Just re-watched the game....Noticed a few things.... | Page 3

Marvin49 · 2011-09-14T09:41:29-07:00

1) Crabtree lost some weight. Dunno if it was unintentional or he got himself in really good shape, but he looks skinnier. He is also still blocking hard downfield. On VDs first reception he BLEW UP Earl Thomas. He also seamed a little faster running his routes before he got hurt. 2) Speaking of Earl Thomas, that guy is going to be a thorn in the 49ers side for a LONG time. It seems like everytime it was third down that guy was making the play preventing us from getting it. He's a good one and needs to be accounted for. 3) On second viewing, Alex played better than I thought. I was a bit frustrated with the playcalling, but he did what he was asked and made some really good throws. Three of them were to VD, but the last one should have been a penalty. VD did hold up as not to get hit, but he was also held. I dunno if he figured there would be a flag so why get blasted, but to be honest I'd rather he NOT catch that because he's been hurt on those kinds of plays before. 4) I'm not saying that Frank has lost it, but his play concerned me. Seattle stacked the run alot and it's not like he had clean lanes to run through, but it just seemed he didn't have that little extra he usually has to get the extra yard that results in a first down or TD. It could have just been a bad game, he may not have his legs yet, or it could have been great play by Seattle....but it was enough to be concerned about. 5) Aldon Smith is a freak of nature. He didn't have a great game and wasn't dominant, but he made a few plays that no other human being could. First, on a play where the Tackle was trying to cut him...he put BOTH hands on the ground and sprung righ back to his feat. It was almost like he was a four legged animal and his arms and legs were the same length. He didn't make the play, but I had to watch it 2 or 3 times to see if I was actually seeing what I was seeing. In the second half he was cut again, easily avoided it and got the longest arms I've ever seen up in the air and on the ball. This guy is young and raw and has a long of ways to go....but he needs to join the X-Men because the guy is a freakin' mutant. 6) Scheme: When I watched the game the first time, I suspected that the Adam Snyder shift penalty was intentional. Now I'm sure of it. It was 4th and one and that shift gave the 49ers a first down. The gameplan was kinda vanilla, but there were little moments here and there where we got a glimpse of what we have to look forward to. The fake one way and then run behind Alex play. Nice. I honestly think that Harbaugh and Roman didn't feel the need to open the bag for this game and only used what they had to to get the W. When Seattle got within 2, I think they would have opened it a bit....but Teddy Ginn sealed the game for them. 7) Ted Ginn: Wow. He took 2 back, but he almost broke 2 more. I dubnno if there is something different about him this year, if Seely is just a better coach, or if the game was just a fluke....but he was ON on Sunday. He took some chances and lost some yards a few times (all really good returners do), but that guy was better than I've ever seen him. 8) Edwards is gonna be huge this year. He was held. Alot. We are gonna see many jump balls for him and he's gonna move the sticks. 9) Ray McDonald. Wow. Dominant. Only 1 sack on the sheet but disruptive the entire day

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:28 AM

#31

gage
Veteran
Posts: 1,485

Originally posted by NinerPrideinNJ:
Great analysis. I didn't rewatch the game yet but looking at this and reflecting back on the game, you seem to be spot on.

I have no concerns about Frank. He didn't have much room as you mentioned, and it is most likely a matter of just getting his "game legs" into gear.

Ray McDonald should have been a starter for this team two years ago. Started a thread about this in the offseason before we resigned him and I'm so thankful we did. This guy has always played like a monster.

Smith played well. The only thing that stood out to me was missing Crabs wide-open in the endzone. He's still got to learn to go through progressions and look at 2nd, 3rd, 4th options when his primary isn't there or when a play breaks down.

Overall, this game was amazing. We cut it too close at the end but that's usually when we find a way to lose the game. Last Sunday, we found a way to win. We haven't done that in quite a while.

Most exciting season opener since Hearst's OT run in '98? I think so.

I don't remember who it was, but someone on this board said that rewatching that play you can see that Crabtree was Smith's second read and he had already past him at that point so, if that's true, he is going through his progression.

Still, it seems great QB's are able to sometimes go back to earlier reads if they have time. I don't remember how much time Smith had on that play. If he wasn't rushed it would have been nice for him to have worked his way back.

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:29 AM

#32

LambdaChi49
Veteran
Posts: 13,372

Nice post man. Thank you.

I honestly cannot WAIT to see Edwards blow it up. That one play where Alex through the ball to Edwards in the end zone was the perfect play. Only 1 of two things will happen on a play like that: 1) Edwards catches it = TD or 2) DB has to hold/interfere = PI & 1st and goal.

The best part is Alex doesn't have to worry about being ENTIRELY accurate with Braylon. Throw that s**t up and let him go for it. Watch other teams play who have big legit targets: MANY MANY times the QB does NOT make a good/accurate throw but the WR will make a good play on the ball and catch it. Of course the QB gets credit but that's a diff point. Braylon IS this guy. You can tell Alex has confidence in Edwards as he doesn't hesitate to throw to Braylon despite blanket coverage.

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:30 AM

#33

Memphis9er
Veteran
Posts: 12,700

Originally posted by valrod33:
Originally posted by Marvin49:
Originally posted by susweel:
Originally posted by valrod33:
Originally posted by Marvin49:
Originally posted by valrod33:
I dont agree with the Gore stuff

In this case, I'd love to be wrong.

In the preseason he looked like his normal self, you cant tell me he lost a step from preseason to the regular season

He only played like 3 plays a game in the pre season.

Thats what I was gonna say. Its not like dominated in the preseason.

Still, it may be nothing and he's fine. I hope thats the case.

When he played he looked like the normal Frank Gore and considering he didnt play much there is no way that you can tell me he looks like he lost a step

He didn't look slow, he looked like he was running into a wall of seahawks, they were not gonna let him go off this game. Good game plan by them.

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:34 AM

#34

Chico
Veteran
Posts: 2,546

Great analyses! I was at the game and there is a lot that you can't see when watching from home. Then again, there is a lot you do see that you can't see from home. Anyway, the only thing that frustrated me was that we couldn't punch the ball into the endzone more often. We should have had two more TD's instead of the FG's.

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:36 AM

#35

WildBill
Veteran
Posts: 6,221

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
Yes you guys are geniuses, then you should know very well that Harbaugh is setting something up for Dallas !

And if Ginn hadn't saved the day and Seattle scored a FG, then JH would look stupid saving things for Dallas when a divisional win is more important, not to mention starting the season on a win to build confidence instead of here we go again.

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:37 AM

#36

BETTERDAYZ9ERS
Veteran
Posts: 3,078

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:

Originally posted by BETTERDAYZ9ERS:

Originally posted by susweel:

Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
good read on why Gore wasn't able to do much.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2011/09/has-frank-gore-lost-a-step-the-answer-is.html

basically, Seattle's main objective was to stop gore. Seattle's not so secret weapon, Earl Thomas.

IF thats the case and they were zeroing in on him then it wasn't a great job of coaching by our coaches. You would think they would have done more play action pass and more shots down the field.

Me and Joecool pointed that out in the game day thread SEA vs SF

Yes you guys are geniuses, then you should know very well that Harbaugh is setting something up for Dallas !

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:41 AM

#37

Oakland-Niner
Member
Posts: 24,062

Originally posted by NinerPrideinNJ:
Great analysis. I didn't rewatch the game yet but looking at this and reflecting back on the game, you seem to be spot on.

I have no concerns about Frank. He didn't have much room as you mentioned, and it is most likely a matter of just getting his "game legs" into gear.

Ray McDonald should have been a starter for this team two years ago. Started a thread about this in the offseason before we resigned him and I'm so thankful we did. This guy has always played like a monster.

Smith played well. The only thing that stood out to me was missing Crabs wide-open in the endzone. He's still got to learn to go through progressions and look at 2nd, 3rd, 4th options when his primary isn't there or when a play breaks down.

Overall, this game was amazing. We cut it too close at the end but that's usually when we find a way to lose the game. Last Sunday, we found a way to win. We haven't done that in quite a while.

Most exciting season opener since Hearst's OT run in '98? I think so.

Look at the bright side, we kept him fresh for a real 49er coach.

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:42 AM

#38

Memphis9er
Veteran
Posts: 12,700

Originally posted by WildBill:
Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
Yes you guys are geniuses, then you should know very well that Harbaugh is setting something up for Dallas !

And if Ginn hadn't saved the day and Seattle scored a FG, then JH would look stupid saving things for Dallas when a divisional win is more important, not to mention starting the season on a win to build confidence instead of here we go again.

You are making the assumption that we wouldn't have been able to score again. We had just killed nine minutes of clock driving the length of the field to get to 19 points. If we had needed to move the ball again it was a real possibility that we could. At least as possible as what you are suggesting.

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:42 AM

#39

iLLEST209ER
Veteran
Posts: 3,303

On the whole Gore lost a step thing...

1) My guess is that Harbaugh didn't heavily concentrate on running plays during practice like how Sing did in the past, so the run game suffered because of it. Instead, that extra time that wasn't spent on running plays, was spent on other aspects of the game such as special teams.

2) Seattle's D was literally swarming to the ball. They were very aggressive and in most cases overpursued quite a bit. That is why Gore gained some decent yardage on the misdirection play. Their main intent was stopping Gore and that is what Pete probably focused on during their practice. This is great because the seahawks probably spent less time preparing for special teams because they were so fixated on stopping Gore, allowing Ginn to be able to step up.

3) Now that we're headed into the Dallas game, they saw what Ginn did, and are probably preparing for that, thinking Gore has lost a step and he is no longer a threat. Look for Gore to have a decent day against Dallas.

That is my take on the matter.

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:44 AM

#40

WildBill
Veteran
Posts: 6,221

Originally posted by RYPTOUT:
Some thing I noticed after watching the game again... was the foot work of Alex Smith. COMPLETELY DIFFERENT! More so while in the pocket and going through his progressions. Last year and the years past he would take his drop... and then it looked as his feet were planted as he looked at his options... In this game... He would take the drop back... stand in the pocket... and pitty patter his feet...

This movement I believe reduces the time it takes him to get the ball out after making his decision on where to throw the rock. +1 Jim Harbaugh.

Well, normally you don't want your QB to have what you call pitter patter feet, normally this known as happy feet and is seen as a sign the QB is nervous.There is a difference of moving your feet as you go through your progressions or shift to make a through and happy feet. If you have happy feet then before he throws he has to stop plant and throw, taking more time to deliver.

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:45 AM

#41

Rubberneck36
HOF
Posts: 141,822

Nice post. Wish we had more of that. I don't agree on Gore as I think stopping Gore was Seattle's plan.

Good job bro.

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:45 AM

#42

Jiks
Member
Posts: 29,220

Originally posted by gage:
I don't remember who it was, but someone on this board said that rewatching that play you can see that Crabtree was Smith's second read and he had already past him at that point so, if that's true, he is going through his progression.

Still, it seems great QB's are able to sometimes go back to earlier reads if they have time. I don't remember how much time Smith had on that play. If he wasn't rushed it would have been nice for him to have worked his way back.

My personal recollection was that Smith had a DE pressuring his back side so he had to slide a bit to his right in which there was a DT coming at him from the front. He possibly could have waited an instance longer but he had to get rid of it. They replayed it after the break and John Lynch explained that it wasn't a horrible move by Alex.

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:47 AM

#43

49AllTheTime
Veteran
Posts: 73,256

Originally posted by WildBill:

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
Yes you guys are geniuses, then you should know very well that Harbaugh is setting something up for Dallas !

And if Ginn hadn't saved the day and Seattle scored a FG, then JH would look stupid saving things for Dallas when a divisional win is more important, not to mention starting the season on a win to build confidence instead of here we go again.

"If's"
If Reggie Smith would of made the play instead of being burned, if Gore's legs weren't rusty ...

I was at the game and before Ginn's returns i had this feeling the whole game that we weren't going to lose because of the way we were just controlling the tempo...idk?

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:48 AM

#44

gamechanger
Member
Posts: 799

Originally posted by BETTERDAYZ9ERS:
Originally posted by susweel:
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
good read on why Gore wasn't able to do much.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2011/09/has-frank-gore-lost-a-step-the-answer-is.html

basically, Seattle's main objective was to stop gore. Seattle's not so secret weapon, Earl Thomas.

IF thats the case and they were zeroing in on him then it wasn't a great job of coaching by our coaches. You would think they would have done more play action pass and more shots down the field.

Me and Joecool pointed that out in the game day thread SEA vs SF

They're setting up the whole league to think we're gonna pound the ball no matter what. Our coaches are so smart now that tolzien is on the team, they setup their opponents 2-3 games in advance

[ Edited by gamechanger on Sep 14, 2011 at 10:49 AM ]

Sep 14, 2011 at 10:51 AM

#45

49AllTheTime
Veteran
Posts: 73,256

Originally posted by gamechanger:

Originally posted by BETTERDAYZ9ERS:

Originally posted by susweel:

Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
good read on why Gore wasn't able to do much.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2011/09/has-frank-gore-lost-a-step-the-answer-is.html

basically, Seattle's main objective was to stop gore. Seattle's not so secret weapon, Earl Thomas.

IF thats the case and they were zeroing in on him then it wasn't a great job of coaching by our coaches. You would think they would have done more play action pass and more shots down the field.

Me and Joecool pointed that out in the game day thread SEA vs SF

They're setting up the whole league to think we're gonna pound the ball no matter what. Our coaches are so smart now that tolzien is on the team, they setup their opponents 2-3 games in advance

Exactly, like playing 1-1 with your son or younger bro....you can blow right past them but you don't need to...sometimes you even let them score