Posted By: shootme (26/10/2007 11:25:02 AM)
Comment: For anyone familiar with lelie... he is by no means a 'porsche 911'. The broncos reached for him in the first round only to find out he's a '72 Pinto with a 460ci big block. Real fast. Straight line. I'd love to see D-Jax and flanker, Lelie split, and battle in the slot. Natural positions for all, IMO.

Posted By: mike in MD (26/10/2007 11:06:11 AM)
Comment: I wouldn't say "savior", that's a little too much. Just another missing piece to the puzzle to get us where we need to go. The tools are sitting right in front of you so....use them! And give credit where it's due.

Posted By: oneniner (26/10/2007 10:15:39 AM)
Comment: Relax ..mike in MD...All this love for lelie, all i know is the guy can only run deep, his other routes are suspect. I hope you are accurate about him, you make him sound like the second coming of J.Rice....dude if he turns out to be a a saviour I will congratualte you on a nice pick but if he turns out to be bust, I am busting my fustration on you..:)

Posted By: Pat (26/10/2007 9:35:20 AM)
Comment: Matt, do you have any info on why it seems the Defense has changed it schemed. The Arizona game, we showed major pre snap movement and sent blitzes from multiple players from all over the field. It was exciting and aggressive. It seems it's gradually been phased out. I understand we may scheme certain teams a certain way, for instance Seattle, where we played mostly nickel. Is Nolan/Manusky ok with letting the other team complete short passes, short runs, because we are so good at tackling, they know if they don't let big plays happen, we will eventually get off the field. Is the change due to the loss of Manny? Our 4 man rush is pretty non existent. I'd like to see more pressure so we can try and create some turnovers. We need some turnovers from our D to put our offense in good position a couple of times a game.

Posted By: mike in MD (26/10/2007 6:53:56 AM)
Comment: esco..nice post...I like it. I forgot about it because something pulled the trigger in me when people don't see the big picture on what Lelie has gone through & bring up those 2 irrelevant penalties he had. Can the man get a pat on the back? I hope Lelie can continue to bring that kind of success for us from here on out. SPEED is what this Offense DESPERATELY needs, along w/OL protection & busting some holes open. Please run some counters. ("Nolan sitting shotgun"..nice) We've got to execute man & that comes all in the coaching, practice, & like Frank said in trusting Hostler. The penalties are killing us. I believe that trust is going to start trickling in to the players. I've bashed Hostler just like most everyone has but he's in his quiet way shown some fight & is hanging in there. I admire his tenacity in learning this crash course he's going through. He's shown no excuses & has taken his hits head on. He's done some good things & it's cliche' now I know but he needs to continue building on the Pittsburgh & NYG game. Chk this link: http://www.49erswebzone.com/content/news/view.php?id=11670 It's hilarious & a good article on Hoss. We've got back Alex & are getting healthy on the Offense. Time to reload. I have a good feeling we can start to turn this around. Let's get that "W" this weekend & GO NINERS!!

Posted By: rick p (26/10/2007 1:32:28 AM)
Comment: cmon matt, is Nolan ever gonna switch to 4-3? I think we'd be awesome with it. whats your take?

Response: The do play some 4-3 sprinkled in with their base 3-4. My take is defense is fine. They need to get something going on offense. --Matt M.

Posted By: mike in MD (25/10/2007 10:46:47 PM)
Comment: Rob...I bow my head. GULP, what a total FOOL I am. You are right & I owe you an apology. I mixed him up w/Clements who someone brought up before that he was only in 1 Pro Bowl. ('02 & '04) Lelie's best receiving numbers were in '04, but yeah didn't make the PB. If it's 1 thing I hate & detest it's not getting the facts straight be it me or if someone is blurting something out & doesn't know what they're talking about. I'm usually extremely up on that. What should I send you a box of those vacuum packed premium grade A T-Bone steaks?? Some single malt whiskey or a bottle of JWalker BLUE? (Whoa, that JWB's too much.) Man, that was really my bad. But I agree 100% that he's not as accomplished as DJax. And who could ever compare to the greatest WR in NFL history? (Except for Marvin Harrison.) Lelie is in no way a Jerry on the bench but all the clamoring & demands is to DO THE OBVIOUS & get the 2nd fastest WR (VD, TE counting as the 3rd. JHill the other WR.) we have on the field who can get separation, production, & open it up for everyone. Everyone's seeing the light now & it's REAL. It's not imaginary anymore because of Nolan's ignorance or stubborness, esp as a HC, not to see that he would have that effect on the game. It's all about teamwork & getting the W's isn't it?? I agree about having to re-adjust our blocking schemes but that's ALL on the OLine picking up the blitzes when we pass. And Gore not being able to run is because it's usually the middle area that's stuffed so the WR's blocking the corners really isn't part of our OVERALL blocking problems. Like I said Lelie taking his man w/him away from the play is almost the same as blocking his man. I just went off because Nolan & those who jump on Lelie's irrevelant 2 penalties just aren't giving him enough of the credit that he's due. Lelie if you're listening, "good job bro, & keep it up!!"

Posted By: 49er Fan (25/10/2007 9:46:15 PM)
Comment: Well I have to say that Rob has a good point and the facts to back it up. Maybe those who disagree should check their facts first.

Posted By: Chirag (25/10/2007 9:45:38 PM)
Comment: i seriously dont know why we still have gilmore, if the only thing keeping jason hill from playing is too many WRs, i dont know why we just dont cut him?...this time for good. whats the point of sitting your him in favor for a guy who has no upside? all hill has is upside so its foolish to sit a healthy, study-ly 3rd round WR and keep a scrub (sorry gilmore im sure youre a great guy). if nothing then at least put hill up in the depth chart in front of gilmore because we all know how much nolan loves gilly.

Posted By: esco (25/10/2007 9:31:23 PM)
Comment: Word up Mike in MD! I was gonna address some of Rob's comments, but then I just read your post. Now I don't have to say a dam thing---you said it all bro. I love how real niner fans keep tour virtual "blog" locker-room in check. LOL.

Posted By: Rob (25/10/2007 9:27:32 PM)
Comment: Not to fight like a girl, but mike in MD, I can't find anything supporting your claim that Lelie was a pro bowler in 2004. The 4 pro bowl AFC wrs were Chad Johnson, Marvin Harrison, Hines Ward and Andre Johnson. Anyone? And besides, my point is not that Lelie shouldn't play (I think he should), I am just saying its not like Nolan has Jerry on the bench. Lelie has 13 career tds compared to D Jack's 48, not to mention D Jack has gained 1000 + 3 times, 956 last year while splitting the job with Deion Branch, Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson. Lelie is not nearly the proven gem he is being treated as in some of the posts. But I agree with you, we need to stretch the field, but not nearly as bad as we need to readjust our blocking schemes!

Posted By: CulturalGuy (25/10/2007 8:43:59 PM)
Comment: Cool, we are celebrating cultural diversity day. So, when is White European American Day?? "The 49ers will celebrate the cultural diversity of the Bay Area with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Day"

Posted By: mike in MD (25/10/2007 8:31:21 PM)
Comment: Hey Rob why don't you check your facts before you open your mouth, I mean type your keys. Lelie was a ProBowler in 2004. He's the 3rd NFL proven WR we have w/Gilmore having no business being the #3, if on this roster at all. He's one of some Nolan favorites w/average talent. What, you don't want Lelie in the game? Who the h*** cares about the 2 penalties he's had. 1 was preseason & this one was due to frustration because Nolan's stubborn ignorant offensive a** is too slow to see that you use certain strengths that your personnel have in the game to help you get that W that we haven't had in 4 straight games. Your bitching because instead of a 47 yard gain it's only 42?? Give me a freakin' break. You & Nolan need to get together & put your brilliant Offensive minds to work & see where that gets you. You need a guy like Lelie to get your boy AB open more often so he can try & get "some" YAC. (Sorry AB, I do like you & am grateful for your plays/TD's.) He had ABryant do that for him for the most part last year. Was AB ever in a ProBowl? Everyone's "clamoring" for Lelie to have the PT he should of had since the 1st game because we finally saw the results of what he can do for this team which was the original plan in the 1st place. Maybe it wouldn't have been such a big deal if Nolan's defensive brain could see the obvious that we needed that vertical element & regular separation he brings from the very beginning. He can't block? Big deal, let him take his man downfield & turn away from the play it's the same damn results. Quitting on routes?? Good god, how much playing time has he had? Granted that's a weakness he has but he's been frustrated. The guy's busted his tail since TC, produced in preseason, then Nolan treats him like a dog throwing him a bone on a few plays where usually it wasn't called for him anyway. DJax on the other hand has had injury passes since he arrived in MC/OTA's & drops more passes than anybody on the team yet he still gets his PT. Lelie's not the most likeable guy on the team & has past primadonna mental issues he has to overcome but he's come to work here. He's a Niner now & we all should recognize that he can help this team. Like with the PATS he should be given a clean slate & welcome with open arms here. Porsche 911? Not a stretch on this team. I do believe he can take VD so he's the fastest & closest thing to a Porsche we have.

Posted By: Aaron S. (25/10/2007 7:18:35 PM)
Comment: Matt, Do you believe that Nolan was trusting in some of his Positional-Coaches a little too much? Every Niner fan has noticed that Smiley has not been playing well at all right now, so maybe it was the OL-coach saying, let's give him some more chances? I think that's the reason that we've never seen any changes until this week, and last week when Baas was rotating in (and he looked good doing it). Just to give another example: Ashley Lelie, who is our best deep threat. It was obvious, from previous quotes on your blog and other places, that the WR-Coach Jerry Sullivan did not like certain qualities that Ashley had shown. So the question I have for you: Do you believe Coach Nolan is starting to re-evaluate how much he depends on some of his positional coaches to decide on who plays on Game Day? It seems like most of these changes are coming from the top, and not from the positional Coaches. Thanks, and great job on your Blog, you're the Man.

Response: I don't think I'd disagree with your assessment. --Matt M.

Posted By: oneniner (25/10/2007 5:54:13 PM)
Comment: Rob..I feel you,....Lelie does seem to have some mental issues, but what I saw in Lelie in two plays (and the 2-4 record) made me reconsider my thoughts about having him seat on the bench or have him on the field. D. Jack is cool but A.Battle does exactly what D.Jack does, maybe even better if you consider blocking. I am starting to feel desperate for a Win, I say play Lelie, play the rookie, one guy can't make a team, but one play can win a game. I say start him next to my main man "Arnez Freaking Battle".

Posted By: The Fitz (25/10/2007 5:07:22 PM)
Comment: I have been a fan of the 49ers since John Brodie played. Mike Nolan knows how to build a team. Mike Nolan knows defense. Mike Nolan does not know offense. He will fail because of that.

Posted By: Rob (25/10/2007 5:04:36 PM)
Comment: It seems like lately just about everyone is posting comments about how "we need Lelie in the game". Then it turned into, "we need Lelie to start". Now its "Lelie should replace D Jack." Look, you at least need to make a pro bowl before you are compared to a Porsche 911. Last I checked Lelie is not throwin' blocks on the O-Line, nor is he in charge of play calling. But he is the same guy who quits on routes and is on his third team in three seasons. He is also the knucklehead that has been penalized twice for spiking the ball after a catch. That being said, I can't wait for this weekend's game. Go Niners and I hope D Jack gets healthy soon!

Posted By: Let's not go backwards (25/10/2007 5:01:44 PM)
Comment: I hope coach Nolan does not look at this game as a "must win" game and starts clamping down the offense again. I hope they realize we have nothing to loose and we should open up the play book and let Alex fly like a bird.

Posted By: I like it (25/10/2007 4:54:02 PM)
Comment: Lelie, Battle, Hill could be a really nice combo. We would finally have speed to stretch the field and the sure hands of battle.

Posted By: Nirav (25/10/2007 4:45:24 PM)
Comment: I agree with Josh T. I predicted early that we would have most of the impact players we lost in a span of two weeks. Vernon came back last week, no alex is back, gore is hurting, but he's a warrior. And now we have a chance to get lelie in the whole lineup. It dosnt get better than this. I strongly this is going to be our best game since the game winning drive we had at the beginning of the season. Most of all I just want to shotgun those SEAGULLS. They made us look soo bad, and julian peterson....man I thought he was a quality 49er, he's got no respect for his old team celebrating the way he did.

Posted By: razoreater (25/10/2007 4:31:39 PM)
Comment: i think when hill gets his oppurtunity he will sieze the moment and begin to solidify as a starter as well as help the team to win-remember w/lelie (agreed he stretches the field thereby opening the run)is only good for go routes, no precision timing routes

Posted By: esco (25/10/2007 3:27:09 PM)
Comment: I feel the need...the need for speed! Really hope Leslie starts over D. Jac. The difference is clear. Why drive the Honda to work when you can take the Porsche 911? Get Hill in the game too. Happy Gilmore is not scaring any DBs (although he had a great catch two weeks ago). All this 'play it safe' nonsense is killing me. Time peel outa the driveway, turn up the music, and start getting after these teams. Here's the keys Alex. Tell Nolan to sit shotgun for a change. LET'S GO!!!!

Posted By: Tyler (25/10/2007 3:18:22 PM)
Comment: Darrell Jackson has seemed to be pretty quiet through the last 4 games. As a veteran guy who has been to the Super Bowl, is he providing locker room leadership to a struggling team? Is he trying to rally his teammates?

Posted By: Berger (25/10/2007 2:57:43 PM)
Comment: Any word on whether Grady Jackson cleared waivers or if somebody claimed him, you know, like, the 49ers?

Response: Jackson went unclaimed yesterday. As for the 49ers' interest, there is nothing to add in addition to what Nolan said about Jackson in my Wednesday morning blog. --Matt M.

Posted By: mike in MD (25/10/2007 2:54:29 PM)
Comment: GREAT news...thanks for staying on top of it Matt. Good work Alex. And Frank, what a Warrior man.

Posted By: Josh T (25/10/2007 2:54:11 PM)
Comment: Call me overly optimistic but I think having Smith back, with Lelie and Snyder starting in their respective roles is going to be the beginning of a steady rise. Also the fact that Gore ran well last week might help give some confidence to the O-line. Let's get some momentum over the next two weeks and then clip the seahawks. KEEP THE FAITH!!!

Posted By: jfresh (25/10/2007 2:50:23 PM)
Comment: Matt...do you know if the blankets have to be NEW? I have a whole bunch of used blankets in good condition still. I hope Hill plays. We have nothing to lose at WR. We need to try every piece of arsenal we got.

Response: New, old, doesn't matter as long as they're clean. Thanks for asking. --Matt M.

Posted By: Dan (25/10/2007 2:43:45 PM)
Comment: Thanks Matt, great news. Do you expect a conservative game plan this sunday in the light of Smith's recovery (more so than if he was not coming off an injury?