Niners Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Race to the BCS: rankings, in-game scores & blogs Bar-right-arrows

Seahawks 24 - 49ers 0: What the hell am I supposed to say????

Dave_tiny by Fooch on in News

Seriously...What am I supposed to say after such an embarrassing performance?  I thought the defense put up a valiant effort while the offense apparently didn't board the plane from San Francisco.  Tony Kornheiser just said, "You have to ask yourself is Seattle this good or is San Francisco this bad?"  Well I think it's safe to say that San Francisco IS this bad.  I thought Seattle was decent heading into this season and I think they're gaining some confidence.  The 49ers on the other hand?  Their offense is garbage right now and I think this adequately provides my thoughts on the matter:

0 recs | Comment 109 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Bring back Dilfer!
He still has more TD passes than Alex does, and in fewer games! At least he knows how to play the position and can sometimes get the ball where it needs to be.

Can we get Colt Brennan at the end of Round 1 in the draft? It's time for someone new. The Alex Smith era is OVER!!!

by joebirdie3 on Nov 12, 2007 8:53 PM PST   0 recs

Nolan
Mike Nolan is finished...

... and frankly, while Alex Smith has not been impressive, what the hell is he supposed to do when guys are rushing at him completely untouched time and time again?  Then, when he does make a good throw his receivers can't catch it?  (Like the first play of the game, which was a good deep throw that was dropped by the receiver).  This offense is such a disaster you can't really evaluate him fairly.

by jaytierney on Nov 12, 2007 9:18 PM PST   0 recs

offense and nolan
I wouldn't fire Nolan, but I would overhaul much of the offensive line in the offseason.  Larry Allen and Jonas Jennings are through.  Spend free agency and the draft on the offensive line and defensive line and I think the team would improve.
Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Nov 12, 2007 9:21 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Smith
Some of the blame should fall on Smith over the line issues. He needs to know where the pressure is coming from and needs to be able to release the ball quickly. Maybe audible to a quick dump to a WR or something, he just isnt showing any awareness at this point.

by affan1025 on Nov 12, 2007 9:24 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Audibles
I dont recall seeing A. Smith call an audible all year. He sucks big time. Not sure if I can defend him anymore.
jfainsf49

by jfainsf49 on Nov 13, 2007 7:38 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Audibles
Between him and Heitmann, they DO make changes at the line.  They just aren't full-blown Peyton Manning exaggerations.  Being able to read the defense before the snap is a skill that comes with time.  It is also a skill that you need a good coordinator or QB coach to teach you.  The 49ers have a revolving door at those two coaching positions (primarily the OC), so it has probably been hard for him to get any consistent tutelage.

Also, people tend to forget he's had about the same amount of time in organized football as the guys from the past two NFL drafts.  He's very young, and while he's been in the NFL for two and a half years, he's still the youngest starting QB in the league.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 10:29 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Not Nolan's fault...
You know, I think the stat everyone has been quoting for the last week (14% of catchable balls dropped by 49ers WRs) is a bit skewed by the fact that Alex Smith can't for the life of him hit a guy in stride. I watched every play of the game last night, and NOT ONCE did he throw a truly accurate pass. All game long he was hitting guys on their back shoulders, leading them too far, overthrowing, underthrowing...and he threw some balls that made me pause and rewind my TV just to figure out who the hell he was throwing at.
Arnaz Battle is a guy I love to watch, because he has some of the best hands I've seen out of frisco since no80. But I recall at least 3 times last night where he was open and on the move, but could only get a hand on the ball to knock it down because the pass was so inaccurate.

And dude, the first play of the game was no exception. By some rare and bizarre fluke, Djack got separation on that play, and Alex's throw was 4 yards short - causing Darrell to come back for it, and allowing the DB to get his hands in on the play.

by shleckothegecko on Nov 13, 2007 7:57 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

First play
True, the ball was a bit short, but any GOOD receiver could have and should have made that play... he had plenty of position to turn back and go up and get the damn thing.  Tom Brady's deep passes this season have often been jump balls, but he can throw them like that with confidence because he knows Randy Moss will go after it and more often than not come down with it.  I've seen far too many plays where 49ers' receivers sit and wait for the ball instead of going after it.

by jaytierney on Nov 13, 2007 10:30 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Brennan
Colt Brennan is pretty much another Alex Smith.......He comes from a shotgun pass happy system in Hawaii and is pretty much the same mold as Alex Smith. Maybe we should look at Brian Brohm or Chad Henne or Andre Woodson.......but agreed that we need someone new.

by affan1025 on Nov 12, 2007 9:22 PM PST   0 recs

Brohm and Woodson will be gone
If the 49ers take anybody weighing less than 300 lbs in the first round I might be a little annoyed.
Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Nov 12, 2007 9:25 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Brennan
I'm pretty sure he throws a better ball than Smith.

by methodrampage on Nov 13, 2007 7:59 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

did everyone forget
ok guys i think you all forgot that we traded our first round pick this year to the Pats last year to move up to draft Joe Staley!someone kill me now!

by GoninerZ21 on Nov 13, 2007 12:32 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

2008 draft
We have a 1st round pick that we got from the Colts.
jfainsf49

by jfainsf49 on Nov 13, 2007 12:35 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

ha!
Oh. My. God.  Like, did you forget that the team also traded last year's second round pick to get back a first rounder?  Someone, kill you now!

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 1:01 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

A.Smith
Please leave Alex in Seatle and if he does make his way on the plane back to S.F. dump him in the bay !and don't look back.

by sstjohn on Nov 12, 2007 9:27 PM PST   0 recs

Disgusting brand of football...
Alex is not the answer...  Playing Trent will do this franchise no good...  Unfortunately, Nolan is forced to play Alex throughout the rest of the season only because it's a waste of valuable experience if he has Trent Dilfer or Shaun Hill run the O.

I really do hope they bring in some competition next year to push Alex.  Each season Nolan says there's open competition for every position BUT QUARTERBACK.  That needs to change this off-season.  Either draft a quarterback or bring in a veteran.  I don't think this will hinder the development of Alex.  If it does, then he's not as mentally tough as what coach Nolan advertises.  Competition brings the best out everyone.  

It is too easy to blame Alex alone for this offense's terrible performance.  Nolan HAS to demote Hostler.  Hostler lacks the knowledge right now to be an OC.  He is way over his head for this job.  But just like Alex, it serves no purposes taking the playcalling duties away from Hostler until the season ends.  

The saddest thing about all this is, I'll continue to watch every agonizing snap until the end of the season.  Go Niners!  cricket cricket

YAHA!

by Eyeshield21 on Nov 12, 2007 9:35 PM PST   0 recs

you can blame smith
yeah the offense is terrible, but every pass smith throws is 15 feet over someones head, even when he does have time

either he has small hands or he just doesnt have what it takes

by Vote4Gore on Nov 12, 2007 10:01 PM PST   0 recs

Wow
Smith sucks, true.
But last year Norv worked with it.
I think it starts and ends with the OC, period.

The O-Line even played better. We hafta stop blaming the players. We have to forsee that and say it's the coaching staff. No way a defense should be out on the field 45 minutes a game. It's a fuckign disgraceful team and I would not be surprised if we get shut out by St. Louis next week.

Merton Hanks, 'nuff said.

by jtoj on Nov 12, 2007 10:09 PM PST   0 recs

sorry i disagree
I've had a few root can's before and this offense is much more painful.

by rimrock101 on Nov 12, 2007 10:21 PM PST   0 recs

Well
At least the Sharks are starting to turn it around.
Unless the Warriors can turn it up a notch, I guess Ima be a one sport man for a while.

I'm just about done with this pathetic excuse of a team we have here.

Merton Hanks, 'nuff said.

by jtoj on Nov 12, 2007 10:38 PM PST   0 recs

Question
Fortunately, I missed the game because of work, but I had one question:

Does the onside kick to start the second half seem dumb to anyone else?  Didn't we do the exact same thing, in a similar position, against Seattle week 4?  To me, it seems like a poor choice.  If a team were to ever expect it, that would be the time.  Again, I did not see the game, nor this particular play, but I was curious about it.  Anyone have any thoughts?

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Nov 12, 2007 10:49 PM PST   0 recs

The onside kick...
was a terrible call.  We got one first down in the first half and that was on a technicality.  So what made Nolan think they could do anything if they had recovered the onside kick? Makes no sense at all.  He could say he was trying to motivate the offense but so much for that. Zig Ziglar couldn't motivate this team.
jfainsf49

by jfainsf49 on Nov 13, 2007 7:46 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Disconnected
So by your logic, if we can't get a first down in the first half there's obviously no way in hell we're going to get a first down in the 2nd half.  How does kicking off to them and then playing a field position battle with Seattle help when, by your own admission, we can't get a first down.

That being said I don't have a problem with the call.  We needed to do something and it's not like that call cost us the game.

by methodrampage on Nov 13, 2007 8:02 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Screw logic
The Niners started the game with consecutive 3 and outs.  They had no first downs for the first 29:58 of the game.  The Niners had all week to prepare for this game and couldn't muster any offense.  That was clear from the start.  Somehow they were going to change all of that at halftime in less than 15 minutes. I don't think so.  

And just because I think it was a horrible call doesn't mean that I had no hope of the Niners gaining a first down in the second half.

By kicking off like a normal team we would not have put our defense against a wall. We did get a turnover shortly afterward but that is beside the point.  

jfainsf49

by jfainsf49 on Nov 13, 2007 8:30 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

The defense
The 49ers defense has been good as they could be this year, considering the offense they have backing them up.  They're not the Baltimore Ravens, but they've come up with VERY key stops when the team has needed it.  The first half a lone, the 49ers were lucky to hold Seattle to a field goal after that first fumble.

Basically, Nolan has A LOT of faith in his defense, and he'd rather put the defense against the wall, than try to force the 49ers offense to drive the field.  I can't say I blame him, right now.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 9:26 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Good point
Thats makes a lot of sense. And speaking of the defense, you are right, how about that stop at the goal line which was negated by the Haralson penalty...
jfainsf49

by jfainsf49 on Nov 13, 2007 10:17 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Helmet to helmet
The NFL does a very STUPID job of "protecting" the QB.  They do make it appear that they're protecting the QB, but they're just doing it to win fans.

Haralson slowed up and even avoided falling on Hasselbeck.  It IS football, you know?  Players are meant to get hit, much like players are meant to hit others.  Even Jaworski, an ex-quarterback, thought the flag was a little picky.

I liked that the defense was able to stop the Seahawks (if it weren't for the penalty).  While the penalty cost them the stop and 4 additional points, you can't tell a player NOT to go after the QB.  If you ask Hasselbeck if that helmet shot rattled him, he'd probably give you a decisive "No," but he'd take the yards (and first down) any day.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 10:24 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Desperate times...
call for desperate measures. If any word can sum up Mike Nolan's coaching style last night, it would be "desperation". I don't disagree with his decisions to go for it on 4th the couple times that he did, and I don't think that the onside kick was a bad idea.

We all know that Nolan is no offensive guru. So really, all that can be done from his position is give the offense as many chances to succeed as possible. Let them show us something. Let them prove to everyone on a national stage that they aren't as bad as everyone's been saying they are.

The fact that they ARE that bad...well, what do you want Nolan to do about it?

by shleckothegecko on Nov 13, 2007 8:07 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Not a problem
I, like Braekneck, don't have a problem with the call.  The team needed three scores, and their offense needed all of the field position they could get.  It almost worked, the ball went straight to one guy that got popped.  The ball just took a Seattle bounce back into that one guy.

Similarly, the fourth and goal and fourth and three (I think?) in the red zone were also calls I agreed with.  Some could argue that if the 49ers had kicked field goals, they would have been only down by 11.  That would still require two more scores.  They needed a touchdown (or two) at some point, so I don't disagree with those calls.  Nolan was basically saying, "if we can't score here, the game is pretty much over."  He got a second chance to say the exact same thing and he took it again.  Basically, he let the offense know that the loss would be on them (as the defense was pretty good to open the second half).

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 8:31 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Yeah
In general, I have no problem with the onside kicks that Nolan has done.  In fact, over the 2 and a half years, he's done a fantastic job picking his spots.  I was just curious about this choice since he did the exact same thing, to the exact same team, in the (mostly) exact same situation a few weeks ago.
We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Nov 13, 2007 12:09 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

dont blame coach nolan
offense coordinator n a. smith need to go

by J2daZ on Nov 12, 2007 11:40 PM PST   0 recs

come on
I know i shouldn't be saying this but I think Dick Nolan would be a better coach right now.yeah i know he's dead but i think he still would do a better job than that bum!He's worse than Dennis Erickson!!!

by GoninerZ21 on Nov 13, 2007 12:28 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Duuuuuuuude
Cool it. All I've seen you do so far is make fun of players, coaches, and members of this site. Just take it down a notch. I won't even ask you to proofread. Just try not to come off as a trolling jerk. If you're looking to get your kicks, you can do it plenty of other places. If OTOH you're looking to talk 49ER FOOTBALL, let's make this the place to do it.
I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Nov 13, 2007 1:42 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Next Year
The only chance at making the playoffs is winning every game and Seatle going 3-4 for their last seven. The second statement is realistic, the first one is not. As for the draft, the patriots have our pick so we will have the colts, which should be from 29-32. I believe that their are only a few weaknesses on the niners. First of all, everyone is wondering what happend to the niners. The answer is loud and clear: MANNY LAWSON IS HURT. he was causing the pressure that the niners lack and really help with the run defence. He also allowed Marcus Douglas and Bryant Young to do their thing because he had to be double-teamed. Alex Smmith should still be our quarterback. I don't know why everyone wants to dump him. He is playing poorly because he has a terrible o-line, a wr coor that drops everything, an ineffective run game because of the offencive line, a bad offencive coordnater, and the fact that he hass gone through 3 o-coords in 3 years and will most llikely have to go through another one. The four things that we needs are a NT, OL, WR, and maybe a little help at S. We need to trade up to get our pick. The best bait we have would most likely be bryant young and larry allen but that would nt give us much. We could offer New England our second round this year and first next year(assuming that its the 32 next year!!!) so we can reclaim it. Then we would have 2 first rounders were we pick up O-line and a NT. Then trade larry allen for a 2 or 3 round pick where their still is a decent WR. With a little help from free-agency, we are on our way to another season of high expectations that will end up in disappointment

by montasmob69 on Nov 13, 2007 5:35 AM PST   0 recs

haha
Then trade larry allen for a 2 or 3 round pick where their still is a decent WR. With a little help from free-agency, we are on our way to another season of high expectations that will end up in disappointment.

I don't think you could get a 6th round pick for Allen, hes done. Also he is a free agent next season. Nice dream though kid.

by enut21 on Nov 13, 2007 6:47 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Smith needs to sit
Since the shoulder separation Smith has become inaccurate. I had issues with him before, but mostly it was an equal thing between him and his receivers.

Last night every time he dropped back to pass everyone in the booth was critiquing his mechanics. Smith and overthrowing, underthrowing. He seemed clueless about the pass rush.

If Hill is so bad he cannot play quarterback in an NFL game, then he should be cut. If he can play, put him in and let Smith sit. If Hill can't play, put in Dilfer again.

Smith looks so bad now it's hard to imagine him being a real NFL quarterback.

Bottom line: This team is going nowhere. Now is the time to start evaluating the talent along the bench to see who's coming back next year.

by Bob In Pacifica on Nov 13, 2007 6:31 AM PST   0 recs

Smith out Hoss out Dilfer in
Hoss has already been moved to the booth. Next week he should be moved to the parking lot.  

Smith should be benched.  He should go ahead and get his shoulder repaired.  Put Dilfer back in and let him work the ball to a healthy V. Davis.  And let Dilfer call the plays.

jfainsf49

by jfainsf49 on Nov 13, 2007 7:57 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

good point
yeah you right he should be in the parking lot its like he's sitting up in the booth with madden 08 and calling plays off of there!But Dilfer???not to sure about that one doe's anybody have Jim Drunkenmiller's number?lol yeah its that bad right now!

by GoninerZ21 on Nov 13, 2007 1:19 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Mechanics
I think some of his mechanical flaws may be the result of compensating for the pain and lack of arm strength since the injury.  Julian Peterson told Matt Maiocco that it seemed like Smith was grimacing every time he unloaded the ball.  On top of that, Jaws pointed out that when a QB's front leg solidifies and goes straight, it makes the pass sail high.  In baseball, you want a stiff front leg (I think), as it turns your lower body into a pivot point for your upper body, allowing you to generate more strength.

Basically, all I'm saying is that Smith may be trying to find ways to "muscle up" for each pass.  I can't imagine the pain has completely gone away, and there's no way he's at 100% strength.  Those two things will only come with extended rest, not 4 weeks (with throwing in between).

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 8:35 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Smith is hurt
Despite the tough talk, it really does look like Alex is still hurting. He shouldn't be out there. I think the reason why the Niners have Dilfer and Hill as backups is because they presumed that Smith was the solution and/or they didn't want to put undue pressure on him.

Now they are stuck with no real replacement on the roster. Nevertheless, Alex is hurt. Whether he's a bust or he's still the quarterback of the future he's not the quarterback of the present. He needs to heal.

Meanwhile, is there anyone, ANYONE around to sign as a quarterback?

by Bob In Pacifica on Nov 13, 2007 9:15 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

In a week or two.
I think that in a week or two, if the team continues it's slide, the Mike Nolan WILL finally opt to shut down his first child (Smith).  It makes little sense to play the rest of the season if the 49ers blow a chance to get to .500 (or even 7-9).  He should eventually rest, but I'd give him a couple more weeks.

As for current free agents, there doesn't really appear to be anyone worth taking a flier on (based on this list).  The only two people that may be an improvement over Dilfer or Hill are Bledsoe (who would be a sitting duck behind this offensive line, not too different from Dilfer) and Aaron Brooks (who may be able to make something out of his feet, but is TERRIBLY inaccurate and inconsistent).

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 9:21 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Maybe
Maybe I'd take a chance on Tim Couch too.  But like Dilfer and Bledsoe, he'd be a sitting duck.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 9:23 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

I wonder
How much to spring Mike Vick?

by LA49er on Nov 13, 2007 9:28 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Nothing will spring Vick.
Unless the judge has pity on him.  Even then, Goodell may not have that same pity.  And even then, the Falcons hold his rights.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 9:31 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Because that would go over well
A walking PETA target in the bay area. Bad idea, my bad.

by LA49er on Nov 14, 2007 8:50 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

We sucked on both sides of the ball
Our defense was below average tonight, at best.  If I was judging first half alone, I'd put them in the bad category.  

Absolutely.  No.  Pass.  Rush.  Hasselbeck had as much time as he wanted.

And I refuse to even talk about the offense, other than to say I have literally never seen an offense this bad.

In all seriousness, they need to peel the "BW"s off their helmets.  This team is an insult to the Walsh family.  I hate them.

by Call It The Throw on Nov 13, 2007 8:20 AM PST   0 recs

Blame the suit
Mike Nolan would be a great coach for a team that could handle itself. Mike Nolan would be a fantastic coach for the Chargers, where there are several playmakers and they don't need a serious hands-on coach.

We need a motivational coach. We need a coach that can come in and kick the shit out of our guys until they get it right. We don't have a team of professionals, we have a ragtag group of potential, and for that we need a coach with some fire. All the draft picks in the world can't help us, if the kids show up to learn how to lose and then get picked up by another team where they get taught how to win.

Dennis Green?

Because we are who we thought we were...

by LA49er on Nov 13, 2007 8:37 AM PST   0 recs

Nolan wouldn't be good with the chargers either
I can't believe I'm saying this, since I was one of the sincerest fans on the "ROLLIN' WITH NOLAN" train. But I think Mike Nolan just isn't made to coach in this league. The playcalling was just ATROCIOUS in this game.

by spenczar on Nov 13, 2007 9:59 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Qb sneak
The Niners faced a 4th and less than one, probably a foot, why the hell did they not run a Qb sneak?  That call alone is enough to make me hate everything Hostler is. (Hostler the absent- minded coordinator)  
jfainsf49

by jfainsf49 on Nov 13, 2007 8:55 AM PST   0 recs

Maybe
Maybe they didn't call a quarterback sneak because they are afraid of Smith getting hurt.

I'd say shut him down.

Likewise, as others have commented, why not just play VD as a wideout. If you need a tight end to block, put someone else in to block. Hell, put a lineman there. If you only throw there twice a game what the hell does it matter whether the guy can catch or not?

by Bob In Pacifica on Nov 13, 2007 9:02 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

And after
And after you let Smith sit for the rest of the year to heal, he'll be ready for some stiff competition come next year, which suggests that there will be someone else besides Dilfer and Hill competing for that spot.

by Bob In Pacifica on Nov 13, 2007 9:06 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Stiff?
It's very unlikely the competition will be THAT stiff.  Unless the 49ers capture lightning in a bottle, it'll be very difficult for the 49ers to find an NFL starter this offseason.  It'd be STUPID to invest a high draft pick on a QB before a true nose, wide receiver, outside linebacker, or offensive lineman.  They just have wayyy too many other needs.

Smith needs more time in the pocket.  He needs to be able to trust his offensive line and have that trust be warranted.  The 49ers are lucky that he trusts them as much as he does right now, still.  Considering how many times he's been sacked, and his injury, it's amazing he still trusts them.  The two fumbles he gave up, he looked like he believed the offensive line would do their work (much like Trent Dilfer did a few weeks back).  The first fumble was a result of Vernon Davis getting off of the line late, and then blocking down on someone the running back already picked up, leaving Kerney free on the outside.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 9:12 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Stiff
Stiff is relative. Better than Dilfer and Hill. Or more potential than the two of them. And actually, as thin as the quarterback ranks are, remember that going into last night's game Smith was ranked 34th in a 32-team league. Maybe he's down to 35th or 40th by now. So in order to give Smith competition you only need to bring in bad, incompetent quarterbacks. That shouldn't be so hard.

I agree that the Niners have lots of needs. The O line actually has been playing better the last couple of games. The two big blocks missed seem to have belonged to Hicks (why wasn't Robinson in there on third down?) and Vernon. If Davis is missing blocks anyway, why not split him wide and use him as a wideout? After all, when he has to come back for those underthrown passes at least he'll be big enough to battle for them.

by Bob In Pacifica on Nov 13, 2007 9:22 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Sadly
Davis is their best blocking tight end right now.  While Delanie Walker does create mismatches in the passing game, he's a converted WR and does VERY little for the 49ers in terms of protection.

While I disagree with using him as a blocker as much as the 49ers have, one of the only ways to have success against Seattle is to stack the box and do some sort of full-protect scheme.  Of course, full-protect only helps if the guys who are making up the "full" do their jobs.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 9:30 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Up until that point.
The offensive line was doing very well in the running game that drive.  Frank Gore was doing really well.  While I don't necessarily think it was the best play to run at the goal-line in that situation, I definitely can see why they called it.

Gore is a very good back at making the most out of tight spaces.  If Moran Norris didn't get OWNED like he did, the 49ers would have had six.  Frank got on Norris AND spoke to Larry Allen after the play, which was one of the lone bright spots of last night's game.  The team is in dire need of players that are emotional leaders on the field, and it's nice to see Frank step up and want to be that player.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 9:08 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Norris
Add fullback to positions to upgrade next year.

by Bob In Pacifica on Nov 13, 2007 9:23 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Norris
He's one of the better run-blocking fullbacks in the league.  He hasn't been on the field much, this year, however.  The 49ers have been too far behind too often, and they've had to scrap the running game early.  I don't think Norris is a big problem at all.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 9:27 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

4th down
The worst part of that play was the "blocking" by Norris... he came up against two defenders and instead of charging at them he literally stopped and bumped into them.  All he had to do was taken one out and it would've given Gore enough room to at least get the first down.  You'll notice Gore was screaming at him after the play.

by jaytierney on Nov 13, 2007 10:33 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

yup yup
This offense is worse than the Raiders last year! maybe you should hire Art Shell! It wouldn't matter at this point!

by GoninerZ21 on Nov 13, 2007 12:25 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Even Steve Young hates us
Did anyone see Steve after the game? In the postgame show he looked just depressed. First thing he said was "Man, they got zero first downs. That may have been the worst performance of football I have ever seen. I... I feel somehow responsible... I think I need a hug."
When you play so badly that even quarterbacks who played for you ten years ago are shaken, you are in trouble.

by spenczar on Nov 13, 2007 9:56 AM PST   0 recs

Steve Young
He's emotionally tied to the 49ers.  His heart belongs here in the Bay Area.  He doesn't hate the team, he's just very disappointed.  I think he really believes that Alex could be a good QB.  He says it from time to time on KNBR with Ralph and Tom.  The playcalling has been terrible, and Steve knows this.  He hammers the idea that a QB is never measured only by his talent, and that everyone knows the system makes the QB just as much as the QB makes himself.

It's just a very disappointing year for the 49ers, and I'm sure Steve is taking his lumps like all of us (49ers fans).  He may be even taking it worse, much like a Cal Alumni may take losses to USC or Stanford worse than just a random Cal fan.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 10:18 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Excellent point
Young recently said the best decision of his career was to wait behind Joe Montana because he knew that playing in Walsh's offense gave him the best chance to succeed.  You simply cannot place a QB in a system not designed for him and then blame him when it doesn't work out.

by jaytierney on Nov 13, 2007 10:42 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Speaking of which
Does he want a part time job? We're hiring for a QB sitter, just watch him and make sure he doesn't burn the team down.

Again.

by LA49er on Nov 13, 2007 9:58 AM PST   0 recs

This team is embarassing
You know, after the first couple games of the season, I really wanted them to switch back to the 80s throwback unis.  

Leave this squad in Maroon.

I would keep Smith for 08-09.  Since we need to blow up the OLline, might as well get that gelled before we find a new QB.  Besides I have a funny feeling we will have a high draft pick next year as well, hopefully we won't trade it for.

by zenbitz on Nov 13, 2007 10:18 AM PST   0 recs

lol
yeah your right the only problem is that we already traded last year to the Pats! So it looks like Joe Staley is gonna turn out to be a top 5 pick for us in the draft!

by GoninerZ21 on Nov 13, 2007 12:21 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

First rounders
Why do so many people seem to forget we still have a first round pick?  We had two last year, and still one this year.  Sure, it's lower, but it's still a first rounder.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 12:26 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Also...
a low first round pick will suit the 49ers just fine for the positions they need to fill (O and D linemen).  In fact, many (such as Bill Belichick) would argue that low first round picks are the best kind, because you get talented players for a much cheaper price than the first 10 to 15 players drafted, giving you more cap room to bring in the free agents you want.  I'm not saying I didn't wish the 49ers would have a top-5 pick, but even if they did I would argue that the best move would be to trade it for a low first round pick and high second round pick (unless we could get a WR like DeSean Jackson).

by jaytierney on Nov 13, 2007 1:10 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

On top of that "Also..."
The 49ers have shown that they're capable of drafting the correct talent late in the first round as well.  They've done it each of the past two years.  They took Davis the year before, and then traded up to get Lawson.  This past year, they took Willis and then traded up to get Staley.

Staley has done extremely well and so has Lawson.  Lawson isn't necessarily the ideal 3-4 OLB, as he could stand to gain some weight, but he has speed and is developing sound coverage fundamentals.  Pairing him with Willis in the LB group should pay dividends for years to come.

A late second round pick isn't the end of the world, if the team knows how to use it correctly.  The 49ers have shown very little reason to doubt they can.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 1:25 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

c'mon.
Sure, it's lower, but it's still a first rounder.

There is a nice little statement. Don't worry that we traded a top 5 pick, we have the 30th pick!  

I get what you are saying about drafting late 1st round talent, but if we still had our original pick we would be able to trade it for 2 1st round picks or a 1st,2nd and a 1st in 09.

In retrospect wouldn't it have been wiser to trade our 2nd and a 4th to move up to the start of the 2nd round and grab staley?

by enut21 on Nov 13, 2007 3:52 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Hindsight = 20/20
Staley wouldn't have been there at the top of the second.  If I'm not mistaken, at that point in the draft, people had penned Staley to the Ravens.  It's who the Ravens wanted, and Nolan jumped ahead of them to take Staley first.  Of course, in hindsight, the 49ers could have stayed right where they were and taken Ugoh.  However, the 49ers loved Staley, and it's not like he's done horribly.

I don't see what the issue is.  The 49ers picked up a tackle that could probably become a franchise LT in a year or two at a significantly cheaper cost than a top 5 pick.  The did this basically by trading up from the second round in one year and trading down the first in the next.

Even if they could have gotten Ugoh, I don't see very much wrong with trading up to get Staley.  It seems like a lot of people are more hung up on the fact the Patriots are getting the pick than the 49ers gave it up in exchange for a (significantly) lower one.

by sfgfan on Nov 13, 2007 4:11 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Nolan vs. Smith
I find it funny how many people are ready to dump Smith and give Nolan a free pass.  Tim Keown at ESPN wrote a great column today about how Nolan is simply not playing to Smith's strengths...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=keown/071112

"And somewhere, lost amid the white noise of the myth-making and myth-killing machine, someone might make a footnote of the fact that nobody ever came close to putting Smith in a position to succeed."

I agree with this column 100%... I really like Nolan and think he's a good guy and I like what he stands for, but as a coach this season he's simply lost.

Bill Walsh was a fantastic coach because he looked at his players and developed a system that would play to their strengths.  Montana didn't have a strong arm and couldn't scramble from the pocket, so he put him in short drops and took advantage of his phenomenal touch on short crossing routes.  Then, when that short pass system (WCO) was established, he continued to draft players who would fit into that system. With Alex Smith, Nolan has been trying to force a square to fit inside a circle like a stubborn 2-year-old.

by jaytierney on Nov 13, 2007 10:39 AM PST   0 recs

My take
This is a very good point, and it goes in line with most of what I've been saying.  To say that Nolan has been forcing Smith into a system, though, holds water, but then it doesn't.

When Smith was drafted, who was the offensive coordinator?  Mike McCarthy.  Smith was drafted with the WCO in mind.  Nolan was hoping McCarthy, who was a protege of Holmgren (if I'm not mistaken) would develop Smith.  Sadly enough, Green Bay knew McCarthy's ability as well, and picked him to be their next head coach.

The WCO is a very hard system to understand.  It is probably even more difficult to teach.  With that in mind, there probably wasn't any great options for Nolan to continue the WCO that offseason he hired Norv.  Norv also had a system that worked, and one that worked with the 49ers "current" personnel.  He had Gore, who had a world of potential and was ready to break out.  He had a very solid offensive line, the anchor of which was newly acquired Larry Allen.  Norv's run to set up the deep pass system worked for Smith.  Smith even liked it more.  Smith's passes to Antonio Bryant were often things of beauty, even the deep ones.

The problem is, like McCarthy, Norv fled as soon as he