Greg Roman started the 49ers’ last two games, the playoff games against the Packers and the Falcons, with the same play – a quick pass to Michael Crabtree at the line of scrimmage. Roman called that play to start the game against the Patriots a month ago, too.
Roman’s first play call has been a pass six-of-the-last-eight games. Roman has not led off with a handoff to Frank Gore since November 25th against the Saints.
Are Roman’s first play calls becoming predictable? Or do you like them? Should he call a run for Gore to start the Super Bowl? What would you call to start the Super Bowl?
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Was it really the called play? Or did Kap see the CB off the line with plenty of cushion and took the opportunity, considering Crabs YAC?
Read option
I need some opinions. How are all of you liking the under 48 for the SB?
I suspect the Flacco will get his yards passing vs SF and that some of those yards ill be into the End Zone. The D held the Pack to 3 under their season avg and Atlanta was exactly on their 24 because Ryan was about as perfect as one can be for the first 16 minutes. I say we will hold Balt just under their 24 avg — say 20 or 21.
I expect that we will be right around 30.
Over.
I also agree that the overs are the path to take.
I don’t want to give him too much credit….but I actually think one of two things has been happening:
1) Roman knows how important it is to establish the passing game with MC early in the game. This, as we know keeps the defense honest.
-OR-
2) Roman “knew” the 49ers would me the Super Bowl. Therefore he’s been setting up an early deep strike to on the first play of the Super Bowl….probably to Moss or VD, since they’ll press MC and try to load the box to stop Gore, while holding the edge against Kaep running. That means there’s going to be one on one coverage against either Moss or VD. That equals a big play or even touch down.
Then again, I could be giving GRo too much credit.
This coaching staff absolutely runs plays to set other ones up, even from game to game. Your scenario is not far fetched. Roman made a comment not to long ago that was ‘We always keep a Ace in the hole” or something very similar.
Let’s see the LMJ screen play a time or two. I can just see Suggs over pursue, then LMJ shaking Ray Ray right out of his shoes for a big gain.
Unlike the other coaches we had this staff call plays to set up future plays! What a concept right! Do you remember our team running right in the middle every other play!
Spread 5 Wide
“Go” to AJJ
That’s a good one. AJ’s sole contribution at this point is handing out gatorade to his tired teammates.
Which is exactly why a quick strike to a 4.3 WR would be great!
So basically waste one out of bounds and knock over the Gatorade cooler?
A reverse to Ginn to start the game off. Surprised we haven’t seen that in a while.
I like the quick throw to MC. Hes got great hands and his YAC has been top notch lately. I think the other day he got 2-3 yards out of it which I don’t mind. Its a nice safe pass, to start off the game, that can yield a 10 yard YAC or what it got us.
Who cares about the first play of the game? I care about the last play of the game. I want Ck to do a series of kneel downs out of Victory formation beginning at about the 1 min 30 second mark of the 4th qtr of the Superbowl. I want that to be a predictable play call at the conclusion of every 9er game.
+1
Have not seen the fly-sweep for awhile. Or we could see a variation of that, with the fake to Teddy Ginn and Colin K. keeps the ball. Ravens D is not fast, so I could see the speedier players having big plays (LaM James, VD, CK, Randy Moss). It would be silly/dangerous to run Gore up the middle, with Lewis and Pollard roaming the middle of the field. Pollard’s hit on Ridley was similar to the Whitner’s hit on RB (Thomas?) of New Orleans last year.
Please don’t compare the one year wonder Steven Riddly to Frank Gore the 49ers all time leading rusher and future Hall of Famer.
Thanks, that is all.
Can I compare Ridley to James Brown? did you see his spin move into the split he did after that hit? Too bad he wont remember.
HIT ME!! ONE TIME!!
http://baltimoresportsreport.com/gif-bernard-pollard-stevan-ridley-36856.html
Dear Cohns,
I think it time for you guys to revisit some of your blogs about the play calling, game planning that you mocked so much during the season.
Lowell, some of your critism was pretty bad. JH, GR and VF has shown that they aret truly a great coach’s. I am eager to see you guys do a colum admitting that you were wrong.
God Bless
Praise The Lord!
“fire greg roman” he shouted
wheel play to James.
The only play call I had any problem with was the QB sweep. That play has had so much success that teams key on it. It’s time to retire that one. As far as first play goes, I like a play action pass to start the game. Teams look for the 9ers to run and they should take advantage of that.
It depends on what the defense gives you.
Julio Jones and Roddy White are beasts.
I’d go with diamond formation off tackle behind Anthony Davis with big #77 pulling and gore getting 8 yards or more… it would let the ravens know its gonna be a long day of smash mouth football
I don’t care what Roman first play is, just hope the last play is a CK kneel down.
Not only is Roman predictable on the first play of some games, he’s repetitious on his touch down runs. Gore was practically untouched on two “identical” touchdown runs Sunday. The James TD run was “very” similar, and to top it off, it was even to the same side of the line. Roman just isn’t diversified enough to run a winning offense. It stands out a mile when you look at the stats. Of course the next play isn’t in the stats.
Are you sure? Roman is changing the run game in the NFL with his staggeringly diversified run play designs.
The James TD to me looked different from the Gore run although both are read option plays. Chris Brown noted that the James’ TD was a inverted veer read play. Here’s more on the scheme:
http://smartfootball.com/run-game/what-is-the-inverted-veer-dash-read
That play was genius. They hadn’t run it all season then pulled it out for a TD in the NFCCG.
@ Mood_Indigo:
Thanks for the link. I love that stuff.
I’m with you. Greg Roman has designed the most creative and diverse running game in the NFL. I don’t understand the criticism or the desire to see him leave.
@Claude
Thanks!
I continued to be impressed how Harbaugh absorbs the ideas of his staff seamlessly without any chaos. I think the delay issues will get solved as Kaep gets familiar with the schemes.
Different alignments with different blocking schemes HT, not the same plays. They ‘look’ similar, but that is the great part about it.
Dear friends. I was being sarcastic. I think it would be presumptuous of me to critique Roman’s play calling.
And another thing I don’t like about Roman this year. When an OC insists on too many touchdowns, the field goal kicker can’t get into a groove. The touchdown play calls have hurt our special teams play. We are an unbalanced team with Roman calling the plays.
LOL
Thank you. You’re the only poster who got the sarcasm. Everyone else defended Roman who needs no defense from the likes of us.
Cheers.
Yeah I had to laugh it was funny. The other post, while it was sarcastic as well, gave me an opportunity to talk about that great inverted veer read(thanks Mood) play call by Roman. Maybe my favorite call of the game.
The last 5 or so games I’ve noticed something which might be the strategy of the Coaches when it comes to play calling. Each game Greg Roman has started the game calling predictable plays which result in a 3 in out or a turnover just to wake up his offensive players because Harbaugh/Roman are mindful that NFL games are a rollercoaster ride of momentum and which team is the hottest at the end of the game. So, they’ve been starting games out very slowly and having the defense keep the team in the game and as the game goes on, Roman starts to call the plays he really wants to call. Once, Roman gets the freight train/offense rolling, then it’s a dead sprint to the finish which is either a shoot out or blowout. The lone loss in the last 5 games was in Seattle because the defense couldn’t keep the team in the game with Roman’s strategy.
BTW, this is just a theory I’ve had for a couple of days now.
In the divisional game they moved the ball well on the first drive but Kap threw a pick six. Then the next drive was a TD so…
I could see why you think this but I think the 9ers are just a team starting slowly on the road. That happens against good teams in loud environment.
Also, I was on the Falcons page on SB Nation that found this Gif, it’s really funny… http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6954607/colinchoochoo.0_standard_709.0.gif
@ Tony:
Nice.
+1
I dunno, I like the Kaep train but considering it’s the Falcons wouldn’t a “Play58″ logo in place of the play 60 (minutes) be more appropriate?
I like Roman’s play calls overall.
About 2-4 times a game, I wish he would call plays on the count of 1. Quick counts. No shifts. Just run the play from the initial formation and hike the ball on the count of one. Simple Gore off tackle. Then a few play action passes.
Stabler was a master of the “hut 1″ quick hitters. The 49ers should try them once in a while.
The Pats do that well. Quick snap, especially at the goal line.
You may find Chris’s article on the relationship between play calling verbiage and the no-huddle offense to be interesting:
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8849439/how-terminology-erhardt-perkins-system-helped-maintain-dominance-tom-brady-patriots
More “Alabama” and less of “Spider 2 Y Banana” (see Gruden and Andrew Luck) ??
Here’s an excellent break down of a staple WCO play: “Green Right Strong Slot Spider 2 Y Banana” — hard to call these quickly in a huddle with crowd noise.
http://www.hogshaven.com/2012/4/11/2941904/west-coast-offense-playbook-green-right-strong-slot-spider-2-y-banana
I seem to recall seeing that play go to Rathman a few times.
Loved the LMJ TD run. It’s such a thing of beauty, I re-played it several times. The Falcons DE and OLB both freeze, focusing on Kaepernick while LMJ runs past them.
The Ravens are different. They will have at least one of the two defenders shoot the gap to disrupt the backfield. How will Roman county that? More “Wham” blocks? Traps?
Cam Newton ran for a long TD on that same play against them. But the 9ers hadn’t put that on tape yet. Do you think ATL was ready for it? I wonder how many TDs LMJ scored on that play at Oregon.
I have not seen the Cam Newton run. I heard the Ravens in general like to counter read-option by having one (or more) defenders simply shoot the gap to disrupt the backfield. From the defenders standpoint, it’s better then “freezing” while your trying to read of the QB or RB has the ball.
I also heard that way, way back in the day the good old 4-3 was developed (in part) to stop the option runs. The front 4 shoot gaps to disrupt the backfield, the back 3 LBs plug holes in case the linemen overrun the ball carrier.
If the Ravens shoot the Gaps to put pressure on us then simply the underneath zone will be open for a quick pass to the WR, TE or the running backs! or we can go to a screen pass!
Too early for match ups to watch?
We scored 2 FG’s last time we played them and our O line was manhandled. Do you see the O line holding up better and do you think Bal will be more hesistant to call blitz packages due to Kaep running it? If we cannot run Gore this time around?????
Alex Boone > Chilo Rachal+ Adam Snyder.
Talk about addition by subtraction. Then Snyder goes to AZ and Chilo goes to CHI and both of those O-lines were terrible. Hmmm
Another consideration: Ravens defense is not nearly as strong as it was last year. They are vulnerable to the run.
Yup. The Ravens blitzed straight over the Chilo-Snyder Gap. It did not help that the 49ers had to fly 3K miles for a Thursday game (first time ever) and had little time to drill on blitz pickups.
I have several options for GRow:
1) put VD in the slot and have him run the wheel route for a reception
2) screen play to James!!! i have a feeling we will run some screens in this game to keep the pass rush on the edge.
3) two wr on one side moss, crabtree and one TE VD in the bunch formation going deep and have Jenkins run a crossing route as the main target!
Although his first play calling might be a bit predictable one thing that Roman should get credit for is the fact that the Ravens really have to prepare for everything at this point.
After the Green Bay game you knew that the Falcons would do their best to prevent Kaep from running all over them like he did against GB. So after seeing that the ends were playing high effectively taking away the option and forcing the hand off the offense was able to work effectively with Kaep as a drop back passer.
The Ravens wont know where to focus their efforts. They’ve seen what happens when you play man and turn your back to the QB and they’ve seen what happens when you focus on taking away the option. Roman deserves a ton of credit for creating a game plan that can transition to whichever strength the defense is allowing.
To: Coach Harbaw:
Re: Super Bowl sideline etiquette
1. No more childish ranting and raving over questionable calls by the refs. If you duplicate the behavior from this past Sunday, then you will embarass yourself, the team, the fans, and your brother/family. Get a grip. Grow up. Practice a little self control, buddy.
2. If you happen to win, there will be no excessive celebrations, no exuberant back slapping and strenuous hand squeezing (as in Detroit). Again, do not demean your own brother. Be a gracious winner. Okay?
Remember: Winning isn’t everything and losing isn’t forever.
Oh, yeah; one more thing. If the celebration includes alcohol, no DUIs…
Hahahahaha Oh Look, its The Church Lady! Or is it Miss Manners giving etiquette advice? Perhaps Miss Manners should figure out how to spell soeone’s name before calling them out. What a tool, LOL!
ASfP
You’re back! If you didn’t have such a strong hold of the English language I would swear you were DSL. What’s with your negativity? What’s with your name?
So glad that Grant started the trend of writing letters to the coach because everyone else that’s tried it since has been just as clever…
Brotha Tuna + Mr. Everything = ???
The point is that the behavior can carry over after gameday, fellas.
………………………tool = jerk = loser…………………………..
That’s what the wife/girlfriend thinks when she is expected to trumpet Coach Harbaw’s lastest triumph and worship at the football fight shrine with him.
The children will eventually say the word (probably under their breath) when he continues to make a mountain out of a mole hill, grieving some perceived slight.
ASfP
What on earth are you trying to say? I get that you think you’re clever, but your present rant bespeaks a dependency on a methampehetamine-like substance. Perhaps you are Richard Sherman?
If you are still scratching your head on this subject, read an obituary for Cardinal legend, Stan Musial.
When Musial received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in 2011, it was said that he “remains to this day an icon, untarnished … a gentleman you’d want your kids to emulate.”
Musial’s wife of 72 years, Lillian, died in May. He is survived by their son, Richard; daughters, Gerry Ashley, Janet Schwarze and Jean Edmonds; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
“He had greatness and warmth and affection and appreciation,” sportscaster Bob Costas, whose career started in St. Louis, told Scripps Howard News Service in 2003. “But there wasn’t a specific thing for people to hang their hat on — other than those who really followed him and saw him play…. All he was was incredibly good for an incredibly long time and an unbelievably nice guy.”
Fans, coaches, and players alike need role models. If Coach Harbaugh learns how to emulate Mr. Musial, he will have given his players and the fans something far greater than a SuperBowl win. Just ask Crabtree, huh?
Grant, I am wondering if you’ve heard any inside rumblings as to why Gamble ended up not getting hired by either the Jets or Chargers? I don’t mind not losing him but I’m curious as it seemed at one point almost a done deal him going to the Jets as well as I wonder why organizations don’t feel he’s ready to be a GM.
The Jets are an easy answer. There were too many (fools) he would have to report to, including the coach.
I don’t know anything about San Diego.
If that was even remotely the case then Gamble would have known that as well and obviously prior to going out there and wouldn’t have bothered making the trip.
Anyone with any real information on the subject?
it’s scripted so whats the big deal?
I noticed your dad ran with your observation in this morning’s paper….poor tired old Lowell. But the angle he took was that GR thought he was the “smartest guy in the room” Hilarious coming from the tired old know-it-all.