Tom Coughlin Talks 49ers, Injuries And David Baas

by David Fucillo on Nov 9, 2011 2:00 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin chatted up the 49ers in a variety of media discussions today and had plenty of compliments about the team. This morning he had his weekly Wednesday press conference with Giants media and followed that up with a conference call with the 49ers media (AUDIO).

Coughlin spent both conversations discussing the 49ers as well as how his Giants would prepare for them. The Giants will apparently be flying out of New York on Saturday. The 49ers usually travel east on Fridays so it will be interesting to see if the later travel time makes any difference for the Giants preparations. They get some time back traveling from east to west, so we'll see.

Coughlin addressed some of the injury issues for the Giants. It's worth noting that neither Hakeem Nicks nor Ahmad Bradshaw practiced today. Nicks was supposedly going to practice but then was a last minute scratch. Bradshaw is dealing with a cracked bone in his foot and reports have been all over the place as to his actual status moving forward. My guess is he does not play Sunday, but the coming days' practice participation reports will give us a better idea.

This game gives the 49ers a chance to welcome back former center David Baas. Many thought Baas would stick around but he signed a big five year contract with the Giants. Baas has been dealing with some injuries including a knee issue but Coughlin believes he will play on Sunday, barring any setbacks.

I had forgotten that Baas spent one day taking part in Camp Alex this summer. I don't think it will really matter for purposes of this weekend's matchup, but it is still worth at least noting.

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There’s about to be a topic on Around the Horn about “Why alex smith can be a super bowl winning QB”

Will post summary in here

"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais

by MichaelClutchtree on Nov 9, 2011 2:02 PM PST reply actions

Nice!! Please post thanks!

by RobNiner on Nov 9, 2011 2:10 PM PST up reply actions

Smith

Jackie McMullan said Smith is the 49ers answer to Mark Sanchez with the Jets.

Follow @NinersNation

by David Fucillo on Nov 9, 2011 2:23 PM PST up reply actions

Is that supposed to be a compliment or a criticism

I am offended, just not sure if it was meant to be offensive…

by Da Bum on Nov 9, 2011 5:27 PM PST up reply actions

I'm not sure

I don’t think it’s either when it comes to Smith and more just trying to explain his role.

Follow @NinersNation

by David Fucillo on Nov 9, 2011 5:36 PM PST up reply actions

Well first KB started talking about the defense and Tony said he can’t talk about the defense first (like I did)

JM said Smith has the lowest % of passes deflected/intercepted

The rest basically said to keep the ball out of Smith’s hands

Pretty much the same crap over and over again. And unlike the Shootout thread I posted in earlier this morning, everyone said the only way Alex could be a winning QB is to keep the ball OUT of his hands, not that everyone trusts he can lead a comeback or be in a shootout like 95% of the people on here

"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais

by MichaelClutchtree on Nov 9, 2011 2:19 PM PST up reply actions

comeback

Well, considering he did lead a comeback against the Eagles, I can live with him.

Follow @NinersNation

by David Fucillo on Nov 9, 2011 2:22 PM PST up reply actions

and against the Bengals, and against the Lions....

by sanfranfanmdk on Nov 9, 2011 3:10 PM PST up reply actions

I think at some point you have to let the chips fall where they may

Is Alex Smith the perfect quarterback? No, far from it. But we don’t know how he’d do in a shootout, well, until we have an actual shootout. It doesn’t matter if some people on TV agree with you… they have no keener insight than us; less probably, I doubt many of them watch as many 49ers games as we do. The reason “random percentage pulled out of my posterior” number of posters think Alex Smith would do alright in a shootout is probably because they’re optimistic. He has done well this year. I for one hope he continues to do well. Right now Alex Smith is in uncharted territory. Will he win a shootout against the Packer? I have no idea. But I’m sure as hell excited to see it.

by eldingo on Nov 9, 2011 2:46 PM PST up reply actions

I'm confused

You want to know if the 9ers can compete in a shootout. But you don’t want us to talk about the defense. Can we then assume the other defense doesn’t get factored in either? Cause I’m pretty sure Alex could put up a ton of points if no one was trying to stop him. Or do we just talk about a shootout in which the other team has a defense and the 9ers do not? Because then we might struggle. Tell you what, when the NFL stops playing games in which defenses are allowed on the field I’ll respect your right to limit how other people choose to answer questions in a public forum. Until then, dude, DEFENSE MATTERS! But to answer the question in a way that will make you happy, look back to all the games over the course of his career in which Alex has come out in shotgun and moved the ball well to get the team close. I’m thinking specifically of the second half against Houston (2 years ago? I think) when he came in and scored three touchdowns in relief of Hill. That was with a receiver core inferior to the one he had now, with a coaching staff that had no plan for specific opponents and with a hook just ready to yank him off the field. So yes, should the defense accidentally show up at the wrong stadium, the team will still be okay in
a shootout.

by redgolddynasty on Nov 9, 2011 2:49 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

just reread this and realized I sounded a bit

well, crabby. Nothing personal meant.

by redgolddynasty on Nov 9, 2011 2:54 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

I approve your crabbiness - starting to get there myself

by Da Bum on Nov 9, 2011 5:31 PM PST up reply actions

i saw the question as “can the 49ers keep up in a shootout?”, not “can the defense prevent a shootout?” those are 2 completely different questions. it wasn’t a trick question.

"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais

by MichaelClutchtree on Nov 9, 2011 3:00 PM PST up reply actions

Yes, I think the 9ers can keep up in a shootout, but it depends on the defense they are playing. Not to be sarcastic, but keeping up in a shootout does not rule out the fact that the 9ers can still use the running game to set up the pass, or even score from their rushing offense.

by fl8shgord0n on Nov 9, 2011 4:35 PM PST up reply actions

My view

I think the difficulty most people have with the question is that implicit in all of this is that there has to be a complete breakdown of the Niner D for the shoot out to occur. Given what have seen the past 8 games (not to mention our league leading 14.8 points allowed a game), that is an assumption most people here aren’t willing to make.

But, ok, lets assume that the total breakdown in the D happens in a hypothetical GB/NO game, can we keep up? It is very hard to say since we have been with the lead or with a slim deficit (both situations do not call for taking unnecessary risks in the passing game) for all but 2 quarters of the 32 quarters we have played. BUT, in the two quarters that we actually needed to put points on the board in a hurry, we were able to. And we did it BECAUSE OF Alex, not IN SPITE OF.

So I am of the opinion that we can put up the points WHEN NEEDED. And that need only manifested itself during the second half of the Eagles game. Outside of that, we were either neck and neck with our opponent or up two scores. Why take the risk and throw down field when an INT or pick-6 would blow the game open or give the other team an opportunity to get back in the game (see: Romo, Tony vs. Lions)

by NinerFanTucson on Nov 9, 2011 4:50 PM PST up reply actions

Total breakdown of pass defense will happen

If either Whitner or Goldson go down. We have to keep them healthy.

by Ougadas on Nov 10, 2011 1:03 AM PST up reply actions

He reminds me of Dilfer on the Ravens SB team

Trust in him some, do easy routes, keep the mistakes down. Let the Defense and ST do their jobs and viola… Super Bowl rings mysteriously show up in the mail.

To be honest, I never though Eli Manning would win a SB, and yet he done did it.

by D.P on Nov 9, 2011 4:35 PM PST up reply actions

Hey Clutch! Great first name, same as mine, but...

C’mon dude! It’s one thing to be the ever pessimistic one, another to always find some fault with someone on our team, yet I think you should just chill out some big guy! Have some cool-aid, ok? It’s ok to believe in this team, even our QB and if it doesn’t work out how we all hope/dream it will, it’s okay, alright? Life for many of us will go on, so please, have a drink and have some faith/belief in these 2011 49ers! Sheesh!

Enough said above! I can't believe the "t-raiders" are going to play in OUR stadium! Bastards!

by 23mjheart on Nov 9, 2011 6:26 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Coughlin.... describes Alex as "Managing" ?

Is that still a SLAP in the face of Alex?

A "managing " Q.B. = the same as a “serviceable” Q.B.

Would Coughlin ever describe his Q.B. Eli as a “Managing” Q.B.?

Alex needs to take offense to Coughlin comments and throw 4 T/D on the Giants!

by BigMar on Nov 9, 2011 2:30 PM PST reply actions

for god sakes, HE IS A GAME MANAGING QB

"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais

by MichaelClutchtree on Nov 9, 2011 2:40 PM PST up reply actions

Come on... you must really be MichaelCrabtree

by BigMar on Nov 9, 2011 2:46 PM PST up reply actions

I get that you disagree with people on here

But the amount of personal stake you have in this argument seems excessive

by eldingo on Nov 9, 2011 2:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

I agree, i need to stop.

"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais

by MichaelClutchtree on Nov 9, 2011 2:59 PM PST up reply actions

although what exactly do you mean by “personal stake”? all im doing is addressing the questions.

it feels like im one of the only ones on here with any kind of criticism of him, which is why i feel the need to post

"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais

by MichaelClutchtree on Nov 9, 2011 3:04 PM PST up reply actions

You aren't the only one who has had criticisms of him....

it’s just most of them have been silenced by his good play and the Niners being 7-1 lol

by sanfranfanmdk on Nov 9, 2011 3:12 PM PST up reply actions

What makes you have this urge to criticise Alex?

by BigMar on Nov 9, 2011 3:15 PM PST up reply actions

What makes you have this urge to defend him?

Could it be, I don’t know, the fact that you have an opinion about his play/capabilities?

It never ceases to amaze me that if a fan criticizes a quarterback is called ‘a hater’ a ‘non-fan’ etc. etc. by the same people that will quite eagerly, and usually in the same very response reference how said qb is carrying or dealing with the team’s horrible offensive line/receivers/coaching/etc. etc.

Can we just decide on ONE standard and stick to it? Please?

by BKisforSF on Nov 9, 2011 3:56 PM PST up reply actions

He is the QB of my team and doing quite well - exceeding most expectations

That is what makes me want to defend him. Is he perfect… NO WAY, but he is doing more than just being an average guy on an average team.

by Da Bum on Nov 9, 2011 5:35 PM PST up reply actions

and please point out where I either defended or criticzed him...

if you intend to back your claim.

by BigMar on Nov 9, 2011 5:55 PM PST up reply actions

Passive aggressive much?

So you have a big problem with clutchtree’s expressing an insufficiently positive view on Smith, but that’s not defending him? Are we going to delve into the meaning of ‘is’ next? In any case, you both missed the point. From where I sit, nothing is wrong with defending or criticizing Alex Smith. Having an opinion about professional athletes is the god given right of fans as far as I’m concerned.

My post meant to convey my displeasure at the unending series of people who defend Alex Smith by attacking his critics for ‘hating’- i.e. daring to criticize a very special person in their life- while from the other side of tgeir mouths heaping out harsh criticism of other 9er players and coaches (to take a random example, Michael Crabtree).

Frankly, this idea that ‘good fans’ or worse, ‘real fans’ don’t criticize their team/it’s key players is asinine. Far more asinine, however, not to mention quintessentially passive aggressive, is when the guy who claims to take offence at the very principle of such criticism manages to indulge in it in the very same sentence. Similarly, it’s nauseating when someone who rents out space in Alex Smith’s jock accuses someone of being too emotionally attached to his opinions because he has the temerity to believe out loud that said qb is average to below average.

by BKisforSF on Nov 9, 2011 8:50 PM PST up reply actions

u go girl

by itsAteamGAME on Nov 9, 2011 10:59 PM PST up reply actions

Lets be honest

Alex simply does what is asked of him. No more, no less. Can he keep up with a shootout? Yes as he has done it before, even with singletary as his coach he almost led a fourth quarter comeback against the eagles. Can he do it on a consistent basis? Probably not. Not until we start seeing him throw 45 times a game like the other QB’s in the league that have to mind you. Alex doesn’t have to so we will not know for sure until he does. But I promise you this. At some point this year the defense will give up some points and/or the offense will cough up the ball for 6 pts and Alex will have to bring us back or compete for a shootout. A la : The question will then be answered Clutch. By the way, I’m glad you are a critic of Alex. Someone has to be!

by Johnveeskys on Nov 9, 2011 4:06 PM PST up reply actions

It may happen this week!!!

by Johnveeskys on Nov 9, 2011 4:08 PM PST up reply actions

The problem is... the question has no real point and cannot be "answered"

A lot goes into every game. People complain that Alex is not throwing for 300+ yards a game. A couple drops by normally sure handed guys (VD and Gore) this week and Alex probably is throwing 300+ yards. IF we get into a shootout and we succeed… what then? Does that mean that Alex can do that against any opponent? What about against NO or GB? Until we play them, and need a shootout to win, who cares? If we lose a shootout, are we incapable of learning or doing better in the next instance? Just because we DID lay 40+ on the Lions, does NOT mean our team can rely on doing that week to week. It was nice once, but our primary goal each week is to BEAT whoever we play and do what is NECESSARY to win, not satisfy some hypothetical standard of play by one or two guys.

In my opinion, the point of this question is strictly to create a sense of unease with Alex. He is doing well, so the best way to counter that is to apply some artificial and pointless measure and claim he is not able to meet it. I don’t mind some discussions, but this topic, to me, has degraded to the point of being annoying.

by Da Bum on Nov 9, 2011 5:44 PM PST up reply actions

OPEN UP THE PLAYBOOK????

I hear a lot of talk about how we should open up the playook. This is goin just as acording to plan. Coach aka MR BLUE COLAR opens up the playbook every week just for a limited amount of time. We will all have flashbacks of earlier games this season come the playoffs.

by ndsf1994 on Nov 9, 2011 2:51 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

I think the plays will be compiled

come playoff-time…

by Doni S on Nov 9, 2011 3:02 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Why open it up fully and give teams film of it, when we don’t need to..We have been winning games just fine, and don’t need the extra ones right now. Harbaugh’s plan for the most part to me is KISS – Keep it Simple Stupid (and no i am not calling you stupid…that is a great philosophy to live by)

Why go out and throw for 400 yards, when you don’t need it every game..We tried to rack up some extra points and it got Morgan injured…If you don’t want your guys getting injured, don’t put them in the position to get injured..And to me that also goes for seeing more Hunter and Dixon and letting Frank the Tank relax more..

Although I would love to see him get his 150th yard (to pass Joe “The Jet” Perry) at home, and honestly i think the team needs to be ready for it with a mild yet well planned celebration.

Founder of team Omté Caspeen

by Widowwolf on Nov 9, 2011 3:07 PM PST up reply actions

I browsed through some comments on that Giants blog...

They are a confident bunch as they should be sitting at 6-2 coming off a victory in New England. There are some intelligent posters there who give us props and then there are some that think all we can do is run the ball. Not much love for a top 5 defense and zero respect for our receivers. Kind of sounds like homerism to me.
They have no idea what their team is walking into….

Call me cautiously optimistic....because I know what the Niners do to people who have real optimism (see the last 8 years).

by crumpedup15 on Nov 9, 2011 2:41 PM PST reply actions

Meh, they just came off a win vs. the Patriots, I'd probably feel the same way

by eldingo on Nov 9, 2011 2:49 PM PST up reply actions

Live on the eastcoast....

Right after the win vs Pats. Some Giant fan had the nerve to say that they are the best team in all of NFL. Better than GB,Bal,NO & yes SF!! This is the blind arrogance that I have to live with over here. SMH!!

Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!

The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!

by Kidd2Petrovic on Nov 9, 2011 2:50 PM PST up reply actions

*forgot to say that the fan was on ESPN radio saying that

Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!

The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!

by Kidd2Petrovic on Nov 9, 2011 2:51 PM PST up reply actions

I don't recall hearing that

GB diffrent level, NO, Balt and yes SF – Respect them but no fear

by Late for Dinner on Nov 9, 2011 3:10 PM PST up reply actions

You don't match-up well against Baltimore

Fear is probably in order there.

by BKisforSF on Nov 9, 2011 4:00 PM PST up reply actions

Understood at respect but don't say you're better than someone that is the superbowl champs & is undefeated

Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!

The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!

by Kidd2Petrovic on Nov 9, 2011 4:18 PM PST up reply actions

Kind of sounds like homerism to me.

The giants blog? or this one?

"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais

by MichaelClutchtree on Nov 9, 2011 3:05 PM PST up reply actions

the Giants blog

There’s plenty of homerism here. There’s plenty of homerism at most blogs.

Follow @NinersNation

by David Fucillo on Nov 9, 2011 3:07 PM PST up reply actions

except the a’s blog

"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais

by MichaelClutchtree on Nov 9, 2011 3:08 PM PST up reply actions

A's

As an A’s fan I can say it’s fairly difficult to be a homer lately.

Follow @NinersNation

by David Fucillo on Nov 9, 2011 3:20 PM PST up reply actions

So

would it then be safe to conclude there’s a homer on every SB Nation football blog?

That NY Giants’ fan, he is entitled to his opinion…even if it’s total homerism; but it doesn’t change the fact that 1 of their losses came @ the hands of the Redskins @ DC while the other was against Seattle in the meadowlands; both of whom we beat in respective fashion…

by Doni S on Nov 9, 2011 3:23 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

And proud of it

by Da Bum on Nov 9, 2011 5:48 PM PST up reply actions

they got some lucky pi calls in new england. that is all I got to say about that.

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Nov 9, 2011 3:19 PM PST up reply actions

is your name

Forrest, Forrest Guuump?

Call me cautiously optimistic....because I know what the Niners do to people who have real optimism (see the last 8 years).

by crumpedup15 on Nov 9, 2011 3:28 PM PST up reply actions

only on the 7nth day of the week. lol

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Nov 9, 2011 3:40 PM PST up reply actions

what was lucky about them?

they pass interfered, and got called on it. pretty straight forward.

Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
I will not - lose! -Jay Z-
Marines say Oorah; BBVer's say SUAMBP! say it with me - Suuaahmbp!!!!

by wilddre22 on Nov 9, 2011 11:29 PM PST up reply actions

That was my impression as well

With a humble heart I predict that they’ll soon either see the error in their thinking or else be in total denial.

NYG fans. Start practicing your excuses.

by whatsURdeal on Nov 9, 2011 8:38 PM PST up reply actions

Alex Smith

He has been near perfect this season. He has done more than just manage the game. He is winning games. He won it against Philly, Detroit, and Cincy. In the other games, because of solid DEF and Frank Gore, he hasn’t needed to do anything more than not make mistakes. But when he needed to comeback and win games for the team, he has done it

by zmoney on Nov 9, 2011 3:22 PM PST reply actions

Another former 9er coming home...

Would be my old highschool QB, (now TE) Bear Pascoe. He was actually our future, at one point.

by ZivilynBane on Nov 9, 2011 5:03 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Clutchtree

My theory is that Clutchtree is actually Alex Smith, and he comes on here and puts himself down just because he likes seeing fans compliment and defend him.

Next time y’all want to bust on Clutchtree for his opinions, look at it in the way described above, it’s a barrel of fun.

"I got two hard rules I live by, pop. I don't [site decorum] with the devil, and I never do tag teams with blood relatives" -Kenny Powers

by TryAndCatchVD on Nov 9, 2011 6:45 PM PST via mobile reply actions