Missed Opportunities - a.k.a The woulda-coulda-shoulda team

by David Fucillo on Dec 24, 2006 6:25 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

This game summed up my feelings of the last month or so. This is a team that if a few breaks go there way should be 9-6. In all honesty, we can call this team the Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda 49ers because they blew too many chances today and in the previous 3 losses. They practically handed the Cardinals this game on a silver platter, and the loss hurts a littl extra because Seattle lost, as well as all the wildcard teams directly ahead of them.

At my previous site I would go through the good, the bad and the future (dealing with the next week's opponent). We'll go with that this week and next and go from there next season.

The Good

When Frank Gore actually managed to rush the ball he did quite well at a 4.6 per carry clip.

Maurice Hicks had a couple solid kick returns that would have been more valuable, had the offense not then turned it over.

Vernon Davis made a few big plays, with my personal favorite being when he held onto the 29-yard pass as Robert Griffith unloaded on him.

Alex Smith made a few solid passes, particular the one where he scrambled up in the pocket and to his left, squared his shoulders and connected with Vernon Davis on a 44-yard completion.

The Bad

Frank Gore only had 11 rushes. This is in part due to the fact that the team was playing catchup most of the game. The fallacy in that argument is that the team had very few big passing plays, so they might as well try and get a big Gore run.

Vernon "Hands of Stone" Davis had waaaaay too many drops. While he did make 4 nice catches, he dropped too many passes in key situations. Hopefully he'll improve on that going forward.

Alex Smith couldn't get enough time to make plays at times as the offensive line definitely appeared to struggle without Heitmann.

The Future

The Broncos are all that's left on the 2006 horizon. And while 49ers fans might not think there's anything to play for, I must disagree. If the Chiefs beat Jacksonville and the 49ers beat Denver, the Broncos are O-U-T! A loss would guarantee the 49ers a draft selection no worse than 10th, but personally, I'd rather see the team bounce back and end someone else's playoff run.

So anyways, Happy Holidays to everyone. I'll try and get a post up tomorrow afternoon or evening, but at the very least I'll stick up a game thread for those might wanna discuss the games tomorrow. I'm not sure if I'll have enough time in the morning to post links, so if I don't get them up anybody else is more than welcome to post a links diary.

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Comments

don't forget the botched field goal call

i'd go with the woulda-coulda-shoulda-if-the-refs-were-gooda 9ers.

by rolliedigits on Dec 24, 2006 6:39 PM PST reply actions

FG

Yea I conveniently forgot that one. So is the rule set so that only a portion of the ball has to go over a portion of the goalpost? I'll look into that one.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 24, 2006 7:00 PM PST reply actions

according to this source

..."The entire ball must pass to the inside of the OUTSIDE edge of the upright extended indefinitely above the top of the upright." That definitely wouldn't include today's kick, right? link: http://homepages.cae.wisc.edu/~dwilson/rsfc/intro/johnson.shtml

by rolliedigits on Dec 24, 2006 7:30 PM PST up reply actions

Review

What doesn't make sense to me is that FG's aren't allowed to be reviewed. I don't understand how a play that puts points on the board can't be reviewed. Gary Plummer mentioned on the post game show that the NFL states there aren't enough camera angles to give a definitive call. My question is why doesn't the NFL and the networks invest in enough camera angles to make this a non-issue so these plays can be reviewed?

We really need to upgrade our pass rush in the off-season through both the draft and free agency. It was the glaring weakness in today's game along with no WR threat. I'd like to see us obtain a #1 type WR and make Antonio Bryant our #2.

We've shown a lot of flashes this year. Next year is about sustaining those flashes over whole games for the whole season. If we're able to do that I see us ending our playoff drought in 2007.

PT-42

by norcaldevilasu on Dec 24, 2006 7:53 PM PST reply actions

I'd rather have the draft pick.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 25, 2006 11:46 AM PST reply actions

I'll take the win

While, draft position will be nice, a lot of these guys are playing for roster spots next year, and will give it their all. Even with a win, the draft position won't change that much. The team is still looking at a 10-14 pick, where there will still be a great pick, and maybe cheaper to sign. I'd like to see Smith finish with a strong game against a very good Broncos secondary. He seemed nervous and held on to the ball a little to long yesterday. With no pressure, I would like to see the Niners play with a lot of two TE sets and let Smith rip. Make a lot of small passes across the middle and open up down the field. What the hell, we've got nothing to lose now. Let them have some fun.

Nobody hit like Ronnie

by 42Blackout on Dec 25, 2006 3:02 PM PST reply actions

Agreed

Agreed. I'll always take the win. Ok, well there is one freak situation where I'll take the loss, but it has nothing directly to do with a draft pick.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over...

by howtheyscored on Dec 25, 2006 8:26 PM PST up reply actions