This is the opening for my Wednesday analysis of what’s at stake for Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers on Saturday. This will run in the Press Democrat newspaper, and I’m also posting it here.
This week the 49ers are in the same position they were in a year ago — No. 2 seed, first-round bye, home game. It’s a great situation to be in, but the stakes are different.
Last year, there were no stakes. The 49ers were coming off a six-win season, Jim Harbaugh was in his rookie season as the head coach, and Alex Smith was still the quarterback.
The 49ers were like a craps player on a heater, rolling sevens 50 times in a row. They rode a magical wave. When it ended, no one faulted them for losing. Just imagine how much better they’ll be next season, people reasoned.
That’s where the stakes come in.
The 49ers have to do better this postseason than they did last postseason to prove they are making progress and to take advantage of aging stars like Justin Smith and Frank Gore, who may never be this good again.
These are the stakes pure and simple: The 49ers have to advance to the Super Bowl.
To read the full article, click here.
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Some strong terms in this article. Don’t agree with them.
Harbaugh has been second guessed all season long so some more second guessing isn’t going to affect him.
Rational fans are not going to blame the outcome of this season on Harbaugh, if for example Kap flames out. It is not even his first full season as a starter!
Too much is being put on the outcome of this one game by the media.
It is just one game, one season. If the niners win, they move on to the next game.
If they lose, yes there will be some angst and gnashing of teeth but that is true for any team and any fanbase.
Ultimately, life goes on, there will be next season and Harbaugh will still be the coach with Kap as his QB.
Rationale fans? Have you seen the price of seats? Have you listened to Talk Radio?? :)
very reasonable and rational response with which I agree
to IMG that is :)
Couldn’t agree more with you IMG,
And the “Stakes are higher”?
Well No Shad Sherlock! It’s the Playoffs so the Stakes are always higher regardless.
Can the Stakes get ANY higher than the Playoffs?
The late injuries should be a major concern. Our offense hasn’t rebounded from their losses. Our defense is teetering because of JS.
I hope our coaches scheme to make up the losses. Still waiting for VD to be schemed for…….
I think they have been waiting to unleash Vernon just like last year.
Grant… Thanks for using my nickname for Harbaugh in your article. I’m truly honored.
@ Mr E:
Please tell me that you aren’t trying to take credit for “Quarterback Whisperer.”
Oh yes, Claude, oh yes.
Smh.
Nice article Grant.
It’s about stakes and legacy. He’s going to be known for the bold QB switch. And if it doesn’t pan out, it’s all on him. It does unfair since this team is not the same as last year’s, which went 13-3 without any major injury.
This team has a lot of people out for the year, with the Niners right back at square one with one viable WR threat.
The upside is Crabs is becoming elite, and KAEP knows how to get him the ball. The downside is VD has disappeared and anyone who isn’t a full over KAEP lover can see KAEP is up is only starting his 7th game. That’s a lot on his shoulders. We’ll see how this plays out in a few days….
I think the “rationale fans” will compare the last two years to the previous 6 and feel OK. And besides there are 24 other teams that didn’t make it to the play -offs. We have it better than them.
But I hope we can make it this year. The Cardinals are one quarterback short of legitimate. We couldn’t beat the Rams this year and next year they have all those draft picks. The Seahawks are already scary.
This year could be our best chance.
Some rational fans are going to compare this year to last year, not the past 6. And given some rather questionable decisions by the coaching staff, as well as some serious injury problems, as well as an aging defense, there’s more than a little pressure to get it right this time, RIGHT NOW.
That was great!
49ers have quite a few draft picks themselves. As long as Vic sticks around…..I think they’ll be just fine.
Grant, thanks for the read. Disagree with the paragraph, “If the 49ers lose to the Packers, people will wonder if he has hit his peak, if he’s losing his touch, if he’s over-hyped.” Seriously? Come on man. Do you know how hard it is to win a Super Bowl? How many College teams and divisions are there? How many different bowl games and championships are there? Many! Now how many Professional Football teams are there? 32. The difference between college and professional; night and day. Harbaugh has been an NFL coach for two seasons and he’d gotten us this far? And you think people will wonder? Just take a look and see how many NFL teams have never won the SB!
If Jim Harbaugh doesn’t win the Super Bowl this year, he never will. The locker room will start to tire of the lack of poise that a championship coach needs. He’ll be just another bad news Bear coach, like Mike Singletary.
I seriously doubt that anyone’s ready to relegate Harbaugh to the status of Singletary. But if we don’t win the SB this year, it will signal, at the least, the loss of some very strong momentum, and that’s ALL on the coaches.
Losing momentum…kind of like what happens when you bench a QB who was at the top of his game, was just named NFL Offensive player of the week, who was setting completion records for the league, etc., etc., etc. Of course, the coach has the right to play anyone he wants, for any reason, or no reason at all. And the fans have the right to rip him a new orifice if he screws up this team’s best chance at the big dance in a decade. I have no doubt that they will do just that, if the team can’t get farther than it did last year.
Not exactly the best way to open a new stadium, is it?
Josh you are too funny!!! My god its just funny to read some of these comments! if JH does not win the super bowl we all will be upset however. JH has accomplished alot for taking this team to playoffs and back to back NFC west championships! GO NINERS
Win or lose, it’s a different adventure every year. The teams that are healthy and hot for the playoffs are the ones that get to the Superbowl. The 49ers are not healthy in two critical areas and they haven’t had a hot streak all year.
Could they get hot? Maybe, but without a dominating J. Smith and more receiving threats, that’s a long shot.
Will some “fans” complain if the 49ers don’t win the Super Bowl? For sure, but some “fans” will complain if the 49ers don’t win the Super Bowl with at least seven touchdown passes.
definitely time to get hot.. we can do it! faithful belief because we belong.
This season is so different than last season. Last season wasn’t just them being hot. They were healthy, they had players like Akers making plays more often Nd the defense was getting turnovers like no other. Switching the qb only helped get this team this far with injuries. It added another dimension to the offense that it Didnt have last season. Wr, rb, de, and kicker are injured. J Smith is the key injury. MM and KH and KW are also key injuries. They Didnt have those last season. So to compare this season to last is unfair. If any they had the better shot last season and couldn’t win it. Can’t agree Grant.
No, we just had to romote our WR corps from the practice squad at the end of last season.
Every season is going to be a grind, md. For every team. Using injuries as an excuse for coming up short is for losers.
Injuries are no excuses, its a reality of the game! Some teams will have luck on their side and do not have major injuries! Just think about New England last year if they had their TE maybe they could have won the superbowl! Losing two of our top Wideouts and one of our top RB with a kicker that use to be money and now just misses everything will impact the dynamic of the game! I do not want to come up with excuses but it will make it more difficult to win!
Despite willful amnesia on the topic around here lately, The “window” is back. Good work, Grant.
I liked the article Grant.
I agree with your premise – the stakes are higher. More precisely, the expectations are higher. I don’t agree that if they don’t win now, they may never win again – that’s perhaps a bit melodramatic for my taste, but it does make for a good article, so I understand.
If Harbaugh and co. don’t advance past GB at the very least, and to many, unless they win the Superbowl, the season will have been a disappointing failure. That’s the standard that many are held to these days.
I look at Matt Ryan and Mike Smith in Atlanta. They’ve been unfortunate, and lost all 3 playoff games they’ve been in, despite being a good, deserving playoff team. So far, their partnership/tenure is defined by that, and all the other succcesses are discounted.
It takes more than just talent and skill to win the big one. There’s also an element of chance, of luck. A fortuitous bounce, a ref’s judgment call, a superathletic cornerback trips…..I think in the long run most people acknowledge that, but in the moment, that’s often lost in the emotion and disappointment. Someone must be at fault. That’s the life of an NFL head coach.
Good read Grant.
As Dan Marino found out, getting too, or back to the SB is never a guarantee.
Every Org, Coach(es) and team have to go into the playoffs knowing that the window of opportunity has the potential of closing right after a playoff win/loss.
The Patriots may be the last team to have any semblance of a dynasty of the last 10 years in the NFL. Putting together a string of SB wins could likely be a thing of the past.
Having said that, every playoff team has to bring their “ultimate ‘A’ game” because as I said, you are not promised second chances.
I agree with your Harbaugh QB switch. There are many facets involved here and the points you mentioned can come to light if CK bombs-out in the playoffs.
If CK plays poorly, my biggest concern going forward would be how the locker room reacts to the switch once the dust settles.
It could get very chilly for Harbaugh in the locker room if CK fails to deliver.
“If the 49ers lose to the Packers, their Super Bowl window may disappear forever…”
The difference between a blogger and a pro sports writer: A pro sports writer would never write someting as silly as the above. What a load of bollocks…
How many times did our “great” teams lose to the Vikings, Giants, Packers, and Cowboys during the Montana/Young years? I agree that it’s a very young kind of statement to make.
I think he meant that this particular window, created by the likes of J. Smith and Gore, will disappear forever……rather than if they lose this year they will never, until the earth becomes a dried-out scorched shell, win another superbowl. Waddya think?
Are you the guy who makes the great steaks? ;- )
Angus
Before last year to sugest that the 9ers had a two year window (2011,12) was laughable. We had a rookie HC and were coming off a 6-10 season and 8 years of futility. Because JH OVERACHIEVED last year now all of a sudden the window closes with Cowboy and frank getting old. Did I miss something?
We do still have Willis, Bowman, Aldon, Brooks, and Cully on D and Our O line is young and so is most of our Offense. In fact Gore is the only one of the major contributors who is over 30 (Goodwin is too but he can be replaced RM isn’t a major contributor imo).
U cant have it both ways. If Our window is NOW then switching to a Young QB who is sure to have “growing pains” is a mistake. If u switch to a 2nd year QB with “upside” ur saying that “il live with the mistakes NOW for the payout later” (thus a longer window)
BOS9er,
I completely agree with you. I don’t think the “window” is closing. If Kaep develops into a great QB, that window is only going to get bigger. The looming decline and eventual loss of Gore and J. Smith are certainly concerns (Smith much more than Gore imo) I don’t think necessarily shuts the door on us having a team that could win it all.
There’s simply too many other components that are important: our O-line (the foundation of any winning team) is mostly young and locked up; same for our LB’s; I think it’s important to resign Crabs when he’s due, and to ensure that the talent is there at D-line (second priority to O-line!), RB and secondary.
I was only pointing out what Grant probably meant, although he didn’t word it that way.
A Super Bowl appearance was expected at the start of the season, and that hasnt changed. Is the window closing, every year it closes after the final game. Other then a couple of games this current team has not played great ball, defense is not quite as good, special teams are not as good, the offense is know better then last year. If the Niners lose and CK plays good I dont think much will be said, if the Niners lose and CK plays poorly, yup you can bet the sh@t will hit the fan. The Niners were expected to participate in the Super Bowl at the begining of the season and those expectations are still the same. IMO
Grant, I just don’t see it that way, all of this doom and gloom. Justin Smith and Frank Gore are great players but they will be replaced just like Joe Montana was replaced. Last season everything was falling into place, this year our field goal kicker sucks,and we have key injuries on both sides of the ball, last year we had none. Our future us bright with Baalke and Harbaugh along with a ton of draft picks and
and a franchise QB. I will let the AS freaks be the drama queens.
How is calling them “AS freaks” not the stuff of a drama queen?
Come on, Claude, be fair. Didn’t you hear? Neal is “moving on”, just like Bay and Jordan.
CBallz
How is you calling them “them” and not “us” not disingenuous?
@ E:
I guess it depends upon the definition of “AS Freaks.” That said, I haven’t been freakish about Smith. I just haven’t accepted the b/s put out by people like jordan.
ClaudeClown,
What do you not agree with what I’ve said about Alex Smith. I said he couldn’t take us to a Super Bowl. That is the bottom line. He won’t be either. Coach realized he wasn’t the answer. I’ve been saying that ever since your 1st post on this blog.
So the bottom line is that I said Alex Smith was not good enough and now you all know. Thats why he got benched and he getting cut in a few months. Whether you like it or now. He done in SF. I couldn’t be happier! Thank God!
23, why do you and Bay always resort to name calling? Grow up man.
FDM,
Don’t you think you’re being a bit hypocritical. How many times have you called me nemes FDM. Long before I ever called you one. Claude does the same. He gets what he give. So are you saying that you’ve grown up? If you have, you’ll be calling me 23Jordan and I’ll be addressing you as FDM. Myself and ClaudeClown don’t have that program yet.
Just be the bigger individual and dont.
C’mon Jordan, for once stand up and admit that you made a number of false proclamations.
You are right, you said he wouldn’t take us to the SB. You also said he wouldn’t keep the job last season, wouldn’t beat (insert name of multiple teams here), wouldn’t win a playoff game yada yada yada. If you want to hang your hat on him not making the SB then you have to wear the dunce caps on the others.
The problem I personally have with your views of Alex Smith is you continue to overlook the good things he did and focus on the negative. There was a lot more bad than good the past year and a half and while Kap is the long term answer and is playing very well, Smith was also playing very well when he was replaced. Even the last vestage of credibility you are hanging onto regarding him not taking the team to the SB is a flawed analysis. He did enough to take them to the SB last season. The team was undermined by two fumbled punts that gave the Giants 10 points. The 3rd down numbers and completion percentages were not the deciding factors. Without the fumbled punts, the Niners win. So how about in this new year you stop ragging on the old QB, and focus on the team as it is now? I know you can do it if you try.
“vestige”
@ 23welcher:
I call you a welcher because you have, on more than one occasion, welched. I call you a liar when you lie. Since both of those “names” are accurate descriptors of your actual conduct, you have nothing to complain about.
Your claim that Alex Smith would never take the 49ers to the Super Bowl is the one Smith-related claim you have made that could be considered true. (Whether or not he could do so is something we’ll never know.) I won’t bore everyone else with the list of claims you made about Smith that were disproved, but you, I and everyone else know the list is long.
Alex Smith’s play in 2011 and the first half of 2012 revealed to everyone that you were wrong in every meaningful way regarding his abilities. The totality of your comments on this blog have revealed that, like the Mississippi River, your football ignorance is both deep and wide.
In summary, you welch, you lie and you display fundamental football ignorance. Referring to you as a welcher, as a liar or as ignorant isn’t calling you names. It’s calling you what you have proven yourself to be.
While he is Harbaugh’s pick, Kaep has to prove he’s the “franchise QB”. That he is not AS is not enough. Nor is 7 regular season starts. Outstanding performances in this year’s playoffs will go a long way in determining whether he actually is a franchise-type player. We will see.
Rib,
It would go a long way, but if CK doesn’t perform particularly well in the playoffs, it doesn’t preclude him from ending up as a franchise QB, right?
Nice Avatar Rib…..
How do you think the presence of Justin Smith on the field will effect his d-line teammates?
Which CB will get picked on the most?
Do the Niners start the game in a Nickle package or a base D?
EX, Kapernick is the future if he continues to show growth. His career won’t be based on this game but it will determine where he is at in terms of growth and potential. If he plays great or poorly, that will give the organization a very good idea of what type of backup they want to bring in for next year. I highly doubt Alex stays to be a mentor when he still has some very good football in him at only 28 yearsold.
Also, winning a playoff game wipes away all controversy regarding the QB switch and solidfies the position. But if plays poorly and loses, their will be a backlash towards the staff and CK. That’s the way of the NFL where every decision gets scrutinized if it does not work out.
Ribs
Do YOU think he is the franchise QB? Why or why not?
Yes ex, but flopping in the playoffs makes the argument for franchise status that much harder.
Playoffs are not guaranteed each year – franchise type QBs need to make the the most of that opportunity when it does come around. Or as our cliche spouting friend Jordo likes to say – the NFL, not for long.
Mr. E, see my original posting. Though some here anointed Kaep the greatest thing after his first game, for me 7 regular season starts of mostly good play is too small a sample to judge a career. He’s been a good player, but does he have the franchise locked up? 2 (and hopefully 3) good performances in the playoffs will make things clearer. (caveat: Mark Sanchez had some pretty good playoff performances too, he was once thought of as a franchise type QB as well. WTH happened to him?)
Sorry if you disagree. But I don’t think you do. You are on record as saying QBs greatness are determined by playoff performances, SB wins. That starts for Kaep this weekend.
The playoffs separate the elite players from the good players. This is where they earn their money as well as their stardom. The players that can elevate their games at this time of year are the ones you build your franchise around. This is why I have never been a believer of statistics. Does all that matter, the numbers, if a guy cannot advance or help advance his team with game changing plays in the playoffs? No because that’s what it’s all about, winning and contributing to that win.
From an offense perspective, Vernon, Kap, and Crabtree and Gore all need to have productive games this weekend. They are the cornerstones on offense and will need to be the best players on the field. That’s the only way this team advances.
The more I think about it, I think that they bring in another QB next year to be #2.
The backup is supposed to be able to come in and run the offense the same way the starter does.
Having said that, this offense is evolving. It is slowly being run to benefit the skills of our athletic QB. That means that our #2 should possess some of the same skills. Trust me when I say that Tolzien is NOT that guy. If we want to go out on a limb, Vince Young is that type of guy. Can JH keep that type of player under control?
While I am happy that Grant got an article published, I don’t care for it too much. It smells of “the sky is falling”. We are a team that has won the division two years in a row. Worked hard to get a first round bye two years in a row. Just inserted a QB that has a higher ceiling AND we have 13 draft picks to strengthen our weaknesses. Unlike Grant, what I am trying to say is the future remains bright.
While I agree that Justin Smith and Frank Gore helped carry the team, I also believe that their absence benefited the team. It has given us the opportunity to assess the backups. That alone helps us make informed decisions next year. We know we need to pick up a D lineman. The mocks have us grabbing one in the third round. As for Gore, we cannot go into 2013 with Gore as our featured back. I actually think Rashard Mendenhall via free agency is a player we should look at to replace Gore.
The window is not closing, the future is bright.
>>How do you think the presence of Justin Smith on the field will effect his d-line teammates?
Bay, TBD. If JS does play at all, we will find out his effectiveness in the first few snaps. I don’t think the Niners D is going to “rally around their wounded warrior” crap, they are too professional an outfit. If JS can’t go, Fangio will have to scheme sets for Aldon to be effective rushing the passer, maybe move him from side to side. Without his tag team partner he just hasn’t been getting the job done – he’s become the defense’s version of Vernon Davis the last few games. I’m looking at Brooks to have a monster game, he’s going up against a rookie, right?
>>Which CB will get picked on the most?
The way Rodgers is the master at distributing the the ball around, I think every Niner defender who drops back – LBs, secondary – is going to be severely tested.
>>Do the Niners start the game in a Nickle package or a base D?
Definitely need to start in base D. Packers think they have rejuvinated their running game with that guy off the street. What’s his name, Harris? We have to find out if they are serious in establishing it this game
What do you think?
It’s not like Smith proved he was the franchise QB. CK needs to perform well for this team to win, but it’s possible for this team to lose even if he plays well. For all of the fuzzy feelings over last years playoff win over the Saints, people tend to forget that the Saints committed five turnovers and still almost won the game.
Bay,
I agree, the sky is not falling. This team is just starting to hit its stride. They have a ton of draft picks and the coaching staff to develop that talent. There might be a window for certain players because of their age, but this teams future looks very bright.
>>The backup is supposed to be able to come in and run the offense the same way the starter does.
This will be a first and last, I’m going to channel Jordo. LOL. Maybe they should take a second look at Josh Johnson in off and preseason. His performance in that last preseason game gave a glimpse of a pretty good Kaep-like imitation, athleticism-wise. His history of previous regular season play does give pause though.
Agree on all points Rib except for one. JS if able to play will give the team an emotional lift.
I don’t buy into the “these guys are professionals” line. This is the same group that lost games because emotionally they were not prepared. The Vikings game comes to mind. Having that emotional lift especially on defense can be the difference between winning and losing.
Ribico,
Why does Kap have to prove that he is a franchise QB? Alex Smith wasn’t and everyone on this board knows that. All Kap had to do for JH was to show him that he was a better QB than Alex Smith. By Smith sitting on that bench, Kap has proven that. Even you can see that.
The future is bright but the one position in question and that can set a franchise back is the QB position if not developed correctly or that does not have the capability to play in big moments.
Wether anyone wants to admit it or not, 49er fans are worried to see how Kap will perform in the playoffs. Now if he fails I don’t see the org. giving up on him. It will just mean that there is more development required. This is where Grant’s point about the window closing comes in. Look at our division, each team is on the rise and even though we are as well, with an abundance of picks, there is never any guarantee. Defensively we are championship ready. The one question mark is on offense and that’s where everyone’s concern is admittedly or not.
I dont think the future back up has to have the same skill set as CK. What he does need to have is the ability to run the offense mistake free. Its not like anyone can duplicate CK’s skill set because its unique. The back up has to have a calmness, maturity, and ability to mange the game by limiting msitakes. You dont want a gunslinger, athletic type back up. Those skills are great but as far as athe role of the backup, manage the game, be versatile but the biggest thing is playing msitake free in the system.
Yeah, we were never worried about our offense when Smith was the QB. That was the biggest question in all the national medias mind when the season started. It was even a question in JH’s mind. That’s why he “evaluated”. Peyton Manning. The questin has always been our QB position. We finally agree on something prime. However, it’s on this QB for he is young and people wonder if he has enough experience. Not because people wonder if he was better than the other guy. Kap has been better and he will be better. Only 1 team wins the Super Bowl. I like our chances. I Have since Alex Smith got replaced.
“Wether anyone wants to admit it or not, 49er fans are worried to see how Kap will perform in the playoffs.”
Speak for yourself. I feel just fine with Kaepernick at the helm. My worry is how Justin Smith will hold up.
P c’mon man! Yes CK has shown he has all the tools but as we know, the playoffs are a different animal. After the debacle in SEA which was very playoff like, you are not the least curious or concerned how Kap plays or how he manage a playoff game? That I find hard to believe.
Ribico,
I’ve been waiting for someone to admit that Josh played very well and should have had a job on this team. He would make an excellent backup. He is capable. We’ll see what happens. My concern is this year and this Super Bowl. We’re winning it.
Ribs
I don’t disagree. Superbowls are what count. Playoff performances are what count.
I’m pretty sure you brought up Sanchez to make me puke in my mouth, so I owe you one for that.
My instinct tells me Kaep is a win-at-all-costs monster of a leader, and that he will only do better under the bright lights of the playoffs.
Obviously Kap needs to play well in this game for the team to win, but you can’t base his future on this game either. He’s started 7 games and played quite well overall. The playoff game is the next test but win or lose, he’ll be the starter next year and hopefully improve the more he plays.
The “Franchise” moniker gets thrown around too much imo. There are few QB’s in this league that fall into that category. We don’t need Kap to be Aaron Rodgers or Peyton Manning. We need him to be efficient and make the plays that are there to be made, while staying away from mistakes that hurt the team. He has the talent to become a perrenial top 10 QB but as long as he plays smart and uses his physical and mental ability to the max, that’ll be enough.
Primetime,
You are cherry picking games to back your argument. Did CK play well vs. Seattle? No. He played well against the Patriots the week before, in a playoff type atmosphere, on the road. He has played very well overall. How did Smith look against the NY Giants earlier in the year? How did Smith look against the Seahawks earlier in the year? Yes, the playoffs are a different animal. You also have to look at the big picture and realize that Smith was the beneficiary of five turnovers vs. the Saints last year. Do you realize that a teams chance of winning is almost guaranteed (93+%) when there is a turnover ratio of +3? The Niners were +4 vs. the Saints. You have to look at it from both angles.
>>Why does Kap have to prove that he is a franchise QB? Alex Smith wasn’t and everyone on this board knows that
Jordo, To be considered the franchise QB, as Neal calls him at the top of the thread, he has to prove that he is that. No, it turns out that AS was not either, but do you want the team to go from backstop QB to backstop QB? Relive the post-Brodie, post-Young eras? The mantle has been handed to Kaep, he has to prove that he is worthy of it, and it starts this weekend.
>>I’m pretty sure you brought up Sanchez to make me puke in my mouth, so I owe you one for that.
No, I brought up Sanchez as a cautionary tale for handing out “franchise” designations.
Bay,
Re: having a backup qb who plays a similar style to the starter. I like that idea, but I can tell you for sure, Vince Young will never don an NFL uniform again. He was picked up off the scrap heap last year by the Bills in pre-season, and played about a qtr of one of their exhibition games, and it was possibly the worst display of QB’ing I’ve ever seen. Bills promptly cut him the next day.
In fact, the Jets recent history is a cautionary tale for the 49ers organization. Two consecutive trips to the conference championships, right at the SB door. A bright future, a charismatic confident coach, an improving young QB playing well, smart FA signings, a dominating defense. Then in the blink of a single season it all collapsed into dysfunctional pile of excrement.
Grant’s article’s premise is right.
Vince Young?? Hahaha, Rib, who brought that up?
I agree with media comments from yesterday, running QBs are not the way of the future. See Vick, see RGIII, etc., they’re injury magnets due to the style of play. ESPN radio was all over it yesterday. Cowherd had an excellent piece. Doesn’t work, won’t work. Teach the guy’s to throw the ball.
I also found the discussion around the media interesting yesterday about the future of the Pistol. I posted last year that there’s a trend underway (that most experts were talking about) to bring more of the college game to the pros. The reason it’s happening is because fewer teams are running pro set in college.
I found the dissenting position to be fascinating, and they used the Niners as an example: Teams will veer away from using the spread and the Pistol specifically. The prediction was that the Niners would abandon the Pistol next season.
Of course that then leads back to… college offenses are refusing to run pro set – so what’s the alternative? Either adapt the college game or guys sit for a year or two while they learn. Pick your poison.
Adam, let’s hope the Niner’s move away from the pistol! With RGIII’s possible carreer threatening injury, the pounding Vick and Newton took this season, the less yards on the ground by Kaep the better.
Kaep has looked good in the pocket (then again so does RGIII, et al), hopefully in the full offseason Harbaugh can polish that as well as structure an offense that minimizes QB options and similar crap.
Big P, where in my post did I say anything about Kap vs. Alex Smith? We are talking about how Kap plays and performs in the playoffs, nothing or no one else.
Time for everyone to stop making the comparisons and focus on what Kap needs to do to solidify himself as a true franchise QB.
His 7 starts were good, nothing great, nothing to show he can’t be great. He has all the tools. But, the playoffs will be the true test. You cannot deny that.
Prime,
name me another QB that started his career out as well as Kaep.
First 7 games went 5-2. ( Should have been 6-1 if not for our lost kicker )
Go ahead, since you keep saying his playing time has shown nothing special. Name me one QB that guided his team to a winning record and had a top ten rating and protected the ball.
You are attempting to compare Kaep to an unreachable standard, win or nothing. In reality it’s win as a team. All Kaep has to do is contribute. At the end of the day it’s not all on him, he only owns his piece. The team has to do their share. And to be honest, all facets of this “team” have not done their share. Especially compared to last year.
Our special teams coverage is not the same as last year.
Our kicking is not the same as last year.
Our punt returner has contributed nothing.
Our defense is not taking the ball away like last year.
We are not stopping the run like last year.
We don’t have a reliable two headed monster at running back anymore.
But you go ahead and keep spouting off about the QB. Makes you sound real smart.
>>name me another QB that started his career out as well as Kaep.
It’s an interesting stat. Kaep has had a good start, but in actuality he’s just continued the winning percentage the team has established the past two seasons. Like you said, “In reality it’s win as a team.”
Anything less than his record-breaking start would have been a distinct comedown for the team.
Prime —
The arguments that alot of people make is that AS can’t take the Niners to a SB and win it.
So it’s up to KAEP to do it this year. No excuses. Justin Smith is only 80%? Excuse. No receivers? Excuse.
People say, well Smith got 5 TOs in the Saints game. in the NE game, KAEP got 4!
Hey I like KAEP. He’s got skills. But is he the franchise QB? Harbaugh wants us to believe it because he’s his guy and only needs 7 games to be ready. Well to throw him in the middle of the season like he did opens HB up for scrutiny, because the results are mixed, and it’s no fault of KAEP. We have to hope he’s even more special then Russell Wilson and can raise his game in a hurry.
Bay Area says “name me another QB that started his career out as well as Kaep”
It’s only a 7 game sample so how can you compare it to other rookie or 2nd year QB’s who started and played a full season? With that being said I would add Russell Wilson had a pretty good start to his career equal to if not better than Kap.
Now like I mentioned, your defense of Kap is warranted but trying to shield him from the scrutiny that a playoff loss that would go with Kap is unrealistic. The switch was made because JH thought he was better than Alex and gave the team a better chance to win. This game will be about how well he responds to the playoff pressure and if it comes to it, can he outduel Aaron Rodgers. It is about the QB because one its the 49ers and two, because of the controversy surrounding the benching of Smith and going with Kap.
At this time of year it is about win or nothing. It would have been that way with Alex. Just that if Alex didn’t win in the playoffs he would be gone. The expectation for this team is to win it all. That’s on Kaps shoulders and why their is skepticism surrounding the move made. Why put it on his shoulders. Because they thought he could handle it. He does not get a free pass from it just because he only played 7 games. It’s unfortunate but this is what it is and the spotlight is on Kap wether you want to believe it or not.
The defense will decide the outcome of this game, not Kaepernick.
Yes Jack the defense will have a big part of this game but so will Kaepernick. Dom Capers is gonna throw alot at CK and make him beat them. They will game plan to stop the run but I am gonna say that the defensive game plan will be to see what Kap can do under continual pressure, different looks that challenge him every single snap.
>>The defense will decide the outcome of this game, not Kaepernick.
Hopefully the defense doesn’t decide this game like they did the 2nd Rams game.
That’s no different from what every team has tried to do against him this season. Kaepernick and the offense will be fine, probably put up 24-31 points. Can the defense do the job?
They have given up 31 and 35 points to the last 2 playoff QB’s they have faced.
Ribico says
Hopefully the defense doesn’t decide this game like they did the 2nd Rams game.
I thought that game was decided by a missed FG by Akers.
I thought it was decided by an errant pitchout from Kaep. Different takes. In either case, the defense was robbed of a magnificent effort.
Rib,
nothing says “I hate being wrong” like your avatar. You can mention the botched “pitch” and blame it for the loss, but that is LAZY.
Most responsible for loss were the coaches.
2nd most responsible was the kicker.
3rd most responsible was the QB.
If you have a different order that fine, predictable but fine.
Did I compliment you on your avatar. It’s shiny.
You could add dropping back 17 yards into the endzone for a safety as another reason for the Rams loss.
All of you AS freaks, new word for Smithers, you think Jordan, Bay, Nick, Jack or me, made the decision to bench your man. Sorry Freaks it was JH, coach of the year last year. Just sit back and enjoy the ride and stop being a pimple on Claude balls.
After only 7 career starts some people think Kaepernick is unwarranted of any criticism or doubt. Well he has a say in that by silencing any doubts or his critics with a win in Sunday.
@ Neal:
All of you AS freaks … think Jordan, Bay, Nick, Jack or me, made the decision to bench your man.
I am amused that you tried to associate the 4 purveyors of ignorant b/s with Jack. I understand why you did it – it gives you credibility that none of you can muster on your own – but I think it’s insulting to Jack to lump him in with the likes of you four.
Claude Balls,
I knew this was you when I saw your famous copy and paste job, which you are so known for. Jack likes CK, in any event, with his name or without, my point was made and do not need Jack’s credibility approval to make my point with you AS freaks. That is the best you can come up. Get your AS freak on !!
Claude Balls
Hmm, going by your logic, then JH is also ignorant for wanting a better starting QB.
By the way, tell me how Jack’s ass tastes.
@ Neal:
If you are going to disagree with or criticize someone for something they wrote, it’s important to provide an accurate account of what they actually wrote. Copying and pasting does just that. It’s amusing that you have a problem with me accurately capturing your words.
I guess I understand why you don’t appreciate the value of accurately quoting someone else. It’s too much work for you. You’d rather rail against made up b/s that no one ever wrote. It’s easier that way.
And, by all means, keep fighting the Alex Smith fight. It doesn’t make you look pathetic at all.
“…and do not need Jack’s credibility approval to make my point with you AS freaks.”
Well… the credibility needs to come from somewhere, Neal. No offense but your comments are always nasty and you try to denigrate other posters with whom you don’t agree.
Maybe try a little sugar with your vitriol. ;)
Or how about just talking about football without all the name calling?
@ Nick:
How do you get that from what I wrote? Believing that Kaepernick gives the team a better chance to win (Harbaugh) does not equal making up ignorant b/s to denigrate Alex Smith and/or those who don’t hate him (you and Neal).
This is a banner day for you. Demonstrating poor reading comprehension and faulty reasoning in the space of an hour. Bravo.
The Smith-Kaepernick discussion is so lazy and weak. How about we try talking about the upcoming game for a change?
Will the defense step up this week?
C Balls,
You AS freaks are just waiting to rip us if CK or JH slips up. You would rather see the Niner’s lose then have them win a Super Bowl. I hope you won’t have that day, win or lose I will be a Niner fan. Also when AS was the QB, yes I ripped him but never the head coach which you AS freaks do on a continue basis, but I actually thought he was a top 10 QB, after the first two wins this season, I was dead wrong, he played horrible against the Vikings, Jets, Seahawks and of course the Giants. CK was not replacing a legend, he was replacing a QB that had many flaws and we will see see go bye bye in a couple of months. I am sure you freaks will follow him to his next designation, and it will be the same old story, he will be replaced with another QB of the future. The future will be now.
@ Neal:
Thanks for proving my point that you like to make up b/s which has no basis in fact. I see you’ve now added an unhealthy dose of paranoia to your nonsense. That’s nice.
Jack’s right; this is lame. I’ll leave you Dimmer Twins alone.
Neal try not to repeat your same argument over and over again as well as predict what people think and say. It’s boring!
Jack,
I disagree with your “the defense needs to step up” premise. You and I already discussed this. When the defense hasn’t played well, the 9ers have lost the time of possession battle. It will also be important for the offense to control the ball and take time off of the clock. This doesn’t mean that explosive plays should/will be excluded. If the 9ers win the TOP battle against GB, the defense will play well and they should win the game.
@ Jack:
For me, it’s all about Justin Smith. If he plays and can do most of what he usually does, I think the 49ers win this one comfortably. If he can’t, then I think the team will be in some trouble, particularly if the Packers go no huddle. Ricky Jean-Francois has been more than adequate against the run, but the pass rush is not nearly as good without Smith. If Smith doesn’t play, Fangio will really need to earn his money this week.
Jack is right. This is silly. Nonetheless, it’s good to ruffle Claudia’s feathers once in a while.
Back to football. I think pass rush should be fine – even if Justin Smith is limited. The Packer’s pass protection – it’s not that great. Rodgers was sacked 51 times this year. Their right tackle – Don Barclay – is an undrafted rookie. So, Brooks may have a big game.
I agree that J Smith’s health is a key. They need to get the pass rush going to help the DB’s. Was listening to NFL Radio earlier and former Bears lineman and radio commentator made a good point about Rodgers.
You have to try to pressure and keep him in the pocket because he is so dangerous on the move. However if he escapes you want him to flush to his left, right to the side the Smith’s usually occupy because his accuracy is not as good going that way.
>>Most responsible for loss were the coaches.
2nd most responsible was the kicker.
3rd most responsible was the QB.
And the haters, forever ridiculing “alexcuses”, now wear that mantle unabashedly. Well done on the pirouette.
>>You would rather see the Niner’s lose then have them win a Super Bowl.
No, that was Jordo last year. Get your haters straight Neal.
>>Nonetheless, it’s good to ruffle Claudia’s feathers once in a while.
Ooh, the feminization of a nickname. The sure sign of intelligence and comfort level in one’s own masculinity. What, no Alice Smith to kick around any more?
Hey Ribica
Do you know why I just feminized your name and Claudia’s in the previous post? Because you two are drama queens. After I tried to steer the conversation to football, you dragged it back down to your idiotic level in classic drama queen fashion.
@ ribico:
Don’t forget the suggestion that I engaged in a sexual act with another commenter. It’s the classic I-can’t-counter-your-argument-so-I-will-attack-you-instead technique taught in the haters’ playbook. Nick isn’t one for original thought.
>>After I tried to steer the conversation to football, you dragged it back down to your idiotic level in classic drama queen fashion.
So you think a disagreement over the reason for a loss is being a “drama queen”? Question: Just how long have you been a following sports? That dispute is a core bedrock of fandom.
Drama Queens. lol. You’ve been watching too much Bravo network and not enough NFL Network. Try to rise above the Bay/Jordo/Neal level.
Pot, meet kettle.
The hypocrisy is laughable.
Adam ca’nt sit your high draft picks especially QB’s because of the cap they will be gone before you develop them. One yr maybe
C Balls and Ex Gopher,
I am tired of the Smithers name, so I am calling you all AS freaks, get your freak on when AS goes to the CFL and plays for a Grey Cup woo hoo. Well maybe not he will be a stop gap for a year or two before that happens.
Ex Gopher, you should change your name to Ex Niner, because you are not a fan, kind of a pompous blow hole.
Warren Moon, Jeff Garcia, and Doug Flutie! Those three all won Grey Cups in the CFL, then went on to success in the NFL. Warren Moon won 5 in a row on a dynastic Edmonton Eskimos team before proceeding to light it up in the NFL. He’d have smashed all kinds of career records if he went to the NFL earlier.
Comparing Warren Moon to Alex Smith? The difference in all of those QBs you mentioned are they moved up (upgraded) from the CFL to the NFL, not the other way around. Although Alex may not end up playing in the CFL, but if he does, best of luck to him.
Neal,
As usual, you couldn’t be more wrong.
Nick,
I wasn’t making any comparison there, just throwing out stuff about CFL QB’s.
Smith will never play in the CFL, he’ll be a starter in the NFL for several more years.
Neal
AS freaks sounds reasonable. Some of them are calling for ‘blood’ and ripping JH if the Niners lose this game. That sounds freakish to me. Do you know why? Because he benched their hero.
@ Nick:
Who is calling for blood?
Claude
Adam was calling for blood.
@ Nick:
No, he wasn’t. I think you need to work on your reading comprehension.
Nick,
It is crazy and ridiculous, I like our football team, and with good drafts we will have a solid team with a chance of winning the Lombardi Trophy for years to come, the Smith Freaks are a bunch of Zombies waiting to drink JH and CK blood. It is more important that they are right, then winning the game. This will be only CK 8th game I believe, hardly a measuring stick to be critical of him, we had AS for 8 years before we decided to dump him this Spring.
Claude Balls
What part of There will be blood don’t you undetstand?
@ Nick:
The part where you think that is Adam actually calling for blood rather than merely predicting what will happen.
It’s not that subtle of a distinction.
Figure of speech, Nick. Figure of speech.
Grant is absolutely correct in his article. If this goes south, Harbs loses cred. Simple.
There’s a lot at stake for sure.
>>difference in all of those QBs you mentioned are they moved up (upgraded) from the CFL to the NFL, not the other way around.
No. Flutie bounced between the two leagues.
Grant you say your case of it being this year or never is very simple. I do’nt think its that simple. First of all i think replacing Gore wo’nt be that difficult.I believe the 2 headed RB grouping of Hunter\James will be more than good enough to replace FG in fact i think they will add a dimension we do’nt have when FG is in the game, a break away threat. I also believe J. Hampton may develop into a beast. RB’s are easier to replace than any other position. Now replacing Smith is another story, i believe we will have to hit the FA market to eventually replace Smith. Trying to replace Smith through the draft will be a real crap shoot but other than those 2 players i feel the 9ers roster with the amount of draft picks Baalke likes to accrue is pretty healthy going foreward.
Grant 2 articles in the PD on back to back days!! Does that mean the PD has finally woke up and made you the full time beat writer.
Grant, outstanding article. I question the use of “heir apparent” in this article. The use typically means to follow in succession (inherited). If it is “heir apparent” as in equal, his right based on a body of work, I totally disagree. BW had to clean house, re-build from the bottom up, and created an innovative offense. He was also known as a top talent evaluator. One of the best ever. Additionally, he was one of the best, if not the best, game day play callers. He also was an expert at making adjustments after halftime and during the game. I guess you could say I feel the phrase “heir apparent” is overused and not apropos in every case.
…and he did not win every game and occasionally his teams got the snot beat out of them…
Hofer i could’nt agree with you more. Occasionally a coach comes along who is one in a generation. They not only win but they change the game. Bill Walsh was one of those coaches. I’m not sure if we have seen one like him since. Belichick has done the winning but i do’nt believe he has changed the game like Walsh or Paul Brown or even Tom Landry. So to call Harbaugh Walsh’s heir apparent just is’nt accurate. I hope Harbaugh eventually is as successful as Belichick or Parcells or even Coughlin but another BW that might be a bit of a reach
Thanks OC. You put the finishing touches regarding exactly how I feel about BW and his legacy.
Yeah, Walsh had to pretty much tear down to the bedrock and build from there.
Harbaugh inherited a talented roster from Sing. Where Harbs gets credit is turning the thing from a roster in to a team.
I agree with the premise though. If we lose a playoff game, Harbs has serious egg on his face and will face the “over-hyped” label and will be second-guessed for the Smith move and probably for some other things: No Jenkins – why? No Brandon Jacobs – why? Too many game reps for the D-line?
There will be blood.
If he wins Saturday night though and then beats the Seahawks? It’s all gravy. The Superbowl win is nice but it won’t be a must this year, in my opinion. I can actually envision a Seahawks vs. Broncos SB anyway :(
Sacrilege!!
Although that’s my objective bet as well…
I know. I hate to even write it but Denver is full on peaked and so have the Seahawks.
My honest assessment of our team is that we’re too banged up and once again short on receivers. And we’ve flattened out while the others are peaking.
If I’m the Packers I do what the Rams did to us in the pass game and double Vernon all day and force CK to throw to AJ (especially on the cross) and see if he can actually catch the ball. Crabs will make some plays but I don’t know about this AJ kid and Vernon will of course be eliminated as the only real threat out there just like he always is. Crabs running post might be successful. He’ll get some corner route work but it sure would be nice to get him out busting one long.
I think we can beat the Packers but if the Seahawks come to town in two weeks? Whew… that will be tough. They’ve found their road game and look pretty damned slick.
Some of you guys need to step back and realize what JH did for this organization. He changed the culture of the org and took the team to the NFCCG with a flawed QB in his first year. I understand that for some, they’re frustrated with JH – especially in the way he handled the QB situation. But to minimize his accomplishments because of that is silly.
I believe JH is a damn good coach. The Niners are innovating football once again with their multiple looks, unusual personnel groupings, run heavy, physical style offense in a pass happy era. JH will leave his legacy when its all said and done.
Imagine if we had a QB without any flaws, right Nick!!??
“But to minimize his accomplishments because of that is silly.”
Nick, who is minimizing his accomplishments against his contemporaries? I just said don’t compare him to BW. He’s not in that league.
Harbs did do some good stuff for this club, no doubt.
That doesn’t mean Grant’s premise that Harbs’ may be viewed differently if he loses a playoff game is wrong. There will be second guessing about a lot of things if he’s wrong. To many people Harbs comes off as arrogant, which if he loses will look more like he’s just pretentious and foolish.
I can see it now, ESPN radio and NFL Net will be all over Harbs just like they’re all over everything else. The beat writers will be all over it. Then Fooch and the Bleacher kids will pick up on it ad nauseum.
I can see the headlines:
Harbs Hype Balloon Losing Altitude
Quarterback Whisperer Silenced
Where Did Harbaugh Fail?
10 Points Where Harbaugh Failed
So yeah, I agree with Grant. High stakes poker going on around 4949.
An over-bloated hysterical piece…But I don’t expect anything different from Grant…NEXT
Having spent a moment to think about it, i’m not sure there is “added” pressure on Harbaugh and the Niners. Sure, this is America, and we always want to be improving, but in retrospect the switch to Kaep was going to come at some point (in Harbaugh’s mind)- the concussion just made it happen in mid-2012 as opposed to 2013 – so that reason doesn’t really pertain. I have been railing on these pages about the short window to win in the NFL, so there’s nothing new there either. The NFL notoriously stands for Not For Long, so the pressure on Harbaugh/Baalke to win now is nothing new either. Harbaugh has a 5 year contract, so he has some time to regroup if Baalke can get him a WR (sorry, Jenkins) or stud RB (sorry, LMJ) and some new beef on the D-line. He either has a franchise QB in Kaep (in my opinion) or for the time being he has an option to keep Alex in the fold (which he won’t). So, having thought about it, I have to completely disagree with this story, albeit respectfully so.
This is the NFL. Its all about winning championships. These are hard to come by. We barely got by New Orleans – at home – last year, and our offensive ineptitude (unless you think 3-19 in third down conversions deserves higher praise) meant our incredible stud defense couldn’t win the NYG game for us. So in last year’s playoffs we went 1-1, winning one squeaker, and losing despite the most valiant defensive effort i have witnessed since the Fred Dean, Dan Bunz, and Hacksaw Reynolds. So suddenly we “have” to win? Hyperbole, at best.
Harbaugh is in the playoffs 2 years in a row. 10 years before niners did nothing. stakes are not that high. unless his draft picks dont produce.
Grant,
Nice artical!
Not only did JB roll the dice but the whole organization , the signing of last years defence in total, realized that the SB window is this year. No doubt that we will see exciting football for some years ahead, but another opportunity like this year, hard to come by.
+1
Harbaugh hit his peak? Seriously? In his second year? Nonsense. There will always be second guessing. We’ve won 5 Super Bowls. We’ve lost a ton of championship games. Winning a SB is perfect storm of talent, depth (see injuries), coaching, a good QB (with very few notable exceptions). To have hit a peak after going to the playoffs the first two years? Bulldoinky.
I’ll also add that there is this misconception that with AS in we would somehow automatically be where we are, or for certain go to the NFCCG. Every season is different. Every game. Different players, turnovers, injuries, coaching. To assume that you’re gong to get to the exact same place you left off last year is unrealistic.
Barley,
Excellent and 100% true.
Barley,
you, bayareafanatic & J Hammer are making wayyyy to much sense for this board. LOL.
Grant, love the way you and your dad use analogies like with chess and craps. I agree last season was much like Harbaugh was rolling the naturals on the come-out, but this season has been more like he has been having to make point more often to hang on to those bones. Still winning, but sometimes having to make it the hard-way.
But would snakeyes, ace-deuce or boxcars at the end of this season mean that next season may be the end of a great streak because FG or JS might not be the same players they were before? Nah, like any good crap player knows, when the table goes cold, you move on to the next one, have a pretty girl kiss dem bones and start rolling again.
Luck be a lady tonight. Or on Saturday night. Or howzabout Kaep be a (Andrew) Luck that night. But Luck lost last weekend, so maybe it’s better to be good than Lucky after all.
rib, I think it is always better to be “good” than “lucky” because you can still play the percentages and win without it. I believe that’s the way the 49ers will beat the Packers. As Brent Jones said, he believed that the 49ers had already been focusing on the Packers even before they beat the Vikings. Harbaugh figured the odds and acted on it to give the team extra preparation against the Packers for an advantage. That’s not luck, that’s being a good coach staying a step ahead to put things in his team’s favor.
As for Kaepernick, he doesn’t need to be Andrew Luck, RG3 or Russell Wilson, he just needs to play his game, be smart with the football and take what the Packers defense gives him.
I like the fact that the coaches mention that Kap is dialed in to the game plan
I think the biggest issue that fans had with Smith is expectation, period. He was the number one overall pick and with that comes expectation. Look at rookies like Luck, RGIII, Newton. They will struggle, but they have shown individual play making ability. Fans are willing to wait for the maturing process to happen as long as they see that from their top pick.
Smith never showed playmaking ability. Couldn’t elude a sack, never showed a strong arm, marginal scrambling ability. He was a first round pick in a year that had no clear cut first rounders.
That is why the fanbase here never embraced him. Never donned his jersey.
With Kaep’s play, no one would argue that he was first round talent and the experts were wrong about him. He has shown athletic play making ability that is making fans believe, making them excited to watch him.
I applaud Smith for learning to play to his strengths and improving his game. Unfortunately his play never lived up to number one pick material. Not even last year. Anyone that wants to argue differently will have their proof when we attempt to trade him. I’ll go out on a limb and say that Smith won’t attract more than a mid third round pick.
Bay,
I totally agree with you on this. Smith should not have been the #1 pick. How they pass on Aaron Rodgers is beyond me. I think it is part of Smith’s fault as a QB is that he wants to be coach and learn, so when Nolan told him to jump, he said how high. This is not a character flaw as a human being.
However he did show under Norv Turner and Harbaugh, that he can be a decent to above average QB. Last year, while you may not like his stat and style of play, he did win a few games. He led 5 comebacks, and made some throws in the NO playoff game.
He was never going to be the long term solution under Harbaugh’s regime and that’s the fact jack.
CK has shown flashes of elite ability, the pressure is on him to deliver, as this is a SB or bust year.
An objective observer would argue he’s been up and down, as expected, as this is only his 7th start.
Fan and Bay,
The general consensus of the “pundits” was Smith #1, Rodgers not far behind. The only surprise was that Rodgers fell as far as he did.
“no clear cut first rounders”??? Both QB’s were universally tabbed as 1st round talents, and rightfully so (perhaps not 1st overall, but obviously 1st rounders).
I have no idea where this “Smith doesn’t have the arm” nonsense comes from. His arm strength is just fine, it’s NFL starter calibre, and stronger than most starters in fact. Arm strength is easily measurable, and you aren’t picked #1 overall if you don’t have a high-end NFL arm.
Criticize Smith all you want, but don’t criticise some imagined lack of arm strength.
Hey Angus
I don’t have issues with Smith. I just wouldn’t have picked him #1, not when Rodgers was a Bay Area product.
It’s a crap shoot with picks. It’s easy to see Smith’s weaknesses and overlook his strengths.
There are plenty of worse QBs and I don’t even think we’ve seen the best from him yet.
Give him a true, big WR like Andre Johnson with a good solid OC and we’ll see what he can do.
Fan,
He’s 5-2. He should be 6-1. Does that really sound like up and down to you? He has a “B” grade so far in my book. That’s what most objective borders have said.
@ Angus:
That’s the hater MO. Throw out a bunch of nonsense hyperbole and when someone calls you on your b/s, tell them that they aren’t objective or a real fan.
What I can’t understand is why they still feel a desperate need to do so now that Kaepernick is the starter.
23 Jor — Read ESPN, NBC NEws, CSN Bay Area, etc, and everyone will say CK is up an down.
And that he’s the X-Factor in the playoffs, no one knows how he will play.
You like to say I have a Man crush on Alex, but you can’t seem to see clear on CK’s strengths and weaknesses.
I’m not even hatin’ on the dude.
@ Fansince ’77:
It’s called overcompensation. jordan is embarrassed that he dismissed Kaepernick’s talents in the preseason (“Kap is not the answer”), so he is trying to make up for it now by going overboard.
You can probably figure out why he drives such a big car.
@ claude balls
re: 23Jordan – That makes sense. Unlike his man/love arguments.
Fan,
Procide me a link to an article from one of your many sources that says Kap has bewn up and down. Eveeyone knows hes the wild card. This is his 1st NFL playoff game. You are definitely hating. Just reread your posts and find where you’re given him his due.
*Provide
Angusin,
Smith may have had the arm strength when he was drafted but the shoulder injury took that away. When is the last time you saw him complete a 25 yard out pattern?
23J – Don’t waste your time with this dudes
nonsense. Probably never even played pee wee football. Some of these clowns spend their day at Denny’s and eat the grand slam breakfast for breakfast, lunch and dinner while reading yesterdays newspaper.
They will vanish when Kap leads us to a Super Bowl victory in New Orleans!
@Fan77
It makes absolutely no difference whether or not Aaron Rodgers was a Bay Area product….none what-so-ever…if that were the case, the 49ers would have, and maybe should have, made an effort to the rights to Andrew Luck…..IMHO
@23 Jor –
Just because someone disagrees doesn’t mean they hate. Just because some expresses appreciation for one player’s performance doesn’t make them a Smither.
Just read anything other than this blog and you’ll see pundits who like the QB switch and they Colin is playing at a high level, and others that see games that are up and down and question it. try nbcnews.com with Mike Florio. Try Mike Sando at ESPN. It doesn’t make theme right, they just have a diff opinion from yours.
Sando loves Kap.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/52094/inside-slant-colin-kaepernick-for-president
Yeah I heard that. That was recent. There was an article last week from Sando I’m trying to find, after the Cardinal game. He doesn’t say Kap sucks, just that inconsistent.
>>They will vanish when Kap leads us to a Super Bowl victory in New Orleans!
At least they are not spouting pure hater s*it like “the Niners are a QB away from the superbowl”. Will it be true if the Niners don’t make the SB?
23J,
I love what Kaep’s doing. While at first I was skeptical of the switch, but now that I’ve seen how Kaep’s handled things in his first 7 games or so, I’m confident Harbs made the right move.
And I don’t mind criticism of Smith. As we all know, he was certainly less than perfect. However, aspects of his game that are much more deserving of criticism than any alleged weakness in arm strength (not good at extending plays/avoiding sacks being the big one in my book).
Fan,
Still looking for that link? I’m still waiting to see it. If you don’t have one, it pretty much confirms what I thought. You named 5 news agencies and can’t find one link. Still waiting……
Fan made that up. Surprised Claude didnt call him on it.
Bay,
it’s called being hypocritical. ClaudeClown ony looks for certain people’s posts.
Angusin,
Agree. Good objective post. Much respect.
@bay, 23welcher:
I can’t fact check everyone’s comments. My attention usually goes to the people who most frequently make stuff up. That’s you two. Fansince ’77 doesn’t have your reputation for posting b/s.
As I have said from the first time you complained, if you stop posting b/s, I’ll stop calling you on it.
Bay Fan and 23 Jordan,
You guys clearly have a mancrush beyond comprehension. Here’s an idea — watch ESPN. How about that? Read Tim Kawakami. How about that? Read the one after the Seattle loss. But it won’t matter because you’ll make excuses instead of talking the more logical view that maybe after 7 starts Kaep is doing just okay.
Anyone who goes along and thinks CK is the greatest thing since slice bread and that Harbaugh can do no wrong clearly doesn’t know how to think for themselves.
What? You guys don’t have the internets? Don’t know how to use Google?
If anything will calm the nerves before this game, it’s that both G-Ro and Harbaugh have said that Kap is “dialed-in” to the game plan, hopefully meaning he’s got a good grasp of how the offense will attack Saturday. Personally, I’d like to see both RB’s involved a healthy amount to maintain a balanced attack. After that, an efficient passing game coupled with mistake-free play from the QB (throw it out of bounds when necessary), and no TO’s will be SF’s best chance of pulling it out.
On defense, as has been said many times, stopping the run and getting a good pass rush on Rodgers. That sack that Aldon got penalized for in the opener was awesome to see because that’s the type of scramble Aaron usually escapes with, but it was great watching Aldon trip him up.
One of the smartest football guys on this blog said this game would be up to the Defense and not Kaepernick. However, he then goes on to say the Offense will score 24 to 31 points. Huh?!
Unless the D is scoring some of the TDs then it is up to Kaep to lead the Offense to four TDs and a FG. Those are not easy feats for any QB, especially in his first playoff game.
So, sorry. This game hinges big on Kaep’s effectiveness. He’s our starting QB and the expectation is a win. All three components need to show up, O, D and ST. And people need to stop coddling Kaep. The time is now. The stakes are indeed higher. No excuses. Every team is hurting at this time of the year.
Losing to the Packers in the playoffs got Mariucci fired. Harbaugh must beat the Packers now. Manage the clock better than he has. Call smart time outs. Don’t waste Time Outs on dubious challenges. Make in game adjustments. Call a fake. Call an on-sides kick. Stop the WGIBTU propaganda and be smart during the game. DOn’t get out coached like he has been this year.
It’s on Harbaugh and his QB.
Weak-a** article.
The Niners window does not close this year. Key defensive players are locked up. Kap will come on his own next year, Crabtree is a stud, Baalke and Harbaugh will get good players to provide the support and depth where it is lacking now.
It is entirely possible that the Niners can lose if the pass rush is not effective because Justin Smith is limited. If this is the reason the Niners lose, you can’t fault JH – Injuries happen.
The only way JH gets questioned is if Niners lose because Kap plays poorly/Frank Gore is ineffective in the pistol. Because that was a conscious decision JH made to hand the reins over to a QB with limited experience mid season.
Having just taken a month away from work for the holidays, I am unable to partake on this blog with the frequency I would like to during this important week, which brings me to wonder …
Who, other than those taking such breaks from work, has the time? To name just a few, it looks like guys such as Claude, Ribico, Neal, Nick, & Jordo all have a ton of time on their hands.
So here’s the question: Who does what? Retired? Student? Desk job? Unemployed? Married? Couch potato?
Answer or not…
Mr. E – We are men, we can multi-task like never before bro. We are gadget gurus.
I can parallel park, post a blog comment, check out the babe walking by and eat my In-N-Out burger all at the same time. :-)
You are truly an amazing man Crabs!
Prime – Thanks….I think. :)
Hey can you believe the non-stop RG3 injury coverage? Cowboy’s injury gets very little attention on ESPN and NFL Network. Justin’s injury is not as serious but Niners are in playoffs and Skins are out now….East coast bias at it’s best Pime.
I have an office job, in front of my computer quite a bit…..can’t……stop….checking……blog….
Angus
Same here. Even during my break I spent a few days working on upcoming projects and had no ability whatsoever to stop checking it … time for some rehab
Free time on my hands as I wait for long running data warehousing queries to complete.
Employed in education. At my desk for half the day.