David Akers-Michael Crabtree Fake FG Touchdown: The New Young-To-Rice?
by David Fucillo on Jan 2, 2012 9:00 AM PST
in 49ers Video
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PrintOne of the more entertaining highlights of the 49ers victory over the Rams was the completely unexpected use of a fake field goal late in the third quarter. The 49ers were leading 20-10 following a Josh Brown field goal that kept the game moderately close. The 49ers started the drive at their own 18 and had driven down to the Rams 14 before stalling out.
On 4th and 7, the 49ers lined up for a field goal. The ball was snapped directly to kicker David Akers who threw to a wide open Michael Crabtree on the left sideline. There was a review of the play because there were questions as to whether Crabtree was allowed to hang out over near the sideline on a field goal attempt. The basic explanation was that Crabtree was in on the previous play and so due to that and some other details, he was allowed to stay outside the numbers. The Rams completely missed him and the 49ers got the easiest touchdown they'll score all year. It is worth noting the Patriots ran a similar play in 2004 when Brad Seely was their special teams coach.
Although the score ended up being pretty significant, there is some question about using that play leading 20-10 in Week 17. The idea being that the 49ers could conceivably have saved the play for the playoffs. The 49ers probably could not successfully run the play again this season since teams would be looking for it. However, if a situation arose, it is possible the 49ers could roll it out just to force the opponent to call a timeout. It might not work, but it is one more option in the offensive/special teams toolbox.
Head after the jump to view video of the perfectly timed fake field goal touchdown.
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Just last week my buddy was saying we should run this play
I scoffed at the notion, arguing it would be too dangerous snapping directly to the kicker. I was ecstatic to be proven wrong!
Akers could always audible
and go under center and hand it off to Lee for a dive.
Or just kick the field goal, or complete the drop kick.
That was a winning td
Of cause they should have run it. Odd question.
Well
The go-ahead TD was the Dixon run, but this TD was important too.
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 9:31 AM PST up reply actions
It wouldn't have worked in the playoffs
no playoff team is just going to let a guy on his own…
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)
It's the element of surprise. It definitely won't work now that we used it.
Our ST coach is infamous for it. Mike Perierra(?) was laughing about how it is very legal when not in between the 30’s so as not to “hide” amongst the players on the sideline, and he only sees it when Seely decides to run it every 3 years. Not a play any playoff team would prepare for having not seen it this year.
by itsAteamGAME on Jan 3, 2012 10:43 PM PST up reply actions
Not worried about showing too much
How many trick plays on special teams have we seen this year? It seems like every other game there’s been one. The fake field goal we used against AZ two weeks ago and the surprise onside kick against the Giants come to mind right away. What others am I missing?
Opponents have to be ready for so many trick plays that I don’t think the 49er coaches have to worry about showing too much.
I’ll be they’ll have fresh “trick” plays for the play-offs, anyway.
The more we show
The more tape the opther team has to study and prepare for. The onside kick one means no one is getting a head start to block when we kick and now the fake FG means they need to cover people and have less in the center to block.
Keep em coming and keep them guessing…love it.
by 9erEast on Jan 2, 2012 9:43 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
100% Agree
Throughout the season, teams have been stuffing the middle and even cheating with leverage. This is one way for them to be less aggressive on our FG attempts.
by ThermoElectro on Jan 2, 2012 11:32 AM PST up reply actions
This is pretty big , once you think about it ...
… Staley and Anthony Davis were not penalized for holding the entire season…!!
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 ...!!
I can understand how the Rams or any other team could overlook
a sneaky player crouching by the sidelines on a FG, but it really shouldn’t happen. Embarrassing for them. Fitting, considering Spags was getting fired regardless of the game’s outcome.
Maybe San Diego fires
Norv and we can get him back permanently as our OC…provided of course Roman bolted for an HC gig.
& Akers is a lefty?? Never would have thought…
Even if Roman leaves
It isn’t as big of deal as losing the OC in the past.
The reason is that the Offense isn’t going to change. Jim Harbaugh runs a WCO. He will hire an OC that runs a WCO.
That being said, I hope we keep him.
Joe, Jerry, Steve, and....Who is next?
He might be interviewed but I hope he doesn’t get it.
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)
Can anyone explain how a
B locked FG returned to the far end zone is a safety? I’m referring to the Nebraska game.
I don’t watch much collage ball
it was a blocked extra point then
I didnt see it. But I see its 6-2 so im assuming. If it was a FG it would be a TD. But its a safety since its on the XP
actually its not a "saftey"
its a 2 point conversion
by Collin B on Jan 2, 2012 10:25 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I hope we pull something like that @ GB
We can kick them to the curb, so to speak. Akers and Lee are the best in the biz, and they rock. Great to have both of our kickers in the pro bowl, they deserve it for sure.
Save it for the playoffs?
I’d rather not have this team running a lot of trick plays in the playoffs in the first place. At least now we have teams worrying about planning for trick plays that are probably too risky for us to run.
Besides when you look at the final score, those seven points turned out to be pretty important.
If in fact you only look at the final score...
…then just kicking the FG would have done the trick as well.
Of course, with the Rams only needing 3 to tie the game on their final drive, things might have played out differently.
I just got home from St Louis
In that replay i am the one in the Montana jersey with Crabs,Texas Tech jersey in front of me. Awesome time hella hang over and cant wait for the playoffs!
hahaha
that patriots game was also against the rams!
i wonder if seely was thinking about that….
"Winners, I am convinced, imagine their dreams first. They want it with all their heart and expect it to come true. There is, I believe, no other way to live."
- Joe Montana
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