Steve Young spoke on KNBR Thursday afternoon. This is what he said.
Q: Let’s start off with the first half. What did you see that had the 49ers behind for a second straight week?
YOUNG: It was little stuff. It was things that you hadn’t seen before. You got the feeling like, not only the penalties, but the miscues and even the plays getting in. We’ve talked about this for a while. Every play seemed to be running down to the end of the play clock. Balls were just off the tips of fingers. It was just a combination of a lot of things.
Eight quarters of championship play – Atlanta and New Orleans – and three of them, offense and defense, were kind of wasted quarters. It’s just so hard to come back from it, especially in the Super Bowl.
That’s the classic blunder. You go into the Super Bowl and for whatever reason, whether it’s the moment or the game itself, a lot of teams, especially teams that end up losing the Super Bowl in my mind, don’t get started quickly. They get into halftime and they’ve wasted a bunch of time. There’s no rhyme or reason why it happened, but it was just a classic Super Bowl where you don’t get started. Believe me, I’ve been in championship games and wasted quarters, and I regret it and rue the day. That’s what ended up happening to the 49ers. The time that they spent fiddling around ended up costing them.
Q: How about the first play of the game, having an illegal formation penalty.
YOUNG: It was just ragged. It was ragged play from a team that’s never ragged, and that’s the part that’s unnerving. Jerry Rice and I sat together watching the game, and he was just emotional. He was getting fired up. He was like, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” He was highly emotional.
Every football game happens quickly, but a Super Bowl just flies by, and if you’re not careful it will just leave you behind.
Q: Does the fact that the slow start happened two games in a row give you a clue as to why it happened at all?
YOUNG: It’s details. It’s the little things. It’s the things great teams do without thinking about it. We got penalized way too much.
Did the coaches ask too much, or was the emotion of the game too much? They have to figure out what the root is, but what we saw was kind of ragged football until after the lights went out.
Q: As a quarterback, were you upset with Randy Moss not making an effort on the interception, or was that ball not catchable?
YOUNG: Jerry Rice, literally, we were sitting in the front row of the suite so the drop would have been a precipitous drop, I mean maybe a hundred feet. I had to restrain him. I was watching the ball and I knew it was high because it sailed when it was intercepted. I hadn’t really noticed Randy. Jerry was so fixated on Randy and his lack of effort toward the ball. He had to replay it: “You should have seen what he did.” And he kind of kept telling me how he didn’t even try.
Later on I saw it. It reminded me of Rex Grossman when he threw the interception against the Colts when they still had a chance to win the Super Bowl. They were down four points, and they were driving and he basically threw a little lollipop up, didn’t even look – a little double move – gets intercepted and he starts running it back, and it ends up being for a touchdown. And Rex kind of watches it. The Super Bowl is going by him, not figuratively but literally going away from him, and he’s watching it. In training camp that would frustrate me, but in the Super Bowl that’s maddening.
So I said to Jerry, maybe he thought someone was behind him. But Jerry didn’t buy that one. He was like, there’s no way.
You can’t declare yourself the greatest of all time. Other people do that.
Q: What did you think of the final four plays?
YOUNG: Two minutes to win the football game – that’s another part of the game that’s completely separate – how it’s dealt with, how the plays are called, how you deal with the dilemmas. That is literally just reps. In the ten games that Colin played, did he really have that many end-of-game reps? My brain is saying no.
We’ve asked Colin to do a lot, and it’s incredible in many ways.
Everyone would want to redo those four plays – Jim, Greg Roman. The explosive team that they were, they ran plays that a team that’s not explosive would run, especially the last one.
It wasn’t that the moment got beyond them. It’s that you have to have a lot of reps at that. The guys that are really famous at the end of games are the guys that did this regularly. It was a great learning experience, but that doesn’t help you in the Super Bowl.
When Frank ran to the seven, we all sensed that we were in. We were there, and now it’s just going to go in.
And then that next play, LaMichael for two – you’re putting yourself in a little bit of a jam, and I think that’s where the defensive coordinator for the Ravens really had it. He backed off on second, and then came both times on third and fourth. The Ravens are great tactically at the all-out blitz because they have done it a ton of times and they take every angle at it and they know what they’re trying to accomplish.
They put Colin in a jam. He saw he only had a split-second to throw it, so he decided and threw it. And that’s typical. That’s OK. But if you’ve done it a bunch of times and had these things happen before, then you dictate to teams. That’s what, unfortunately, didn’t get done. But I understand it.
Q: What do you think Jim Harbaugh should learn from this game?
YOUNG: Jim has proven to be a great coach. One of the little things that he can improve on, obviously the team getting out of the gate became something to work at. That’s something we can watch for, especially in the later rounds.
More than anything, I just feel Jim is creating dilemmas where he doesn’t need to with the media. Not giving them a little something. Just suck it up, go out, you know what they want, just tell them a couple of quotes, give them what they want. So people don’t gather more and more reasons to be upset at you. You’re life is so much easier and less complicated when you just do the little things and put up with it. Deal with the hassles a little bit better. It takes more energy to keep avoiding the hassles than to go through them and deal with it. I think that would help him a lot. But Jim is a tough cookie. I can hear him right now, “This is me, and like it or lump it.” Clearly, we’re talking about fringe thing. The meat of what he does is phenomenal. There’s no question.
Q: At the Friday press conference before the Super Bowl, his brother was with his family taking pictures, and Jim was off to the side checking his watch.
YOUNG: It’s physically painful for him, and that’s why I’m not sure it’s going to change. My advice to him would be take a deep breath for 30 seconds, do the things that you know they want, give it to them and move on. What happens is sooner or later if there’s a 6-10 season out there or a retooling, there will be a lot of people that want to get him back. You don’t need that hassle.
Even on the sidelines, I think in the long run the apoplectic stuff will eat you up over time. You can be white-hot, tip-of-the-spear competitive and still manage through those difficult moments that you know you’ve been jobbed.
Q: Do you have any problem with the refs not calling defensive holding or pass interference on the 49ers’ final offensive play?
YOUNG: I was right there. I was standing on the field. It was out of bounds from the time it left his hand. My opinion was it was not even close. So what happened on the field to me was less important. Plus, on a fourth down you know – like the last shot of a basketball game – you’re probably not going to get the foul when you throw the three-point shot up. You’re going to have to get really hacked to get a call. With that context, you’re probably not going to get the call, especially when the ball is headed out of bounds.
Colin had two plays from what I understand, and once he saw the all-out blitz, that was the planned reaction. There’s got to be a better play than just throwing a lollipop up to one guy. That play is really capitulation. In the context, you’d certainly want something more dynamic, the ability to put Colin on the move and see what would happen. That’s part of planning. The 15th time you go through that, you get really good at it. That’s the part that you look forward to with Colin and Jim.
Q: How do you think Kaepernick will do in his first full season as the starter?
YOUNG: You could make a case that this was the season that the 49ers, with Colin Kaepernick, needed to win the Super Bowl, because the window was as wide open as it will ever be for the Pistol to be as much of an advantage as it could be. The question is how much that window will close once defenses start to get used to it. That’s what happens in the league. Tactically, to me it’s something that can get figured out. Something people think it will get closed completely. I don’t believe it. I think it will always be a useful thing as long as you’re willing to put your quarterback at risk and run him.
Think about RGIII. His job got significantly more difficult for next year because of his injury. The team won’t want to put him in that spot. He’s a franchise quarterback. He’s going to have to find other ways to be successful. But they used the Pistol so well. They’re going to have to retreat a little bit. That’s going to force RGIII to play more traditional quarterback, which is a tough job. Delivering the ball from the pocket, full-field reads, dictating to defenses – it’s an art. It’s advanced calculus. It’s going to be a challenge for RGIII.
And Colin, if he’s going to play for 15 years – if I’m wrong, then so be it – but the job in the end, in the long run is to deliver the ball from the pocket. Can I use the Pistol as a bridge to get there? Colin used it as bridge, not only to get there but to take them to Super Bowl and really one play away from winning it. I believe that it will be difficult to use that bridge into the future. In the end, I think Championship quarterbacks will be what we see as more traditional.
Q: How great was the Ravens’ job of killing seven seconds on that punt safety at the end of the game?
YOUNG: That was phenomenal clock management. Every second that could be taken was taken. When they did that, that was a tremendous coaching move. And to have everyone aware enough to tackle them. And the guy was able to run around and literally end the game. That was great clock management.
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It’s difficult to disagree with the great SY. He’s just calling it as he sees it. The best show in sports radio!
I realize you’re a self acclaimed non-fan so I’ll let it slide but just so you know, Joe Montana pretty much equals God to US fans so a more legitimate poll would have been to simply place Young vs Kaepernick.
=)
“Young vs Kaepernick”
Not even close. It took Young 3 tries to do what Kaepernick did the first time.
Its a different game now then when Young was playing.
True Jack. But don’t you think the early 90′s Cowboys were just a ‘little’ better than this years Falcons?
Bray,
And don’t you think that the early 90′s 49ers teams were better than this year’s team.
I love the current team, but I will take Rice, Taylor, Jones, Watters, and Rathman over Crabtree, Davis and Gore.
Jack- No I don’t think the early 90′s teams were better than this years team. If they are it’s miniscule. The early 90′s Cowboy teams are leaps and bounds better then the Falcons will ever be. The big difference is in the opponents.
Jack, yes it did and when SY got to the BIG GAME, he won it. HoF, MVP, SB winner…speaks for itself.
Hofer,
Young through his first 10 starts as a 49er wasn’t even in the same zip code as CK this year.
By the time CK gets to his 4th full season as a starter he will have been to the SB more than Young, and have his ring.
Jack, let it play out. How many passing TDs did CK have this year? Comparing him after 11 games to a HoF, MVP, and SB winner is ludicrous. You know and I know getting back to the SB is not a given. After the team wins a SB, then we can compare.
Hofer,
I’m not comparing him to a HoF QB. Through his first 10 49er starts no one would have mistaken Young for a HoF QB.
HOfer,
I’m going to expose you as the king size joker in the room. Now that DS and Darren are gone, you are doing an excellent job filling in for them.
Steve Young had several years to sit under the greatest QB and greatest coach to ever walk the sidelines.
When he finally got his chance he was exciting, but he was also a run first QB. He got his team to the NFC championship game twice. Both times his defense failed him. But he also had a world class receiving core at his disposal. While he performed well in his first NFC Championship game, his second one he had a key int and a key fumble that lost the game. He didn’t win until his third year even though he had a championship caliber team throughout.
CK sat on the bench for one year behind a QB that had won one playoff game in eight years. Smith wasn’t even a good mentor because he never demonstrated examples to CK as to how to utilize the entire field.
CK came in, learned on the fly. And in his path to the superbowl defeated Drew Brees and Tom Brady both on the road. He then beat Aaron Rogers and Matty ice in the playoffs even though his defense yielded a hair under 30 points throughout the playoffs.
At this stage in his career when matching up to Young when he first got the job, CK is light years ahead. Any other BS information you want to share?
Bay, after you ripping the defense, coaching, refs, and the ST, you are the joker. Is CK the main or only blame here? No. But you wished to ignore the facts yet again. I stated he didn’t make the correct reads/calls when he was at the 5 yd line. Does that takeaway what he offers in the future? No. But he is also at fault and he deserves some of the loss regardless if you feel that way or not.
Jack Hammer says:
February 8, 2013 at 7:48 am
“Young vs Kaepernick”
Not even close. It took Young 3 tries to do what Kaepernick did the first time.
———————————————————————–
Montana 3-0 in the Super Bowl
Young 2-0 in the Super Bowl
Kaepernick 0-1 in the Super Bowl
end of conversation.
I’m sorry Hofer,
are you poking CK with a stick now because you said,
CK wont be drafted because
he doesn’t fit JH’s system
They really wanted Dalton
He’ll never be successful because of throwing motion
He’s a run first QB and they don’t succeed
He’s too tall. Prototypical QB’s are 6’2″
His strides are too long
He holds the ball too far from his body
Pat Devlin would have been a better pick up
There’s more shall I continue?
I’m sorry I got that wrong
Montana 4-0
Young 1-0
Kaepernick 0-1
Bay, there are only extremes with you. You don’t see that there are areas in the middle. Your other bad habit is putting words in people’s mouths that are usually untrue. All you have to do is admit he didn’t play well during the last series. Did he lead the comeback? Heck yeah and was outstanding doing so.
Coffee,
Again, it took Young until his 4th season as a full time starter to do what took Kaepernick 9 starts, his 10th being the Super Bowl.
There is no comparison between a young Steve Young and young Kaepernick.
I’m sorry Hofer,
could it be that because you were so consistently wrong about CK and that he outplayed your hero and took his job that you want to get some jabs in at him?
Why did you quit posting for weeks after Smith lost the job? I mean, it’s a 49er blog and you quit posting? Why?
Dumb, dumb and dumb. Using the ridiculous logic of this thread, Kaep is light years ahead of Joe Montana as well, who in his second year, went 6-10 and threw for 1700 yards, 15 tds and 9 ints.
So…..Bay, do you really have a point here????
And…..the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay powerhouses are the only reason Steve doesn’t have 2 or 3 more rings. Those types of opponents don’t exist in todays NFL, as stated above.
No Jack, it took the TEAM four years to win a SuperBowl unless you think Young did it all by himself? Quality of the competition has a lot more to do with it then you’re giving credit for plus I believe Harbaugh is a better(different) coach then Seifert was. The Superbowl was played in the NFCC game for nearly the better part of the 90′s and I’m willing to argue that the competition faced by this years team wasn’t a difficult as what the Young led teams had to face just to get to the SuperBowl.
Every single QB in this league is gauged by how many SuperBowls they won. Marino will always have the stigma of having not won a SuperBowl and even though his name is commonly brought up it’s almost always attached with an asterik “He was great BUT he never won a SuperBowl.”
Kaepernick was ON a team that was able to make it to the SuperBowl but he blew it. I’m all for Kaepernick being the QB going forward and Im’ excited about him but you can easily make the case that Kaepernick had a big part in us losing that game and you can only say the exact opposite about Young and Montana in their SuperBowl victories.
Kaepernick isn’t even in the conversation of Young and Montana until we wins a SuperBowl.
Coffee,
The competition was tough, but Young also had a heck of a supporting cast around him. It was all relative back then.
And in Young’s first season as the full time starter, 1991, the team didn’t even make the playoffs.
Angus,
the Montana comparison is less valid then the Young comparison because of styles. Young was a running QB like Kaep. And it’s absolutely fair to compare year by year. In both their first years, CK is light years ahead of SY as a QB.
Where you can compare Kaep and Montana is on the level of success they both had in their first year. Beyond that Montana’s book is already written whereas Kaep is still writing his.
Jack the situations are simply not comparable. Team make up, competition, coaching, alignment of the planets I mean come on you cant compare two teams separated by two decades and try and draw comparisons.
Frankly would you still feel great if Kaepernick was Jim Kelly. Four SuperBowls and zero wins?
Winning the SuperBowl is all that counts Jack, it’s all that counts.
Angus,
In 1980 Montana only started roughly half the season but if you compare his passing numbers to Kaep’s this year they are very similar.
In our 6 trips to the superbowl, this years defense easily yielded the highest amount of points during the playoffs.
If they do not fix this, nothing else they do matters.
“would you still feel great if Kaepernick was Jim Kelly. Four SuperBowls and zero wins?”
No, but I still feel great knowing that he could reach the biggest football game on the planet with only 9 prior starts under his belt.
In Young’s three trips to the NFC championship game, it wasn’t by accident that in the game he finally won, the defense yielded the lowest points of all three games.
Defense wins championships. If Marino had ever had a top five defense, he would have competed for several SB titles.
Defense enabled average QB’s like Williams, Dilfer, Johnson, Grossman to make it to the SB. Last year it almost carried another average QB there as well.
In Sunday’s game I would select second year Young or Montana over second year Colin if I had my choice and I can base it 100% on the fact that I already know that Young and Montana have never lost a SuperBowl so I have no reason to assume they would. Wish I could say the same for Colin.
It’s never how you start a career, it’s what you do in the middle and the accumulation of success along the way. Let’s discuss in 10+ years…
“In Young’s three trips to the NFC championship game, it wasn’t by accident that in the game he finally won, the defense yielded the lowest points of all three games.”
Or that the offense was helped by a quick ED pick 6 followed by 2 turnovers deep in Cowboy territory to set them up with great field position.
The death blow though was the great TD to Rice on a fade into the left corner of the South endzone.
I remember I gave myself a stinger doing the Merton Hanks celebration dance that day….
I just disagree with the whole premise of comparing Kaepernick, after 10 bloody games, to the first 10 games of two Quarterbacks who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It proves nothing. Are we suggesting that Kaep will be better than Montana and Young based on this 10 game sample? I hope he does!
And as far as suggesting it’s appropriate to compare Kaep to Young, because Young was a scrambler, but we shouldn’t compare Kaep to Montana, well, that’s just ridiculous.
>>Did he lead the comeback? Heck yeah and was outstanding doing so.
Heh. Hofer, there are those who’ve argued here (seriously) that if the offense had done it’s job in the first place a comeback wouldn’t be needed.
Of course that was when a different QB was playing.
Ah, I miss those good times.
>>In our 6 trips to the superbowl, this years defense easily yielded the highest amount of points during the playoffs.
Bay, you keep making statements like that, a guy named Bayareafanatic is going to call you an idiot clown for completely overlooking how the game has changed, offenses are calling the shots and we how needed QB that could points on the board just to keep up.
Jack Hammer says:
February 8, 2013 at 7:48 am
“Young vs Kaepernick”
Not even close. It took Young 3 tries to do what Kaepernick did the first time.
Hoferfan67 says:
February 8, 2013 at 8:50 am
Jack, yes it did and when SY got to the BIG GAME, he won it. HoF, MVP, SB winner…speaks for itself.
He won it because they were able to squeak past the Cowboys that year after they mortgaged the future for a Super Bowl run. SY is my favorite 49er of all time, but to compare him to Colin is ridiculous. The NFC Championship game was the Super Bowl back then, and the Niners lost 3 out of the 4 NFCCG’s with Young at the helm. 3 of those 4 NFCCG’s were at Candlestick. Those teams were built around explosive offense. This team was built around the running game and defense, errr…..Justin Smith. The offense put up 31 points, which should have been good enough to win. Looking at these stats, it’s pretty evident which units stepped up and who dissapeared during the playoffs. Considering that the defense and running game are the strengths of this team, it’s amusing that you compare Colin to Young, especially when you review the postseason numbers.
Defensive passing yards allowed in 2012:
200.2 yards allowed per game in the regular season
306 yards allowed per game in the postseason
The defense gave up 50% more yards per game during the postseason.
Defensive points allowed in 2012:
17.1 points per game allowed in the regular season
29.7 points per game allowed in the playoffs
The defense gave up 43% more points per game during the postseason.
Offensive yards per game in 2012:
361 yards per game in the regular season
473.1 yards per game in the post season
The offense averaged 36% more yards per game during the postseason.
Offensive scoring 2012:
24.8 points per game in the regular season
34.7 points per game in the post season
The offense averaged 29% more points per game during the postseason.
BigP,
The blog article/transcript was regarding CK and the 9er loss. It was a TEAM loss and trying to compare QBs after 10 games is ludicrous. Because CK looks better than SY after 10 games we should expect what? Two SBs wins or more?? The SB is not a given. Win SBs that is the objective, not stats after 10 games which correlate to absolutely nothing.
Hofer,
I don’t compare the two, but you made the comment that when SY got there, he won it. That is a dig at CK. SY inherited a Super Bowl contender and failed in 3 out of 4 NFC championship games. Those were the real Super Bowls. The winner of those NFC CG’s scored an average of 38.7 points in the Super Bowl to the AFC’s 21.5. The NFC won 13 consecutive Super Bowls. My point was that the strength of this team was/is the defense. The defense was not good down the stretch. The 94 team was built around the offense and the offense performed throughout the playoffs. There were plenty of mistakes in the Super Bowl, but the Niners still put 31 points on the board. That should have been enough to win, even with an average defensive performance. It’s just frustrating.
BigP,
Respectfully I disagree and that wasn’t the context. I didn’t think a comparison of CK to JM or SY was necessary. There was no slam and it should not be interpreted as such. Some were slamming SY simply because they didn’t like his comments relating to the pistol and the last 9er series of the game. I said SY has a SB so let it play out. Don’t judge just 10 games because stats don’t equate a SB. It is best to compare careers to careers in 10+ years.
Coffee’s got the right of it here, no question.
Good post Angus- Most people seem a little of track with the question. It’s not the 88-89′ Joe or the 95′ Young, it’s 1st year comparisons.
Let’s phrase it this way. If you saw Montana-Young and Kap’s first 10 games, then you had to pick 1 of them to start for your team, you’d be an idiot to not pick Kap.
Bray well put. I didn’t think of it that way exactly.
A career is not made from 11 games. If CK has a stellar career, which he is on track for, then compare. It’s way too early for this analysis.
You’d be an idiot to pick KAP soley on those first 10 games and soley on physical ability, where he ran a specially designed offense 60 percent of the time.
KAP’s on his way to being a really good QB but even experts outside of this area right now would pick:
1. Luck. 2. Wilson. 3. RG3.
KAP doesn’t even enter the conversation.
You put RG3 behind this o-line and he would be unstoppable.
Fan77- We obviously comprehended the poll question differently. You might want to listen to pundits not on the west coast, almost to a man, they’ve picked Kap ahead of all said QB’s. Also, they ran the pistol only about 35% of the time, and he passed on almost half of those plays.
If they would have won the game, would you feel the same way? Probably not. We would all be out of our collective skulls screaming from the rooftops. “You just see what our QB just did? He brought us back from 22 points in the Super Bowl!! We are set for years!
What do you think RG3 does SO much better than Kap that he would be unstoppable?
Hey Bray,
I was watching ESPN and the did a QB top 10 and KAP wasn’t on the list. I was also listening to some expert who compared the three rookie QBs, and he said that Luck has to do the most traditional QB stuff, make line calls, etc.
There’s a natural affinity for KAP because he’s our guy. But if we were objective, the other guys have their own strengths. Mainly I think I would take Luck because he had all those comeback wins in his rookie year on a bad team.
RG3 won the Heisman so that has to count for something.
But raw physical tools? No doubt KAP is a speciman.
I think we just need to see him play a full season, and in more game situations.
Jack Hammer says:
February 8, 2013 at 9:59 am
but I still feel great knowing that he could reach the biggest football game on the planet with only 9 prior starts under his belt.
————————————————-
I do too Jack but not enough to compare him to two of the greatest to play the sport and two that WON every time they went to the SuperBowl.
I still feel it’s relevant to point out that Kaepernick’s performance is part of the reason we lost.
The comparison Coffee is between the early years of the 3, not what the became. Kaepernick is ahead of Young and close to Montana when looked at in those terms.
It’s abstract Jack, you and I are looking at the same thing but seeing something different. I’m excited about Colin but I think it’s simply to early to draw comparisons to a QB with 10 starts to two legends of the game. Let’s suspend this conversation for 365 days and see if we feel the same way after a full season of starts and after opposing defenses have had some time to work on limiting his game.
It’s nothing to do with my outlook for Colin it’s all about the comparisons so soon in his career.
Young was garbage in the USFL and the Tampa Bay Bucs before he came to the niners. Coffee is a feminine guy that’s new to football you can just tell. Colin Kaepernick is light years ahead of where steve young was in year 8 of his nfl career it’s not even close. Are you insane Kaep can’t make line calls almost every succesful play they ran at Atlanta was an audible, learn football before you talk. Kaep will have a better career than young by the time he retires bank on it.
KAEP came into a team that in the NFC Title game the year before. Montana was 6-10 on a rebuilding squad.
You can’t even compare the two.
Also, part of KAEP’s success was he was running a PISTOL offense, something a lot of DC haven’t seen before.
Young was a pocket passer who ran. There were very few design schematic runs for him.
KAEP is going to be great as he matures, but he also have to evolve. Watch the game again, he is a stick and read QB. He’s not there yet as a complete passer. He’s a weapon, for sure, but not quite there as a QB who goes through progressions. He gets a full season now to evolve into being a complete passer. We’ll see how teams adjust to him especially the division teams like STL and SEA.
After the results of the SB, you gotta give props to Andrew Luck for all those come from behind wins, where he’s asked to do alot on a crappy team.
@JackHammer
Aren’t we putting the cart ahead of the horse here???
When the 49ers make as many playoff appearances, win a Super Bowl, CK has as many league MVP awards, piles up stats and makes the NFL Hall of Fame, then I think we can talk about he and Steve Young in the same sentence….until then, it’s a wait and see how it turns out type of thing….IMHO
No 55niner. The poll question is about the young versions of Montana and Young compared to CK now, and who would you rather have.
Through their first 10 starts as 49ers I will take CK over Young, and it is close between CK and Montana. I give the edge to JM because their numbers are similar, but JM was doing it with less talent at that point.
Jack, you are comparing SY playing for a talentless Tampa Bay team versus CK playing for a loaded 9er team full of pro bowlers. Ever hear of circumstance? There is no comparison. Trying to compare SY and CK after 10 games when both team’s talent were night and day different is simply the worst kind of analysis.
@Jack…
Though I see your point, I have to take the wait and see attitude…he’s only played 10 games for chrissakes, and the novelty has yet to wear off. You know as well as I do thatteams in the NFL aren’t going to sit on their hands and let the Pistol and Read Option go unchecked..when defenses get a hold on how to stymie these offenses, and Kaepernick is still as dominant as he was this season, then I’ll be all in.
Hofer,
Please try to keep up and comprehend what you are reading. I have repeatedly stated their first 10 starts as 49ers.
55Niner, you either are obviously missing the intent of the poll question, or are incapable of remembering what Montana and Young were like in the early part of their 49ers careers.
Jack, I followed you and again it was different circumstances for each QB. I don’t care about a 10 game comparison and again it’s about a career and accumulated success along the way. You showed you colors when SY called it as he saw it. He wasn’t negative, but you wished to go into comparison mode. SMH
Hofer,
The poll question is about a young Steve Young, and Joe Montana not their entire careers. And in that context comparing their first 10 49er starts with CK’s first 10 starts is accurate.
As for Young’s comments in this post, they are his opinion, and he still strikes me as nothing more than another talking head. He was a great player, but he knows as much about what this team is doing as Grant, you and I unless they decide to ask him to join the staff or work with the players, none of which has happened to date
And before you try to make this a me against Young thing, I feel the same way when I hear Rice and Lott talk, and would say the same about Montana, etc.
Jack, right. That’s why I didn’t vote. Because some believe he played better than SY stat wise the first 10 games does that mean CK is now expected automatically to win more than 1 SB – now he should win 2, 3, or 4? It has nothing to do with how a QBs career will translate into winning or losing.
Hofer,
I will say that based on the small sample size CK will have the better career if he stays healthy. We’ll see how it plays out.
Every team who loses a superbowl has to think this was the season, our chance, we may not get back there. But the 49ers were not a great team this season, they did well to get there and one has to think the Ravens were more motivated, and more prepared. The 49ers staff and players have a lot to learn about playing at the highest level.
Exactly!
Couldn’t agree more with your Take,
The 49ers D was not as good as they were in 2011 & the Tragedy that was SB 47?
You would hope that the Coaching Staff on down to the Players will learn from this experience. I believe they will & be better for it next year. We’ll see
The Ravens had their problems too. Dumping the OC 4/5ths of the way through the season? Unheard of.
That game was there for the taking.
That illegal formation penalty on Davis on the very first play reminded me of what an anonymous coach said about him as a rookie; “million dollar talent with a 10 cent brain”
In that case your brain is worth five cents. That penalty was on crabtree not VD
HA!
BigNiner,
Have we heard that from the 49ers? I don’t think we have. If not, then we don’t know if it was on the TE or the WR. If either of them were off the line of scrimmage, it wouldn’t of been a penalty. So, the penalty could’ve been on either of them.
To clarify:
The referee identified the outside player [WR] as the one committing the foul, but the formation could’ve called for the TE to be off the line. So, even though the WR was identified as the player the foul was on, it could’ve been the fault of the TE for not lining up correctly.
Sorry, but the wide receiver in the slot between the Tight End (VD)and the outside wide receiver was aligned incorrectly on the ball, thus making VD ineligible, regardless of run or pass. Since VD released down field and ended up catching the ball, too many who don’t know the rules think he misaligned by not being off the ball since the wide receiver aligned on the line of scrimmage, but that is not the case.
On Sound FX, you can hear Moss schooling Crabs on how he was not lined up right.
Mike,
I wasn’t saying that the penalty was on VD, only that it may have been on VD. The fact remains, if VD lined up off the line, the formation would’ve been legal. Again, I’m not saying that’s what the play called for, just that it’s a possibility.
“On Sound FX, you can hear Moss schooling Crabs on how he was not lined up right.”
And you can also hear Crabtree saying that he checked to make sure he was off the line…
Great job of killing the clock with the safety by holding multiple Niners players from behind by the Ravens..how about the fumble blown dead by the whistle but then became a turn over..I could go on and on but its not good for my health.
If the officials weren’t doing their job, the Ravens recognized that and took advantage of it to a greater extent than the 49ers. That’s called being awake!
No Jerome Boger only told John Harbaugh before the game “We’re swallowing the whistle today John” Then John told his defense, beat the crap out of them, hold them, whatever you have to do, they won’t throw a flag on you!
The problem wasn’t the offense…They were 5 yds of winning it. It was the defense and special teams.. 4th rated? Every playoff game we were behind. What happen to A.Smith…Shoulder? no sacks in the playoffs.. We need CB and DL… We didn’t get to Facco much…
Defense was overrated going in. Amazing to say after last year but the D has a lot of questions. Offensively we got enough young stars to be in the top 5-10 for a long time. Need more pass rushers for sure.
I still haven’t recovered from this loss! It almost feels like a death.
Feel ya ‘ Razor,the only salve right now is the draft and a little time!
If you think you feel badly, think about the guys who actually play the game and those on this year’s team who may never have another shot at winning a Super Bowl. You are just a fan. They live the game 24/7/365 and it is their career.
Yeah this feelin to me is worst than last yr..so many bs calls and non calls..bs playcalls..non catches…still drivin me crazy…we need some big strong pass rushers for sure…Made flacco look better than what he is..
Its crazy..all of our weaknesses showed up in the superbowl..secondary,no pass rush,bad playcalling,poor execution,and bad officiating against us on a neutral site… Bizaare..mindblowing…crazy
Its definitely hard to get back to superbowl..back to back yrs of squandered opportunities..two trophys possibly or at least one..now im gettin sick…lemme stop..
Say what you will but the bottom line is… our defense was never the same from the moment JS injured his tricep at NE. The pass rush just wasn’t quite there every game since and therefore our corners got exposed.
It goes back to the saying, show me some good corners and I’ll show you a good pass rush!
All that and we still had a chance to win. I disagree with Young on his assessment of the pistol. I think it could be more dangerous next year than this year with the right personal. Would love to see a Percy Harvin type in this O. They don’t grow on trees but I’m sure there are similar players out there. D Robinson from Michigan maybe?
Interesting points from SY.
But the case can be made that any team the reaches the Superbowl is there to win.
Whether it was CK at the helm or if AS would have been the starter, it makes no difference, you are there to win, period.
I’ve forced myself to watch the game over a few times since last Sunady and every time I see the obvious non-calls for holding on the KO TD return or the safety in which two 49ers were being violated, it burns me up.
But hey, if there is any motivation for the team to return to the SB next year they certainly have a basket full.
AES,
I hear you on the KO, but on the safety, there is no downside for the Ravens to hold, and no benefit to the 49ers for the refs to call holding. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t of called holding, but it wouldn’t have done the 49ers any good.
On the safety if Dixon is not held he has a chance at a block or at the very least cause the punter to hurry his run out of bounds.
@Exgolfer i believe there needs to be a rule change. When a team is taking an intentional safety at the end of a game and they commit a penalty in the end zone there should be a 15 yard penalty on the free kick. Forcing them to kick from the 5 yard line. if the ravens had been forced to punt from the 5. 2 things could have happened. #1 a fair catch and free kick from a distance a NFL kicker might make a FG. #2 a fair catch and 1 play from a distance that a strong arm QB could reach the end zone.
AES,
I get why the Ravens were holding, it’s just there was no consequence for the refs to penalize the Ravens with.
old coach,
I agree, a team shouldn’t be able to do what the Ravens did with impunity.
I agree,
Interesting poll question Grant.
Young would have to be the 3rd choice. When he was brought in the 49ers were already a championship winning team with a proven head coach and multiple Hall of Famers.
The Montana/Kaepernick question is a good one though. Both can beat you with their arms and feet. Both are good leaders, and can rally the troops regardless the score. From a statistical standpoint Kaepernick will outpace Montana in just about every way, but Montana never lost on the biggest stage.
As a child of the late 70′s, early 80′s I go with Montana, but it’s really close.
Jack,
I would like to agree with you, but I can’t. I’m hopeful, because CK has the look of greatness. But JM won four SB’s.
Had the 49ers got there this year, then I would join you in saying it’s close. I guess that leaves me close to saying it’s close.
ex,
You have to forget the 4 Super Bowls. The comparison is the young Montana vs Kaepernick. Montana won the SB in his 3rd season, and first as the starter for the full season.
CK got there in his second. Can he match Montana in 2013-14?
Jack,
I tried to put the four SB’s out of my mind when considering the question, but it’s a hard bell to un-ring. I suppose if I was really able to do that, I would pick CK, since he went to the SB in his second year and JM didn’t.
In any case, it looks to me that CK is going to be one his generations elite QB’s, if he isn’t already. It’s going to be a fun ten to fifteen years.
He won’t get there with a defense that surrendered an average score of 29.9 a game through the playoffs.
I’d really like to get some clarification regarding Aldon’s injury.
If it is so easy to get back to the SB with all of the talent a QB can have, DMarino and PManning would have been there more than once. The SB is not a given.
No more excuses Bay, time for you to stop making excuses for Kaepernick. He led them back sure, but he had 4 chances to make himself a SB winner and he failed on three attempts. Nothing the defense or coaches can do for him there. Like Young said, the inexperience got to him. This is what everyone feard and it happened. Unfortunately, it happend at the SB with 2 minutes left.
Alexfan67,
the only way we return to the superbowl is by the Defense playing better and yielding less points.
FDM,
what excuses have I made? CK obviously could have done something better since he didn’t score on the final four plays. So once again what excuses have I made other than the other obvious parts of the game like poor officiating, poor 1st half defense on the niners part?
Bay, your maturity is showing yet again. You can’t discuss or debate anything without name calling or being cynical. Why come here then?
Alexfan67 why did you bash CK more in one game than you did Alex Smith in three years?
Alexfan67 why did you stop posting for weeks after Jim Harbaugh benched smith in favor of CK?
Hofer,
P Manning has been to the Super Bowl twice. Try some salmon, I hear it helps slow memory loss.
Jack, thanks for the correction. Yes I realized that after I wrote that comment but the point WAS…NOT EASY .
>>He won’t get there with a defense that surrendered an average score of 29.9 a game through the playoffs.
So Bay. Why weren’t you singing this same tune last year, when the D gave nearly the same average in the playoffs?
Probably too busy making vows to quit the team if they kept Smith as the QB? That must have been it.
Rib,
I hope you at least have good looks. It would be sad to have to walk through life dumb and ugly.
Last year in the NFC Championship game, our D held the Giants to 17 points. A huge improvement over what our D relinquished in the playoffs this year. Hey Rib, nice Avatar…… I’m going to go find a lousy QB’s picture so that I can post it as my avatar….
Bay, name calling & insults, your bread and butter, how sad.
Its not close imho. Joe was cool, calm and collected no matter the adversary or stage. Joe was very intelligent as well. The ultimate leader of men on the field of battle. Joe was the goat at his position period.
Kaep is already better out of the pocket than Steve was for his first several years in the league, with the Bucs and then the Niners
Interesting comments by Steve, however. Moss not even trying for that pass was galling. Jerry or Crabs would have sold out to get near that pass.
I’m a big believer in the short window to win. But we had a prime opportunity to win last year, we were one play away, and we didnt. So you gotta move on.
I think Kaep will be a great pocket passer, retaining the ability to run as Steve did, but he’s already more accurate than Steve was for his first many years. So Baalke just has to get him the defense and the weapons to win. We have a SB caliber QB for the first time in 20 years – ie, the kind of QB who can hitch the team on his back and drag it there. We were one play away from winning this game too. You can look at the game and say we should have punched it in from the 7, but you can also look at it and say we shouldnt have let someone set a new SB record with a 108 yard runback. So which play was more important? If the Niners defense performs as they did before JS got hurt and our pass defense was exposed, we win this game going away.
fesnyc,
I’m hopeful that with CK the window will be a little wider. Sure, the rest of the team will be up and down as older players’ talent fades, but if you have a great QB, you can always rebuild and stay in the hunt.
Having said that, it is a shame the 49ers couldn’t bring the trophy home one of the last two years. They were both golden opportunities.
It’s amazing to see how far the team has come since Singletary but at the same time they had two golden opportunities and didn’t do it.
The window is open, and could open really wide with Colin, or close quickly if he gets hurt, and teams figure out the pistol.
fesnyc,
Are you aware that Bruce Miller was held by two Ravens, to the extent that he was lifted off his feet? Not lifted off his feet and dumped, but lifted off his feet and held in the air. Right out in the open. And guess what lane he was in perfect position to fill?
Look at that play again, especially from the end zone view with Jones running toward the camera. Then let me know if you think it was a ST breakdown, or that the Ravens got away with murder.
The Ravens got away with murder the whole game. Much like their defensive leader did back in 2000.
GR8,
that is the funniest thing I’ve read in two days.
I couldn’t resist. I was laughing when I read exgolfer’s las comment.
Steve and others missed the basic. This team was not at full player strength. Did we not forget that Manningham, Willams and Hunter were all injured and did not play. No one seems to remember that. With them there, it would have made a difference. Imagine the 90′s Superbowl team minus, Taylor, Jones, etc not starting. So yes there is a big upside to next year with the injured players coming back to compliment Kaepernick and Harbaugh quest to win the Superbowl.
I don’t think James sniffed the ball again after his fumble did he?
First play of that fateful 4 play stretch from the 7….
Jack,
do you thing the coaching staff should have used their time outs in that last sequence to go over play selection? And to give Gore a breather to have him back in?
I really wish they got that (I think it was 2nd down?) play off before they had to use a precious time out. It was a designed run for Kaep up the middle, and I think it would have worked, and we would have won the game…..but they couldn’t get the play off in time, and when they came back from the timeout the went with a pass.
Bay asked, “do you think the coaching staff should have used their time outs in that last sequence to go over play selection? And to give Gore a breather to have him back in?”
No Bay I don’t. They knew what they wanted to do, but Kaep didn’t get the snap off on the 3rd down play and once it got to 4th everyone watching the game knew what Baltimore would be doing.
I still think they should have had their short yardage personel in and either run it right at Lewis or fake and have Kaep or James run it to the ouside.
And yes TO should have been called to talk about the situation. It was do or die at that point anyway.
@Fesnyc I believe the 9er problems on D go beyond J.S. getting injured. I believe we need one more natural pass rusher and he could be a situational player
We also need a shut down corner. I think we have 2 safeties with the same skill set whitner is much cheaper so we can release Goldson saving alot of money and slip Culliver inside to safety which is his natural position.
Coach,
I agree. Goldson’s value is as an enforcer. Given the amount of lawsuits that are close to raining down on the NFL, Goldson’s style of play will slowly no longer be allowed.
Might as well save the money and start over. Lets be honest, Goldson’s knack for staring into the backfield hurt our defense throughout the playoffs.
Bay,
Didn’t you call me an idiot for saying that about Goldson last year?
For sure he called you a idiot, name calling is a guarantee with this guy, the Goldson thing who knows!
I believe we need to not play as much cover 2 which forces our ILB’s to cover TE’s and let a safety cover TE a safety like Culliver.
Lastly Fangio ca’nt rely so much on our pass rushers winning their 1 on 1 match ups. He needs to dial up some pressures like the Ravens did to us Sunday. I really think all these conversations regarding our offensive talent and play calling are just silly. Our O is outstanding they did’nt lose the SB our ST and D lost the game. IMHO
Old Coach once again, I agree wholeheartedly. Look at who’s laying blame on the QB. Enough said.
How can you say it was the D and special teams only? The Offense had a fumble. An interception on their side of the field? A penalty on the first play of the game? Dropped passes in the endzone and horrific execution and brain freezes when they had a chance to put all that bad play behind them to WIN THE GAME?
During that last drive, if it was any other QB besides CK, like — I dunno — ALEX SMITH — You would be posting all day about how he cost the Niners a chance at the 6th trophy.
Bay, another extreme? “Laying blame” only on the QB? No and I didn’t say that. You are the king of twist! You ripped everyone but the QB that played poorly that last series validated by GCosell and ST. AGAIN, I’m not *only* faulting the QB. Call it straight for once.
*SY*
During the Comeback, the D also forced a fumbled on the Ravens 25 yard line and didn’t even get a first down. That was to tie the game in the 3rd quarter. It was a team loss. They just weren’t good enough. Posers until they actually do it. They need to prove that they are the best team. CK has to prove he’s a top 5 QB by winning it all. He had a chance. Hopefully he gets another one.
@fansince77 no one is saying the O played a perfect game but they certainly played well enough to win. In fact there performace would have won our other 5 super bowls. My problem with our D does’nt start with their SB performance the problems I listed were either season long problems or at least the last 8 to 10 games.
OC, we get that and the gist of this banter is blaming everyone but the offense and the poor play in the last series from the 5 yd line.
Old coach.
Yeah the D started to fade, which can be for a lot of reasons. At the same time, they have – what — 6 Pro bowlers? They ran of juice toward the end. But at the same time, especially in the superbowl, the other team just made plays. Those were touch catches by Bolden. The only mental breakdown was on Culliver’s long pass, and as well as the sideline pass to Bolden where he got an extra 15 YAC yards.
It’s a team loss. I just don’t want to the team to get arrogant and think they are the better team. Because if they were they would have won.
They need to stay hungry and focused.
@Hof i understand that, I just believe our short comings on the defensive side of the ball are so glaring that we should’nt worry bout the O untill we make some major improvements on D. What happens in the last possesion will always seem like it was the most important moment of the game but take it from me once a coach looks unemotionally at the film he will pick out 10 moments that were more or equally important and i believe that most of those 10 moments came on the D side of the ball. imho
OC, I hear you but with 2 minutes on the clock and 2nd down at the 5 yd line behind by 5, what were you thinking? Loss?
@Hof
When Gore made that big run, I thought, “Holey Crap!’ The Niners are going to win despite it all. KAEP is DA MAN.
First down to LMJ, okay, I can live with that 2 yard gain. And then 2nd down roll-out, WTF? Why didn’t he run? And then the delay of game. I had a bad feeling.
After they changed the run play to a pass, where CK just locked on on Crabs who was short of the goal line and would have been tackled immediately, then when I felt they weren’t going to win. Suddenly all that swagger and momentum was lost.
If you were an objective viewer, and had to make a bet, you’d pick the experienced battle tested Ravens D over a phenom QB who has never been in at that moment. I don’t even play football or claim to be an expert and even I saw cover zero and when he threw that lollipop fade, I started trying to figure out how much time would be left when the Ravens punted for one last hail mary.
It was sloppy game all the way through so to expect perfect execution would defy the odds at the moment.
That’s what I thought — you???
Hof i was thinking win all the way because the O had been doing it all season but you want to know what i was truely worried about? please do’nt score too soon and put our D back on the field. I’m am not concerned at all about our O going foreward but I am very concerned about our D. I Where we differ is i’m still so sick about the loss i wa’nt to think about next year and thats where my concern about our D starts
OC, agree time to look to next year. I was just tired of hearing all of the blame game when even the outstanding young QB had his moments.
77fan, a day or two after the game I stated, “why did CK seem to only look at MC” – was he being influenced? Many wanted to blame the calls down there at the 5 on GR or JH. I didn’t think so due to the 2 play calls (run/pass) per down protocol. Tough loss.
It’s easy to pick a play here or a play there on offense, defense and special teams. But….in the big picture, it was our defense that cost us the Superbowl. Our offense scored 31 points and put up a ton of yards.
Kaepernick played pretty well, well enough to win. Defensive pass rush wasn’t great, run defense wasn’t great, and pass coverage wasn’t great.
Can’t disagree. But with all of that being true, they were still in the game at the end to win it with 2 minutes left.
“….with all of that being true, they were still in the game at the end to win it with 2 minutes left.”
Thx in large part to the QB.
“Thx in large part to the QB.”
Jack, yes the same one you gave up on in the 2nd qtr of the game.
Hofer,
I know you are getting old bro, but I gave up on the team during the 2nd quarter of the Super Bowl.
If you are referring to my Don Meredith, “Turn out the lights the party’s over” post that was a joke because well, the lights were turned out.
Nice try. Go eat some more salmon…
Jack, I’ve got quite a few years before retirement. You’re the retired one. BTW, the Salmon line was already used earlier by you and you know what they say about old fish. Good try though.
Jack, I was off by one qtr, it was in the 3rd qtr when you stated:
Jack Hammer says:
February 3, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Dandy Don Meredith was being channeled into the Superdome!
“Turn out the lights, the party’s over. All good things must come to an end…”
Hofer,
As I stated in my comment to which you responded, the lights had gone off, and it was meant as a joke…
@Hof,
You read that Sfgate article right? How he said next time he’s going to Crabs???
I don’t think he was influenced. He’s just young! I can’t blame KAEP for the loss. I often say he just didn’t win. It doesn’t matter what you do in the first 3 Quarters, or what you do between the 20′s. It’s what you do in the end zone.
Jim’s a great coach but it’s really on him, from the switch, not having the team focused and ready, throwing a tantrum over everything. It may be who he is which means the Niners may never win it. If you can’t beat an old a$$ Ravens team when you have the better team, then you don’t deserve it. Put it this way, do you think Belichik, or even his brother would have won the SB with the talent on this team?
77Fan, good read. I agree to a point. Players – both current and former will not blame the coaches but will instead state, “you have to execute”. That is true for the ST, defense, and the offense. It is very difficult to get back to a SB let alone win it. I thought JoHar would out coach JiHar in a close battle but thought the 9ers would pull it out and stated here before the SB. A tough loss but life goes on…
“I can’t blame KAEP for the loss. I often say he just didn’t win.”
That is exactly how I look at it, Fansince77. It was a team loss. Kaep had the chance to win the game, but he (and the rest of the offense) failed to execute. But, all phases of the game were problematic, and all contributed to the loss.
I will also say that, having watched Kaep for four years in college, I am quite certain that he knows he failed to win the Super Bowl and that will drive him next year. When he was QB at Nevada, the Wolf Pack lost to Boise State his first three years, even though in each game he led the Pack back to within striking distance of winning the game. With some help from Boise’s kicker, the Pack beat Boise State in 2010, after another amazing Kaep led comeback. Each of those losses fueled him, and when Boise gave him an opening to win the game in 2010, he got the job done. Yes, the kid makes mistakes, but he does not give up, and losing only makes him want to win more.
It’s a pleasure to listen to Young. Interestingly both Ronnie Lott (this morning on KNBR) and Young made the comment about the Niners not taking care of the small details.
Handing out blame to the coaches, O, D, and ST (and of course, the refs) really isn’t very useful. All of them share the blame. The defense got tired playing from over-playing the starters the entire season. The defensive scheme will have to modified if the D line cannot get adequate pressure on the QB next season.
Which QB led the highest scoring offense in the playoffs including SB?
Sorry i am too old fro political correctness. this game wa not lost by one bad call or bad eries. The offense Defense and special teams stunk. they were fortunate to make the game not a blow out. Watch the game, they were sloppy ill prepared and the Defense is no way a super bowl calibre. This falls on the coaches not preparing the team to execute. ( jimmy Johnson and Bill Walsh said its the team that doesnt make the mistake that executes under pressure that wins , not talent) Very embarrassing, this was the most ill prepared playoff team i’ve ever seen from the 49ers , but i’ve been only watching since they came to Kezar stadium. Wish Harbaugh would start acting more like his brother John.
Outside of a freak injury, I’m convinced Kaep will be a better player than Steven when it’s all said and done. He has the intellect, physical tools and mental make up to be a great one. Imo, Steve is way over-rated. One Superbowl with a super stacked team, big deal.
As Smith proved this year, your passer rating should come with an asterick if you run the WCO.
Everyone is so in love with Harbaugh and yet can’t follow his example in not comparing players. Especially when they played decades apart. It’s pointless and leads to name calling and drama.
Let’s stick to incendiary opinions like: Kaep had a job to do and failed in that last drive.
Don’t mention Alex, Joe, Steve Young, or Peyton, Eli or anyone else. Kaep was the only one on the field changing called plays and using blinders to focus entirely on Crabtree. Comparisons won’t absolve Kaep of his failures on that drive.
@Open this is sports we are discussing its not important its fun. Fans have been arguing who is the best since the dawn of competition. Ali or Marciano. Ruth or Mays..Secritariat or Citation. We just need to keep it in prespective. Its only our opinion and its all in fun.
CK should share the blame for the loss as should LMJ, Cully, VD, and why not throw in F.Gore for not having enough speed to take it to the house?
BTW, as a sidebar, last I looked CK did a pretty good job in bringing the team back from a significant deficit.
They needed to win it last year too!!!!
You could make a case that Steve Young *needed* to win the Super Bowl in 1991. After all, he was never going to be as mobile as he was then once he got older.
You could make a case that he failed three years running.
You could make a better case that the TEAM fell short, and got over the top in 1994 largely because the defense was better that year.
The best case you could make, is that 2013 will be a new and completely unrelated season, and that Baalke and Harbs need to do whatever it takes, player scouting, drafting and acquisition-wise, to get the supporting cast that gets this team over the top.
Sanders was the missing link to stop Irvin. You are correct in your assessment. The 49ers must be relentless in 2013 to achieve your talking points.
Whoooo, how about them niners? I bet Alex Smith was happy. Oh, and Darren is doing great. He gave thanks to God that cheaters never win.
If you are comparing the 3 without any knowledge of what they turned out to be, then I’d pick Kaep based on his physical gifts. Knowing what we all know about the 3 it’s Montana, hands down.
So i’ve been pissing and moaning all day about our defense and my 2 major complaints are Fangio related #1 he is way to vanilla in our pass rush schemes and #2 i absolutly hate the cover 2 because it forces our ILB to cover TE’s one on one does anyone else have a problem with Fangio?
I’m still moaning on why we replaced a QB while we were winning to one that cost us the Superbowl? Did Harbaugh turn into Norv Turner?
Troll alert fellas.
Why is Jordan not on 49er Holics where he belongs? I heard he was the expert at trolling. Anyway, who has it better then us?
The Ravens.
The Ravens.
The last weeks rallying call should have been… Who’s more bitter than us? NOBOOOODY!
Noooooooooooooooobody!
Maybe the 49ers need to focus on winning instead of dumb old sayings. Remember I want winners by Singletary?
Hello Loser how was fishing for the Raider nation!!!
You know with all this stuff about whether CK is better than Montana in his 2nd year, or how great CK looked and how the Defense sucked and the ST sucked, well guess what? The team lost when they had a chance to win it at with the Offense on the field with the “Windsor CK” under center and they LOST. Th QB didn’t make the play. That’s how this sport, and greatness is judged.
Players make plays. Clutch players especially make tough clutch plays.
There’s no point in name-calling anyone who is just bringing up the fact. It doesn’t meant Alex should have been QB, or is a better QB.
It simply means the QB on the field for that series in SB47, with the chips on the line, did not come through.
Any time of consolation conversations about how explosive the offense is or how dynamic or how many yards they gained is all loser talk.
Or let me say it like this — Coffee is for closers.
Sorry for typos, with this refresh — you gotta type fast! No time to spell check!
Fansince….. i find it easier to make a # of shorter posts and i tie them together by clicking on reply and replying to my own post
Here is what a troll and a non fan of the team writes. Think he’s a Niner fan or an Alex fan throwing little pokes at our franchise QB CK?
Fansince 77 says:
January 7, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Okay so I’m curious with the Alex Haters and the CK Lovers, and you know who you are:
We’re playing the Packers in round 1. Alex proved that he was able to beat them in the first game in the season. He actually played well: 20-26 2 TDs, and the team looked dominant.
Would you feel comfortable having Alex as the starter for this game, or would you prefer CK, but where we can’t be sure if he’s going to have a great game or a so-so game.
Or maybe you think a so-so CK is infinitely better that the best Alex can do — which happened to be enough in the first game.
Just curious — keep the hate to a minimum!!!
With all due respect; What’s the point?
There’s no controversy here, CK is the starter going forward and AS will be the starter somewhere next season.
No need to keep kicking a dead horse.
AES,
Yeah he’s cherry picking my posts. I said I was happy with CK moving forward. I like CK. Do I wish he made the play? Sure? It’s the double standard.
He’s just proving my point, which solely mine but others who thought the inexperience might not work out for us.
He’s pulling this stuff because he can’t answer the fact that CK didn’t deliver. It doesn’t mean he sucks. It only means he only had 10 starts.
The next step for our team is finding free agents/draft picks who can fill some needs and signing our own key free agents.
Damn refresh got me again. Sorry
AES, exactly.
Bay loses the debate which was CK played a part in the loss and now he’s changing directions with these little cut and paste twists. Ridiculous and childish.
Gee, this guy knows so much…. All he’s good at are backhanded jabs at our franchise QB…
Fansince 77 says:
December 27, 2012 at 10:08 am
In the Seattle game it was quickly 14-0, I think, and then they got the Patrick Willis INT and did nothing. 3 and out, and then the blocked FG happened and you just get the feeling at that point it wasn’t our night.
Smith of 2005-2010 would not have done better. Smith of 2011, maybe. Smith before the concussion was playing really well and that’s the frustrating part of the switch. He already played the Seattle D once and they adjusted after half-time. Nothing we can do about it now. That’s why this blog is here! Could’ve Would’ve Should’ve!!!!
CK has been put in an impossible situation and would have been great if he somehow played like he wasn’t making his 6th start. But truth is outside the Bear game, when they played without their leader Jay Cutler, CK has shown flashes of greatnesses, followed by unacceptable play for a SB contending team.
We have no idea what’s going to happen in the playoffs with his play, or if the team puts him back in the shell and the let the D and run offense carry them, or if they try to take more risks and expose him to more inconsistency.
Bay, what does this have to do with the fact that CK was PART of the loss? That was the point of the debate. You were wrong.
Got anything else besides being wrong about our franchise QB?
Fansince 77 says:
December 9, 2012 at 8:56 pm
I know people don’t want to hear it, and I’m not trying to bash CK. But coaching should be even lower because the Offense is not clicking. I’m not a Smither, but he was playing well and the offense had some consistency when he was in, starting with the AZ game, and then the last TD drive before his concussion.
While Kap’s TD run was great, it just reinforces that he may be a running QB.
I wrote that before the NE game. I also wrote that I was fine with CK for 2013.
I also wrote, if you keep looking, that my biggest issue was the inexperience and whether the D would get tired if they are on the field.
I also said I was fine with CK for 2013 and Alex could pack his bags.
Answer this:
Was Alex playing well before he was concussed?
Did CK make the play to win the Superbowl?
Did the Niners win the SB with CK at QB?
Did Alex make the play in the Saints game when he had the chance?
What else you got?
Oh right. Nothing. Besides the reason the Niners lost was because Ahmed Brooks was offsides in the first quarter and LMJ fumbled in the 2nd quarter.
“Did CK make the play to win the Superbowl?”
He failed to make the final play. It can also be argued that without CK they don’t come back to beat Atlanta to even be in the Super Bowl, or come from 22 down in the Super Bowl so that those final 4 plays were meaningful.
Jack, on the live blog you said numerous times that the game was over especially in the first half. Talking about clairvoyance much. :(
Your right Hofer, I did say that during the Atlanta game and have since said that I was an idiot for not believing in Kaepernick and Harbaugh.
During the Super Bowl I never made any such proclamation.
What’s your point?
The point is Jack you’re jumping in on this cut and paste nonsense not knowing any of the context. Why? Let Bay just roll around on the floor until he gets over his tantrum.
Hofer,
I know the context. I remember how after always being on the live game blogs you bailed for 3 weeks after the switch was made.
And I also find it funny how your bitter proclamation that Kaepernick would lead the team to the SB and he would be MVP came so close to reality.
Let the good times roll…the 49ers and Kaepernick’s futures are so bright, we all need to wear shades…
Jack, if you know the context why not respond to Bay’s comment I pasted below? You too believe everyone but CK is the reason for the loss? This has nothing to do with the future because that wasn’t the point of the debate or this transcript from SY. Bay din’t think CK was at fault for the last series of the game. Earlier in the week he only blamed the coaches for the play calls during that sequence. He was wrong.
“You too believe everyone but CK is the reason for the loss?”
I have stated on here many times since the end of the game that it was partly on Kaep at the end for not getting the snap off on the 3rd down play. I have also stated that I thought he should have thrown the ball to Walker when they did get the 3rd down play off.
I also believe that without Kaep they don’t even come back to make a game of it, because none of the other QB’s on the roster could make the explosive plays that he made.
Jack, that’s the point. No one disagrees with that comment you just made – we weren’t discussing or debating this with you. For some reason you joined in thinking this was a CK versus the backup debate – it was not. Bay twisted it that way. This all started when Bay only found fault for the loss with everyone but CK by only blaming the coaches. All we said was CK didn’t play well on that last series and Bay went all tantrum on us.
Steve Young’s career Postseason Passer Rating: 85.8.
Take away that one big Superbowl game and it’s 80.5
Not too impressive either way.
Just for reference, Alex Smith’s Career Regular Season Passer Rating = 79.1
@BayArea Illogical Crazy Person,
If you really want to know what I think of Alex, why don’t you ask Grant to pull up the blogs about going after Peyton Manning before he was released?
How I said I would make that deal? And let CK sit for a year behind a great QB, how Payton should come to the franchise that defines QB play?
I wrote about it, thought it was a cool idea. Only to find out Matt Maiccoo made the same suggestion his page.
You seem to have the time to dig up my posts. It’s way way way back in February, even before Harbaugh went to see him.
It’s the weekend! You have all the time in your cave to look for it!
It is actually quite amazing you have internet access in your cave.
There’s a reason Fangio is the caddy.
Fan77:
“He’s (Bay) pulling this stuff because he can’t answer the fact that CK didn’t deliver. It doesn’t mean he sucks. It only means he only had 10 starts.”
@Fan77
CK was one score away from becoming a Superbowl legend and acheiving the greatest comeback in SB history.
As far as I’m concerned, that’s eon’s away from even being in the neighborhood of ‘sucking.’
The game came down to one play that he did not complete. I would prefer to look at his body of work leading up to that one play. And it wasn’t all that bad.
Greater/elite QB’ had have worse SB games then CK, so I won’t throw him under the bus for ‘one’ failed play.
*have had
AES,
It’s just fun to see @BayArea_Fandude get his panties all bunched up over any little comment about CK.
CK played okay first half (He really looked shaky after the INT and almost had a 2nd for a Pick 6). But he settled down and play great. But ultimately he was put in a situation he hasn’t been in before and that cost the the team.
We will never know if Alex could have done better or would have led this team to the SB.
Like you said, it doesn’t matter. He’s going to a different team and CK gets a full season to take the team back to the big dance.
If ALex Smith fails, should he blame Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers?
Kaep beats Brady in New England and this is what this yahoo has to say…
Fansince 77 says:
December 17, 2012 at 12:31 am
He didn’t outplay Brady. Are you crazy? He only threw 25 times for 200 yards. Brady led the team back from 28 down!
Kap played well and made some nice throws, but he made a horrible throw for the INT. Should have had a few others too.
bay please stop or we can all go cherry pick your comments…
Like this one..
bayareafanatic says:
November 19, 2012 at 10:14 am
I don’t know what CK will do tonight. I don’t like him playing in this game. The Bears can bring just 4 and drop lots back into coverage. Gonna present problems for an inexperienced backup.
I for one don’t think there should be a controversy. I think this year is Smith’s and next year is CK’s”
??? So. I wanted him brought along traditionally. Also I’ve gone on record that I didn’t like how the switch was made. But it was and now we have a bad ass franchise QB. So what?
You are missing the point….
The comments were made in a certain context..
I guess I can go back and give more of your more mature comments.
Bay –
You’re right. I stand corrected. Even though Brady through for almost 400 yards and led the team back to tie the game, he ultimately lost. He was not good enough that day, so yeah, CK outplayed him because he won.
He also had a brain fart, he had the ball in his hands on 4th down and made a dumb pass.
He’s won 3 rings and is a first ballot hall of fame QB.
Colin brain farted in his 10th start.
And somehow you are okay with this. When your team, our team, had a chance to hoist a 6th Lombardi trophy.
Why does your franchise QB get a free pass for not coming through?
Note to Coach Jim Harbaw:
At the next family gathering, be prepared to focus on the interests of others. No more comments about the Super Bowl. Win or lose – it is history. Many other topics in the lives of your wife and children will now become relevant. Pay attention, willya?
I think Steve is right, defensive coordinators now have 6 months (all off-season) to figure out how to defend the pistol, it won’t be nearly as effective in 2013. Although the 49ers will have a shot at getting back to the SB next year, there are clearly some very good teams in the NFC. It will be tough enough to win the NFC West next year. 49ers are solid, but the odds are heavily stacked against them making it back to the SB, out of the last 12 years there have been 11 different NFC representatives at the SB, just shows how much parity in today’s NFL.
I would and guess what? A Kaep led team beat them….
Fansince 77 says:
December 30, 2012 at 9:46 pm
I would not count out Aaron Rodgers in the Playoffs.
Bay, there isn’t enough time or room on the PD server to post every comment you were wrong about over the years. Grow up!!
It’s getting kinda funny! I think wrote that when the season wasn’t even over! I think they were playing the Vikings.
I will wouldn’t count out Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs. Nor would I count out Tom Brady. Payton Manning, who I wanted back in Feb 2012, is another issue….
Everyone just needs to calm the frick down.
We have a great team. The best in the NFL personnel-wise. The window has not closed.
We have a big time QB who can stand in the pocket and fire all day. No need to run. His running ability is just a bonus.
As for free agency and personnel decisions- let me just say that every damn team out there has to make some tough decisions and we’re in a much better spot than my of them right now, so I’m not at all worried.
Let’s ride this wave. If you could objectively stand back and pick one team who would be favored to take a Super Bowl next year, every one of you and your redneck cousins in Alabama would take the 49ers.
We’re that good, have few weaknesses, and even if we don’t change a thing we’re still as good if not better than any team out there.
Enjoy!
See what I mean….
Hoferfan67 says:
November 20, 2012 at 6:22 pm
AS should at least know where he stands with JH. He was thrown under the bus and JH will deny it. AS needs to speak his mind he has nothing to lose.
Bay, your immaturity usually takes over any debate.
I mentioned that with all of the blaming you were laying out for the SB loss, you didn’t mention CK. GCosell and SY did mention his deficiencies during the game which you wished to ignore for some reason.
Now all you have to debate with is cut and paste. SMH
Almost predicted this one correctly. He was one pass short of it. Bitter much?
Hoferfan67 says:
November 20, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Under,
JH made his play so he should live with it. Play CK the rest of the year period. Why not? I’m sure he will play every game each and every week the way he did last night. There is no defense that will adjust and CK will just stroll into SB as the MVP
Hofer almost showed that he is clairvoyant with that post : )
Bay,
You love to twist things around. What I said was (that put you into a tizzy) with all of the blame you were throwing around (ST, coaches, defense), CK is included and does not get a pass. I didn’t say he gets the majority of the blame or is the only blame.
As long as you’re cutting and pasting you missed this one:
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.
I think if CK performs average to above average it will give the coaching staff confidence and will play into the competition in training camp 2013.
I also think that if CK is terrible, it might lead the organization to draft a QB next year as an insurance policy in case CK doesn’t develop.
Hof,
Who is the BayArea guy? He is the man of mystery.
We actually agree! I was not a fan of the switch either!
Real knowledgeable right? Flip flop much? This guy is just on here to troll.
Fansince 77 says:
January 4, 2013 at 1:43 pm
It’s all about match-ups and Seattle is a horrible matchup for the current Niners of 2012.
I would love to beat-up on Peyton Manning, but I’m not on board with the CK train. I don’t hate him and I want him to do well. But it’s way too soon to say he is the QB of the future. He’s the future because we have Harbaugh. CK has talent and seems coachable, but he’s made some bad mistakes, some great throws but also some really bonehead bad throws.
Who cares? That comment doesn’t have anything to do with this blog article does it??
Every post you pull shows that I was rooting for the team. That I am not a Smither. Did you find the one in 2012, when I said we should go get Payton Manning.
Do you even read what you’re pulling from the past?
Do I say anything that he sucks?
I wasn’t on board the train. But in the playoffs I rooted for the team and after two great playoff wins, it was looking good. And then –
poof! Back to square one.
Did Colin win the SB? Did his inexperience in a crucial moment play a role in why do not have a 6th trophy?? No and Yes.
In 77, Joe Thomas was the GM. Jim Plunkett was the QB. I think Monte Clark was the coach. We even had O.J. Simpson.
Before that we had Steve Spurrier. Before that, John Brodie.
We had a great reciever, #18 Gene Washington.
I’m sorry if I can’t remember more. I was only a kid.
I couldn’t watch the games because my sisters had piano lessons so I listen to Lon Simmons on KSFO 560.
We also had a great RB Paul Hofer. Number 36.
Yeah. I’m a troll…….
boring
More flip flopping. Showing a pattern here…
Fansince 77 says:
December 6, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Jor,
While it may not be his style, it also starts to come out as nothing but hot air.
I would respect if he just said CK is a young player. He didn’t make the play.
I’m not even made at CK. He’s human.
I’m starting to lose faith in the coaching staff.
Maybe that’s not a popular thing to say, but we all anointed JH as a genius for getting the most out of the same players, especially Alex. But the offense doesn’t look that much better with a better athlete under center. This looks like the same Jimmy Raye offense of Gore up the gut.
It’s like since 2005, the same pattern is Alex starts then gets benched, then comes back in. And the team relies on FG way too much so that he can’t make it through a season.
Fact of the matter is that CK is the future. He played very well leading up to the super bo www l and even when he made mistakes, he managed to make up for tgem and we ended up winning those games. Yes, our defense really let us down along with the special teams by giving up those big plays.
However, Kap played in this game like a 10 game
future superstar. He made some nice plays but he made a lot of little mistakes. He missed at least 5-6 open receivers and he sailed a couple of balls as well. I begged the kid to use his legs late in the game and he continued to target crabtree. He will be better for it but his inexperience finally got the better of him. Our defense and special teams didnt exactly help us.
Jord, I am very proud of CK! He will learn from this season and improve. After such amazing performances we forgot he was a rookie with 9 to 10 games of real NFL experience. Ck played good enough for us to win but we just did not get the calls and our defense allowed to many points to win the big game! Think about it we were 5 yards away from the 6th Superbowl!!! GO NINERS
Chicago,
Agree 100% with everything you said. We’ll get it next year. A playmaker in tge secondary and one at wideout, and a kicker and were good.
So fan…. He got to the promise land and that was the bar you set. So according to how you felt when you wrote this on Cohn Zone, the move was a success right?
Fansince 77
I got nothing against KAP. He’s a fine man. I am not a Smith lover. I always felt this switch, in the way it was done at the time it was done, was going to test KAP mentally off the field when things go bad. He’s been put in an enormous amount of pressure, in the most unique of circumstances. Sure, this is when players step and rise to the occassion, but it can also scar them.
You can tell KAP cares about the the team, and wants to do well, but if they don’t get to the SB, all fingers point to him, regardless if he deserves it or not, even thought it’s a team game.
Like Lowell, said, he’s the quarterback. It goes with the territory.
Yup! You keep proving my point and you don’t even know it!
Fan77,
You say you like CK but clearly, you wish Smith was still the QB. However, AS is over, here in SF. We’ll see what hes made of next year somewhere else. CK is our qb. He played well in the super bowl but not well enough. Show me the post where you said that his inexperience was the reason you were against the switch. I dont remember reading that.
Hey 23 Jor,
We went back and forth on this beefore Xmas. There is a karma aspect of Alex getting to play the SB but like I told you, I was not a Smither.
I think I mentioned to you I thought the switch was disruptive. I may have mentioned that only starting so few games would come into play but it really doesn’t matter.
I’m not claiming that I was right or anything.
I’m happy that CK is going to get the full season to be the QB and Smith goes off to wherever and start over.
I probably won’t follow Alex as a player because he’s not a Niner anymore but I hope he does well.
What really impresses me about CK is his work ethic and desire to become great! I loved it when CK told the media he is going to start training in one week with some of his teammates!
Agree, it shows he’s got a good heart. Good sense…maybe not so much. Get your batteries recharged, Kaep; next season will be a long one.
I know Grant is Jewish, but it was cool when he gave us this Christmas present.
Prime Time says:
December 26, 2012 at 10:50 am
Prime Time says:
December 26, 2012 at 10:52 am
Prime Time says:
December 26, 2012 at 10:53 am
Prime Time says:
December 26, 2012 at 10:53 am
Prime Time says:
December 26, 2012 at 10:55 am
The prime censored for a week gift
Really? How bitter are you? Why don’t you throw another tantrum and call names?
I would take the night off Bay, your under more scrutiny than a Hail Mary Kap throw to win a SB!
Fan,
you rip on the coach, you rip on the QB. Are you really a fan? If so, of what team? This was from cohn zone
Fansince 77
CZ,
Harbaugh gets paid 5 million dollars a year and it’s his job as coach to know and manage all these details. Why was Jenkins not activated against Jenkins. Yeah, why activate Tolzien? If Ck gets hurt, Harbaugh doesn’t want Smith to play because he might have the hot hand?
We were so fast to annoint Harbaugh as a great coach. This year all his moves have been questionable.
While the Niners are play-off bound, they also have a talented roster, except for WR and QB it seems.
CZ rips on Harbaugh all the time!
Bay why you waste your time responding to anyone that does not like our coach or the QB let the move on and cheer for the raiders. GO NINERS
Chicago9er,
I lived in Dallas in 93 and had to endure watching the Niners lose to Dallas. In 94 I moved to Chicago and watched the Niners at all those Sports bard on Sheffield. The Mooch era.
Just because i disagree with the coach doesn’t mean I’m not a fan. Just because I wish our young QB would have defied the odds and didn’t come crashing back down to Earth doesn’t mean I don’t think he has huge potential.
In fact, every post Bay makes of my past comments is the only thing he has to delude himself that Colin didn’t get it done.
Chi why can’t fans throw around a little criticism towards the coach and QB? They both made some costly errors in the final game. Lets not pretend that the 49ers are untouchable. In fact now teams know how to beat us and its very simple. You punch the once big bully right in the chops and don’t let up. SEA did it and BAL too.
Lets be honest here. If the lights don’t go out in the SB, we lose by 30. BAL had all the momentum, CK was rattled and JH had no answers!
Another rocket scientist….. You should start a home psychic business.
Coffee’s for closers says:
November 22, 2012 at 10:00 am
How many QB’s in the history of the NFL have been benched after achieving the following stats:
Smith ranks first in the NFL in completion percentage (70.0), third in the NFL in passer rating (104.1), third in average gain per attempt (7.98 yards), and fifth in touchdown and interception percentages. He is eighth in the league in third-down passing with a 94.5 rating.
I’ll save you the time: NONE.
Good luck Harbaugh, ask Nolan how well it worked out when he tried to bench Smith after his injury…
Smith was benched by three different coaching staffs for a reason. He’s Steve DeBerg 2.0
Yes he was and this blog article is about CK not the backup.
You said it, so it must be so. Harbaugh is a genious….
Adam says:
November 22, 2012 at 11:56 am
Actually we need to back up. I’m not thoroughly convinced all of this IS what it is. Ratto is extrapolating an idea here that CK goes the rest of the way.
This may be nothing more than it’s taking too long to evaluate Smith in a short week (made shorter by a Holiday) and somebody has to put on the pads and actually play the damned game.
But Ratto’s “theory” I buy. IF this is the clean break and they’re running here on out with CK and it flops? There will be hell to pay. If it succeeds, Harbs is a genius (weird disingenuous version). But it is a huge risk to take with a winning record, winning QB, etc.
We’ll have to see.
Bay, why are you posting these old comments? You were clearly wrong regarding the last series of the game by only blaming the coaches. Admit it and move on.
Duper and Clayton and no ficken leggs!
Does anyone on this blog realize how many great QBs have lost Super Bowls?
Bob Griese, Dolphins
Roger Staubach, Cowboys
Joe Theismann, Redskins
John Elway, Broncos
Peyton Manning, Colts
Brett Favre, Packers
Kurt Warner, Rams & Cadinals
Tom Brady, Patriots
I’m sure there are more but this is all I can think of right now.
All these guys won Super Bowls as well.
We now have one of the future greats on a great team that will be back in the big game.
Let’s just get over it and look forward to next season.
I am so over this game, tired of talking or reading about it, that is why I am not posting much on here lately, excited about the Sharks right now, went to the Fan Fest yesterday at the tank for Season ticket holders, had a great time talking to the players and getting autographs for my 14 year old.
Neal, you been a hockey fan long? I was an Oiler fan since 81 but this lockout was the last straw. Done with hockey for this “season” for sure and will reevaluate in the summer. Bettman is the worst comissioner in sports.
I agree with everything you said Sean, I was big hockey fan growing up in New York and watching the Rangers and the Islanders back in the 80′s. I stop watching it for a while but the last 5 years I have been really into the Sharks, usually go to 10 games a year, my buddy is a season ticket holder, and got to see the boys yesterday, it was fun talking with them and getting autographs with my younger son. I am reading Chicken Soup of the sole, hooked on hockey right now, it is a fun book.
” soul”
You didn’t mention Dan Marino because he lost and never made it back. I think that’s the conversation for now: Will Colin get another chance? It was 18 years between SB appearances. Steve Young never made it back. There are no guarantees.
Exactly Fan. Some think the 10 games played by CK almost certainly gets us back to the SB. Reality is you never do, not the following year at least. SB hang over is real. It starts with our division. SEA is a playoff team. The Rams fleeced the Skins and have 2 first round picks and play us tougher than anyone.
Add the fact the pistol is now known and a blueprint of how to beat, with a QB who is being labelled as one stick and throw, it will be very difficult to get that far again.
Now who knows, maye this team learnt a valuable lesson and will be hungry as ever. But as history has shown, it’s not good.
I really dig your positive takes Prime : )
After the switch was made you went on and on about how CK was going to wet the bed, our SB hopes were ruined, yada yada yada.
Now this. Sit back and enjoy the ride…
Prime Time,
If you put Colin back on those sorry ass 2005-2007 Niners, do you think he takes the team to the SB?
So all you can take from this is the guys who never made it back? i can find allot of them and many of them were considered great QBs as well.
Wow! All Dan Marino had was a fairly strong arm, a quick release and Dupe and Clayton.
This team has so much more going for it.
Look at the big picture.
The 9ers have a great team and the potential to make it even greater.
Get over it. They will be back several times.
Mark this and talk to me again next year.
Sorry replied to wrong post.
Duper and Clayton and no ficken QB leggs!
.
This guys a Smither too….
Coffee’s for closers says:
December 10, 2012 at 10:02 am
Jack c’mon now. What is easier to do, have a higher percentage with a smaller sample or a larger one when talking about win percentage? Alex having played 8 games already with a .750 win percentage carries more weight then Colin having a .750 percentage with less games.
I brought up win percentage simply to show that we already had a winning QB and there was no need to make a switch.
Show one of my old comments next Bay! You’re slipping into some DS crazy territory man. Kaep is the man going forward and he seems like this loss will make him stronger. A team loss as all losses are.
Wrong Grant. He’s the best one….
Grant Cohn says:
March 15, 2012 at 10:47 am
They’re desperate, and I’ve heard a lot of people say Kaepernick would be the third best QB in this draft.
Yes… He does Hofer…
Hoferfan67 says:
March 15, 2012 at 10:50 am
Does CK really match up to JH offensive philosophy?
Yes and we’re a QB away from the playoffs, NFCCG, and the SB remember. What’s your point? Did you forget the topic was about CK?
I was smart. Even back then…
bayareafanatic says:
March 15, 2012 at 10:55 am
Hofer,
I just got a text from Pat Devlin, he said yes CK is JH’s type of QB.
Yup, PDev is a backup on the Dolphs and what exactly does that have to do with this blog transcript regarding CK??
I told BayArea_Fanatic that back in February 2012 I posted that the Niners should go get Payton Manning. His only argument against me is that I’m a troll and that I’m a Smither, so I think he’s looking for that comment in the old posts.
Thankfully Grant responded to my comment, saying he wouldn’t take Payton because of the neck surgeries.
Someone one else commented that they wouldn’t take Payton because he sucks in the playoffs. Which turns out to be true.
He’s back to March 2012. He’s close!
I admire @Bay’s perserverance.
77Fan, I didn’t want PM. I wanted home grown and believe the 9ers have gone in the right direction with CK running the team, He is you and now entrenched to run the team for the next 10+ years. PM on the other hand lost his playoff game and may be in DEN for 1-2 more years and then they need to start all over looking for a franchise QB which is never an easy task. It could take them years.
*running the team. He is young and now entrenched*
Hofe – Concur bro, good post.
Hof,
Well at the time I wanted Peyton….
Crab, thanks. Hope your having a good TGIF. Do you practice with your team tomorrow (or Sunday?).
*you’re*
damn maybe I just say UR! lol
77Fan, many wanted that band-aid approach. I just believe in young and home grown. SY changed that a bit but he was younger than PM. It all worked out.
Hofe – I’m seriously at a high school “Beauty and the Beast” play. Wife dragged me here, starts any minute. BB practice tomorrow Hofe.
Crab, been there done that! UUggghhh! Some aren’t bad and I’ve enjoyed seeing the kids do well. lol
77Fan – It’s Peyton! Get it right.
LOL
Oops! Thanks!
This one made me giggle. Can anyone guess who Grant was talking to?
Grant Cohn says:
March 19, 2012 at 11:33 am
I do a fine job policing this site. If you you have a problem with me, please post somewhere else.
This young man deserves a prize. He knew before anyone….
Grant Cohn says:
March 19, 2012 at 11:03 am
Smith caught lightning in a bottle last season. I don’t believe he’ll improve much. Kaepernick is improving rapidly. The schedule is tougher next season. I say go with Kaepernick.
I’m not a Smith Lover but you are clearly a Smith Hater.
He didn’t catch lightning in a bottle. He was having his best season and a top rated passer, an Offensive Player of the week.
Hate all you want, he was playing better than last year and Harbaugh called last year’s level of play, elite.
If he didn’t get concussed, he would still be the starter.
During the preseason there was talk of how Josh Johnson was the number 2. Some people on this blog even wanted Scott Tolzien.
Why don’t you go phishing for those posts?
Hofe – Do you think this Niner team is too clean? Do we need a villain or two on defense? You probably know what I mean Hofe.
Crab, possibly. More than anything JH needs to act like he’s in control and I’m not talking about during practice. On the sidelines he needs to act like he knows they will win. It may be impossible for him to keep his emotions out of it but I fear the team may never be loose enough for the BIG GAME. For more of a take on this, see SY’s comments in the transcript GC was kind enough to provide above.
Regarding your question, if the 9ers package a pick or two and come away with a four top picks – a DB, DT, DE, and WR, it will be a good draft. A bbbaaaadddd dude may not hurt!
Hofe – Always good to read your thoughts. Great draft/trade ideas bro.
SY has been getting on my nerves since Kap took over. I have nothing good to say about SY so I will keep my mouth shut. B and B play delayed (technical problems)! Lol
Wow. Very Nostradomus like…
Grant Cohn says:
March 19, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Come back to the Niners so they can turn their back on him for a fourth time in the near future when they turn the team over to Kaepernick? Tannehill would at least take longer to develop than Kaepernick, who’s already a year into the development process.
Sounding like a proud family member sheesh…
Hoferfan67 says:
March 19, 2012 at 5:46 pm
The deal is imminent…maybe a raise!?? Doesn’t sound like JH is all in with CK. Hmm.
Bay, not done yet eh? What does the backup have to do with the CK related transcript above? IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT’S YOUR POINT! Enjoy trolling today or WHAT?
Sorry, I may have been out of line. I know the anti Smithers are as bad as the CK7 lovers. but I do think inspite of everything we might actually be headed in the right direction.
I look forward to many visits to the SB win or lose.
Obviously as a 9ers fan I hope win.
Here ya go BAY!
WHY THE NINERS MUST SIGN PEYTON MANNING – 3/19
Fansince77 says: March 17, 2012 at 10:53 am You sign Payton for all the reasons I stated a while back after Niners lost in Title Game. And Grant says it best. Most watched team. Dynamic coach. Almost went to the dance IN THEIR FIRST YEAR! Turned around a losing franchise and lands the hottest FA even if he is 36. I don’t even like PM that much but have to respect that his is first ballot HOF. Dude is a gamer. Enough said. And he’s smart. He has intangibles that we are all still waiting for AS to show. I like AS. I root for him and will root for whatever team he plays for. But this is business and PM makes Niners SB favorites. Even if he sucks, then we have CK. You roll the dice, cut your ties with AS. And they can put this on AS because he didn’t accept the deal. That is genius!!!!! Harbaugh is smart and competitive! He’s thinking, I would have beatend my brother with 60% of PM, and would crush Eli with 20% of PM. (Two dumb ass fumbles from the SB, which may have been irrelevant if AS could have moved the ball or taken some chances with some throws) Bring on the future!
—-
I spelled his name wrong back then too. I also didn’t question Harbaugh….
Too Old !!!
And, too slow!!!
Wait, am I really relpying to this idiot/
Now I feel stupid.
WTF are you thinking? Is this one of those Trolls?
Gr8lake!
I’m just responding to Bay who keeps calling me a Smither!
Can’t we all just get along?
I think BayArea Fanatic went to bed. So I’ll say it now — I like the dude. He’s got his passion and you can’t coach passion!
I thnk I can but logick seems to have gone out the window.
logic sory.
It’s really sad that fans of Smith are no longer 49er fans it seems and it’s easy to use ‘troll’ like it’s easy to use ‘racist’ for those that don’t like Obama. I got an Alex Smith shirt, but I’ll probably be called a Smither. I’m just happy that CHEATERS NEVER WIN as Ray’s God saw to that it seems. There is no trolling when there’s nothing finer then being a niner with an opinion full of honesty.
Sorry, I may have been out of line. I know the anti Smithers are as bad as the CK7 lovers. but I do think inspite of everything we might actually be headed in the right direction.
I look forward to many visits to the SB win or lose.
Obviously as a 9ers fan I hope we win.
I’m moving on from the ‘Smith/CK’ comparisons and hope CK is a good QB. I am sick of games where our QB is not allowed to pass or to lead. I want to see better numbers: If CK can throw numbers in college, he better throw them in the NFL. 10,000 yards is chicken feed for the NFL is 16 weeks long, and 3 additional weeks can and should net him 1000 extra yards. It’s time as 49ers fans to move on. As a fan I want us to win too. It’s tough luck for Smith, but this is better for him as he should earn that ring himself on his new team. I hope to God it’s not KC, Jax, or Cle. Those are bad teams, and NY Jets and Phil got bad media.
Sorry, I liked Alex too but business is business.
BTW, SY couldn’t enen hit the slant until his second year as a starter.
CK is light years ahead of SY.
even, damn fingers
If Alex Smith goes to another team and he throws better numbers then he threw when he was a 49er, chances are, Harbaugh was holding him back. If Smith finishes a year with 4500 yards and CK only gets 3800 yards, one of them was being held back.
It may be a business, but it’s dirty. It makes what was done to Old Yeller a crying shame.
I wouldn’t use the term Smithers but unfortunately Smith was not good in the clutch. Check 3rd down stats. Check YPG. As much as I wanted him to succeed, he just couldn’t put up the numbers. How many 200+ games did Alex put up? even his best year, last year, It seemed 200+ was out of his reach. Don’t blame offensive schemes. It was his inability to hit receivers. He only got better percentage wise by throwing out of bounds vs getting INT.
Just not enough upside to AS. I wish it weren’t so but it it true.
Maybe near the end of his career with another team he will shine but not now and not with the 9ers.
CK is franchise QB and no looking back.
If you are a true 9ers fan and not just a Smith lover, you will see that this was the right move.
Good luck and GO NINERS!!!
I still feel benching Smith is the reason why we lost the Superbowl for you don’t bring karma onto the team. Remember the spygate with NE, they lost because they invited bad karma, and then we had distractions and a few injuries. I’m not going to get on the refs because for what was missed on Crabtree, look at the way he nearly got us offensive pass interfence and look at how we were holding the Ravens. To win a game like that would’ve been cheating.
But I’m done with the comparisons. I however will not ever throw away my ALex Smith jersey as I will wear it proud. I don’t care CK is the future, as far as I’m concerned, number 11 is still a great man that was wronged by this team and wronged by our coaching. I hope Smith is like CHarles Haley, another man we sold out to and he wins a Superbowl like Haley did.
I stongly feel Smith is going to put up numbers. But if he’s on a wrong team, he’s screwed. I still feel CK stole the job as he should’ve been the week 1 starter and Harbaugh should’ve been honest with Smith. It’s a bad pill to swallow, but losing the Superbowl offsets everything so I’m ready for a new year. I hope CK fixes his mistakes.
Hello49er says ” I hope Smith is like CHarles Haley, another man we sold out to and he wins a Superbowl like Haley did.”
This statement alone shows what an incredible idiot you are.
Look, I may be new to this blog but I have been a 9ers fan since 76.
Steve Young has allot of nerve talking out his arss. He lucked into a great team and only won one Super Bowl. He couldn’t even get past inteception prone Brett. To say that this might have been CKs best or only chance to win a Super Bowl?? Well you just have to consider the sourse.
I kind of agree with you on that, Steve Young should have won at least two Super Bowls, not all on him, time will tell if this will be CK only chance to win the big one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlIq_kYuhI0
Great video of Jim Harbaugh in action during his tirades and also, anybody notice the pistacio commercial? They were playing Jim Harbaugh’s video while that guy was singing!
Obviously made by a Ravens fan.
I’ll take an amped up Jim over a washed up John/Ravens team next year or any day.
Actually, the video I believe was made by Seattle fans:
Mitch in the Morning
Produced by Mark Kroschel.
KJR 950 is a Seattle radio station, and it’s not uncommon for talk radio to have song paradies, like Rush Limbaugh in his making fun of Obama.
It poppped up after the Seattle 42 to 13 win.
Guys, expressing our opinion on this blog is the reason we love to be here! I have no issue with any kind of criticism of a single player or coach however there was a time on this blog that no one could make any comments about Alex Smith or they would have been labeled a Hater! On the other hand it was a free for all to talk sh*t about any other player such as Crabtree, CK, VD or even Frank! As you probably know I have always been a Niner fan and not just a single player groupie! I like Alex and wanted him to be great for this team unlike so many others. So forgive me for being frustrated after the superbowl lost. I am just tired of hearing negativity about a rookie QB that led us to the superbowl and was 5 yards short of becoming the MVP of the game. Should the coach and the team be blamed for the lost, of course! But lets be realistic this lost was so much more than CK choking on the big stage! Our defense was a no show and our front line got pushed around! Our special team gave up a big score as well! So it was a complete team lost, therefore most of the blame should be on the coaching staff!!!
Finally a guy with no agenda. Nicely said Chicago…
chicago,
We are all frustrated by this loss , but the game is played by the players between the lines. These guys have been playing since Sep. Every one shares in this loss but its the players how have to make it work and they failed !
Chicago, good read.
The point of all of this debate was directly related to the blog article transcript. It was a TEAM loss and that was the point. CK made mistakes such as the INT, reads, and the last series of the game as validated by GCosell and SY. Some wished to ignore CK’s mistakes and blame everyone else including the coaches. During the debate they even tried to add the backup into the discussion which was never ever the point of this debate. The coaches? Yes they were part of the TEAM loss. But the players will say they didn’t execute.
Hofer,
Chicago is actually pointing out people like YOU in his post. So I find it mildly amusing that you complimented it.
I agree Chicago, but it is just not healthy and cry over spilled milk, their is nothing else to say or do, I am going to be mostly off here until the draft.
Well it’s over and there is nothing we can do except moving on! However I am still feeling crushed and sore for watching our team lose a game they could have won. Anyway, I do NOT disagree with the comment that the players including CK did not execute well in this game on the same note it did not appear the coaching staff had the team prepared for some of the blunt holdings and blitz either!!! I love Coach Jim H despite losing the game and hope to see major improvements for our offense in the next season. GO NINERS
Nobody is going to know how Smith would’ve done because he got benched. Then we had the injury issue. The moment J Smith was hurt, it offset the defense by plenty. It’s like when Ray Lewis got hurt and obviously his playing hurt offset Bal’s defense to a degree, but their secondary played a lot better then our secondary and had some key plays, like the LMJ fumble and then the pick. Harbaugh’s coaching antics hurt the team in the way he screamed and raved on the sideline and that to me, his fits of anger made him call bad plays. However, I’m not against what he did in passing, but calling plays to just Crabtree was the reason why we went 4 and out. CK has to throw to other players. Peyton, Brady, Favre, AIkman, Warner, Montana, Young, Manning, and even Flacco threw to other players. It’s a bitter lesson at the end, but Montana was not just Montana to Rice.
What happened in the game to me was two teams played, one wanted to win more. Let’s stop guessing on the refs. Let’s stop talking about the debate on Smith as obviously, nothing more to be said. He’s gone, by way or by trade, though personally, rather see the man be released rather then sold off to a lousy AFC team.
Bal won as a team and we lost as a team. A team wanted to win more and a team was better coached.
Id rather see him sold to the highest bidder no matter who that team is. Who cares where he plays?
I agree. This team was unprepared for the moment. The coaching staff whiffed. Hopefully Ault is added in some capacity and the rest of the staff ups their game. I think Ault could be the steady calm in Harbaughs’ emotional storm.
Once again Razor I agree -Ault to our team would be fantastic!
+1
Razor,
I would love to see Ault added to our team! We can only benefit to have another offensive mind working with GRO and CK
Ault;Duke Williams-S and Stefphon Jefferson RB from Nevada as well!
If you want a replacement for Whitner, Vaccaro would be the guy, from Texas.
I have no issues with Harbaugh’s antics on the sideline.
One person’s interpretation of antics is another person’s interpretation of tatical.
This is Harbaugh’s MO and unless his medical team forces him to change he will continue to be fiery on the sidelines.
I also don’t believe tha his actions on the sidelines has worked to the detriment of the team.
Has team is well aware that Harbaugh is going to do whatever it takes to produce wins. Whether it’s his low-key protective press conferences, or actions on the sidelines, his team knows their coach is a compulsive competitor who will fight for every call.
I would much much rather have a coach who exudes competitive behavior on the sidelines than a passive one (Jason Garret, Cowboys) who is a total stiff on the sidelines.
Xavier Rhodes CB Florida St
A little perspective! I feel a little better now!
http://www.49erswebzone.com/commentary/1085-out-pain-saving-grace/
Rewatching Super Bowl XLVII, and came away wondering why the Forty Niners didn’t use Colin Kaepernick and the read option more, especially in the red zone. I’m surprised the 49ers didn’t do more of it. They had a lot of three-back and a lot of handoffs, but not really the spread-you-out zone read option.
It’s funny how people are defending CK and privately blaming Alex Smith for the superbowl loss.
Idiot troll Darren ^^^^^^^^, please take out tge trash grant.
Watched the NFL Network “Sound Effects” of the SB.
I found it interesting that Crabtree was trying to fire up R.Moss on the sidelines. Crabtree told Moss something to the effect that “This is the Superbowl.”
My thinking is that R.Moss should have been the positive vocal force on the sidelines because of his experience and status.
I doubt that Moss will be back next season and that’s ok with me.
Maybe Moss was a positive presence throughout the season, but he was a ‘stiff” on the sidelines in the Superbowl.
We are a couple of players away from going back to the SB and winning it.
One is another WR who could compliment Crabtree, and another is a better coverage DB or Safety that would put us over the top.
AES well said. They need a WR or TE with height that attacks the ball. A 6’4″ or 6’5″ guy that can be a target for a high RZ pass that the DB can reach to defend. A Gronk type guy.
*can’t reach to defend*
Strange, isn’t it Hofe? That we are still talking about strengthening our RZ.
Although there was a marginal improvement with CK as QB in the RZ, we could not deliver when it mattered in the SB.
CK’ stubborn intent to get the ball to Crabtree on the final series was at least IMO, one of the reasons why we lost this game.
Trusting another WR in this situation could be the winning formula for our team going forward.
AES, yup. It was marginally better do to the threat of a QB run not pass. They need to fix that and yes we discussed it last year as well.
*due*
Drafting Zach Ertz will be the best move for the 49ers as he’d be a local product that can fire up the 49ers. We need to get him, which means trading a few picks. ANd msclemons67, remember who lost the game now. I was the only one that wanted Smith to start the 2nd half being down 28 to 6.
The AUTO-REFRESH just killed another one of my posts.
Agggggggghhhhhh!!!!!!
AES, highlight and ctrl C as you write OR simply write it in word and cut/paste it over. I’m out…
Yeah, but it screws everything up if you’re just reading, too. Pops you all the way to the top of the page. Wish they’d fix this…
Thanks Hofe, I’ll give it a try.
Hofe,
The TE’ (assuming we sign D.Walk) on the team are pretty darn good.
And Celek looks like a keeper because of his exceptional hands.
I don’t feel that there are any real impact type TE’ coming out in this year’s draft.
The two best TE’, Notre Dame and Stanford may likely be gone by the time we draft in the first round.
They are big targets in the RZ, but I think the Celek could could become that type of player for us.
Last year’s top TE Coby Fleener only made a marginal impact, and that even with his college QB in the lineup.
I say we go after a physical/fast WR who could compliment Crabtree.
I love MM, and K.Williams but they will be out-muscled by Seattle’s DB’ every time we play them, which may include the playoffs next year.
I don’t like this scenario at all. Crabtree needs help on the outside more then we need another TE, IMO.
Vaccaro-razor? Sure but that is an expensive move up!
Move up guy in the first for me -Datone Jones!
speaking of a record-setting season:
Coach Harbaw: first Super Bowl loss by a niner head coach
Kaep: first interception in a Super Bowl by a niner QB.
The pistol become the water gun.
Alex Smith for President