I had a gut feeling about the 49ers’ pass distribution, so I checked it out. I don’t believe any other analyst has noticed this. Michael Crabtree leads the team in targets with 31 – almost a third more than Vernon Davis, who’s in second place with 22. There’s more. The 49ers’ first pass has gone to Crabtree in three of the first four games. And there’s even more. The 49ers’…
Here are the grades for the 49ers 34-0 trouncing of the Jets – the worst team in the NFL despite their 2-2 record. Quarterbacks: C. Alex Smith completed 12 of 21 passes for 143 yards. No touchdowns or turnovers. He did not complete a pass on third down. Twice he was sacked because he held ball for more than three seconds in the pocket. Colin Kaepernick attempted one pass –…
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Here’s the live blog for the 49ers Week 4 game against the New York Jets. I’ll update this frequently with analysis from the press box. 8:34 The 49ers inactives are Scott Tolzien, A.J. Jenkins, Isaac Sopoaga, Brandon Jacobs, LaMichael James, Trenton Robinson and Joe Looney. The 49ers do not have a single 2012 draft pick suited for this game. Darcel McBath seems to have passed rookie…
The 49ers will beat the New York Jets 23-13 on Sunday. Here’s how it will happen: The Jets will get the ball first. Either they’ll win the toss and choose to receive the kickoff or the 49ers will win the toss and defer. Tony Sparano, the Jets’ offensive coordinator, will call a Shonn-Green run up the middle on first down, and Green will gain one yard. Sparano will call a…
Greg Roman’s Thursday press conference transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening statement: “Is it afternoon yet? Yes it is, good afternoon. If I appear unshaven I apologize, but this Jets defense forces our whole staff to stay up into the wee hours of the morning. We know [Head Coach] Rex Ryan, I worked with Rex, [Defensive Coordinator] Mike Pettine and [Defensive Backs Coach] Dennis Thruman. Some really good coaches,…
Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference transcript from Youngstown Ohio, courtesy of the 49ers. With Vikings QB Christian Ponder’s feet and WR Percy Harvin’s speed, was the game plan good and was it just the execution that was lacking in that game? “It was both. We didn’t execute as well as we’re capable of executing and I could have had us in some better calls in certain situations. So, it…
Here’s what Greg Cosell said on The Murph and Mac Show Thursday about the 49ers’ loss to the Vikings on Sunday. Q: How were the Vikings able to put together three 80-plus-yards drives against the 49ers? COSELL: It was a very good mix of run and pass. It was a case for the most part where they didn’t necessarily make a ton big plays, but their running game was sustaining….
Alex Smith’s Wednesday press conference transcript from Youngstown, Ohio, courtesy of the 49ers. I think a lot of fans were wondering, in the 2nd half, why you guys didn’t push the ball down field more. Is that a factor of being down 17-3 and they’re just kind of taking that stuff away from you? “Yeah, for sure. I thought looking back on it, especially there in the 2nd half, a…
Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference transcript from Youngstown, Ohio, courtesy of the 49ers. How was the walk through back there? Seemed like old times being back in the parking lot? “Yeah, very familiar.” Are the buses a new addition this year? “Yeah, that was, Lou [Pezzola] added that.” Who’s Lou? Help me out. “Lou’s one of our security personnel.” So he came up with that one on…
The 49ers play the Jets Sunday at the Meadowlands. In the meantime, I’ll break down one key matchup per day. Wide receivers Santonio Holmes (5-11, 192 pounds) and Jeremy Kerley (5-9, 188 pounds) vs. the 49ers defensive backs. The 49ers defense, as great as it is, does not match up well against big tight ends or small, explosive receivers who can line up all over the formation – in the…
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan spoke to Bay Area reporters on a conference call Wednesday morning. He talked about the key players on the 49ers’ offense, the seven blue-chip players on the 49ers’ defense and the how the Jets’ defense will adjust to the loss of Darrelle Revis. The transcript. Q: Donte Whitner said the key for him in facing the Jets offense is keeping an eye on…
The 49ers play the Jets Sunday at the Meadowlands. In the meantime, I’ll break down one key matchup per day. Running backs Shonn Green (5-11, 226 pounds) and Bilal Powell (5-10, 204 pounds) vs. the 49ers defensive front. The Vikings proved that you have to establish a running game and stick with it to beat the 49ers. The Jets like to run – they’ve rushed 91 times this season, 5…
Here is Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. I did not attend this press conference, which took place in the boardroom of a Youngstown, Ohio Holiday Inn. I’m not in Youngstown, but I will be in East Rutherford, New Jersey to cover the game next Sunday. How are you doing? “Good. Excited to be here in Youngstown. Looking forward to a great week of preparation…
The grades for the 49ers’ Week 3 stunning loss against the Vikings, 24-13. Alex Smith: D. Smith was efficient, completing 69 percent of his passes, but he never threw it deep. He only averaged 5.8 yards per attempt. Not good enough. He was behind the entire game and he never showed any urgency. He seemed content to mostly throw dink and dunk passes until midway through the fourth quarter. When…
Here is the live blog for the 49ers Week 3 game against the Minnesota Vikings. I’ll update the blog frequently with analysis from my living room. 9:25 The 49ers inactives: Scott Tolzien, A.J. Jenkins, Ted Ginn Jr., LaMichael James, Brandon Jacobs, Joe Looney and Iam Williams. 10:02 The 49ers win the toss and defer. 10:18 What a first drive for the Vikings. Christian Ponder threw a touchdown pass to Kyle…
Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. Is this time away going to be rough on you, the new dad? “Yeah, away from the family. But, with our other family here, we’re with our 49er family. And a lot of opportunity there. A lot to look forward to. But the main thing is we’re focused on this game. The all importance of winning this ball game….
Put yourself in Leslie Frazier’s shoes. You’re the head coach of the Vikings, you have to play the 49ers this Sunday and you’re probably going to lose. Your offense doesn’t have one matchup advantage over the Niners’ defense. What would your game plan be? How would you strategize to pull off the upset? So I’m proposing a contest to you readers. Write your Vikings game plan in the comment section….
On Wednesday at his locker, Alex Smith explained to Bay Area reporters why taking a sack is not all that bad. Here’s Smith’s exact quote: “A sack’s not the end of the world. Sometimes the best thing is to protect it in the pocket and take a sack. A lot of times, the ability to make plays with your feet, you get out of the pocket, you scramble, you run,…
My week 3 NFL picks. Rams @ Bears: Rams. Matt Forte is out, so now the Bears have to pass to move the ball and to score points. Jay Cutler will throw it up and the Rams will pick him off more than once. Bills @ Browns: Bills. Rookie QB Brandon Weeden will lose this home game for the Browns. Buccaneers @ Cowboys: Cowboys. Dallas will win because they’re the…
Greg Roman’s Thursday press conference transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “Good afternoon. Didn’t take our players long watching the film of cleaning up the Detroit game, moving on to Minnesota and seeing that these guys are a very, very good defense. They’re well coached. They’ve got a diverse scheme. They’ve got [Vikings DE] Jared Allen, who some regard as the best pass rusher in the National Football…
