49ers Vs. Saints: Alex Smith To Vernon Davis Video, Analysis
by David Fucillo on Jan 15, 2012 7:30 AM PST
in Non-49ers Game Threads
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There really is no shying away from what was the biggest play of the game. There were plenty of big performers throughout the afternoon, but Vernon Davis' touchdown catch with nine seconds left in regulation was THE play of the game. After a season filled with ups and downs, Vernon Davis had the biggest up of his career. A few days after talking about how frustrated he was with the playbook at the beginning of the season, Vernon Davis seized the spotlight on a huge stage.
I don't know how much NFL Films will want to air the third quarter of the 49ers-Saints game, but if they have to to get to the final four minutes of regulation, I would imagine they will make the sacrifice. That insane close was capped by Vernon Davis hauling in a pass that was highly reminiscent of The Catch II. The Catch III might not settle in, but it was still an epic catch. Alex Smith fired in a bullet to Vernon Davis who took a pop from Roman Harper and held onto the ball. The play was even more eerily reminiscent of The Catch II as Vernon emerged crying and was hugged by Jim Harbaugh.
Head after the jump for some video and analysis.
This was not quite Steve Young stumbling backwards and firing into Terrell Owens as he was cracked by a pair of defenders. This was not Joe Montana rolling right and throwing it where only Dwight Clark could make an impossible catch. Instead, it was Alex Smith firing in a pass on a play Coach Harbaugh later said was called Vernon Post. According to Coach Harbaugh, the play was a pass to Vernon Davis or throw it away and kick the field goal.
Vernon struggled a bit at times with his hands late in the season, but they were as sure as could be on Saturday. He hauled in a pass that Smith had to fire as hard as he could. The pass had to come out of Alex's hands very quickly and he got rid of it just quickly enough.
However, amidst all the hooplah of Smith to Davis, there is one player who played a key role without ever touching the ball. Backup tight end Justin Peelle ran a shorter route in front and to the left of Vernon Davis (looking at the screen). That route actually froze a linebacker just enough to make the difference. Sam Lam pointed this out on Twitter and I had a chance to review the play so here are some pictures from the play.
Here's the formation with Peelle on the far left and Vernon Davis just to Peelle's right up top.
As you can see, Peelle was absolutely wide open. Smith could've fired the ball in for the first down and used the last timeout to stop the clock with about ten seconds left. That's enough time for one more try before the field goal attempt, but who knows how that would've played out. The key though is that No. 58, Scott Shanle, is frozen for just a split second before the pass to Davis.
Alex fires the pass and the ball is too far past Shanle for the tip (sorry for the blurry picture). Roman Harper is coming in behind Davis but he won't get there in time to get a hand on the ball. He had to just go for the big hit, but Vernon hung onto the ball.
We spent much of the week concerned about Delanie Walker, but Peelle was a sufficient threat that it might have cost the Saints the game. OK, maybe not entirely, but he was an important part of Vernon-Post, which could join Sprint Right Option (The Catch) in the annals of 49ers lore.
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Amazing!
I made my 1 year old son cry because I was yelling so loud.
Semper Gumbi-always flexible
by Military49er on Jan 15, 2012 7:38 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Dont ask me why but my 8 year old was crying cause I was screaming so loud!!!
"You have to reinvent yourself each year, ... What helped us was that there was some turnover each year." Bill Walsh...
You can ask me why I was crying
when will the Kenny Thomas Reign of Terror end?!!??
by diehardkingsfan5 on Jan 15, 2012 8:20 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Was at the game and was crying tears of joy!
by Since'89 on Jan 15, 2012 10:15 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
GREAT PLAY!!!
And yet again, great analysis Fooch. I think the play design should get some credit as well, as Peele’s curl route is clearly designed to pull that defender down and free up Vernon. You couldn’t have thrown or caught the ball better!
Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!
Asked this in the Nuggets
anybody guess what Harbaugh said to Vernon? 1:42 into the video, you can see him mouthing words.
Yeah I thought it sounded something like “You da man baby! You effin did that shiz”
"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais
by MichaelClutchtree on Jan 15, 2012 9:34 AM PST up reply actions
It's hard to stop good execution.
That’s a simple high / low read for Shanle and he actually makes the right call. You can’t afford to give up the first down at the 9 without contesting it and he does have help behind him.
The problem is that the ball is thrown on a rope at the seam in the zones and there just isn’t much you can do about that aside from hope your safety makes an insanely great play on the ball. But having just burned the defense when they tried to go man-up it was fairly reasonable to expect some kind of Cover 2 and we took advantage of it.
Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.
Most of the time whenever we give up a play on defense, somebody is cursing out the DB.
But this play is a great example of why that’s not right (thankfully, from the other point of view). It’s hard to look at the defenders and think they could have played it much better. Alex Smith and Vernon Davis just made a play.
Great read by Smith who has to read the defender before he throws the ball.
One Of The Best Football Games, Ever!
On another note, I was disappointed to find out that Jesus Christ is a Patriots fan. Bummer.
Agent Dunham....Walternate testified that in his universe, AleX Smith is a pro-bowl QB for the Saints, and broke Trent Dilfer's season record of 6000 yards passing. Walter....Thats nice, more LSD please.
by scrappydog on Jan 15, 2012 8:10 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
What a great line!
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
Hard to think that any play could top Smith's 28 yard bootleg run
Ridiculous
"Aaaaaaaal Apalachicola"
by bonbrillio on Jan 15, 2012 8:15 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Hey there peeps...congrats from a Giants fan!
That was a sick, sick win. Hopefully we take care of business today and I’m back this week to talk football with you guys!
I support the Giants like bras support Kim Kardashian's boobs. It can be a struggle, we've had some jiggles, but we're still firm.
by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 15, 2012 8:21 AM PST reply actions
thanks sir
good luck to you guys, and hilarious sig by the way
"Cruelty, It’s not giving another person what they want. That’s our mindset on defense, to go out and play with everything we have and not give the other team anything." -Patrick Willis
Good luck to your G-Men
Establish the run, rush the passer & stay discipline thats what they need to do
Question
If Davis catches the ball, but fails to score, does the clock run out? I’ can’t remember if they had any time-outs and I don’t think there was time to set up and spike the ball.
Bold Prediction: Pablo Sandoval finishes 1st or 2nd in 2012 NL MVP voting. I'm Twittering now (well maybe not literally now): @GoofusMcP
Incompletion stops the clock ...!!
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 ...!!
He was saying if it wasn't a TD
So we get a 1st and goal.
That’s when we take the TO, and take a shot at the endzone, otherwise throw it away for the FG.
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 15, 2012 8:34 AM PST up reply actions
Dang , stilling trying out my reading skills ...!!
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 ...!!
Regarding Alex....I'm going to try & be honest here
(1) Big time 4th quarter high pressure performance from Alex…just WOW!
(2) Dont, shoot me, but i’m still puzzed, and don’t understant how Alex can play so inconsistant from quarter to quarter?
I mean there still continues to be some if you will, lay an egg, type of quarters during games. But it does appear when the game is ON THE LINE….Alex more ofeten than not steps up and produces.
Does anyone agree wity this….and if so, why is the consistancy not quite there, yet?
Well, to be honest -
- as with most of Smith’s dry spells this year, the problem in the second and 4th quarter was a combination of factors. In reverse order of importance:
1) Line play. In the third quarter, their line OWNED ours. There isn’t a QB in the league who’s effective when he’s being subsumed by linemen before he can ever set his feet. That tends – as it does in Alex’s case – to lead to jittery feet. That’s why every analyst talks about “rhythm” and every defensive coordinator emphasizes the need to get to the QB. If you can get to a QB, you can render him ineffective even on plays when you aren’t getting to him.
2) Poor receiver play. Crabtee’s two drops and one other catchable have already been mentioned. This isn’t completely independent of factor 1. You get to a QB, he’s less accurate, and less accurate balls are harder to catch.
3) Boom-or-bust run game. It’s easy to be misled about the effectiveness of our running game by looking at big plays or yard per rush. The problem is that the Niner running game has a tremendous number of stuffed runs. eg: We are 10th-worst in runs for a loss or no gain. A lot of this is, again offensive line play – that’s 20% of our runs! This puts us in a second- and third- and long often.
We saw all these factors combine in the third quarter: stuffed run on first down, dropped pass on second … which set us up for an overwhelming blitz on third that our line couldn’t handle.
by Ronaldinho on Jan 15, 2012 9:14 AM PST up reply actions 8 recs
This
Add in the fact that we are 4th worst in short yardage situations and that’s a good recipe for putting unnecessary pressure on the quarterback. We have alot of work to do if we want to have an offense that can dictate to the defense through the running game.
Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.
Awesome analysis
I do think, however, that Alex is more susceptible than some QBs to pressure. He’s not as adept at sliding and stepping up in the pocket. I think this is why he has so many more balls tipped at the line than, say, Brees who’s shorter but manages to find the throwing lanes.
You may be right, but ...
… I think it’s a vary hard comparison to make because the difference in o-line quality is so huge.
Right now Brees is still a better QB than Alex. He’s more accurate. The TD to Colston was amazing, and the final TD to Graham was a true mark of mastery: he threw the ball to the “wrong” spot because his read on Willis was so strong. But you can only make those throws when you’ve had hundreds of reps with your receiver, so you guys understand each other. Davis is the only current 49er receiver who Alex has had close to that kind of time with. (I don’t know if Smith can throw the winning TD if Crabtree is running that route – not because Crabtree can’t run it, but because the timing needs to be so incredibly precise). (Please note I’m not saying Alex isn’t accurate, btw – he is. But it’s not a binary quality.)
O-line play also plays into tipped balls. When the o-line is dominating, the pass-rushers are getting pushed around. They’re off-balance and can’t get up to challenge a pass. On the other hand, when it’s the o-line that’s on their heels, then the pass defenders can see the throw coming and are in position to jump and make a play.
And I feel that Alex has generally shown good – not spectacular, but good – pocket awareness this year.
by Ronaldinho on Jan 15, 2012 9:43 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Smith's pocket mobility and awareness has improved considerably over the last two seasons
He has stayed healthy and gained experience.
Agreed...
and I think that improvement is reflected in many fewer tips this year. It’s really only an issue against the most aggressive pass rushes like Baltimore and the Saints.
He slides around the pocket much better
while keeping his eyes downfield. Also he steps into the pocket more confidently. If only the O line created a 4-second pocket more consistently on third down, third down efficiency would rise signficantly
by Mood_Indigo on Jan 15, 2012 10:36 AM PST up reply actions
I agree
But that play was designed by the QB coach because of what they saw on film against the Saints. They installed it on Wednesday. So while chemistry plays a part I think this was more a play they designed for Vernon because the Saints underestimate his route running skills more than they would crabtree. Also Davis would draw a slower defender. Shout out to Justin Peele!!!!
by Johnveeskys on Jan 15, 2012 10:08 AM PST up reply actions
Agreed...
…but I think some of it’s intrinsic to the QB. Brees has been adept at finding passing lanes his whole career. Smith is good overall but still struggles with finding those lanes against the most aggressive pass rushes.
Brees did in San Diego and now is the expert on finding those lanes, so lets hope Smith can do the same.
Smith is a very very good QB. Ive defended him for years. I cant stop saying that enough because everyone said I was crazy. He was just in horrible situations. Rodgers may have faired the same way coming into SF. But now its Smith’s time to shine!!
by Johnveeskys on Jan 15, 2012 10:15 AM PST up reply actions
Lets not forget , that some of the fore mentioned Qb's in the league are in their 5th and 6th seasons under the same system , which is huge ...!!
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 ...!!
This factor cannot be overstated
Smith has not even had ONE full year. It is amazing what a well designed offense can do for a QB. It has to suit his strengths (which is why this will never be the same as it was under Montana or Young, or even Garcia). The coach has to know how to put the players in position to succeed and trust them that they can!
by Da Bum on Jan 16, 2012 9:15 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I can't help but suspect some of the issues are simply playcalling
It’s been mentioed that the Offense this year doesn’t have hot-reads, per-se. I just think when there are certain combinations of plays called when presuure breaks through that there simply isn’t an out available in time for Alex to do anything except try to avoid the pressure, throw it away, or take the sack. I expect that to improve next year.
by ColoradoNiner on Jan 15, 2012 1:56 PM PST up reply actions
I counted at least two instances of mis-reads on routes too
by the receivers.
by AptosNinerFan on Jan 15, 2012 9:36 AM PST up reply actions
How bout the back2back NBA pick and rolls called for PI what was that bout
by Moflush on Jan 15, 2012 10:09 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, not sure what was going on there
Those seemed blatant I must say. Might have just been poor execution.
by AptosNinerFan on Jan 15, 2012 10:11 AM PST up reply actions
I think we've been doing this all year?
Feels like the league sent the refs a memo to clamp down on it.
there was a “lateral flea-flicker” that could have been a disaster
by Mood_Indigo on Jan 15, 2012 10:38 AM PST up reply actions
I think that was on Gore
Not just that he threw it short but he hesitated a second. Looked like he threw it late. If he threw it on time, it hits Alex right on the numbers and maybe he gets it to VD who was open deep.
Most of the thrid quarter, if you ask me
I just didn’t understand the progression of play calling. They seemed random. We’d pass for a first down, pass again for no yardage, pass again for a short gain…etc.
There was apoint where we were something like 2nd and 6 inside theSaints 30. Seemed to me to be the PERFECT time to go for the end zone. If you miss you still have a reasonable chance to convert on 3rd, and then still can get a filed goal. Nope. Don’t recall what did, but it wasn’t even close to attempting to go for the 6 points.
The other thing that killed me was a total lack of willingness to stick with the run game. At least give it enough looks to make Play Action a viable option.
If you want to go for 2 points running up the gut…I’d prefer Boobie as I think he has the best chance to move the pile. I’d rather you pass, but with Dixon you can better sell a play action there…
Still, a good win. But we can’t get so many possessions without points and expect to win against Green Bay (assuming they win).
by ColoradoNiner on Jan 15, 2012 2:02 PM PST up reply actions
We were certainly out of rhythm for a while
The TOs were nice, but they did have the effect of disrupting the rhythm. We were up a lot so fast that the clock had not really had a chance to run. My wife asked the same question on the second TO at the beginning of the quarter. Why would they run there? We needed to get that clock moving. We had just taken momentum, but almost nothing off the clock…
Alex is STILL a work in progress
You’d think it’d be a done deal, but all the OC’s, his cerebral vs physical approach, his limited receiver options, susceptibility of O-line to blitz packages, all contribute to a QB who I still can’t fully get my comfort level calibrated on.
But we’re gonna get to finally find out!!!!
Go Coach!!!
Whooos got it better than us??
section 45 row 15 yesterday!!!!!
anyways watching ESPN last night. Dilfer breaking down that catch. Non only did AS start his release before Davis had started his break. He started his release before he even cross behind the linebacker Shanle……so sick.
Gregg Williams coming to the NFC West
This isn’t a huge surprise, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that New Orleans offensive coordinator Gregg Williams is expected to leave the Saints and join Jeff Fisher in St. Louis.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/30472/report-gregg-williams-leaving-saints
"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 15, 2012 8:56 AM PST reply actions
ESPN needs to proofread their articles
He’s the DEFENSIVE coordinator
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on Jan 15, 2012 9:07 AM PST up reply actions
I actually think Gregg Williams will blitz less with the Rams
He is only blitz crazy with New Orleans because they have no pass rusher and need to generate pressure through other means. His play calling was a little questionable at the end, but it’s not like the Niners handled the blitz + man coverage well in the first three quarters.
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on Jan 15, 2012 9:11 AM PST up reply actions
And because they have Drew Brees.
Thats the biggest reason why. If they get burned for a TD on a blitz Drew is capable of bringing them back, or they have the lead already anyway and can take chances. In STL that wont be the case!
by Johnveeskys on Jan 15, 2012 10:11 AM PST up reply actions
Piggy backing off your point
You are right now, The Rams have a D-line that can rush the passer without needing to send extra blitzer & plus he wouldnt have a Roman Harper who is the best blitzing S in the league
Too bad Roman Harper can't cover
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on Jan 15, 2012 10:18 AM PST up reply actions
Or maybe thats his new coaching position cause you should go to CSC to see what they saying bout him lol
by Moflush on Jan 15, 2012 10:14 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
This is going to sound weird but I'm happy about this
If we want to keep getting better year after year and really become the next dynasty that we’re hoping will happen, we need to have really good competition in the west. I think Williams can do some good things with the rams under Fisher. On one hand, that does bode well for our offense. But on the other hand, that just means we need improve and really take our offense to the next level if we want to continue to make the playoffs every year.
What A Game!!!!!
I have to say that has to be one of the best games I ever watched in my LIFE!! The ups the downs the HITS. Lost my voice scared the shit out of my kids….This game is what the playoffs are all about…I LOVE THIS TEAM
Larry Fitz was pretty good on NFLN
He might be an analyst after he retires. His voice is a little quiet though, not what I expected.
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
McNabb was awful though
Which surprised me because everyone says he’d be a great TV personality.
by Gitaroo_Dude on Jan 15, 2012 9:36 AM PST up reply actions
Communications major from Syracuse
Perhaps too many years in football’s limited his skills behind the desk.
Make it so.
Gore and Miller blitz pickup
Re-watched the 49ers’ final 2 drives this morning and one thing I noticed on the long pass to Davis that initally got us into FG range was Gore communicating with Miller on, what I assume would be, who is going to pick up who on the blitz. Both Miller and Gore pick up blitzers who would have definitely sacked Smith for a big loss had they had any miscommunication.
Also, on the final drive when Smith hits Davis, again, to set us up in FG range Gore makes another nice block on a blitzer.
It’s the little things that add up to big things and helped us pull out a great win!
Yeah, Gore made some great blitz pickups
by Bigmouth on Jan 15, 2012 9:32 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Frank Gore
considered one of the most intelligent players in the NFL and is known for his scouting ability.
How about Williams cracking the DE on the QB sweep earlier?
This is a TEAM. Not a collection of stars ala Eagles, Jets.
by AptosNinerFan on Jan 15, 2012 9:40 AM PST up reply actions
Exactly
I love how the DE had no idea what hit him.
One the same note...
…Staley with his full on, and I mean FULL ON sprint to get the block for Smith on his touchdown run. Talk about an all-out effort for your team! Staley was at 90 degrees with his legs and his arms like a sprinter and laid himself out to insure Alex made the end zone. One of the plays of the game if you ask me.
Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!
I watched that re-play like 30 times.
Mostly because I couldn’t believe how fast Staley was bolting down that sideline. It almost reminded me of another 49er wearing a #74 jersey – Dave Fiore – and the effort that he gave chugging downfield on Garrison Hearst’s 96 yard overtime run back in ’98 (though, in truth, Staley showed T.O.-like speed on the play).
"It came down like a punt, Coach!"
- Josh Morgan, in reference to a Shaun Hill "deep" ball.
Watching that play again
Gets me so fired up all over again… Just wow, this time instead of jumping and screaming I took a moment to notice the look on the saints players faces, and their postures… They are so dumbfounded by the loss, they are in truth completely speechless, frozen. It was truly a sight to see.
by 40daysand49ers on Jan 15, 2012 9:34 AM PST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
This was Geep Chryst's play call
This team is a TEAM right down to Harbaugh giving Geep Chryst credit for this play call. It’s been talked about a little bit but I don’t know of any other team where playcalling/design is done in such a committee fashion with Harbaugh/Roman/Drevno and Chryst (probably others too) having input. There are no egos on this team, only confidence. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.
It’s why I’m not overly concerned if someone like Roman eventually gets hired away. I think one of the position guys would step up and not much would have to change.
Attack this day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. ~ Jack Harbaugh
by Virginia9er on Jan 15, 2012 10:17 AM PST up reply actions
True
I love Roman though and I’m not even talking about his playcalling. He kind of personifies the under the radar nature of this team. He has a quiet FU confidence too. Anybody catch his brief post game locker room interview on CSN? He took a very subtle shot at Gregg Williams.
by AptosNinerFan on Jan 15, 2012 10:27 AM PST up reply actions
Essentially
He said he was glad that he saw all of Williams’ blitz packages in the preseason game so he knew how to attack them. He had a shiz eating grin on his face when he said it.
by AptosNinerFan on Jan 15, 2012 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
Some people wanted Roman gone because of his play calling
But there are a lot of people who contribute to that. Not to mention what he does gameplanning throughout the week. I don’t think Coach brings him in as his OC if he doesn’t bring a lot to the table and do his job very well. Yes, some of the calls are questionable, but how many of these questionable calls do you see repeated? They try it, it doesn’t work, they try something else.
And sometimes it is execution
And sometimes it s a good guess by the D
And sometimes it is setting up something for later
And sometimes it is not his call (there are several guys that get to make calls on game day…)
Any other top mind wouldn't hesitate to come to the 49ers
Knowing that the head coach will give you credit, I bet that the Niners would have no problems attracting top coaching talent.
Moody and complicated
That's a strength of Harbaugh's
Remember— he got Fangio and Roman (among others) to join him at Stanford! He was basically able to attract top quality NFL assistants to college assistant coaching gigs. That speaks volumes, I think.
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Jan 15, 2012 11:30 AM PST up reply actions
they will have to be the RIGHT kind of coaches.
I am sure some megalomaniacs simply would not fit in, regardless of talent.
The funniest part of the play
Is that Vernon actually knees Harper in the stomach/ribs while making the catch, so after the play Harper is rolling around on the ground short of breath.
It felt so good to watch our offense destroy the Saints!
The talk all week by the pundits spewing off about how the Saints offense was so awesome. Guess that’s all they had. Niners showed we are a complete team and have everything needed to get the job done. Smith to Davis is now a 49ers Classic Play. I will never forget the game yesterday, especially the final score and how it made me feel.
I’m ready for more.
BRING ON THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!
Well Done Niners!
by Critical Roach on Jan 15, 2012 9:58 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
I was sliding around in my restaurant/bar after VD's catch!!!
I feel young again!!!!!!!
"The year we beat Miami in the Super Bowl, ... do you know how many defensive linemen were in our rotation? Nine, and we used them all quite a bit. We just wore the Dolphins out."
Bill Walsh quote
by Iupati_like_its_1999 on Jan 15, 2012 10:11 AM PST reply actions
This was the best game I've ever seen and now my 10 year old son will be the same type of football fan I am.
I watched the game yesterday with friends and family, and the best part was my son was so into it. He was jumping around with all of us grown men. He was hurt by Jimmy Graham td score. It was truly a good day for 49ers fans. This was an awesome experience for me. Now after church I have to go buy my son a Willis jersey because he loves the defense!!!
by Johnveeskys on Jan 15, 2012 10:20 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
What a good Dad!!
"You have to reinvent yourself each year, ... What helped us was that there was some turnover each year." Bill Walsh...
Props to Smith for making $$ read and a $$ throw
in a crucial situation instead of settling for OT. It was a tight throw, a great catch, and those are plays that get you rings.
the read, the throw
In years past, you have to wonder if he would have dumped off to Peelle for the first down. I don’t know if he would have, but there are times I would have wondered about that. Not that it would have been an awful throw in the abstract, but obviously not the ballsy play.
by David Fucillo on Jan 15, 2012 11:11 AM PST up reply actions
yeah I don't actually think throwing it to Peele would
have been a bad move. As you said, they just use a TO and still have one more endzone play before settling for 3. The throw would have gotten them 5-6 yards closer to the end zone, which is a big deal.
But good QBs will ANTICIPATE that read and top it off with a perfect throw. That’s what I’ve wanted to see more out of him. And he did.
That is what I was going to say. It was about the anticipation, which is how the play is designed, but the execution was perfect.
On top of that, in that moment adrenaline going and he puts it right on the money. Easy to sail that pass trying to fit it in there.
Attack this day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. ~ Jack Harbaugh
by Virginia9er on Jan 15, 2012 11:18 AM PST up reply actions
Seems that Smith had his mind made up going into the play
If there was even a slight chance of connecting on the throw then he’d take it, and boy did he sure put some heat on it.
I read somewhere that the Vernon-post was either to go to Davis or throw it away— Perhaps Smith was thinking he was going to fire it in there and see what happens because if Davis drops it/gets knocked away it’s basically the same as throwing it away (provided Smith throws it to an area where the chance for an INT is slim)?
the play
According to Harbaugh after the game, the play was Vernon or nothing. I think if Vernon had been covered, based on how Harbaugh described the play immediately after the game. Alex was going to fire the ball over everyone’s head out of the end zone.
by David Fucillo on Jan 15, 2012 11:34 AM PST up reply actions
just re-read the second paragraph of your comment
You are correct in that first sentence.
by David Fucillo on Jan 15, 2012 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
SF Vibe
Went to SF last night for dinner and drinks with the lady and the city was pulsing with an energy that reminded me of the giants in the world series. People chanting in the streets at 12, bands screaming 9ers between sets, and 9er shirts everywhere.
Amazing game! Alex must be on such a high right now after seven years of boos.
my first post in... a while
I am a miserable looking fan. I watch at a bar (often) here in LA and they like to tease me as I look nervous and miserable the entire time. I barely emote during the game or evev after a win, even a win like this one.
Why am I like that? Because I don’t believe… not like I did years ago.
I do now… for the first time in over a decade, I don’t just hope and root. Finally, I believe this team is elite.
Whether they make the superbowl this year or not is incidental. My faith is restored. I can once again expect them to win like I expected of the niners of my childhood.
So we’re finally going home… to the NFC championship game where we belong.
by Delmuir on Jan 15, 2012 11:46 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Damn
“The coverage was there. He had barely little room. The pass had to be perfect. IT WAS”
Remember in the preseason?
When the news outlets made a story (albeit small) out of the O’s inability to successfully recreate The Catch in practice?
How amazing this happens in the divisional round of the playoffs against a record-setting team in the exact week that marks the 30th anniversary!!!
by NashvilleNinersFan on Jan 15, 2012 12:25 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Gone are the days...
when I felt nervous every time the ball was snapped to Alex Smith. I used to cringe wondering if he would overthrow an easy open Frank Gore, or fumble, or throw a pick, or get sacked for a 17 yard loss. But now he looks to me like a reliable, confident QB now. I’m glad to support him whole-heartedly now. Great Game. Go Niners!
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