I, like you Fooch, believe that Alex Smith has shown plenty to have Nolan's confidence.  The playcalling was a lot different last year, with Smith (and the offense) running all kinds of plays that kept people off balance.  The question now is, what has changed, and what differences are there?

I guess I may as well call myself HostlerApoligist or something, because I don't think it's fair to call for his head, yet.  Nolan, now that he's fairly free from managing the defense seems to be VERY active in the offensive gameplan.  Conservativeness, discipline, doing your job, and all the like is what Nolan preaches.  So the current offensive gameplan just has Nolan written all over it.

The question is, what can the team (or anyone) do to develop and sustain better drives?  I think it all has to come from Nolan first.  Last year, he had the privilege of having one of the better offensive minds in the history of the game as his offensive coordinator.  Of course he's going to trust him (fairly right off the back) and open up the world to him.  This year, he's not opening up the playbook to Hostler.  It's almost like he may not be comfortable with Hostler (not Smith).  Perhaps he feels the team can win with HIS defense and slowly let Hostler gain his trust.

Everyone is calling for Hostler's head but Nolan.  He's actually praising the guy for his work thusfar.  That only tells me that Hostler is doing exactly what he was supposed to do.

In addition to general "opening" of the playbook (as a result of Nolan's trust for Hostler), the team will need to just plain execute better.  Draw plays don't necessarily work if the team is blitzing the gaps (unless you're fortunate enough to be running into a gap they aren't blitzing).  

Play-action (or fakes to Gore) are one step, but the receivers need to create separation and make themselves seen.  Separation (or lack thereof) is one of the downsides to having two "possession" type receivers starting in the base offense.

The team does call passing plays, but Smith ends up checking down most of the time.  Why is that?  What is it that Smith sees?  We can't criticize the performance of Alex unless we see what he sees.  Perhaps there's not much of an open window anywhere.  Of course Vernon's going to say he was open all day.  His interpretation of open and Smith's interpretation can be totally different.  Vernon may not see the safety that's shading him or the linebacker at the END of his route.

The team just needs to execute.  It starts up front with the line and making sure their one (or two) men are blocked well.  It goes to the backs and picking up blitzes.  Lastly, it goes to the wideouts (and tight ends) to create separation and make it be known they're open.

All of my rambling aside, I think the most important thing is for Nolan to allow Hostler to open up the playbook.  I don't know what it'll take to get there, but hopefully Hostler prepares two different game plans for the rest of the year (until then).  Who knows, maybe Nolan will decide that the team needs to open it up at half-time this week against the Steelers.  I hope Hostler will be ready for it.

Obviously, we should all be thrilled to start this season 2-0. It's been a LOOONG time since the Niners have been 2-0 and we should enjoy this ride while we can however, I like most of you am not at all happy with the quality of play this team has exhibited so far this season. Defensively they are much improved, they bent yesterday but did not break which is good.  They are creating turnovers (none bigger than Nate Clements punching the ball out of Holt's hand throuh the end zone for the touch back.) and giving the team a chance to hang around and win ball games.  

The offense on the other hand, has been awful. I've heard alot of people on KNBR bashing Alex Smith today but how is Alex to blame when they dont give him a chance to throw the ball? Those last two drives featured some awful play calling. 3rd and 6, run up the gut, 3rd and 11 in a spot where a first down ends the game, run up the gut. Hostler and more importantly Mike Nolan need to open up this offense.  Give Alex Smith a chance to roll out of the pocket where he is most comfortable and most effective. As Fooch mentioned, Ashley Lelie is the best and perhaps the only deep threat this team has...GET HIM ON THE FIELD!! Take s hot down field, throw one up and see what happens.

Another issue facing this team that I think could be huge is the issue of Vernon Davis' touches. We have seen Vernon has a little bit of TO in him in the past in terms of attitude. He is a guy that could become a malcontent and a huge distraction to this team if he doesnt get the ball more often. Now, Im not suggesting we get him the ball simply to keep him quiet, Im suggesting we get him the ball cause he can play!! He is a big target for Alex, he is too fast for a linebacker and to big for a safety as we saw yesterday when it took 4 guys to tackle him along the sideline.

I will be driving from Rhode Island to Piitsburgh (about 10 hours) this weekend to watch the game at Heinz Field and I wonder about this team's ability to defeat Pittsburgh. The Steelers have looked awesome in their first two games and the Niners have squeaked out two wins. If their offense plays this way against Pittsburgh relentless attacking defense, it could be a long day. Take advantage of the blitzes and use screens passes and quick slant routes to catch them over pursuing. These next 3 weeks are critical as they play three very difficult teams in Pittsburgh, Seattle and Baltimore, if they win 1 of these we should be content with a 3-2 start, anymore than one win in these next 3 would be awesome.

On a brighter note, to end the post, 2-0 is still 2-0.  They have won 2 games to start the year, both in the division and one on the road. As Fooch mentioned, these are games this team wouldnt have won last year. The future looks bright and it feels great to see us alone atop the standings, I dont care how we've played.

As a football coach and an enormous Niners fan, here's my take.  While we all love a feel-good story...inexperienced coach gets his first crack at being the offensive coordinator, ultimately being heralded as one of the greatest young coordinator stories in the history of the NFL.  Ya, I don't think so. Not this round anyway.   It all comes down to this.  Hostler has what is known as a check down system implemented.  For example, Alex takes his normal 3 to 5 step drop and looks for the primary receiver.   If the primary guy is covered he looks for the next guy in line (thus the "check down" strategy), and then finally if he is covered then he will look for his third guy in the priority line (usually a RB out of the backfield) as the last beneficiary.  Here's the deal...Alex has ZERO time, and yes he has been holding on to the ball waaaayyyy too long, so he therefore is not being able to go through his progressions.  Additionally, and maybe the most important point to my ramble, Hostler has the receivers running too deep of routes.  By the time one may have an open window, Alex is already about to hit turf.   What we need faithful are "timing routes".  What ever happened to 3 to 5 step drops, setting your feet and throwing at your receivers break?????  Typically timing routes are what you do as an offensive coordinator when your receivers are being covered well.  Couple last points: 1. Let Alex roll out more.  It is obvious that this is his comfort zone, especially when the defense comes with center blitz packages; 2.  GET VERNON THE BALL! And lastly, 3. Is it just me or does Tully B. look like the slowest guy on the field...oh my god!  I'm sorry but you look at him and you can tell he doesn't know how to eat properly as a professional athlete.  The guy has two faces for cry'n-out-loud!  He has a lot of nerve bragging about his "rushing talents" in training camp.  It's no wonder why the Patriots were so comfortable letting him go.  

First I want to point out that I watched yesterday's game on the internet, which as many of you know can be quite frustrating at times.  But considering the game was not on my dish here, I was happy enough to see my Niners pull out another victory.  Anyway, until I see a replay of the game on NFL network, I will not have an in-depth analysis of game 2.  

That said, it is still pretty obvious to me what is happening/needs to happen.  As sfgfan pointed out, it may not be Hostler's fault that our offense is so anemic.  Nolan may be putting his funk on the playcalling.  All men responsible for our offensive playcalling - Alex, Nolan, Hostler - these guys need to get together and they need to do it quick.

Alex: I start to wonder if he is our guy.  I still believe he is, but thoughts that he isn't are starting to enter my head.  He needs to trust his teammates more.  He needs to trust their route-running, he needs to trust the pass-protection.  Too many times in the first two games did I see him tuck the ball and look for a way out of the pocket.  Nolan and Hostler need to get him more plays rolling out, but they also need to get him to calm down and throw in the pocket more often.

Nolan: I liked your conservative style when we were rebuilding our team.  Your steady, straight-forward nature became a beacon for our team to rally around.  Now comes the time when you need to make your legacy.  Things are starting to fall in place the way you forsaw, now it is time to get this team up to the elite level.

Hostler:  You are not Norv Turner.  Are you looking at plays from last year and just calling them over again?  You need to understand why you are calling the plays you are calling, and if Nolan is holding you back, then you need to not be afraid to step on his toes to get the job done.  

Okay, now that I have that out of my system here is what I see:

Offensive line:  Hasn't quite been what we expected.  I actually like Joe Staley too.  He has been solid for a rookie.  And once Kwame was out, I thought we were finally there.  Well I was wrong.  These guys they need to get more cohesive, they need to do a better job. Period.  Give time to Alex to make plays...make holes for Frank...

Playcalling:  THIS IS NOT MADDEN '08!!!  When teams are keying on Frank, then call some playaction.  When teams are blitzing like crazy, call a screen.  When you call a draw, make sure you have the right defensive look.  Alex needs to read defenses better, but this is not his fault.  AND THROW THE FUCKING BALL DOWNFIELD.  That is the ONLY way to keep defenses honest.  It is kinda like in baseball, if you can't hit a homerun, then a pitcher will not be afraid of throwing certain pitches to you.  We need to throw the ball downfield more than ONCE PER FUCKING GAME!!!  I cannot stress that enough, hence the caps.  Vernon Davis runs a mid 4's 40, so when he says he is open, I gotta believe him.  Who cares if a defender is 5 yards away, throw him the ball.  Let him make plays.  Use him as a reciever, he is as big, strong and fast as some of the best recievers in the game, so don't give me some fucking excuse like the protection happened to break down on that particular play.  Call more plays to Vernon...and not just for my fantasy league.  Run more two-TE sets.  And I want to see Alex throw it up to 1 on 1 coverage more often.  We have big, physical recievers.  Let them go get the ball.  Try throwing the ball to Lelie 40 yards downfield twice in a row.  See what happens to a defense.  See if they continue to load 8 guys in the box.  We have got to make life easier for our best offensive playmaker: Frank "The Tank" Gore.

We came into this year with more offensive weapons, we got rid of our worst lineman and inserted a young stud, and we are absolutely anemic offensively.  This will not stand, so get it right or get out of the way so someone else can.  Who would've thought that our offense and defense would do complete 180's?

As for Pittsburgh, they will be tough.  Just like Fooch, I kinda counted them out at the beginning of the season.  And now they are one of our tougher games.  But we still have a good chance to beat them.  What's that?  You don't believe me?  I am a full believer in what our defense has been doing this year.  Try and convince me Rothelesberger is a better QB than Bulger.  Try and convince me that Willie Parker is a better RB than Steven Jackson.  Try and convince me that Santonio Holmes is a better WR than Fitzgerald, Boldin or Holt.  Try and convince me that their wins over the Browns and the Bills carry ANY weight at all.  No, you will not be able to convince me of any of this...which is why we will have a chance to win the game.  Of course, just like the last few weeks, it will come down to our offense.  If there is a week to open up ALL of the plays in our playbook, this is such a week.

0-0 tie, baby!

First of all let me say I am thrilled to be 2-0. That being said I have been baffled by Vernon Davis's lack of opportunities in the offense. It seems to me that outside of handing the ball off to Gore the 49ers second option should be Davis. The guy creates major mismatches with his speed and size and would be an easy target for Smith. He is obviously faster then most linebackers so I just do not understand his lack of roll in the offense. I heard all these rave reviews about Davis in training camp and he has barely been thrown in the first 2 games. I feel the offense cannot click until the 49ers can get Davis going.

The 49ers could have been scoring 50+ and 0-2.  What would you rather have?  Its been pretty ugly but they are two over .500, first time since probably 2000.  Let's take it.  2 years ago, they were 2-14.  Smith looks bad now, but remember the strike he threw to Battle to get to the goal line last week.  That was a quality throw at a must-have time, the throw of a winner.  Smith will be fine.  

Watch them rock the world next week in Pittsburg (hopefully).

and I appreciate it.

I think that Nolan's ideal kind of quarterback is the guy sitting on the bench, Trent Dilfer. He looks to the Ravens model as the way to get to success. It's all about the risk-reward ratio. Just listen to his press conferences. The ONLY time that he took the reins off the offense was when he was behind in the last three minutes of the Arizona game. He had to! I suspect if the Niners are winning or close against Pittsburgh that he'll continue playing it close. The best chance of seeing a real functioning passing game is for the Niners to fall behind substantially. Unfortunately, those are the circumstances for the offense to fail.

Everything that people point out here is true. The O-line isn't pushing anyone this year, there is no variety or trickery in the game. I was surprised that the breakdown for first down plays over the first two games for the Niners was 22-20 runs to passes. It seemed that every time I looked it was a run.

Here's a thought: How about splitting out Vernon and using him as wide receiver once in awhile? He's faster than the two starting wide receivers and creates an incredible mismatch. If nothing else, it might loosen up the box for that next handoff to Gore.

In Matt Maiocco's most recent blog entry, he discusses the "conservative" flag and has Nolan's reactions to it.

The point that explains it all to me (and one that I agree with), is his response to questions about his confidence in Alex Smith because of all the running plays called at the end of the game:

They would have had a first down, easily, if Frank's 8-yard run hadn't been negated by a penalty.  If they had gotten that first down, the game would have been over (with the Rams having no timeouts and the 49ers in field goal range anyway).

If I had a chance to beat Jim Hostler over the head with a salmon and instill one thought in his mind, that would be it. Teams are going all-in to stop Frank Gore. Frankly (NPI), I can't blame them for this-- you can't let him get to the second level of the defense, or he'll make them look foolish with his footwork and evasive ability.

But the Squared Sevens haven't been making teams pay for this. The defense is set up to be burned on deep passes when they stack 8 and even 9 men in the box, as I saw St. Louis doing yesterday. There were plays on which no defender was more than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage.

I'll concur with the general assessment that the O-line has been terrible to this point. On the rare occasions that Smith gets time, he usually throws a strike. The biggest problem I've noticed is that they're giving so much ground to the pass rush that a. the pocket is too small for Smith to work comfortably in, and b. when a defender does get through, he's on Smith instantly.

Meanwhile, they're getting knocked around in run-blocking situations. Maybe Allen is just too old to be effective anymore.

But overall, the 49ers have got to stretch the field a little more with play-action and deep passes. I haven't seen gameplans this conservative since Richard Nixon phoned in a play during Super Bowl VI.

From where I'm sitting it seems like an impossibility, but there must be some plan at 49er headquarters to try to win. So if you were Nolan, and given you were Nolan, what would you do to beat Pittsburgh?

I'm sure it would involve ball control. But in order to control the ball, they have to execute better, and make more first downs. Which means that the offense has to take more chances just to run a conservative ball control offense.

... blog entry from Matt Maiocco, I think another thing the team needs to do is make sure they catch the balls thrown to them.