Posted By: razoreater (19/10/2007 11:24:52 AM)
Comment: i've always said nolan is to be commended for the positives hes achieved during his tenre and appreciation for such is given, however when a coach hits a plateau which i feel nolan has its time to move on to the next level-i just happen to feel nolan is uncapable of taking us to that next level-if we kept the defensive side of coaches and hired an offensive minded proven winner at head coach maybe we could regain our dominance forcing our opponents into submission

Posted By: lionel (19/10/2007 9:33:31 AM)
Comment: Good post Matt. I do not believe it matters much who plays the QB in the game against the Giants. Mike Nolan will maintains his conservative[gutless] style of offensive.

Posted By: Dean (19/10/2007 5:30:10 AM)
Comment: Razor:You say "fire Nolan" and you say "we have excellent d coaches and special teams". Maybe Nolan had something to do with the success the team is having in those two areas?

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (18/10/2007 11:58:31 PM)
Comment: Those of us in the East who will be attending the game on Sunday will no doubt be pulling hard for Trent to play some hard nosed football. Disappointing not to see Alex (as it's reported) but this team needs to rally around the QB and that starts with the OLine. The GMen can be had at the LB level. No speed or coverage guys there. Frank and VD it's showtime. Work the seams and the middle, open the ground game as they pin their ears back for the sack. Tailgating at the 12C Pole folks, stop by and say hello.How about picture posts on the blog Matt? Maiocco Road Show? Pix from the Trips? Tales from the Tailgates? Show those colors 9er Faithful.

Posted By: Mike in Sac (18/10/2007 11:23:14 PM)
Comment: Matt - I know you won't comment on who is or is not practicing with the 1st team except for the obvious guys like VD and A. Smith (known injuries). I believe it might not be surprising to see a new starting lineman or WR come Sunday, so in the aftermath of "meeting gate" where the geniuses of the NFL collaborated to mend the 49ers offensive ills (which is completely pathetic considering almost any village idiot could diagnose the teams offensive ills) would you comment after the game about any of these possible changes/outcomes as they relate to the atmosphere around the team this last week? Thank you.

Posted By: MJ (18/10/2007 10:15:53 PM)
Comment: Deep Thoughts: I ask myself that every day. I also ask why Sean Salsbury, Mark May, and Skip Bayless continue to find employment on ESPN. Always wrong, never held accountable.

Posted By: deep thoughts (18/10/2007 10:05:16 PM)
Comment: Someone please tell me why Jamie Dukes has a TV show.

Posted By: razoreater (18/10/2007 9:20:29 PM)
Comment: a vote of no confidence in the OL by nolan-hate to say i told ya so-i hope york fires nolan at the end of the year-this offense is embarrassing as a 9er fan-did someone call for pennington?u gotta be kiddin right?c'mon dude no way-what we need is someone who knows what the flock is going on offensively-we've got excellent d coaches and special teams

Posted By: D in Portland (18/10/2007 7:44:03 PM)
Comment: I for one am very disappointed that Nolan didn't have the "confidence" to go with Alex in NY. I just can't see us winning with Dilfer. Matt - Do you think he can pull it out? Any chance this is a smoke screen? Doesn't seem like Nolan's style.

Posted By: MJ (18/10/2007 6:32:37 PM)
Comment: Mike, I dont think theres anything wrong with getting a guy in the 4th or 5th round to be a career backup for Smith. Probability of a player like that making it as anything more than a career #2 is very low. Seems that there are 2 ways to go about backups in this league, either sign an aging player(Dilfer, Warner, Flutie, Testaverte, etc) or draft someone on the 2nd day. Seems that after this year, the niners would be smart to get a young guy to be a backup to Smith if they dont think that Hill can be a legit #2 for the next few years, and who's to say he cant.

Posted By: Mike in SF (18/10/2007 6:09:08 PM)
Comment: Oneniner, We obviously dont want to burn a 1st round pick and 30 million dollars on a guy. We're talking about a mid round guy that's cheap and with little signing bonus. We have big needs elsewhere that we'd address first. What's wrong with using a 3rd or 4th round pick on a backup QB that will make 800k while he develops.

Posted By: MJ (18/10/2007 5:03:01 PM)
Comment: To SDDave, please dont put Kawakami in the same boat as Matt here, Matt is leagues better than Timmy Boy. Also, Matt, is there any chance the niners could bring smith in, either in situations(just to get game speed or 2 min drill) or if Dilfer is inept?

Posted By: Joe (18/10/2007 4:48:28 PM)
Comment: Maybe the worse decision this staff has made is having Trent Dilfer as a backup quarterback. A very important game Sunday and we are stuck with him. Defense needs to score more then they give up to have a chance at all...

Posted By: captnkos (18/10/2007 3:58:20 PM)
Comment: Not to nitpick, but I'm pretty sure I remember a lot of people noticiing last year that the passing game was not good even though the running game was great.

Posted By: Jeff in L.A. (18/10/2007 3:09:46 PM)
Comment: Not really sure I understand anyone who thinks that its the QB's fault. Its hard to pass for over 200 yards when you're attempting less than 20 throws per game because you're either on your rear, being chased, or your receivers aren't getting open.

Posted By: Matt Maiocco (18/10/2007 2:58:51 PM)
Comment: As you probably figured out, the blog is down. Quarterback Trent Dilfer will make his second start of the season, as 49ers coach Mike Nolan said Thursday he does not believe Alex Smith looks comfortable enough to play Sunday against the New York Giants. "He's our guy," Nolan said of Dilfer. "I think he gives us the best chance right now to win because he's had the opportunity to get most of this week's work. I'm not certain right now that my confidence in Alex, in watching him right now, is where it needs to be." Dilfer took the snaps with the first-team offense Wednesday and today. Dilfer made his first start in nearly two years when the 49ers played on Oct. 7 against the Ravens. Dilfer completed 12 of 19 passes for 126 yards with one TD and one interception. Smith is healthy, Nolan said, but he does not believe he is throwing with enough confidence to start. Smith could suit up Sunday as the team's No. 3 quarterback behind Dilfer and Shaun Hill. Smith sustained a Grade III separation to his right (throwing) shoulder Sept. 30 against the Seahawks. He has gradually increased his workload over the past two weeks. But the team's medical staff and coaches decided he was not ready to return to the practice field, yet. "It's disappointing," Smith said. "I've been with this team for a while now and to see another guy in your huddle, it's a strange feeling. There's a fine line between going out there and being competitive and trying to play. It's a chance for Trent to go out there and lead this team." Meanwhile, tight end Vernon Davis practiced for the second consecutive day and is expected to start. Davis missed two games with a knee injury. --Matt M.

Posted By: Blade (18/10/2007 2:50:13 PM)
Comment: well adam scheffner from nfl network just confirmed alex will not be playing dilfer will be starting looks like we,ll be 2-4 one less loss then we had last year only cause we,ve had our byweek already good job nolan!!!!!

Posted By: niner (18/10/2007 2:33:38 PM)
Comment: you know your in deep dodo when the HC is listening to the media/ bloggers and Raven D coordinators for suggestions. (of course were better than the nonsense he's getting from his offensive coaches)

Posted By: StonerLab (18/10/2007 1:33:57 PM)
Comment: I don't get the whole "gunslinger" thing to begin with. Thru 5 weeks I've seen alot of good QB's moving the ball down the field & getting into position to either score a TD or a FG & I don't consider most them "gunslingers" What I do see is cohesive offense's doing alot of things right, blocking (O-line) running crisp routes (WR's) and QB's getting the ball out of thier hands quickly (without O-line & WR's doing their job Smith can't do that) So my point is wether you call it "opening it up" or having a "gunslinger" Bottom line is the 49ers need to execute all these things I've just talked about & we'll be fine. Sky's the limit cuz we certainly can't get any worse than what they've shown. Agreed?

Posted By: allen49stars (18/10/2007 1:06:43 PM)
Comment: I agree with Mike, go get a QB to be the backup in 08, not the starter. This way it pushes Alex to step it up or he's out if his play doesn't improve. Everyone knew Dilfer wasn't going to replace Alex; it was to tutor him so he feels safe now. Whoever thinks A. Smith is perfect is high as a kite! I say go get Derek Anderson, Culpepper, Carr or another free agent QB, on a two year deal; it would be like a Kitna, Garcia or Shaub. Or draft one in the 2nd or 3rd round. Go get an OC from a high powered offense whether it's a pro or college guy. Another thing, if the offense has a good game next week or the week after don't think all of a sudden everything just got fixed, be consistence and successful for 3-4 weeks straight!

Posted By: papa (18/10/2007 12:55:28 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt: I am puzzled why you reporters continue to give Nolan a pass? The sorry statistics you list are increminating are they not? Every team takes on the personality of it's head coach. Nolan is diffinately not a gunslinger or an innovative coach. In my view he is not head coach material and is and has been the primary problem with this team. Lets cut our loses.

Posted By: oneniner (18/10/2007 12:54:56 PM)
Comment: all i am saying is it would be dumb to draft another qb.....for what? pay him to seat on the bench?.....to push A.Smith?..that just sounds dumb. If you are a niner fan and you think the Yorks/Nolan are going to treat A.Smith like those other Qb,s are being treated in the league you are totally confused. The only way A.Smith is going to be pushed, is if we have a new coach, Nolan is here for at least 5 more yrs, and so is A. Smith....the only way you see another QB on the roster is if we sign a not too old VET in free agency.

Posted By: oneniner (18/10/2007 12:43:41 PM)
Comment: We have a young QB, hill (or whats his name)...we don't need a rookie qb, it makes no sense, we can always pick up vet in FA...just one thing i thought we have not been talking about on this blog. GORE is not running like he did the last 2 yrs. The difference btw J. Rice and all the other receivers was his ability to catch and run after the catch/tackle. That made him special. Gore did this alot the past 2 yrs, he was averaging 5yrds because he somehow fought or looked like he was fighting for more yards, he almost always gained 3yrds after been gang tackled, that was what seperated him from the other rb's the past 2yrs. This yr he his not doing that. Maybe because he finally got the big contract? any thoughts?

Posted By: TT (18/10/2007 12:25:02 PM)
Comment: Oneniner--guys like Mike are correct. We need a backup qb in case Alex Smith is injured or ineffective. You are right about the OL though. Do you think Marc Bulger, Torry Holt and Steven Jackson all became terrible in one year. Obviously the Rams OL is a big part of the problem.

Posted By: Jets (18/10/2007 12:23:22 PM)
Comment: We should've traded Harris for Chad Pennington. He'd be perfect for our offense.

Posted By: mike in MD (18/10/2007 12:09:11 PM)
Comment: I'm all w/Mike in SF..we do need to pick up another QB to replace Dilfer & to push Alex. At the end of the year the OLine will be a work in progress w/all the replacements & hopefully we'll pick up a #1 WR who will need time to learn the playbook & adjust to the NFL if he's drafted. So prepare to see more of the same stacking of the box & constant blitzing. If the OLine doesn't get it together as fast as we'd like & Alex gets sidelined again for who knows how many games your going to depend on Dilfer to win us some games?? C'mon does he scare anybody? The Defense is almost all the way there & IF Alex doesn't pan out, which I think he will, it's still the RIGHT thing to do to have some insurance as well as give him some competition like in the BWalsh days to keep him on top of his game. We can't afford to throw away the season w/a legit upcoming playoff caliber D if we don't have a real #2 QB. (Also a legit #2 RB. PS-Clayton?) If we decide to draft one I think it should be a 2nd day pick because there's too many other more important needs. (WR, DE, NT, replacement for DSmith, OL, FS) Offensive help is obvious & the opponents OLinemen are now shooting to the 2nd level keying in on Willis so we need that DLine help to stuff those guys & cause some havoc.

Posted By: Mike (18/10/2007 11:59:09 AM)
Comment: Oneniner--Smith is the future and he should be, but SF needs to draft a decent backup. Smith, like all QB's except for Farve will spend time on the bench with injuries. SF needs a young player that can take over when needed and produce wins.

Posted By: oneniner (18/10/2007 11:09:17 AM)
Comment: I do agree it is sad/pathetic that we havn't had 200 passing yards in a long time. I do believe nolan will get the job done.

Posted By: oneniner (18/10/2007 11:05:02 AM)
Comment: you guys are ridiculous, we are not drafting another qb...A.Smith is the now and the future. Maybe if they gave him a good qb coach he would be much better. i don't want he him slinging the ball like brett, he his perfect, i like the careful A. Smith.....if he wasn't careful we would be 0-5 by now. Fix the o-line before yu start calling for A.Smith's head.

Posted By: MarcCA (18/10/2007 10:51:23 AM)
Comment: It seems that Alex Smith is Rex Grossman or Joey Harrington in disguise. Bring back Jim Drunkenmiller!

Posted By: Dan in Seattle (18/10/2007 10:45:24 AM)
Comment: One minor gripe: In referencing the offense's problems (and conservative nature) I've seen Nolan referring to "opening up" the offense. This is a mostly a semantic deflection of the issue. The problems on offense should not be defined as a wide-open versus conservative. Instead, the measurements should be much more precise: time of possession, number of first downs, percent of TD's in the Red Zone, and ultimately number of points. Instead, this use of generalized terms (such as "wide open", "we're going to open up the offense", etc) is simply spin. And the spin is wearing thin. I've got sympathy for Nolan's problems this year with Norv getting raided too late to bring in a decent OC, Nolan was put in a tough spot. Still, the OC has done a lousy job this year, no excuses. There is no excuse, the three main skill pos players are moving into their prime years, there should be significant improvement, not regression this year.

Posted By: Mike in SF (18/10/2007 10:23:44 AM)
Comment: When do we draft a new QB? That's an easy one. In the very next draft. But the pick wont be Alex's replacement. It will be Trent's. With Alex entering his 4th year, the need for a mentor disolves. This opens the door for the 49ers to bring in a young QB that by public opinion will be Trent's replacement, when in reality he will be both a new backup QB and a potential replacement for Alex should things head that direction. Bringing in a potential replacement for Alex before one is needed will ensure that if we do replace Alex, the new blood will be comfortable with the receivers and scheme (do we actually have a scheme?).

Posted By: I_hate-to_say it (18/10/2007 9:32:35 AM)
Comment: Matt-How long before the tide turns against Alex Smith? One season? Two seasons more? At what point do we have to draft another QB?

Posted By: sddave (18/10/2007 9:28:18 AM)
Comment: Matt, if experienced beat writers like Kawakami and yourself were not a voice for the fans, we would have little influence in pointing out the obvious to apparently brain dead coaches. Keep on keeping their feet to the fire. Thanks.

Posted By: TT (18/10/2007 9:13:50 AM)
Comment: It looks like the last half of my comment got cut off. To finish: I have to disagree that "nobody really noticed" the troubles in the passing game last year. I sure did and there must be others. Unlike most people on this blog I was happy Norv Turner left (although the timing at the end of the offseason wasn't good). I think Hostler's idea of blending the two styles while keep the same terminology is very good. It just needs better execution from both coaches and players.

Posted By: DHNF (18/10/2007 9:03:56 AM)
Comment: That is so incredibly pathetic.

Posted By: TT (18/10/2007 8:48:09 AM)
Comment: Matt, very good work, as usual. Did you do your own investigative work on the streaks? Impressive! Mike Nolan admitted (sort of) that he had made a mistake? That gives me some hope for the offense. I have to disagree that

Posted By: mike in MD (18/10/2007 7:46:37 AM)
Comment: Hmmmmm...& where the h*** does Smith get that mentality of "being too careful" ?? Give me a break Coach..Nolan's seriously got this Offense on eggshells to not make any mistakes. To break away from this mindset Smith & the entire Offense has to become a gunslinger for quite a while to shake off Nolan's personality that he put on this Offense. What a mess..I give credit for Nolan listening to all the suggestions even though he doesn't have a choice. He's fighting himself here & on Offense he's 100% WRONG. I wish he would ADMIT he is Conservative so he wouldn't be in denial & this team could relax some. Then he would be able to work through that & allow Hostler/the Offensive staff to start developing an attacking style of Offense.

Posted By: Randy (18/10/2007 7:39:00 AM)
Comment: Matt,Great blog as usual. You bring up a point that I also agree with and that is that Norv Turner, while a good OC, is not the savior of this team. If not for Frank Gore last season accounting for the majority of the offense, the 49ers would have been just as inept even with Turner. I believe that it starts at the top, and Nolan plays not to lose instead of playing to win. I don't think that Nolan has the "gunslinger" mentality that Walsh, Shanahan and a few others have. The 49ers used to have the mentality that they would dictate the game on both sides of the ball. They need to regain that mentality. I wouldn't call for Nolans head but I would like to see a new, innovative OC next year.