49ers 24 - Jets 14: How bout we remove that interim tag?
I'll save more in depth analysis for later, but suffice to say, how bout them Niners?!?!?! There are 3 games left to play, but if the pattern continues, I'd imagine there's no question that Mike Singletary is the guy to lead this team going forward. Maiocco mentioned earlier this week that just winning this game was not enough and it would depend more on his plan going forward. I agree that is an important issue, but I also think Singletary has turned things around to the point where he deserves to see it forward.
I'll do a rundown of the Singletary keys to victory tomorrow, but for now, let's just look at the guys who took care of business today.
Aubrayo Franklin - You rarely hear much from any nose tackle and when it comes the 49ers NT, it's usually not good. And yet he was an absolute monster in the middle today. When things were spilling to the edges he showed impressive speed to close on guys. He finished with 4 tackles and each one seemed to come at a huge moment in the game.
Isaac Bruce - Consistently performed today with some really big catches. He seemed to take a step back for much of this season but he's turned into a guy who continues to make important catches
Jason Hill - He finished with 4 receptions for 39 yards, but all four catches were big for the team. I'm really liking the chemistry between Hill and Hill
Dominique Zeigler - He only makes one or two catches in a game, but every catch he's made seems to get big yardage or convert a first down.
Offensive Line - Shaun Hill had a ton of time for the most part, which allowed him to progress through his reads and make plenty of plays. Throw in the use of quick pass plays and it was a solid day. The holding on Walker's TD reception was bad but was countered by Staley falling on the ball and proceeding to use the "jump spike" in the end zone.
Shaun Hill - The one dumb INT aside, how can you not love this guy? He finished 28/39 for 285 yards, a big 8 yard rush for a first down and a smart hard count to get a first down on fourth down. I'm more and more sold on the idea of drafting a young guy and letting him sit behind Shaun Hill for the next two seasons. I don't see how Hill isn't the guy to start in 2009.
Mike Martz - Just a brilliant game plan by the mad scientist. Early on he utilized almost exclusively short passes over the middle to move the ball. He moved it further down field later on but still kept mixing in the short stuff. Throw in two or three successful screen passes and it was a good for Martz. I mentioned it in the game thread but I kind of like the contrary personalities at work in Martz and Singletary.
Secondary - WIth Clements out of action, this is directed primarily at Walt Harris and Tarell Brown. I thought Strickland would be starting but it seemed like Brown was on Cotchery almost the entire game. Coles and Cotchery were held to 2 receptions for 15 yards. And Brett Favre overall? 20/31 for 137 yards and 1 INT. He made a few deep throws but none was close to a completion.
There's plenty more I could talk about, but I think I'm a little too excited right now. The 49ers defense looked like a real defense for the second straight week. The offense wasn't perfect, but was impressive enough in taking care of business. The two second half scoring drives were a combined 12+ minutes. Not too shabby.
So the 49ers will be looking to complete a 3-week sweep of the AFC East when they head out to Miami next week. Last week they become the first West Coast team to go to the Eastern time zone and get a W. Let's hope for a second won at Miami next Sunday!
And of course, thanks again to everybody who took part in a truly fun game thread. All performers after the jump.

| Name | # of Posts |
|---|---|
| foosball4949 | 126 |
| Fooch | 83 |
| Bob On The Coast | 75 |
| wjackalope | 69 |
| bondslegend | 61 |
| renke81 | 50 |
| shlecko | 46 |
| groug | 38 |
| TripTheNinja | 25 |
| Persiflage | 24 |
| 49erLou | 16 |
| fwoty oz | 15 |
| JerseyNinerFan | 15 |
| AndYourBirdCanSing | 13 |
| Nosetackle Supreme | 11 |
| bayboy | 9 |
| ramius | 5 |
| pfzilla | 2 |
| PAWarrior | 2 |
| Rocktopus | 2 |
| drink409 | 2 |
| Ninjames | 1 |
| Bitter Fan | 1 |
| warriorfan4life | 1 |
| boonitez | 1 |
| juperee | 1 |
| trecole696 | 1 |
Comments
wow
4th place in comments, and that was all in one half. I was going off today.
Still defending Rich Aurilia, and the Niners' classic unis
by wjackalope on
Dec 7, 2008 4:25 PM PST
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I loved this win and I like Singletary, but...
I think we shouldn’t give him the job until the end of the season (I mean the complete end of the season – that includes playoffs). While I love what he has done, I would still prefer Schottenheimer, Holmgren, or Cowher. I think if you have the opportunity to acquire one of those coaches, you make it happen. The other thing I’m worried about is Martz; will he leave for another job and leave us with our 5th coordinator in 5 years (If not this year, then next)? So if Singletary does keep the job, I think he should find a successful offensive college coordinator and make him the QB coach and let him take over when Martz leaves.
One thing I have to say on why Singletary may keep his job, besides the team playing very well, is that I doubt McCloughlin is willing to give up his “supreme” power to any of the previous coaches I mentioned. He is the one who makes the next head coaching decision.
Next year will be our year! (copyright 2003*, been used each of last five years)
by StrictlyFootball on
Dec 7, 2008 4:34 PM PST
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schottenheimer
is a regular season coach that can’t cut it in the playoffs. I’d rather give the job to the less experienced Singletary. Holmgren is no longer motivated. Cowher I’d be down with.
STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.
by UnleashTheGore on
Dec 7, 2008 5:40 PM PST
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Speak of the devil...
According to ESPN, Apparently Romeo Cornell is out at the end of the season, and the Browns have begun talks with Marty Schottenheimer for the position. Also while Marty has only one 5 games in the post season, i’ll be happy just getting back to the post season.
Next year will be our year! (copyright 2003*, been used each of last five years)
by StrictlyFootball on
Dec 7, 2008 6:24 PM PST
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Whoops...
Also while Marty has onlyonewon 5 games in the post season
Next year will be our year! (copyright 2003*, been used each of last five years)
by StrictlyFootball on
Dec 7, 2008 6:27 PM PST
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And while the NFL playoffs aren’t necessarily as prone to luck as the MLB playoffs are (although it should be stated that that supposed piece of fact is really just pulled out of my intuitive ass), I still don’t put a lot of stock in “not a playoff coach.” I think a lot of people underestimate just how difficult is to win a game in the playoffs. Schottenheimer has obviously shot himself visibly in the foot in the postseason before, but if you have a team that can get to the playoffs, you have a team that can win in the playoffs on, for lack of less tacky phrase, any given Sunday (or Saturday).
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on
Dec 7, 2008 6:45 PM PST
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Congrats on a big win, guys. I had harbored secret hopes that Singletary wouldn’t get the job out there, because I love the dude as a coach. Have fun watching him lead your team to the playoffs for the next decade-plus. :)
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on
Dec 7, 2008 4:35 PM PST
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Congrats
You guys sure whipped our butts today. Hill looks like a keeper. So does Singletary.
-John
by John B on
Dec 7, 2008 4:41 PM PST
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Pure Class...
Great job you guys are doing over at Gang Green Nation.
This was a big win for us Niners fans today, but it’ll be really fun to watch the AFC East duke it out now.
by MondayMorningMontana on
Dec 7, 2008 7:47 PM PST
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I really hope we don’t mess around with any more JTOs or whatevers.
Give Shaun HIll the keys next season, draft a young QB to sit behind Hill. If Hill continues like this, he could become our QB of the future (QBOTF)
by Rishi on
Dec 7, 2008 4:44 PM PST
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PS,
They mentioned that this was the second time the Niners defeat Favre at Candlestick… how many times have the Niners actually defeated Favre?
And Cowboys lost today too. Suck it Homo.
by Rishi on
Dec 7, 2008 4:45 PM PST
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I think just the two times.
I can’t remember the Niners beating him in Green Bay.
by Bob On The Coast on
Dec 7, 2008 5:57 PM PST
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The Best Measure of a Coach
is how much more he gets out of a given squad than the next or last guy.
Sing is turning guys who were thoroughly mediocre under Nolan into good players. He is getting valuable play from guys Nolan wouldn’t even let on the field.
My vote is in… Sing in 2009 and beyond.
by Grumpy Guy on
Dec 7, 2008 5:37 PM PST
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Sing for permanent coach
I’m convinced.
As for offensive coordinator, I heard talk that people in San Diego were thinking of Martz to replace Turner. If so, make it a swap.
As for QB, yeah, I’d keep Hill as starter and draft someone to sit and learn for a couple years. And keep either A. Smith (if healthy and at a renegotiated discount) or JTO. O’Sullivan has a great arm. Maybe he can learn how to be a quarterback from watching Hill.
And activate that running back Clayton for next week as insurance for Gore.
by Bob On The Coast on
Dec 7, 2008 6:04 PM PST
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And activate that running back Clayton for next week as insurance for Gore.
THIS
by Rishi on
Dec 7, 2008 8:59 PM PST
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Swap, QB situation, and RB situation
If Martz doesn’t want to finish what he started here and leaves for San Diego, I would gladly take Turner back here if he wants to come back (if I were McCloughan and the front office).
As for QB, Matt Maiocco mentions that the 49ers may be Smith’s best option. If he signs with ANY other team in the league, he would be fighting for a roster spot. If he restructures his contract, he would more than likely be competing with a rookie for the #2 job next season. I could definitely live with that.
As for Clayton, I think the team probably will. They sound very cautiously optimistic about Gore playing next week. It would make little sense to make Robinson shoulder the HB/FB/H-Back/Special Teams duties all in one game. What will make it difficult is the shortages in the secondary. If Clements is active next week, all it would take is a bad landing or hit to land him back on the sideline, so they HAVE to keep an extra reserve DB. I think the most likely candidates for inactiveness is a WR (possibly Zeigler) or a LB (more than likely Banta-Cain). The problem with Banta-Cain is that I think he’s just a place holder for Brooks, and it sounds like Brooks is getting closer and closer to being active.
It’ll be an interesting week, in terms of roster maneuvers, that’s for sure.
by sfgfan on
Dec 8, 2008 9:32 AM PST
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I agree with the masses
Coach Sing. is the real deal and the man for the job, I will be very upset and dissappointed in the 49ers organization if they decide to hire someone else. I don’t see how the front office could expect another coach to come in and keep the players playing for him like they are playing for Sing….however I do agree with strictly football that they should wait until after the regular season to give him the job though…but right afterwards do not drag it out. Norv will probably be let go at the chargers so let martz go and bring norv back….i don’t think anyone has ever questioned his ability to be an o. cord. Oh to andwer “bob on on the west coast” I saw a stat somewhere that said Favre was 11-1 against the niners.
by ninerfanNVA on
Dec 7, 2008 6:17 PM PST
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with that 1 loss coming from “OWENS!!! OWENS!!! OWENS!!! OWENS CAME DOWN WITH THE FOOTBALL!”
by ninerfanNVA on
Dec 7, 2008 6:18 PM PST
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Thought: It seems a safe bet that Norv Turner will be fired at the end of this season
if so, and if Martz leaves, I’d be interested into looking into bringing him back if I was the Niners front office. Our O clearly clicked under him and that way he wouldn’t really be a new co-ordinator, at least for some people
by foosball4949 on
Dec 7, 2008 11:07 PM PST
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49ers beat the jets big freakin deal
NOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blind devotion.
by ProfessorBigelow on
Dec 8, 2008 6:23 AM PST
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Its a HUUUUUGE freakin deal
Still giddy, can’t form full statements. Sing is our coach, Hill is our QB, Robinson stepped it up, and Johnson is paying off well.
How Bout Dem Niners?!
Blind devotion.
by ProfessorBigelow on
Dec 8, 2008 6:25 AM PST
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YOU GUYS ARE LUCKY
I’ve been religiously watching the NFL for over 40 years. I’m a longtime Bears fan who’s now living in Arizona. I’ve watched all of the Niner’s games since Mike became the Head Coach (something that’s not the easiest thing for a Bear’s fan to do). I can easily see the week to week improvement of this team.
It’s kind of fun watching this team grow under Coach Singletary.
Forget Schottenheimer, Cowher and Holmgren. You guys have an “in-house” guy in Singletary who KNOWS all of the personalities and talents on this current team and WILL be as successful as those other coaches if given the chance.
Mike, more than anything, has the one “essential quality” that great coaches need in order to be succcessful: HE IS TRULY A LEADER OF MEN!
Keeping Mike as the HC of the 49’ers is a NO BRAINER.
Another thing. Even though I’m a huge Buddy Ryan fan and a believer of “defense first” (in direct contrast to the Walsh era 49’ers) I would LOVE to see your team keep Singletary as the HC and keep Martz as the OC.
I love the “mad scientist” and would actually like to see a little friction between the TWO MIKES (ala the friction between Buddy Ryan & Mike Ditka).
You’d have a guy in Singletary who learned defense under the greatest defensive mind in the NFL (Buddy Ryan) working with an offensive genius (Coach Martz). Those two guys could make it work. I really believe they could. A couple of quality drafts and you guys would be back in the Super Bowl.
Like what I see in Shaun Hill. Maybe not the greatest “measurables” but has “balls.” Which is really what you need in a quarterback. Kinda reminds me a little of Jim McMahon.
Anyway, just the two cents from a knowledgeable outsider who’s been watching very closely since the coaching change.
by GeoMak on
Dec 8, 2008 10:06 AM PST
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