49ers-Raiders: Alex Smith, Braylon Edwards Connect On A Thing Of Beauty
by David Fucillo on Aug 21, 2011 8:00 AM PDT
in San Francisco 49ers Game Recap, Review 2011
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This past Monday I put together a post breaking down Alex Smith's first pass of the 49ers-Saints game and described my frustration at what seemed like a fairly basic mistake. Although a single play is too small a sample size to take a whole lot away, I'm kind of liking the idea of breaking down some specific plays each week. Accordingly, I wanted to break down a play that will be on the highlight reels all week.
In the second quarter, the 49ers defense did a phenomenal job shutting down the Raiders offense inside the 49ers 5-yard line (we'll break down a play there as well). The 49ers offense took over at their own five following a Jason Campbell sack and began the long process of moving back down the field.
The 49ers offense continued its efficient work outside the red zone by advancing the ball 41 yards on five plays, setting up arguably the "prettiest" play of the day. On 1st and 10 from the 49ers 46 yard line, Alex Smith connected with Braylon Edwards on a 32 yard pass play that Edwards hauled in with just his left hand while diving. The catch will get all the publicity, but as I'll show you after the jump, the pass was perfectly thrown over cornerback Walter McFadden who couldn't have defended Edwards any better without getting called for pass interference.
As with the previous breakdown of a single play, it's only one play, but it's still nice to highlight specific performances beyond what the numbers show us.
Alex Smith sets up to pass
As this first screenshot shows, the offensive line and Kendall Hunter (behind Smith in this shot) all picked up their blitzers quite well. The one Raiders player you see untouched is #50 Travis Goethel (middle of the screen) who ran a bit of a delayed blitz after all the 49ers offensive linemen and backs were engaged. The key to getting the pass off was that Alex Smith did not hesitate in going to Braylon Edwards who seemed to be running a fairly basic go route.
The ball comes in just over the corner
This second shot shows Walter McFadden playing what I would classify as excellent defense against Edwards. He made the necessary incidental contact that comes in just under pass interference and remained engaged with his receiver all the way to the catch. The pass is thrown just about perfectly so that it comes in just past the head of McFadden.
The other option would have been for more of a jump ball play and if the ball had been underthrown, maybe Edwards would have slowed and gone up for the two handed grab over McFadden. Whatever the case, McFadden really didn't see the ball coming and had little shot outside of grabbing Edwards and pulling him down. McFadden probably made the smart play in this case. If he drags him down the 49ers get the yardage. If he forces Edwards to make the tough play, maybe Edwards doesn't bring in the ball. This is a case of a corner appearing to do everything right but still losing the battle.
Braylon Edwards hauls in the pass
And then we see the ball hit Edwards hand, which he would then roll into his body and hold on to for the catch. One of the concerns about Edwards throughout his NFL career has been his hands. However, as our Jets blogger told us, Edwards worked hard last year to cut down on the drops, so maybe he's solidifying into the receiver he can be.
This is only one play and there is still a lot of preseason football left to be played. Nonetheless, it raises some exciting possibilities as we move forward into the season.
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You know...
Braylon Edwards has long struck me as easy to dislike, and this off-season, I wanted the Niners to sign Malcolm Floyd, but I saw this yesterday watching the game and was like “holy site decorum!” That was an amazing one-handed grab, compared favorably to the one Moss made over Revis last September, and the coordination and body control he showed in catching it, and then basically rolling back up while maintaining possession made my jaw drop. Dude is a phenomenal athlete.
And, while this won’t change how most people feel about Alex one way or another, that was a fantastic pass.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
I just imagined
hearing someone literally yelling out loud “Holy Site Decorum!”
by Andrew Davidson on Aug 21, 2011 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions
For the people wanting Malcom Floyd
I ask you, Why?
Edwards is younger, more talented, can catch the ball over any DB in traffic. The pro-Floyd’s just don’t make any sense.
Back on board. Now time to trade Mays for Clausen
Floyd is huge isn't he
"Hi my name is Cliff Harris and I am here to lock [site decorum] down" - Cliff Harris introduction at his Freshman Orientation
Reporter : "What do you remember about the BCS title game"
Cliff Harris: "That we lost"
Yes but he's going to be turning 30 in Sept
and he’s IMO obviously a product of Philip Rivers.
Back on board. Now time to trade Mays for Clausen
I only wanted him because he was 6'6'' because a big body would help
"Hi my name is Cliff Harris and I am here to lock [site decorum] down" - Cliff Harris introduction at his Freshman Orientation
Reporter : "What do you remember about the BCS title game"
Cliff Harris: "That we lost"
Edwards is 6'3 and makes up for that last 3 inches with his athletism
Back on board. Now time to trade Mays for Clausen
Your point about being...
A product of Rivers is well-taken, and something I had considered. He appealed based on size, and the potential that he might still be good without Rivers. Imagine him and Vernon in the red zone.
The things I had against Edwards were a tendency to drop catchable passes (hopefully fixed…holding breath), and his generally being a knucklehead. Those things aside, I think he IS the superior talent.
That said, while it’s too early to tell either way, Edwards has looked GOOD so far.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Aug 22, 2011 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions
I just hope he doesn't have a moment of idiocracy...
Pre Snap reads, if Smith doesn't get better at it, we made a HUGE mistake!!!
Good thing we didn't sign Floyd.
The guy already has a concussion.
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Does anyone know if Malcolm Floyd is still a FA ?
"Winning means being unafraid to lose." – Fran Tarkenton
I'm loving the Smith-Edwards connection!
So excited for the season. I think Alex and Braylon can really rock.
There is no defense for a perfectly thrown pass.
by mcwagner on Aug 21, 2011 9:06 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
One thing that was different about Alex on this play
He was aware of the free blitzer and was able to get the ball off before the guy got within two paces of him. There was another play in the first quarter where he completed a nice pass to Josh Morgan a split second before getting hammered by a Raiders LB. It’s too early to say if he has lost the “dear in the headlights” propensity when being blitzed, but he didn’t have it on those two plays and was able to complete a couple of key passes. I’ve never accused Smith of playing scared (I think it’s been more a case of playing confused), but others have. I really don’t think you can make that accusation after watching this game.
Edwards is going to be a beast if he can stay focused and if he continues to improve. I really want to see him get the ball in front of the goal line and then knock guys out while he takes it in, We haven’t had a receiver like this since TO and he looks and plays quite a bit like TO did in his prime.
I think the reason many see Alex’s performance as “playing scared” was not because he was scared of the rush, but scared of the coaching staff. The coach was pretty much at the mercy of the fans, and so Alex was too. I think he’s playing with more confidence at least in part because he has much more job security: he knows if he continues to play well, no matter what happens team-wise, Harbaugh will keep him in.
Thought for sure i was going to get Rick Rolled ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!
Thinkin " , there won't be to many comments from the TAHC ( The Alex Hate Club ) on this post ...
… Nice break down Fooch , this game was what i was hoping to see from the ( Team ) , i dare say that they vastly improved this week and the trend will continue .. Great Job Harbaugh and company for the preperation …!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!
If the hate club does come in and post that he had a good game and they are seeing improvement they will win a lot of credibility with me. You can say it was Oakland, or preseason, or the line was stout, or Braylon gives Alex confidence. But in the end you have to say that he played very well. Myself, I am on the super critical against Chilo and Moran. Moran continues to disappoint and I would love to see Dixon replace him. Chilo did great yesterday. No matter what, I still always root for them.
I think moran will be replaced by bruce miller this year.
I would even say corchoran is better than Norris.
by wtlichens on Aug 21, 2011 9:50 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
What about his interception though?
I mean, that has always been Alex’s problem. He plays great for a while and then throws a pass without thinking about it for an interception. He’s gotta eliminate those bone-headed throws before he will be successful. I think he should play pretty well this year but he needs to eliminate the head-scratchers that happen every game.
by SanFranciscoKnights on Aug 21, 2011 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions
ya that throw is my only beef
"Hi my name is Cliff Harris and I am here to lock [site decorum] down" - Cliff Harris introduction at his Freshman Orientation
Reporter : "What do you remember about the BCS title game"
Cliff Harris: "That we lost"
He didn't see the lineman dropping back.. he threw that to the defense he saw.. and it was actually a good pass
I will give this one to Alex as he didn’t see the lineman…
I also liked his pass to Edwards up the middle that Edwards had knocked out of his hands.. but it was a nice pass too.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
His interception was *the only* bad decision he made.
That’s impressive for any QB. He does need to eliminate those errors, but you can definitely see the improvement. I don’t think Alex will ever completely rid himself of those few bone-headed decisions, but I do think that if they are reduced enough, he’ll be a good quarterback. That seems to be what’s happening this season.
Joe Montana played with the 49ers from 1979-1992, inclusive (14 seasons)
In those 14 seasons, Joe threw 123 interceptions.
Steve Young played from 1987-1999, inclusive (13 seasons), but was not the starter for probably 5 of those seasons, and threw 86 interceptions.
I’m sure that both Joe and Steve would admit that many of their interceptions were “bone-headed throws”.
No quarterback will EVER completely “eliminate those bone-headed throws”. Not Johnny Unitas, not Peyton Manning,….
Cut the guy a little slack, allow him to be a human being. No player, at any position, can ever possibly live up to the standards that you’re holding Alex to.
Some (probably you among them) despise Alex because of his past failures. I agree that he has never lived up to his #1 overall draft status, but he had absolutely nothing to do or say about where he was drafted. But judge the man NOW by what he’s doing NOW, NOT by what he did last year, or three years ago, and judge him by the same standards you use for everybody else.
After all was said and done, a lot more got said than done.
by OldJock on Aug 21, 2011 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Speaking of Manning
Didn’t he throw one of those to lose a game… a pretty big one just a couple years ago? The Superbowl to be exact?
Very good points.
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I don't despise Alex.
I hope he does well this year, and I think there is a good chance he will. All I am saying is that he often plays very well, and then he will make an inexplicable mistake, such as the one that occurred in the game against the Raiders. That is what has been so frustrating about Alex. Throughout his career, he has generally made at least one or two heartbreaking plays per game. On the pick in the last game, he literally decided to throw that ball before looking, and the great ones don’t make those kind of errors on a game to game basis. Alex needs to prove that he can break that habit.
by SanFranciscoKnights on Aug 22, 2011 12:37 AM PDT up reply actions
Would you take Eli Manning? Just curious...
If so, I think he threw like 25 INT’s last year and had some pretty bad looks at times. I think at the least Alex can be as good as him under Harbaugh but hopefully with less INT’s than Manning had (that was a lot).
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I dunno, that's interesting.
Eli kinda reminds me of Cutler in that they have a whole bunch of talent but sometimes they just say “f— it” and try to muscle it where they shouldn’t. Peyton does as well sometimes, at least the last couple seasons. Also Eli has had perfect surroundings in his career, polar opposite of Alex.
by SanFranciscoKnights on Aug 22, 2011 1:04 AM PDT up reply actions
I call this play “the hand of god”
by ninersince94 on Aug 21, 2011 9:51 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
crabs
With us now knowing who are deep target should we just leave crab in the slot even tho he’s a little big for that position he has the hands to be sucessful like a bigger wes welker
by LA#1BullsFan on Aug 21, 2011 9:53 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Crabs will go agaunst the other teams number 2 corner
"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."
Norm Sloan
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."
Weldon Drew
by EcERyda69 on Aug 21, 2011 10:14 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
and he will be so much better
"Hi my name is Cliff Harris and I am here to lock [site decorum] down" - Cliff Harris introduction at his Freshman Orientation
Reporter : "What do you remember about the BCS title game"
Cliff Harris: "That we lost"
So is #81 going to stick on Edwards' Jersey?
I know he said he wasn’t planning on 81 for the season, but we’re two preseason games in, and he’s still wearing the number. I don’t care either way (as in, I don’t think the number is cursed), just curious if he’s going to switch.
by Andrew Davidson on Aug 21, 2011 9:54 AM PDT reply actions
Think he wants a number that one of the PS guys
is currently using. He’ll be able to have it once the roster is slimmed down.
he wants 19
or 18 which is Long’s number
"Hi my name is Cliff Harris and I am here to lock [site decorum] down" - Cliff Harris introduction at his Freshman Orientation
Reporter : "What do you remember about the BCS title game"
Cliff Harris: "That we lost"
yes 18...my college number
I guess I’ma Edwards fan now
Give tha guy a break...I remember losing most of our games because of mistakes by players that did not play the quarterback position.
I'm sure Norv Turner is a good judge of a good QB...even he said the guy can be good w/ quality people around him.
by NewAgecorner1 on Aug 21, 2011 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I find I would love that, if only for the fact I’m a Michigan fan and him bumping an OSU alum off the team is fine by me. Always begrudgingly tolerated Ginn anyways.
by modsuperstar on Aug 21, 2011 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions
49
Considering that we have Davis , Edwards , crabs & gore if you can score with 4 elite offensive weapons then They need to either switch qb or switch the coordinator cuz let’s face it we have the most talented roster in our division on defense and offense we just have to get chemistry and there no reason why we can’t win
by LA#1BullsFan on Aug 21, 2011 10:02 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
dude, i've some lost faith in AS
but how can you say this after yesterdays performance. Other than the INT he threw vs the zone blitz the guy played great. I understand your fustration but bringing in another QB after 2 preseason games is detrimental to the team right now.
Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!
The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!
by Kidd2Petrovic on Aug 21, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Plus switching the coordinator??
For what?? how does that help? they JUST got a whole new staff & implementing an offense only 3 weeks in.
Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!
The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!
by Kidd2Petrovic on Aug 21, 2011 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Ah....THERE is the "I hate Alex club"
Didn’t think any of you would show this early.
Like somebody said, you DO realize we just got a NEW STAFF, right?
"Bears are crazy, Willie. They'll bite your head off if you're wearing steak on it."
What planet
What planet have you been on. We did change the coordinator. And it IS showing in Alex’s performance. If you want them to change the new coordinator you need to learn what preseason means. It means that during each game they work on different aspect of the offense and defense. It is nice to win but they don’t count. Example: 2 red zone trips the 9ers concentrated on basic running plays to try and score. During the season the play calling will be totally different in those situations.
by 49er faithful on Aug 21, 2011 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Alex did make a huge mistake on the INT,
But I remember Manning throwing a huge game ending pick in the SB, Or was it the AFC CG?
I would rather have Smith make the mistakes in the preseason where it doesn’t count. Smith made some realy nice reads and throws and looked great. It wasn’t his fault the redzone O was bad, all runs in the redzone contributed to that.
I under stand and agree with Harbaugh not showing his hand in the redzone. Giving teams film to study on redzone plays deminish the sucess of those plays in the regular season.
INT was the superbowl vs Saints
Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!
The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!
by Kidd2Petrovic on Aug 21, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
though it was SB but didn't want to look dumb if I was mistaken, thanks....
people can be hard on here at times…
by ericalancanty on Aug 21, 2011 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
lol so true have to be on your P's & Q's in here
Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!
The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!
by Kidd2Petrovic on Aug 21, 2011 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions
If you were down at field level from his vantage point
there’s no way you would’ve seen that end…simple as that. The QB doesn’t have the same vantage point as the fans. You gotta understand that there are 6 foot 6 guys moving around up front.
Give tha guy a break...I remember losing most of our games because of mistakes by players that did not play the quarterback position.
I'm sure Norv Turner is a good judge of a good QB...even he said the guy can be good w/ quality people around him.
by NewAgecorner1 on Aug 21, 2011 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Interesting
Either the pass was so great that the catch wasn’t or the catch was so great that the pass wasn’t.
How could it be both a perfectly thrown pass and a great catch?
I personally thought it was a great catch.
No more excuses Alex ~ okay?
Alex still put it where it appeared only Braylon could get it.
Doesn’t that, kind of sort of, insinuate a good throw?
"Bears are crazy, Willie. They'll bite your head off if you're wearing steak on it."
The reason it was both
Is because the defense by McFadden was so good. You can have a perfectly thrown pass and a perfectly caught ball at the same time. I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. Smith had to drop it in just over the head of McFadden, which he did. At the same time, by Smith putting it where he did, Edwards had to make a phenomenal catch.
by David Fucillo on Aug 21, 2011 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions
It was both.
Why wouldn’t it be? It was put where only the receiver could get it, and the receiver got it. It was a one-handed catch, not because it was out of reach, but because of incidental contact and good defense.
Illogical reasoning.
It had to be a perfectly thrown pass so that Edwards would have the opportunity to make the perfect catch.
by 49er faithful on Aug 21, 2011 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
he just can’t bring himself to admit that Alex made a really good play.
by Andrew9erfan on Aug 21, 2011 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, Edwards made a great catch against excellent D. The corner was all over him but he just made the better play.
It sure helps when the QB delivers a catchable ball though, and Alex Smith did.
Blazers fan since '91
REST IN PEACE MAURICE LUCAS 1952-2010 R.I.P #20
"B.Roy, he play like Brandon Roy. That's it." - Nicolas Batum
"We're family. We're family because of this stupid, stinkin' team." - Dave
by rise_stand_resist on Aug 21, 2011 11:17 AM PDT reply actions
It's nice to have a receiver we can bomb it downfield to once in awhile. Lets Alex show that he does have an arm, plus long passes will stretch the D and let us make those little short underneath passes and run the ball.
Blazers fan since '91
REST IN PEACE MAURICE LUCAS 1952-2010 R.I.P #20
"B.Roy, he play like Brandon Roy. That's it." - Nicolas Batum
"We're family. We're family because of this stupid, stinkin' team." - Dave
by rise_stand_resist on Aug 21, 2011 11:18 AM PDT reply actions
This
I was just about to post something similar. We haven’t had a receiver since TO that you could throw the ball to when he was completely covered, and be confident that HE would come down with the catch. Playmaking receivers like that make QB’s look soo much better
by sanfranfanmdk on Aug 21, 2011 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Crabtree will be our 1,000 yard WR
Because teams are gonna have to double Braylon by about week 3 or 4.
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They can't really, because VD will destroy any team that does. We could have 2, 1000 yard receiving players.
Pre Snap reads, if Smith doesn't get better at it, we made a HUGE mistake!!!
I think 1x 1000, and 2x 900, or so...
That’s my prediction… and if we keep Gore, 1x 500-600 there too.
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Davis had 900 in Raye's offense, I see 1000 for him.
Pre Snap reads, if Smith doesn't get better at it, we made a HUGE mistake!!!
I hope so.
I know Roman likes to get the TE’s involved. I think the ball will be dispersed all over the place honestly. We cannot forget that we have Walker too that will get his fair share of touches and targets.
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I account for them when I say that. VD almost amassed 1000 yards in Raye's offense on 50 plus catches. He will get 50 catches.
Pre Snap reads, if Smith doesn't get better at it, we made a HUGE mistake!!!
Supposed to be #49 for that first one.
Damn auto-format…I always forget.
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Would have been nice to see the pre snap defense, as the offense made the pre snap read and adjustment and Smith showing accuracy down the sideline. All of my WR’s wouldbe 6’3" or bigger because sometimes there are small windows, bigger WR’s have more windows to choose from.
Pre Snap reads, if Smith doesn't get better at it, we made a HUGE mistake!!!
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