The defense is the weakness.

Originally posted by hondakillerzx:
our defense should be able to stop them at the end of games atleast some of the time. everytime theyre given the chance to end the game they get pushed all the way downfield and we lose. our offense still sucks, 7 points in a game is unacceptable but defense deserves some blame too.

I agree with this and I think it's fair. But the guys not giving any blame to the defense I don't understand. Like not even 1% the fault of the defense. Just absurd.

You are right every single time they are given the chance to end the game they get pushed all the way down the field and lose. You should be able to stop it sometimes...

It is a coaching problem more than it is a personnel problem. We go conservative on third and long and late in games and it kills us.

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:

Originally posted by hondakillerzx:
our defense should be able to stop them at the end of games atleast some of the time. everytime theyre given the chance to end the game they get pushed all the way downfield and we lose. our offense still sucks, 7 points in a game is unacceptable but defense deserves some blame too.

I agree with this and I think it's fair. But the guys not giving any blame to the defense I don't understand. Like not even 1% the fault of the defense. Just absurd.

You are right every single time they are given the chance to end the game they get pushed all the way down the field and lose. You should be able to stop it sometimes...

I'll give 1% to the defense, maybe even 5%. But the other 95% rests on our offense (and mostly Smith).

As for D not getting a critical stop to end the game, how about last year @ Arizona in the opener? How about the TWO critical stops they got @ Minnesota only to have the offense go -5 yards and not be able to get ONE first down to end the game giving Favre ANOTHER shot at beating the D?

The D has come through far more often than the O.

Originally posted by Leathaface:

Originally posted by Redeemer:

Originally posted by Leathaface:

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
Holding the Defense accountable on the WZ is considered an Alexcuse and is not allowed.

But really we give up huge #'s of points, yards and key last minute drives for the win. Why can our defense never get off the field on the final drive to win the game? The close out defensive stand. We are 2 - 2 this year if they can close out you know. Very terrible CB and Safety coverage. Inconsistent pass rush. They deserve a very fair amount of the blame IMO.

Lost in all of the frenzied Alex hate (and there is lots of it) is the fact that plenty of other parts of our team aren't perfect. Like inability to make a defensive stand when we need it and inability to do simple things like catch a punt.

Insert DefensEXCUSES here:

This is stupid on so many accounts. First of all, even if we stop the Saints it's not a guaranteed victory so where the hell do you get 2-2? There's OT, the coin toss, and Alex Smith's suckage-INT factor to consider.

Secondly, the offense has done absolutely NOTHING in 3 of the 4 games. If you want to blame the D for giving up points to Drew Brees then stand in the f**king line dude. He's arguably the best QB in the NFL. Don't forget that the offense also turned the ball over 3 times inside the 30 in that game.

Do you even want me to start with the Seattle or KC games? In Seattle, the D put the offense in position to seal the game away early...and we get...6 pts? That's not going to cut it in the NFL especially on the road in a home opener. The offense let the Seattle crowd get in it early.

Finally, the fact that anyone can put blame on the Falcons loss on the defense is so preposterously dumb that I can't even fathom how some people can think that. They gave up 16 pts on the road to a playoff team! What the hell else do you want them to do?! Get a pick 6? Maybe that's why Nate was so intent on returning that ball.

Alex Smith ALONE lost us the game in Atlanta. He made two bonehead INTs...there's no other way to cut it. Those INTs are 100% on him and what made it worse is that they came at the most inopportune times. Maybe if he doesn't throw that INT we get 3 or 7 and it's not even a game anymore. Why don't you use that as your "game-losing" set of plays instead of the drive in the D? Just b/c that's how the game ended doesn't mean that was the reason we lost.

This is perhaps the most idiotic statement made in this ill-conceived thread. To nesciently suggest that one person is responsible for the loss against Atlanta where clearly multiple players and coaches faltered is actually quite humorous.

There are tons of plays where a game is won and lost. But to suggest that anyone other than Alex Smith is primarily to blame for this loss is downright idiotic. In fact, it's "quite hilarious" that someone would be that shallow to begin with. So what does that make you?

You do understand that your retort is both nonsensical and contradictory, do you not? I am not sure I, nor anyone else for that matter, can properly respond to it.

Quote:
There are tons of plays where a game is won and lost.

yet you previously wrote

Quote:
Alex Smith ALONE lost us the game in Atlanta.

Since this statements contradict one another, which do you believe to be true? Or is your answer merely circumstantial, hand-picked to suit the parameters of the message you are attempting to convey?

Quote:
But to suggest that anyone other than Alex Smith is primarily to blame for this loss is downright idiotic.

I don't recall anyone in this thread blaming a single individual, player or coach, other than Alex Smith, for the loss. Unless of course you consider the entire 49er defense a single entity.

Quote:
In fact, it's "quite hilarious" that someone would be that shallow to begin with.

Hmm, I don't think that's the proper adverb you were going for. When insulting one's wit, try something with a little bit more punch. May I suggest "ludicrous", "ridiculous", or even "preposterous"?

Quote:
So what does that make you?

Is this a spiritual question? If so, being agnostic keeps me from providing you with a definitive answer. Am I misconstruing the context in which this question is based? In the future, a more descriptive question will perhaps yield a satisfactory answer.

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:

Originally posted by hondakillerzx:
our defense should be able to stop them at the end of games atleast some of the time. everytime theyre given the chance to end the game they get pushed all the way downfield and we lose. our offense still sucks, 7 points in a game is unacceptable but defense deserves some blame too.

I agree with this and I think it's fair. But the guys not giving any blame to the defense I don't understand. Like not even 1% the fault of the defense. Just absurd.

You are right every single time they are given the chance to end the game they get pushed all the way down the field and lose. You should be able to stop it sometimes...

WORD! The defense has had 2 chances to secure a win for the team and both times they folded.
Against the Saints, they gave up 51 yds in 7 plays, in 1min 19 seconds! NO kicks a FG to win.

Against the Falcons, they gave up 68 yds in 12 plays, in 1min 22 seconds that started at the ATL 8 YARDLINE!

Yes, the offense didn't put the game away. And yes, turnovers did kill the team. But at the end of both games, the defense could've put the game away.

I agree...to a point. In the Atlanta game, we had them beat when Clements picked Ryan, but then made the bonehead play to get stripped of the ball. Turnovers have helped kill the defense...that is, they end up on the field for too many plays at certain points in the game. I do agree they haven't stepped up when they've really needed too, though. They couldn't get any pressure on Ryan when he and White were schooling Tarrel Brown late in the game Sunday. We had decent pressure on him for most of the game, but when it really counted, they couldn't do it. A more consistent offense throughout the game will go a long way toward a more even defensive effort...they do get tired at the end of most games because the offense hasn't put enough pts on the board.

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
I agree...to a point. In the Atlanta game, we had them beat when Clements picked Ryan, but then made the bonehead play to get stripped of the ball. Turnovers have helped kill the defense...that is, they end up on the field for too many plays at certain points in the game. I do agree they haven't stepped up when they've really needed too, though. They couldn't get any pressure on Ryan when he and White were schooling Tarrel Brown late in the game Sunday. We had decent pressure on him for most of the game, but when it really counted, they couldn't do it. A more consistent offense throughout the game will go a long way toward a more even defensive effort...they do get tired at the end of most games because the offense hasn't put enough pts on the board.

Atlanta was backed up inside their 5 yd line facing a 3rd and 15 and Manusky sends a 3 man rush which allowed an 18yd gain.

Was that the offenses fault???

Did Alex call for that defense??

Then Nate intercepts the ball and returns it down within fieldgoal range. All he had to do was be aware of the situation around him and we would have won the game.

Who's job is it to have them prepared???

There were TWO chances for the defense to win the game in the last minutes of the game and they blew it both times, why???

Originally posted by Schulzy:

Originally posted by Adman:
When it comes down to it...forget about all of the mistakes that were made early in the NO and ATL games. We had every right to win those games. When all you need is a defensive stop to get to OT or win the game, your defense BETTER make that stop.

Why is it everytime we need a simple defense stop...we cant do it? The opposing offense just marches right down and scores. WTF!!!!! The ATL game we had them at 3rd and 15. And we give up a 20 yard pass to a TE. What type of defense does that?!??!

2011 draft we need a CB or some type of DB in the first round! No drafting QB's. Go get a proven starter! (We missed McNabb)

If the offense could actually score points, we wouldn't have to worry about the Defense having to hold on at the end of games.

You honestly aren't trying to blame the ATL game on the D as a whole are you?

You know i have to agree with you, however, in order to be great, like we all want. As u know (the reality) there are ugly games, there are ugly wins, and the good teams find a way to win, when one part isnt working properly.

I dont think he's blaming the D, but there's no way u can say otherwise that the D is supposed to be the strength of this team, and who cares if we stop the team all game. It comes down to that "closing" that our team keeps talking about.

So im saying you cant honestly say that its just a coincidence that we have had the lead in two games, going into the final minute, just for our "strength" to fall apart. Just as Ray Lewis, if they get beat in the final minutes if they are saying the O aint scoring enough. Nah, a great D says we should of held them, just like P. Willy said when talkin after the game. "We had the chance to stop them and we didnt" he said. So we can glorify the D if we want too, but at least the main player on D, knows that they should of held em.

And to the above readers, can we please stop with the being tired on D. i mean i dont know if any of you played the game, but on my old college team, if there was 2 minutes left, and the score was 10-7. Ask me if my coach is like, well if the ) scored more, blah blah blah blah. Nah, he'd say gentlemen there's 2 minutes left, and team this is why we play the game. D lets go out there, and show them that we got sumthin left, and can hold, like we've been doing all game. Some of ya'll have to be able to say if u can put this much negativity towards the O, thats fine, but then dont turn around and make excuses for the D falling apart, not once but twice in two key games.

Defense is definitely not the weakness of the team... The offense has clearly put the defense in bad positions many times...

However I understand what the poster is saying here... For a while now, even with the defense ranked high, it seems like when we absolutely must have a stop, we can't do it.. We lead in sacks last year, but on occasions when we just had to have a pass rush........ It wouldn't happen...

To 2 things that stand out to me are the 2 third and longs on the last drive by the Falcons. Near their own goal line on 1st and 2nd down we blitzed and forced Ryan into a bad thrown. Then on 3rd and 15, Manusky drops 8 and only rushes 3!! Matty Ice had an eternity to throw, and picked up the first.. Then after Nate opened up his Pick 'N' Fumble Shop, Atlanta was in the same position on that second chance drive.. Except it was a 3rd and 12.. Again, they drop 8, rush 3, but had a single LB delayed blitz that fooled nobody, while on the other plays they simply brought more then were blocking and forced and early throw.. And Again, Atlanta picked up the first... That kinda s**t drives me up the wall!!!!!

Last year from a complete statistical stand point the 49er Defense was ranked in the Top 10, but was one of the worst defenses statistically on 3rd down, thee most important down!!

Originally posted by Adman:
When it comes down to it...forget about all of the mistakes that were made early in the NO and ATL games. We had every right to win those games. When all you need is a defensive stop to get to OT or win the game, your defense BETTER make that stop.

Why is it everytime we need a simple defense stop...we cant do it? The opposing offense just marches right down and scores. WTF!!!!! The ATL game we had them at 3rd and 15. And we give up a 20 yard pass to a TE. What type of defense does that?!??!

2011 draft we need a CB or some type of DB in the first round! No drafting QB's. Go get a proven starter! (We missed McNabb)

Yeah, forget about 7 other opportunities the offense had to score. They led to 2 ints and 5 punts! Damn that Defense!

This is the NFL and teams are supposed to complement each other in all 3 phases of the game. Look at it this way; Would we be discussing the offense if the offense would have scored just one more field goal?

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
This is just going to turn into an Alex Smith thread.

The defense deserves a lot of blame for critical mistakes made at the worst possible times, yes. However, other players or coaches that I will not name that may or may not be on or have to do with offense also deserve their fair share of blame.

Doesn't every thread turn into an Alex Smith blame? LOL

The niners are built for defense. That is who we are suppose to be, thats how we were last year......all D, the numbers prove it. We're not built to blow people out. Yeah our offense made some mistakes, but the defense is suppose to carry the team, regardless of the weapons we have on offense. Our offense now appears good enough to at least keep the score close (despite Sea and KC games). Question is what happened to the top 10 defense in the NO and ATL game? If we had that same defense in those games...we'd be 2-2 right now.

While I agree we had Atlanta where we wanted them and then allowed them to convert multiple 3rd down situations, the point of the offense being just as big a culprit is they wouldn't be clinging to a 1 pt lead or be behind (as they've been in 3 of the 4 games) if the O had put a decent amt of pts on the board. There are some weaknesses in our D...like CB, where Brown's a liability and I'm not very enthralled w/Goldson, either. Our DL could use another beast like Justin Smith, too. But, overall, this is a capable unit...they're simply too often put behind the 8-ball and that takes its toll.

Originally posted by prime21:
r u lit? the offense needs to stay on the field long enough to keep the defense juiced, some scoring might help.

Unlike in previous seasons, this is not the case. The offense IS staying on the field. They just make a big mistake before they can score. The defense is getting plenty of rest time. They just need to play better when the game is on the line.

See it's funny how people think. U talk about fire, and they bring up water. You talk about safety, and they point out danger.

IMHO the team is the weakness. We built up all three parts of our team, offense, defense, and special teams, and have yet to play consistent in any of the games.

And thats all around. This thread was made because you have at least 10 t0 20 other threads about Smith, and/or the offense. WE dont sugarcoat with them by any means, so why make excuses for this lights out D, we were supposed to have.

If anything in my eyes, the D is the most disappointing. And why I say that is because of this, it's 50-50 on those that feel Smith aint s**t as far as a starting QB goes. So a lot are on the fence. But the one staple that all of us agreed on is the D, who at crucial times had not held their ground.

Tired this and tired that, but as i will always say, Mcnabb told his team after the Win, "D, i have to say you won this game for us. I know myself and the offense still havent gotten it together yet, but just give us a chance we'll get it together. This win shows that when 11 guys come together and play their best anything can happen." Words of a True HOFamer.

Now why is it that when the O is playing bad, but still did enough to get us in the lead if only by one point, why cant we say, the game ball goes to the D, for playing lights out, even in the final minutes. No we say Damn the D failed for another week in the final minute, but oh well, if the O scored enough points.

Thats just as bad a cop out as some Say with the Alexcuses. I mean say what u want about the O, but the D is a part of the team as well, and if the Offense did enough just to get us in the lead and nothing more, then the D, gets paid to step up and prevent in my opinion, and they aint been able to do that, whether like in the NO game. When the QB did put the team on his shoulders, scored a TD, and a 2pt conversion, why couldnt the D, just hold, to take it into OT.

Agains the colts last year, that good D we played against. I swear we lost by a point or 2, and it seemed to me that Manning was held with no TD in our game, but they pulled out the win. Please fellas, our D may not be all to blame, but in the Falcons and NO game, they deserve just as much heat as the O.

Originally posted by AKfanster:

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:

Originally posted by hondakillerzx:
our defense should be able to stop them at the end of games atleast some of the time. everytime theyre given the chance to end the game they get pushed all the way downfield and we lose. our offense still sucks, 7 points in a game is unacceptable but defense deserves some blame too.

I agree with this and I think it's fair. But the guys not giving any blame to the defense I don't understand. Like not even 1% the fault of the defense. Just absurd.

You are right every single time they are given the chance to end the game they get pushed all the way down the field and lose. You should be able to stop it sometimes...

Don't forget the Vikings and Colts last year. They always seem to choke when the heat is on.


WORD! The defense has had 2 chances to secure a win for the team and both times they folded.
Against the Saints, they gave up 51 yds in 7 plays, in 1min 19 seconds! NO kicks a FG to win.

Against the Falcons, they gave up 68 yds in 12 plays, in 1min 22 seconds that started at the ATL 8 YARDLINE!

Yes, the offense didn't put the game away. And yes, turnovers did kill the team. But at the end of both games, the defense could've put the game away.