49ers Goals for the Last Four Games of the Season

by Rocky63215 on Dec 11, 2009 10:41 PM PST

Original Article can be found here.

The San Francisco 49ers have a remote chance of making the playoffs this year, but it's time to stop thinking of playoffs for the 49ers. Instead the 49ers have other goals that the team should work on and if by some miracle the 49ers make the playoffs then that's truly a miracle.

One goal for the 49ers is to start mixing up the playcalling. During the course of the season it's either been running the ball or throwing the ball, there's never really been any kind of balance for the 49ers.

I understand that Alex Smith feels more comfortable in the shotgun formation, but eventually Smith is going to have to start making throws from under center. Right now when the 49ers do run the football it's way too easy for a defense to key in on the run and Frank Gore hasn't been able to get going.

At one point during the Seahawks game the 49ers had thrown the ball 21 times and ran the ball only three times. That's not going to win very many games for the 49ers with the pass being do dominant.

It's rather sad that the best run of the game versus the Seahawks was a run on a double reverse by Delanie Walker. The added benefit to running the football for the 49ers is that it keeps the defense off the field if Gore can pick up first downs on the ground or even through the air, meaning winning the time of possesssion.

The second goal would be to end the season 8-8 or 9-7. No more under .500 seasons for the 49ers. Which, should definitey be an attainable goal for the team since the 49ers really have two games that will be tough one is coming up on Monday in San Francisco against the Arizona Cardinals and the other will be in Philadelphia against the Eagles.

I would be happy if the 49ers are able to split the two games. If that happens the 49ers have an excellent chance of finishing the season 8-8 because the last two games for the 49ers are against the Detroit Lions and the St. Louis Rams.

As I've been reading on ninersnation.com that the 49ers should just end up losing out to get two solid picks in the first round, since the Carolina Panthers aren't doing well this year.

The problem is that may have happened under Mike Nolan as headcoach, but with Mike Singletary at the helm it's not going to happen.

Third goal for the 49ers should be to use Michael Crabtree in the redzone, so far on the season Crabtree has just one touchdown catch which wasn't even in the redzone.

Along those lines though if the 49ers have a 2nd and goal or third and goal from the one, run Frank Gore! Do not try to throw the football! Just run it in with Gore, he's the best option at the goal line for the 49ers.

Fourth goal is to improve the special teams play specifically in the return game, it's been one of the weakest parts for the 49ers this year. Josh Morgan seems to be effective in returning kicks.

For punt returns maybe try Morgan there as well because Brandon Jones and Arnaz Battle have been far from impressive.

Fifth goal for the 49ers would be to try to get a consistent pass rush towards the end of the season because if the 49ers want to beat Arizona and Philadelphia giving Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb all day to throw isn't going to be a good idea.

In the Seahawk game Matt Hasselbeck was able to go 7-7 on a drive with absolutely no pressure on him.

The final goal is to improve the secondary play. Meaning better tackling and better coverage by the safeties and cornerbacks. Too many Seahawk receivers were able to get to open spaces without a defender around them.

With these goals in mind the 49ers could finish the season at .500 or abovefor the first time since 2002.

Poll

What Goal would you like to see the 49ers make?

.500 or better season

21 votes

Better Pass Coverage/QB Pressure

11 votes

Michael Crabtree in the redzone and if 3rd and goal from the one Gore

5 votes

Better mixing of playcalls not so dominant on the run or the pass

6 votes

Better special teams play

2 votes

All of the above

52 votes

Something else

2 votes

99 votes | Poll has closed

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.

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Gore needs to get 1000 yards

by swagger on Dec 12, 2009 11:10 AM PST via mobile reply actions

I would be pleased if the team improved on all of these things

I think ending the year with at least a .500 record would give us a little confidence going into the off-season and next year. I really hope to see Alex Smith continue to play well and improve. I think that will also be a huge factor in giving the team, especially the offense, some confidence.

"The Football The 49ers Team has The excitement of the bear, the velocity of the deer and strenght of the buffalo.

by 49erLou on Dec 12, 2009 11:40 AM PST reply actions

Me too

I think the most important thing though is getting the balance right in terms of playcalling and getting Gore more involved!

by Rocky63215 on Dec 13, 2009 4:17 PM PST up reply actions

Player development (other)

You are extremely correct that Singletary and his team will absolutely play to win EVERY game, anytime, anywhere.

That said, I think the team and coaches should continue to focus on player development. This year, that has been outstanding for the niners.
Obvious examples of players who are improving significantly include Brooks, McDonald, Goldson and Spencer on defense, and I don’t think the improvement and development is limited to that group, where it is most obvious. I think all the linebackers (Haralson, Lawson, Willis,…) and db’s are developing their games. Brown might be strong at nickle or fight for a starting corner spot next year.

On offense, Alex Smith and Vernon Davis are the obvious choices for players who have benefited from good coaching. I think Rachal and Walker are also young players (23 and 25, resp.) who are benefiting from experience and good coaching. Crabtree has also been handled well. Minefields and drama were wisely avoided.

Every bit of player development that happens this year will pay dividends in the future, and of course we play to win every game!

by zacksf on Dec 18, 2009 4:13 PM PST reply actions