Sunday, September 19, 2010
Another week, another QB leaves with Candlestick Park with a rating over 100, this time Kevin Kolb was the beneficiary as the San Francisco defense allowed him to complete 18/25 passes for 293 yards, 3TDs & 1INT. His one interception came when he rocked and Manny Lawson managed to grab the ball before it hit the turf. Kolb's go guys were Desean Jackson & Jason Avant who both combined for 10 rec and 193yards, consistently moving the chains against the defense.
The only bright spot on the defense was the fact that we managed to stuff Philly's running game by restricting LeSean McCoy to 62 yards of 20 carries and no TDs, but all that means is once teams stop running they start to kill us through the air.
So obviously the secondary is going to be a big issue in the offseason if i cant get some trades done before the deadline this week.
Our offense can be summed up by the fact that Westbrook got only 44 yards on 9 carries with no TDs, and by the stat lines for both QBs:
A. Smith - 8/18 for 79 yards, 1TD, 1INT, 44% cmp, 52.7 passer rating.
T. Smith - 0/5 for 0 yards, 0TD, 0INT, 0%cmp, 39.6 passer rating, 4 rushing attempts for 48 yards.
The only bright spot from a poor game was the fact Ted Ginn returned a kick off 102 yards for a TD.
Next Week
Surely San Francisco can't allow Jason Campbell any success through the air next week, seeing as his stats for the season are:
89/159 for 895 yards, 3TD, 11INT, 49.6 passer rating, Surely not!
SF Injuries:
Takeo Spikes - MLB - [Broken Collarbone (3 weeks)]
Frank Gore - HB - [Broken Hand (7 weeks)]
OAK Injuries:
Cooper Carlisle - OG - [Abdominal Tear (2 weeks)]
Johnnie Lee Higgins - WR - [Partial PCL Tear (8 weeks)]
Friday, September 17, 2010
A heartbreaking loss in OT drops the Niner's to a 2-2 record after a promising 2-0 start. It was a close game with San Fran always playing catch up, before tying the game deep in the 4th quarter to force OT, and even the San Fran had a chance to win the game in normal time but Nedney dragged his kicked wide with time expiring.
In the 4th quarter i decided to switch Alex and Troy Smith around in order to get some dynamism from Troy and it payed off when he scrambled, bought time and found a streaking Ted Ginn for the game tying TD. A word about Ginn, he absolutely owned the slot again today gaining an unbelievable 255 yards from 4 rec for an average of 63.2 yards per catch, not to mention 3TDs. Westbrook did fairly well too gaining 96 yards on 17 attempt for an average of 5.6, while the rookie Anthony Dixon picked up 45 yards on 9 attempts.
Looking at Atlanta, Matt Ryan was dominant through the air, going 16/29 for 365 yards, 2TDs and a passer rating of 94.4, the 1st QB not to get at least 100 against us. That was down to the 2 picks he threw to Nate Clements, one of which Clements took to the house! Roddy White was Ryan's favourite target picking up 225 yards and a 1TD of 6 receptions.
However the real reason we lost today was because of one man: Micahel Turner, who was an absolute beast out there picking up 219 yards on just 24 attempts for an unbelievable average of 9.1 yards per carry, not to mention 3TDs.
Next Week
SF Injuries:
Takeo Spikes - MLB - [Broken Collarbone (4 weeks)]
Frank Gore - HB - [Broken Hand (8 weeks)]
PHI Injuries:
Akeem Jordan - OLB - [Dislocated Kneecap (1 week)]
Thursday, September 16, 2010
A loss that brutally exposed San Francisco for what they are at this point in time: a 1 dimensional team.
The run game was locked down by Kansas City from the beginning and they held Frank Gore to a measly 20 yards on 9 carries before he was knocked out the game in the 3rd quarter. His replacement Westbrook found it a lot harder to maintain his pre-season form against this defense and he was was held to 20 yards on 8 carries, rounding up a miserable day for the much vaunted Niner's ground attack.
The main reason for the run game being so ineffective is the lack of experience from Iupati and Davis, who were beaten by the Chief's d-line all day long and even had Gore knocked out of the game from a brutal hit by Glyn Dorsey who beat Iupati to get to Gore. Despite the fact their mistakes today means that Frank Gore will now miss 9 weeks with a broken hand, I know with time they'll both get better and so i'm not too worried about their growing pains. What i am worried about is what happens when our run game becomes poor without Gore, because today when Alex Smith was forced to start passing, he was constantly harassed by the Chief's who only allowed him to complete 10/22 passes for 126 yards, with 2INT & 1TD which was to Ted Ginn ,whose speed has the potential to be a game changer when he lines up in the slot, he flat out burnt Eric Berry for a 60yd TD today.
All the knocks Smith took forced him out of the game with 5 minutes left with an abdominal tear, at which point Troy Smith came into the game and sparked a mini comeback by moving the ball effortlessly down the field on a drive which ended with him connecting with Crabtree for a 12 yd TD. What impressed about Troy Smith,was the fact that despite the o-line's problems his mobility allowed him to make plays and he picked up 36 yards, nearly Gore and Westbrook's yards put together, on just 2 runs, so look for Smith to get more reps if our o-line and Alex Smith continue to struggle.
For all of the problems on offense for San Fran, the defense needs to take some of the blame too, as they allowed Cassell to go 19/29 for 328 yards, 3TDs & 1INT from Terrell Thomas for a rating of 123.9. This pass defense problem is becoming a real concern as every QB we've played leaves with a rating over 100, which is worrying. To add insult to injury Thomas Jones who i wrote off in the preview had a monster day with a combined 163 yards from scrimmage and 3TDs!
Next Week
SF Injuries:
Takeo Spikes - MLB - [Broken Collarbone (5 weeks)]
Frank Gore - HB - [Broken Hand (9 weeks)]
ATL Injuries:
Will Svitek - OT - [Dislocated Kneecap (3 weeks)]
Kerry Meier - WR - [Complete ACL Tear (Season)]
A brilliant game that saw San Francisco lay down a marker of intent to the rest of the league.
It started with New Orleans getting very lucky on their first possession, when the Niner's nickelback Shawntae Spencer looked to have given San Fran a lead after recovering a fumble and taking it in for the score, only for the video judge to decide the New Orleans' was player down before the fumble. After this Bree's connected on a 69 yard bomb with Marques Colston to give the Saint's the lead, but that was the last pass completeion over 30 yards San Fran allowed with Spencer even getting a pick 6 on the next possession to make it 7 a piece. Frank Gore was getting stuffed on the ground as New Orleans had clearly done their homework and just packed the box with 7/8 players and so were able to drop Gore and Smith when he dropped back to pass.
However Smith connected on a 67yd screen pass to Gore who took for the TD just before halftime, a play which made the Saint's think twice about stuffing the box.
In the second half the San Fran D took over and Patrick Willis was everywhere and ended the game with 10 tackles with 3 for a loss, the rookie Bowman played well too and even got a sack on 4th and long to end a Saints drive with less than 2 minutes to go. Frank Gore ripped off an 80yd run in the 4th quarter when he was supposed to be running out the clock which allowed the Saints to get a quick score and try for the onside kick which thankfully failed and San Francisco managed to hold on for a big win!
Alex Smith ended the game 6/11 for 119 yards, 2TDs & 1INT for a rating of 94.3 while Brees was 28/42 for 460 yards but only 2TDs &1INT for a rating of 109.2. Frank Gore was brilliant today as well with 16 rushing attempts going for 134 yards, 1TD & 8.3 yard per carry average whereas Pierre Thomas was absolutely stuffed by the San Fran D and he ended with 2 more attempts than Gore for nearly a 100 yards less at [188 att/39yd] despite getting a TD as well.
Next Week
It should be an easier game next week as San Francisco travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the 0-2 Chiefs. Kansas City have been having problems with their running game with Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles combining for only 102 yards so far this season. Despite their offensive woes the defense, led by Tamba Hali, looks like it can play when it wants to so that looks interesting.
SF Injuries:
Takeo Spikes - MLB - [Broken Collarbone (6 weeks)]
KC Injuries:
Jerheme Urban - WR - [Broken Ankle (Season)]
Maurice Leggett - CB - [Pinched Nerve {neck} (Season)]
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The first game of the season happens to be at divisional rivals Seattle. Look for both teams to try gain the upper hand in the division by starting of their respective seasons with a W. San Francisco will be starting rookies at the LG, RT, MLB & the SS position with Iupati, Davis, Bowman & Mays respectively, so look for there to be a rude awakening for these youngsters as their first game is against divisional rivals.
SF Injuries:
Takeo Spikes - MLB - [Broken Collarbone (8 weeks)]
SEA Injuries:
Charlie Whitehurst - QB - [Compound Fracture (Season)]
RESULT
The only way to describe this game is as a physical beatdown handed out by the Niner’s to their NFC West rivals the Seahawks today. San Fran were just quicker, stronger and just that bit sharper today in most aspects of the game. The run defense was on top form holding Justin Forsett to just 24 yards on 11 attempts for a 2.1 yard avg. The defense also got to Matt Hasselbeck for an amazing eight sacks with the first sack from rookie Navorro Bowman resulting in a safety which was San Fran’s first points of the day. Nate Clements also managed to intercept Hasselbeck in a lopsided first quarter which led to the Niner’s racing out into a ? lead. Despite all the good work by the defense, the pass defense is still suspect because despite the beating Hasselbeck took from the San Francisco defense, he still managed to pass for 289 yards on the day with rookie Golden Tate hauling in just 2 receptions but for 109 yards.
The win, however wasn’t just down to the defense as Frank ‘The Inconvenient Truth’ Gore had a huge day on the ground picking up 203 yards rushing and 2 TDS, with one being a 57 yard score. Alex Smith put his pre-season propensity for throwing interceptions behind him as compiled a steady record of 10/15 for 138 yards, 1TD, a rating of118.2 and most importantly no picks. This is exactly what I need from Smith, I don’t need to win games on his arm I just need him to not lose them with wild plays.
As satisfying as the victory was, I already mentioned the susceptibility of the pass defense to big plays and it looks like this susceptibility is going to be tested to the absolute maximum next week as we welcome the 1-0 Saints to Candlestick Park. The Saints of course are going to be led by Drew Brees, who threw for 315 yards and 4TDs in their loss against Minnesota!
SF Injuries:
Takeo Spikes - MLB - [Broken Collarbone (7 weeks)]
NO Injuries:
Jonathan Casillas - ROLB - [Fractured Foot (Season)]
@ OAK - L: 16-17
vs SD - W: 19-3
which left San Francisco with a 3-1 record so now onto the regular season.
After being told he was going to start against the Vikings, Taylor Mays decided to show his eagerness to impress by forcing a fumble from Favre with a huge hit on the 2nd play of the game, the fumble was returned for a TD by big Jean-Francois, a player I have high hopes for. On their 2nd possession Minnesota ended up missing a field goal which San Fran good field position on their first offensive possession. However this turned out to be good field position for Vikings as Smith was hit and Ray Edwards caught the ball as it left Smith’s hand and didn’t have too far to go to run it in for the levelling score.
After that crazy start the game settled down and despite multiple turnovers from both sides especially the QBs, I was, if not impressed then mildly satisfied with the effort especially from some of the rookies, with Myron Rolle picking up a sack on mobile Tarvaris Jackson, Phillip Adams forcing a fumble on special teams, and Anthony Dixon with some impressive downhill running.
Unfortunately, it's very rare to go through pre season with no injuries and after losing Parys Haralson for the rest of pre season, the Niner's got a huge blow after the game when it was revealed that starting linebacker Takeo Spikes is going to miss the next 10 weeks with a broken collarbone. This saddening news means that rookie 3rd round pick Navorro Bowman is going to have step up and perform, having now been thrust into the spotlight earlier that anyone anticipated.
Highlights
Mays' with a crushing hit on Favre, Ricky Jean-Francois with the scoop and score
Smith gets rocked, and Edwards shows quick reactions to snag the ball and run it in for the score
Feet don't fail me now! Look at the big fella go, Ray McDonald recover the ball and take off and get stopped just short of scoring
Gore again showing what he can do after taking a screen pass from Smith 31 yards for the score
Westbrook continues his feasting on 2nd string D's, ripping off a 66 yard TD run
Anthony Dixon showing the physical style i want this team to adopt on this TD run, look at the way he just shrugs off Abdullah on his way in for the score
Mays' with a crushing hit on Favre, Ricky Jean-Francois with the scoop and score
Spoiler
Smith gets rocked, and Edwards shows quick reactions to snag the ball and run it in for the score
Spoiler
Feet don't fail me now! Look at the big fella go, Ray McDonald recover the ball and take off and get stopped just short of scoring
Spoiler
Gore again showing what he can do after taking a screen pass from Smith 31 yards for the score
Spoiler
Westbrook continues his feasting on 2nd string D's, ripping off a 66 yard TD run
Spoiler
Anthony Dixon showing the physical style i want this team to adopt on this TD run, look at the way he just shrugs off Abdullah on his way in for the score
Spoiler
These were the offers I got in return:
Spoiler
From the options that were on the table, I went an did a bit of research which revealed to me the best choice moving forward was Thomas from the Giants. I didn’t only go for him because he was the highest rated but because he had the characteristics I’m looking for namely, strength [64], awareness [76], tackling [70], power [77], stamina [95] as well as good pursuit [85], play recognition [86], zone [89] and man coverage [83]. Add in the fact he’s still 25 years old, 6’0, 199lbs and scheduled to make $850k, and I thinks it’s a good move.
In other news i also picked up Myron Rolle, the rookie who was cut by the Titans as i feel he has high potential and could give me more depth in a now very young safety corps. It's a 1 year deal he's signed to, so if he plays well he'll get an extension in the off season, if he doesn't, he'll probably become a doctor a lot quicker than he anticipated
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
V
NFL Scoreboard - SAN FRANCISCO (0-0) at INDIANAPOLIS (0-0)
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This first pre-season game taught me 3 things about this team:
a) The pass defense is abysmal
b) The running game was always going to be the bread & butter for this team, but I didn’t expect to have a 3 headed monster in Gore, Westbrook & Dixon.
c) The returning game is threatening to be most explosive part of this team.
In regards to point a), that stats tell the story, anytime you give up touchdowns of 45, 47, 97 & 33yds through the air in 1 game you’re either in trouble or the QB is having a monster day. Now I could understand when we were getting shredded by Peyton Manning in the 1st half, but when Curtis Painter comes and is throwing 97yd strikes, questions have got to be asked. The thing that makes even worse is that the fact that d-line was actually creating quick pressure on the QBs and yet they were still able to find open receivers quickly for big gains. Look for San Francisco to maybe trade for some depth in the secondary.
In regards to point b) once again the stats tell the story with Westbrook absolutely feasting on the Indianapolis 2nd string defense in the second half, the highlight being a 57yd TD. Gore also would have notched a long 75 yd TD in the 1st half against the Colts 1st string defense as well, if it wasn’t for a clipping foul called on a Niner’s receiver. Anthony Dixon also showed his capabilities as a power back by punching in a TD from 2 yards out.
However it was the return game that looked the most impressive to me with the rookie Kyle Williams and Ted Ginn both looking electric every time they got the ball. Ginn got San Francisco’s first points on the board with a 95yd return that left defenders in his wake, while Williams was also just one broken tackle away from taking to the house, after twice being tackled by the kicker!
Another intriguing point to mention is the disappointing performance by franchise QB Alex Smith and the excellent mobility and grit shown in a fairly decent performance by free agent pick up Troy Smith when he came on.
Highlights
Manning hooks up with Reggie for a 45yd TD to set the tone for the Indy air attack
Gore's effort on this excellent TD run was unfortunately negated due to a clipping penalty
Ginn's electric 95yd TD kickoff return
Westbrook goes 57yds on the ground for the TD
Troy Smith with a 63yd TD toss to Crabtree after being put in, in the 2nd half
Spoiler
Gore's effort on this excellent TD run was unfortunately negated due to a clipping penalty
Spoiler
Ginn's electric 95yd TD kickoff return
Spoiler
Westbrook goes 57yds on the ground for the TD
Spoiler
Troy Smith with a 63yd TD toss to Crabtree after being put in, in the 2nd half
Spoiler
Monday, September 13, 2010
No1; We go out and we hit people in the mouth.
No2; This is not a charity therefore we do not give people the game
No3; We Execute.
In order to perform to this ideals the team is going to be built using tough, blue collar players with good work ethics,speed, stamina & strength.
Rd 1, Pk 11 - Anthony Davis – T - Rutgers
Rd 1, Pk 17 - Mike Iupati – G - Idaho
Rd 2, Pk 17 - Taylor Mays - S - USC
Rd 3, Pk 27 - Navorro Bowman - OLB - Penn State
Rd 6, Pk 4 - Anthony Dixon - RB - Mississippi State
Rd 6, Pk 13 - Nate Byham - TE - Pittsburgh
Rd 6, Pk 37 - Kyle Williams - WR - Arizona State
Rd 7, Pk 17 - Phillip Adams - CB - South Carolina State
Game: Madden NFL 11
Console: PS3
Team: San Francisco
Sliders: Jd_Seven’s
Trade Deadline: On (pre-set off)
Qtr. Length: 10 mins.
Acc. Clock: 25 secs.
Cap: On
Console: PS3
Team: San Francisco
Sliders: Jd_Seven’s
Trade Deadline: On (pre-set off)
Qtr. Length: 10 mins.
Acc. Clock: 25 secs.
Cap: On
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