Smith's Performance vs. Raye's Offense
by NH49er on Sep 3, 2010 7:05 AM PDT
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We've all heard about Alex Smith's rotating OC adventure and that's why the jury is still out. He did okay last year, but not well enough to appease most people and that we had the worst O-line in the league last year, but stick with me here...
Two of the biggest 'problems' we had where Smith's performance, particulary his tendancy to start slow, and the fact that the O-line needed an upgrade because we couldn't get a push in the run game. I'm proposing we look at these problems in a different light.
It seemed like last year the offense was just plain out-played in the first half by nearly all of our opponents. People chalked that up to Smith's slow starting and our offenses overall effectiveness or lack thereof. Smith's flashes of brilliance usually came when we were behind and supposedly went to the 'spread' offense (the supposedly and quotes are for those of you who brilliantly discussed whether we were or were not in the spread last year and also argued Smith's performance in said formation...an arguement not for this post...). What if our game plans were just plain vanilla. What if every DC out there was licking there chops putting together a plan for the niners and the plan and play-calling were the reason we always started slow. When the plan flew out the window...suprise, suprise Alex Smith had his best performances.
Take this a step further, how hard is it to get a push when run blocking when 98% of your first down calls are runs up the middle? I'm actually a proponent of spending high picks on the two lines and their importance to the game so I couldn't be happier with the two OL picks, but if we had a somewhat imaginitive OC that occassionally changed things up (and had a better OL coach - Foerester was the only coach with a worse long term track record of performance. I think the Ravens got worse every year he was there - Thank God he left...) perhaps we would have fallen into the 'average' category and wouldn't have needed some amazing breakaway runs by Gore to break the 3 yard/carry mark.
I know the pre-season is all about being vanilla and not tipping your hand, but what if we start week one with the same vanilla plan we've seen all pre-season. What if we never see Gore and Westbrook on the field together or Westbrook out wide. What if we still run it up the gut every first down and leave the team with 2nd and 9. Is anybody else preparing the 'Johnson for OC' picket signs just in case? I hope I'm wrong, but two or three poor offensive performances to the start the season, with our cast of characters and the high expectations for this year may call us to drastic action...
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.
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Anyone for OC
I’m giving Raye one last chance. This is it though, if game one offense sucks then it’s time to break out the pitchforks and get that SOB.
Raye can adapt
It might be that Sing forced his hand, but he showed he can adapt to an extent. If the offense falls flat this year, then I think Sing will move on to Johnson as the OC. He’s already relaying the plays, so the next step is actually calling them and game-planning during the week.
Yeah but
He ALWAYS seemed to wait until we’re down by 3 scores before “adapting”. That will not fly with me this time around.
by mr. instigator on Sep 3, 2010 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions
True...
but I was refering more to the fact that he changed to the quasi-spread after Smith became the starter. He does need more diversity in the early game playcalling.
And I thought picket signs after game 3 was drastic...
I love the pitchfork idea though.
jimmy raye is definitely the problem here
gutless & predictable.
that is what i get the most from my non-niner-fan friends, and i’m tired of it.
jimmy raye is a relic who doesn’t understand how the game has evolved, and while i’ve been a big supporter of “continuity on offense” (yes, our mantra of late) - i really wish that sing had shown balls and replaced him.
jimmy raye calls more pass behind the line of scrimmage than beyond the first down marker. there is zero deception in his game plan, besides obvious and sloppy reverses that look like college play.
we may win the west despite raye’s playcalling, but we will not advance past the first round.
i hope that singletary demands from his friend what he demands from his players – winning.
"Winners, I am convinced, imagine their dreams first. They want it with all their heart and expect it to come true. There is, I believe, no other way to live."
- Joe Montana
Well I will say changing up playcalling was one of the many things that doomed the Niners...
during the second meeting with Seattle. The Niners ran all over them the first meeting last year, and they decide to air it out most of the game the 2nd time through, and end up losing
Little bit of Devil's Advocate here
I actually dislike Raye’s play calling. One thing that calmed down my yells for the pitchforks was someone pointing out that Raye was much more capable and has much more creativity, but if you lack the confidence your players can perform those Rocky Road plays, you give them Vanilla.
That was totally evident last season when Smith couldn’t make a play from under Center. You can blame the O-line all you want, and SOME of the blame is justified, but Smith just sucked from under center. So they started with the “Raye Gun” thing. This made Alex Smith look much better. But it also marginalized out best offensive players role, Frank Gore. So the plays became Gun for all pass plays, anything else was more than likely for Gore to run.
It was extremely predictable, but Raye can’t be solely to blame. We have the talent on offense to destroy teams. From my seat, on the couch, I can’t determine whether Raye is the problem or Alex Smith. But I trust Samurai Mike to figure it out and adjust accordingly.
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