49ers 28 - Rams 6: Hidden Nuggets
by David Fucillo on Jan 3, 2010 4:05 PM PST
in San Francisco 49ers News
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PrintAnd so we come to the end of the 2009 season. The 49ers did not play particularly inspiring football today, but they did provide a variety of highlights worth checking out on both sides of the ball. Once again it was the defense that was most notable, although Frank Gore and Vernon Davis certainly acquitted themselves quite nicely today.
Given that the defense put together yet another solid performance, we'll start off with some of their accomplishments:
- The 49ers defense kept the Rams out of the end zone, allowing just 2 field goals. This marks the 5th time this season that the 49ers defense kept an opposing team from scoring a TD. The 49ers rank first in the NFL for the most games holding an opponent without a TD (5) in the NFL this season. The N.Y. Jets enter the game tonight ranking 2nd with 4 games holding an opponent without a TD.
- For the 7th time this season, the 49ers held their opponent to 10 points-or-less, which is tops in the NFL.
- San Francisco's defense allowed a total of 109 net yards against the Rams, marking the fewest total net yards allowed in a game since December 12, 2000, when the team allowed 104 vs. Chicago.
- The 49ers defense finished the year with 44 sacks, which is the highest team total since 1998 (51 sacks).
- With 8 sacks on the day, the 49ers defense has now registered 2-or-more sacks in 11 games this season. The last time the Niners recorded 2-or-more sacks in at least 11 games was in 2003.
- The 49ers allowed just 1,552 rushing yards this season, marking the lowest rushing total allowed by the team since 1997 (1,366 rushing yards).
Frank Gore
- RB Frank Gore registered his 9th and 10th rushing TDs of the season, setting a new career-high and tying the 49ers record for most rushing TDs in a season. He joins RB Derek Loville (1995), RB Ricky Watters (1993), RB Billy Kilmer (1961), RB J.D. Smith (1959) and RB Joe Perry (1953) as the other 49ers running backs to register 10 rushing TDs in a season. Gore's previous career-high was 8 rushing TDs in 2006.
- With 107 rushing yards on the day, this marks Gore's 20th career 100-yd, rushing performance. He is now tied with Perry for the most 100-yd. games in franchise history.
Vernon Davis
- TE Vernon Davis tied the NFL record for TD receptions by a tight end with a career-long 73-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. Davis' 13 TD receptions ties TE Antonio Gates (13 TDs in 2004).
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It’s back to back games against crap offenses, but this is what good defenses do. Dominate bad teams. Most of us were looking for this kind of performance by Alex Smith. We didn’t get it, but at least we got awesome showings by the defense.
by David Fucillo on Jan 3, 2010 4:14 PM PST up reply actions
Both DET and STL were banged up too..
To me, they are the real reason for an 8-8 record. The offense is still a freakin’ mess. One more year with Manusky, and they should be pretty awesome, even though they were a bit flawed this season.
The offense? I think Raye will be fired after next season.
Well, we're waiting....
I think he'll retire
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Jan 3, 2010 4:49 PM PST up reply actions
It'd be great if
Somebody here could do a little bit of a write up on Mike Johnson, who is the heir-apparent to Raye.
There is not much on him.
All I know is that he called plays for the Baltimore Ravens for 2 weeks a few years ago (they won both games).
E-mail Fooch to see if someone would be up for it.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Jan 4, 2010 11:38 AM PST up reply actions
Agreed, Fooch
Defense and ST coverage have been there all season. Credit to Sing and those coordinators for that.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Special teams?
Have you met Arnaz Battle?
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Jan 3, 2010 4:49 PM PST up reply actions
Coverage
And Battle has done that well and has everyone. Now they need a returner and to work on return blocking.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Yeah....
it is amazing he knows how to tackle on punt coverage, but has no clue how to make a decent return….and the stupid a-hole fumbled yet another return, luckily he landed back on it (i am still not sure how lol)
by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 3, 2010 4:53 PM PST up reply actions
the one
that pissed me off the most was not getting the ball and letting it bounce another 18 yards
by srill waiting on Jan 3, 2010 4:54 PM PST up reply actions
Yes, definitely a "special" play by Battle...
I say the Niners try to trade up with Detroit to get Berry…offer them a swap of 1st rounders, give them maybe a 3rd rounder, and offer them Battle lol
by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 3, 2010 4:56 PM PST up reply actions
punt return all around
Has truly killed the Niners this year. Lost fumbles. No big plays. And lost yardage when no fair catching the ball. It even lost Clements for the season. Start from scratch next season.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Damn right.
I don’t even think it’s unreasonable to argue the Niners may actually have made the playoffs with a good return game.
If Bochy coached the Warriors Bengie Molina would start every game at PG.
by cybermaldonado on Jan 3, 2010 5:04 PM PST up reply actions
The return game was the difference in two of our losses
and with a 10-6 record instead of 8-8 we have a very real shot at making it in.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will get picked in the first round.
Yep
All the lost yardage plus the lost points on turnovers at Houston and Seattle.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
I’m really pleased that Vernon stepped up this year and became that elite tight end that he has claimed to be. Having said that, I’ve been thinking about the 2010 draft a bit and I think our best bet would be to try to trade up to get a guy like Berry from Tennessee in order to put our defense above the top. I’m not a believer in Alex Smith but I really don’t want to start all over again at the QB position, so I think we should just stick with what we have. I’d also look into improving our offensive line but I don’t know what kind of value we’d be able to get at our draft positions.
"Any time I watch a game on television, I have to turn the commentators off. They say 'he's playing well' and I'm thinking 'no, he's not.' My advice to anyone is don't listen to the experts, just watch the game and gather your own opinion."
-Roy Keane
Who else was annoyed....
that with all of those opportunities at the goal line, they didn’t try to get VD the TD record? I was yelling at my screen, I mean, TWO MORAN NORRIS handoffs in a row? WTF!?
Dropped passes
It should give him fuel for the fire next season when he realizes that he should’ve had the record way before the final game of the season.
by sundaysfinest on Jan 3, 2010 4:47 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah....
the one in Seattle comes to mind, it would have given him the record AND the Niners the game.
by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 3, 2010 4:50 PM PST up reply actions
Yep
VD cuts just two or three of his drops from this season he not only sets the TD record but has 1000 yards. So it’s really on him and shows that he has room to improve even after a stellar season.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
I was super annoyed....
at the lack of pass int. called in the 1st half. On the Niners first drive, Crabby was getting held like the dude was after his wallet, and then there was that deep pass to VD where he almost caught it with one hand, but why did he only use one hand? Because the defender was pulling down his other arm before the pass arrived.
by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 3, 2010 4:55 PM PST up reply actions
That pass attempt to VD really pissed me off
The other guy was obviously holding VD’s other hand.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Jan 3, 2010 5:41 PM PST up reply actions
That was SOOOOO obvious.. except that the refs didn't see it.. everyone else did
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
2-6 road record
Certainly not good enough. Yet the same as the Pats. Who would’ve bet on that at the beginning of the season?
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
its too bad our hardest games
were on the road
DREAM DRAFT:
1a. Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
1b. CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
2. Best CB available
3. Freddie Barnes, WR, Bowling Green
by MichaelClutchtree on Jan 3, 2010 4:56 PM PST up reply actions
dont
we have an easier strength of schedule next year? I think that might help a bit, but only if we find that thing called offense. I think Sing. is fine with defense, and with a few small improvements on S.T. (not including a PR/KR) we should be good there..
the proverbial elephant in the room is the offense.
I dont know about easier SOS
thwy play the Saints and Eagles, good thing they’re both at home. They also play Green Bay in Lambeau again, throw in the Falcons and that’s 4 games against solid teams.
by sundaysfinest on Jan 3, 2010 5:02 PM PST up reply actions
Never know one season to the next
After last year it looked like AZ had it tough with games against the Panthers and Giants. Neither had a winning record this year.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Gore had his second best season this year
despite missing out on 3 games.
VD was 35 yards away from 1000 receiving yards on the year.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will get picked in the first round.
That sucks...
if only that DB didn’t pass interfere with VD in the 1st half and he was actually allowed to use both hands to try to catch the ball, he could of had his 1000
by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 3, 2010 5:50 PM PST up reply actions
Congrats to our D and to Gore and VD
and let’s hope that next year we’re saying Congrats to them again and a lot more of the team next year. And also saying “Now on to the playoffs”
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jan 3, 2010 5:24 PM PST reply actions
great D , but held back by offense
it seems a bit unfair when you consider that our defense is out on the field an anusualy long time in most games this season. We are even better defensively than the stats would show. Still very skeptical about Alex Smith getting the start next season, but as has been mentioned hundreds of times, we really have no other option. Gratz to Vernon and Frank, and even to Crabtree for great seasons all. These guys have risen their games up a few notches and really give us hope for the coming season. With two picks in the first and solid position for the other rounds, I really do hope we can plug some holes in our o-line backfield and kick-return game. The yorks and Gm Scott Mc must also make great moves in free-agency and maybe land an impact player in any given position. This team with a few holes adressed can be a serious contender, but we must not make the same mistakes we made last year in not doing so. As for Alex Smith, this will be his chance, a full season as the guy, while comming off a season in which he played 10 games, no excusses for him anymore, either he wins and gets to the playoffs next season, or anything less would be a fail, no matter how great his stats are.
DRAFT ORDER
well, it doesnt look like the bengals are putting up much of a fight, so assuming the jets win, here’s how the top-20 looks. i stole it from some guy named DaveCleveland on another site.
1. St. Louis (1-15)
2. Detroit (2-14)
3. Tampa Bay (3-13)
4. Washington (4-12) .500 (Worse Division Record)
5. Kansas City (4-12) .500
6. Cleveland (5-11) .500 (Worse Division Record)
7. Seattle (5-11) .500
8. Oakland (5-11) .523
9. Buffalo (6-10)
10. Chicago (7-9) (Traded to DEN) .468
11. Jacksonville (7-9) .480
12. Miami (7-9) .555
13. San Francisco (8-8) .434
14. Denver (8-8)(Traded to SEA) .512
15. Tennessee (8-8) .531
16. New York Giants (8-8) .555
17. Carolina (8-8) (Traded to SF) .566
18. Pittsburgh (9-7)
19. Atlanta (9-7)
20. Houston (9-7)
I take full responsibility for my irresponsibility.
I can live with 13 and 17. That gives us two good chances to get solid players without committing a ridiculous amount of money. Now i just want to fast forward to April
"God tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he's pretty sure you're fucked."-Braveheart
Grab and OT with 1a and iupati with 1b and get a good KR/PR WR or RB in the second round
and then use the money saved to sign Davis, Franklin and Brooks to extensions
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
i love mike iupati, but
mccloughan doesnt like to spend big bucks on guards. so if they take one in the first round, theres really only two ways that could work out:
1. he doesnt live up to his draft position
2. he plays well and leaves for more money as soon as his rookie contract is up.
i’d rather pray for joe haden to last until 13 and wait on a tackle until 17. then see what guards are available in the 2nd.
The enemy of my enemy is collateral damage.
Since OT is our greatest need and there is a limited number of good ones, I would say we would have to go with OT on 1a.
CB is not a big need. Not sure if Baas will be back but I have a feeling if Sing says to McC that he NEEDS a good OT and OG that is what he will get. We may wait until the 2nd round for a OG, Since McC doesn’t like to pay Gs much. Or we could trade back in the 1st and pick up a later 2nd.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
CB isnt a big need?
even with Nate Clements apparently moving to safety?
who on the roster do you see as the two starters next year then? Shawntae Spencer and Tarell Brown? Dre Bly, maybe? im okay with Spencer for now, but im not comfortable with Brown as a 16-game starter and Bly’s days are numbered, even if he stops celebrating in the middle of the play.
The enemy of my enemy is collateral damage.
Clements isn't moving to safety
nobody in the Niners organization has even hinted at such a thing and Clements has flat out said that he’s not moving to safety.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will get picked in the first round.
Yeah I don't know where this rumor started.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Jan 4, 2010 11:40 AM PST up reply actions
who will be dumb enough to draft sam bradford?
knocked out of a few games by byu lineman then got hammered again and had season ending shoulder surgery. i don’t know why that guy on espn is so high on this guy. i see ken dorsey written all over this guy. i’ll say the redskins will be desperate enough or dumb enough to take him. ever since snyder has taken over the team they have made just about every wrong decision that can be made. hail to the redskins. lol.
i'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. i was building a house, i don't deserve this, deserves have nothing to do with it. bang. "unforgiven"
by wolfmanshowlforever on Jan 3, 2010 11:24 PM PST up reply actions
Well, Allen is in charge of the Redskins now.
I don’t think he’ll go for that.
Possibly the Bills…..
Or maybe even the Seahawks (we don’t know how their new GM’s draft philosophy)
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Jan 4, 2010 11:41 AM PST up reply actions
...unless you're an Alex Smith supporter,
in which case he just needs more time.
The enemy of my enemy is collateral damage.
Um, no
Not quite. JaMarcus’ completion percentage was less than 50% this season compared to 60 + for Alex. He also turned the ball over 17 times compared to 13 for Alex. But the biggest difference is TD passes, JaMarcus had 3 compared to a career high 18 for Alex.
Nope
JTO has had much more time than Alex to develop (as his journeyman status clearly indicates). He still hasn’t taken over extensive starting duties for any NFL team, and likely never will. As you saw last night, as he did with the Niners, he could not sustain a drive even when the opposing defense was playing soft.
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