Week 8 - 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints - Open Thread

by Fooch on Oct 28, 2007 5:24 AM PDT in News Comment 87 comments

Date: October 28, 2007

Time: 1:15PM PST, 4:15pm EST

Location: Walsh Field @ MPCP

Weather: 68°F, 3mph wind, and sunny

Injury Report: SF: Darrell Jackson, Jonas Jennings, Keith Lewis Doubtful; Frank Gore Questionable
NOR: Plaxico Jeff Fain Out; Brian Young Probable

ScoresAndOdds.com Spread: Saints -2.5; Over/Under 40; Money Line SF +120, NOR -140

TV: FOX (Channel 2 in San Francisco)

Announcers: Matt Vasgersian, JC Pearson

Radio: 1050 AM/107.7 FM

Niners Nation Prediction:49ers 27-13

Feel free to enter your predictions HERE

Well, as I said a few days ago, the buck stops here. Even though the 49ers will likely be without Darrell Jackson, the team on the field today is a team I think we can all get behind and from whom we can hope for big things. Gore is expected to play, so hopefully that isn't an issue come game time. Other than that, Ashley Lelie gets a chance to prove himself, the offensive line gets a bit of a shake up, and of course the prodigal son has returned as Alex Smith is back under center.

Although the Saints are showing signs of life, they also have the 30th ranked pass defense, which is the perfect recipe for Alex Smith to take another step forward in his young career. We are just about at must-win territory and this is an extremely winnable matchup. I threw up a 27-13 prediction as I think the offense will finally break out. Of course anything over 10 points would be an offensive explosion, so I guess it's all relative. Here's hoping for good things.

And as I'll be on an airplane during the game I won't have any sort of recap until late Sunday night. I'm TiVoing the game so I'll be able to watch it upon my return. Hopefully it is many happy returns.

GO NINERS!

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Always classy

Singing AND televising the American National Anthem at the first regular season game ever played in Europe. Classy move, NFL.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 28, 2007 10:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

nice weather out there

I'm sure none of the players wish they were in Miami right now

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

This way any homefield advantage the dolphins had was completely gone.

Not that it matters for their season, but if that had been a high profile game, it would have been reason for complaint.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 28, 2007 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

that game was kind of a joke. the last thing the frikkin dolphins need is one less home game. man, they really suck.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

are you suggesting...

...that the American National Anthem should NOT be sung before an NFL game, regardless of where it is played, and that to do so is not classy?

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just saying

While it probably wasn't so conspicuous at the actual stadium, it was the first time I've seen the National Anthen BROADCAST before a game that wasn't either the Super Bowl or somehow commemorating a tragedy.

I mean, I have no way of knowing if they sang any kind of English song or something, but the fox message was OBVIOUSLY "USA RULEZ EAT IT LONDON!"

At least that's what it said to me. I guess it wasn't fair to criticize the NFL. The NFL was probably just doing it's thing. But the FOX message was pretty clear as far as I'm concerned.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 29, 2007 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And yeah

Not to say these londoners were getting the FOX broadcast... but the irony of the moment for me was thick in the air.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Oct 30, 2007 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok time to get it together!

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 1:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the NFL is dreaming

if they think that American football will flourish in Europe.

GO NINERS!

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 1:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

it'll never happen

just like pro soccer will never flourish in this country.

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

fuck

injury already.

ps love that route that gains zero yards

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 1:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

fucking shit

VERNON!!!

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 1:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's see

VD is having problems, again.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 1:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Smith in shotgun

oh well.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 1:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

San Francisco 3 and Outs

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 1:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This does not inspire

confidence.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 1:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Uh...

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 1:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The good thing

is that with the Saints scoring early then it will force the offense to be more dynamic.

The bad thing is that the offense can't be dynamic.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 1:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

well

this one's over

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 1:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

7-0: game over

no way this 49ers offense can overcome such a huge deficit.

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 1:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

niners

why do we suck so much

by andyourbirdcansing on Oct 28, 2007 1:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

VD

I've got that burning sensation!

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 1:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

fucking Hicks!

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 1:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hicks fumbles.

andyourbirdcansing,

It's not us who suck. It's them who sucks. We're just witnesses to their suckitude.

Maybe this is the week that the defense throws in the towel.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 1:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

hicks

sorry, I did not mean to imply that we suck. I just like to associate myself with the Niners because I'm a masochist

by andyourbirdcansing on Oct 28, 2007 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

at least

we held them there.

hicks for no longer on the team. free clayton!

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 1:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hallelujah

Can I get an amen?

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Oct 28, 2007 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AMEN!

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

has anyone else seen this?

totally insane.

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 1:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

that shit was fucking crazy.

also, anyone else having problems with this thread It keeps having problems reloading for me.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

same

by andyourbirdcansing on Oct 28, 2007 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

c'mon Alex

he can't take on linebackers like that.

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 1:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

throwing into triple coverage

isn't a good idea either

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 2:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

first downs. this is different.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 2:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yup

Seriously, I had to recheck what channel I was watching.

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Oct 28, 2007 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

VD!!!!!

this looks like a real drive!

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 2:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

VD

Using him a lot. I like it.

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Oct 28, 2007 2:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

good while it lasted

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

MVP?

Yeah, just crown his ass

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Oct 28, 2007 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Smith looks rusty

So much for the Smith the Savior.

by Call It The Throw on Oct 28, 2007 2:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes and yes.

The site's really slow today, and I think it's more than rust with Smith.

"Picking Number One, the New England Patriots!"

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the site

seems to have gotten a lot better , at least for me.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

c'mon D

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 2:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

let's go

we need a TURNOVER

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 2:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Do you have a picture of

toast?

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everything Smith threw was high.

Does anyone else notice that our tackling isn't very, uh, crisp?

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 2:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Double reverses

flea flickers. That's what I'm talking about.

Wow! I knew we'd see more offense today!

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 2:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

just not from us

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're bad...

and getting worse every week. This team is pissing me off.

by Call It The Throw on Oct 28, 2007 2:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So this is the question:

If you're already 17 points down, the offense hasn't shown any life at all, AGAIN, do you put out your first string quarterback who's in pain from his shoulder separation and who's throwing without accuracy?

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 2:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It depends on how hurt he is...

If he can play through the pain, I'd like to see him out there. To me, Smith has this year to convince me that he is worth a damn (so far its not looking good). At least playing while injured will earn him a few toughness points.

Also, its not like Dilfer gives us a better chance of winning. He sucks.

by Call It The Throw on Oct 28, 2007 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've been easy on Smith

and he'd be better with another that had, say, receivers and an offensive line.

Still, I don't think he's the guy. The problem is that after him you have Dilfer. I'd give Hill a shot, because we're getting to the point where we'll be playing to see who's on the team next year. I heard Fitz and Brooks on KNBR laughing about how bad Hill is. If that's the case, then there's no point in having him on the roster. Start bringing in guys off the street. There's plenty of guys in the Arena League. Start moving them through tryouts, because THIS AIN'T WORKIN'.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed,,,

I hate to say it, but Smith is not a winner. Even when he is "on," the best he can give us is conservative, few mistakes football which simply isn't good enough to win (nor is it particularly exciting to watch).

I say throw Hill out there. Why the hell not.

by Call It The Throw on Oct 28, 2007 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But HIll's not suited up for the game.

You can see that the defense is down. The guy in the booth doesn't like Walt Harris.

But Drew Brees does.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ridiculous

It looks like the Saints are running practice drills against the scrubs. And no one in red and gold looks pissed, they just look humbled. This is pathetic.

by Call It The Throw on Oct 28, 2007 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too high again.

If only Lelie were eight feet tall.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 2:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Gore limping off the field

I don't think this one's going to end happy.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 2:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Who was supposed to be blocking Cooper?

He seemed to breeze by Smiley.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 2:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey, I have an idea!

How about on 3rd and 5 we have Smith run backwards and toward the sideline at a dead sprint?!?!? I'm sure someone will get open for him!

Nice call.

by Call It The Throw on Oct 28, 2007 2:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought we had a defense

what happened?

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Oct 28, 2007 2:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No D line

This has been problem all year, and today they look horrible. Brees has as much time as he wants.

by Call It The Throw on Oct 28, 2007 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plus

I think that this is the game where Nolan loses the defense. No pressure. Pitch and catch.

Niners won't make the playoffs this way. And their first draft choice will look mighty fine in a Patriots uniform.

But Nolan sure looks good in that suit.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jesus God

Enough is enough. I'm officially putting it on the red zone channel for the rest of the afternoon.

by Call It The Throw on Oct 28, 2007 2:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

nobody bothered to show up today

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 2:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You could feel the air go out.

Or maybe there wasn't any air to begin with.

But the bottom line is that the offense has been, and continues to be, so bad that the defense has to be affected.

The knucklehead color analyst was mocking Lelie for not catching a ball until the fifth game. First, was it the fifth game, or the sixth? Second, how many fucking catches was he supposed to make if he wasn't suited up for the games?

I guess the answer is, with this defense what does it matter if you're suited up or not?

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 2:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So what's Nolan going to do?

I posted something similar during last week's travesty, but the Niners complete inadequacy on both sides of the ball has to be on Nolan.

I'm disgusted by the team, but also really frustrated with the fact that, every week, Nolan seems shrug it off how horrible his team is performing. This is not a simple problem of players not executing. From top to bottom, this team is terrible - coaching, playcalling, preparation, execution on the field, you name it.

So what is Nolan going to do? I think he needs to make a serious statement offering something to the fans...an admission that the team is way off track and some kind of "back to the drawing board" game plan to salvage some dignity this season. If I hear him blame the team's failure on a lack of execution again, I'm going to lose it.

by Call It The Throw on Oct 28, 2007 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lack of execution

is ultimately the coach's fault. He and McWhatever put the team together, Nolan's position coaches are supposed to be spending time teaching the players what they're supposed to do, and to figure out the schemes to get the players to do their best.

It's not just talent. There are teams in the league with less raw talent, but they get more out of their players. For ex, Buffalo. And I think that Tennessee has less talent overall (although I'd love to swap quarterbacks). No, the team is bad, is getting worse, and Nolan is losing them all. Farewell, 2007.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gary Plummer says

this game has been abysmal.

For ex, he's criticizing how VD went for one extra yard instead of going out of bounds on that last drive. You wonder if Davis is rusty or if he's not a very smart football player.

The team isn't even playing decent football.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 3:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This does it

I'm taking in the art of heavy, underage drinking.

Merton Hanks, 'nuff said.

by jtoj on Oct 28, 2007 3:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Losers.

I vote the Niners are the first team in NFL history to get demoted to college football. They'd make a nice complement to Notre Dame this year.

I think that's where Coach Nolan deserves to be, and the rest of the retards get an opportunity to earn a degree and make a living at something they're good at.

by LA49er on Oct 28, 2007 3:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

From the number of comments

it looks like everyone has left.

Looks like Smith's shoulder is screwed up again. Gore's ankle is hurting. And Smiley's still missing his blocks.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 3:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kickoff out of bounds.

I hate that on Madden.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 3:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Time to start playing the bench.

Start suiting up the rookies, see what they can do. Game over. Season over.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 3:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

1st round pick

I don't think we can handle another. Davis and Smith for example. It seems the fine weather has made our guys a little out of it today. Oh well at least the friggin Rayduhs looked equally as bad.

by BIGRED on Oct 28, 2007 3:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Walt Harris out with a knee.

And Roman is hurt too.

Golshon is in. Might as well be.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 3:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Free Shaun Hill

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 4:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

seriously, do they need to challenge

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 4:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kings of Garbage time!

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 4:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i hate garbage padding

I really hate it. Smith sucked the entire game. Why let him pad his stats in garbage time?

by DraftQBin2008 on Oct 28, 2007 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Touchdown to VD

what I'm most impressed about that play is that VD didn't celebrate.

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 4:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

more horrendous officiating

no one, especially Keasey, was offside

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 28, 2007 4:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

At least VD had TD

Man that was terrible, at least that garbage time helped Davis get a TD and help my fantasy team win. I am the eternal optimist but this game made me feel this season is over.

by billwalsh4ever on Oct 28, 2007 4:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The yardstick

As the season progresses you start getting a better idea of how good your team is. For example, winning the first two games one could get the impression that the Niners were better than last year. Likewise, losing to the Steelers isn't a mark of shame. They're a good team.

But the offense has always been bad this year. The line is terrible. I think that New Orleans is better than they showed early on, but at a certain point you have to beat who you play. Today the defense, which has been doing its best to keep the team in games, just collapsed.

This is a team in a downward spiral. The game against Atlanta next week will be to see how good a draft pick that the Patriots get next year.

by Bob In Pacifica on Oct 28, 2007 5:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

great

remind me that the f!cking cheater Pats have our pick.

Merton Hanks, 'nuff said.

by jtoj on Oct 28, 2007 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what?

i thought that if the pats make the playoffs, that they would lose their first round pick, so doesnt that mean they lose the first round pick they got through us as well?

by affan1025 on Oct 28, 2007 8:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs