San Francisco - Completely Botched Their Season? (1 Viewer)

[TheDirtyWord]

Here is what I don't get.

With about a minute to go, they have 90 yards to go for a TD, so likely 60 for a legit FG attempot. They get a 7 yard screen to Gore. So on 2nd and 3, with Seattle having 2 TO's left, IMO the most important thing SF can do is secure the 1st down and play for OT. Likelihood of getting a score in regulation is real slim.

So what do they do, instead of trying to secure a first down by running the ball and making SEA use their TO's, they throw two passes downfield into coverage which fall incomplete, stopping the clock and allowing SEA the ability to call a TO moments later to secure their FG.

I mean, not a fan here...but completely awestruck by how inept this end of game management was. Lombardi will have a field day with this.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I had this game on and completely zoned out when SF took possession. I checked a few fantasy scores, and all of the sudden I looked up and Seattle somehow had the ball. I had no idea how that happened, as that game had OT written all over it. Thanks for explaining what happened because I was curious, and horrible game management by SF.

 

[Couch Potato]

Here is what I don't get.With about a minute to go, they have 90 yards to go for a TD, so likely 60 for a legit FG attempot. They get a 7 yard screen to Gore. So on 2nd and 3, with Seattle having 2 TO's left, IMO the most important thing SF can do is secure the 1st down and play for OT. Likelihood of getting a score in regulation is real slim.So what do they do, instead of trying to secure a first down by running the ball and making SEA use their TO's, they throw two passes downfield into coverage which fall incomplete, stopping the clock and allowing SEA the ability to call a TO moments later to secure their FG.I mean, not a fan here...but completely awestruck by how inept this end of game management was. Lombardi will have a field day with this.

I live in the bay area and had the local radio broadcast on. Man, you should've heard those guys and how disgusted they were with the play calling during the time you're talking about. Just stupid, stupid, stupid thinking. Unexcusable. Freakin' 9ers. It's hard to be a fan of these guys. They've lost 6 games by 6 points or less this year, and it's usually been bonehead stuff that has cost them. BAH!

 

[Terrell Owens 81]

You saw what I've witnessed for the past seven years. Neither Nolan nor Singletary have any clock management skills.

 

[Touchdown Syndrome]

I had this game on and completely zoned out when SF took possession. I checked a few fantasy scores, and all of the sudden I looked up and Seattle somehow had the ball. I had no idea how that happened, as that game had OT written all over it. Thanks for explaining what happened because I was curious, and horrible game management by SF.

Ha, this is exactly what happened with me.I'm bouncing between a couple games on the Ticket, assuming that the game is likely going to OT.I blink my eyes and Seattle is setting up for the chip-shot FG.

 

[FavreCo]

You saw what I've witnessed for the past seven years. Neither Nolan nor Singletary have any clock management skills.

Jimmy Raye calls the plays. He's the problem. He's sucked wherever he has gone.

 

[Couch Potato]

You saw what I've witnessed for the past seven years. Neither Nolan nor Singletary have any clock management skills.

Jimmy Raye calls the plays. He's the problem. He's sucked wherever he has gone.

Amen brother.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I had this game on and completely zoned out when SF took possession. I checked a few fantasy scores, and all of the sudden I looked up and Seattle somehow had the ball. I had no idea how that happened, as that game had OT written all over it. Thanks for explaining what happened because I was curious, and horrible game management by SF.

Ha, this is exactly what happened with me.I'm bouncing between a couple games on the Ticket, assuming that the game is likely going to OT.I blink my eyes and Seattle is setting up for the chip-shot FG.

Haha ditto. I saw the Niners get the ball back, flipped it over to the Giants/Cowboys game for a couple minutes, and switched it back expecting to see overtime, but the game was already over.

 

[meanjoegreen]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

Do you think Hill is better?

 

[two_dollars]

Frank Gore only getting 9 carries is a problem. I don't care if he did fumble 1 time. He is your best player, you give him the damn ball!

 

[plymkr]

I think Smith is better, but since they had a little passing succss they forgot what won them games in the beginning. Frank Gore & Defense. Now it's a spread offense. What? The results are better w/ball controll & Defense.

 

[FavreCo]

Fact is, Jimmy Raye has no clue what he is doing. Even in the spread, Gore should be getting more carries and more passes.

Jimmy Raye thinks he is Mike Martz except Martz knew to feature Faulk. 'Mediocre' at best is the comment and it's generous.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/117416-...ator-jimmy-raye

 

[DPRugby]

The 49ers needed some coaches today, not a motivational speaker and some idiot who can't manage a clock. I put today's game on the coaches as much as the players. Why the F do you call a reverse on a punt when you have a guy who can barely field a punt on a good day much less execute some reverse timing play.

Oh, also, nice BS no call on 4th and goal in the 1st qtr. Refs didn't do SF any favors.

 

[Da Guru]

You saw what I've witnessed for the past seven years. Neither Nolan nor Singletary have any clock management skills.

Jimmy Raye calls the plays. He's the problem. He's sucked wherever he has gone.

Amen brother.

Jimmy Raye has been horrible everywhere. Why does he still have a job?

 

[Arch Stanton]

The 49ers needed some coaches today, not a motivational speaker and some idiot who can't manage a clock. I put today's game on the coaches as much as the players. Why the F do you call a reverse on a punt when you have a guy who can barely field a punt on a good day much less execute some reverse timing play.Oh, also, nice BS no call on 4th and goal in the 1st qtr. Refs didn't do SF any favors.

That was terrible but didn't really affect anything. Seattle ended up punting from their endzone, 9ers had great field position as a result and scored on that drive. So didn't really hurt them at all.

 

[FavreCo]

You saw what I've witnessed for the past seven years. Neither Nolan nor Singletary have any clock management skills.

Jimmy Raye calls the plays. He's the problem. He's sucked wherever he has gone.

Amen brother.

Jimmy Raye has been horrible everywhere. Why does he still have a job?

He's not the 1st and won't be the last hack that floats around the NFL sucking the life out of offenses. Sadly Singletary has fallen for this guy's schpeel. Singletary wanted a power run game and now he has Mike Martz jr. (without any skills).

 

[pq9090]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

lol what? Alex smith has looked very good the last couple games. The problem is that they aren't getting Gore the ball enough Last 3 games:16/33 227 3 1 27/41 232 2 027/45 310 2 0

 

[Mr. Retukes]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

Smith's stats are superior to Hill in every way. I don't think Smith is the problem -- not directly, at least. But I think his presence has had an indirect effect because the 49ers have abandoned the conservative gameplan that helped them win games at the start of the season.

 

[D'OHtis]

Amazing the contrast in play callling from early on in the season. For the record, Smith's not the problem. The guy is very very good out of the gun.

I give them a thumbs up for catering to Smith's strengths, but not completely abandoning Gore in the process.

 

[morris4903]

That playcalling was atrocious at the end and Alex Smith is not why they lost this game. Gore had a horrible fumble when they driving down the field late in the 4th and Davis had a key drop for a touchdown on the next drive that would have given them the lead 21-17 with 3 min left. Those two plays lost them the game IMO

 

[teamroc]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

Smith has played a lot better. And Hill is AWFUL. The only surprising thing is people read box scores and they think they have a clue.

 

[Young 8]

the season was already over

Arizona is a better team, period

 

[ThePittbully]

You saw what I've witnessed for the past seven years. Neither Nolan nor Singletary have any clock management skills.

Jimmy Raye calls the plays. He's the problem. He's sucked wherever he has gone.

Amen brother.

Truth. For the life of me I dont understand how you can have a guy like Gore, be in a tight game, and only give it to him 9 times on the ground. And just two weeks ago, 7 times against GB in another tight game. And they lost both...go figure

 

[Timsbsns]

Truly, my wife could call a better game than Raye. 45 pass plays? 12 run plays? Come on man!

 

[Knobs]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

You must not follow the Niners much and only be looking at the W/L record.Alex Smith isn't all that great but he's better than Hill. The guy I'm really curious about is Nate Davis but he's probably a couple more years away from starting (if ever).

 

[jamil]

As a texan fan, I feel you guys' pain. Except ours is the other way around... we run too much.

 

[harryhood]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

Alex Smith isn't all that great but he's better than Hill.

You are right, he can do more things better than Hill could. On the flip side, that is no excuse for him to be throwing 45 times in a game that is tied.

 

[Billy Costigan Jr]

I don't understand teams who don't game plan around the best player on their team.

Gore is WAAAY above any other player on that offense, so naturally the best decision is to pass all the time when your best player is your RB.

:bittergoreowner:

 

[thecatch]

I don't understand teams who don't game plan around the best player on their team.Gore is WAAAY above any other player on that offense, so naturally the best decision is to pass all the time when your best player is your RB.:bittergoreowner:

Not that I disagree with your main point, but Gore and the Niners' offensive line haven't exactly been making a strong case for running the ball extensively. The only reason Raye opened the offense up in the first place is that Gore had been unable to do much better than 2.5-3 yards a carry for a substantial stretch. Unfortunately for the team Raye doesn't seem to understand that there is a middle ground between running nothing but running plays, and nothing but passing plays.

 

[Billy Costigan Jr]

I don't understand teams who don't game plan around the best player on their team.Gore is WAAAY above any other player on that offense, so naturally the best decision is to pass all the time when your best player is your RB.:bittergoreowner:

Not that I disagree with your main point, but Gore and the Niners' offensive line haven't exactly been making a strong case for running the ball extensively. The only reason Raye opened the offense up in the first place is that Gore had been unable to do much better than 2.5-3 yards a carry for a substantial stretch. Unfortunately for the team Raye doesn't seem to understand that there is a middle ground between running nothing but running plays, and nothing but passing plays.

I Just feel like that Gore's a back who gets better with more carries...picks up steam the more he's involved.Sure he'll get a bunch of short runs, but then he pops a 60 yard TD for you and your laughing.But he needs more then 9 carries for his shot at breaking that big play.

 

[FavreCo]

I Just feel like that Gore's a back who gets better with more carries...picks up steam the more he's involved.Sure he'll get a bunch of short runs, but then he pops a 60 yard TD for you and your laughing.But he needs more then 9 carries for his shot at breaking that big play.

I was laughing at the ineptitude of the 49ers fans on 2 of their message boards. No mention of the atrocious playcalling of Raye and a ton of 'Let's trade Frank Gore. Frank Gore sucks' 'Frank Gore is slow'. 'We need CJ Spiller'. Man those people are idiots. Get an OL for Frank.

 

[5Rings]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

Gore runs for 200 on the Seahawks last game...and gets only 9 carries while Smith throws 45 times?#### me

 

[DPRugby]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

Gore runs for 200 on the Seahawks last game...and gets only 9 carries while Smith throws 45 times?#### me

Gore's 200 yard game came mostly on two long carries. The O-line has been sucking for Gore the last few weeks and even if we gave him the ball 30 times it would only mean a lot of punts. We need better balance yes but Frank isn't going to have a 20/100 type game behind this o line.The coaches suck... period.

 

[Uncle Humuna]

That playcalling was atrocious at the end and Alex Smith is not why they lost this game. Gore had a horrible fumble when they driving down the field late in the 4th and Davis had a key drop for a touchdown on the next drive that would have given them the lead 21-17 with 3 min left. Those two plays lost them the game IMO

 

[CalBear]

You saw what I've witnessed for the past seven years. Neither Nolan nor Singletary have any clock management skills.

Jimmy Raye calls the plays. He's the problem. He's sucked wherever he has gone.

Amen brother.

Jimmy Raye has been horrible everywhere. Why does he still have a job?

Because organizations with incompetent management like the Niners exist. Surely as a Detroit fan you undertand the phenomenon.

 

[Knobs]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

Alex Smith isn't all that great but he's better than Hill.

You are right, he can do more things better than Hill could. On the flip side, that is no excuse for him to be throwing 45 times in a game that is tied.

I agree. Alex Smith is better than Hill but it's not like he's Peyton Manning out there. This offense should still flow through Frank Gore. I understand Alex looks much better out of the shotgun but Gore doesn't feel comfortable running from that formation. You need to develop some kind of compromise. Maybe start passing him the ball by the boat load? He's a good receiving back.

 

[FavreCo]

I agree. Alex Smith is better than Hill but it's not like he's Peyton Manning out there. This offense should still flow through Frank Gore. I understand Alex looks much better out of the shotgun but Gore doesn't feel comfortable running from that formation. You need to develop some kind of compromise. Maybe start passing him the ball by the boat load? He's a good receiving back.

One of Gore's best games ever was after Nolan felt the heat to have the OC replaced in 2007. They brought in a consultant who game planned around Gore and had Dilfer feed him the ball including 11-98 receiving and a 37-31 win. The consultant left and Gore slowly went back to being ignored in the passing game. Ineptness rules on some NFL coaching staffs.

 

[zed2283]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

Alex Smith isn't all that great but he's better than Hill.

You are right, he can do more things better than Hill could. On the flip side, that is no excuse for him to be throwing 45 times in a game that is tied.

I agree. Alex Smith is better than Hill but it's not like he's Peyton Manning out there. This offense should still flow through Frank Gore. I understand Alex looks much better out of the shotgun but Gore doesn't feel comfortable running from that formation. You need to develop some kind of compromise. Maybe start passing him the ball by the boat load? He's a good receiving back.

That's why they threw out of every shotgun formation and ran every time that A.Smith was under center...

 

[FavreCo]

That's why they threw out of every shotgun formation and ran every time that A.Smith was under center...

Going to watch the replay tonight but are you serious? How can a coaching staff be so stupid?

 

[zed2283]

That's why they threw out of every shotgun formation and ran every time that A.Smith was under center...

Going to watch the replay tonight but are you serious? How can a coaching staff be so stupid?

That sure was my impression, but I didn't watch every single play. Let us know how it looks to you.

 

[MG345]

The thing a lot of people don't understand, because they don't watch the Hawks... Seattle is actually pretty good against the run. People want to point to Gore tearing it up early in the season against the Hawks, but there are a lot of factors that went into that. First off, Gore ultimately got his yards on two long runs of 80+ yards. Not saying you can take those runs away, but it wasn't like he was running all over the place. The other factor in that game was Lofa Tatupu getting hurt. In fact the first of Gore's long runs came the play after Lofa got hurt. Hawthorne (the backup MLB) has had almost a full season to get his feet under him, and had made a lot better decisions against the run.

Seattle's game plan was to shut Gore down, and they did. It wasn't like Gore had anywhere to go, even if they had given him the ball. I agree you need to get a guy like Gore more carries for him to be successful, but San Fran was moving the ball very well through the air (much like the had the past few weeks with Smith airing it out). In fact, ultimately running the ball (the Gore fumble) is probably what cost them the game in the long run, as SF was marching down the field when the fumble happened. The turnover gave Seattle great field position, and a shot in the arm on defense.

It was a very close game, one that could have gone either way. But blaming the loss on the decision to pass the ball rather than throw it, is silly. The ONLY offense SF was getting was through the air, and Smith was actually making very good decisions with the ball, getting it out quickly before any pass rush could get to him. Blame bad time management, but not the decision to throw it more than run it.

 

[5Rings]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

Gore runs for 200 on the Seahawks last game...and gets only 9 carries while Smith throws 45 times?#### me

Gore's 200 yard game came mostly on two long carries. The O-line has been sucking for Gore the last few weeks and even if we gave him the ball 30 times it would only mean a lot of punts. We need better balance yes but Frank isn't going to have a 20/100 type game behind this o line. on 9 carries.The coaches suck... period.

Fixed.Everybody--players, coaches, front office--would suck much less if the team chose an identity and stuck with it for more than a month. You want to spread out and chuck the ball? Great, build the team for that. You want to run the ball 40 times a game and impose our will on other teams? Stick with it.

Organization needs some consistency.

 

[Enforcer]

The thing a lot of people don't understand, because they don't watch the Hawks... Seattle is actually pretty good against the run. People want to point to Gore tearing it up early in the season against the Hawks, but there are a lot of factors that went into that. First off, Gore ultimately got his yards on two long runs of 80+ yards. Not saying you can take those runs away, but it wasn't like he was running all over the place. The other factor in that game was Lofa Tatupu getting hurt. In fact the first of Gore's long runs came the play after Lofa got hurt. Hawthorne (the backup MLB) has had almost a full season to get his feet under him, and had made a lot better decisions against the run. Seattle's game plan was to shut Gore down, and they did. It wasn't like Gore had anywhere to go, even if they had given him the ball. I agree you need to get a guy like Gore more carries for him to be successful, but San Fran was moving the ball very well through the air (much like the had the past few weeks with Smith airing it out). In fact, ultimately running the ball (the Gore fumble) is probably what cost them the game in the long run, as SF was marching down the field when the fumble happened. The turnover gave Seattle great field position, and a shot in the arm on defense. It was a very close game, one that could have gone either way. But blaming the loss on the decision to pass the ball rather than throw it, is silly. The ONLY offense SF was getting was through the air, and Smith was actually making very good decisions with the ball, getting it out quickly before any pass rush could get to him. Blame bad time management, but not the decision to throw it more than run it.

Cut it out, MG. I'm being mildly entertained by emotions run wild. Please don't bother with rational thought and logic.

 

[footballnerd]

The thing a lot of people don't understand, because they don't watch the Hawks... Seattle is actually pretty good against the run. People want to point to Gore tearing it up early in the season against the Hawks, but there are a lot of factors that went into that. First off, Gore ultimately got his yards on two long runs of 80+ yards. Not saying you can take those runs away, but it wasn't like he was running all over the place. The other factor in that game was Lofa Tatupu getting hurt. In fact the first of Gore's long runs came the play after Lofa got hurt. Hawthorne (the backup MLB) has had almost a full season to get his feet under him, and had made a lot better decisions against the run.

Seattle's game plan was to shut Gore down, and they did. It wasn't like Gore had anywhere to go, even if they had given him the ball. I agree you need to get a guy like Gore more carries for him to be successful, but San Fran was moving the ball very well through the air (much like the had the past few weeks with Smith airing it out). In fact, ultimately running the ball (the Gore fumble) is probably what cost them the game in the long run, as SF was marching down the field when the fumble happened. The turnover gave Seattle great field position, and a shot in the arm on defense.

It was a very close game, one that could have gone either way. But blaming the loss on the decision to pass the ball rather than throw it, is silly. The ONLY offense SF was getting was through the air, and Smith was actually making very good decisions with the ball, getting it out quickly before any pass rush could get to him. Blame bad time management, but not the decision to throw it more than run it.

The decision to throw on 2nd and 3, and 3rd and 3 was bad time management.

 

[Knobs]

That's why they threw out of every shotgun formation and ran every time that A.Smith was under center...

Going to watch the replay tonight but are you serious? How can a coaching staff be so stupid?

I don't know if they did it EVERY time but in general, if Smith was in shotgun, it was a pass. If he was under center, it was a run.

 

[MG345]

The thing a lot of people don't understand, because they don't watch the Hawks... Seattle is actually pretty good against the run. People want to point to Gore tearing it up early in the season against the Hawks, but there are a lot of factors that went into that. First off, Gore ultimately got his yards on two long runs of 80+ yards. Not saying you can take those runs away, but it wasn't like he was running all over the place. The other factor in that game was Lofa Tatupu getting hurt. In fact the first of Gore's long runs came the play after Lofa got hurt. Hawthorne (the backup MLB) has had almost a full season to get his feet under him, and had made a lot better decisions against the run.

Seattle's game plan was to shut Gore down, and they did. It wasn't like Gore had anywhere to go, even if they had given him the ball. I agree you need to get a guy like Gore more carries for him to be successful, but San Fran was moving the ball very well through the air (much like the had the past few weeks with Smith airing it out). In fact, ultimately running the ball (the Gore fumble) is probably what cost them the game in the long run, as SF was marching down the field when the fumble happened. The turnover gave Seattle great field position, and a shot in the arm on defense.

It was a very close game, one that could have gone either way. But blaming the loss on the decision to pass the ball rather than throw it, is silly. The ONLY offense SF was getting was through the air, and Smith was actually making very good decisions with the ball, getting it out quickly before any pass rush could get to him. Blame bad time management, but not the decision to throw it more than run it.

The decision to throw on 2nd and 3, and 3rd and 3 was bad time management.

I don't disagree that throwing it on 2nd/3rd and short was a bad decision, but they had been successful throwing it in short yardage situations through out the game. Ultimately, they had VERY little time to get down the field and no time outs. They HAD to air the ball if they were planning on making up the yardage. Running it, even if they picked up the first, still would have let the clock wind down to the point were they were basically playing for overtime anyway, because they had no timeouts. The bad time management came into to play that when they realized they were playing for overtime, they should have just try run out the clock as much as possible, instead of trying to push the ball down the field. San Frans punter was having a good game, as well as the coverage team. Burleson wound up getting his best return of the game on that punt, unfortunately for the Niners. Add to that maybe the best throw/catch of the whole game for Seattle, and the Hawks were right back in field goal range. IF the Niners had run out anymore clock, Seattle most likely wouldn't have had time to kick the field goal. So yes, bad time management.

Do you people even watch the game?

 

[az_prof]

I watch alot of 49ers but am not a "fan"--just happen to live in the area. Not sure about playcalling but I DO think the team is going in the right direction. Did you fans really expect them to compete this year, especially when they didn't sign Crabtree until two thirds of the way through the season? I see a team that has a great RB, a couple of good, young WRs, a couple of good pass catching TEs, an ok OL, and on ok QB now in Smith. The Defense is great against the run but needs a few more pieces to stop the pass. If they can upgrade at QB and add a couple of good defensive backs, this team can be very good. The core of the team is young.

 

[hooptd]

This is the same team that decided to make Alex Smith their starting quarterback and still won't change it back even though they've fallen apart since then, so should we really be surprised?

Smith is not the problem.

 

[harryhood]

Seattle's game plan was to shut Gore down, and they did. It wasn't like Gore had anywhere to go, even if they had given him the ball.

So 9 carries constitutes shutting a back down? The coaches shut him down plain and simple. The guy also caught about 20% of smiths' completions....And way to predict the future. You sure carry 14 or 19 or even 22 for him would have gone "nowhere". The guy wasn't given a workload that was remotely close to allow him to be productive. Football is about balance and if you have around a 5:1 pass ratio you are going to lose more times than not. If the 49ers would like to put their franchise in the hands of Alex Smith, they should do so, and while at it, trade Gore for a better WR to line up on the opposite side of Crabs. Jerome Harrison, Darren Sproles, Kevin Faulk and Ahmad Bradshaw are all backs that can do the same exact job Raye/Singletary are asking Gore to do and they could come at a much cheaper price. You know what some teams would give for a breakaway back that could run the ball 25+ times a game? Bottom line is that anyone who thinks Alex Smith, with the limited weapons he has, should throw the ball 45 times in a game that is not a blowout is crazy. They won games early in the year by running the ball, controlling the clock and playing defense.