49ers 17 - Rams 16: Better to be lucky than good

by Fooch on Sep 16, 2007 1:35 PM PDT in News

Your 2007 49ers are officially the walking, breathing embodiment of that cliche. The 49ers will come home with yet another ugly, craptastic victory and although I'm only 28, I lost 10 years of my life with that one. But as I said last week, a win is a win is a win is a win. Just repeat that to yourself when you look back at a game that the 49ers won by literally the few inches from which Jeff Wilkins missed that field goal.

We'll deal with the crappy play-calling and annoying lack of bump and run coverage tomorrow. For now, let's enjoy the victory and look at the positives:

The 49ers are 2-0 for the first time 1998. Divisional road wins are absolutely huge, and even more so for a young team trying to make a name for itself. We've only played 2 weeks, but the 49ers are winning games that they would most definitely have lose in the last few years.
By winning these ugly games now, the team has bought some time for the offense to catch up to the defense. I'd love everything to be clicking on all cylinders from the get-go, but obviously that is not happening. Instead, the team has been quite awful on offense and yet they're still 2-0. I'll take that every day of the week. I'm still convinced this offense will come around, so as long as we're winning in the meantime, I'll be fine.

Game Balls
Frank Gore - Gore struggled for much of the game, but getting those 2 TDs for Liz makes this an easy choice. That 43 yard touchdown may have been the best run of his young career as he bulldozed through the line and broke several tackles to break away for the touchdown. We wish him all the best while he handles his business down in Miami.

Special Teams - Aside from the penalty on the kickoff at the end of the game, special teams won this game in the end. Andy Lee's 70 yard punt was just filthy. Joe Nedney drilled the game winner. The coverage on kickoffs and punts was a difference maker, especially considering Dante Hall was back there. Speaking of which...

Dante Hall - Just a miserable performance by Hall gets him a game ball. The fumble was huge, but he did absolutely nothing all day as the 49ers return coverage could not possibly be any better after two games. Obviously they'll give up some big plays on special teams at some point, but for now I'm absolutely loving it.

Pass Rush - Statistically, Marc Bulger lit up the 49ers with 368 yards. However, much of those came on money passes as he was getting absolutely leveled. Even though he got his yards, the 49ers defense made sure he paid for it as he will probably spend the rest of the day in a bath of ice. BY and Sopoagao made big plays and the linebackers teed off on Bulger for 6 sacks and double digit hits.

YOU GUYS - How's about 480 comments as of right now in the game thread? Next time, I'll probably open up a new thread after like 350 comments. We shattered all of our previous comments records and I'm sure it's only going to get better as the season continues.

As always, I'll be back with more analysis tomorrow but suffice it to say, I'm not a smoker and yet I feel like I need a cigarette after that game...or maybe a stiff drink to calm the nerves. It's been rather ugly to watch so far, but the San Francisco 49ers are 2-0 as they head into Heinz Field next week. An offensive performance like these last two weeks will not cut it against the Steelers defense. But for now I'll just hold out hope that the offense figures out whatever is wrong. So go out and enjoy the rest of the day with your 2-0 49ers.

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Another check in the win column

Wow, that was an ugly one. It feels less like we won and more like we just didn't lose. Nevertheless, to be 2-0 against division rivals right now puts us in a great position to make a playoff run this year. So on that note, I'm opening another beer. Go Niners!

by Call It The Throw on Sep 16, 2007 1:44 PM PDT 0 recs

lame ball for Brandon Williams

the other dark spot on a pretty good performance by the ST.

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 Sep 16, 2007 1:47 PM PDT 0 recs

2-0

As frustrated as I am with the play calling, we are 2-0. So we have that going for us, which is nice. And not just 2-0, but 2-0 in the division.

All that said, I want to see what Nolan says about the play calling this week. Last week there were some outs he could use to explain it, but I don't see that this week. Did anyone else feel like we had Mooch leading this team again. As I remember it, the Mooch special was running on 2nd and long for no more than a couple yards.

Way to go Lee, and way to go every guy who knocked Bulger down. He'll still be hurting a few weeks from now hopefully.

Fire Hostler Now.

by marcello on Sep 16, 2007 1:53 PM PDT 0 recs

That is my exact memory of Mariucci

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

by howtheyscored on Sep 16, 2007 5:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

The spin on post-game show

The spin on KNBR 1050's post-game show is that the play-calling is so conservative because the coaches don't trust Smith. That is, the reason why they keep doing the ol' "run, run, short pass, punt" is because they are afraid of Smith screwing things up. I think he had less than a hundred yards after deducting sacks.

If that's the problem then this is my solution, if they really think that Smith is not going to be able to lead this team, then put in a lot of quarterback sprint outs and run him on passing downs. He'll either loosen up the defense or he'll get injured and they can put Dilfer in.

+++

But I don't think that's the problem.

I think there are major problems in the O-line. For the second straight game Heitmann isn't keeping anyone out, and Jennings and Allen just aren't moving anyone anymore. I don't care how much you can bench press. They are not opening up holes for Gore and they are not giving Smith time for his routes to open up. This is compounded by running such a conservative offense that when third down rolls around everyone knows that he's going to have to pass. The only surprise is whether the Niners give up and run on third and eight.

If Smith is truly an NFL quarterback, let him open up the game plan and start throwing. ON FIRST DOWN.

Oh, and run plays with Delanie Walker a target. And Lelie, too.

How many drops did the Niners have today?

by Bob In Pacifica on Sep 16, 2007 2:19 PM PDT 0 recs

Agree completely.

Alex Smith simply isn't getting any help from his offensive line or his recievers. Again, he was often pressured before he even had a chance to throw, and when he could, there were more drops (including another potential long gain dropped by Jackson on a picture perfect throw). Or a penalty by Jennings to wipe out a good throw and catch.

The O-line can't get him enough time to get the ball down the field. Again, Smith's only turnover was on a sack and fumble. That sack was against Heitmann, who also ruined the reverse to Jacobs (which would have been a long gain) by missing his block against only defender on that side of the field.

Of course, it doesn't help that the line can't open any holes for Gore either, which would take some pressure off the passing game and leave less 3rd and long's. Or that before every play, Smith has to tell Davis where to line up -- and still he manages to line up incorrectly in a crucial spot (at least I think it was him).

As 49er fans, we expect and accept only the best QB play, but I think the people who place the blame for this team's offensive struggles on Smith simply aren't savvy enough to recognize either how important offensive line play is, or how poor this line is playing right now.

"You gotta bring ass, to get ass." --EDDIE DeBARTOLO JR.

by Josh from Hollywood on Sep 16, 2007 2:56 PM PDT up 0 recs

Enough time?

I agree to a point...the O-line wasn't exactly great today. But I also got the feeling that Alex wasn't making much of the time he had. There were a number of plays where Alex had all kinds of time and would just hold on to the ball until the pocket collapsed around him. The O-line needs to play better, but Smith also needs to make plays when he has the chance.

by Call It The Throw on Sep 16, 2007 3:00 PM PDT up 0 recs

I agree...to a point.

There were a couple of occasions where I felt he held the ball too long, what we don't know was what he saw downfield. There was one 3rd down play in particular where I thought he should've either thrown it away instead of taking a sack which knocked them out of field position. But on the whole, he was forced to move his feet too early too often to get into a any kind of comfort zone.

"You gotta bring ass, to get ass." --EDDIE DeBARTOLO JR.

by Josh from Hollywood on Sep 16, 2007 3:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

What to do about the O-line

Smiley had his problems last week but I didn't see anything too bad by him this week (of course, how much can you see on TV?). Staley seemed solid this week, at least from what I saw.

I think Vernon's problems with the playbook are troubling. If he isn't lining up correctly, is he running his routes correctly? If he isn't how about putting in Walker to run a few patterns? I am beginning to think that Davis' lack of action may be due to him. I suspect we'll be hearing from other teams if that's true.

I don't think integrating Lelie and D. Walker into the offense should be so hard, but then the way things are getting executed, maybe there are more problems than we know.

The conservative play-calling isn't the only problem, but it makes things worse. After all, Walsh won a Super Bowl with no true first-string running back, so we're used to the pass setting up the run here in SF, which is the opposite of old school thinking. But everyone mixes it up these days. Seventeen pass attempts for the whole game? How about the single wing?

I am afraid that Jennings and Allen are suddenly football old. Maybe all the time off during preseason and they're not up to speed. Maybe they need more substitutions on the line throughout the game to give more push on Gore's inside runs. They need more play fakes on pass plays, more sprint outs.

I also wonder how much of Taylor Jacobs's #3 receiver ranking is due to Nolan's pique against Lelie. And how many plays besides the end around was Jacobs even in?

You cannot go into Pittsburgh and go three and out over and over and expect to win.

by Bob In Pacifica on Sep 16, 2007 3:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

Exactly

If Smith sucks so badly, get him out of there and put Dilfer in. If not, let Smith show what he can do by rolling him out, using more shotgun formations and getting the ball to fucking Vernon Davis.

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 Sep 16, 2007 9:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

Arizona's beating Seattle

17-0. We could be all alone in the West.

by Bob In Pacifica on Sep 16, 2007 2:22 PM PDT 0 recs

And how about a game ball for Andy Lee?

I was among those of us who criticized the team for throwing money at a punter. I know when I'm wrong. Our special teams play has been fantastic so far this season, and Lee is a large part of that success. A 75 yard punt? Are you kidding?

by Call It The Throw on Sep 16, 2007 2:41 PM PDT 0 recs

Special Teams

I gave a game ball to special teams as a whole, but he definitely should get one by himself. He was money today.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Sep 16, 2007 2:55 PM PDT up 0 recs

8 punts today

that's a lot and a sign of shitty offense that goes 3 and out a lot.

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 Sep 16, 2007 9:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

another feel bad win

playcalling was terrible. we have a mobile quarterback, let him run and give him some bootlegs and such. we have a really fast receiver. put him in the game. make him go long. we have a freak for a tight end. design some more plays to get him the ball. throw it to him over the middle when he's being covered by a linebacker.

instead of game balls I'll be giving out smacks on the back of the head:

Smack! Brandon Williams, you suck. let the ball bounce if you can't catch it.

Smack! offensive line, wake up. open some damn holes. protect the quarterback.

Smack! Alex Smith, you can run. When all your receivers are covered get the heck out of dodge. stop standing around and getting sacked. sometimes it's better to step UP rather than retreating farther and farther from the line of scrimmage.

SMACK!!! Double SMACK! Jim Hostler, what the fuck? Call some better damn plays. Stop running draws on third and long. Stop running straight into the line every first and second down. Utilize the playmakers you have. Stop being stupid.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Sep 16, 2007 3:21 PM PDT 0 recs

Smack, Mike Nolan

You've got a good young defense, but they aren't the Championship Year Ravens. You don't get penalized for passing more than twenty times a game.

by Bob In Pacifica on Sep 16, 2007 3:29 PM PDT up 0 recs

Oh, and

smack Brandon Williams once more.

by Bob In Pacifica on Sep 16, 2007 3:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

that's a good thing

to have a win that feels bad. it means there are expectations unlike the last few seasons. This team is improving and we want it to show on the field, not just in interviews with coaches.

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 Sep 16, 2007 9:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

I think this is a great point.

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

by howtheyscored on Sep 16, 2007 9:57 PM PDT up 0 recs

Meanwhile, in the rest of the NFL,

who put the sugar in the Saints' gas tank? And while I thought that the Texans would give Carolina a fight, I guess I should have taken them. And are the Lions finally crossing the Mendoza Line?

by Bob In Pacifica on Sep 16, 2007 3:36 PM PDT 0 recs

Ironically...

footballoutsiders predicted 9+ wins for tampa and 7.5 for NO (< the the niners).

But that was what their computer spat out... they made excuses for it...

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2007/09/05/ramblings/dvoa-rankings/5437/

by zenbitz on Sep 16, 2007 8:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

Praise for Hostler?

I was switching radios, but I caught part of the post-game interview with Nolan and I could have sworn that Nolan was praising Hostler again. He did it last week too.

Now everyone else in the world is calling Hostler an incompetent douchebag and Nolan is praising him. Either he's being protective of his coordinator, or he really likes this kind of offense.

Scary thought.

by Bob In Pacifica on Sep 16, 2007 4:03 PM PDT 0 recs

Nolan

He has taken the "responsibility" of some of the playcalling. Toward the end of the game, when they had their possession with the Rams up by two, Nolan reminded Hostler that the team was in field goal position and suggested they just run. They even went with David Baas at TE.

I think Nolan might be the one being conservative, more so than Hostler. Until he loses because of the conservativeness, I'm not going to complain very much. The team is capable (at some point) of a lot, but maybe the coaches (or Nolan) don't feel that the players are at that point yet.

by sfgfan on Sep 17, 2007 8:48 AM PDT up 0 recs

FANTASY UPDATE

Speaking of nail-biting, heart attack inducing:

We just took a 131-129 lead in our fantasy matchup thanks to the last Lamont Jordan rush. Our opponent has Calvin Johnson going in OT and Jason Elam. We've got Jordan left (have Coles but Jets are just about to lose).

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Sep 16, 2007 4:25 PM PDT 0 recs

howtheyscored

can we get a prediction update?

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Sep 16, 2007 5:35 PM PDT 0 recs

Quick one, while I have a minute

Niners/Rams:

jtoj - 12
Vote4Gore, Sprint Right Option, marcello, sfgfan - 14
enut21 - 18

Minnesota/Detroit:

HowTheyScored - 12
jtoj, wjackalpe, Sprint Right Option - 14
BawLa, Fooch - 20

Indianapolis/Tennessee:

Nosetackle Supreme - 10
sfgfan, rimrock, enut21, marcello - 18
Sprint Right Option - 24

Houston/Carolina:

Fooch - 14
marcello - 22
Nosetackle Supreme - 26

With San Diego/New England and Washington/Philadelphia still to be decided.

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

by howtheyscored on Sep 16, 2007 7:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

And

Big points in the Sunday night game!

San Diego/New England:

wjackalope, Bob in Pacifica, enut21, Nosetackle Supreme - 20
BawLa - 22
Jayp849, Sprint Right Option - 28

Biggest first place tie of the season!

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

by howtheyscored on Sep 16, 2007 8:58 PM PDT up 0 recs

VERY NICE!

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Sep 17, 2007 8:39 AM PDT up 0 recs

HUH?

Scouts Inc. is publishing a segment called Buzz where they post scouts thoughts after the week's games. For the Week 2 Buzz, they made a curious comment that makes me wonder what game they were watching:

The loss of OT Orlando Pace was felt in the Rams' loss to San Francisco, especially by QB Marc Bulger. Bulger was sacked six times, but he also was hit 11 times after he passed and hurried eight other times. The Rams suffered when they tried to form the pocket off the five-step drop, which is needed for the longer developing routes by their WRs. They had relative success when going off the three- or one-step drops for the short outs, crossing patterns or quick hitches. The 49ers did a good job of jamming the receivers at the line of scrimmage, forcing them to take too long to finish their routes, and, ultimately, allowing the San Francisco rush to get after Bulger.
-- Doug Kretz

Didn't it seem like they were playing softer coverage more often today?

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Sep 16, 2007 7:12 PM PDT 0 recs

YES IT DID

There was one critical Third and Three that especially pissed me off where you could watch the corners drop into a soft SEVEN yard cushion on both sides of the field.

And then it made me especially mad on St. Louis's last two drives, when the soft coverage very neary singlehandedly took the game away from us as Rams receivers made ten yard catch after fifteen yard catch catch with room to run out of bounds and stop the clock...

Gah, it was terrible.

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

by howtheyscored on Sep 16, 2007 7:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

penalties

49ers had only 3 penalties for 21 yards, which is pretty good. It means the team was disciplined. The Rams had only 4 for 35 yards, so perhaps the referees were just lazy.

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 Sep 16, 2007 9:37 PM PDT 0 recs

I call this

the -Kwame effect.

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

by howtheyscored on Sep 16, 2007 9:56 PM PDT up 0 recs

good point

That eliminates half your penalties just like that.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Sep 16, 2007 10:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

It all goes to Nolan

He wants a conservative offense.

But no interceptions. If we could eliminate Brandon Williams...

by Bob In Pacifica on Sep 17, 2007 7:23 AM PDT 0 recs

can Smith run the triple option?

'cuz that's where this is going.

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 Sep 17, 2007 8:11 AM PDT up 0 recs

option baby

I'm totally in favor of running the triple option...WISHBONE BABY!

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Sep 17, 2007 8:38 AM PDT up 0 recs

maybe

we can hire urban meyer to be our Offensive Coordinator and switch to a spread option. it worked at utah!

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Sep 17, 2007 8:40 AM PDT up 0 recs

Smith is Still Young

Alex Smith is still young. Let him continue to grow. Look at the other side of the Bay, McCown threw for 73 yds and had 3 picks. That's ugly. Smith at least did not throw any picks and his avg. per completion was pretty good.

I do wish they would try to get Davis up the seam routes.

2-0 is amazing, especially a road win after a Monday nighter. Let's enjoy this while it lasts. The D was awesome, with a pass rush too, something that I've been dying to see for the past 5 years.

BY is unbelievable. Next to Fred Dean, he's the best 49er lineman ever, better than Cedric Hardeman. Let's savor our time.

by Gene18Wash on Sep 17, 2007 11:27 AM PDT 0 recs