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.