Two Thoughts

by TheFreakSFG on Jan 25, 2012 12:54 AM PST

It was 3rd and 4; the 49ers had already gotten 1 first down. Michael Crabtree ran a sail route (kind of a flattened corner route). He was wide open. Smith, with no pressure in the pocket, did not pull the trigger.

It was a shot play, a called big play off Smith boot action. Williams ran a deep post off a stutter move. The double move froze Corey Webster, and Williams raced by him. The design of the play worked. Smith overthrew Williams by 5 yards. A good throw, and it was a touchdown. An adequate throw, and it was still a 50 yard gain. This was another missed opportunity.

These are just a few examples of Smith’s tentative and uncertain pocket play last Sunday. The bottom line was this: Smith was reluctant to let it loose on routes and throws that were not only well designed, but were open. They were primary reads. No progressions were involved.

Interesting, to say the least. I thought I noticed this a few times, but it's hard to see with the TV broadcast.

So as Crabtree basically said, it wasn't all on the receivers. Still think this team needs a deep threat, nonetheless.

From Peter King:

I feel for Kyle Williams, but I can't imagine Jim Harbaugh keeping a guy he can't trust next year.

This makes me chuckle a bit, and I'm hoping this isn't serious. If it is a serious remark, it's just another example of how the words 'analyst' and 'writer' or 'media' usually don't co-exist. Media, referring to the main-stream.

http://nflfilms.nfl.com/2012/01/24/cosell-talks-for-alex-smith-what-a-difference-a-week-made/

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/01/23/super.bowl.xlvi.matchup/4.html

(Not sure if I'm late to the party, but I thought this was all interesting)

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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kyle williams made two mistakes

being so close to the ball and not holding the ball close to and tight to his body. What I know Harbaugh does not like is players not trying; and Williams was trying hard maybe too hard on those plays to make a play. Kyle Williams can be a deep threat, the dude is one of the fastest on the team right up there with Vernon, Ginn, and Culliver.

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

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Jan 25, 2012 1:12 AM PST reply actions

I can’t produce examples, but I was watching the game with about 5 giants fans, and they constantly pointed out completed passes that Eli made in which he under threw receivers (most Victor Cruz in the first half) that could have easily been bigger plays or touchdowns. Point is, it goes both ways and it detracts from the actual reasons why we lost. Truth is, if Alex Smith plays the game way (turnover free, a few big plays, ect) without Kyle’s miscues, we’d be in the superbowl, simple as that. Here’s a quotation from the sacramento b niners blog:

“After re-watching Sunday’s game, however, the difference between the two quarterbacks from the second half onward was miniscule. Both defenses became dominant as the game went on and made things extremely difficult for the quarterbacks. No one was open. Manning’s second half and overtime statistics: 16-31 (51.6 percent) for 135 yards and a touchdown. Smith’s: 10-19 (52.6 percent) for 117 yards and a touchdown. Manning was sacked four times in the second half and overtime; Smith was sacked three times. The 49ers converted only once on third down in the second half and overtime. The Giants converted only twice.”

by milesf on Jan 26, 2012 4:11 AM PST reply actions