Another solid game for Kap. POOR opponent, but good game nonetheless. I really hope the "he only threw for 160+ yards" crowd doesn't chime in again here. It doesn't matter. I won't go into the QBR because I've always thought the stats was bogus, but Kap had himself a very good day. It does make me a bit nervous tho when he's diving headfirst into the endzone.2) Kyle Williams: ......ok.....I've been defending this kid since those fumbles in the 2011 NFC Championship Game. He's got some physical ability...but the mental aspect of the game is clearly escaping him. He makes bad decisions. He doesn't secure the ball. In the grand scheme of things it meant almost nothing....but the kick return at the end of the game was my last straw. That was one of the dumbest things I've seen in a LONG time. His head wasn't in it. There was ZERO excuse for that. I'm finally on the "get rid of Kyle Williams" bandwagon. At the very least, my expectation is that Kyle will be inactive and we'll begin to see alot more of LaMichael James.
3) Frank: Solid day running the ball. Again, bad opponent, but the Jags were selling out to stop the run and they still couldn't stop it. The block tho on the first Kap TD run...wow. Thats two week in a row he's done that. You gotta love a premiere RB who willing to go do the dirty work.
4) Kendall: Simply a very different runner than Frank. Kendall is capable of ripping off huge runs, but he's also capable of routinely getting hit on a 5 yard loss. Alot of this has to do with the types of plays they run when Kendall is in the game. I really like them getting Kendall more carries...but he requires a bit of patience. He's a guy who will get very little or take losses...and then hit one big. He is not and never will be the incredible inside runner that Frank is simply because he doesn't have Franks greatest strength....vision. He is still tho a fantastic #2 back. When they hit those outside runs he just has so much speed and quickness, yet can still break tackles. It will be interesting to see how Lattimore changes things next year.
5) Pass Rush: STILL a concern. I've read other here say "sacks aren't the only way to pressure". I'm sorry, but we are watching different games. They aren't getting that much pressure either. When they ARE getting pressure it is very often because they are being forced to Blitz...something they don't like to do. One of the biggest strengths of this defense over the last few years has been their ability to get pressure with 4 and drop 7. If they have to manufacture pressue (IE, blitz), QBs like Drew Brees will find the open man 99% of the time. I like Lemonier. Skuta has played well...but lets not sit here and pretend we don't miss Aldon. Are the Niners 5-0 without him? Yes. Has the defense played well? Yes. Are they "just fine" without him. NO. I applaud the 49ers for keeping it together in his absense, but they are a FAR better D with him in the game...particularly when these teams start going pass happy at the end of games. Hopefully he's got his crap together and can make a significant contribution down the stretch.
6) We made it: Damn....we got here. 6-2 at the bye and a significant # of players who will be coming back. A number of players who are playing with some injuries that will get the rest they need. When the Niners were at 1-2, things were pretty dark. People will say "Well, they haven't been playing anyone". Well, good teams beat the teams they are supposed to beat. That's what they have been doing. They have been CRUSHING the teams they are supposed to beat and doing it shorthanded. The Niners have scored 30+ in 5 consecustive games and actually also did so in week one. They haven't done that since Steve Young was the QB. I don't care who they play...that's impressive. The second half of this season should be interesting. Every single week of the season is vital to catching the Seahawks...who get the Rams, Bucs, Falcons and Vikings before the bye.
7) The walking dead: Manningham. Carradine. Wright. Moody. Hopefully Aldon. Crabtree in a few weeks. All these guys represent some great reenforcements here at midseason. It does beg the question tho....who about to be gone. I think Nnamdi is all but a forgone conclusion. Kyle Williams? Anthony Dixon in a trade? I hope they don't dunp too many special teamers as those coverage units have been outstanding this year.
8) More late game issues: Its really a silight nitpick, but they won 42-10...hard to find too much to complain about. I do see them giving up way to many yards late in games. They'd have also given up points if Jacksonville were anything close to an NFL calibre team. Again...I think some of that is lack of pass rush and alot is playing prevent...but its something to keep an eye on.
9) Cyprien: Wow. I admit, I really liked the guy. I wanted the 49ers to draft him. I was appearantly WAY off. LOL. Reid appears to be SOOOO much better. It's early on and he's on a really bad team, but he got trucked several times yesterday, got juked by Frank and made a stupid penalty. SOOO glad the Niners drafted Reid.
10) Jags: I gotta say...its pretty hard to have 10 relevant things to say after a Jags game. LOL. There were times yesterday that I actually felt sorry for them. They just couldn't do anything. They were powerless to stop the train. 4 drives. 4 TDs. I feel bad for guys like MJD who has to waste what llittle time is left on this team. It really accentuates how badly I want the Niners to get Frank a title.
