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Sunday, December 12, 2010
New stream for second half
49ers drive: Alex Smith didn't throw to the end zone and the 49ers settle for a field goal. Smith finished the half 13 of 20 for 195 yards and three touchdowns. But here's the question, does Troy Smith throw three TD's against the woeful Seattle?
Seattle: Interception by Reggie Smith, the first pick by safety. 49ers are on the 10.49ers drive: Brian Westbrook tremendous 62-yard catch-and-run. A good play between two smart players. Smith recognized blitz, Westbrook got his head around quickly. Where are the boos now? 49ers lead 27-7.
Seattle drive: The 49ers stop them on 4th down and then they went with a fade route to Ruvell Martin. Shawntae Spencer provided the tight coverage that led to the incompletion.
49ers drive: 15-yard TD to Josh Morgan for the score on points after the fumble. The 49ers are doing what you have to do with Alex Smith and that's get yards after the catch. Smith likes to short and the receivers are making him look good by running after the catch. Two terrific moves by Morgan to score. 49ers lead 20-7.
Seattle drive: Travis LaBoy, sack, fumble and recovery. The hat trick. The 49ers have the ball at Seattle 17.
49ers drive: Another field goal for Jeff Reed. The 49ers are up 13-7 after the 44-yard field goal. Ted Ginn Jr. was open on a slant on third down. The ball was behind him, but Ginn has to make that catch. There have been a few drops already. Troy Smith throws a more catchable pass. 49ers 13-17.
Seahawks drive: Lots of confusion on third down on a direct snap to Michael Robinson. Then Robinson let a ball go through his hands for an interception.
49ers drive: The 49ers drive for field goal. Anthony Dixon made a great cut and found an open middle for a big gain. Alex Smith even went down to make a block. He also got blasted on third down. Smith is moving the ball and the 49ers are not doing it with the spread. They are going out of pro set or two-tights formations. 49ers 10-7.
Seahawks drive: Ruvell Martin scored easily on slant-and-go route. Free safety Reggie Smith bit on the pump fake and then slipped behind Smith in the end zone wide open. The fake was so good, it looked like a broken coverage. Smith has to watch more film. Tied 7-7.
49ers drive: Alex got sacked on third down. He held the ball too long. The Seahawks have already blitzed three times. Westbrook has picked up everyone. Chilo Rachal missed his block on Aaron Curry, which led to the sack.
Seattle drive: Guard Mike Gibson had his tail handed to him by Justin Smith. He whiffed twice on Smith. That's a match up to watch. Seattle was forced to punt.
49ers drive: Alex Smith got booed after throwing two straight incompletions to start the game, then led the team down for an opening-drive score. He found Vernon Davis for a 42-yard catch and run against a broken coverage. Terrific blitz pick up by Brian Westbrook on two of the passes to Davis. The other went for 22 yards. 49ers 7, Seattle 0
The 49ers caught a break with Seattle, neither of their big receivers, Mike Williams (ankle) and Ben Obomanu (hand), will play. Both were listed as questionable. Williams has taken over games at times.
| Dec 12 at 02:30 PM
Friday, December 10, 2010
the 49ers playoff scenario
As poorly as the 49ers have played this year, their shot for making the playoffs is somewhere between plausible and pretty good. They can even lose on Thursday night in San Diego and still go. The 49ers need to beat Seattle at home Sunday, and then go to St. Louis and win there and finally, defeat the Cardinals at home to finish the rest of the season 3-1. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have to go on a three-game losing steak starting Sunday. Then they have to lose to the Falcons at home and the Rams on the road.
The Rams must lose to the 49ers, New Orleans on the road, and the Chiefs at home. Under this scenario, all three teams would finish 7-9 and the 49ers would win the tie-breakers. So for the 49ers to go to the playoffs, only one mild upset will need to be pulled off, and that's the 49ers beating St. Louis in Missouri on the day after Christmas.
That task might get harder than everyone might imagine, because at the end of the last game between the Rams and 49ers - a 23-20 49ers win last month - Rams coach Steve Spagnola stood at midfield after the game waiting to shake Mike Singletary's hand. But, Singletary took his sweet time reaching him, first hugging Anthony Davis and then talking to a Rams assistant. A 49ers staff member finally flagged Singletary to finally get him over to shake Spagnola's hand, but you could tell the Rams coach was not happy.
Read More 'the 49ers playoff scenario' »| Dec 10 at 03:17 PM
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Franklin or Francois: Who nose?
Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin hurt his groin on the slipper surface of Lambeau Field on Sunday. He expects to practice today after missing Wednesday's workout, and said he should play Sunday against Seattle.
Man, do the 49ers need Franklin to be right. Because if he's not, it will be difficult for their run defense to get it right against Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, the sort of stretch-and-cut runner that gives them trouble.
"It all starts with the nose," defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said Thursday. "I've been saying that since I got here. Everything acts off it."
When Franklin is in the game, the 49ers' run defense is one of the best in the NFL. Their ability to stop the run on first down is key to them ranking fourth in three-and-outs forced.
What happens when Franklin isn't in the middle? The same thing likely to happen Sunday if he doesn't play. Read More 'Franklin or Francois: Who nose?' »
| Dec 09 at 12:33 PM
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Alex Smith to Sing: "What's changed?"
When 49ers coach Mike Singletary told Alex Smith he was the starting quarterback again, Smith had a simple question as to why he gives the team the best chance to win Sunday, but he didn't, say last week at Green Bay.
"It was definitely my first question: 'What's changed?'" Smith said Wednesday before running the first-team offense for the first time since separating his shoulder Oct. 24, and losing his job once healthy three weeks ago.
"That was definitely something that was on my mind and he made it very clear that was his thinking, that we're going into this game and I gave us the best opportunity. He made the decision, I'm going to get ready to play. We're all going to get ready to go play."
Singletary said what's changed is the 49ers are at the point of the season where they need the entire playbook at their disposal, and that wasn't the case the past five weeks when Troy Smith started and won three games.
Singletary didn't really explain why they didn't need the whole playbook the past couple of weeks, and why they only feel the need to use the whole thing now that they are one loss to Seattle away from postseason elimination. But, whatever.
Alex Smith is the quarterback again, and he appreciates getting one more chance to show what he can do before hitting the free-agent market after this season. Asked if he is a good quarterback, Smith gave this sales pitch, if any potential employers are listening out there:
"Absolutely. I believe I have the ability to make all the throws on the field. I think I can make plays with my feet when I need to. I can handle I think any playbook out there, adjustments you have to make, calls different things, protection adjustments, I think I can. Have I done that consistently? To be honest, no. That's what I need to do."
So what does everyone else say about the latest change at quarterback? Read More 'Alex Smith to Sing: "What's changed?"' »
| Dec 08 at 12:26 PM
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Troy Smith VS. Alex Smith
Here's a brief synopsis of the strengths and weaknesses of Troy Smith and Alex Smith at quarterback and why I think Mike Singletary decided on Alex for this Sunday's must-win game against the Seahawks.
When Alex Smith bounced off the bench last year, he was effective, and let's face it, Troy Smith should have far more than just three interceptions. He's dangerous to the opposition and the 49ers offense, because he can throw a touchdown from anywhere on the field at any time. But he's also capable of making the horrendous mistake. The 49ers just haven't been punished by them as much as they should have. Here are the further strengths and weaknesses of Troy Smith:
Alex is back.
STRENGTHS: He's an unquestioned leader; former Ravens HC Brian Billick called him the most charismatic player he's ever coached and as Billick said, he's been around Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. You could see right away he got the attention of the receiving corps and they played better for him. They didn't drop as many passes and they responded to the belief they could get a pass at any time when Smith dropped to throw. Secondly, Smith has a quick release and a powerful arm. He's also elusive and can sometimes show a cool leadership in the pocket. He loves the deep ball and can make the eye-opening play.
Read More 'Troy Smith VS. Alex Smith' »| Dec 07 at 02:34 PM
Monday, December 06, 2010
Alex Smith - The starter again?
Jason La Canfora of NFL network, the same guy that broke the story on running back Frank Gore's broken hip, is now reporting that Alex Smith will start against the visiting Seahawks this Sunday. How about that?
Will Alex Smith ride again?
Changing Singletary: Mike Singletary has changed. Ever since the Broncos game, Singletary is no longer raging on the sidelines. In fact, cameras no longer look up Singletary every time something goes wrong on the field. The one time he was captured on camera in Sunday's loss against the Packers, Singletary was consoling a volitile Vernon Davis, who exploded on the sidelines after scoring on a 66-yard pass play. Davis looked as if was antimately asking for more passes.
Singletary has made a conscious effort to be calmer. He no longer wants to be a sideline distraction and to have players answer questions about his demeanor.
Also, in news conferences, as the questions get harder about what many believe is his impending unemployment, Singletary stays even-keel. It makes you wonder about him and that he may be maturing into the job. But all this could be happening too late.
| Dec 06 at 09:04 PM
Troy Smith - Still the starter?
Mike Singletary left open the possibility that he could bench Troy Smith. He said he would talk about it with his fellow coaches. However, I wouldn't expect him to make that move. The team probably still wants to see what Smith can do and if he can develop a short passing game.
| Dec 06 at 12:13 PM
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Post game: Packers
Two observations as the 49ers continue to sink in the west. First, Anthony Davis did a fine job on Clay Matthews. Secondly, Mike Singletary has changed. He's no longer a firecracker on the sideline. Ever since the Denver game in London, Singletary has been much more calm.
The loss is attributed to a lack of touchdowns in the red zone and a another disappointment by the defense. For yet another game, they couldn't stop the Packers when they had to, even though Green Bay doesn't really have a head-lining runner.
Other observations:-The 49ers were jumping outsides because Aaron Rodgers was rocking out of his stance. Singletary pointed it out to the referees, but far too late.
-Singletary said he at no point considered taking Troy Smith out of the game. "He made enough plays for me to keep him in," Singletary said.
-Singletary was asked if he's now coaching for his job. He said he coaches for his job every week.
-Pretty good job by kicker Jeff Reed, who made his field goals despite the swirling winds.-Troy Smith only completed 10 passes, and the wind might have been a factor, although it didn't seem affect Aaron Rodgers.
| Dec 05 at 01:29 PM
It's a pick. Game over.
Interception by Nick Collins and it's over. The Packers will take a knee or two. Wait we have review.
49ers drive:Vernon Davis just went to the sideline, it looks like his ankle is acting up again.
Packers drive cont: Packers inside the 49ers 12 again. The Packers are running out the clock just like they did last year. Mason Crosby makes a short field goal its 34-16.
Packers drive cont: It would easy to blame the defense for this loss. They did have a number of breakdowns. But it's hard to play defense with a Troy Smith-led offense because the 49ers either go three and out, or they score quickly on a big play.
Packers drive: The 49ers have this pattern of poo-pooing challenges, like playing in the cold. Then they get tripped up by those challenges. The 49ers defense missed plenty of tackles this afternoon, probably because their hands are frozen. I don't know, however, what they could have done to acclimate.
49ers drive cont: Another three and out. One third down, Smith had a an open Crabtree on a slant, but he didn't throw it. Then he got sacked. He takes a long time to go through his progression; he even does that in practice. The question is, can he learn to get quicker with more experience.
49ers drive: Ted Ginn Jr, a few weeks ago, looked like he was in a slump with his returns. By the last two months he's been excellent. it helps that in the 4th quarter, the 49ers have the wind at their back.
Packers drive: Crosby makes a 43-yarder to make it 31-16. The game is slipping away.49ers drive: Vernon Davis dropped a pass that would have been good for at least 50. Davis hasn't done that much this year. The 49ers are still in this, but not if they go three-and-out. Ginn almost caught a long pass but he couldn't get his second foot down.
49ers drive: I've never seen so many players on the same team run into each other. Ted Ginn Jr. had a return stymied when he ran into Phillip Adams. Earlier, Troy Smith and Antony Dixon ran into Mike Iupati. Wierd.
Packers drive: Touchdown for 2 yards to Greg Jennings. Another big play to Jennings that got the ball to the 49ers' 5. The 49ers safeties are struggling, receivers are consistently getting behind them.
49ers drive: 23-yard field goal by Jeff Reed. The 49ers stall once again inside the 10, and that's where a new quarterback struggles. Troy Smith had an open Crabtree on third down but he missed him while rolling to his right. Sometimes, Smith throws side arm, and when he does, it's usually inaccurate.
Packers drive: Touchdown Donald Driver. The old man broke three tackles and got into the end zone. Driver was left wide open over the middle. A 61-yard score, with Reggie Smith, Dashon Goldson and Nate Clements all missing tackles. So much went wrong on that play, it's hard to know where to start.
| Dec 05 at 01:00 PM
New stream for second half, 49ers trail 14-13
First half assessment: Really interesting half for the 49ers. When the Packers scored again on a 1-yard run to go up 14-6, you thought Green Bay would run away with it, mainly because of the inconsistency of Troy Smith. But then Smith struck with his 66-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis. Smith can look so bad at times, running way into sacks, throwing the ball right into the teeth of the defense. Then he can strike like a bolt of lightening. If ever learned the offense and developed a short passing game, he'd be really dangerous. New steam for the second half.
49ers drive: The 49ers will let the half run out. Vernon Davis is all over the place. Now he's jawing with Clay Matthews.
Packers drive: The 49ers get lucky again. James Jones caught a pass down to the 49ers' 10, but the play was called dead because the 49ers were off-sides. Then they get a three-and-out.
Vernon Davis came off the field and exploded at quarterbacks coach Jason Michael, who's transfers the plays from OC Mike Johnson in the booth. I think Davis was saying that he wants the ball more. Davis has been pass protecting much more in the last few games. He let his frustration out after the TD. He then got a consoling talk from Mike Singletary and tight ends coach Pete Hoener.
49ers drive: TD, Vernon Davis score. A 66-yard score and the 49ers are right back in it. 14-13.
Packers drive: Touchdown John Kuhn. Packers lead 14-6.
Packers drive: Screen to Jackson gets the ball to the 49ers' 1. This game is changing in a hurry.
49ers drive: Bad drive for the 49ers. Anthony Dixon couldn't get his footing on his two carries, and then Troy Smith nearly threw an interception on third down. The momentum is certainly changing. Tarell Brown is back. Dixon is now going to change his kicks.
Packers drive: Big pass (57 yards) to Greg Jennings. They lead 7-6
Nate Clements after hitting the fullback, is down. It looks like a leg injury.
49ers drive: Jeff Reed makes a good on a 44-yard field goal and he looked very solid doing it. Troy Smith engineered the drive by throwing all of his passes on the drive to Michael Crabtree, including one 39-yard completion. Smith also missed on a long pass Crabtree on the first play of the game. 49ers lead 3-0
Linebacker Parys Haralson will not play with his sprained ankle, which means plenty of playing time for Travis LaBoy. The wind is swirling, which should make kicking difficult. Weather is in the 20's with a wind chill to 13 degrees.
| Dec 05 at 11:35 AM
Veteran 49ers writers Kevin Lynch and David White analyze the stats with an insider's insight.
By Kevin Lynch, David White, Read Bios
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