Mike Nolan is a very bright guy. I think he knows exactly what he's doing. Being around him for two years, I've been very impressed with his reasoning behind every decision his makes. He has a way of presenting exactly what he was thinking in a clear and rational manner.
After Sunday's game, he explained exactly what he was thinking in passing up a fourth-and-an-inch play to kick a short field goal, giving the 49ers a 17-13 lead with 3:54 remaining. But that doesn't mean I agree with his decision.
I do believe there are times when he needs to challenge his young team. Throughout his two seasons with the 49ers, whenever given the opportunity to be bold or be conservative, he has regularly taken the conservative approach.
With four minutes remaining and the 49ers facing a fourth-and-an-inch from the Rams' 7-yard line, he needed to say, "It's fourth-and-an-inch. You guys need to learn how to convert this play. Let's get it done."
* * *
He can tell the defense that he's going for it on fourth down because he knows that if the offense fails to convert, he has all the confidence in the world that the defense will win the game.
After all, if the 49ers had gone for it and failed on fourth down, the Rams still would have gone 58 yards to get into field-goal range for the win.
As it was, the Rams had to go 80 yards for the winning touchdown.
* * *
OK -- all that said -- second-guessing a coaching decision is the easiest thing in the world to do. For argument's sake, anyone who says Nolan made the right call is wrong, because of the way it turned out. But that's the nature of the game. If the defense had held, there would be no argument. And I wouldn't be writing this blog about Nolan making a poor decision to kick the field goal.
* * *
I know a lot of the sportswriters were questioning why Nolan called a timeout after Michael Robinson's 6-yard run on second-and-7 late in the game. (The play before the crucial third-down stop). But I saw the same thing Nolan saw.
After that play, LG Larry Allen was slow in getting to his feet. He was either banged up or extremely tired. (I'm guessing he was worn out, as the team had just run its 11th play of the drive.)
Nolan called the timeout. There was the thought that Nolan allowed the Rams' defense to catch its breath. But I thought his team needed to catch its breath, too.
Here's what Nolan said when asked why he called the timeout: "A couple things. I saw we had guys, as you saw, taking knees. It took Larry a long time to get (to his feet) - we had guys that were gassed, and that was the biggest reason. There was a little bit of a substitution issue -"
* * *
It says a lot about how far this team has come that its best win of the past few seasons is followed up by the most disheartening loss. The 49ers generally played pretty well Sunday in the 20-17 loss to the Rams.
But they're just not there, yet.
I still think they're on pace to have a very good season next season - with an offense that is a year older and wiser, and a defense that will undoubtedly be helped by some additions through free agency and the draft.
And, after all, from Day 1, I've believed that THIS season is really all about NEXT season.
I never thought this was a playoff-caliber team, but I believe they're showing steady improvement and they can become a real factor in the NFL in 2007.
* * *
TE Eric Johnson said he wants to see how he's going to be used over the last six games of the season before he decides what he wants to do for next season. The 49ers want to re-sign Johnson.
Rookie Vernon Davis played 40 of the team's 56 offensive snaps. Johnson played just 17 snaps. And what about that Davis-Johnson duo? Well, the two men were in on the same play just two times on Sunday.
I asked Johnson whether he was happy with his playing time, and he told me that he expected to be used this way.
My guess is that Johnson re-signs with the 49ers, but it probably won't happen until he has a chance to gauge the market.
* * *
WR Antonio Bryant promised to fight whatever changes might be filed against him as a result of his arrest last week on suspicion of drunken driving, reckless driving and resisting arrest.
"Sometimes things are more than what they seem to be," Bryant said Sunday in his first public comments. "And it's because we're high-profile people out here, as well as citizens."
When asked if there is a lot more to what has been reported, Bryant said, "Of course. That's life."
Bryant was arrested for speeding "in excess of 100 mph" in his orange Lamborghini, according to the San Mateo police department. He became "uncooperative and combative" thereafter and was jailed for several hours.
"I'm still smiling," Bryant said. "I got back with my teammates during the week and we do everything that we normally do during the week, and that's work hard and prepare to win."
* * *
Here is the breakdown of how many plays the 49ers' skills guys played (they had 56 offensive plays): Bryant 52, Battle 45, Gore 45, Davis 40, Norris 35, Gilmore 23, Johnson 17, Bajema 9, Hicks 9, Robinson 2, Jacobs 1.
* * *
INJURY REPORT: RB Frank Gore (right ankle) is listed as probable for next week's game against the Saints. X-rays after the game were negative, but he is expected to be re-evaluated on Monday.
LB Manny Lawson (ribs) had X-rays in the first half, but returned to action without missing any action. He is probable for next week's game.
S Mike Adams (stinger) is also probable for next week's game.
* * *
FB Moran Norris, who has been a key to the 49ers' ground success, signed a three-year contract extension through 2009. Although terms of the contract were not available, the deal is believed to place Norris in the middle of the pack, as far as what fullbacks are making in the NFL.
"It means a whole lot," Norris said. "It lets me know I'm a value to the team. I'm glad to able to get a deal with them. I like the franchise. I like the running backs and the coach, and I'm glad I'm going to be here."
* * *
Frank Gore has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the past three games, a span during which he has gained a 49ers record 505 yards. Garrison Hearst held the previous record of 49ers rushing yards in a three-game span when he gained 503 in 1998.
* * *
Arnaz Battle handled punt-return duties, as rookie Brandon Williams was not active for the game. Battle fumbled a punt return in the second quarter, which led directly to a Rams touchdown. Battle is playing with a broken left hand.
"I actually caught the ball," Battle said when asked if the hand was to blame for the fumble. "It was kind of hard to put the ball away because of not having the other hand, so I guess you can say that it was a small factor. The guy made a good play and knocked it out."
* * *
Former 49ers kicker Jeff Wilkins hit a 51-yard field goal on the final play of the first half when WR Kevin Curtis was allowed to get out of bounds in the closing seconds for a 27-yard gain.
Sammy Davis, who was passed up as the starter at CB in place of Donald Strickland, went for the ball instead of touching Curtis down in the field of play. The Rams did not have any timeouts remaining and would not have been able to get another play off if Davis had played it correctly. "We can execute better to allow that from happening," Nolan said.
* * *
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: Bryan (Stockton) (28/11/2006 11:01:26 AM)
Comment: I can't believe all the criticism Nolan is getting. Would you please tell me what you would have said if Nolan had gone for it on 4th & 1, they don't get it and the Rams win on a Game winning field goal?
You even said it, they would have needed ~60 yards, but as it turned out they went 80 yards AND scored the TD. Can't fault Nolan for that decision.
Also, he can't think about this year only when they are truly in the thick of a playoff hunt.
Posted By: Mitch (28/11/2006 12:40:53 AM)
Comment: Matt, Am I wrong or did Nolan just make it very clear to his offense he has no faith in them? No guts, no glory and in Nolans case no huevos. Also, not blitzing Bulger resulted in a slow death. Putting pressure on him worked the entire game, why stop? Even if the Rams score on a big play, we have time to respond. Am I wrong or is our passing game anemic? Are the receivers not getting open or is Smith lacking field vision? 150 yard a game will not cut it and teams are going to load up against the run. We seem to rarely throw on first down even when teams put 8 or nine in the box. As far as I am concerned, this loss is definitely on Nolan. How do you feel about it? Mitch
Posted By: Sid (27/11/2006 10:00:37 PM)
Comment: It needs to be said so I'll say it. Norv Turner may be good at calling running plays but he is ABYSMAL at calling passing plays. Have you noticed that every passing play is a 7-step drop? Have you noticed that 1 out of 3 passing plays is some sort of roll-out? Have you noticed there is ABSOLUTELY NO significant use of either TEs? Which leads me to the bigger question on this offense - WHERE THE HECK IS THE SHORT TO MEDIUM PASSING GAME? It seems that Turner only calls those passing plays on 2nd and 3rd and goal, but NOT on 3rd and 5. I'll tell you why the offense is winded - it's because we don't have a passing game that can SUSTAIN DRIVES. Hmmm especially when I think about how HORRIBLE we are at 3rd down conversions. Asking Gore and the OL to sustain that type of offensive inequality will cause an injury - SOMEWHERE. I don't know who needs to send the message, but 150 yards passing per game SIMPLY WILL NOT DO IT. We're not balanced and teams know it. We don't convert well on 3rd down and people know it. How do you beat the 49ers? You do what the Rams did - keep the Niner D on the field, run the ball against them because their offense CANNOT SUSTAIN DRIVES. 3rd Down - it comes down to 3rd down conversions.
Posted By: bubba (27/11/2006 9:47:31 PM)
Comment: FORTUNE favors the BOLD. We lost out on some fortunes thanks to Nolan. Nolan & Co need to quit being soo soft. Nolan, stand up and be accountable for your soft game management. It's ok to say that you were wrong. Just don't let it happen again, otherwise, Albert Enstein's famous quote will definitely apply: "Insanity can be defined as doing the same things over and over again while expecting different results". You need to be BOLD buddy. By losing this game, our playoff chances are in serious jeopardy. With the 3 game winning streak, healthy roster, confidence and momentum, I really thought that we'd make a run for it in the NFC West. Now we're 2 games back. With the Giants, Eagles, Falcons and other losing we could've shown the league that we're in it to win it. I'm sick of everybody saying the playoffs are still years away. Why can't they be this year? Anything can happen in the Not-For-Long League. WHO Knows? Nobody does, but I truly believe that those who stand up and be bold are the ones that will be in Miami for the Super Bowl. A win in STL would've given this young team another shot of confidence and momentum going into this weekend's game in New Orleans. It would've been unreal. With 3 road games left, we'll be lucky to win 1 of them if Nolan's soft nature continues. Sack up and play some smash mouth football will ya? You're letting us down with this Marty ball crap.
Posted By: Rockne Green (27/11/2006 9:27:57 PM)
Comment: If Noland wants a team that is tough and has the guts to play hard. he has to set the same example.. on play calling... I am a 9er fan but they are not going to the Super bowl this year.. If the team is learning this year, he can't put them in situations where he (they) are satis fied to just kick the darn ball... that shows no heart or toughness... Rocky Green
Posted By: Johnny Sanford (27/11/2006 6:59:52 PM)
Comment: Yesterday I became the most upset i have been with 49ers coaching in years. The play calling at the end of that game says a lot about the direction this team is going in. Mike Nolan lost a game for us with spineless, gutless 4th quarter game management. The scary thing was the defensive play-calling on the last drive a weak, girly 4 man rush and downy soft zone that San Jose State could have shredded in three minutes +. It was almost like Scott Linehan was calling the plays for the 49ers and the rams at the same time. Nolan did exactly what Scott Linehan expected and wanted him to do. Nolan's final defensive plays couldn't have been more predictable. Mike Nolan played the role of a perfect tool. That was the kind of unimaginative play calling that could in time get a head coach fired. From coach of the week to roach of the week, can someone scrape Mike Nolan off the bottom of Scott Linehan's shoe we have a big game next week against the Saints.
Posted By: leakyfausett (27/11/2006 4:24:41 PM)
Comment: Matt does it bother you that we drafted a decent blocker in the first round. I am a Davis fan but the NIners don't seem to know how to use a 4.38 255lb freak of nature. Were does Delanie Walker fit in to the Niners plans?
Posted By: Y.C. Ng (27/11/2006 3:09:58 PM)
Comment: An Inch on the Rams' 7 yard line...are you kidding me? A quarterback-sneak would have done it...heck...even my wheelchair-bound mother-in-law would have made it.
This loss was ALL ON NOLAN'S HEAD. AND HE SHOULD BE HANGED FOR IT. HIS EXCUSES ARE LAME!
Asking the Field Goal Unit to take the field after Robinson failed to convert showed one thing: NOLAN DID NOT TRUST HIS OFFENSE.
If the Niners cannot gain an inch that deep in enemy territory, they don't deserve to win.
Posted By: San Diego Dave (27/11/2006 2:42:39 PM)
Comment: Matt, great coverage of the game as usual The field goal call was horrific, what a gutless choice, then to compound it with a prevent defense at the end. Three friends in the Bay Area with a combined history of 150 years watching the Niners called immediately after the game. All of us agreed it was one of the worst coaching calls in Niner history. We felt like puking. Living in San Diego I am extremely supseptible to any form of Marty Ball. Do you recall earlier this year, when the Chargers lost to the Ravens. Marty decided to put the ball in McNair's hands to drive them 70 yards to win the game. Guess what happened? The national and local media along with the entire Charger fan base went wild after Marty's caveman approach. I understand the Niner fan base and SF media cringing at Nolan's lack of balls. Keep up the good work Matt.
Posted By: Bill P. (27/11/2006 2:30:14 PM)
Comment: Deactivating Brandon Williams to have Jacobs in on one play? Allowing Battle who has a broken hand to return punts? This was the critical mistake in the game. The fumble was huge for St Louis and it cost us the game!
Posted By: Cyrus (27/11/2006 11:40:42 AM)
Comment: You have to have confidence in your team to gain one inch- that was the shortest non-first down measurement I've EVER seen.
That being said, it was surprising they didn't even challenge the spot, as it looked like Robinson's forward progress got him the first down before he was twisted down.
Posted By: Paul B. (27/11/2006 11:00:39 AM)
Comment: You continue to offer stellar coverage of the 49ers, Matt, and thank you for that!
I agree with you on this blog completely...the time was yesterday for Nolan to be bold...this year is about next year, so make some statements in your decision making to go along with the teams developing players....
Now, a question (or two) for you. When will the coaches realize Robinson doesn't fit the short-yardage specialist role? Other than the game against the Eagles, he has not demonstrated any success in the role. He appears to run too upright much too often. If he were to have run with some lean and his shoulders down yesterday he makes the first down. To me, Robinson is a third down receiver back, not a banger....Why not run Norris on short yardage? He has filled the blocking void left by Beasley, let's see if he can do the short yardage carries like Beasley used to do?
This disappointed-with-yesterday's-loss 49er fan will be looking forward to your response to my comments. Thanks!
Posted By: wsmith (27/11/2006 10:22:47 AM)
Comment: This quote from AJ Smith of the Chargers sums up the 4th and 1 inch to me:
"You want to quiver and cower and hit it down the middle of the fairway, you'll be 8-8 the rest of your life and never make the Super Bowl."
Couldn't have said it any better than that. To win in the NFL, you have to have guts and take chances.
Posted By: wsmith (27/11/2006 9:51:03 AM)
Comment: In that situation, if you want to win in the NFL, you go for the knockout punch. You have to assume STL will get the ball back and score, not assume that you will hold them. That's why you need to put the game out of reach. Are you telling me that if Nolan huddled his players up, and said give me an inch and we win this, that they wouldn't give him an inch?! This has been Nolan's way of calling all along, the conservative approach. When your season is on the line, and you need an inch, you go for it!!!
Posted By: Lee (27/11/2006 5:10:53 AM)
Comment: Matt: Given your insight into the team, and honesty in reporting it, I'm hoping you can let us know what the team's reaction is to Nolan's conservatism. It seems there were four key events - not downing Curtis inbounds, Nolan's call, Ulbrich missing the tackle on Jackson short of the 1st down (on winning drive), and Hudson's delay-of-game flag that stopped the clock for the Rams. How will the team react to Nolan's contribution to the loss?
Posted By: http:// (27/11/2006 5:09:55 AM)
Comment: I still cannot figure out why Nolan did not at least have the offense line up on 4th down and try to draw the Rams offsides. Yeah, it doesn't work that often, but at worst the FG becomes 27 yards.
IMO Nolan shoulda shown some rocks and gone for it. QB sneak on a quick, silent count is virtually impossible to stop. Lost count how many times I've seen Brady and the Pats pull it off. And if they can't make AN INCH behind that gi-normous OL, then they don't deserve the win.
Posted By: Tigerlaw (27/11/2006 2:16:24 AM)
Comment: I accept Nolan's call but am curious about 4th and "inches" in general. How often does the QB sneak fail in that situation?
The camera angle on tv showed it was literally an inch at most. I understand 4th and a true yard is a risk (see Alexander stuffed last week) but the situation v. STL was tempting.
Posted By: Bad-example (26/11/2006 11:50:00 PM)
Comment: A great read, as always!
What was the logic behind deactivating Brandon Williams in favor of Jacobs and then only using Jacobs on one offensive play?
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