2013 - NFC Championship Round: Thoughts after watching the game...

Originally posted by socalniner:
Despite everything that happened we had a chance to win in the end. This is on kap and he admitted as much.

This is true. But just because it's on Kap doesn't negate how well he played all game in general

Thanks for the season Marvin, I'm looking at the positives. We went into the most hostile environment in the NFL and made it to the final play. It's easy to blame Kap for the loss, but he put the team on his back and almost pulled it off. I'm sure Wilson could not do the same under the conditions. The team is all heart, Bo will be back with more determination if that's even possible.

Originally posted by Jakemall:
Kap was the only one doing anything? Okay. I'll play... WRs and TEs can't catch if the ball isn't thrown...and the HBs can't run if the defense has 8-9 in the box daring Kap to throw.

This defense had Kap pegged. The only thing that was working early was Kap running and later in the game Kap was forcing throws..which look magnificent when they go your way..and result in picks when they don't.

Not saying that everyone on offense didn't contribute to this loss...but let's be fair here..kap wasn't the only one doing anything...and what is more, he was a part of the reason everyone else was limited to what they could do.

I thought a lot of kaps throws were dangerous. The touchdown to boldin should not have been thrown. The second pass to Boldin on the line after the interception should not have been thrown. Both ints should not have been thrown. I think that if you look at the replays you can see a lot of dangerous decision making. You can only trust your arm so much. Kap had a very mediocre throwing year this year in my opinion -- apart from the read/progression issues that have been discussed endlessly. I just think he did not deliver the ball accurately often enough. I postulate that he was injured early on and the staff kept it quiet. Or hoping...

Originally posted by 9moon:
Seahawks is the better team this year and showed it.. It hurts so bad cause I thought we had a chance to win the game..

Kap needs to stop that BS of his regarding throwing to Crabb everytime he's in a one n one situation.. I hope he's learned from this 2nd mistake of his.. His audible cost us the Super Bowl on a fade to Crabb, and his personal anger (tryin to humiliate Sherman) cost us this game again.

What he needs to do is learn to feel pressure and learn how to throw the ball quicker.

I also wanna know who made the freakin call?? I've watched the replay over and over, and it made me wonder how a LB (who made the INT) got deep on that play.. I came to realization that we did not send anyone for him to cover at all.. we had 2 TOs and with 22 seconds left, can someone explain to me why we wouldnt try to get closer the 10 and make Kap a threat to their D???

Pretty much every QB is gonna go to there #1 in a man to man coverage...even against the top corner. Great throws often beats great coverage but in this case, it wasn't the greatest throw. Next...he had to audible in the Super Bowl. They were in coverage 0 and blitzing everyone. Also Gore missed his block and Kap barely had a second to throw the ball.

As Marvin said, dude is learning and growing.

I haven't seen many poeple say it but I'm with you on not taking a timeout there, especially with two left. The coaching staff has to get better with clock management.

Does anyone have a shot of the last play because Vernon came off the field really pissed like he might have been very open. I am not sure why they tried a fade on Sherman when they had time and timeouts and were near the 17 yard line no real need to rush it and try and get it all at once.

What irks me the most is while Kap was a huge reason why we were even in the game, he did the same exact thing he did last year in the superbowl that cost us yet another loss. He is supposed to be learning from his mistakes and not repeat them year after year when the important games are on the line. Hopefully he will recognize and realize his stubbornness to force balls to Crabtree when the game is on the line isn't how you get a championship after his performance Sunday. Also, I know I'm going to get a lot of heat for saying this, but gore didn't do much in the playoffs. It's obvious his body was wearing down by the end of the season and I think its time to pass the torch to somebody else. Keep him (he deserves a ring) if we can keep boldin as well but he should no longer be the workhorse, we need to start giving someone else more significant carries not only to help them develop more, but because I honestly think if they touch the ball more or as much as gore, we will see better production. That said, I am fully expecting the hailstorm of "you're crazy!" and "hell no!" among other things coming my way for bringing that up.

Unfortunately, this is your last write up of the year. I look forward to reading your reviews after each game. They kind of put an end cap on each week and have become part of football sunday. Thanks for all your hard work

Thanks for doing this all year, I really like your candid takes!

hey are we not forgetting this is kaep full year as a starter , how about putting the blame on the real dick head who screwed us up baalke , in the draft how many top notch receivers did we pass on with speed if you look at seachicks losses they lost to team who had speed , secondly reaching for a tight end in the second, and then releasing cooper , instead of rogers,dont get me wrong baalke is good but when we lost in the nfc championship game in 11 why because we had no speed opposite of crabtree then the superbowl , and once again we need to get speed on the offense

Originally posted by 9moon:
Seahawks is the better team this year and showed it.. It hurts so bad cause I thought we had a chance to win the game..

Kap needs to stop that BS of his regarding throwing to Crabb everytime he's in a one n one situation.. I hope he's learned from this 2nd mistake of his.. His audible cost us the Super Bowl on a fade to Crabb, and his personal anger (tryin to humiliate Sherman) cost us this game again.

What he needs to do is learn to feel pressure and learn how to throw the ball quicker.

I also wanna know who made the freakin call?? I've watched the replay over and over, and it made me wonder how a LB (who made the INT) got deep on that play.. I came to realization that we did not send anyone for him to cover at all.. we had 2 TOs and with 22 seconds left, can someone explain to me why we wouldnt try to get closer the 10 and make Kap a threat to their D???

That is on the Head Coach trying to be cute and the OC needs to go period. GoRo is to herky jerky with the play calling,that fade was the same freaking play call as the Super Bowl last year.

We have six picks in three rounds?

Originally posted by pdizo916:

We have six picks in three rounds?

1 1st rounder, 2 2nd rounders (one for Alex Smith), and 3 3rd rounders (one for trading down in round 2 last year and another is a likely pick in compensation for Dashon Goldson).

So, yes. 6 picks in first 3 rounds.

Good post, Marv. It's a shame that it's the last one this season. But once again, you add a calming, rational perspective to what has been a very difficult loss. Thanks.

I too share your concern with our championship window. I think we'll be in the hunt for a while, but I can't help but feel our odds to win a SB will never be higher than they have been the past 3 seasons. We can't keep this depth forever. We were very fortunate to have a QB and star pass rusher playing at a discounted rate. The salary cap will become a big factor in the near future when we extend those two.

Frank and Justin aging is a shame. I feel like their window is certainly closing, but replacing them is possible. They're both Niner legends, and will be difficult to replace. Not just in terms of ability, but their smarts, leadership, and clutch play. We just have to trust management to draft well and find the right heir apparents.

Originally posted by NinerGM:

Marvin I always read your write ups. I hope you're not giving this coaching staff particularly on offense a free pass.

Im rewatching the game right now and this is pretty much what I think. Jim harbaughs offensive mind is overated. he has to approve this s**t. our f**king running game is not dynamic. for the most part everyone knows where the damn ball is going. f**k!

Originally posted by Marvin49:

Just got back from Los Angeles and have had a 6 hour drive to think about the game. Haven't rewatched yet (may wait at least a few weeks).

1) Kap: OK...let me start by saying anyone who wants to replace Kap as the QB needs to stop sniffing glue. I haven't even read anything on this site yet but I KNOW you guys have probably already been out in force.

First off, Kap was the only person who did ANYTHING in the game on offense. The plays he made with his legs and arm were the only reason they were in the game at the end. Then Seahawks completely eliminated the run game. Gore could do nothing. Boldin dropped two passes. Lets also not forget that the Seahawks are the best pass D in the NFL for a REASON. Did Colin play perfectly? Of course not. Still a young player in the most hostile environment in the NFL and still was one throw away from winning his FOURTH consecutive road game and FOURTH road playoff game.

I'd like to highlight that last part in particular. No team has EVER won 4 straight games on the road. Ever. No team has won back to back Conference Championship games on the road. Anyone ready to throw the towel in on Kap need to remove their cranium from their rectum. Kap is going to be here for a long time so you had better get used to it.

Some of my favorite quotes I've seen on PFT say stuff like "Great Athlete but Niners will never win a Championship with Kaepernick". That comment makes me laugh. It shows very little understanding of 49er history. I remember another player who was tagged with the exact same line...athletic, great runner, best RB on the team, too undisciplined, they will never win a Championship with him.

His name was Steve Young.


2) Richard Sherman: Undoubtedly the biggest pr*ck in the NFL. I've been on a few sites that are actually defending him, saying Crabtree tried to "start a fight" with him, etc, etc. Ya know what? That dude isn't just an a$$hat, he's also a boldfaced liar. I don't believe a single word that comes after his mouth. I remember his "account" of how he congratulated Harbaugh after the week 2 game and how the video showed that he comp[lately made up what happened. He never game Harbaugh the chance to respond before he ran away. It pretty much puts a slant on every single thing I hear from him. Crab said earlier in the week that he didn't think Sherman was the best and that he didn't pay attention to particular players...just teams. THAT was what Dick Sherman responded to. Seriously? THAT comment is the reason you make yourself look like a moron on National TV? The sad part is that the guy is good. REALLY good. He's smart. He's dedicated to his craft. If he would shut his mouth he'd actually get the respect he claims he never gets. I might actually have rooted for the Seahawks 2 sundays from now but I can't bring myself to root for that piece of trash. What absolutely BLOWS ME AWAY is how all I read from Seahawks fans is how big a douche Harbaugh and Kaepernick are. They b***h and complain about how those two don't respect them. They see NO ISSUE with Shermans antics. Unbelievable hypocritical.

Go Broncos.


3) Bowman: Ultimate adding injury to insult. I'm bothered by the game, but I'm crushed because of that injury. I hope he can make it back, but I don't want them to rush him. I want him back as close to 100% as possible. The fact that he hung onto the ball...OMG. That's just nuts. The fact that the refs missed it...no comment.


4) Aldon: Dude is a straight pass rushing monster. Really only participated greatly in 12 games this season (missed 5 and was limted in 2 more) and still amassed 12 sacks. Even when double and triple teamed, he can't be contained forever.


5) Seattle fans: As disgusted as I am at Sherman and by the fan who threw popcorn at Bowman as he exited the field, I honestly don't think that behavior is indicative of most of that fanbase. I was on Seahawks.net last night and I was seeing a level of respect for the 49ers that I hadn't seen before and peeps upset about the popcorn incident and wishing the best for Bowman and Iupati. Just want to keep it in perspective. One idiot fan does not an entire fanbase make. If we hold them all responsible for that then we are all no better than Niner fans who stab opposing fans the Candlestick parking lot. Just sayin'.


6) Crab/Boldin/WRs: Really looking forward to getting him next year with a full offseason to recover. He has played far better than I ever could have expected, but there is no way he was 100% this year. Really hoping they can resign Boldin for a reasonable price. I think that his issue last year with Baltimore and not wanting to take a pay cut had more to do with wanting Baltimore to honor their contract than wanting the payday. We'll see because thing are going to get tight. I would expect the Niners to draft another WR and see Crab/Boldin/Patton/Draft Pick as the teams WRs next year.


7) Secondary: My guess is that both Donte Whitner, Terrell Brown, and Carlos Rogers have put on the red and gold for the last time. Rogers doesn't concern me. Cully is back. Brock will start....but they will have to select a CB fairly high and probably sign a few cheap free agents to compete. I was never a fan of Whitner...until this year. Replacing him is my biggest concern on D. I just don't see how they sign him AND keep everyone else.

The good news is that Baalke has shown an ability to go find guys who were highly ranked coming out of college and have been a "bust" with the teams that selected them and then allowing them to succeed with this coaching staff (See Whitner, Donte: Rogers, Carlos: Dorsey, Glenn). He'll need to do it again in a few positions on the team.


8) Contracts: Now stuff starts to get expensive. My guess is Kap and Aldon get redone in the offseason and Crab and Iupati play out their contracts. Given the choiceof the two, I'd say resign Crab...but I'm not sure it will be possible.


9) Championship Window: This all leads me to my biggest concern. The Niners are in danger of having their Championship window expire. Gore is not getting any younger. Neither is Justin Smith. I can't wait to see Lattimore or Carradine, but we won't know till those guys can play. The 49ers of the past were able to restock their rosters and keep that window open for an incredibly long time. We'll just have to see if Baalke can do the same now that those rookie deals are expiring. Having 6 picks in the first 3 rounds helps. Having a new stadium and a team that has been in the NFC Championship 3 years running helps attract free agents. This should be an interesting offseason.


10) Refs: The refs were bad. Niners got hosed on a few calls. Ya know what tho? I spent weeks being pissed off after the Super Bowl. I don't want to do it again. Some of the missed calls didn't make a difference anyway. Some might have made a difference, but the reality is that we'll never know and getting pissed about it won't change it. Nobody is going to remember that a drive should have been extended by a roughing the kicker call. Nobody cares and will only site some call that went against them 2 years earlier. No point to it.

OK, when's the draft? Looking forward to watching a bit of a retool this offseason.

Excellent and honest!