This is my concern. Mike has always been a tough hard nosed guy... old school like Ditka and Butkus and the rest of them. He was able to instill new life into the team because last year they lacked discipline and fire. But, too much of this can rub players the wrong way since a lot of them are prima dona, "me first" type of players. Rookies as well, they will either take to always being screamed and thrive, or shrivel under the pressure. We will see soon where this team goes. It doesn't help that they don't really have a game changer.
SF 49ers: 2009-2010
- Thread starter VF21
- Start date
Debuting against Houston, I hope Crabtree just gets his feet wet, maybe haul in a decent catch or two or a few nice blocks w/o being a total non-factor. He'll be in his home state (born and raised in Dallas) so that's a plus but also some first game pressure. Now, if he explodes on the scene at anytime this season then all the waiting and hype could be soon forgotten.
As an incredible college receiver at TX-Tech and Biletnikoff Award winner only he can end the endless holdout weeks of "Crap-tree!" sounded by a lot of Niners fans. Lastly, while sitting on the sidelines Sunday I hope Mikey the rookie pays extra close attention to the NFL's best wide-out (or easily top 3) Andre Johnson of the Texans. Crabtree can learn a lot by watching that big, fast and highly dangerous weapon.
As an incredible college receiver at TX-Tech and Biletnikoff Award winner only he can end the endless holdout weeks of "Crap-tree!" sounded by a lot of Niners fans. Lastly, while sitting on the sidelines Sunday I hope Mikey the rookie pays extra close attention to the NFL's best wide-out (or easily top 3) Andre Johnson of the Texans. Crabtree can learn a lot by watching that big, fast and highly dangerous weapon.
Smith played great, it looks like maybe now with some real weapons he might have finally got it after 2 years of sitting and learning and getting his shoulder better. He played like a real NFL qb, and he can make all the throws. He got the ball to Morgan, Crabtree, and Vernon down the field. I want to see him play like this again. He needs to be the starter.
Shaun 3 and out Hill was holding our offense back. Had Battle not fumbled that punt(which he should've just let hit the ground), and had Smith started, we probably would've won. Oh well though. I don't expect a win vs Indy, but if Smith can play like he did for most of today we might have a shot. It'd be nice.
Shaun 3 and out Hill was holding our offense back. Had Battle not fumbled that punt(which he should've just let hit the ground), and had Smith started, we probably would've won. Oh well though. I don't expect a win vs Indy, but if Smith can play like he did for most of today we might have a shot. It'd be nice.
I think Smith's game matches up better with Houston (especially when trying to come from behind) than with other teams, so while I hope he can continue to play like that if he gets in again I'm not going to count on it.
We'll see what Singletary does. This might have been a matchup/shakeup move just for one half, but with how well Smith played he might seriously have to consider making it permanent.
And overall not too bad of a game by the defense. This team can still compete for the NFC West, but it will be difficult with all the tough games coming up.
We'll see what Singletary does. This might have been a matchup/shakeup move just for one half, but with how well Smith played he might seriously have to consider making it permanent.
And overall not too bad of a game by the defense. This team can still compete for the NFC West, but it will be difficult with all the tough games coming up.
I have never liked Alex Smith, which most of you know. What impressed me the most was how he came in, totally prepared and ready, when there was no reason ahead of time for him to even hope he'd be seeing major minutes on the field. THAT freaking impresses the hell out of me.
He looked good. He looked in control and he looked sure of himself and his receivers.
If the stars are finally aligned for Smith to prove why he was picked #1, so be it. I'm really enjoying what I'm seeing...and most of all, I'm thrilled that "there ain't no quit" in them.
NINERS!!!!
He looked good. He looked in control and he looked sure of himself and his receivers.
If the stars are finally aligned for Smith to prove why he was picked #1, so be it. I'm really enjoying what I'm seeing...and most of all, I'm thrilled that "there ain't no quit" in them.
NINERS!!!!
Nice game by Alex but... could someone explain to me what happened on at least two occasions as the play clock was winding down he walked away from the line w/o calling a time-out - I know they had one - and got penalty for delay of game? Then it happened again but I can't remember the exact situation. Did he not have right players in, right set, right play call, or some kind of sideline miss communication?
Had delay of game on both I think. It seems like they were slow getting the right package of players in (probably because they don't practice that style of offense too often) and Smith couldn't make up for it and get them to the line for the snap in time. They were snapping the ball late in the play clock a lot in the second half. Smith has to pay closer attention but I put most of that on the playcalling being too slow.
As to why he walked away without calling a timeout, I thought that was pretty smart. They needed to move the ball downfield, and losing 5 seconds and 5 yards wasn't that big of a deal to waste a timeout on. They ended up making up the 5 yards, plus they still had that timeout on the last drive and it could have made a big difference.
As to why he walked away without calling a timeout, I thought that was pretty smart. They needed to move the ball downfield, and losing 5 seconds and 5 yards wasn't that big of a deal to waste a timeout on. They ended up making up the 5 yards, plus they still had that timeout on the last drive and it could have made a big difference.
Yeah. He played pretty well. Jimmy Raye is killing our offense. It seems like every time we run, we run out of the I formation. That makes us way to predictable. We don't run to the outside at all, it's always straight up the middle. Our offense would've looked better though had the OL played better and had Bruce not dropped 3 passes, or if Crabtree hadn't fumbled, etc. It seemed like every time we had the ball we made a critical mistake. Jones fielding the punt at the 6 vs letting it go into the end zone for a touchback, Vernon's false start in the first half, Morgan's 15 yard celebration penalty on Vernon's TD that let Indy get into FG position with only like a minute left. Bruce dropping passes that would've resulted in 1st downs, Crabtree fumbling, Smith's INT off Crabtree's hands, Baas's BS holding call that negated a 15-20 yard pass, etc. We just made too many mistakes, and our OL is not built for power running. We need to split Vernon out wide more, whenever we do that something positive seems to happen.
I honestly think Bruce should probably be cut, or atleast get less snaps. The guy dropped like 4 slants from Hill when he was the QB, and now he's dropped 2 or 3 critical passes today, it seems like every week he drops the ball. He used to be a great player but his hands have turned to stone which is unfortunate. We need WRs who can stretch the field and have good hands.
Barry Sims played really well vs Dwight Freeney. Baas didn't play very well, neither did Rachal, and neither did Snyder. OL isn't very good but oh well.
Luckily the really tough part of the schedule is kind of over, we have some hard games left but these last few were kind of like murderer's row with MN, ATL, and Indy. Next game is against TN at home, hopefully we can get a win and get back to .500.
This team is built to play close games. If too many breaks go against them or they lose the turnover battle (or both), then they will lose. But this is exactly the kind of game they want to play. Take away the turnovers and miscues mentioned by BMiller52 in this game and the crazy play at the end of the Vikings game and the 49ers would have beaten the two teams with the most wins in the league.
I sure wish they could get some consistent running going, but overall I still think they're headed in a good direction.
I sure wish they could get some consistent running going, but overall I still think they're headed in a good direction.
Yeah, I think you're right. Barring defensive and special team TD's the niners aren't going to be blowing anybody out on offense alone. I liken this team to a less talented Ravens team that won the Super Bowl. That team obviously had a superior defense, but I would say our offenses are similar and game management is similar. Keep it close, control the ball, no turnovers and rely on D to keep us in the game.
Besides, it took a "gimmick" play for the Colts to get their last TD. I mean when have you ever seen a Peyton Manning led team use a half back option. Some very encouraging things to take away from the game.
As an aside, it was finally nice to be able to watch a Niner game out here in WV. If the Niners end the season well, they might just convince me to get the Sunday Ticket next year.
Besides, it took a "gimmick" play for the Colts to get their last TD. I mean when have you ever seen a Peyton Manning led team use a half back option. Some very encouraging things to take away from the game.
As an aside, it was finally nice to be able to watch a Niner game out here in WV. If the Niners end the season well, they might just convince me to get the Sunday Ticket next year.
Easy now!!
Thursday Nov 12th, 5m pst the Niners (and I) will be at the Stick against the Bears, NFL Network and on Monday Dec 14th at 6pm pst, on MNF, ESPN
I think these qualify as "Nationally Televised" as will the playoff games in January!!
NINERS!!!!!
Heck, if they keep playing well, they might just make some nationally televised games next year.
m pst the Niners (and I) will be at the Stick against the Bears, NFL Network and on Monday Dec 14th at 6pm pst, on MNF, ESPNI think these qualify as "Nationally Televised" as will the playoff games in January!!
NINERS!!!!!
Yeah, he did the same things today that he did a couple weeks ago to make people happy, but he also did some stuff that makes you kick a tree. He's still better than he was, but only by a little.
Still, it's another one of those games that is close and the turnover battle wins or loses it. I'm disappointed the defense hasn't been getting many turnovers.
Last edited:
Yeah, he did the same things today that he did a couple weeks ago to make people happy, but he also did some stuff that makes you kick a tree. He's still better than he was, but only by a little.
Still, it's another one of those games that is close and the turnover battle wins or loses it. I'm disappointed the defense hasn't been getting many turnovers.
