SAN FRANCISCO – Here is the transcript of Alex Smith’s postgame press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
Alex, it’s got to be tough tonight, you guys played well enough to win, did you feel that way tonight? Why didn’t you win?
“Definitely executed better in the first half it felt like. I felt like in the second half, especially there at the end, just negative plays. It seemed like every series there was one negative play. Whether there would be a sack, or a loss, or a penalty, we put ourselves in second and long, third and long, and it was tough to overcome. In the first half we didn’t do that; we had third and manageables, moved the chains, more production on first and second down. Just felt like they were late. It seemed like we were behind the chains too often.”
The past two games in a row now where [RB] Frank [Gore] is unable to get really going, especially when you need him to in the second half, can you account for that? Is there something that you are seeing?
“We played against a good front tonight. We knew it was going to be a challenge for us. They were a good group. You’ve got good players up front. They are physical. They’ve got a good scheme. I couldn’t tell you why right now, but especially there in the second half, like I said, we got behind the chains and then all of a sudden we weren’t as balanced and didn’t get as much going.”
Alex, were you surprised when Harbaugh kept the field goal on the score board and didn’t take the penalty?
“Not surprised either way. In hindsight you can say either way. But, he hit the field goal, we got the penalty for the kickoff, defense was playing well, made it a two-score game. So, made the decision and got to live with it.”
With this game, if you’d have won, what would it mean for the team and for you specifically?
“It would have been 2-0. That’s obvious. But, it would have been a step for us. This was a good team coming in here. I think a step playing a good NFC team outside our division, that that would be the next step for us. That’s what it means to me.”
When you’re walking off the field and it’s 4th and 1 in overtime and you’re going to punt away the ball, what goes through your mind? Do you have the pit in your stomach thinking you’re not going to get the ball back?
“Yes for sure. My mind goes to the sack right there. First down, we had production. Second down, you take the sack. Third and long makes it nearly impossible to move the chains. That’s all I was thinking about. You replay the plays there, especially as they hit the long pass, and kicking the field goal. Yeah, what you could have done differently.”
They were bringing a lot of guys that were coming clean. Was that a protection break down? Were you responsible for some of that?
“For sure. All of us. They throw a lot of different fronts at you. A lot of unorthodox pressures. They break a lot of rules, I guess, you might say. As you learn football, you know this guy shouldn’t be able to come and he comes anyway. They do a lot of different things to try to confuse the quarterback, and it got there tonight. But, I think this game more than any, protection was on all of us. Especially the guys outside on me. Being able to get the ball out and beat some of that stuff with throws. And I thought we did a good job in the first half, really mixed it up and beat the pressure. Second half didn’t do as well.”
Do you think once you guys had the 14-point lead, was there a tendency to back off a little bit and play a bit more conservative, or do you feel like you guys were still…
“I don’t think so. I think we were still going. We knew what team we were playing. Fourteen points that early in the game doesn’t mean much. We knew they were explosive, so I don’t think by any means we got away from our game plan.”
Was there something the Dallas defense did more effectively in the second half?
“Like I said, I think they were ahead of the chains. We were behind them. I think that was kind of the story. And they got the turnover in the second half. That whole series was bad. I missed [TE] Delanie [Walker] down the left side. Get that throw, you’re not even in third and long. Then all of a sudden third and long, and the guy jumps [WR] Vernon [Davis], and forced the ball. It’s a bad decision, and all of a sudden they score seven points off that. Those types of things in the second half changed it.”
Alex, is this a step back or a step forward for the 49ers?
“I certainly don’t think it’s a step backwards at all. Absolutely not. There’s certainly no satisfaction in coming close, but I thought we did a lot of good things tonight. Played against a very good team that had their backs against the wall. We’re in a must-win situation. I think a few plays didn’t go differently and all of a sudden it’s a different game.”
Did you want to take that penalty rather than get the first down on the field goal?
“Those aren’t my calls. I’m not thinking like that. I’m getting ready to go if that decision is made. I’m not thinking we should or we shouldn’t. That’s not really my mindset.”
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