couldn’t care less about individual accomplishments as such. This provides no balm for the burn of last weekend, but your effort is to be commended.
Mr. Everything, the only way to take away the burn is to move forward and win this next game and get the division title. After that, it’s the playoffs where it’s a new season and the 49ers get a shot a going to the SB.
But I still like to see so many 49er players recognized because it is a sign of having a good team; one capable of doing better than what we saw last Sunday.
Here’s something to chew on…
The last 2 Super Bowl champs have come from the NFC…both entered the playoffs as Wild Cards…both played at NE during the regular season…both got hot at the right time…last year’s champ had to win their final game to secure the division…
Jack Hammer
Saw over on Lowell’s site that he doesn’t look up to or respect you to anywhere like the same degree that Grant does. Was Lowell right about Ian Williams or were you right about Ian Williams?
It must have been confusing for Grant to see two of his heroes disagreeing with one another.
Mr Everything,
Mr Cohn was correct. I should have been a bit more careful in how I started my comment. No big deal.
Regarding who was right…I was of course ; ) LoL
They also both compete in the NFL.
Alex smith = old news! Get on with the season. I don’t hear anyone talking about any other second string player.
MD,
It can’t be we’re the REAL 9er fans and then be the ALL BUT ONE Club members. He is still a 9er until he isn’t. Old news? We discuss other players that aren’t starting, so that argument is weak at best.
Hofer
Lamar Divens: discuss away!
What is week is that you still bring up Smith as often as you do. You and DS are the worst about it.
We have much bigger problems like offensive identity, lost running game, poor defense and injuries.
Bay, what are you talking about? Please be clear. Someone above and I quote, “I can’t believe people are still talking about ALex..smh” mentioned AS. Others responded and I did likewise.
I thought you were a REAL 9er fan? He’s on the team isn’t he? Just as I thought, REAL 9er fan = ALL BUT ONE Club! You’re not a fan Bay. How could you root and support the whole team but one?? Fan my @$$.
Really Hof? Where are the excuses for Kap? Where are the positive posts about Kap besides 1? And where in the hell is the talk about ANY other 49er that doesn’t start? No Hof my point is right on smith doesn’t play. It’s old news! To 49er fans. Are you still all in? Because your backhanded comments about our qb doesn’t say that.
Hof. All in to all but one now? How about Only one? That fits the bill partner. A real fan doesn’t disappear from the blog after their only love got benched. I like you and all, but I can’t read your posts questioning fanhood after your actions the last 8 weeks. Fan check yourself brotha.
MD,
They can’t have it both ways. We’re all in but one? Some are stating you can’t discuss other team members because WHY? There are no rules here regarding who on the 9ers to discuss. There’s no moratorium on the backup or anyone else. Like I said, they aren’t fans.
When the convo is about a certain player who always gets the benefit of the doubt and these same folks talk and talked about him 24/7 and discuss no other second string player at all. Then that is not all in not a 49er fan.
Hofer & MD
Hey Hof, for the third time, here’s your chance: let’s discuss Lamar Divens!
MD,
This year based on the QB change is unprecedented. The read was SYoung’s radio show transcript and he’s the one that brought up “Alex Smith – like”. Others stated in comments AS should not longer be discussed and I disagree. Anyone on the 9ers is open for discussion – it’s a 9er blog. Again, why so sensitive about discussing any one player on the 9ers? All in is all of the 9ers. Unless they are a member of the ALL BUT ONE club.
Well Hof if the smith convo could be discussed like adults and fans then it wouldn’t be such a headache. It’s old news! Until ck gets injured or stinks it up and smith is throwing passes again. Really what else can be said about smith? He looks great with the parka jacket on?
And about this unprecedented switch. It is not. Smith was not a top tier Superbowl winning qb. And it’s obvious he Didnt lose his job due to his concussion. Harbaugh pulled the wool over our eyes and doesn’t think his ability is good enough to win a title.
MD, discussing it like adults?
—————————————
ninermd says:
December 27, 2012 at 9:44 am
Alex smith = old news! Get on with the season. I don’t hear anyone talking about any other second string player.
And? What’s juvenile about that Hof? You couldn’t come on here and talk at all when ck played better than smith could in BIG games that nobody thought he could in. Dont be mad hof. Move on. It’s old news.
I’ve posted here for almost 4 years. I am ‘in the middle’ on most hot topic items, but 90% of the time, post QB switch, it’s a so called AS hater that brings it up time after time with posts like.
‘
‘I can’t believe we are still talking about Alex’ or ‘It’s over for your man crush”
The fact of the matter is the topic of Alex will never go away, not for another year or so, until he is full entrenched somewhere else. ESPN {and Lowell Cohn] can’t wait for the Niners to lose so they can say “I told you the QB switch would bite him in the ass”
Even then, it will all come back to the surface when he rolls in with AZ or ??? next year.
Grant the poll question should have been would they have won with Alex smith at qb. I’d bet anything the poll results would be reversed. And I’m betting this offseason IF they don’t win there will be arguments about if Smith would have still been the starter. And btw! The 49ers are winning the Superbowl. It’s going to suck for you haters.
NinerMD
What happened between 9:44 and 9:47? Your two posts look funny right next to each other.
MD, who are you referring to as a hater in this context? Is it a generalization or did you have someone in mind?
Crap!!! Inside source says Justin smith has partially torn bicep. Bad news if true! THAT could cost this team a Superbowl. Now I’m depressed
Hopefully that didn’t surprise you. We all had to know it was serious if Smith had to miss the Seahawks game.
No it actually does surprise me. I was hoping it was a pull or bruise. Torn is NOT the word I wanted to hear.
Pardon me. Tricep.
More Alex discussion, oy vay. It’s clear the 9ers have made a choice on who they want to play QB. The best option is to trade Smith. He has a very friendly contract so teams may be willing to take it on. The question is, what could the 9ers get in a Smith trade. Here’s some comps for QB’s:
Philadelphia traded Kevin Kolb to the Cards for a starting CB (Rogers-Cromartie) and a 2nd round pick.
Atlanta traded Matt Schaub to the Texans for a flip flop of 1st round picks and the Texans 2nd round pick in 2 consecutive drafts.
Both of these trades were for guys who were playing backup as Smith is now. Neither of these guys had nearly the experience of Smith. I would think a deal for Smith would start at something similar to one of these deals. So which teams might be interested? Jets? Raiders? Cardinals? Bills? Chiefs? Jaguars?
A swap of 1st round picks with any of those teams would give the 9ers a top 10 pick. Add in another 2nd or 3rd round pick and the 9ers could have a very solid draft lineup.
Houston
I dont think AS will be traded, reason being teams will wait for him to be released. Wont cost them anything but a contract if they wait. But in this crazy world we live in, I suppose anything can happen. My thinking is based on CK is now the starter and the Niners are not going to pay that kind of money for a backup.
@ Houston
Good perspective.
>Jets? If they keep Rex, they’ll probably keep Sanchez and hope somebody (not Tebow) can beat him out. Do they swing a deal for Alex? It would be costly to them, but they have to do something.
> Bills? Are they ready to give up on their high $ QB? Its not their only problem and would cost them picks and cap room. I doubt it, but not sure.
>Jags? I think they bring in Tebow with a plan to be patient and let him brawl it out with Gabbert (not quite ready to dump a #1) and Henne.
>Raiders? I don’t think they have enough choices to deal anyway. IMO they need to strip their payroll of the high priced vets and retool. Maybe they can gain a few choices by trading the old dogs, but their trade value is diminished by their heavy contracts. So, Alex only as a free agent, should that happen.
>Cards? Another team that could help itself as much with OL help no matter who is behind center. They need a QB, but if I were Alex I’d not want to play there until the OL is addressed. To the extent that his opinion matters. Also, trading within one’s division can bite you later; I’d avoid that.
>Chiefs? Yeah, this is Alex’s and the Niners’ best scenario, but the Chiefs would have to agree. Depends on OC, but they have the means to have a good ground game, a situation that AS might be able to perform well in. They’d still be wise to burn a choice on a developmental QB prospect to bring along slowly.
IMO
I think there’s enough uncertainty that teams may want to make a deal to secure Smith. It’s quite possible the 9ers could keep him as a backup and not release him. As far as where he may land, I pretty much agree with everything you wrote Tuna but there’s still alot of unknown there. I think any one of those teams could possibly be an option. I think the Jags are the least likely and the Chiefs are probably most likely to be interested.
There’s no way they keep Smith for next year, he cost too much and it’s not good for the locker room.
I think he’ll end up either in AZ or KC. KC has a good running game, a great home field, and a good WR in Bowe.
AZ has a great D, and LF, and a decent TE.
AZ with an average QB is .500. Way too much pressure on their D to produce every week.