49ers 20 - Lions 6: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
by David Fucillo on Dec 27, 2009 4:26 PM PST
in San Francisco 49ers News
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PrintOk, so Frank Gore's accomplishments were not something to sleep on. However, offensively there were a lot of stretches where the 49ers simply did not show up. Today's final result was more telling of how bad Detroit is, than how good the 49ers may or may not be. The 49ers offense provided a few highlights, but it was not exactly an inspiring effort, or a "strong step forward" if you will. Frank Gore did surpass 1,000 yards for the fourth straight season, and I'm quite happy with that. However, when you're averaging 2.5 yards per carry, it's not exactly a strong performance. I'll take the win any day, but the running game certainly had some issues today.
On offense, these last two games were supposed to be a chance for Alex Smith to step up and put together a pair of impressive performances. One game down and I'd imagine nobody was particularly impressed. He finished 20/31 for 230 yards and 1 touchdown. Again, not an awful performance, but certainly not the most inspiring of efforts. Part of the blame lies with Smith, and part of the blame lies with another poor performance by the offensive line. I'm still on board with Smith simply because he'll get another offseason with the OC (a first), and he'll get a chance to develop better chemistry with Crabtree. Maybe those of us who believe this have our head in the sands, but I remain convinced the coming offseason is that much more important for Smith.
While the offense laid a bit of an egg, the 49ers defense certainly brought its A-game today. The defense forced three fumbles, three interceptions and had two sacks, with at least five tackles for a loss. Although the bend-but-don't-break got in the way of things at times, the defense stiffened up when needed and took care of business. This was the kind of performance we would have liked to see from the offense. A unit playing a team they know is inferior to them, and still bringing intensity from beginning to end. The defense easily could have been burned by Calvin Johnson deep, or let Maurice Morris play a bit better, but they came ready to play and ready to dominate.
Oh, and Mike Singletary moved back to .500 (12-12) as the 49ers head coach. He's bounced back and forth to .500 these last few weeks. A win next week will improve his record as 49ers head coach to 13-12.
Up Next: @ St. Louis Rams - The 49ers wrap up their 2009 season with a visit to the St. Louis Rams. The Rams season has been in shambles and they're just looking forward to that #1 pick. They have an assortment of holes to fill, so we'll see where they go with that pick. In the meantime, the 49ers will look to wrap up an 8-8 season and avoid a losing season for the first time since 2002. While it's not exactly a playoff spot, it's certainly a building block going into 2010.
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Winning is better than losing
Other than that, I agree, boooring.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
lol
It is very disheartening that we only beat this team by 14 pts with no starting QB, TE and someone else I am sure. this was not a good showing for a team that wants to be the best team not in the playoffs
True knowledge is knowing you know nothing!
Trade up for Berry Scot it's the move to make. "Who is Berry?"..............Here we go again!!
Their RB was out too
Mo Morris is not their #1 guy.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
Kevin Smith is actually decent.
Or he’s better than Morris anyway.
Jason Hill is turning the corner!
Well you have to remember...
that “best team not in the playoffs” comment came from a defensive player, I believe Takeo Spikes, and at least THEY showed up lol….it just seemed the offense didn’t really care too much, they knew they would probably win so they half-assed it
by sanfranfanmdk on Dec 27, 2009 5:24 PM PST up reply actions
it was a meaningless game...
and I think that’s one reason why we didn’t just spank the Lions from the get-go. A win’s a win though and if we finish 8 – 8, it’d be the first time since 2002 where we didn’t have a losing season. I’d rather finish .500 than play for draft position, regardless of our 2 first round picks.
Agreed
Relatively meaningless and they were playing a team that has got to be in the bottom three in the league. So there were definitely elements of a letdown. I’d almost say the Rams are going to be tougher because Alex still hasn’t won an away game this year, so there is a bit of proving to do for that one. Also they’re trying to have their first non-losing season since 2002. The only reason why there wouldn’t be as much pressure is at this point I think the Rams might be trying to protect their first pick.
congrats to Frank the Tank
he’s the man. It’s too bad he doesn’t have much of a line to run behind. I just hope we can get to 8-8. Disappointing but at least it would be a non-losing record.
A hearty thank you to Rich Aurilia for all the good memories, and to the Niners for finally getting the uni's (mostly) right.
I'll be in St. Louis for the game next week
I was hoping to possibly go into that game with a chance at the playoffs but all I get to look forward to now is a chance of a non losing season. Kinda cool how I started the year going to the season opener in Arizona with a win and going to the season closer with a good chance at a win.
Yea
My first live game ever was this season, when the Niners played st.louis. Afterwards, I was ble to go to the Jags one, another good win
AH! don't fumble!!
by Fifty NINERS on Dec 27, 2009 4:38 PM PST up reply actions
I want to see Nate Davis
but Singletary has said he’s not gonna play.
AH! don't fumble!!
Willie Brown
Does anybody know how Willie Brown got a spot on the 49ers post-game live show on CSN Bay Area? He’s so bad.
Gary Radnich is a dope. He is the worst sportscaster ever and it is funny because Brown actually says more good things than Radnich.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
Only reason why I think he's ahhight
He does have his moments where he makes me laugh. But his show on KNBR is almost there only because the man I’m sure is considered a BA icon.
First half was terrible
Third quarter was okay.
Offensive line is terrible. Still terrible.
by Bob In Beaverton on Dec 27, 2009 4:44 PM PST reply actions
The 49ers need a OL coach who can put this line together.
RT and LG and a good coach.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
+100000000000000000000000000000000000000
by Hoopers Judge on Dec 27, 2009 4:45 PM PST up reply actions
Question: Why the hell didn'
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
I have no idea what just happened
My question is why didn’t Smith run it in on that touchdown… he kept going out instead of towards the line. He could have had lunch before they got to him.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
Ok, If you are going to call me baby then you have to buy dinner! LOL
Actually I was happy that Davis got the catch. There was another earlier that if the OL was could have stopped the defense for another second or two he was in line for a touchdown. that ball was batted down.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
Records and Health
The TE record for TDs is 13, and the niners goals since the playoffs are unnatainnable were trying to get VD to that record and Gore over 1000 yards. I think Press Democrat was were I read that. So Smith waited till VD was open.
Also, do you remember that hit Willis laid on Hassleback on a similar play at the beginning of the season? True smith probably could have ran it in if he had taken off at a full sprint, but towards the end of that play, since Smith waited for VD, he would have been met by a diving Peterson that could have led to a significant injury
by Lincoln Logs on Dec 27, 2009 4:53 PM PST up reply actions
That's a polite way of saying Smith was scared of getting a major hit
but I agree anyway. If Davis wasn’t there, Alex would have taken a slide and ended up short of the end-zone, but I don’t think I would have blamed him, there’s little point getting injured in a meaningless game. Alex was lucky it didn’t go horribly wrong and the Zebras didn’t overturn it for him being over the line of scrimmage.
by whatsadilfer? on Dec 28, 2009 8:19 AM PST up reply actions
Smith's stats were in 3 quarters of work
I’m fairly sure we only attempted 1-3 passes in the entire 4th quarter, as we ran out the clock. To be honest I don’t understand the strategy though, despite being up, because we’re trying to build confidence and see what we have in Smith, and a dozen handoffs doesn’t do that.
In the 3 quarters though, he started slowly, but overall played fairly strong, especially since our LOLine was MANHANDLED by the LIONS for most of the 1st half. Gore had 17 yards and Smith was under pressure every other throw
Alex Smith
One game down and I’d imagine nobody was particularly impressed. He finished 20/31 for 230 yards and 1 touchdown.
The guy completes 67% of his passes for over 200 yards with no turnovers. Not great, but nothing to sniff at, and certainly nothing to deride. I think Alex needs to learn how to slide in the pocket to find the passing lanes better. No one who completes 2/3 of his passes can objectively be termed “inaccurate.” Still, I think his overall completion percentage and efficiency will improve if he can reduce the tips.
I understand where you're coming from because I usually feel that Smith has played better than his stats might indicate
however, this game he was clearly out of sync, with most of his throws, low, high and behind his receivers. Clearly he wasn’t trusting the line to do it’s job and definitely looked more comfortable when he rolled (and therefore didn’t need to be concerned with a pocket). However, all that inaccuracy and especially the tipped balls really indicated a down game. I did think he managed the game decently but given that we were playing the lions I really thought this should be a 250-300 yrd 3 td day if I was going to give him a “good” game and not just a decent one.
by foosball4949 on Dec 27, 2009 5:11 PM PST up reply actions
alex smith
ill give this guy a chance next season, we realy have no other choice anyways. could have seen how this nate kid plays in a real game with starters and all, but we need to make sure alex doesnt really suck right, wasnt that the reason? or wasnt it so that he could get to see every situation that was possible, just so he could go ito the next season with a little confidence under his belt, are u guys f-ing serious.Smith is not a winner, this was a fluke, one it was the lions, two, they didnt play us like they played the cards, three, this game was meaningless to both sides. Alex Smith, I want u to win, but im really starting to hate ur name. For one, u won the game and I still think u suck so please do us all a favor and tweak an ankle next week, prefferably non-serious, just enough so we can get nate in there for a real game with at least a good half of play time. If the kid stinks it up, look on the bright side, ull look like a god to all the other niners fans u have duped into thinking u can be a winner. I stoped being a sucker for u, u just suck, good game though
Wow
After i finally deciphered what you were rambling about I have to disagree. It Nate comes in and is terrible (as he is expected to be at this point in his career) then the 9ers could have lost and you are starting right back where we were at QB position. Everyone clamoring for a new QB are the same ones who will be pissed if they lose. Give Smith a chance for next year, hopefully with 2 first round draft picks they can surround him with enough weapons to make up for his shortcomings.
What was up with Gore's dance?
it was kind of lame. Vernon hugged the ugliest fattest blonde chick, I thought he could do better
Hit like Berry, Score like Jerry.
Since there was only one blonde chick there at the time, she was also the prettiest and skinniest
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
by Eastbayjim on Dec 27, 2009 5:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
haha they gotta learn the Crabtree dance from the Monday Night Game
by 49erEmpire on Dec 27, 2009 6:04 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Jimmy Raye
is horrible. I hate the way the game is called even if we have a 10 point lead, let alone a 17 point lead. The Niners I grew up watching did not stop scoring points no matter what the score. Raye closes the playbook if we get up by a field goal
Tim Tebow = 1,432,219 season tickets next year. Who wouldn't pick him in the 1st round with those projections?
by Drew Kerr on Dec 27, 2009 5:18 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I understand why San Francisco wants to run...
What I don’t understand is why on 26 runs, there were like 3 attempts at the play action pass. They need to make play action a much bigger part of that run heavy playbook or opposing the defenses start stacking the box. It’s something they should be doing on more than just 4th down.
It's not about running
that’s not what I am talking about. Talking about how he sits on small leads. It’s like going in to the 4th quarter, if we have a lead (not large enough to hold the game in place), he closes the playbook, puts his feet up, and starts drinking in celebration or something. You don’t run the clock out early like that unless you’re waaaayyyyyy ahead. 17 points is not a huge lead. All the Niners teams I grew up watching kept playing their game no matter what the score was. It didn’t matter how far behind or ahead they were, they just played the way we did until the clock ticked 0:00 in the 4th.
Tim Tebow = 1,432,219 season tickets next year. Who wouldn't pick him in the 1st round with those projections?
I agree...
But you generally break out the running part of the playbook when you want to stand pat on a lead. Outside of the Jets, Titans, Dolphins and a couple of other teams; most NFL teams don’t depend on their running game for significant point generation. The 49ers have the ability to shake it up and mix it up, but they usually refuse to – one half will be 800% passing and the other half will be 80% running.
My complaint is the total predictability of the play calling in both the first and second half.
The reason our play action worked so well today
…….and it their two biggest plays (50 yard plays to Crabs and Gore were both off it, not sure about the pass to Walker for 25 – 30 yards) is because they weren’t overusing it. Maybe they could sneak a few more in, but then you start talking about diminishing returns.
by Stoned Slacker on Dec 27, 2009 8:57 PM PST up reply actions
ok honestly
should we draft a qb like McCoy or Bradford in the 1st round or Tony Pike in a later round or should we give Nate Davis a shot next year?
I know probably none of these options will happen since it looks like Smith will more than likely be the starter next year but what would you guys do?
by 49erEmpire on Dec 27, 2009 5:58 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Unless
there is a surefire Peyton Manning like QB, which there isn’t this year, I think drafting one in the first round is a bad idea. I think we should surround whatever QB we have next year with as many weapons as possible. I think Smith will do well enough if he has time and skill players on the outside he trusts, and if not then give Nate a try. It is impossible to know how a young QB will react to starting though, especially with a faulty line and weapons he is not in synch with.
draft smart
fix our offensive line and see how alex smith performs next year
by Manic Depressive on Dec 27, 2009 6:05 PM PST up reply actions
We should sign a veteran QB
no more rookies. If we are going to sign a QB at all, it should be a Veteran who can help Smith and Nate Davis get better and will not stink if they have to come in as a backup. Still, if we do that we will have to release one of them, probably Hill.
by whatsadilfer? on Dec 28, 2009 8:24 AM PST up reply actions
I'm not shocked at 20 points
In fact, when I start to think how bad the offensive line really is I’m shocked the 49ers have been able to score on average 20 points per game.
Anyone looking for a new QB?
Here is the bad news, even if you hate Alex Smith and want to replace him the 49ers need an offensive line to give that new QB any sort of chance to succeed. In other words, must wait til 2011.
‘85 Bear Defense
The defense continues to play 5 notches better at home compared to the road. On the road they start out flat and teams can run the ball on them, occasionally the pass rush disappears. I don’t know why they are so many degrees worse.
They played NOT TO LOSE, the defense gave them so many chances to make something happen, but honestly this is my question… If this was a game to understand what Alex Smith was made of, why did they continue to run the ball? I mean, his stat line was OK, 230 yards and 1 touchdown? 97 passer rating? That’s great, but if they wanted to evaluate Smith, then why didn’t they pass more
Urban Meyer quote regarding Alex Smith:
"It’s going to be interesting in San Francisco. Alex is an extremely quick learner. However, he’s a guy that, until he understands it, he is nonfunctional. I keep hearing how Brett Favre kind of makes something out of nothing and is a person that runs around to make a play. Alex Smith is not that kind of player."
"Alex Smith has to learn it all. He might struggle early, but once he gets it, he gets it. That’s why, early in his career, and early in our career with him at Utah, he was not an effective passer, because he really didn’t understand. Once he understood, there was no one better. He’s not a guy that you throw the ball out there and tell him, ‘Go play.’ He wants to know what is exactly expected of him and then he becomes a dynamite player."
(via Miaocco)
Makes him sound like a Robot
That quote makes it look like Smith can only do what he is rote-trained to do and that he can repeat it flawlessly once enough training has taken place. I’m not sure that’s really the case but he does lack creativity out here and that’s one of the things all of the best QBs have. Plays often break down in the NFL and you have to be able to improvise as a QB to be successful. I don’t think hat creativity is something that can be taught, either you have it or you don’t.
by whatsadilfer? on Dec 28, 2009 9:04 AM PST up reply actions
Thank God it was only the Lions
The Niners got the opportunity to pound on a team in shambles. I feel proud and guilty at the same time.
by More False Hope on Dec 27, 2009 10:44 PM PST reply actions
proud
Proud of the defense, definitely not proud of the offense…well, proud of Gore for passing 1,000 yards. But certainly not much else.
As the Lions turnovers were piling up, I definitely was feeling a little guilty.
by David Fucillo on Dec 27, 2009 10:53 PM PST up reply actions
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