49ers Vs. Rams: Notable Stats And Performances
by David Fucillo on Jan 1, 2012 8:32 PM PST
in San Francisco 49ers Game Recap, Review 2011
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PrintThe San Francisco 49ers wrapped up the number two seed today with a 34-27 victory over the St. Louis Rams. There were some hiccups in the final six minutes, but the 49ers held on to complete what has been an impressive turnaround from a year ago. A year ago this time, Niners Nation was beginning preparations for a new coach and the upcoming NFL Draft (we'll ignore that stick lockout situation). Now, we get playoff action for the first time in site history!
Although there is hopefully a lot more 49ers football to be played over the next month, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy some of the record-breaking and other historic performances by the 49ers in the 2011 regular season. They lost out on a chance for the fewest rushing touchdowns in a season, but that should not take away from what has been one of the most dominant rush defenses in NFL history.
With the victory today, the 49ers improved to 13-3, marking their first 13-win season since 1997. The victory was their sixth road victory over the season, which is their highest total since 1996. They also had their most 10:00am PT victories (five) since 1990. In recent years we've complained about the early starts and the proven disparity of those starts. All it takes is a few wins to move past that!
There were plenty of MVPs on the day, but Andy Lee deserves special kudos as he set the single season record for highest net punting average at 43.99 yards. His 50.9 gross average is the third best mark in NFL history. One of my favorite sequences of the game came in the fourth quarter and showed Andy Lee's #beastmode in action. Lee boomed a punt 58 yards inside the Rams ten yard line and saw it bounce out of bounds at the seven. The play was called back because of a holding call on Anthony Dixon. Lee then proceeded to kick a 64-yard punt that was down at the Rams one. That is Andy [site decorum] Lee in a nutshell.
One other statistical note is that Alex Smith went over 3,000 yards for the first time in his career, finishing the season with 3,150 yards. He finished with his highest career attempts total by four, but also finished with his highest yards per attempt, finishing the year at 7.06 yards per attempt. He also finished with the third best TD-to-INT ratio in 49ers history, behind only Steve Young in 1992 and 1994. He didn't have a "superstar" season, but he did what was asked of him and he was a key contributor to the 49ers 13-3 mark.
Head after the jump for a rundown of some of the notable stats and performances from today's game.
With the win...
· The 49ers secured the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and earned a first round bye.
· San Francisco improved to 13-3 this season, marking the first 13-win season by the 49ers since 1997 (13-3).
· San Francisco is tied for the best record in NFC West history since realignment in 2002 (Sea. - 13-3 in 2005).
· Head Coach Jim Harbaugh tied Steve Mariucci for the 2nd best record by a rookie head coach in NFL history. He became just the 4th rookie head coach in league history to win 13-or-more games. Harbaugh also became the first head coach in NFL history to do so with a team coming off a losing season.
· The 49ers won their 6th road game of the season, marking the most road wins by the club since 1996.
· It marked the first time the 49ers have won at least 5 games in a season with a 10:00 am PT start since 1990, when the team went 5-0 in those games.
Akers' Big Day
· K David Akers connected on 2 of 3 FG attempts and all 4 PATs, giving him 166 pts. scored on the season. His 165 pts. set the NFL record for most pts. scored in a single season with no TDs.
· Lined up for a FG attempt late in the 3rd qtr., K David Akers took the direct snap and connected with WR Michael Crabtree for a 14-yd. TD. This marked Akers' second career pass attempt and first career TD pass. For his career, Akers is 2 of 2 for 25 yds. and 1 TD.
Bombs Away
· P Andy Lee boomed 5 punts for 284 yds. (56.8 avg.), including a net of 51.4 and 2 punts downed inside the 20-yd. line. Lee set the NFL record for highest single-season net punting avg. of 43.99. The previous record was held by Oak. P Shane Lechler who had a net avg. of 43.85 in 2009.
Keeping ‘Em Out Of The Endzone
· The Niners allowed just 23 TDs in 2011, tying the fewest TDs allowed in a single season in franchise history.
Points Are Hard To Come By
· The 49ers defense ranks 1st in the NFL, allowing just 14.3 points per game (Prior to the afternoon games).
· The 14.3 points per game allowed ranks 3rd in franchise history for a single season.
Knocking It Out
· The 49ers defense registered 7 PDs on the day at St. Louis, giving them 104 for the season. The 104 PDs rank 2nd in the NFL this season, prior to the afternoon games.
Limiting The Opposition
· This season, the 49ers have allowed just 26 pts. off of turnovers, ranking 1st in the NFL (GB - 45 and NE - 47).
· Since 1995, the 26 pts. allowed off of turnovers ranks t-2nd in the NFL.
Taking Care of Business
· QB Alex Smith threw for 17 TDs and just 5 INTs this season, a TD:INT ratio of 3.40. His 3.40 TD:INT ratio ranks 3rd in franchise history.
· QB Alex Smith threw for 219 yds. on the day. He has now thrown for 3,150 yds. on the season, marking his first 3,000 yd. passing season.
Making Plays With His Feet
· QB Alex Smith scrambled for a 8-yd. TD run just before the 2nd qtr., registering his 4th career rushing TD and 1st since 9/11/11 vs. Sea.
Grabtree
· WR Michael Crabtree tied his career high with 9 recepts. for 92 yds. and 2 TDs, marking his first career 2-TD performance.
· Crabtree hauled in a short pass from QB Alex Smith and raced 28 yds. for the TD.
· With the team lined up for a FG on 4th down in the 3rd qtr., K David Akers took the direct snap and connected with Crabtree for a 14-yd. TD.
· Crabtree has now registered a TD in each of the last 4 games against StL.
100 for 85
· TE Vernon Davis recorded 118 rec. yds. on 8 catches, including a season-long 44yd. recept. from QB Alex Smith in the 2nd qtr. This marks his 7th career 100-yd. game.
Wrecking Ball
· RB Anthony Dixon notched his 2nd TD of the season and 4th of his career after his 1-yd. TD run in the 4th qtr.
Sack Attack
· DT Justin Smith brought down Rams QB Kellen Clemens in the 1st qtr. for his 7.5 sack of the season and 72.5 of his career.
· LB Ahmad Brooks registered his 7th sack of the season, a new career high. He now has 20 career sacks.
· LB NaVorro Bowman took down Clemens for his 2nd sack of the season.
What Can Brown Do For You?
· CB Tarell Brown recorded 2 INTs on the day for his first-career 2 INT game. He picked off RB Jerious Norwood in the 2nd qtr. for his first INT, followed by another pick in the 4th qtr. off QB Kellen Clemens. Brown's 4 INTs this season sets a new career high.
Making Their Debut
· WR Brett Swain made his first start with San Francisco.
· WR Joe Hastings made his NFL debut.
Century Mark
· RB Frank Gore played his 100th career NFL game.
Extending Their Streaks
· TE/LS Brian Jennings has now played in 192 consecutive games.
· DT Justin Smith has now started 171 consecutive games, dating back to his rookie season in 2001. Smith's consecutive start streak ranks 3rd among defensive players and 5th among all NFL players.
· TE Vernon Davis has now started 75 consecutive games, which ranks 3rd in the NFL among TE's behind Tony Gonzalez (83) and Jason Witten (79).
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Andy Lee is teh Honey Badger of Punting
Ball on the 9ers 30 Yard Line? Andy Lee don’t care, Andy Lee don’t give a s*it, Andy gonna put it on their 10 yard line.
I remember...
in today’s game in St. Louis… Andy Lee punts it and it gets downed at the 4-yard line. Then it’s called back because of holding and Lee has to kick it again. Lee looks disappointed and frustrated. Then he kicks it again and it’s downed about 6-inches from the Rams’ goal line.
I told the guy next to me. “See, he wasn’t upset because of the penalty. He was upset because he put it on their 4-yd line.”
Andy Lee don’t care about no holding. Andy Lee don’t give a **** about no 10 yards. Andy Lee puts the ball where he wants. What’s he eating on that sideline? It’s a cobra! Ewww.
Lol.
by smathis on Jan 1, 2012 10:07 PM PST up reply actions 5 recs
Michael Crabtree is Ram killa
In 5 career games against the Rams:
26 receptions
429 yards
16.5 average
5 touchdowns
so he is a butcher?
And when we win, we want to dominate. We want to take guys out. We want to hurt guys. We want to win. We just want to dominate, hit them in the mouth. - Rathman
Follow @manraj76
Magic number For bye week (1 for Saints) For NFC West division title 0 (NFC WEST CHAMPIONS) worst seed possible (3rd seed)
Crab
If we havent already we should all get behind this guy. He has proven he can be a true number one receiver and make big plays in the WC offense.
So, youve been chosen by the football gods of fanhood, which dont exist,
To tell all niner fans what they should be doing?
"What the hell are you mixing in that look-aid"
C'mon man, the guy is looking like the real deal.
Why do you continue to hate on the kid?
"I believe in you guys in the media. I believe that you will find a way to doubt this team. Just as long as what's written is written against us we'll be happy." - Jim Harbaugh
by SanFranciscoKnights on Jan 1, 2012 11:33 PM PST up reply actions
He just has his players he hates no matter what they do on the team.
He also has his players that he loves no matter what they do on the team.
But at least he is balanced unlike some on here.
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The Hometown Fan
Youre extremely wrong Drew, Crabtree has grown on me. My opinion of him is different than most, but I havent said anything about him in weeks.
"What the hell are you mixing in that look-aid"
My comment had nothing to do with Crabtree, did you read it.
"What the hell are you mixing in that look-aid"
Well I've been on his bandwagon the whole time.
I wonder why I don’t hear people calling for him to be traded anymore?
off stat topic
anyone else notice that for all the “9ers can’t win playoff games with their style” BS, we’ve already beat two of the teams in the playoffs? Can’t wait until we get a chance to kill New Orleans.
4 really
we beat the Giants, we beat the Lions, we beat the Steelers, we beat the Bengals. Only one playoff team beat us and that was a short week Thanksgiving against a team that was a mismatch for us to begin with. We can win. But so can the other teams.
should've specified 2 NFC teams
since we won’t be seeing but one AFC team, we can win and have a better chance at winning than every team except green bay. Who ever we play in two weeks will have had no rest and will have to travel. While we’ll have to travel to green bay (if they win) we will also have an extra day since the division game is on a saturday and the championship game is on a sunday. Plenty of time to prepare for green bay, throw in a bit of snow which slows down the passing game, and we cruise to the superbowl.
Snow doesn't hurt the passing game
It can actually help it due to DBs slipping. What we would want is some wind and heavy, cold air.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
I love how
everyone says Niners have no shot at getting to the Super Bowl, because they would have to beat both the Saints and Packers. But everyone is rallying around the Saints, forgetting they would have to beat both the Niners and Packers… both on the road in the elements, where they are not as good a team.
That’s fine, I’d rather not have my team riding a wave of hype. They know how good they are, don’t need anyone to tell them about it. They will put their results on the scoreboard.
Exactly. I like that nobody is talking about the 49ers.
"Coach, we got this. We got this." - Frank Gore
REST IN PEACE MAURICE LUCAS 1952-2010 R.I.P #20
"They responded like mighty men." - Jim Harbaugh
by rise_stand_resist on Jan 1, 2012 9:10 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
The other line is
“I don’t think the Niners have enough offense to win in the playoffs”… how about “I don’t think the Packers or Saints have enough defense to win in the playoffs”?
Hype hasn't helped most declared playoff favorites the past few seasons
Patriots and Eagles in 2010.
Chargers, Colts and Cowboys in 2009.
Giants and Titans in 2008.
Patriots and Cowboys in 2007.
Chargers and Ravens in 2006.
Colts and Pats in 2005.
Only two of those teams even made their respective conference championship game.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
I'm gonna play devil's advocate (mostly because I'm trying to constrain my playoff hopes from running wildly out of control)
but those 4 wins include:
1) Steelers sans Harrison and Big Ben in any mobile form whatsoever
2) The Bengals (ha, the Bengals made the playoffs, silly AFC)
3) The Giants at home
4) The Lions
So…all are legitimate wins but when your most impressive victory over a playoff-bound team is over the Lions…I dunno…beware
and funnily enough
I actually think the best victory this season was over the Eagles. That easily could have been the start of a slide but that was really when it seemed like the team began believing in themselves and got on a roll.
And for that one play alone I’d be willing to give Justin Smith my MVP award (not that he hasn’t earned it otherwise, too)
Eagles game
I will always remember that game beause as a fan I stuck around to watch the comeback and believed we could win aswell. It was the game that changed the culture of the franchise and bonded the team together.
I stuck around.
But after we missed that field goal to open up the 2nd half I wasn’t really hopeful. That game went a long way to changing my long held perceptions about Alex Smith.
Matt Cain is better than you, but apparently not cool enough for Showtime.
by homegrowntalent on Jan 1, 2012 10:45 PM PST up reply actions
Big Ben
still threw for 300+ yds.. but held to only one field goal. And Niners were sans Willis.
The Giants played better on the road than at MetLife
The Lions was at Ford Field, with all the crowd noise, where they are very tough to beat. Anyone else notice Stafford threw for 40+ TDs and 5000+ yards?… That’s right, he was just a few yards short of Marino’s record.
And the Bengals bring a top 10 D. A better D than we will see in the NFC playoff bracket.
by musamonster on Jan 1, 2012 9:21 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Defense
What I find interesting as it has not been mentioned: the Niners have played better defenses four of the past six weeks (Ravens, Steelers, Seahawks and Cardinals – three on the road) than they will play at any point in the NFC playoffs. If our receivers are healthy, the ceiling has not near been reached by Alex and his mates.
Flip side, no other NFC playoff team has faced a defense as good as ours with the exception of NY and Detroit who already played (and lost to) us.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
by SpurredOn on Jan 2, 2012 12:28 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
the ceiling has not near been reached by Alex and his mates.
“the mates better start getting open better.. that’s for sure. When plays break down, they have to innovate and find open spots instead of just stopping at the end of their routes not giving Alex any other options than to throw it out of bounds.
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The Hometown Fan
Absolutely.
The only thing I really fear for our team is coming up against a really good D.. but there are none in the NFC playoffs.
And, I believe, we haven’t turned the ball over in 5 1/2 games. Am I right on that? Not since Smith threw that lob into the endzone against the Ravens.
Here’s an interesting stat… 3 teams went into St. Louis.. The Saints, the Packers and the Niners… and the Niners put up the most points against them… Hmmm… oh well, the Rams should never be used as a measuring stick by anyone… unless you lose to them…
don't really think it's a style issue
it’s an execution issue. we don’t convert well on 3rd downs or in the red zone. even if our defense plays stellar, it’s a tall order to hold down the Saints and Packers for 2 straight weeks. Those teams have ridiculous offenses w/ strengths (passing game) that match up well against our weakness (pass defense). Both teams are on fire and have tons of playoff experience, which our team doesn’t.
Not saying we can’t do it. Our style of ball control offense and hard hitting defense is probably the style that can beat these teams b/c we can limit their possession and keep the offense on ice. However, its fair to say we’ll likely have to be better than we have been to beat both in consecutive weeks.
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
Flags Fly Forever
"Orlando before Zod" doesn't have the same nice ring to it.
by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 1, 2012 10:08 PM PST up reply actions
saints on the road, packers in the snow, should make us the favorites
saints will be tough, but no rest, on the road, at the stick (which isn’t an easy venue) and they’ll fall (assuming they make it past detroit, which isn’t a given)
Packers (if they win) will be played in Green Bay. Check out the average weather http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/USWI0288 not exactly condusive to passing. Sure, Green bay will still throw, sure, Rodgers will make some great plays, but it’ll be slowed down considerably
so Saturday the 14th at 1:30
is that for sure when our game will be?
thanks
damn now I have to get out of work some how…
Cough.. cough..
wouldn’t want to give anyone the bird flu!
Thankfully I am free that time, but if the Niners make the championship game, I’m going to have to figure out how to watch it in the Philippines
haha
I wont be at work on the 14th, whether I find someone to cover my shift will be interesting….but I WILL be watching the game no matter what
I have made my first request for a day off in 3 years (Keep in mind we are open 365 and EVERYONE works EVERY holiday so as to evenly spread the misery)
And that is Feb 5. For the 2 Niner probable NFC playoff games, I also have a gentleman’s agreement with my manager that I get to work in the back room where the lone TV is, and very little will be expected of me. If you’re at the Black Bear Diner in Davis, I think you’ll be able to figure out who I am.
"Skillet, we just spent $64,000 in that bar. So we're gonna have to get jobs to cover up the fact that we rob banks" -Mouse Fitzgerald
ha wow nice!
I’m still in school so its not like I have much to lose, I’m just working for minimum wage as a lifeguard….
If worse comes to worse..
you can quit your job. Trust me, it will be worth it. :)
13-3
I never thought that this was even possible for this year. I guess the NFC West isn’t a trash division anymore. Also, Harbaugh is Coach of the Year. Go Niners!
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
When only 1 team is above .500
it still is considered a trash division. The truth is the 2010 NFC West was the worst division in the 32 team NFL’s history, and that is why there was such an outcry over it.
"Skillet, we just spent $64,000 in that bar. So we're gonna have to get jobs to cover up the fact that we rob banks" -Mouse Fitzgerald
But it's 2011
And only two teams have losing records (one of which defeated the mighty Saints) and the top team tied for the second best record in the entire league. The West also faced the AFC North, this season’s best division.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
And there are worse divisions
AFC West, NFC East… you might be able to throw in AFC South, it depends on what criteria you want to use.
I think three teams at 13-3, 8-8 and 7-9 make it not a trash division.
One good team, two very average teams and one bad team? That’s your typical division.
I think Denver actually has a chance to beat Pittsburgh
Mendenhall is injured, Big Ben will probably still be playing on a bum ankle, and the Denver D is pretty good. It will be a low-scoring slugfest.
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
If only
they had a quarterback… even just a game manager…
revolutionized the game
they’ve proven all you need is a full back
Not a chance
I would love to see it but as long as Tebow is under center, Denver probably wont win any playoff game.
by rbprat10 on Jan 1, 2012 10:05 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
if it is close at the end, Tebow could make some ridiculous plays to win it. Steelers better hope they put some points up early or they could fall victim to the Broncos.
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
Flags Fly Forever
"Orlando before Zod" doesn't have the same nice ring to it.
by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 1, 2012 10:10 PM PST up reply actions
Andy Lee is the Best Punter, Period!
This guy just gets better and better. It’s funny that all the Bay Area kickers are in the pro bowl. I guess the wind makes our kickers legs stronger and more accurate. I’ve always admired David Akers too, his professionalism, spirit and talent.
so can we consider him up there with the greatest of all time then? I know he’s young, but he does have the best average of all time in a season…
I was talking with Dad about this during the game.
He’s of a different generation and is firmly on the Ray Guy as Best Punter bandwagon. But then, Lee nailed that second punt (after the penalty) that was downed at the one. You just have to laugh because honestly he’s beyond amazing.
Matt Cain is better than you, but apparently not cool enough for Showtime.
by homegrowntalent on Jan 1, 2012 10:47 PM PST up reply actions
Today's game
it seemed once the score was 34-13, the 49ers relaxed and thought things were over. they were probably in celebration/rest starters mode when the Rams caught them by surprise. I wouldn’t put too much stock into the score of today’s game in terms or predicting how we’ll play in the playoffs. It was just one of those things. We won’t be flat in the playoffs.
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
Flags Fly Forever
"Orlando before Zod" doesn't have the same nice ring to it.
by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 1, 2012 10:13 PM PST reply actions
I definitely recall our B team at least on the D-Line out there on the Rams furious comeback.
Then Cully was injured so Brock was out there.
extrabaggs
"Just your typical Giants scoring rally: A faceburger on the basepaths, two errors from the second baseman and a bases-loaded balk."
by Badly Browned on Jan 2, 2012 12:35 AM PST up reply actions
jacked up
next season we have to go to Green Bay, New England and New Orleans (plus Min and NYJ).unreal.
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
Flags Fly Forever
"Orlando before Zod" doesn't have the same nice ring to it.
by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 1, 2012 10:17 PM PST reply actions
Murderer's row right there
i expect a drop-off from this year
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on Jan 1, 2012 10:20 PM PST up reply actions
they could conceivably go 0-3 in those games, but it also depends on when they’re played (sept vs. dec, before/after bye, back to back etc). Assuming the teams will be all relatively the same (slightly better or worse) I’d guess 1-2 in those games. The home schedule looks much better (Detroit, Chicago, Buffalo, Miami, Giants). If we go 4-1 in those games and 4-2 against the division, we’re looking at a 9 win team.
there’s a lot of assumptions in there, but a divisional title is certainly w/in reach w/ that schedule.
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
Flags Fly Forever
"Orlando before Zod" doesn't have the same nice ring to it.
by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 1, 2012 11:08 PM PST up reply actions
Of course
that’s making the assumption those teams will be the same next year as they are this year. Teams, even the best, change year to year. and you never know when you run into a situation like the Colts had this year.
However, if our D is as good next year as it is this year, it will be nice to take the Defense Show on the road and show what we can do to “high powered offenses”.
Yep, I think that's pretty much a given.
Offense will have another year to grow as a unit, defense is coming into its own, and cap space isn’t going to be a problem.
"I believe in you guys in the media. I believe that you will find a way to doubt this team. Just as long as what's written is written against us we'll be happy." - Jim Harbaugh
by SanFranciscoKnights on Jan 2, 2012 12:23 AM PST up reply actions
If the Niners fix their offensive line issues
Via draft or FA, they’ll be hard to beat. If the offense had time to allow passing plays to develop, they could be great on both sides of the ball.
by njennings on Jan 1, 2012 10:30 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
I'm so pumped
What an awesome season, and no matter how it ends, it was 100% a success. We finally have a long term coach again and we are on the brink of being a dynasty once again. Now with that said…
The way this game ended has no indication of anything and should worry nobody. It was abandon bang bang kinda thing and the Niners got into laid back mode. It won’t happen in the playoffs. I believe that Harbaugh will have the team prepared no matter who we have to play and we know that we can compete with any team on any day. 13-3 is no small feat. We have the best defense/special teams combo by far and our offense is efficient enough to beat the high scoring teams.
Now of course it won’t be easy. AleX Smith is going to have to make some plays and win a game or 2 for us in the postseason if we want to win a championship. He’s going to have to step up and put together some TD drives in clutch situations at some point. Field goals do not beat the Saints or Packers and our defense can only do so much.
I would normally be bummed about a bye week, but no doubt I will enjoy watching everybody else playing for their postseason lives as we rest up and scout the competition. It’s so nice to be relevant again! Go Niners!
Who could possibly have it any [site decorum] better than us?!?!
by mountaindew77 on Jan 1, 2012 10:31 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Patience has been 9 years in the making... thank you Harbaugh and Co....
for making it all come together in a great season.
Two weeks feels so far away, I can’t wait… Bring it Niners!
Hate that we allowed 2 more total points than Steelers
But we beat them head to head which was more important.
Would’ve been nice had Crabtree had eight more yards so that he and Vernon could go over 100 in the same game.
Credit to Alex for playing well in consecutive weeks when his receiving options were quite depleted.
5-1 division record on the season is quite nice. Regardless of how one perceives the West, winning division road games matter and it can carry over to the next season. Niners have won four of six in STL.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
13-3 i told you in the beginning of the season and no one believed me!
there was so much doubt before the season began. i said the niners would go 13-3 on this very blog and i got 10 people thinking i was insane and i had no idea what i was talking about. well here’s to the true believers!
You we're
and still are! Results don’t show proof of sanity! :)
I figured the team was an 8-8 team at the core, as they were last year, and how they were coached and how they played determined their final results. Last year they lost some games they should have won. This year, they won some games the could have lost in the same situation last year.
Reflecting back, I think at the core this year they are a 9-7 team or maybe of a 10-6, but have definitely been coached up into being a better team. They have won games they might not have with the previous years.
The encouraging thing is that all three losses could have been won, as in we weren’t completely outmatched. The loss to the Cowboys in OT, the loss to the Cards on some late plays when we had a good lead, both very winnable. The loss to the Ravens might have been the ugliest, but there were a number of factors involved with that, such as travel on a short week etc… but as bad as that game looked there were opportunities to win it. The talent is here to go far, this season and the next several.
Forecasting 13-3 was absolutely insane.
But now we’re all insanely happy to be headed for a first round bye. I figured 8-8 would be a significant step forward with all the handicaps we had heading into the season — tremendous turnover in the coaching staff, lockout issue, either no known QB, rookie QB or bring back Alex as the best of a pretty unpalatable set of options, an offensive line that did look offensive, three draft choices that were going to change positions, loss of Spikes & Franklin, no continuity at center; I can’t even remember all the negative signs.
Looking back, some of the best changes: Tremdous turnover in the coaching staff, bringing back Alex, an offensive line that didn’t look offensive except for about three games, three draft choices that changed positions with great results and almost all other choices contributed and/or got a year to grow, Bowman proved he was ready to take over from Spikes (I still wish he was on the team though), our defense with Soap turned out better than with Franklin, and our new center, while not a pro-bowl presence this year, didn’t turn out half bad.
Congrats to the front office, the coaches and players and let’s CELEBRATE!
Today's Justin Smith :: Yesterday's Bryant Young
by OffensiveInterference on Jan 2, 2012 12:39 PM PST up reply actions
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