Putrid Offense is Hindering Above-Average Defense

Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 17:38:03 PT | Recommend | Print
By Oscar Aparicio
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Don't blame the defense for the loss in Houston. The defense was not stellar - but they were good enough to win. They held Andre Johnson, arguably the leagues best receiver, to two catches. Steve Slaton had a mere 67 rushing yards. Yes, Owen Daniels absolutely gashed the defense, but the team, only allowed 3 points in the second half.

Quite simply the loss falls on the offense - specifically the first half offense. Hill completed 2 passes on third and long that wouldn't have resulted in a first down if it was 3rd and 4. On the first third down of the game on 3rd and 14 Hill threw a short pass to Vernon Davis that fell incomplete. Part of this is due to Hill's propensity to check down. Perhaps he already has a case of the "David Carrs": feeling pressure when none is there and throwing the ball away to the closest player who will catch it.

But the largest part of the offensive ineptitude falls squarely on the shoulders of the offensive line. The right side of the line is a serious weak-spot. Chilo Rachal has painfully slow feet when trying to protect the quarterback. At the end of the first quarter, 39-year old (no, that's not a typo) Jeff Zgonina simply beat Rachal off the snap and got to Hill. Rachal knew the snap count - Zgonina did not. Hill had decent protection from the rest of the line and might have been able to make a play.

Tony Pashos, the starting right tackle, has a potentially serious injury to his shoulder further testing the already talent-starved line.

And yet, there is a bright spot, if you are one of those eternal optimists. Vernon Davis seems to finally be coming into his own. He has 6 touchdowns over 7 games - and is on pace to eclipse 900 receiving yards for the season. He is the #1 red-zone target and is a leader in the locker room.

Alex Smith, in limited duty, finally flashed some of the skills that made him the #1 overall pick. He was remarkably decisive. He eluded pressure with his athleticism. And perhaps most importantly, he made the right reads on almost all of his passes. Smith should be the starter in week 8, no question.

Much of Smith's success is due to two factors. Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye, more than likely due to the score, called for a bevy of shotgun passes. Of 20 attempts (not including scrambles), 14 of them were from the shotgun. Smith posted an impressive quarterback rating of 113.4 from the shotgun. Even under center, Smith posted a rating of 151.3 on 6 passes. Overall, Smith made a convincing case to remain as the starter for the duration of the season.

And finally there was Michael Crabtree. Matt Maiocco said earlier this week on his Twitter that Crabtree just "looked different" than the other wide receivers and Crabtree confirmed that against Houston. Of four third-down completions, Crabtree was responsible for three. Another first down would have been earned had a 17-yard reception not been nullified by penalty. He exhibited powerful hands, literally snatching passes out of the air. In one game, Crabtree may have erased any ill-feelings lingering from his extended hold-out.

Quite simply, the 49ers need an offense that can rack up more than 50 yards in a half. Alex Smith and Michael Crabtree will certainly move the team in the right direction. However, Jimmy Raye and head coach Mike Singletary will need to make more adjustments in order to keep the team in the hunt for the NFC-West title.


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By: undercenter (10/25/2009 at 21:01:33)

Comment: I was happy that the Niners went wih Hill at the begining of the season as I felt this would benifit Smith. Bringing him in on the road was the best way to get Alex back. All he had to do was his job, didnt have to listen to the boos from the Niner fans. Hence lot less pressure. I have stood by Alex from day 1 but I still not sure if he can perform up to a good NFL quaterback. One good half doesnt make a season. I hope Alex performs as Hill wasnt the answer and never will be. I am not a Hill hater he just doesnt seem to be a Quaterback a game manager he may be but a Quaterback he will never be. Hopefully whether it be Hill or Smith in the next game against the Colts that they play good football

Response: I agree with you that one half doesn't mean that Smith is the second coming of Joe Montana. And against the Colts, Smith will not look nearly as good as he did against a soft Texan's defense. But I'll take a page from the Hill supporters here and say that Smith, quite simply, got it done. And as long as he can do that, he should start.