Mike Singletary Monday lunchtime press conference
by Fooch on Nov 9, 2009 11:39 AM PST
in News
24 comments
Coach Singletary will be addressing the media today at 11:45am. Things got a little bit feisty during the post-game press conference, so we'll see how that carries over to today. What do I want to hear out of this press conference? Well, I'd certainly like to get some clarification on the future role of Jason Hill. Isaac Bruce was benched midway through yesterday's game and Hill was quite productive in his place. Hill seemed to be in the doghouse much of the season, but might finally have re-emerged. I'm also curious to hear about the injury situation. The 49ers had a rather lengthy injury report after the game, so it will be interesting to see how the team will be addressing the depth issue.
One thing I don't want to hear is a bold proclamation about making the playoffs. I have no problem inferring it's still an option, but to make some bold playoff prediction at this point would be more or less useless.
Head on over to 49ers.com's video section to view the press conference, and feel free to discuss it here.
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Titans 34 - 49ers 27: Jason Hill returns from the dead
by Fooch on Nov 9, 2009 10:30 AM PST
in News
15 comments
This post is sponsored by Comcast and their NFL RedZone channel. If you want to see every touchdown from every NFL game as it happens as well as live look-ins to all of Sunday's games in key situations hurry up and get yourself Comcast's NFL RedZone Channel.
Normally this is a late week post, but due to the early game this week I'm bumping it up. Yesterday's game featured quite the bonanza of red zone opportunities for both teams. Each team finished 3/5 in the red zone, with three touchdowns and two field goals apiece. The most heart-breaking Titans red zone touchdown came on Chris Johnson's touchdown run with 3:44 left in the fourth quarter. We all saw Parys Haralson forcing him outside, but somehow Chris Johnson fought Haralson off and scampered in for a touchdown. I predicted 80 or so yards from Johnson and can certainly man up to admit I was impressed by what he did. I still think the 49ers have a quality run defense, but every once in a while you're going to let a quality rusher have success.
During the game thread we were discussing turning the red zone into the Vernon Zone. After yesterday, maybe Jason Hill wants to claim ownership of the red zone. The team had made a change to start the game, going with Josh Morgan and Michael Crabtree as the starters, an moving Isaac Bruce to the #3 receiver spot. However, Bruce continued to struggle and was subsequently benched in favor of Jason Hill. Hill had appeared to be in Coach Singletary's doghouse much of this season, but stepped up yesterday, finishing with 50 receiving yards and a pair of red zone touchdowns.
I still contend that Vernon Davis is the biggest red zone threat on this team, but having Jason Hill potentially back in the fold is a very intriguing proposition. Coach Singletary will have his 11:45am press conference today (we'll have a link to it), and hopefully he'll address the status of Jason Hill going forward. I know some folks aren't big Hill fans, but I have to say I'm kind of excited to see a Crabtree, Morgan, Hill trio out there on Thursday night. Throw in Vernon Davis and suddenly you've got quite the mix of weapons.
Obviously the Alex Smith issues remain out there, but Smith definitely has some intriguing weapons at his disposal.
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Chiefs release Larry Johnson
I don't expect the 49ers to sign him, but given the injury to Coffee yesterday, and the already thin RB position, it's certainly amusing to consider it.
about 4 hours ago
Fooch
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Why Alex Smith should be starting for the rest of the season
by Fooch on Nov 9, 2009 7:00 AM PST
in News
184 comments
Well, by the time this goes up (I'm writing it the night before), people will hopefully have had a chance to have calmed down from a rather bitter loss to the Tennessee Titans. At the very least, people will be at work and not screaming at their computer screens in anger. Personally, I tend to be angry about the game for a couple hours after it finishes before it subsides and I'm ready to move on. We've got plenty to discuss about the Titans game (and plenty of threads to do it in), and of course with the short week we've got the Bears to discuss as well.
This post really covers both games, and plenty more going forward. There were numerous complaints about yesterday's game, but the biggest was definitely the performance of Alex Smith. Smith finished 29/45 for 286 yards with 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions and 1 fumble. Not exactly a shining performance, and given the timing and results of the various turnovers, people were quick to jump all over Smith. And given his past performance, I don't think anybody could be surprised when people jumped all over our starting QB.
However, I also think that it is necessary to keep Smith in there and keep sending him out there. Barring an injury, the 49ers have an important opportunity at their disposal. They can finally decide one way or the other, what exactly Alex Smith brings to the table. Is he the guy who lit up Houston in the second half? Is he the guy who struggled against Indy, but kept his team in it? Or is he the guy who yacked it up late in the game against Tennessee? At this point he could be any one of those guys.
If Smith struggles the rest of the way, then finally you can cut bait, or at least know you've got nothing more than a second string QB. Cutting bait on Smith at this point would simply be too soon. Yes he struggled, and yes he's making some of the same mistakes he made two years ago. But he's also shown some skills and some improvement in his game. Maybe it's not enough to save his career in San Francisco, but I'd rather take my chances figuring that out over the next two months.
One big argument for switching things up in some manner (be it Shaun Hill or Nate Davis) is the idea that Smith is costing the 49ers wins and this team needs to be battling for a playoff spot. To those I say that at this point in time, Alex Smith gives the 49ers their best chance to win. This is where the chants of wins and losses come into play. Alex Smith did not make some bad plays to cost them the game, but I will go to my grave arguing that wins and losses are not a quarterback stat; they're team stats.
More after the jump...
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Golden Nuggets: At least it's a short week, right?
by Fooch on Nov 9, 2009 3:00 AM PST
in Golden Nuggets
4 comments
After another brutal loss, the 49ers have a short week to turn around and get ready for the also struggling Chicago Bears. On the one hand that's a bad thing because the 49ers are rather banged up coming off the loss to Tennessee. On the other hand, one would like to hope a short week will allow them to quickly forget yesterday's ugliness. In the end what do I know though, right?
It's not too difficult to surmise what most of today's links are about. However, I would like to point to the third link for the San Jose Mercury News. A couple weeks ago Vernon Davis and some other players visited with a 13-year old in Houston prior to the Texans game. Unfortunately, the young man passed away this past Friday. Obviously it puts football in perspective. Vernon Davis issued a statement:
"I can’t begin to explain what meeting Joseph meant to me," Davis said in a statement released by the 49ers. "He was a great kid with an amazing spirit. I am still wearing the bracelet he gave me.
"I really want him to know that the short time we spent together meant as much to me as I’m sure it did to him. I am truly sorry to see him go so early in his life, but I know that he is in a better place. My thoughts and prayers go out to Joseph and his family."
Gary Peterson: Did Alex Smith regress in the 49ers loss to the Titans? (SJ Mercury News)
Tim Kawakami: 49ers fight to stay positive after loss to Titans (SJ Mercury News)
49ers-Titans notes: Davis mourns loss of biggest fan (SJ Mercury News)
49ers tight end Vernon Davis shows practice habits in NFL Network video (SJ Mercury News)
Hill replaces struggling Bruce (Maiocco)
Painful loss for the 49ers (Maiocco)
Niners drop the ball (Maiocco)
Maiocco's Live game chat (Maiocco)
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Titans 34 - 49ers 27: The always popular bright side of things...
by Fooch on Nov 8, 2009 8:51 PM PST
in News
87 comments
As many folks around these parts know, I try to look at the bright side of things. As I've said before, if the ship is sinking and I'm going down, might as well try and not be too miserable about it. Things aren't looking pretty for the 49ers right now, but there were some definitely positives in today's game. The 49ers passed along a press release of news and notes that I thought were worth sharing. Well, at least two of them were worth sharing. Also, after the jump we have all the post-game press conference transcripts for the 49ers.
Vernon Davis
Davis remains a work in progress, but we are finally witnessing the transformation of Vernon Davis from a lot of bark and very little bit, into a true playmaker. Davis recorded career-highs in both receptions (10) and receiving yards (102) and had his first career 100-yard game. This was only the third time in team history that a tight end caught ten passes in a game (Eric Johnson had the previous two). More importantly, Davis is 33 yards and 11 catches from career highs in both categories. He's one TD away from doubling his previous career high. And what might be the highlight from today? Davis pulling Josh Morgan away from a skirmish and telling him to use his head. My how things have changed.
Andy Lee
No matter how good or bad things have been these last few years, one man has always been there: Andy Lee. In what is becoming a regular occurrence, Andy Lee had another phenomenal day. And in fact, it might have been the best performance of his career. Lee had three punts today, finishing with a gross average of 56.7 (2nd best ever for him) and a net average of 53.3 (best ever for him). Oh and all three punts were caught or downed inside the ten yard line. The best starting field position on the 3 punts was the 14 yard line. As always, ANDY LEE FOR MVP!
Remember to check out the post-game quotes after the jump...
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Thank goodness for Panthers Watch 2009
by Fooch on Nov 8, 2009 7:00 PM PST
in News
5 comments
The only way this day could have gone worse would have been if the Carolina Panthers sprung a big time upset on the New Orleans Saints. As always, for those wondering what I'm talking about, the 49ers hold the Panthers 2010 first round pick, so the worse they do, the better the 49ers draft position becomes. The 49ers would have plenty of options with their pick and even if they were to trade it, a high pick is certainly a good thing. So, we have developed Panthers Watch 2009 to keep tabs on the cats from Carolina.
Week 9 - at New Orleans Saints
I'll be honest, even with the big Panthers upset in Arizona last week, I was fairly certain New Orleans would run roughshod over the Panthers. New Orleans has been bulldozing folks for much of the season and Carolina, in spite of a few wins did not seem to be the team to take the Saints' 0. Well, the Panthers certainly did what they could for a half. DeAngelo Williams had a monstrous first quarter, busting off a 66 yard TD run early on, and adding another to give the Panthers a 14-0 lead.
The Panthers continued their pattern of trying to avoid putting Delhomme in a position to have to make big plays for the team. He didn't have a bad game, per se, but rather simply avoided most mistakes. He had one fumble, but the Saints didn't get any points directly off it. However, the Panthers defense was not able to withstand the pressure of the Saints high octane offense. As the Dolphins learned, the Saints can be contained for part of the game, but in the end they're going to get their points.
The Saints had three plays of 45+ yards that directly or indirectly lead to 17 of their points. The remaining points came courtesy of a DeAngelo Williams fumble and some generally solid football in the second half. After the early scare, the Saints held on to beat Carolina 30-20, dropping the Panthers to 3-5, fittingly enough a tie with the 49ers.
Week 10 - vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Panthers get to head home, but will be facing a very tough Atlanta Falcons team. The Falcons are 5-3, but have had some problems with putting together consistent performances week to week. They almost allowed the Redskins to sneak back in today, before Michael Turner put the game away. Now the Panthers get to deal with MIchael Turner, Matt Ryan, Roddy White, and a fairly potent Falcons offensive attack.
We're certainly fortunate that Carolina has a fairly tough schedule the rest of the way. Given today's interesting developments in Tampa Bay, one could argue every one of their remaining games brings a distinct level of difficulty. I'd expect them to beat Tampa Bay at home, but as the Bucs showed today (and the Panthers showed last week), anything is possible in the NFL.
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Titans 34 - 49ers 27: 49ers blow it
by Fooch on Nov 8, 2009 4:51 PM PST
in News
483 comments
I think that simple headline pretty much sums up this game. For every good thing that happened, about ten bad things happened. Alex Smith pretty roll out and touchdown to Jason Hill? Let's follow that with back to back interceptions early in late-game drives. Stop Chris Johnson on 2nd down? Let's give up a touchdown on the friggin option!
Before anybody points to the last touchdown, I'll say that I can't give it a whole lot of credence given that the team was down two touchdowns. It's great that Smith was able to move the team down the field on a host of short passes, but it's just not enough. I'm not even going to say it's something to build on. The previous two games saw Alex Smith do more good than bad, and maybe start to head in the right direction in terms of his career. However, we can say that this game showed some of the worst of Alex Smith. He had a good drive, but when you cover it up with so much suck, the good just doesn't matter. I'd be one of the first to bark about the good drives. He looked good on some of his throws. But the next step in any development is showing actual consistency. At the very least mix in really good with some average play. Smith mixes in some fairly good with some god-awful.
After the thread I've got some thoughts on Jimmy Raye and the fast-approaching battle with Chicago...
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