*** Official 2011 San Francisco 49ers Thread *** (1 Viewer)

[chinawildman]

SANTA CLARA – Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday the 49ers would consider giving backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick more playing time in the final stretch of the season but said he was confident the rookie would hold up well in an emergency.

"He's made leaps in every phase of his game and continues to do so," Roman said. "He's definitely becoming more comfortable in a pro-style system."

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/02/4094687/49ers-notes-qb-backup-kaepernick.html#ixzz1fP13FVFg

If they're going to let Kaepernick take some snaps, you can only infer that they will rest Gore as well and give Hunter more PT to end the regular season. This should get interesting.

 

[Wingnut]

Its about time they get Kyle Williams involved....this kid is the real deal!

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Congrads Niners Nation

 

[derek19]

NFC West Champs!

Still can't believe Vernon dropped that easy TD though.

 

[SlevinKelevra]

NFC WEST 2011 CHAMPS

 

[Dr. Awesome]

:confetti:

It's been a helluva year. The defense is lots of fun to watch. I realize the Rams are not good on offense but SF's defense is a force to be reckoned with.

Patrick Willis was hurt. Let's hope he's back soon. Alex Smith was 17/23 for 274 yards and 2 touchdowns. 0 interceptions.

There are still some things this team needs to work on. Braylon has been m.i.a but Kyle Williams may step up to be a quality slot wr with some speed. But right now who cares about the warts? This season is an amazing success even if they fail to advance in the playoffs.

NFC West Champions!

:confetti:

 

[Black Box]

NFC WEST 2011 CHAMPS

 

[Uncle Humuna]

 

[Sabertooth]

http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2011/10/21/gore-smith-receive-weekly-nfl-honors/

Gore, Smith receive weekly NFL honors

Ho-hum.

Ho-hum is right. I traded for Gore to try and solidify my team. He ended up costing me my season. He seems to have hit the proverbial wall. He can't even muster stats against the poorest rush defense in the NFL. I won't touch him next year or again. I bet he's out of the NFL by 2013.

 

[Wingnut]

http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2011/10/21/gore-smith-receive-weekly-nfl-honors/

Gore, Smith receive weekly NFL honors

Ho-hum.

Ho-hum is right. I traded for Gore to try and solidify my team. He ended up costing me my season. He seems to have hit the proverbial wall. He can't even muster stats against the poorest rush defense in the NFL. I won't touch him next year or again. I bet he's out of the NFL by 2013.

Lmao. Nobody cares about your ff team in this thread. Go cry somewhere else.

 

[FavreCo]

http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2011/10/21/gore-smith-receive-weekly-nfl-honors/

Gore, Smith receive weekly NFL honors

Ho-hum.

Ho-hum is right. I traded for Gore to try and solidify my team. He ended up costing me my season. He seems to have hit the proverbial wall. He can't even muster stats against the poorest rush defense in the NFL. I won't touch him next year or again. I bet he's out of the NFL by 2013.

Their playcalling is horrible. Everyone knows when they trot the FB onto the field, they are going to run Gore behind him. The FB just gets in the way and Frank has nowhere to go. It's amazing he's put up any numbers.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

I suppose we should be flattered that the Packer crew has invaded our little corner of fbg's. It's nice to see fans of the reigning Super Bowl champs jump in here to put us down. They wouldn't give our team the love if they didn't view them as a threat.

 

[drummer]

I suppose we should be flattered that the Packer crew has invaded our little corner of fbg's. It's nice to see fans of the reigning Super Bowl champs jump in here to put us down. They wouldn't give our team the love if they didn't view them as a threat.

You don't do a very good job representing 49er fans here. Just sayin'.

 

[Short Corner]

I suppose we should be flattered that the Packer crew has invaded our little corner of fbg's. It's nice to see fans of the reigning Super Bowl champs jump in here to put us down. They wouldn't give our team the love if they didn't view them as a threat.

You don't do a very good job representing 49er fans here. Just sayin'.

Classic

 

[Dr. Awesome]

I suppose we should be flattered that the Packer crew has invaded our little corner of fbg's. It's nice to see fans of the reigning Super Bowl champs jump in here to put us down. They wouldn't give our team the love if they didn't view them as a threat.

You don't do a very good job representing 49er fans here. Just sayin'.

From you I'll take that as a compliment.

 

[drummer]

I suppose we should be flattered that the Packer crew has invaded our little corner of fbg's. It's nice to see fans of the reigning Super Bowl champs jump in here to put us down. They wouldn't give our team the love if they didn't view them as a threat.

You don't do a very good job representing 49er fans here. Just sayin'.

Classic

They wouldn't give our team the love if they didn't view them as a threat.

Yep. Classic indeed.

 

[Wingnut]

All I know is haters can choke on their hate. This thread is for us 49er fans, and the rest can go fornicate themselves with a rusty iron stick.

BAM!

 

[drummer]

All I know is haters can choke on their hate. This thread is for us 49er fans, and the rest can go fornicate themselves with a rusty iron stick.BAM!

 

[Fullback Fro]

Season ticket holder here. Loving this season so far. One regular home game left. If we could beat Pittsburgh home on Monday night (which I think we can), then we will have the confidence to make some noise in the playoffs.

What a difference a season makes.

Congrats 9ers fans.

One last thing . . . . If Smith can beat Rogers it will be one of the all time greatest sports stories ever.

 

[drummer]

Season ticket holder here. Loving this season so far. One regular home game left. If we could beat Pittsburgh home on Monday night (which I think we can), then we will have the confidence to make some noise in the playoffs. What a difference a season makes. Congrats 9ers fans. One last thing . . . . If Smith can beat Rogers it will be one of the all time greatest sports stories ever.

I would say Tebow going the the Super Bowl a bigger story than Smith vs. Rodgers, because there is no such thing as Smith vs. Rodgers anymore. Rodgers obliterated that one already.

 

[johnadams]

http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2011/10/21/gore-smith-receive-weekly-nfl-honors/

Gore, Smith receive weekly NFL honors

Ho-hum.

Ho-hum is right. I traded for Gore to try and solidify my team. He ended up costing me my season. He seems to have hit the proverbial wall. He can't even muster stats against the poorest rush defense in the NFL. I won't touch him next year or again. I bet he's out of the NFL by 2013.

Their playcalling is horrible. Everyone knows when they trot the FB onto the field, they are going to run Gore behind him. The FB just gets in the way and Frank has nowhere to go. It's amazing he's put up any numbers.

Niners FB not blockingI understand how the layman doesn't get it.

 

[Short Corner]

http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2011/10/21/gore-smith-receive-weekly-nfl-honors/

Gore, Smith receive weekly NFL honors

Ho-hum.

Ho-hum is right. I traded for Gore to try and solidify my team. He ended up costing me my season. He seems to have hit the proverbial wall. He can't even muster stats against the poorest rush defense in the NFL. I won't touch him next year or again. I bet he's out of the NFL by 2013.

Their playcalling is horrible. Everyone knows when they trot the FB onto the field, they are going to run Gore behind him. The FB just gets in the way and Frank has nowhere to go. It's amazing he's put up any numbers.

Niners FB not blockingI understand how the layman doesn't get it.

Obviously a broken play. Gore was supposed to go off tackle to the left and accidentally went right. The rest is Smith and Miller improvising.

 

[drummer]

 

[Wingnut]

Dropped what could have been an easy win. Red zone offense is pathetic.

 

[Shrugs]

3rd-and-1 from your 41, down by 2 with two minutes remaining on a running team and you pass twice? Doesn't seem like Harbaugh.

 

[Tony Reali]

One and done in the playoffs. Play the Saints? Lose by 21+

And to think I was excited about this team

 

[Sabertooth]

I think Gore has finally hit the wall. He had a pretty good career.

 

[Wingnut]

I think Gore has finally hit the wall. He had a pretty good career.

Keep your Gore hate out of this thread, will ya? TIA

 

[wdubb]

The oline is putrid, it can't block for crap. The Baltimore game really exposed the line's inability to provide any kind of protection on blitzes; even worse, those blitzes stop the run as well. If I'm a defensive coordinator for teams playing 49ers, I'm dialing the heat 80% of time and stack the box.

The redzone playcalling is absolutely putrid as well. How many fades did they throw today and in the last few weeks ? How many fades were actually during the whole year? One and a half.

I'm starting getting tired of the 'all big hit no cover no fundamentals' goldson, who screwed up on the first 2 TDs.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

I think Gore has finally hit the wall. He had a pretty good career.

I noticed your Antonio Brown type threads and wondered why I considered you a troll. Those are pretty good threads. Then I noticed crap like this and your Peterson thread. Thanks for reminding me why it was a mistake to take you seriously. Well...about time reality set in. I wonder if Kolb going out impacted the defensive gameplan. Either way, Alex Smith did not play well (hi drummer!) but that o-line...well I don't really have anything great to say. There are a few good players up front. But this team showed it still has a lot of crappy players in the starting lineup when they should be backups at best.But I just can't be that upset. This season is a massive, massive success and there are loads of reasons to be optimistic.

 

[Wingnut]

But I just can't be that upset. This season is a massive, massive success and there are loads of reasons to be optimistic.

Exactly. I was talking to a buddy today and said the same thing.

 

[SlevinKelevra]

The oline is putrid, it can't block for crap. The Baltimore game really exposed the line's inability to provide any kind of protection on blitzes; even worse, those blitzes stop the run as well. If I'm a defensive coordinator for teams playing 49ers, I'm dialing the heat 80% of time and stack the box.

You're right but I would love to see some screen passes or just some dump-offs instead of watching Smith holding the ball for 4/5 seconds

 

[thecatch]

The o line clearly is terrible on the right side, but I think we are also witnessing the effects of alex smith hitting his head hard against his own personal ceiling. Above average quarterbacks can make throws in the red zone that smith simply can't. Akers is going to obliterate the FG record this year. Alex has had a nice run, but at the end of the year we will be in the same place as we were at the beginning: knowing the niners need an upgrade at qb, and not knowing whether kaepernick is that guy.

 

[mcd]

The o line clearly is terrible on the right side, but I think we are also witnessing the effects of alex smith hitting his head hard against his own personal ceiling. Above average quarterbacks can make throws in the red zone that smith simply can't. Akers is going to obliterate the FG record this year. Alex has had a nice run, but at the end of the year we will be in the same place as we were at the beginning: knowing the niners need an upgrade at qb, and not knowing whether kaepernick is that guy.

Well, not in the exact same place. They will be coming off a 10+ win season & Division title in what was supposed to be a lost season. Harbaugh has had a chance to evaluate his talent & hopefully Kaepernick has been getting the coaching in practice to compete for the job next season. It's been fairly obvious all season that Harbaugh knows Smith's abilities & has play called to get the most out of him. I love what Smith has done this year, but he won't be a difference maker most of the time. Looking forward to the playoffs

 

[drummer]

I think Gore has finally hit the wall. He had a pretty good career.

I noticed your Antonio Brown type threads and wondered why I considered you a troll. Those are pretty good threads. Then I noticed crap like this and your Peterson thread. Thanks for reminding me why it was a mistake to take you seriously. Well...about time reality set in. I wonder if Kolb going out impacted the defensive gameplan. Either way, Alex Smith did not play well (hi drummer!) but that o-line...well I don't really have anything great to say. There are a few good players up front. But this team showed it still has a lot of crappy players in the starting lineup when they should be backups at best.But I just can't be that upset. This season is a massive, massive success and there are loads of reasons to be optimistic.

I dunno why 49er fans here get upset at the whole "Gore has hit a wall". He had only 10 carries yesterday. What does that tell you? It tells Harbaugh is conserving Gore because has been carrying the 49er offense his whole career. He has 2 reconstructed knees. He has been injured off an on most of it. The 49ers can spend more on the O-Line, add more depth at RB, etc. Or they can find a real QB and #1 WR next season. The offense hit a wall in the passing game. Gore scored the only TD yesterday. Smith had added one more donut hole in a game with zero passing TD's, counting 4 so far this season.

 

[thecatch]

The o line clearly is terrible on the right side, but I think we are also witnessing the effects of alex smith hitting his head hard against his own personal ceiling. Above average quarterbacks can make throws in the red zone that smith simply can't. Akers is going to obliterate the FG record this year. Alex has had a nice run, but at the end of the year we will be in the same place as we were at the beginning: knowing the niners need an upgrade at qb, and not knowing whether kaepernick is that guy.

Well, not in the exact same place. They will be coming off a 10+ win season & Division title in what was supposed to be a lost season. Harbaugh has had a chance to evaluate his talent & hopefully Kaepernick has been getting the coaching in practice to compete for the job next season. It's been fairly obvious all season that Harbaugh knows Smith's abilities & has play called to get the most out of him. I love what Smith has done this year, but he won't be a difference maker most of the time. Looking forward to the playoffs

It has certainly been a fun season to this point. But I think it is not just likely, but probable at this point that they will drop 4 of their last 6 and lose in the first round. Frustrating to watch after these guys had gotten my hopes up earlier in the year.

 

[5Rings]

The oline is putrid, it can't block for crap. The Baltimore game really exposed the line's inability to provide any kind of protection on blitzes; even worse, those blitzes stop the run as well. If I'm a defensive coordinator for teams playing 49ers, I'm dialing the heat 80% of time and stack the box.

You're right but I would love to see some screen passes or just some dump-offs instead of watching Smith holding the ball for 4/5 seconds

THISI said my piece earlier this season about the red zone failures. I don't want this team to be "happy to be here".

 

[footballnerd]

Flynn for the win, next year

 

[Uncle Humuna]

The oline is putrid, it can't block for crap. The Baltimore game really exposed the line's inability to provide any kind of protection on blitzes; even worse, those blitzes stop the run as well. If I'm a defensive coordinator for teams playing 49ers, I'm dialing the heat 80% of time and stack the box.

You're right but I would love to see some screen passes or just some dump-offs instead of watching Smith holding the ball for 4/5 seconds

THISI said my piece earlier this season about the red zone failures. I don't want this team to be "happy to be here".

They actually ran a screen to a back (Hunter) in the 1st half.Gained about 10-12 yrds IIRC.

I just about fell out of my chair.

Was giddy at the prospect that they were actually taking steps to neutralize the rush.

Didn't see another one though.

Just 5 and 7 step drops with their slowest receiver as the primary.

(Peterson had Crabree's number yesterday - there was one play in particular where Crab tried juking Peterson, but he didn't bite at all and was practically in his jersey for the whole route). Don't understand why they don't get Williams and Davis more involved.

Also, not sure why they abandoned the run again.

They were moderately successful there, but seemed to give up on it in the 4th quarter again.

All I can figure is Harbaugh is bound and determined to get the long ball working.

With the combo of O-Line, WRs, & QB that he has, he better get a grip on reality pretty fast here.

eta -> Despite all of the offensive woes, they still managed to spot the D 12 points. Giving up 3 big plays to the likes of Skelton?!?!? Brees or Rodgers will end up breaking yardage totals for a single game if they play that way in the playoffs.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

I dunno why 49er fans here get upset at the whole "Gore has hit a wall". He had only 10 carries yesterday. What does that tell you? It tells Harbaugh is conserving Gore because has been carrying the 49er offense his whole career. He has 2 reconstructed knees. He has been injured off an on most of it. The 49ers can spend more on the O-Line, add more depth at RB, etc. Or they can find a real QB and #1 WR next season. The offense hit a wall in the passing game. Gore scored the only TD yesterday. Smith had added one more donut hole in a game with zero passing TD's, counting 4 so far this season.

It's probably because Sabertooth has popped into this thread and other Niner threads several times with no intent but to rattle his saber and ramble on with some anti-SF type post. It's tiresome. At least you usually have legitimate viewpoints even if they're rather pessimistic. He just trolls.I'm perfectly okay if Harbaugh rests Gore for most of the way until playoffs start. I'm okay if he does it with Alex or anyone else as well. Young guys need playing time as well.

 

[drummer]

I dunno why 49er fans here get upset at the whole "Gore has hit a wall". He had only 10 carries yesterday. What does that tell you? It tells Harbaugh is conserving Gore because has been carrying the 49er offense his whole career. He has 2 reconstructed knees. He has been injured off an on most of it. The 49ers can spend more on the O-Line, add more depth at RB, etc. Or they can find a real QB and #1 WR next season. The offense hit a wall in the passing game. Gore scored the only TD yesterday. Smith had added one more donut hole in a game with zero passing TD's, counting 4 so far this season.

It's probably because Sabertooth has popped into this thread and other Niner threads several times with no intent but to rattle his saber and ramble on with some anti-SF type post. It's tiresome. At least you usually have legitimate viewpoints even if they're rather pessimistic. He just trolls.I'm perfectly okay if Harbaugh rests Gore for most of the way until playoffs start. I'm okay if he does it with Alex or anyone else as well. Young guys need playing time as well.

Well, Gore may be hurt and Harbaugh is kinda hiding it. Asking 16 games out of Gore after his several seasons under pancake offenses with mediocre QB's is a bit much, and he has to be hurt for him to not be in there for pass protection. I'm a big Gore fan. Once he retires, they should retire his jersey for all he has done in SF. But I don't think he has long for his career, mostly because the 49ers wasted him under bad offenses and scrub QBs.

 

[wdubb]

The o line clearly is terrible on the right side, but I think we are also witnessing the effects of alex smith hitting his head hard against his own personal ceiling. Above average quarterbacks can make throws in the red zone that smith simply can't. Akers is going to obliterate the FG record this year. Alex has had a nice run, but at the end of the year we will be in the same place as we were at the beginning: knowing the niners need an upgrade at qb, and not knowing whether kaepernick is that guy.

Terrible might be an understatement, lol. Anthony Davis has been pretty much a bust so far. Snyder/Rachal are putrid. About Alex and red zone, I can't say I agree here. He's not an above average QB talent-wise, but I think he can make some throws in the endzone (ie the detroit game), his career #s in the redzone are very, very good. Playcalling and overall philosophy in the red zone is where I see problems. First of all, we can't power run with Gore or Hunter given the state of the oline. they should try it with Dixon, but never do. the fades are frustrating, since only Edwards has good jumpball ability and looks like he's done. I don't get where the slants went after they've been throwing a tons of them to Morgan, Crabs, Walker and VD.Then it's a philosophy issue. 49ers win games with great defense and not turning the ball over. That's the spirit in the red zone, don't turn the ball over. But sometimes you need to force the issue a bit more. At least do some creative playcalls.I also agree about screens and check downs. Gore was one of the most targeted backs in the league for the last several years. Now he barely gets the ball on screens. Same with our receivers.Alex obviously has faults and its obvious hes not the longterm solution by any means, but that last game wasnt really on him. He didn't even overthrow his mandatory 1-2 wide open receivers

 

[thecatch]

The o line clearly is terrible on the right side, but I think we are also witnessing the effects of alex smith hitting his head hard against his own personal ceiling. Above average quarterbacks can make throws in the red zone that smith simply can't. Akers is going to obliterate the FG record this year. Alex has had a nice run, but at the end of the year we will be in the same place as we were at the beginning: knowing the niners need an upgrade at qb, and not knowing whether kaepernick is that guy.

Terrible might be an understatement, lol. Anthony Davis has been pretty much a bust so far. Snyder/Rachal are putrid. About Alex and red zone, I can't say I agree here. He's not an above average QB talent-wise, but I think he can make some throws in the endzone (ie the detroit game), his career #s in the redzone are very, very good. Playcalling and overall philosophy in the red zone is where I see problems. First of all, we can't power run with Gore or Hunter given the state of the oline. they should try it with Dixon, but never do. the fades are frustrating, since only Edwards has good jumpball ability and looks like he's done. I don't get where the slants went after they've been throwing a tons of them to Morgan, Crabs, Walker and VD.Then it's a philosophy issue. 49ers win games with great defense and not turning the ball over. That's the spirit in the red zone, don't turn the ball over. But sometimes you need to force the issue a bit more. At least do some creative playcalls.I also agree about screens and check downs. Gore was one of the most targeted backs in the league for the last several years. Now he barely gets the ball on screens. Same with our receivers.Alex obviously has faults and its obvious hes not the longterm solution by any means, but that last game wasnt really on him. He didn't even overthrow his mandatory 1-2 wide open receivers

Smith cant throw guys open. To his credit, he doesn't risk throwing into dangerous situations often, but he's just not accurate or creative enough to be a TD producing guy in the red zone, IMO. When the defenders are all bunched up like that inside the 20, you can't always wait for someone to get wide open like smith likes to.

 

[drummer]

The o line clearly is terrible on the right side, but I think we are also witnessing the effects of alex smith hitting his head hard against his own personal ceiling. Above average quarterbacks can make throws in the red zone that smith simply can't. Akers is going to obliterate the FG record this year. Alex has had a nice run, but at the end of the year we will be in the same place as we were at the beginning: knowing the niners need an upgrade at qb, and not knowing whether kaepernick is that guy.

Terrible might be an understatement, lol. Anthony Davis has been pretty much a bust so far. Snyder/Rachal are putrid. About Alex and red zone, I can't say I agree here. He's not an above average QB talent-wise, but I think he can make some throws in the endzone (ie the detroit game), his career #s in the redzone are very, very good. Playcalling and overall philosophy in the red zone is where I see problems. First of all, we can't power run with Gore or Hunter given the state of the oline. they should try it with Dixon, but never do. the fades are frustrating, since only Edwards has good jumpball ability and looks like he's done. I don't get where the slants went after they've been throwing a tons of them to Morgan, Crabs, Walker and VD.Then it's a philosophy issue. 49ers win games with great defense and not turning the ball over. That's the spirit in the red zone, don't turn the ball over. But sometimes you need to force the issue a bit more. At least do some creative playcalls.I also agree about screens and check downs. Gore was one of the most targeted backs in the league for the last several years. Now he barely gets the ball on screens. Same with our receivers.Alex obviously has faults and its obvious hes not the longterm solution by any means, but that last game wasnt really on him. He didn't even overthrow his mandatory 1-2 wide open receivers

Smith cant throw guys open. To his credit, he doesn't risk throwing into dangerous situations often, but he's just not accurate or creative enough to be a TD producing guy in the red zone, IMO. When the defenders are all bunched up like that inside the 20, you can't always wait for someone to get wide open like smith likes to.

He still stares down WR's and routes. His release is still slow, and he doesn't have the biggest arm. He doesn't risk throwing because he is too tentative. Sooner or later it has to be on the QB to make plays, and to demand Smith to throw over 25 passes week after week is asking a bit much of him. Once he goes over 30 attempts, he leaks. Harbaugh can't hide the guy much longer.

 

[5Rings]

The oline is putrid, it can't block for crap. The Baltimore game really exposed the line's inability to provide any kind of protection on blitzes; even worse, those blitzes stop the run as well. If I'm a defensive coordinator for teams playing 49ers, I'm dialing the heat 80% of time and stack the box.

You're right but I would love to see some screen passes or just some dump-offs instead of watching Smith holding the ball for 4/5 seconds

THISI said my piece earlier this season about the red zone failures. I don't want this team to be "happy to be here".

They actually ran a screen to a back (Hunter) in the 1st half.Gained about 10-12 yrds IIRC.

I just about fell out of my chair.

Was giddy at the prospect that they were actually taking steps to neutralize the rush.

Didn't see another one though.

Just 5 and 7 step drops with their slowest receiver as the primary.

(Peterson had Crabree's number yesterday - there was one play in particular where Crab tried juking Peterson, but he didn't bite at all and was practically in his jersey for the whole route). Don't understand why they don't get Williams and Davis more involved.

Also, not sure why they abandoned the run again.

They were moderately successful there, but seemed to give up on it in the 4th quarter again.

All I can figure is Harbaugh is bound and determined to get the long ball working.

With the combo of O-Line, WRs, & QB that he has, he better get a grip on reality pretty fast here.

eta -> Despite all of the offensive woes, they still managed to spot the D 12 points. Giving up 3 big plays to the likes of Skelton?!?!? Brees or Rodgers will end up breaking yardage totals for a single game if they play that way in the playoffs.

This is a really good point. IMO...Jim knows that to win in the playoffs vs NO/GB/NY/DAL, Alex is going to have to come through and the passing game is going to have to be effective. I know drummer will like this, but Alex has been managed this year...(drummer won't like this) and he's performed well when he's limited. I think Harbaugh is using these late games to take the training wheels off and hopefully have an Alex Smith 22-30, 350, 3TD type coming out party. Sadly, it aint happening.

He's also tried to get Braylon involved by force feeding him early and at the goal line. That aint working either.

I don't get why he's limited VD's targets unless Jim really wants to try and establish the WRs and get Ds to respect them heading into the playoffs.

At this point, I am in no position to second guess the job that Harbaugh has done...but the change lately in playcalling is interesting (to say the least).

 

[drummer]

The oline is putrid, it can't block for crap. The Baltimore game really exposed the line's inability to provide any kind of protection on blitzes; even worse, those blitzes stop the run as well. If I'm a defensive coordinator for teams playing 49ers, I'm dialing the heat 80% of time and stack the box.

You're right but I would love to see some screen passes or just some dump-offs instead of watching Smith holding the ball for 4/5 seconds

THISI said my piece earlier this season about the red zone failures. I don't want this team to be "happy to be here".

They actually ran a screen to a back (Hunter) in the 1st half.Gained about 10-12 yrds IIRC.

I just about fell out of my chair.

Was giddy at the prospect that they were actually taking steps to neutralize the rush.

Didn't see another one though.

Just 5 and 7 step drops with their slowest receiver as the primary.

(Peterson had Crabree's number yesterday - there was one play in particular where Crab tried juking Peterson, but he didn't bite at all and was practically in his jersey for the whole route). Don't understand why they don't get Williams and Davis more involved.

Also, not sure why they abandoned the run again.

They were moderately successful there, but seemed to give up on it in the 4th quarter again.

All I can figure is Harbaugh is bound and determined to get the long ball working.

With the combo of O-Line, WRs, & QB that he has, he better get a grip on reality pretty fast here.

eta -> Despite all of the offensive woes, they still managed to spot the D 12 points. Giving up 3 big plays to the likes of Skelton?!?!? Brees or Rodgers will end up breaking yardage totals for a single game if they play that way in the playoffs.

This is a really good point. IMO...Jim knows that to win in the playoffs vs NO/GB/NY/DAL, Alex is going to have to come through and the passing game is going to have to be effective. I know drummer will like this, but Alex has been managed this year...(drummer won't like this) and he's performed well when he's limited. I think Harbaugh is using these late games to take the training wheels off and hopefully have an Alex Smith 22-30, 350, 3TD type coming out party. Sadly, it aint happening.

He's also tried to get Braylon involved by force feeding him early and at the goal line. That aint working either.

I don't get why he's limited VD's targets unless Jim really wants to try and establish the WRs and get Ds to respect them heading into the playoffs.

At this point, I am in no position to second guess the job that Harbaugh has done...but the change lately in playcalling is interesting (to say the least).

The times when the passing offense clicks is when the opposing defense respects the honest part of the offense: Gore. Even then, Smith is only effective when he hits a few key plays while dink and dunking dumpoffs and short routes. Most games when they opened up the passing game early the offense sputtered with the defense keeping the score close facing QB's like McCoy. Now that Gore is dinged up and Hunter still not an every down back, it's all predicated on Smith having confidence, and that is still so shaky at times that it has looked to regress back in the Jimmy Raye era. Heck, the last 4th and 1 play on Sunday looked similar to the BOOOOOO game when he got spooked against the Eagles rush (after stepping right into the pressure0 and the rolled left to get blown up. Once Smith gets into tunnel vision mode staring down routes and gets the happy feet against the rush, he is done. What has Harbaugh fixed here? I am tired of these so called "coming out" games that happen once or twice a season with Smith. The defense and ST are giving the offense golden opportunities as far as FP. Give me a QB who can put those opportunities into TDs. Again, Smith has 4 games with donut holes as far as TD passes. If Harbaugh is hiding a Golden Offense for the playoffs, just how well can Smith handle that pressure while not executing down the stretch into them?

 

[5Rings]

The oline is putrid, it can't block for crap. The Baltimore game really exposed the line's inability to provide any kind of protection on blitzes; even worse, those blitzes stop the run as well. If I'm a defensive coordinator for teams playing 49ers, I'm dialing the heat 80% of time and stack the box.

You're right but I would love to see some screen passes or just some dump-offs instead of watching Smith holding the ball for 4/5 seconds

THISI said my piece earlier this season about the red zone failures. I don't want this team to be "happy to be here".

They actually ran a screen to a back (Hunter) in the 1st half.Gained about 10-12 yrds IIRC.

I just about fell out of my chair.

Was giddy at the prospect that they were actually taking steps to neutralize the rush.

Didn't see another one though.

Just 5 and 7 step drops with their slowest receiver as the primary.

(Peterson had Crabree's number yesterday - there was one play in particular where Crab tried juking Peterson, but he didn't bite at all and was practically in his jersey for the whole route). Don't understand why they don't get Williams and Davis more involved.

Also, not sure why they abandoned the run again.

They were moderately successful there, but seemed to give up on it in the 4th quarter again.

All I can figure is Harbaugh is bound and determined to get the long ball working.

With the combo of O-Line, WRs, & QB that he has, he better get a grip on reality pretty fast here.

eta -> Despite all of the offensive woes, they still managed to spot the D 12 points. Giving up 3 big plays to the likes of Skelton?!?!? Brees or Rodgers will end up breaking yardage totals for a single game if they play that way in the playoffs.

This is a really good point. IMO...Jim knows that to win in the playoffs vs NO/GB/NY/DAL, Alex is going to have to come through and the passing game is going to have to be effective. I know drummer will like this, but Alex has been managed this year...(drummer won't like this) and he's performed well when he's limited. I think Harbaugh is using these late games to take the training wheels off and hopefully have an Alex Smith 22-30, 350, 3TD type coming out party. Sadly, it aint happening.

He's also tried to get Braylon involved by force feeding him early and at the goal line. That aint working either.

I don't get why he's limited VD's targets unless Jim really wants to try and establish the WRs and get Ds to respect them heading into the playoffs.

At this point, I am in no position to second guess the job that Harbaugh has done...but the change lately in playcalling is interesting (to say the least).

The times when the passing offense clicks is when the opposing defense respects the honest part of the offense: Gore. Even then, Smith is only effective when he hits a few key plays while dink and dunking dumpoffs and short routes. Most games when they opened up the passing game early the offense sputtered with the defense keeping the score close facing QB's like McCoy. Now that Gore is dinged up and Hunter still not an every down back, it's all predicated on Smith having confidence, and that is still so shaky at times that it has looked to regress back in the Jimmy Raye era. Heck, the last 4th and 1 play on Sunday looked similar to the BOOOOOO game when he got spooked against the Eagles rush (after stepping right into the pressure0 and the rolled left to get blown up. Once Smith gets into tunnel vision mode staring down routes and gets the happy feet against the rush, he is done. What has Harbaugh fixed here? I am tired of these so called "coming out" games that happen once or twice a season with Smith. The defense and ST are giving the offense golden opportunities as far as FP. Give me a QB who can put those opportunities into TDs. Again, Smith has 4 games with donut holes as far as TD passes. If Harbaugh is hiding a Golden Offense for the playoffs, just how well can Smith handle that pressure while not executing down the stretch into them?

Harbaugh's not "hiding" anything, he's trying to develop an offense and using these late games as the "camp" that Smith and the offense missed. Lose the craggy old man deal and you'll find that I agree with you.

 

[derek19]

Interesting historical fact about this Monday night game between two teams with at least 10 wins..

Monday's matchup between the 49ers and Steelers will be only the fourth time in which two teams with at least 10 victories and a win percentage of .750 or better will meet in the history Monday Night Football, according to the NFL.Here's a look at the previous Monday games that featured two teams with 10-plus wins and .750-plus win percentagesec. 14, 1987: 49ers (10-2) vs. Chicago (10-2). Outcome: 49ers 41, Bears 0Dec. 3, 1990: 49ers (10-1) vs. N.Y. Giants (10-1). Outcome: 49ers 7, Giants 3Dec. 15, 1997: 49ers (12-2) vs. Denver (11-3). Outcome: 49ers 34, Broncos 17

Not that it means anything, just found it interesting.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Interesting historical fact about this Monday night game between two teams with at least 10 wins..

Monday's matchup between the 49ers and Steelers will be only the fourth time in which two teams with at least 10 victories and a win percentage of .750 or better will meet in the history Monday Night Football, according to the NFL.Here's a look at the previous Monday games that featured two teams with 10-plus wins and .750-plus win percentagesec. 14, 1987: 49ers (10-2) vs. Chicago (10-2). Outcome: 49ers 41, Bears 0Dec. 3, 1990: 49ers (10-1) vs. N.Y. Giants (10-1). Outcome: 49ers 7, Giants 3Dec. 15, 1997: 49ers (12-2) vs. Denver (11-3). Outcome: 49ers 34, Broncos 17

Not that it means anything, just found it interesting.

It means the 9ers were really good for a really long time; and that they won all 3 vs teams with 10+ wins on the big stage. Great stat.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

"Saints are on our heels for 2nd seed."

As they say in Metry, ya got dat roight, brah.

The Saints are technically a game out, they need the 9ers to lose vs Pit and/or Seattle. I like the opponents in both games.

And the Saints sched is looking really good. The playoffs with a bye then home ad in the playoffs, love that.

Is it just me or does it seem like Smith is getting sacked a lot.

My opponent this week has the PIT D; yaknow, to hellwidit, I'm pulling for the Steelers.

s/ Old NFC West opponent, no Montana to save yer ___ this time.