49ers Vs. Giants: My Favorite Play Of The Game

by David Fucillo on Nov 17, 2011 12:20 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers Game Recap, Review 2011

The 49ers victory over the New York Giants had numerous important plays that led to the 49ers eventual win. Vernon Davis had a huge touchdown catch, Carlos Rogers had two big picks and of course, Justin Smith had the key pass deflection late. However, one of my favorite plays from the game was the 49ers two-point conversion throw after vernon Davis' touchdown.

It was the team's first two-point attempt of the season and they executed it perfectly. They ran a basic formation with split backs and two wide receivers lined up to the right side. Crabtree ran in motion to the right and the wide receivers did an excellent job blocking their receivers so Alex Smith could get the quick two-yard pass to Crabtree for the conversion. Head after the jump for some pictures and analysis.

The 49ers have been known to line up with Vernon Davis or Delanie Walker in the backfield, but they rarely use a receiver back there. I believe Ted Ginn might have lined up in the backfield once or twice, but otherwise this appears to be the first time we've seen this formation. Out right are Ted Ginn on the line and Braylon Edwards off the line.

The 49ers sent Michael Crabtree in motion. On the far left of the picture you'll see cornerback Corey Webster starting to move in motion as well. Webster was on Crabtree from the beginning, but by forcing him to come across the field, it set up perfectly to leave Crabtree wide open against the Giants man-coverage.

After the snap, Alex Smith and the o-line immediately went right. Crabtree started to cut up but then flattened out his route to about a yard or so into the end zone. In the top left of the picture, Webster has to cut his run up towards the back of the end zone just a bit to get around his teammate (I believe it's #37 Michael Coe). By this time there was no way Webster was going to be able to get down to Crabtree in time to break up the pass.

It took a total team effort to complete the conversion. Braylon Edwards can be seen just to Crabtree's left getting extremely physical with safety Antrel Rolle. This prevent Rolle from getting down into the flat and breaking up the pass. Additionally, Ted Ginn went a little bit deeper in his route and neither Coe nor Webster were going to be able to get around him. While he didn't physically block anybody, his route essentially blocked them further out of the play.

This is the kind of play I wouldn't mind seeing mixed in a bit more in the red zone. Maybe not this specific play, but things like this. I am a big fan of creating these kinds of mismatches and a bit of misdirection to open up some plays on the field. It's a fairly simply play in execution, but it utilizes so many different skills this 49ers team possesses.

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I wonder why they don't roll out these kinds of plays more often.

Should have went with a play like this when we were in the red zone earlier. This is similar to the play where Crabs got his first TD of the year.

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by afrikabamboodle on Nov 17, 2011 12:26 PM PST reply actions

Favorite play? Having big balls calling that on side kick!

Love It!

by BigMar on Nov 17, 2011 12:31 PM PST reply actions

Big Harbaulls

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by Tom Huddlestone on Nov 17, 2011 12:48 PM PST up reply actions 4 recs

This would have never happened last year.....no imagination the last few years.

by ericalancanty on Nov 17, 2011 12:35 PM PST reply actions

There was a TON of imagination last year...

They kept imagining that if they ran it up the gut one more time they’d break free for big yardage…

by ColoradoNiner on Nov 17, 2011 1:21 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Vernon on the strong side of the OL

When they run this formation again, it will set up nicely for an opposite field strike to vernon.

as crabtree went in motion, he took the last DB with him over to the left side of the D. that would leave a linebacker to cover Vernon 1 on 1. depending on the situation, VD could take off in a wheel route or block and release.

by t p on Nov 17, 2011 12:51 PM PST reply actions

I like this idea.

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by mikeinsp on Nov 17, 2011 2:10 PM PST up reply actions

Nice Call!

Alex can bootleg left and there’s Vernon doing a block and release. Nobody’s going to keep up with him.

by Nohandle on Nov 17, 2011 2:21 PM PST up reply actions

I like it but...

Vernon needs to come off the ball very quickly cause Smith has two guys pursuing him on the backside and will either get to him or try to bat it down. If Vernon tries to bump and release, Smith has throw across his body to the other side of the field and might not have enough time to get to him. But if it works, good call t p.

by agchee on Nov 17, 2011 5:16 PM PST up reply actions

sando posted a sweet article with Ronnie Lott on espn,com nfc west blog

by forwardgunner49 on Nov 17, 2011 12:52 PM PST reply actions

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/51721/might-be-greatest-coaching-ive-ever-seen

by forwardgunner49 on Nov 17, 2011 12:53 PM PST up reply actions

That was from KNBR, the Ronnie Lott Show

It was on Murph & Mac. I like it when it comes from Ronnie. He always has great info.

by agchee on Nov 17, 2011 5:18 PM PST up reply actions

This was just great

And even better, next time we can put Crabs in the backfield and motion him out and the only way to stop a repeat is to crash the line — but oh — there’s Ginn or Edwards in the back corner wide open.

by Ougadas on Nov 17, 2011 12:59 PM PST reply actions

Love it!

Pretty soon teams won’t know how to defend us, And we’re seeing get surprised by our plays! I love it every Sunday This coaching staff shows us something new. It’s been the best 49ers Season in a long time!!

by RobNiner on Nov 17, 2011 1:03 PM PST reply actions

meh

I still like the 1 where Vernon’s leaping into the endzone better; but this was a good play in its own right too

by Doni S on Nov 17, 2011 1:04 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Well

That was extremely poor execution by the Giants defense.

The 2 pt conversion was excellent execution by the Niners offense.

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by Badly Browned on Nov 17, 2011 1:13 PM PST up reply actions

It really was a well designed (and executed)

play to watch. Thx for the breakdown Fooch.

VD’s leap was another fun one to watch but the best was the perfectly executed OS kick. Coughlin almost popped a blood vessel after that one. He was absolutely beside himself with frustration and rage. Tra la la la la.

"One game at a time. Let's just keep it rolling." Justin Smith

by riderless on Nov 17, 2011 1:10 PM PST reply actions

Looking at that 3rd pick

I am amazed that the ball didnt get batted down, a la Justin Smith to end the game. Good throw by Alex to get the ball over or around those long arms of the defender.

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by SoCal As Fan on Nov 17, 2011 1:29 PM PST reply actions

avoiding the deflection

Yea, I tried to figure out where exactly he threw it but the camera angle doesn’t tell too well. I think it was enough to the left of the defender to thread the needle.

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by David Fucillo on Nov 17, 2011 1:35 PM PST up reply actions

Jerry Rice

The 9ers used to run a play like this for Rice.

I have been waiting and wondering for years why nobody else ran a play like this.

It seems impossible to stop a 1-2 yard gain with this play.

I love this as well. I love your break down of it.

I have been looking for video of Jerry’s scoring on a play like this but I have not been able to find it. You may know this but apparently that Jerry Rice kid scored quite a few touchdowns.

Joe, Jerry, Steve, and....Who is next?

by 16to80fan on Nov 17, 2011 1:54 PM PST reply actions

Highly typical of the WC Offense

and perfectly executed.

It’s a good point though Fooch. The 2pt conversion was absolutely critical. Imagine the pressure the D would’ve been under if we were up by less than a touchdown on the last drive. As it was the pressure was mostly on the offense, and they’re the ones that made the mistake.

Simply huge.

by BKisforSF on Nov 17, 2011 1:59 PM PST reply actions

Yes this was a great play ...

… but the one that comes to mind for me , that seems too always work , is where the T.E. crashes down and pretends to fall , gets back up and rolls along the back of the end zone , I swear I’ve seen this a hundred times and its worked 99 % of the time …!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!

by Edggy on Nov 17, 2011 2:11 PM PST reply actions

More of these kinds of breakdowns would be nice.

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"If the 49ers success offends you, so be it." - Jim Harbaugh

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by mikeinsp on Nov 17, 2011 2:12 PM PST reply actions

Yes please!

Win or lose, at the end of the day I'm just happy to see the Niners play well... Okay, winning is good. I prefer winning.
"Yeah, I do get emotional. It fires me up. It fires me up a lot. I'm not going to apologize for that. If that offends you or anybody else, then so be it." ~ Jim Harbaugh

by El Dorado on Nov 17, 2011 4:55 PM PST up reply actions

I agree on liking that play

The key reason I like it so much is that the play is very WCO. Having a back (or in this case a WR positioned as a back) motioning and being the primary receiver on a quick hitter like that is something I miss, especially when using horizontal concepts.

I’d like to see more flat backs and moving pockets with easy 2 or 3 level decisions (i.e. a back in front of you, a tight end crossing intermediately, and a wr either on a comeback or a deep route, or anything building off such a concept). Also, I’m surprised they haven’t used Smith’s athleticism more often in the redzone, especially when inside the 10. He can cause problems for defenders with the run/pass option.

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by Effage on Nov 17, 2011 2:21 PM PST reply actions

Not showing his hand

I believe/hope that Harbaugh has many more plays like this one and the type you are talking about up his sleeve. Like his game plan against the Giants he is saving some of his best/most unexpected stuff for times when he needs it.

Make teams think that they can only do this or that and then spring the rest of the play book on them.

Steve Young, and others, said they need to open up the play book and see what they have. Maybe they open up the play book every day in practice and they know what they have. They just haven’t needed it yet. When they do they will use it. And hopefully it will catch all the other teams by surprise and be wildly successful. They don’t need to open it up until they need to or want to.

Joe, Jerry, Steve, and....Who is next?

by 16to80fan on Nov 17, 2011 2:41 PM PST up reply actions

This play was nothing but a bit of useful information for Eli Manning.

/“Turning Point”

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by Bay Area Sports Guy on Nov 17, 2011 3:02 PM PST reply actions

seriously

Eli Manning knowing when the 49ers are doubling was the turning point in his win over the 49ers…oh wait….

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by David Fucillo on Nov 17, 2011 3:37 PM PST up reply actions

And that play to Cruz that taught Manning so much ended with Cruz losing a fumble (the officials screwed up the call, but whatever).

The show’s got a good format, but they acted like the 49ers were nothing more than the Giants’ sparring partners.

"We just have to go back and watch the film and look at the things that we need to do and correct and go forward." -- Mike Singletary
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by Bay Area Sports Guy on Nov 17, 2011 4:01 PM PST up reply actions

I love Braylon’s blocking on this play. The Niners’ receivers haven’t put up huge numbers, but they’re well-rounded players now. Crabtree and Edwards have thrown some incredible blocks this season.

"We just have to go back and watch the film and look at the things that we need to do and correct and go forward." -- Mike Singletary
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by Bay Area Sports Guy on Nov 17, 2011 3:07 PM PST reply actions

sorry for going a little off topic

but i have a question. does anyone remember what the rams record was before the season warner took over the rams and won the superbowl?

Coach Harbaugh is the truth!!

by chris z on Nov 17, 2011 3:53 PM PST reply actions

this was my favorite play as well

seems so simple but also seems so difficult to stop if the blocks are made…the 2 blocks seem to set enough of a pick for the 3rd db trying to follow crabtree across the formation that it seems practically impossible for him to beat the receiver to the pylon. having crabtree in the backfield seems like a bit of a tell that we are going to throw is the only issue…sort of seems like a play designed for delanie.

by ljl on Nov 17, 2011 3:57 PM PST reply actions

Like Fooch pointed out, it was all timed perfectly...

I don’t think those kinds of plays could’ve been called earlier in the season. That’s one of those plays where everything has to be timed perfectly and that’s why looked like an easy conversion. These kinds of plays can only come with time and chemistry and I bet we start to see more of them now that everything is starting to fire on all cylinders. But there is soooo much room for improvement. This offense is going to be scary in the near future.

by agchee on Nov 17, 2011 5:24 PM PST reply actions

That was a great play. I also liked the onside kick

Not only was the ball perfectly on the spot, but the execution by the coverage men was great too. Delanie went right for the ball and the 5 coverage guys to his side went out and threw some good blocks and were in perfect position to support delanie. Little little things like this and the two point play make this team such a joy to watch.

by Ritzy9er on Nov 17, 2011 8:36 PM PST via mobile reply actions