Former quarterbacks Steve Young, Ron Jaworski and Trent Dilfer just spoke on ESPN about the 49ers recent quarterback change. Here’s what they said.
DILFER: “I’m really wrestling with this decision to go with Colin Kaepernick. I see the splash. I see the athleticism, stature, big arm – adds an element to their team.
“At the same time, I see three decisions he made yesterday against the St. Louis Rams that cost them the game. He takes a safety. He fumbles the ball backed up that turns into a touchdown. And then he stays in bounds with 1:30 left in the game. Otherwise, the Rams never have a chance to get back in that football game.
“70 percent of the job is managing situations. Can he do that?”
YOUNG: “He’s young. He’s played not even a handful of games. We’re expecting him to be great – it’s going to be a process. The only hope that they have is that the team is so strong, so good, that they can win 10-2, and not lose 16-13. That’s the kind of situation that they’ve been put in.
“What is the criteria for picking the quarterback in San Francisco? Is it the hot hand? Well, obviously not, because he didn’t have the hot hand this week and he’s picked again.
“So, I think we need to just say what it is: ‘They’ve been heavily invested in Colin and his success in the future, and we’re going to make the change, and we’re going to make it now, and we’re going to stick with it. And Alex Smith is benched. He’ll stay prepared. He’ll work hard. We wish the best for him.’
“But until they’re really clear about it, it just sounds like a lot of gobble gobble turkey stuffing which, to my mind, doesn’t send the right messages internally or externally.”
JAWORSKI: “There’s no question when you look at Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick, you have two rock solid quarterbacks. You’re not going to be wrong no matter what choice you make, but I do not believe Jim Harbaugh can go back to Alex Smith right now.
“He’s committed to Colin Kaepernick. You start waffling back and forth on your quarterback, teams begin to take a side. Kaepernick is the guy.
“And Trent, I agree, there were three bad plays in that game made by Colin Kaepernick, but also he needs some help as well. There was a potential game-winning touchdown pass that was dropped.
“He’s a young, developing quarterback – there are going to be some highs and some lows, but I think at the end of the day the dimension of the running ability and the deep-ball accuracy that he brings makes him, to me, the unquestioned starter for the 49ers.”
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SYoung, “What is the criteria for picking the quarterback in San Francisco? Is it the hot hand? Well, obviously not, because he didn’t have the hot hand this week and he’s picked again.”
You nailed it SY!
No he didnt. Alex cant have a hot hand if he hasbt played.
Since his last game? Yes he does. Your homework is to research before commenting!
And proof read before posting.
Thats like saying Matt Flynn had a hot hand the last game he had where he torched the rams.. We dont know how cold or hot smith is he hasnt played in weeks. So my homework is complete proffessor. Ur turn to study
Prime i dont have to proof read crap. just dont read mister almighty
Lions
I liked what SY said last week as well.
And Trent nailed it. Jaws is correct as well.
I said from the start the “hot hand” thing was stupid. It is impossible to have a hot hand after a loss. And when you look at the game more closely a QB should win games if the D is pitching a shut out with 4 minutes left.
I think it would be alot easier to accept the “hot hand” theory if JH and GR would open the offensive game plan a little more…..the game plan yesterday wasn’t much different than when AS was the starter.
I trust JH and his decision making, but, I really think he’s doing himself a dis-service with the media and the fan base by using the “hot-hand” explanation.
He’s the Head Coach, it all starts and stops with him.
If he believes that CK does indeed give the 49er’s the best chance to advance past the NY Giants and get to the Super Bowl (though he doesn’t have to explain it to that degree……we can read between the lines) then explain it as such……if we, as fans, can see whats going on, the players in the locker room are wise to it as well.
Did you see CR talk after the game? About how thee D has to play better. He was trying to find the words because that was a lie. He knows had AS played and the D shuts out a team that long, the Niners win. A defense can’t play better than a shut-out on the road.
There will be revolt should we lose to Miami.
DS
The only revolt will be at your house and Primate’s animal shelter.
Alex does still have the hot hand! He’s been on the bench with them in his pocket!
Don’t you ever have anything mature to add Neal…oops I mean Jordan..Neal is your half brother
Tolzien may end up being Kaps backup come playoff time.
Alex Smith is old news……”been there tried that.”
Crab, seriously? Sadly you sound like Jordo.
“70 percent of the job is managing situations. Can he do that?”
Yes he did Hof and so did Dilfer!
Last year when Steve said the 49ers needed to open up the offense you called him a concussed idiot.
Be consistent please.
Alex Smith is vanilla. We want the extra whip cream with the cherry on top. Staying with Kaep is the right move. Alex Smith is now in his rightful place – an NFL Backup QB. No matter which NFL team he ventures to – he will ultimately become “the Backup”. No Niners!
Do people here only watch what the QB is doing during a game? The team lost this game. If I were Tedd Ginn, Delanie Walker, David Akers, Dashon Goldson, any of the several ofensive players called for holding, or Greg Roman, I would loving the fact that my mistakes were quickly forgotten and all people could talk about were Alex Smith vs Colin Kaepernick. I think if Alex were in, he probably would not have made the same mistakes Colin did, but I am also not so sure he would have made all the postivie plays CK did. Regardless, it would have been a close lowing scoring game. So the bigger problem is, maybe the offense just isn’t that good or creative and neither QB alone can fix that. Playoffs won’t matter that much if the 49ers offense as a team can’t put together more complete drives, without sacks, safeties, fumbles, drops, holding calls, false starts, illegal formations, delay of games, and 1 yard runs.
“if Alex were in…”
That’s when I stop reading a post.
Bench Kaepernick put in smith think properly jim harbaugh
Very good exchange between the 3. States the situation perfectly.
He made 3 plays that hurt the team. He made some plays that helped the team. He needs some help from the receivers and RB’s. They are heavily invested and committed to Colin Kaepernick.
Only the safety wasn’t really a safety. The Refs blew it on that one.
Yes, but he still made 2 other plays that hurt the team…
Never put yourself in a position to be at the mercy of the refs. No one told Kaep to run halfway into his endzone while the ball started at the 17 yard line.
Thats nothing new Jack, its been that way all season.
Undercenter,
That fact that it has been the same all season explains why the switch was made. Smith has years of experience as a starter, while Kaepernick has only 3 games….
That’s why it was risky at best.
Let it play out right Hofer? LoL
Jack, unfortunately, we have no choice. ; )
Jack its been the entire offensive structure all year. We have seen two great schemes. one against the Cards, second against the Bears. There are problems with pass protection, penalities on and on. Its still the same for all others then then those two games. All the problems that people have listed for AS are quite apparant with CK and now you add inexperienced to the equation. So why the change JH thinks its good thats all I need to know.
Guys lets stop acting like our head coach is immune to any criticism. Since his arrival he has made some very brilliant calls. That does not mean all future decisions cannot be dissected. Every single non 49er football fan I have spoken to said it was the wrong decision only because you cannot lose your job to injury. These guys are not invested in the club like we are but anknowledged this stuff has a way of coming back to hurt you. It’s one of those old school football mystiques/urban legend type deals.
Prime,
Seems to have worked out fine for New England and Pittsburgh.
So that means it will work for SF?
I thought everything regarding GR was fixed with the replacement of CK as the starting QB? Right Jack? AS was supposed to come in and “mop up” once CK had the 9ers offense up by 4 tds in the 4th qtr correct?
Prime,
I believe it will. Go back and look at Brady’s first few starts.
Hofer,
I never said they would use Smith in mop up duty.
Jack,
I understand you never said, “mop up duty” since you are far too intelligent for that, but you didn’t slam those that said it did you?
How very DS-like Hofer. LoL!
Jack,
With that comment, you have lost the debate!
LoL!!!
Lol
Who mentioned CK and RGIII in the same sentence? Not even close!
Had Ginn dove on the ball or slapped it out of bounds, we wouldn’t be having this conversation
or if Delanie Walker catches that pass for a TD …… or Akers makes the winning FG ……… Go Niners!
…or Roman doesn’t call that play…or Kaep doesn’t blow the pitch…
Bradford’s TEAM came through. CK’s did not.
Now it’s a team game? You use to only blame the QB. Hmm.
woulda – coulda – one thing nobody can dispute that play would never be called if Alex was playing.
Or if a meteor fell on the stadium…
Adam
Had that happened the game would have ended in a Win.
10-6.
And I might feel better.
I agree with everything said by all guys here.
Funniest comment of the day!!!
“He’s a young, developing quarterback – there are going to be some highs and some lows, but I think at the end of the day the dimension of the running ability and the deep-ball accuracy that he brings makes him, to me, the unquestioned starter for the 49ers.”
You nailed it Jaws!
You missed the part where he said 2013 would have been a better year to start CK. jk
Then he saw him play and changed his mind. LOL.
It’s too late to save the baby Hofer. Don’t you get it? This garbage about a QB losing his job to an injury. He lost his job to a QB with a better game.
Like the previous game 23? And if take a look at both guys’ stats, they’re very similar. The only difference has been CK’s big play capability. But that isn’t enough to win the Super Bowl. Why Harbaugh is risking a chance at the Super Bowl by putting in a new QB this late in the season is beyond me. And for those who use Tom Brady as an example that such a scenario is possible, consider the fact that Tom Brady started closer to the beginning of the season on a team hardly anybody thought would contend for a Super Bowl title let alone win one. Harbaugh is gambling heavily that the QB he drafted can lead his team to the Ring. This would be fine if CK was just starting the season under center, Smith was injured and out for the season, or CK had to replace Smith because he was struggling. None of this is true . Harbaugh has put this. team in a very precarious position because if CK stuggles, he will have to remain the starting QB unless Harbaugh wants to play Musical Chairs with the QB position on a team that many consider a potential Super Bowl contender. There is a reason so few teams at the top of their game switch QBs this late in the season: BECAUSE IT USUALLY BACKFIRES. If this team fails to reach the Super Bowl and CK is part of the reason, then the blame will rest solely on Harbaughs’ shoulders and nobody else because he made the decision despite the fact that some of our top performers in Gore and J. Smith are getting up there in age and may not be on the team next year due to retirement or being released for some reason. By the end of this season, Harbaugh will either look like a brilliant mad scientist or a foolish idiot.
All of this said, I have been and will continue to support CK as our QB, just like I did with Smith. I’m just praying that Harbaugh didn’t hand the starting job too quickly to CK and costing this franchise a Super Bowl Championship in the process.
And where were was the deep explosive vertical passing game CK was suppose to bring? Oh that’s right, it’s called Fisher game planned against it. And of course JH thinks he can coach the kid through it. Well unless Harbaugh can manipulate it like Madden, the kid is gonna see a lot more sophisticated defenses and forced to use his brain. Zookes!
That was the easiest game remaining. With trips to NE/Seattle I’m not confident we win both. I’d feel fortunate with 1 win now.
Miami has a good D, and the Cards D is elite and pissed after what AS did to them. They gave up 7 Sunday and lost. Their QB situation is sooo poor.
Then the playoff teams…if we make it.
If you compare our schedule to Seattle’s remaining schedule, We certainly have the tougher road. I thin this team has the “Giant’s Mentality”. They play up to the challenge and down to the challenge. It’s disappointing, but it’s disappointing beyond the QB position.
When you read these it sounds like we are evaluating our young QB and he looks pretty good. Big Arm, fast, but inexperienced. He’ll work through it and be great some day.
NO, No, No we are not doing that and it is dumb to act like we are. Miami, Cleveland, Cincinati, Philly they are doing that. We are a superbowl team with one of the top 10 QB’s in the league on our bench. Alex has reasonable tools, is very smart, is good in the system, is a leader, and has experience, including playoff experience. Hell he leads the league in completion %, top 5 in rating. Oh and he was offensive player of the week before being injured. If Kaep had a game like Alex had against the Jets or Bills you would be carving his bust for Canton. Decisions need to be made in context. This is a superbowl team with a proven veteran leader who was injured and is now ready. I love JH really great coach, but he is very wrong here. The question isn’t is CK good, it’s why have our Superbowl odds been halved by Vegas Line since CK was named the starter?
and the niners will not win aganist miami forcing hairidot to go back to smitty.
result niners not making the playoffs and hairidot being forced a new offensive coach.
And… flush.
LOL
This move might cost Harbaugh his credibility in the room. Oh sure we heard everyone supports the decision and its got strong leadership. Listen, the Niners lose 2 or 3 of their next 4, some finger pointing starts happening as it already has with Walker and Staley, this thing heads south fast.
But before it gets to that hypothetical lets point out the obvious. By week 14 teams are polishing their offense, fine tuning it. What are we doing? Scrambling to find bodies, establish an identity once again, and handing over a SB expectation to a guy who might not be ready according to yesterday’s game.
All arrows right up my a$$!
Why would starting the better player cost Jim any credibility?
Kaepernick didn’t replace Joe Montana here. He replaced a bust.
How is everything lemons?
Was Alex ready when he lost to the Vikings? Or when he completely crapped his pants against the Giants? I mean, he’s an eight year vet. He can’t have games like that right? Or when he barely squeaked by the Seahawks and threw for 140.
You guys make it seem like Kaep replaced a bad ass QB. The last two times he played against the Giants he was being watched and he failed. Smith’s biggest issue besides the fact that he doesn’t play with fire, is that he got comfortable.
He started saying things like, stats don’t matter and sacks are not such a bad thing….
At least yesterday Smith did work on his sideline attire. He got rid of the helmet.
Bay,
Alex helped the team achieve a 13-3 record last year. He also won a game in the playoffs. He threw two tds – one 73 yds the other 28 yds to VD in the 2011 Championship game. Yes he lost but he had built up equity. CK’s play has been getting less impressive game to game. It may work out and I hope it does, but it is very risky. TBD.
“he had built up equity.”
Apparently not enough with those whose opinion matters….
Jack, don’t act silly like others here that have no clue. JH/TB drafted CK, they will lose their jobs if he doesn’t play well. TBD. LOL
Hofer,
They have the 2nd best record in the conference. They are a long way from being fired. LoL!!!!!
JYork, believes iron sharpens iron and competition is good for all. He is shark toothing his next HC! jk LOL
You are correct..why in the world would a NFL QB think taking a sack is ok???
Correction Bay, Alex Smith is finally in his sophomore year as an NFL QB after 7 Rookie seasons.
Prime
After AS’s last game I felt we could beat anybody anytime anywhere.
Since CK’s trendline is heading South in his 3 starts I don’t feel that way. That was as good a Defensive performance as CK will ever receive and he didn’t get a win against a sub 0.500 team.
JH is a liar if CK starts as expected. He got overly excited after the Bears game not realizing the Bears stank that night. The Bears gave up 5 sacks to Aldon. Blitzes gave CK a larger pocket to work from. Those things don’t happen normally. Thus don’t take too much from it besides the fact we kicked butt.
JH blew it. Simple as that. I can’t see us winning 3 playoff games if CK wastes a defensive performance like that. That won’t happen often. And playoff teams have winning records unlike the Rams.
DS absolutely agree. CK is trending downwards. Maybe JH thought that giving him 7 starts before playoffs he could be ready. However, the next 4 games are big. MIA should be a win but won’t be easy. NE and SEA, don’t like our chances with a running QB mentality. Carroll and Belichick are better coaches and have better talent than Fisher. Add the fact they will have more film on the kid, tough task. AZ, never easy.
We might have to travel for our first playoff game, one and done?
Prime,
So liar, when did delaney walker or Staley point a finger and for what did they point a finger? Come on liar, tell us about the finger pointing. You spending too much time with BS, now you’re BS.
“All arrows right up my a$$!”
That explains a lot. At least you’re enthusiastic about it.
YES! I didn’t go after Payton Manning was funny Ha Ha, but this is the destruction of a loyal veteran player who has performed at a very high level. As much as I love Harbaugh as coach, I think he will burn this team in 5 years and will need to move on. The TEAM, my guy, caddie for me at the pro-am, let’s drive in the parade, your an elite QB Jim Harbaugh is now shown to be phony and shallow.
Exactly! This team already has an identity, which is running the ball, good defense, and short to intermediate passing game, which are all things that help you win in the playoffs.
Now we’re trying to become a passing team before January? Get outta here!
Teams are gonna give us bigger challenges than the Rams. We used to be the team that waited for the opponent to make a mistake and capitalized on it, but now it seems SF is the turnover/mistake prone team. I know it’s only one game, but this type of game is not a good sign considering the “Hot Hand” CK and the O apparently had before this game.
Now a team like STL who’s seen CK once before and has more tape on him will be more prepared for the gimmicky plays and QB scrambles.
I like how Jaworski told Dilfer what 30% of the regulars who visit this site and voted that CK7 is to blame, are absolutely 100 percent wrong. Delanie Walker knows that he made things difficult for this whole team. David Akers knows he too made this week a bit more stressful for CK 7. 2 veterans didn’t execute and now the sky has fallen
Disagree with Jaws there. CK7 scored 8 points for the Rams. Inexcusable.
CK did not lose that game. Once again the QB gets the blame. Nope this loss is directly the fault of the entire offensive structure.
Turnovers lose games under. CK turned it over and it resulted in points. We can blame Roman all we want. The Rams knew they could sit deep in zone and take away the big play and eventually the rookie would make a mistake. He made 2 for 10 points.
Now we go into the last quarter of the season figuring out what we should do offensively. Very concerned!
No argument out of me Prime. Cant find fault with that statement at all. But that wasnt the only problem. Many chances to win that game and failed at each and every one of them. The pitch doesnt bother me much, not like the perceived safety and running out of bounds. Much more to the game, its the same things that happen to AS but they are viewed with disdained.
You are right Under but was the switch not made to make us more explosive downfield, an upgrade? I see CK has played in 3.5 games and in each game playing worse not better. I know there will be some bumps in the road, but week 14 is no time to be trying stuff out.
Prime thats what people say on this blog, thats what some say in the press, but I havnt heard anything from JH to the reasons. Until I hear from JH I listen to what people think they know, but nothing is concrete until its out of the horses mouth. Reason I think JH thinks CK gives the Niners the best chance to win. I sure hope he is right.
I dont agree with the change at this point in time either, but it is what it is. Its high risk move, could turn out to be brilliant or it could be a flop.
Harbaugh’s ego just killed our season!
TBD. LOL
Hof, everything about the last two weeks in Niner land smells bad. And why? Cause JH is proving the unconventional way will work cause he thinks he can?
He thinks an inexperienced QB who has played progressively worse each game can get him a tittle?
Call me a Smither or whatever. This is a bad football decision and its gonna cost us a championship season.
Somebody needs to get Prime a Xanax…
And a bottle of Tequila to wash the jar down Jack!
Prime,
JH was overly ecstatic after the Bear game. “We tend to go with the hot hand”! Since when? SYoung mentioned today that CK no longer has the hot hand yet JH is still going with CK. JH’s “hot hand” analogy seems a little (or a lot) disingenuous! Possibly a mistake? TBD.
Lets not mince words, JH is a liar!
Not to mention a bogus safety
HP, he should never have gone beyond the 5 yd line when starting from his own 18. That’s on CK!
Rich Gannon’s thoughts:
“I love the way this guy rips the football,” Gannon said. “I love the fact that he runs like a deer. I feel that they feel the upside is better right now with Colin Kaepernick than it is to go back to Alex Smith.”
Comment of the day from ESPN’s Mike Sando: Niners lose their first game in 49 days. Time to panic!.
C’mon man! It’s just Over-reaction Monday!
I think the 49ers initially saw Kaepernick as a two year project, but after the Giants game decided to risk playing him earlier. The change was not about getting the best regular season record. It was about getting past teams that can pressure the passer with just four down linemen, like New York.
Alex is an excellent at Plan A quarterback… executing plays as designed. Colin is a good Plan B quarterback, getting production when the designed play breaks down. Against the NY Giants, you have to have Plan B productivity.
Thanks Brodie. You are smarter than Harbaugh. He’s fired you are hired SMH…..
How about first getting to the Giants. But before that lets start tinkering with our offense and figuring who goes where in week fricking 14. He was brought in to make us more explosive? Really? Where is Moss, Vernon, Crabtree big plays?
Oh I know, let’s blame Roman.
I think last year we were all so happy to have real coaches, as opposed to the Singletary area. And then we all that the Greg and Jim worked miracles with Alex Smith. And that they were hiding his limitations.
Well now that we’ve seen how the offense runs with the so called “training wheels” off, it’s just more of the same.
I dare say it — Alex hid their deficiencies as Offensive Gurus. Early in the year, everyone marveled at the offense, how diverse the run game was.
But now the league has caught up to the run game and it’s been EXPOSED.
And they can’t make any adjustments or come up with a decent scheme.
Just as we get on Alex for being inconsistent, Greg’s game plans have been inconsistent.
I could really care less if CK starts over Alex, but the way Harbaugh has gone about it makes me think he’s full of BS now. And the way he talks to the press with such disrespect. He hasn’t won anything yet.
This is not college but grown men, and the team is built to win now. It’s not about who is the QB, but can we actually out-coach another great coaching staff. As good as Alex may have played last year, Gregg Williams was an idiot for single covering VD twice.
The Niners just aren’t mentally tough enough yet.
Believe me Harbaugh was as shocked by this game as a lot of us were. But he has no choice in the matter now as Smith is guaranteed to force his way out in the offseason no matter what the team does in the playoffs. Even if he gets the job back and wins a Super Bowl (high unlikely on both counts), it would only enhance his value to someone in a position to pay him more.
Harbaugh has to double down on Kaepernick’s development and my guess is he will do it well. I expect that CK will be much more effective by playoff time, but not good enough to win two tough road games against strong opponents.
Don’t you have a charger game to watch? I know they suck, but they are still better than the Raiders.
I don’t think will need to “force” his way out of San Francisco. Baalke won’t pay that bonus to a backup.
Don’t worry about him Charger fan, he is just spit and vinegar.
I noticed during the press conference JH looking shocked also.
No more Niner football until next Sunday. Question: How many diapers will Mister Harbaugh change in the next six days? His baby boy will need a fresh one about every three hours. Hey Coach: how’s your clock management as a father? Go home; give your wife the headset, and get on the playing field. Wipe that little butt, willya. If you change him, then he will not stink… The tie and then the loss to the Rams has produced enough stink for one lifetime, hmm?
… are you still talking about Kaepernick? :D
All the defense needs to do is get all inspired for Kaepernick again and he will look like a phenom… if he gets hot again. He looked like a rookie against the Rams, not once, but twice. In other words, if coach gets out-schemed, Kaepernick does not have enough experience to either change the play at the line to the proper play or get rid of the ball on a beaten playcall. This is why Alex Smith was near perfect this year. That fact that Kaepernick throws the deep ball, sometimes successfully, might impress a bunch of drunk thugs in the stadium, but it does not equate to winning. Give me consistent success at the QB position and I’ll show you a clutch Super Bowl winner. All else is the other guy…
LOL @ drunk thugs. Are they the same ones who would run “Da Bomb” play from Blitz the whole game?
If Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick were suddenly free agents, which one would command the higher salary?
1+
We’ll find out for one of them come March. LOL
We already know that it will be Smith.
So for all the hippicrits… This is the same kind of game smith has been playing for 7 of the last 8 years minus the turnovers last year. All you guys did was hold his nuts n massage his ego. Kap does it once n u blow the fire. Get over urselves. GW TD pass dropped n GW FG missed. Otherwise we are not having this convo. Smith benefitted last year from a Stout D and Excellent ST. We dont have the ST this year or we win both games 1 would have been a 4th quater comeback. I respect everyones opinion weather i like it or not. But what are we arguing about? We lost a division game to a non pushover team. Lets take it up the butt n learn from it. Kap did everything he could to put us in position to win. He cant catch the ball n he cant kick it. In my opinion it was a good football game with a couple mistakes and those mistakes helped the rams. Not as much as ours did. Anyone who bwlieves diffrently is still crying over smith. period. But thats my opinio
That game was ultimately lost in the trenches as most games are. Countless drive killing holding penalties, guys running free at the QB and zero running lanes. Neither QB will get us anywhere until that gets better and the last 2 weeks has been dismal for that group. There have been at least 10-12 killer holding calls that have wiped out huge plays. I’m so sick of cringing and waiting for that yellow flag graphic show up on TV every time we have a big play
19′
I said the same thing yesterday. It felt like I was watching a damn raider game. After every big play, you know there gonna be a flag. O line was crap yesterday. Period!
Thank you hindu19 many here seem to be over looking our biggest failure of the game. Ive been following this blog for a while but havent commented. CK made a few horrible plays yesterday but had a decent all around game. Our o-line however may have had 20 plus bad plays between passing and rushing. If they had decided to block someone CK never has a reason to run into the endzone. Neither does he have to rush the pitch. I dont think that CK or AS would have been successful with our o-lines complete and utter failure. I think the blame falls in this order. 1. O-line 2. CK and Roman. An speaking of roman’s bad simplistic play calling with the way the rams were so aggressively pass rushing why not throw lamichael james a screen pass or 2 an let him do what he does in space…WTF?>@#! Sorry guys starting to rant. Anyway GO NINERS! We got to fix this quick!
Anybody else just see the Redskins run the same play CK fumbled on yesterday?
Comparing the plays of a 5-6 team? OK, you’ve lowered your standards. ; )
No, just thought it was interesting.
They’ve been running that play all year.
Maybe Roman should note the field position…
What did you think of Roman’s performance yesterday?
It was outstanding. CK just didn’t execute. LOL
Film at 11! (Jack’s one screen shot analysis) LOLOLOL!!
Romans performance was like it has been most of the season Up and Down nothing consistant. Nothing has changed other the QB and his performance being good/bad.
@Grant…
I think GR has been up and down this season with the play calling…let’s face it, the opposition this year came into games with the attitude that ‘we aren’t gonna let you beat us by runniong Frank Gore 25 times a game…we’re gonna play 7 or 8 in the box until you show us you’re able to do otherwise’….so far, the play calling has been pretty vanilla…I’m of the belief that both JH and GR prefer to run the offense conservatively, regardless of the QB, and let the defense do the bulk of the work.
Jack have you seen Johnny Marziel out of I believe Texas A&M play? If so whats your take on him.
Under,
Have only watched a couple of his games this year, but was impressed. Does he win the Heisman?
Red Shirt freshman, I think for him to win he has to outshine his competion, being better wont win it. The freshman thing.
Giants didn’t defend it nearly as well. Rams forced the pitch.
I would have given him a C until the option call and the last series of OT. He ends up with a D-/F.
But Jack, GR is a good signal caller. He is doing a superb job. The QB just isn’t executing. Right Jack!??
He is a good signal caller Hofer. He had a bad day yesterday.
The option call was terrible in that situation, and his calls after the shanked punt in OT were too conservative considering Akers is only 50-50 from 40+.
What are his strengths and weaknesses?
Jack, did CK have a bad day?
He accounted for 81% of their offense. His fumbled pitch cost them the lead, but he atoned somewhat and got the lead back. I gave him a C/C-.
Yes because he is a running QB – 84 running yds. Where were the points, passing tds, or even running tds – any tds? How about the explosive plays you keep talking about? Where are they Jack?? Explosive? Where? When?
Jack honestly, is Kap getting better with each game? Can you say he has played better since the Bears game?
Yes and over 200 passing. Two 20+ yard passes, and a 50 yard run to put the team in position to retake the lead were explosive.
The film doesn’t come out until tomorrow to tell you why, but the Rams did a good job with pressure and keeping things in front of them.
Guess how many people would be saying that the play was too risky if Kaepernick had simply not flung the ball too hard? If Colin had executed the play properly not only would we have won the game but no one would even be mentioning it.
Yes, he has played well, but the pitch/fumble is inexcusable.
Jack,
He did not play well. Get over it! SY said he no longer has the hot hand. Ok, for a running QB with 84 yds he did ok.
Jack,
You are wasting your time. In the mean time I’m watching RGlll. A little jealous that Washington has a first round QB that paid off.
bayareafanatic says:
November 19, 2012 at 1:09 pm
“Regardless whether CK lights it up, or wets the bed, the starting job is AS’s.”
Yes, Jack you are wasting your time because evidently according to the quote above, Bay believes AS should be playing instead of CK. Right Bay?
Guess how many people would be saying that the play was too risky if Walker had simply held onto the ball.
We can play this game all night.
Bad playcall, bad execution, dropped pass, bad unnecessary roughness penalty, bad/conservative play calling, missed field goal.
Did I miss anything?
Yes Jack you missed the fact that CK is regressing instead of progressing.
Jack,
Same would be true if CK didn’t scramble 23 yds backwards into the 9ers end zone or didn’t throw the pitch out over TGs head. Sh!t happens.
Hofer, you are being silly with your statement about CK! He played a ok game and made a few mistakes but overall his game was not bad! This is a rookie with limited experience. the play calling did not help CK but he will learn from this game and improve. GO NINERS
Prime,
His numbers were almost identical to the first Rams game. They are a tough match up for the 49ers due to their quick D line.
Once they get the offense figured out they are going to be very tough. And to make it worse, the RGIII trade gave them a boat load of picks going forward. This is going to be a great, fierce battle for years to come.
Jack,
If I told you that CK would face bad calls, a dropped TD Gore’s worst game of the year and a missed field goal, would you think he could win?
Chicago,
I hear you and respect you but “ok” isn’t good enough period. Why the hell change QBs for just “ok”? With CK it is supposed to be vertical passing all over the field and explosiveness and points, etc, etc! I don’t see it and haven’t seen it. From what I’ve seen, it was premature and a bad move. Let it play out of course.
It might be Jack but with CK playing with that run first mentality, and only looking deep, it won’t be much of a matchup.
Bay,
What happened to that “mop up” duty you had allocated for AS on Saturday before the Ram game?
Jack
200 yards with 5 quarters. Besides bay says a minimum of 200 for a QB. So 220 or so in 5 isn’t impressive. Especially considering the points scored.
Neither is the fact that much of it was simple. Didn’t you notice the announcers pointing out why the DB was playing so far off? Those were easy pssses. The kind you blamed AS for making. And not going downfield taking risks. Speaking of which…how many times did CK go downfield? More/less/same as an average AS game?
Maybe add that analysis to your blog.
Grant,
His strengths are running plays and his weaknesses are passing plays. His biggest weakness is adjustments.
The best game day caller of all time was BW. Why? He used a combo of a boxer and chess player analogy. Always be 5 steps ahead.
“What are his strengths and weaknesses?”
The Run and Play Action game.
He needs the run to work so the pass can come off of it. I agree with you that they need to find a runner who can threaten the edge.
Any idea as to why they have abandoned the fly sweep this year? I don’t think we have seen one all year.
I agree with you. If you take away the run, can he counter?
The fly sweep would be a good play to to threaten the edge with Hunter out. Roman should call it.
“Didn’t you notice the announcers pointing out why the DB was playing so far off?”
Yes, it looked as though they were playing soft zone coverage.
And yes, I will be adding that analysis after reviewing the film when it becomes available tomorrow.
“If you take away the run, can he counter?”
That is currently his weakness, along with some predictability.
When I can tell you what the play call will be prior to the snap based off the shift and formation you know the opponent can.
Case in point, the first play of the second half. The shift and play call was exactly the same as they did against against the Bears on the 32 yard pass completion against Chicago.
His counter is CK saving his @$$ with a broken pass play by improve or running 50 yds like yesterday.
*improv*
Hofer,
thanks for helping make Harbaughs point. That’s why he’s in there. He is a weapon that in one play can pick up big chunks of yards.
In a couple of years when you are cheering him on, I’ll remind you what a douche bag you were when he first started playing.
Bay,
Really? CK is only starting to conceal the deficiencies of the run-centric OC? Now I’ve heard it all. LOL
In the mean time I’m watching RGlll. A little jealous that Washington has a first round QB that paid off.
13-21 for 163 yards and 17 points for the offense.
Smh.
Jack this Rams team is going to be scary and probably will become one of the most talented teams in the NFL with all the draft picks they have in their pockets!!!
One other small forgotten play about yesterday’s game that fry’s my backside happened in the second period. We had just gone up 7-0, had stopped the ensuing Ram’s possession and we were driving into Ram’s territory about ready to take complete control of the game. Gore takes off for 15 yards to the Ram 25 but the Ref’s make a bogus holding call on Staley that absolutely kills the drive. The call was as ticky tacky as it gets and not close to holding in my opinion. We didn’t do much offensively after that till late in the third when we finally shored up our pass blocking and Kaep settled down and got into a groove. Without the bogus holding call we win this game handily.
Exactly right, refs making way 2 many ticky tack calls and changing the flow of the game. The shouldn’t call game changing penalties unless it’s very obvious
“At the same time, I see three decisions he made yesterday against the St. Louis Rams that cost them the game. He takes a safety. He fumbles the ball backed up that turns into a touchdown. And then he stays in bounds with 1:30 left in the game. Otherwise, the Rams never have a chance to get back in that football game.”
Doesn’t Dilfer know that these mistakes were all Roman’s fault, just ask Grant.
I knew it was going to be a tough game for us however I am still very bitter for blowing the lead with just a few minutes with stupid mistakes! I am a huge supporter of JH and his staff but this was not one of their best play calling either! You cannot put a rookie QB in the game and call plays that expose his immaturity! I really believe the following plays cost us the game:
• Bogus safety call that was confirmed by the TV Crew and their ref ( the ball was thrown out of bounce which it sailed and crossed the line of scrimmage however the refs missed it and could not even review it!!!
• Colin’s aggressive play by running to the end zone rather than just throwing the ball away!
• Poor play calling with 3 minutes left in the game we go for some funky lateral pass and another mistake by the rookie QB!
• Cks nice long run but he does not stay in bounce to kill some time!
• Akers miss field goal in the overtime again!
• And the D Walkers drop of a beautifully throw ball for a potential TD!!!
This really sucks now we must win the last four games or at least 3 of the last 4 if we want to have a bye in the playoffs! GO NINERS
After this game i realize how much we are going to miss K Hunter!!! I hope Manningham is ok!!!
A game like yesterday takes a lot out of gore. Like trying to run through a concrete wall. Nice, creative play calling GR
How many more times must I point it out?
That gameplan played to CK’s strengths. As did the NO game. The game everybody went crazy for CK, the Bears game was the AS gameplan.
Maybe if CK is a lot better with the passing game Gore has morespace to run. Just like AS provided. 300 passing/300 rushing against Buffalo. And how many near 200 yards passing/200 rushing did he lead this year? Nearly every win.
The play calling and half tim adjustments were horrible. Period!!! Out coached and out played.
The game should have been over by halftime. The 2nd half should have been just a formality if CK really is the offensive threat I keep hearing he is.
No KH, NO KW is a big deal. We haven’t replaced them yet. Nor has G Ro figured a way to involve his best players. Instead, he reverts to neanderthal type play calling ala Jimmy Raye, gore up the middle. You’d think he was a porn star or something. Let’s not fracture his hip again G Ro!!!
I’m done with those JUMBO plays.
No more gimmicky plays.
Where are the crossing routes?
A screen would be nice especially when they’re showing blitz. ( a young QB’s second best friend behind a running game).
LMJ out of the shotgun formation, relieving Gore.
Jenkins anyone to stretch the field.
VD out of the back field, out wide….
Crabtree in the slot or even Moss.
My point is multiple formations and dictating play.
Let’s stop arguing over whether it was the right decision. Kaep is our QB, and Smith will be a backup, or stop-gap somewhere else next year. Recognize, there is no guarantee that Smith could get us to a SB this year either. He was terrible in last years Championship Game against the Giants, and even worse this year against them. They are the only team that can beat us come playoff time, and the real reason Kaep is starting. The coaches realize this as well.
We will go 3-1 in next 4 games, win the West, beat the Giants at home and win the SB against Texans
Amen brother….
I hope you’re right. The problem is that if we lose one more game we may move down to the third seed, and we have to beat either the Patriots or the Sea Gulls on the road.
Your prediction sounds a little like Grant’s “Blow Out” call.
With the Washington win we got more room. I wasn’t counting on that.
We have only a little bit of room considering the fact the Seacheats are only 1.5 games back. If this team isn’t careful, we could wind up in the fifth or sixth seed come playoff time.
Da Niners,
But I want Alex back! Please JH, bring Alex back. He NEVER turns the ball over. He’s got a 70% completion percentage. The linemen like him and will block better for him because they don’t want him to get a concussion. Joe Staley in depressed, he missed Alex. Alex didn’t do anything wrong. Alex promised me that he would take more chances. Even if it meant getting knocked out again. He said he was gonna throw it harder from now on too. He says he’s gonna run like the wind from now on. He said he just needs to be freed. Please JH, let alex play!
lmfao, I thought this was DS for a second….for reals.
Big Niner,
You guessed it!
“They are the only team that can beat us come playoff time, and the real reason Kaep is starting. ”
Yeah, unless the Rams somehow get in…
Dude, no win is a guarantee, just as we saw this past weekend. And thats with either QB, but with Smith winning close games is more likely given that he tends to avoid costly mistakes and TO’s.
If the six or so individuals, who take opposing sides and who tend to mostly insult each other would start their own blog, the football IQ in this blog should increase by an order of magnitude. I know I’m dreaming, but it’s a wonderful dream.
One topic that interests me a lot is how long it will take for Kaepernick and our receiving crew to develop body language knowledge of each other so that they can become a major force when Kaepernick extends plays. It’s my opinion that it takes game situations to develop that kind of rapport.
It also seems possible that we should start looking for additional receivers that have that extra football skill. I’ve seen a lot of situations where they don’t seem to be able to make themselves available on a busted play. The dynamic that Kaepernick brings in that situation is much different than Alex Smith.
I want Alex back! Kap is Krap! Bwahahahaha! JH please bring Alex back.
I’m watching (and very impressed by) Washington’s offense, an exotic mix of power and misdirection in the running game, with a running QB in the shotgun taking play-action shots…….this is Jim Harbaugh’s vision.
I’ve thought the same thing except their HC has a very different approach to offense. He’s more of a peddle to the mettle kind of guy. He was upset when Steve Young didn’t get seven or more touchdown passes in the Super Bowl. Harbaugh would have pulled the reins in at around three.
You clearly are unfamiliar with Harbaugh’s “mettle”. I suggest you revisit the Nov 14 2009 game between Stanford and USC when Harbs called for a “2-point conversion attempt after Stanford’s seventh – yes, seventh – touchdown. It looked like what it was, Harbaugh putting a knee in Carroll’s exposed coaching nethers”.
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Here-s-the-deal-say-Cardinal-Harbaugh-3209722.php#ixzz2E3ZuuAvb
Why are the Smithers continuing the conversation? Game over for you guys. Go find a support group. Get a group rate bad use BS’s shrink. Smith is gone. MY 49ERS HAVE A NEW QB. IF YOU DON’T BACK HIM THEN HAVE SOME PRIDE AND FIND ANOTHER TEAM TO CHEER FOR. IF KAEP SUCCEEDS OR FAILS, SMITH IS GONE. Say it out loud, Smith is gone. Go ahead say it, it fill make you feel better. Worked for me.
Thanks Plato.
Have some pride. Pick yourself up. All arrows up. Good times. In Harbaugh we trust.
bayareafanatic says:
November 19, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Regardless whether CK lights it up, or wets the bed, the starting job is AS’s.
The Alex Smith starting for 49ers again (pipe dream) has been blown to SMITHEReens!
In Harbaugh we trust was only applicable when the #1 caddy was starting. Now that the team has moved on to a better quarterback we don’t trust Harbaugh anymore.
Hofer I meant was… Your wet dream is over.
Bay, that explains why you don’t debate football. Always in the gutter.
Can you you explain how the arrows are pointing up after this past game Bay? The only arrow pointing upward after that debacle is the defensive side of the ball. The rest of the arrows are plowing downward towards the core of the Earth in order to get a hot hand again.
SMITH IS GONE! Hey, it works. I fell better already. Thanks BAY!! You Da Man, with the hot hand!
I’ll feel even better when it comes true
Just a few thoughts:
SY is PISSED at Harbaugh… “But until they’re really clear about it, it just sounds like a lot of gobble gobble turkey stuffing which, to my mind, doesn’t send the right messages internally or externally.”
OUCH!!! SY is openly mocking Harbaugh and basically calling him a liar. That’s pretty harsh.
CK didn’t play well in this game. It is sort of what I expected and why I was initially against replacing Smith with CK. Smith would never have made the mistakes CK made in this game. Then again, Smith wouldn’t have completed or even attempted several of the passes CK executed with ease. These are young QB growing pains, plain and simple. The question in my mind isn’t whether CK is a better QB long term. I don’t think it’s disputable that CK has more talent. The question I have is, is it the right time to bring him in now. Harbaugh will either be the goat for making the change or the hero for making the change. The only way Harbaugh wins in this is if the 9ers win the Superbowl. He’s playing a dangerous game of high pressure cards and right now the odds aren’t in his favor.
Houston,
Well said. That’s the way I read it as well.
Young’s not calling him a liar, he’s criticising the ambiguity (“We’ll go with the hot hand, “they’re both our guys”, ad nauseum), it comes off as indecisive, unsure and timid.
I don’t know why he wouldn’t just simply say Kaep’s the starter going forward, if he feels that way. Why the wishy-washy statements? I agree with the criticism.
I’ve been too busy to read too much but what’s been the thoughts on the play call on 3rd & 3 where CK made the bad pitch and Ginn did such a poor job of getting on the ball?
My opinion is that was an absolute horrendous play call in that situation. The design of the play is questionable to say the least. To fake a fly sweep and then do a fake handoff pitch to the fly is a play designed to fail from the beginning. The play design is so damn stupid and then to call it in that situation is almost criminal. I’ve been a Roman fan but that play call knocked him down several notches in my book.
MidWest
Edwards wan’t the 5th best WR in the NFL. Nor was he named NFC Offensive Player of the week the last in his last complete game.
Those are substantial differences. That and the fact that CK has only scored 20+ points (for the Niners mind you) in 1/4 games. That may be a concern as well.
I don’t think Steve Young is calling Harbaugh a liar. He is calling out Harbaugh for couch double speak. Walsh did the same thing at times but he was careful to avoid a major fan base explosion. Harbaugh doesn’t have the finesse of a Bill Walsh, but he isn’t trying to replace the the best quarterback of all time with a younger guy with more upside.
You may remember that Montana greatly enjoyed winning the Super Bowl without Bill Walsh. It took a few years for Montana to make up with Walsh.
The dynamics now are much different.
I’ve heard BW in coach speak many times and JH comes off more disingenuous.
Young said, “What is the criteria for picking the quarterback in San Francisco? Is it the hot hand? Well, obviously not, because he didn’t have the hot hand this week and he’s picked again.”
Harbaugh said he is starting the QB with the hot hand. IMHO SY is using Harbaugh’s words against him to call him a liar. You can debate it but it seems crystal clear to me.
Houston, you called it straight and I know you have been critical of AS as well. We’ll need to see how this plays out. JH may be a genius.
I think the shelf life of anything that Harbaugh says about why he does anything is good until he leaves the room.
I think you’re giving Harbaugh too much credit. The shelf life is at the speed of sound. As soon as you hear it he may have already changed his answer of why he did something. I really love Harbaugh as a coach but some of what he says and does makes me really question his integrity.
hT,
you are absolutely correct. Young isn’t calling him a liar. He is being vocal about the fact that he didn’t like the method in which he delivered the news.
I like Young a lot. But he should shut his mouth. 22 years ago a coach was in a very tough position like JH and had to do an unpopular thing by benching the greatest QB that walked the planet so that Young could play.
Having the sack to stick K-gun in and replace an 8 year vet with one playoff victory will pay off. The force is with young K-gun.
bay – “Project aleX” failed, why can’t the Smithers just be 49er fans now?
Crab,
I don’t know. They should look in the mirror though. Most of the haters just hated on Alex. This group is so freaking bitter that they are agonizing and still hoping AS gets another start. They are questioning the head coach and bitterly turning on him. And they are dissecting every play of CK’s and unrealistically critiquing his play.
CK who statistically is having the best first three games of any 49er QB. Who’s first three start has 3 TD’s passing, 1 rushing and 120 rushing yards and only 1 Int.
Agenda?
I’m more concerned about Harbaugh making another risky late-season decision Bay. Last season he released WR Edwards which affected the depth chart and came back back to bite the team in the playoffs. Will this risky decision bear the same sour fruit? TBD.
This is a great place to come when you’re down in the dumps, and start to doubt that your mother was right when she thought you were the smartest kid in town or where ever.
LOL
Roman pay attention this is how you use a mobile QB and run down the clock.
Bingo
I meant to also say that I agree with the rest of your post as far as Steve Young is concerned. A strong locker room is a big deal to him.
Posting location error.
Way to go Giants!
shanahan is teaching roman how to use CK….
thing is i don’t think the niners offense is that physical
and looks like wash has given JH an extra game of cushion to get the CK show on the road
that is a big loss by the giants in the niners favor….giants win and could easily see the niners in the 4th seed
It’s a “giant” help!!!!!
We can lose one game and get by NY now, and we’ve already got the tie breaker with the Bears and Green Bay.
@htwaits:
As a matter of fact the head to head records will not come into play at all this year because of the tie against the Rams. We will either be a half game ahead or a half game behind. So the loss to the Giants and the wins over Gb and Chicago will not come into play as tie breakers.
My prediction is that we will finish 11-4-1, Green bay will win the central with a 11-5 record, and the Giants will win the east with a 9-7 record.
Playoff seedings: 1. Atlanta 2. Niners 3. Green bay 4. Giants 5. Seattle 6. Dallas
I didn’t know who I was suppose to be cheering for last night. If we don’t get things figured out, like NOW, we will be fighting for a wildcard spot (we still have to play Seattle in Seattle which is MUCH harder than the Rams in St. Louis and they are just 1 game out and we get to travel to play Brady…fun.). In which case we would be battling the Redskins.
+1
shanahan is teaching roman how to use CK….
Only problem is, is it took since the draft to now for Washington to finally start looking like there looking! We don’t have that much time! Unless our goal is next year, then I guess the timing is perfect!
RG3 163 yds passing. Another running QB. smh
And they say it’s a passing league now!
Just a couple thoughts.
1) I think Smith really messed up Harbaugh’s team building timeline. He maybe didn’t think the team could get as far into the playoffs(or maybe even make them) with Smith at QB, so they drafted their guy and figured Smith would not have the “hot hand” at some point in 2011 and he could easily slip Kap into the mix with no internal/external pressure, let him soak things up in his rookie year and then start making their “real” playoff/SB run in their 2nd year together.
2) I also think once he realized that the team(and even more amazingly Smith) responded so well to the new Off./Def. systems he owed it to the team to play it out. Now this year I think the team(and probably more Smith) is far ahead of where they(he) expected them to be and now the first chance he had to replace Smith he HAD to do it to stay on their timetable. Oh and lets not forgot about that new stadium, I am sure there is some high level brass wanting to rev up the fan base(even if its subtle pressure) before that opens. That not a cynical statement btw, its just the reality of how far this NFL business goes, Smith has a rep/history that no matter what he does will polarize the fans, and simply Kapernick doesn’t. And if you think about the timetable, rookie 2011, starter 2012, hitting his stride 2013(and assumed winning a lot) just in time for 2014.
fwiw, my only a couple things I have hearburn concerning this change really, just say your doing it, quit jerking everyone around. I think it’s disrespectful to Kap, Smith and the Team. Maybe internally they have, but you have Staley irritated about it and D.Walker talking about Smith starting against the Rams so it didn’t sound like it is was clear internally either. On an emotional level, Smith did respond to Harbaugh and we got to within a game of the Super Bowl, it would have been nice to see him play it out and see if they would’ve taken it all the way and in all honesty, Smith was never coming back next year, Super Bowl or not. With that, as I noted above, I understand why the change is being made though.
I think eveyone is/will win in the end from all this, as many have stated already.
1) The fact that Smith responded so well to Harbaugh, his system, last years playoff run and then backing it up this year should make him a far more attractive free agent this year. I don’t think teams bit last year because they were thinking one year wonder, but he was backing his play up this year.
2) Kap got to sit for an entire season with a veteran and soak things up even more, I don’t always think that’s a bad thing for rookie QB’s, especially if they aren’t used to Pro style offenses (not familiar with the pistol he ran, but don’t imagine it is a pro style)
3) Smith, the Niners, the Fans are/will get a fresh start with new places and faces this year and next!
I feel the same way about the change and why Harbaugh did it. If Alex keeps playing well, how do you get rid of him, god forbid they do win the Superbowl.
I’m all for CK next year, just not in the middle of a playoff push. Yesterday we can see that while CK has some strengths that helps you win games, he has weaknesses that can help you lost game. The argument that Smith sucks blah blah blah is BS. He’s playing well in the present. Maybe not elite, but good enough to win. All QBs have bad games. Look at at Matt Ryan this year. He was not that good in half the games they play.
Watch out grudge23..all this logic you are speaking is going to hurt Bay’s head…and 23jordan…and Neal..
Hey I support Smith and would’ve loved to see him play it out. But this is the way of the world when it comes to new management, we want our guys. I think Smith/Team/Fans got lucky last year to take off the way he did. I would like Jim to just say, “Hey we’re doing this, get over it!”. I think Jim & Co. were completely ready to take their lumps with the rookie and try to win with Superior D, then after a couple years they could be a more balanced team on Off. & Def.
Didn’t even mention the shortened off season last year. Jim & Co. couldn’t have thought bringing in new Off. & Def. systems, with no off season, would’ve got them to the NFC Championship game. As competitors they would never admit that, but as managers they had too think last year went FAR FAR beyond what they could have ever imagined, especially given Smith’s history up to that point.
You’re both right on the money. . How Harbaugh has handled this has really hurt his integrity. I’m still glad he’s the coach, but if how he dealt with this keeps the team out of the Super Bowl once again, it’s going to be very difficult to not question his risky late-season decisions.
As managers, Jim & Co. probably believed in 2013 they could be a real threat to make it to the Super Bowl. They were going to have to develop a QB for a couple years to be a real threat and then Smith blew up and went all J.Garcia (not HOF Montana or Young, but Pro Bowl level) on us last year and the first half of this year and threw a monkey wrench in their plans, gaining support both internally and even from the bay area fans, making this move even dicier now.
But as coaches they OWED it to the players to play the games to win and well we won 13 of them last year, and they couldn’t tank 2011 or they would’ve lost ALL credibility in the locker room for ever!
I do agree not making a very deep playoff run with Kap this year will be a major let down, but I think that magical 2011 season will do way MORE for Kap than coming in and struggling(like Smith did) he’s alrady been in the playoff atmosphere and has seen Smith rally the Niners against N.O. and struggle against N.Y. all learning lessons. And 2011 makes Jim & Co. look like literal football GODS! So 2011 may have jacked up their timetable, but I think the unintended outcome from 2011 will ultimately be good for all, including Smith.
Some good points in there, especially Harbaugh not expecting Smith and the team to respond so well last season. Also agree Smith was gone after this season, even if the team won the Super Bowl. Kind of why I wanted to see how it would play out. Last years success definitely hyped up and got the new stadium rolling.
Not exactly. If Alex had played beyond their expectations, the Niners would not have pursued Manning and CK would not be starting. JH and company were hopeful that Alex would take the next step. After all, this was his 2nd year in the system. They gave him new toys. In the end, however, Alex was the same old cautious check down king.
Yes, you still pursue Manning, he is a HOF qb. Smith improved in almost every statistical category in his 2nd year so don’t understand your point.
Not much has charged with CK in there Nick. Sure he is flashy and makes explosive plays, but the fact of the is that his numbers are similar to what Smith had. So what’s the difference between flashy big play and boring cautious play if the end rresult is the same due to the gameplan?
…fact of the matter is…
MWN,
Know how to spell higher ceiling?
I don’t think anyone meant he was going to Canton. But he played way better then he ever had and for the duration of an entire season and made the playoffs. The fact that I just wrote that sentence proves he had a better season, then HE ever had before and was improving(to some degree) this year. Look you’ll never hear me say oh he’s the next “blah”, but HE was playing above average, not GREAT, not HOF, Pro Bowl(possibly?)
Good one Bay. Now point me out a Super Bowl contending team that made a late-season switch at QB that resulted in them winning said Super Bowl that season. Early season switches and those starting due to the guy in front of him getting injured and lost for most/all of the season don’t count.
MidWest – Doug Williams replaced Jay Schroeder on the final game of the 1987 regular season and went on to win Super Bowl.
Schroeder was not performing well and he was not injured. Williams was named Super Bowl MVP.
That raises my hope for this team Crab but not by much. I would more comfortable if CK had more playing time under his belt and faced many different defensive schemes. I want the kid yo be as prepared as possible for the playoffs.
MidWest – Right on bro…..lets hope it works out.
Harbaugh’s an odd bird but he comes from a special football family and I believe he can get Niners to Super Bowl with Kap. I don’t think Tom Brady loses two straight Super Bowls so I’d rather face Hou, Den, Bal or Pit.
Houston or Pittsburgh would be the ideal match-ups. I think Manning would feast on. on our secondary(especially Rogers) and Baltimore runs the type of offense that has smacked around our defense.
Would Manning have been benched for CK?
According to you he would have since CK is the future
First Harbaugh and now Steve with that gobble gobble turkey stuffing. For god’s sake, we are the capital of Dungeness Crab! I’d like to see some more seafood analogies. And now I’m hungry again.
La-La – Try some Dungeness Crab with minced garlic, olive oil and some melted butter. Ever watch the “Bobby Flay Throwdown?” :)
Time to cook-up some fresh dolphin on Sunday. Go Niners!
Madden has always said it best and he said it a lot and I paraphrase!
There’s an average of somewhere around 60 to 65 plays an offense has during a game and after all that hittin and knocking people around, in the end, the game usually comes down to 3 or 4 plays that win or lose the game. At the end of the game you throw out all the numbers and look at the film and you’ll find those 3 or 4 plays that that made the difference. Everything else doesn’t matter!
Dilfer is a bigger Smither than DS and Primate combined. So his take on the Niner’s QB situation carries little weight.
That aside, the Niners play a dud once every 2 or 3 games. They’ve also always followed up a dud with an excellent game. I expect the Niners to finish off the season by going 3-1. All will be forgotten.
Dilfer, Young, and Jaws all made solid points Nick. It doesn’t matter if any of them support Smith or not.
but midwest..logical statements on this blog automatically make you a “Smither” on this blog..even if you were a NFL QB..with a Superbowl ring
Nick
“Dilfer is a bigger Smither than…”
Grrrr! That is a bad thing. Get all Alpha-Male and go get him Nick!
Really. Why do you think of myself and Prime so often?
Those duds were offensive AND defensive duds (Giants, Minnesota)
This time the D pitched a shut out for Kap and the O, but those two major mistakes gave the Rams life and let them get back in the game.
Without both of those mistakes, the Rams would barely have mustered any points at all. They had 0 at halftime if I remember correctly.
We lose one game in which Kaepernick made one really bad pitch and one mistake in judgement by running out of bounds when he should have stayed in bounds, and yet after he makes that terrible pitch, he drives the team to what should have been the winning touchdown after a 50 yard run and everybody only concentrates on what he did wrong. If he was so overwhelmed he wouldn’t have responded the way that he did. If Walker makes that catch that most receivers would have caught in their sleep (and it was a touch pass not a rocket), we win that game (also if Akers could make a clutch kick and more we would be 10-1-1 and 4-0 with Kaepernick). Some of the folks on this blog are either in love with Alex Smith or just don’t how much more CK can bring to the 49ers over time. Whether we go to the Super Bowl or not this year (and we would have never beaten the Giants with Alex at QB this year), I trust in Harbaugh’s judgement when it comes to QBs. Remember he did recruit Andrew Luck to Stanford. I would hope everyone who posts here is truly a 49er fan and not just an Alex Smith fan. I have played QB at the college level and I can tell you that your bashing of CK is wrong. Harbaugh and CK will prove you wrong in the end though I fully admit it might not be this year.
Rackem! ….Nice job. Welcome to the blog tim!
Hope you stick around.
Good post Tim!
Over time is all fine and dandy, but it doesn’t excuse if we miss the Super Bowl or not this season. And it’s the late-season decision that is bothering me. He made a decision that affected our WR corps last season that played a role in the team getting to the Super Bowl. Harbaugh has basically thrust in a new guy at QB on a team that was considered one of the better teams and told him to win a championship. And if over time was so important, then why didn’t Harbaugh start CK at the beginning of the season? It does matter if we win the Super Bowl or not this season because there’s no guarantee that this team will in the future. To think otherwise is just foolish.
MidWest – How would you feel if Kap plays well vs Dolphins and Niners win, then he plays good at New England with another victory? Would that work for you?
Midwest,
Alex could make the plays against the Giants last year. This year could he?? Playoffs we could face, Giants, GB, Bears, and even Hawks.
Your point on late in the season change. This was the perfect time to do it. There were still 6 games left. Colin can learn the position. I expected to loose a game or two contributed by some of his mistakes. But he proved he can bounce back. We will see over the next 2 weeks what he and the coaches can do to bring the QB and team together…!!!
Go Niners
I would absolutely love it. Crab, but the regular season and the playoffs are two different animals. I would be more approving of this move if it had happened at the beginning of the season and not mid-season. CK needed that extra experience to be more prepared for what opposing defenses will unleash during the playoffs. Going in with just 7 1/2 games of experience is not going to be pretty. This kid needed time under center so that he could have time to improve, not be thrust into the role mid-season where he has considerably less time to learn from his mistakes.
Second in the NFC and it was the perfect time to do it?! That’s like saying to to a five-year- old while he’s in the middle of learning basic math that it’s the best time for him to learn calculus.
MidWest – Good points but I think 7.5 games is sufficient when you have a quarterback guru like Harbaugh.
We’ll see Crab. My belief that this is a Super Bowl team has been shaken by Harbaugh has dealt with this position during the past couple of weeks. This move is eerily similar to the one he made at WR late last season. I’m hoping for a different result this time around.
I think the reality really is this simple. Jim & Co. really didn’t plan on being this good right out of the gate and they had a 3 year plan(’11,’12’13) in place to develop a new QB/Offense, make the playoffs in 2012, become Super Bowl contenders 2013 and beyond. Again NO ONE planned on Smith and the team responding as they did in 2011 and I guarantee you, if you ask Jim himself he will say they definitely intended to win in 2011(as coaches) but as managers and planners they were completely ready to rebuild this thing(mostly the offense) from scratch with THEIR guys. We all got REALLY REALLY lucky last year nothing more. As for the off season moves, if you start adding them up, most guys on the back end of their careers, low risk, low cost(most important) and if 2012 managed to duplicate 2011 then its a WIN WIN for everyone. It was all window dressing(including Smith’s contract) for the master plan, develop a new QB and offense period! Again, if we make the Super Bowl this year it is pure luck, not that the coaches and players aren’t trying, but its not in this regime’s plans. That’s probably the bigger reason Jim can’t just come out and say he is benching Alex out loud, because a LOT of fans believe he is our best chance to win “now” but the reality is, winning “now” wasn’t in the plan because that isn’t realistic when you are developing a new QB(generally) and rebuilding an offense.
We got lucky! 2011,2012 have turned into the opening act, that just happened to be pretty good too, for the real show in 2013. Lets just hope they didn’t steal the show. Of course no one at 49ers HQ will admit this.
tim thompson
The long and short of it is we all watched the game and watched CK melt-down… all of that is forgiveable; Coach showed his arrogance, and inability to adjust. That’s not forgivable
Right on Tim.
I’ll admit I was pretty harsh in my assessment of Kap this week, I agree that Harbaugh knows his business and Kap looks like he’s got the intangibles you want in a QB. I think we are a seeing that Kap is behind with his game management(which only comes with playing), but I also think we are seeing that he is on track with his understanding of the playbook! With that said he did make the mistakes (this is not a smith v. kap thing btw) he just needs to feel this heat and if he’s really got “IT” inside him this will only push him harder to be better and so I think this is good heat he is getting right now! This has always been(i do support smith) something I wished Smith would’ve done more of, just chew some butt(ala Fouts, Brady, Aikman) when guys shafted him, drops, protection or whatever. Maybe we’ll see Kap chew some when those guys keep dropping passes, missing blocks, running bad routes. I just think as QB you have to have just a little tyrant in you to be good.
Jack – Looks like I won that Saints bet we had. :-)
Yeah, what was I thinking?
you can think?
It’s a struggle.
What nobody is questioning is if JH is saying the same things to the team. If he has told the team that CK is the starter, then I’m fine with what he says in public, no matter how silly it might be.
If he hasn’t told the team clearly that CK is the starting QB, then I don’t like how JH is handling the situation as much.
Guess what? This is JH’s second season as an NFL head coach, and this year is the first of the two that he’s “working through some things”. How about we give him a chance to figure things out? In Harbaugh we trust, right?
If only JH could be like BW and have perfect seasons every year…… Oh, right, even the greatest head coach in the history of the NFL had several seasons that were struggles. Go figure.
88 was a beauty ex. From 6-5 to a Super Bowl. This thing is going to work out just fine.
It sure was. BW said later in life that he regretted not staying with the team. If he had, I beleive the 49ers would’ve won two or three more SB’s.
Harbaugh is going to blow this season to prove that Kaep is his boy. He showed zero respect for Smith by casting him aside after he had won 7 games and was 5th in the league in passing. Some of the veterans will be having second thoughts about the Harbaugh saga, especially when they get injured. Harbaugh should have let Smith finish out this year and hand it over to Kaep next year with some experience under his belt.
If we lose the next game, the way we all view JH will forever change.
People will start questioning what has he really won?
We’ve won 2 of our last 4 games with CK playing all but 1/18 quarters. I’ve seen enough. Does anybody really feel like we’ll win it all this year now as compared to after AS’s last complete game beating AZ 24-3 in AZ completing 18/19 with 3 TD’s/0 INT’s?
At that moment I believed we can beat anybody anywhere anytime. In the past 4 weeks we couldn’t beat the Rams even once. What a downer.
This one goes out to you DS…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEszTzdUMcY – Cached
I wonder how Randy Moss feels.
“Nobody has it better than us” – does not sound good right now
JH is really playing with fire.
If we don’t make the SB, JH will really feel the backlash.
nerdo,
There is absolutely no guarantee that the 49ers would make it to the SB with Smith. They might, but your comment makes it sound like a foregone conclusion. Making it to the SB with any QB is hard.
1) Safety was not
2) Ginn nudges the football out of bounds and no 8 points happens
3) Akers finally puts it thru the posts
4) DW doesn’t drop a perfect placed football
5) On the STL 15yds you call 3 runs up the gut and make the Rams spent all TOs
One of these five event happens and we have a W. The “L” is on the entire offense and especially the coaching staff.
no need to beg for the kid, give him a chance to redeem himself next sunday before wiping his a$$.
Conversely
1) CK doesn’t run for his life 25 yards behind the line of scrimmage
2) CK doesn’t pitch the ball to a 10 foot high player
3) Offense forgets they are not playing the Champion Giants and somehow put more points on the board – not needing to rely on the shakiest kicker in the league right now.
4) CK doesn’t miss an open Moss breaking to the end zone earlier in the came.
5) CK stays inbounds, running down the clock and forcing Rams to take their final timeout.
ribico
This game shoulsd have been over at halftime. The Rams couldn’t cross the 50 or punt without shanking it.
And the score…..7-0. What a load of crap that CK can score more than AS. AS never lost a game where the D pitched a shut-out for virtually the whole game. And AS played on some bad teams.
Rib,
If we’re thinking about the same play, it looked to me that Moss appeared wide open after CK committed to throwing the ball underneath, and the defenders came off of Moss.
That is correct exgolfer.
This is a go to red zone play. They used it last year in Detroit to win, and have seen it at least 1 other time. Everytime the ball goes to the underneath guy.
Rib,
To your other four comments: you’re absolutely correct. And the game probably would’ve been won had CK not made any of those four mistakes.
Equally correct is that the 49ers would’ve won had the refs not blown the safety call, DW had caught an easy TD pass, GR and/or JH not made the horrible play call, if the defense had stopped the Rams on their game tying FG drive, Goldson not committed the stupid personal foul, and Akers had made his FG.
The point is, you can’t hang the loss solely on CK. He played a part, a big part, but the loss isn’t his alone.
Of course, if the QB being discussed was AS, Bay, Jordan, and whoever is in their posse, would be calling for Smith’s head. We all know this.
Ask yourself honestly, would your comments be the same?
And can you really say that you know Smith would’ve won that game? I know I can’t. He might have, but we just don’t know. Why? Because it didn’t happen.
Rib,
One more if left out, Ginn should’ve knocked the fumble out of bounds.
Also, blaming KC7 for the safety is like blaming the Green Bay defense on the bogus TD vs the Seahawks. It never happened.
so what was he doing 25 yards behind the line of scrimmage
Never happened, nerdo.
Exactly he should have fallen and taken the sack as soon as he knew he wasn’t going to escape the rush.
That is when taking a sack is a good thing, to avoid a safety!
Harbaugh is gambling heavily that the QB he drafted can lead his team to the Ring.
If we don’t get better pass blocking & play calling, and less crucial drops then not even Frodo could lead us to the Ring.
Alex was doing an ok job managing that weakness, wasn’t he 3rd best rated QB in the league behind the same line and play calling.
So why the excuse now?
Alex smith took to many sacks, Alex smith played safe and not to lose, not to win, Alex smith had some stinkers this season, Jim Harbaugh thinks ck brings the extra Element Smith doesn’t have. Field vision, legs, arm strengths. Ck is a better qb plain and simple and Harbaugh picked him so go ask him the question as to why. You’re not smarter than Harbaugh. Actually nobody on this blog is. Eh eeemmmm ds???
just that the numbers and comon sense don’t back you up.
I don’t get the wild over-do defense of CK you seem to be potraying, the least you can do is wait till he plays a couplke of more games but the facts on ground say the offense has regressed.
You are the same person that whinned everyday about people supporting Alex blindly, the term you call them was smithers. According to you “Alex will never do wrong in their eyes”
And now you are doing the same thing.
you are right Alex did play safe and Alex did play not to lose, but 6-2 this season and 13 wins last season confirms he played to win.
Where are your numbers that say the offense regressed? This qb rating is a mirage. If it was be all end all. Alex smith would still be starting. You might like the play it safe offense. That’s fine. But Harbaugh doesn’t. He sees the defense and st aren’t as good as last season. Where are the turnovers from last season? You don’t think that helped the offense last season? And what did the offense do with those turnovers? Converted more fg’s than td’s. it’s safe to say Harbaugh wants more out of his offense and the qb position. Just deal with it and roll with your coach and team.
I am rolling with my coach and team, what i can’t stand is an ignorant fan or a so call fan that would rather destroy a team for his/hers selfish reasons.
If you look at the points scored by the offense in the last couple of games – you will see a regression.
This coming from an offense that was averaging 23 points before the bye week.
Lmao a fan is destroying the team because of personal reason. Ha ha ha ha hey why don’t you go out and try out for coach.
And the scoring is down? It’s been 3 games. Keep holding on to the buff and nyj game. Ill remember minn, NYG, sea, games. Because those are playoff caliber teams. Un K?
@ ninermd:
Where are your numbers that say the offense regressed?
I don’t know if “regression” is the appropriate terms, but the offense is scoring less since the change. About 3.6 points/game less. Moreover, the 30-17-13 trend is in the wrong direction.
That said, it’s still too early to start drawing any conclusions. Kaep has only started 3 games. As he gets more experience, he should start running the offense more effectively. And, hopefully, Harbaugh and Roman can start making counter adjustments to the adjustments that defenses are starting to make.
@ ninermd:
Also, even though the defense isn’t generating as many turnovers as last year it still is giving up [marginally] fewer points per game – 14.3 last year vs. 14.2 this year. And this year, the 49ers were supposed to be playing much better offenses than they did last year.
So, although a specific weakness may have appeared (quick, shifty slot receivers vs. Carlos Rogers in man coverage), the defense is just as good as it was last year, at least in the most relevant category there is – points allowed.
Special teams? Yeah, that group (other than Lee and the coverage teams recently) has fallen off.
claude
“I don’t know if “regression” is the appropriate terms”
The Line of best fit has a downward (negative) slope. That is a more proper way to say it.
Means the same though.
Let’s face the facts. Harbaugh is still a rookie with only one season under his belt in the NFL. He will also make mistakes. If the kap decision doesn’t play out correctly coach could have a mess in the locker room. Miami when on can be a problem. The 49ers could lose the next three and be in some trouble. Kap lacks the decision making skills. Def will load the box like the rams did. The game plan was garbage. Def now having tape on him will bring different fronts each week. The 49ers are in trouble. Hopefully they can win this week and play well against Seattle and Arizona. I believe kap can be the guy I’m a huge fan. He needs more time. Kiss a super bowl run goodbye. Decision should have happened earlier.
I am curious to see if miami use the same defensive strategy which was (let the ends go up and box CK into a pocket to make a decision) and play zone with the CB’s.
CK’s best bet is just to dink and dunk his way out of it, the question is does he have the patience?
When you read these it sounds like we are evaluating our young QB and he looks pretty good. Big Arm, fast, but inexperienced. He’ll work through it and be great some day.
NO, No, No we are not doing that and it is dumb to act like we are. Miami, Cleveland, Cincinati, Philly they are doing that. We are a superbowl team with one of the top 10 QB’s in the league on our bench. Alex has reasonable tools, is very smart, is good in the system, is a leader, and has experience, including playoff experience. Hell he leads the league in completion %, top 5 in rating. Oh and he was offensive player of the week before being injured. If Kaep had a game like Alex had against the Jets or Bills you would be carving his bust for Canton. Decisions need to be made in context. This is a superbowl team with a proven veteran leader who was injured and is now ready. I love JH really great coach, but he is very wrong here. The question isn’t is CK good, it’s why have our Superbowl odds been halved by Vegas Line since CK was named the starter?
+1
Rich1649,
Smith actually had a pretty average day against the Jets.
True
ex
AS still scored 23 I beleive. 7 points were via the defense on a fumble return for a TD.
And that by the way is just about average for AS’s offense.
CK’s Niner lead offense is a good 6-7 points lower/game. A whole TD basically.
One more thing. Did you ever notice that if our defense is playing well, but do not get turnovers. Meaning they are really stuffing the other team but not giving the offense the short field. That our play calling is run, run, pass , punt, repeat. Open it up a little, and not stupid college gimmicks at our own 5 yard line.
I will root for Kaep, he seems like a hard worker and a good kid with alot of athletic talent. It just would have been nice to win the SuperBowl this year.
What in the world makes you think the Superbowl is a shoe in with smith at qb? You think because they got far last season they will again?
The defense isn’t as good as last season
The ST isn’t as good as last season
Defenses have more film on this offense
The running game took a huge hit with injury
The special teams and wr took a big hit with injury
It’s not an automatic Superbowl no matter who the QB is. Get some seasoning in football.
Never an automatic, but the line was the Niners as favorites.
Says Vegas odds. There were “experts” that said the 49ers would 6-10 also.
This is becoming quite comical. Figured it would. Its complete role reversal at its finest. The Smithers have become critics and the Kaepers have been making up excuses. To be expected. I guess my eyes must be getting old and tired. I see basicaly the same ["TEAM"] making mistakes from the start of the season till now. Different QBs same mistakes.
How come so many sack? Smithers O line isnt pass protecting, Kaepers O-line sucks.
That play sure sucked! Smithers bad play calling, Kaepers bad play calling.
Whats wrong with the team? Smithers we were outcoached, Kaepers we were out coached.
On and on
You see a pattern here, I do, different QBs same problems. Why are we not addressing what is really wrong in these games that we lost that we should of won. (Vickings, both Ram games). You add inexperience to the current problems on the team its a receipe for disaster. It showed up against the Rams. Dolphins up next should be a win but eh not sure anymore. Hope the TEAM picks it up for the playoff run.
*Vikings*
Under
It is simple. JH replaced AS following NFC Offensive Player of the Week 24-3 victory in AZ in which AS dominated a dominant D.
So that wasn’t good enough. Ok then. CK must perform better than 18/19 3TD’s, NO TO’s and win every week or at least go 20-4 to start his career because that is what AS did (19-5) and was benched because of it.
Not fair? Neither is AS losing his kob to injury. Nor is life fair. So tough.
I agree DS I dont understand it either, makes zero sense. It is what it is and I can not do anything about it, and being a Niner fan I accept it like I had to accept SY replacing JM. And no I am not comparing AS to JH. I dont have a problem with CK replacing AS, I do have a problem when it was done and after an injury and it wasnt because of poor play. JH thinks CK is the man, so be it, we will find out.
*AS to JM*
Undercenter,
it’s not as simple as BS points out. See, AS did not get replaced after the Arizona game. In JH’s mind, AS got replaced after the Giants game in which Smith gave the Niners NO CHANCE. 3 int’s. The type of game Kaepernick hasn’t even come close to.
Anyway I digress. That is the game in which Smith was replaced. He was just looking for an opportune time to do it.
undercenter
JM was injured for the better part of 2 years. SY was very good, getting better QB who was winning lots of games.
AS had started 24 straight games for JH, was out for 2 and had taken us to the Title Game last year without any help from CK.
I was cool with the JM to SY switch. We still won a lot with SY. That isn’t the case here at all. 2 Wins/1 Tie that should have been a loss and 1 Loss isn’t a confidence builder for me.
Bay
I dont give much credence to the Giants game, we got punked up and down the sidelines every which way possible, that happens to even the best of teams. But in the three games that we have lost/tied that we should of won, we are making the same stupid mistakes regardless who the QB is. Like I say I dont have a problem with CK replacing AS just I dont think the timing wasnt good. But it could turn out to be a brilliant move also. We are shortly going to find out.
The Smithers. Don’t you think that after 13-3 and 6-2 and leading the league in completion % we are past that. I think everyone recognizes Alex can play QB now. Is he Brady or Manning or Rogers, can’t even be thought about until he does it for the next 5 years, improves each year, and wins a SB or two. That said people who think Alex gives us the best chance to win this year are football fans, you do not have to be a Smither to believe that. Good QB, best chance to win Yes… Montana … uh NO. Kaep is a promising young guy, Luck, RGIII … Uh NO.
I listen to the Giants this morning they cant get over that they only allowed 17 points and still lost, I keep thinking our defense gives up 6 points in five quarters and I cant believe the Niners lose. This has to be one of the worst losses that I have seen the Niners ever have.
It is undercenter. Adding insult to injury, this wasn’t the LT Giants in the 80′s we played. The Rams are a sub 0.500 team and we lost to them after barely tying them before. And had it been AS who was the QB the whole time..oh boy.
The Rams are a sub 500 team but both you and I both stated that the NFC west will play defense this year, and all four teams have. I do give some credit to the Rams defense. But still….this loss sucks big time.
Once again BS, AS lost his job in the last Giants game. He three three INTS. No scores. And was sacked 6 times for 48 yard loss.
JOB LOST. NO MORE CHANCES. Coach didn’t care what he did against AZ because the superbowl doesn’t go through Arizona.
bay
Go away. People who don’t insult others the moment they get out of bed are in a civil discussion.
And I love this BS person. That must be your imaginary friend here. Be sure to tell him “Hi” for me.
Now the Giants comment has some merit, but if that is true why not go to Kaep in the second half and against Arizona. It was a bad day for Alex, but then again when the Giants are on they can make you look bad. Also last year Alex won that game(Giants). Kyle Williams lost it. Now normally one guy does not loose a game, but get away from the football, even 10 year old kids know that.
By the way. Love how Kyle came back this year. He seems to be a great kid who just made a dumb play.
Yeah because that sub 500 49er team that beat the arz cards twice when they were a Superbowl threat really stopped them and their run that year. Bs get real you know division games are tough. And btw that rams team is undefeated in this division.
md,
That’s a blast from the past. Remember Nolan’s whole “Win the West” theme? Wheeeew!!!
Yes I do Jack. I was one of the idiots holding up win the west signs……. Egg on face! In fact ill say this right now since we’re going back down memory lane.
HARBAUGH IS GOD!!!!! WHEEEEEW!!!!!
I have always stated that I want the best players playing. JH thinks CK is the man, I trust JH, so I am completly on board with the change but not the timeing. Do people in leadership positions make mistakes – yes they do and you can look at the leadership of this country in the last 22 years or so for verification of leaders making mistakes. I just wished that the QB change happened during training camp. It is what it is tho.
Every Niner fan loves Harbaugh. Answer this question, would we have won Sunday with Alex. Can’t say for sure, but I think we win it easily. Not about leadership or who will be better, it’s about who gives us the best chance to win the Superbowl this year.
“Answer this question, would we have won Sunday with Alex.”
My Magic 8 Ball says “outcome unknown”
with Alex … I think we win it easily
Good thing your not the Niners HC
I cant say whether AS wins last Sunday or not. AS reads defenses better then CK at the moment. AS might of audible out of the pitch play, AS certainly would of been sacked on the safety play before he got into the endzone, AS probably would not of run out of bounds. The game would not of played out the sameway if AS was the starter. Its a moot point no way can anyone say we win/lose that game with AS at QB. We can say that CK was the QB when we lost a game that we shouldnt of tho.
Game could have been won with 1 TD and no mistakes. You never know, but Alex wins that game. Remember our defense?
Oh and by the way Nick, it is a good thing I am not the Niners Head Coach. But not because I think a veteran who is 25-5 over his last 30 and has less turnovers than any QB in football over the last 2 years, would not have turned the ball over for an opposition TD. No pitch, we win.
Hey rich…… Akers makes it we win
No bad call on a safety we win.
Go ahead and add those too the equation also.
Thank you come again
Lets talk about something that is relevant. How about the way that Shanahan used RGlll last night.
I hope Roman had his note book out. Imagine if our coaching staff actually prepared for last game. Instead they went into the game without a running back that could get outside.
LaMichael James should have been ready to go the SECOND Hunter was injured. Jenkins should have been ready to go the SECOND KW went down. Talk about unprepared. The pass to Delanie Walker should have NEVER happened. Three straight runs in that situation. Run the clock, force the RAMS to use their T.O.
Coaches could have saved this game and didn’t…..
To the Smithers, see my post. It didn’t include precious’s name not even once. Take my lead, MOVE ON…
Again Smithers. Come on the kid(28) is a viable option you have to admit that. Smithers stuff is so 2000 and late.
Bay
Agree with you on Jenkins and LMJ, in todays football it seems to me that you have to use the whole field. Without KH we didnt go to the outside much against the Rams. Baalke pretty much just stated that LMJ will be playing this coming week. Would love to see these kids get on the field and see what they got. Its time is now.
Bay,
Except you ruined it at the end, by referring to Smith with that stupid, derogatory name. You’re trying to look like the bigger man by “moving on”, but instead you made yourself look foolish. Something you do with regularity. Comical.
BTW, how does it feel now that the shoe is on the other foot? You’re just in the early stages of the anti-CK/Harbaugh haranguing. Talk about reaping what you sow, boy, are you going to reap. Enjoy!
“How about the way that Shanahan used RGlll last night.”
Bay, since when are you impressed by 163 yds passing? Now it is acceptable to you?
One comment on RGIII last night. Very innovative usage, but that poor kid is going to get killed. IF Kaep is the future, don’t Kill him.
RGIII is much quicker than CK. That was obvious to me. He isn’t as large, but the guys feet and acceleration are impressive. CK isn’t as quick. That is one reason why he was caught for the Safety.
Now if we played RGIII, he’d be toast. Just to keep it in perspective.
DS94everXev says:
December 4, 2012 at 8:54 am
RGIII is much quicker than CK. That was obvious to me. He isn’t as large, but the guys feet and acceleration are impressive. CK isn’t as quick. That is one reason why he was caught for the Safety.
Now if we played RGIII, he’d be toast. Just to keep it in perspective.
You’re going to continue to ignore the fact that he wasn’t caught and threw the ball away like he was supposed to and the call was a bad one that shouldn’t have happened. Go ahead continue to look like a bitter idiot. It’s fun to watch.
get a friend md. Stop tagging along wanting to be part of the group.
Oh yeah. Hard to find friends when your a racist and run around with sheets over your head.
Lmao riiiight bs. And your friends are who???
I’d love to see the faces of these so called friends reading your dumb posts thinking how on earth am I going to back this crap. In Harbaugh you trust bs?
Boy for all of these smith fans saying it was only 2 games and he’s anointed the savior, that’s funny because its only been 3 games now and he’s not the best option. Hmmmm agenda sounds clear to me! Continuous whining about the coaches decision. Funny how everything switched around against Harbaugh now. “In Harbaugh we trust” lmao!
Dude are you saying Kaep deserves our loyalty… Because of what? If anyone “DESERVES” our loyalty, it’s Alex.
Our argument is not against Kaep, we just think Alex gives us the best chance to win it all this year. We do have history on our side.
I hope he plays well, but I wish we stayed with Alex.
MD,
We weren’t/aren’t the only ones saying it. Analysts across the country said it. Your boy Bay said it and I re-posted his comment here from the 19th that stated regardless how CK plays, Bay believes AS should continue to start. It’s not just a few with an agenda.
I am just waiting for CK to bring the explosiveness. The ability to take the top off defenses. Can someone tell me when is this going to happen. 3.5 games, no bombs for TD’s. I thought this was gonna give us a better chance to win games?
I waiting for CK to lead the offense in a balanced manner getting 300 yards passing and 300 yards rushing in the same game. Alex did it.
Has CK passed for 300 yet? What is taking him so long? If he doesn’t do it by the next few games we need to replace him because every decent QB can throw for 300 at least a few times a year, and CK will have started basically for 1/2 a season without a 300 yard passing day. To the guillotine with him!
:- )
That’s why we made the change isn’t it? Yards passing and entertainment right? How many points did we score last game?
In Harbaugh we trust that he blew this call!
I didn’t know a qb blocked or ran the ball for 300 yards. Why Didnt he do that against good defenses? Ck did it to the bears. Now smith gets all the credit for wins and rb’s yardage? Lmao Just sayin.
Prime
He scored 20! Almost AS’s average, but damn Akers! He doesn’t make the FG’s when CK is the QB. Only with AS as the QB. He must be a Smither!
Of course that point total would be for both teams mind you. He beleives for every point I make, I shall give in return. A very nice fellow. It being the Christmas season, we should all follow his example.
lol
Miami, then off to NE, then Seattle in Seattle then AZ who hates us and wants revenge for what AS made them look like (fools). As easy a schedule as I’ve seen around these parts. Yep.
Rich….. I had smiths back when he was playing. Smith doesn’t deserve OUR loyalty. It’s a job and he isn’t good enough to continue it. That’s harbaughs take.
Hoff…. I though smith should have remained the starter also. Because I didn’t see ck play in a real game. After what he did to the 2nd best defense I and Harbaugh saw that he is a better option. I was wrong. Now I’m rolling with what the coach wants. Because he knows a lot more than any of us on this blog. I was rolling with smith when Harbaugh was aging him. Thought he could have improved but he Didnt in the things he needed to. It was obvious he hit his ceiling. So now its a bunch of upset smith fans putting down the new qb and the coach. Am I wrong? Since when did comparing a second string qb mean anything?
Prime…. He’s hit more 30 yard passes than smith has all season. Give it time. It’s going to be glorious!!!!
In Harbaugh I trust!!!
A comfirmed hater now saying he was rolling with Alex.
You are one of the biggest haters on the blog bashing Alex since he was drafted.
“Thought he could have improved but he Didnt in the things he needed to”
Like what?
Apart from the running what is CK doing now that Alex did not do
Good old onelame up to his old tricks and new screen names. It’s funny how these NEW idiots on here are saying the same old lines and coming after me. Let me guess. You’ve been reading for years and just now started to post. Lmao!!!! Finish your crow onelame. You’ve 7 years worth to eat.
Once again everyone seems focused on the QBs. Why are we not looking at the reasons/excuses for the difficulties of the QBs.
Dopped passes
Poor pass protection
bad play calling
sacks
penalities
turnovers
The QBs AS/CK are bearing the brunt of poor perforance in other areas. I just dont see either QB excelling when the offensive structure as a whole is not performing where they should be and IMO that is on the coaches.
Missed kicks
yup forgot that one
Bay,
I agree, these are reasons [not excuses] for the 49ers losing on Sunday.
Can you eplain why they are reasons for a loss in which CK was the QB, but become excuses for AS?
EX,
AS last year was the lowest scoring starting QB in the entire NFL. We won many games because of our kicker. So I’ll throw you a question. Would AS have won 13 games last year if his kicker performed the way he is performing now?
How about the team in general? Last year for Smith the team averaged 6.8 penalties per game. Last game against the Rams we had 11 penalties. And the last three games under CK 8.7 penalties.
Last year I complained that the defense and special teams carried Smith. Everything had to be perfect for him to win. Well all the things that were perfect for Smith seem to have gone away.
That leads me to think that the one thing that has maybe changed is Chemistry…..
They will need to work on building that.
http://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/penalties-per-game
Because this blog never has before undercenter.
Why would we now?
Well I get tired of the same ole arguments and now that the QB has changed its the same old arguments except now it has flip-flopped to who is saying them. I was hoping that people would see this then realize this team has other issues then the QB. But thats my bad for thinking in those terms.
But Undercenter
We’ve been through a ton of QB’s in AS’s time here. And the problems never went away when those QB’s came in to play either. In fact, they got worse.
The blog though…as consistent as a train is on tracks.
Lets play a game. The next one to mention our backup QB’s name gets hog tied and thrown in a SF bath house……
I have my bets who it will be….
Bay, I see your point of view, but you are so sure you can’t see the other side?
Oh and by the way per the Head Coach, we do not have a backup QB.
Here is one more thing “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named” has going for him…
http://www.athleteswives.com/2011/09/alex-smith-wife-elizabeth-smith/
Bay,
You’ve set up a game in which you win either way.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
bay did promise that he’d leave the blog if AS was average.
Well, it appears AS will end up with a 6-2 record, and a QBR that placed him around 5th place. So that means AS didn’t end up being average at all.
When the season is done, it’s bye-bye bay!
:- )
Now DS stands for Dip $hit. I said if he was still the starting QB. He is not and will not be BS.
Ahhh…
Hit a nerve did I. Good. I’ll keep hitting it till your’re paralyzed.
Grant. You did say you would delete any posts where bloggers are wusses and put in characters in place of letters that may be interpreted as cussing.
What a child!
Harbaugh says Kaepernick put on “a winning-quarterback performance”
He played OK, but Really?
Bay
What is your fascination with Alex Smith? Colin Kapernick is the QB for now. I would like to see an honest debate, not this he said she said crap. If he is the Starting Quarterback, then his play can be critiqued, just like Alex Smiths was, what is wrong with that? You seem to have lost a gear….
TxTree,
Lost? Don’t you have to have something in order to lose it?
http://www.mercurynews.com/mark-purdy/ci_22112473/purdy-san-francisco-49ers-inexcusably-blow-an-opportunity
OK. The overreaction Monday is behind us. Time to take a closer look at the game.
In my opinion the key part of the game was the first half when the Niners only had a 7-0 lead even though the D was dominating. Here are the 49er posessions in the first half and how they ended:
Posession 1 starting SF 25 at 12:28 1st qtr. 3 plays ended on CK scrambling for 2 yards on thrid and six.
Posession 2 starting SF 40 at 9:31 1st qtr. 11 Plays ended on the Gore TD run.
Posession 3 starting SF 40 at 1:22 1st qtr. 6 Plays ended on CK scrambling for 1 yard on 3rd and 10. Key mistake: Staley holding penalty.
Posession 4 starting SF 24 at 8:55 2nd qtr. 8 Plays ending on CK incomplete pass on 3rd and 11.
Posession 5 Starting SF 39 at 2:16 2nd qtr. 3 plays ending on CK incomplete pass on 3rd and 7.
Posession 6 starting at SF 48 at 0.25 2nd qtr. 4 plays ending on CK 4th down hail mary. Garbage posession. Does not count.
So there was the ball game in my opinion. 5 posessions, Three of them starting at your 39 or better. Only 7 points. The thing you have to do with bad teams is to put them away early. The longer you keep inferior teams hanging around, the stronger the possibility that one or two freak plays will turn the game around.
I will be interested in hearing from people who get the coaches tape as to what went wrong on each of these 3rd downs.
Young QBs do not have linear learning curves.
I expect that most likely, CK will learn from his mistakes and go on to have a very productive career in SF.
As for this season and this SB, I’m not confident in winning with either QB. We have simply been too inconsistent this year. The O-line, the run game, the pass game, defense and the ST have all had their bad games.
Any team that gets into the playoffs can get on a roll like the Giants did, and run the table. But right now, based on what I’ve seen the past three months, I doubt that will be us. Hope I’m wrong; but I doubt it.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/04/hines-ward-if-you-want-to-prevent-concussions-take-the-helmet-off/#comment-2157264
Why do people honestly believe that removing helmets in the NFL is in any possible way a good idea? Are they so short sighted to not consider what might happen to all of these player’s melons as they slam against the ground with no helmets on? Or getting sandwiched between two 300lb linemans’ shoulder pads with no helmet on isn’t going to do more damage? Do they honestly believe that running backs will start running into the pile standing up because they don’t have a helmet on?
The suggestion is not only preposterous its dangerously ignorant.
The suggestions I have seen for the most part are not for no helmet, just going to a soft shell helmet that cannot be used as a weapon. Personally, I don’t think it would help all that much. A lot of head impacts are not intentional, they’re just a consequence of a violent, very fast sport. At some point, helmets become irrelevant – if you drop a wrench in a submarine, it still falls. Helmets cannot cancel out the laws of physics, like momentum.
HARBAUGH IS SCREWING UP, but it has nothing to do with who the starting QB is. Kaep is a better passer, play-extender and runner that Smith. Smith is the better game manager and, I suspect, the better play selector at the line of scrimmage. I’m guessing that Harbaugh is figuring that Kaep will improve very quickly in those two areas. I’m also guessing that he wanted more progress with the wide-outs from Smith and did not fully expect Kaep’s rate of progression.
Whatever. Kaep is the QB and neither side will ever know what would have happened if Coach had stuck with Smith. However, the QB is not the problem.
The problem with the offense is Greg Roman, period. With Frank Gore having gained 24 yards on his last 20 runs, even 23J, Bayarea and MSC could have figured out that a different approach was appropriate on our last possession. With Akers completely out if it from beyond 40 yards, Roman could probably have figured out that he needed to aggressively pursue the 21 yard line before settling for a FG try.
More than one player said that the Rams had the perfect defense for Roman’s play calls. That’s not a big surprise to me since I can sit at home and predict about 1/3 of the plays. Jimmy DeathRaye revisited!
Roman was Run Game Coordinator at Stanford. That means that he designed runs, and his designs have been praised. I don’t hear anybody praising his timing or is calls.
I think the Niners would benefit if Coach would move Roman a little down the chain of command. I hope that his comments of the pitch call and on Kaep’s performance indicate that he is going to do just that. Then I hope Roman gets the AZ HC job so we can play him twice a year.
i like ck but he is not ready and Alex derserves his job back. I just cant wait to hear what people are going to say when we dont make the palyoffs with cp. but if that happens do you guys think harbaugh will be FIRED