Week 8 (Saints) Link Dump/Alex Smith Likely Starting Dump

by sfgfan on Oct 24, 2007 3:42 PM PDT Comment 40 comments

Not that I have a slew of links to dump, but I figured I could use this one link to open the link dump for this week. According to today's blog entry by Matt Maiocco, there are a few additional "revelations" today.

First of all, Alex Smith isn't necessarily a "sure thing" to start this week. I suppose it depends on how much practice (against the scout team) that he gets this week, and how he feels about that. Last week, Smith didn't seem too sure about himself (and the amount he practiced) leading into the Giants game. Hopefully this week will be a little different. Interesting tidbit is that Nolan is opening up the Shaun Hill window. He is not willing to say if there will be a change at QB if Smith doesn't start, but saying the "question had been raised."

Next, I don't think Frank ran his thoughts by Nolan (as I thought he may have). Then again, he may have run the thoughts by Nolan, but not necessarily that he would say it to the media. Nolan will talk to Frank sometime soon.

As I pointed out in a comment in the main threads, the Umenyiora sack (and subsequent TD) was the result of poor execution on Trent Dilfer's part. According to Matt Maiocco, he should have taken a three step drop, but he didn't. I also think he made the mistake of looking for a fade or a go on a blitz pattern instead of looking for a quicker developing route (slant, in, out, etc).

The most interesting part (to me) is the number of snaps each of the backups played. Jennings played 37 snaps at LT while Snyder played 25. Smiley and Baas both played 31 snaps at RG. This is a lot more "balanced" than "working them in here and there". Perhaps Nolan was trying to cut himself a big enough cross-section of overall line performance when each of these guys were in there in hopes of either silencing critics or providing enough reason to make a permanent change. I'm hoping to see more of Baas, at the very least, as he's probably going to start at RG next season.

Feel free to use this diary to dump any other links you may find throughout the week.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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Dilfer

I think Dilfer would look a lot better on the side lines in some black nut-hugger shorts coaching pee-wee football than he does suited up taking snaps under center. I hear Jeff George is still available.

by methodrampage on Oct 23, 2007 8:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well

He is our most talented player at creating turnovers, he made a nice tackle on that INT return, AND he's got the build of a small linebacker.

Maybe we just need to switch him over to defense, He'd be UNSTOPPABLE.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 23, 2007 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

10/23 Links: The Hostler collection

This whole Hostler thing is getting a little out of hand after Gore's comments. I really don't think it was meant as some huge under-cutting. Nolan realizes it's out of frustration so hopefully they can nip things in the bud sooner rather than later.

Gore vents, Dilfer defends

Discussion on the o-line changes from Sunday

Nolan discussing Gore and other issues

Wait and see time for Gore and Smith. We should know more tomorrow.

A group in Santa Clara has formed a political committee protesting the potential subsidies on a 49ers stadium.

After waiving Hannibal Navies and bringing Zak Keasey off the waiver wire, the 49ers reversed course.

Art Spander has decided to call the 49ers Team Bewilderment.

And of course, use Bug Me Not to avoid registering at the sites.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Oct 23, 2007 8:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

New Maiocco Entry

Matt Maiocco has a new update on his blog here. Some of the key points include:

Gore is likely to play this weekend.
Smith is probably around 50/50, but we'll know more later today, maybe.
Dilfer will be the starter if Smith doesn't start.
Dilfer could not sleep very well, watching the replay of the sack and fumble numerous times. Turns out he took a 5 step drop, when he should have taken a 3. I still think it was wrong to go for the fade route to Lelie (who was alone on the right, meaning he could have been covered by a safety AND a corner), when there were three guys the other way who likely ran ins, outs and slants. If anything, if he felt like he had to hold the ball longer because of Madison, he should have tucked it away or threw at one of the other three WR's feet. At least the drive would have lived to see another play.
Hostler will stay in the booth for the time being. Nolan wants him there because he believes it's better for the team (and Hostler).

In Maiocco's "Hot Reads," Frank Gore admits he said what he said out of frustration.

"After the game, I was frustrated about losing and felt we just got to play football and execute better and we should be fine," he said. "It's tough. We had a lot of high expectations and we haven't shown it. It's been tough; we just keep losing."

When asked if Hostler has the team's trust, Gore answered, "He does. We have to go out and make plays and we'll be fine."

Dilfer also offered a little bit about lacking trust in each other:

"I totally disagree that there's a lack of trust in Hoss," Dilfer said. "But I partly agree that there's a lack of trust in each other. That happens every single time you go on a bad skid or you're not playing well offensively."

by sfgfan on Oct 23, 2007 11:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Forgot

I also forgot to mention that Matt Maiocco's blog entry (linked above) also contained a Microsoft Word document that outlines some changes the NFL made to the draft format. Basically, the first day will start three hours later but only run the first two rounds. The second day will start earlier and run the final five rounds.

by sfgfan on Oct 23, 2007 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

draft

The first round will be 10 minutes instead of 15 and the second round will be 7 minutes instead of 10.

The second day will start an hour earlier and remain 5 minutes per pick. If I do another live blog of the draft, it will hopefully make it a bit easier to avoid the insanity of it all.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Oct 23, 2007 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't decide

If I like these changes. Draft day for me is all about waking up at the crack of dawn (ok 8:30 isn't THAT early) and drinking myself silly until I pass out in the middle of the second round. Starting at noon? Only two rounds? There might not be enough time to drink!

Maybe it'll keep me slightly more rational next year...

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 23, 2007 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You just have to adjust your drinking

Incorporate shots into the game on an "incentive" basis (if Goodell mispronounces a name, you take a shot!). Drink the first two beers double time. Skip dinner the night before and don't eat breakfast. It's this kind of out of the box thinking that will get you drunk. Get creative. Be strong.

Make us proud!

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 23, 2007 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Nothing is stopping you from still waking up at 8:30 and drinking. You'll just be good and plowed when the draft starts. That actually might make the first round even more fun.

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Oct 23, 2007 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

good points all around

in fact, one of my draft day drinking buddies suggested that we get up at 8:30 anyway, so that we can get drunk by the time the first round starts. Also, we usually play some sort of draft drinking game based on what the commentators say (e.g. 1 drink for the word "motor" two for the word "wingspan" and finish your drink if Mel Kiper has a strand of hair out of place).

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 23, 2007 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fret not!

The way things are going I'd imagine that watching the Patriots 1st round pick next year will put you to the bottom of the bottle pretty fast.

by methodrampage on Oct 23, 2007 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

right

and since we have the Colts pick (is that right), it'll be the end of the first round, so that will give us plenty of time to get wasted.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 23, 2007 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The saga continues...

According to Matt Maiocco's blog entry today, Alex Smith is expected to open up practice with the first team offense today. If things go well, he should be the starter this Sunday against the Saints. He opened up practice last Wednesday as well, but it only took a few snaps for Nolan to pull him in favor of Trent Dilfer.

Jonas "The Glass Man" Jennings is "questionable" so far this week with an ankle sprain and probably won't practice this week. Adam Snyder is first in line to start at LT if Jennings can't make it.

Also "questionable" is Darrell Jackson with a quad strain. Ashley Lelie would probably get the start if Jackson can't play. This also means we may see the first of Jason Hill, if the 49ers go 4 WR at any point in the game.

by sfgfan on Oct 24, 2007 10:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is all exciting news

I hate to say it, but all of these injuries (Smith and Gore aside) are making way for substitutions that I actually view as improvements in a lot of ways.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 24, 2007 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

good point

It sucks that people have to get hurt, but in the end the team could very well benefit...

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Oct 24, 2007 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good news, so far

The signs are pointing to Smith starting Sunday. Matt Maiocco and Matt Barrows are both reporting practice went well today.

by sfgfan on Oct 24, 2007 3:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Odd

I must have copied and pasted the addresses wrong.

Matt Barrows blog entry.

Matt Maiocco blog entry.

by sfgfan on Oct 24, 2007 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Smith starting

Thanks for posting the links. I just posted something unrelated on the main page and figured I'd just wait to discuss it there until tomorrow probably. And I figure adding an extension to the name of the link dump will make it more noticeable.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Oct 24, 2007 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I call it...

... intervention. Preventing someone from starting a new diary about Alex's practice today (and potential start Sunday). "More noticeable" works too, though.

by sfgfan on Oct 24, 2007 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny.

In Nolan's Notebook from yesterday, someone asked him if he thought Reggie Bush was trying to do too much. Part of Nolan's response reminded me of Kevan Barlow:

When guys are trying to do that, that can't get out of their own way, that don't have the speed, it's a bad decision.

by sfgfan on Oct 25, 2007 12:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

10/25 Practice Notes and other links.

Following practice today, Mike Nolan officially named Alex Smith the starter. This news comes courtesy of Matt Maiocco and Matt Barrows.

Within those two links, the following news appears as well:

Frank Gore participated in limited practice and is day-to-day still.
Darrell Jackson missed practice again, so Lelie is looking good to be the starter this Sunday. As previously mentioned, if Jackson doesn't suit up Sunday, it opens the door for a Jason Hill sighting (at 3rd or 4th WR).
Like Jackson, Jonas Jennings missed practice and it's looking like Adam Snyder could make his second start in three weeks there.
Niners will be sporting the throw backs in a couple of weeks (Nov. 18th)

Also, there's a nice fluff piece on the last draft pick credited to Bill Walsh, Eric Johnson.

by sfgfan on Oct 25, 2007 2:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey

Nov. 18 is my anniversary. It's like they knew!

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 25, 2007 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're married?

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 26, 2007 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

Kids these days.

by sfgfan on Oct 26, 2007 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We can't celebrate

Boyfriend/Girlfriend anniversaries these days?

No, I'm not married, but exactly five years in a committed relationship feels like cause to celebrate for me.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 26, 2007 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure you can!

I still celebrate monthly anniversaries with my girlfriend, and we've been together for over three years now.

by sfgfan on Oct 26, 2007 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

got it

that makes sense. BF/GF anniversaries are totally legit. And congrats. Or I guess I should wait till November 18th.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 26, 2007 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dennis Erickson sighting!

There's a Dennis Erickson signing in the Contra Costa Times.

by sfgfan on Oct 26, 2007 9:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Alex Smith update.

According to Matt Barrows, Alex Smith is no longer probable for Sunday's game. He's not even doubtful or questionable. He's off the injury report altogether.

Frank Gore remains on the list as "probable," but we'll probably find out more after today's practice (which should end in about 10 minutes, I think).

by sfgfan on Oct 26, 2007 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

injury report

When I read the first part of your sentence saying he wasn't probably any more, I thought you were gonna say he was downgraded to questionable or doubtful. Thank goodness I finished that sentence!

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Oct 26, 2007 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was the intention!

by sfgfan on Oct 26, 2007 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Frank Gore Update

According to Matt Maiocco, Mike Nolan announced that Frank Gore will be downgraded from "probable" to "questionable." Gore and Nolan both expect Gore to play, however.

Interesting note in that blog entry as well: in terms of yards per touch, Frank Gore is the more "explosive" runningback:

Gore has touched the ball 112 times this season (rushes and carries) and gained 519 yards for a 4.63-yard average. Saints running back Reggie Bush has 122 touches for 483 yards (3.96 average).

Also in the blog is the announcement that Ashley Lelie will more than likely start, considering Jackson is listed as "doubtful." Adam Snyder will probably start at LT, with Jennings also listed as "doubtful." Nothing new, but the later in the week these things are announced, the more definitive it becomes.

When asked about Jason Hill in terms of the offense, Nolan said that he hopes they don't have to use him (meaning no one gets hurt). I'm pretty sure they'll stick him in there if the team goes 4WR or empty backfield.

by sfgfan on Oct 26, 2007 4:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

At about 5:15 on KNBR

Maiocco said that Lelie was definitely starting and taking almost every snap and that Jackson would not play. Take a reporter's announcement in a radio interview for whatever it's worth, but that's what he said.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 26, 2007 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maiocco

He's pretty careful with his words and what he says. He never "predicts" anything. He tries his best to only report what he believes to be true. With that said, I'm fairly confident that Lelie will be starting. I'm also fairly confident we won't see much of Hill. Not necessarily because Hill should be held back, but in a 4WR set, would you not rather have Vernon in the slot (or even split wide)? Unless Gilmore, Battle, or Lelie get hurt, Hill will hardly see a couple of snaps (if he's lucky).

by sfgfan on Oct 26, 2007 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Link Dumpage

I'm going to take this as a college football link/story dump, too, because now Kentucky's been upset by an unranked team. Is there a single team this year that isn't going to lose an important game???

If this keeps up, maybe I can still rot for Cal in at least the Rose Bowl. We'll see. For now I'm rooting for Oregon, because that team is our only chance.

No, there is another...

(Was he talking about Leia? I never understood what that was all about...)

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 27, 2007 1:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I meant root

But rot, you know, doesn't seem like the worst word for it.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 27, 2007 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In which I do not address analytical questions

Yes, he was talking about Leia. In Jedi, when Luke's telling her she's his sister, he's all "In time, you'll use your power like me." Same deal.

I'm a nerd.

by groug on Oct 27, 2007 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

It always made perfect sense that he was talking about Leia until Revenge of the Sith came out. Because after Revenge we know that Obi Wan knows about Leia because he's part of the whole plot.

So Yoda saying that like Obi doesn't know it doesn't make sense then...

But then again, trying to argue continuity between the first three and the last three was pretty much shot to hell with all of the egregious continuity problems that the first movie alone has.

Oh well. I just wish that 1-3 had been more careful not to contradict classic quotes from 4-6. I mean, sure, messing with the non-memorable stuff can make some sense because nobody remembers it, but screwing continuity with memorable quotes, moments, and plot points is pretty bothersome.

Granted, Obi could have just been not thinking very hard at that moment, but that kind of drags the moment down for me. It's so much cooler when Yoda knows the secret that Obi doesn't...

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 27, 2007 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs