Over the past 4 seasons, the only time this offense has looked consistently dynamic was the stretch leading up to the Super Bowl loss to the Ravens. What was different about that stretch?
If you ask me, the difference was that we were more aggressive with our use of the read option and the pistol. Ever since the Alex Smith trade, we've seemed to completely scrap both for fear of getting Kap hurt due to the lack of a quality backup.
Now, even when we employ read option concepts, they don't seem like true options but rather designated gives to Hyde. And they still work a good percentage of the time. No matter what anyone says, the read option still works. The Eagles succeed with those concepts despite using QBs like Foles and Sanchez who are no real threat to pull the ball and run.
TL;DR: We've been terrified of Kap getting hurt because McCoy and Gabbert suck, and it's robbed our offense of the elements that made us so dynamic late in 2012-13.
Key stat: We averaged 28.8 ppg in the 10 games Kap started in 2012-13. That would be good for 6th in the league this year, right behind the Broncos.
This year, we're averaging 19.3 ppg.
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Alex Smith was the key to our offense... as a backup.
Dec 2, 2014 at 6:18 PM
- JamesGatz83
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Dec 2, 2014 at 6:21 PM
- obx49
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Alex Smith? Really? This place is getting wayyyyyy out of control...
Dec 2, 2014 at 6:21 PM
- spizzy
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Wait, what? This actually makes sense lol
Dec 2, 2014 at 6:36 PM
- OnTheClock
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Not going to find many starting NFL QB's like Alex to have as a backup to Kaepernick, but a veteran backup who has been outstanding in the past and still has something in the tank would be very valuable for his development in the mental game and yes, would give more security behind him. But I'm more concerned with the first part of that statement I just mentioned.
Dec 2, 2014 at 6:54 PM
- Young2Rice
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Read option was the key to our offense in the only year it was good under Roman.
Dec 2, 2014 at 6:55 PM
- fly15
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Dec 2, 2014 at 7:15 PM
- awp8912
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Problem isnt any of the QBs. Colt McCoy looked like doodoo here and now hes lighting it up.......
Dec 2, 2014 at 7:41 PM
- Afrikan
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think Randy Moss and Delaine Walker had something to do with it as well.
Randy clearing up the middle of the field... Walker burning the LBs crossing middle for 20+ yard gains.
Walker was also good at blocking for Kap in the read option, coming out of the backfield.
Randy clearing up the middle of the field... Walker burning the LBs crossing middle for 20+ yard gains.
Walker was also good at blocking for Kap in the read option, coming out of the backfield.
Dec 2, 2014 at 7:54 PM
- mkeniner
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Defenses had not had an adequate opportunity to defend the read option/Kaepernick at that time. The O-Line was healthy and playing better as well. But I see your point, things definitely got more conservative as far as Kaepernick running once Alex Smith left. That's also when the attempted transition to pocket QB started.
Dec 2, 2014 at 8:39 PM
- jrg
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Drink another one buddy
Dec 2, 2014 at 8:46 PM
- AXEGRINDER
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Originally posted by jrg:Drink another one buddy
Did you actually read the post or just the title? I'm interested to hear anyone refute his points, or offer a better reason for this offense (namely Kap) so-called regression.
There are probably a lot of reasons for the offensive ineptitude, this one is as good as any imo.
Dec 2, 2014 at 8:56 PM
- dtg_9er
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Smith was having a very good year before his concussion and Kaepernick continued that trend. So it could be the coaches knowing they had two capable back ups or it could be that the team hit on an offense that was in sync and fairly new to the NFL...but that has now been diagnosed.
In 2011 the niners won 13 game, lost 3, and the offense was clicking. Go back and look at the scores and they are similar to 2012. In each year the team scored 20 or more points in 11 of their games.
I think the logical answer is that Baltimore showed the league how to shut down the 9er offense and they haven't discovered a way to overcome that defense yet. Stacked the box, play agressive in the secondary and drop different front folks into shallow coverage to impact the passing lanes.
In 2011 the niners won 13 game, lost 3, and the offense was clicking. Go back and look at the scores and they are similar to 2012. In each year the team scored 20 or more points in 11 of their games.
I think the logical answer is that Baltimore showed the league how to shut down the 9er offense and they haven't discovered a way to overcome that defense yet. Stacked the box, play agressive in the secondary and drop different front folks into shallow coverage to impact the passing lanes.
Dec 2, 2014 at 9:06 PM
- AXEGRINDER
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Originally posted by dtg_9er:Smith was having a very good year before his concussion and Kaepernick continued that trend. So it could be the coaches knowing they had two capable back ups or it could be that the team hit on an offense that was in sync and fairly new to the NFL...but that has now been diagnosed.
In 2011 the niners won 13 game, lost 3, and the offense was clicking. Go back and look at the scores and they are similar to 2012. In each year the team scored 20 or more points in 11 of their games.
I think the logical answer is that Baltimore showed the league how to shut down the 9er offense and they haven't discovered a way to overcome that defense yet. Stacked the box, play agressive in the secondary and drop different front folks into shallow coverage to impact the passing lanes.
They might have been successful in the first half, but we ended up scoring 31 points in that game and nearly won it. I wouldn't call that being shut down. If the staff had the least bit of confidence in Gagbert, you might see in different offense. On paper we have more talent on offense now than in '12.
I'm not saying I'm a fan of the read option, but it did work, and Kap looked lightyears more comfortable running it. Just ask the Packers. We play them now they would destroy us. So what's different again?
Dec 2, 2014 at 9:19 PM
- dtg_9er
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Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:
They might have been successful in the first half, but we ended up scoring 31 points in that game and nearly won it. I wouldn't call that being shut down. If the staff had the least bit of confidence in Gagbert, you might see in different offense. On paper we have more talent on offense now than in '12.
I'm not saying I'm a fan of the read option, but it did work, and Kap looked lightyears more comfortable running it. Just ask the Packers. We play them now they would destroy us. So what's different again?
They shut them down in 2011 but you are correct the Super Bowl was a much better offensive showing...over 400 yards of offense. I tend to lump those two game together...probably tryng to blot out the Super Bowl loss!
But I do believe the way to beat SF was demonstrated by Baltimore...8 in the box, have 3 fly back into coverage at the snap and fill passing lanes. We've seen the stacked box too often.
[ Edited by dtg_9er on Dec 2, 2014 at 9:20 PM ]
Dec 2, 2014 at 9:25 PM
- CMIO
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Alex Smith brought nothing to this team. He came up short time and time again, and everyone from fans to media would waste hours trying to figure out whether it was him or his supporting cast that was holding the team back.
I for one was VERY happy when his ship sailed. Now he's KCs problem, and we're already seeing the same excuses we used in SF (receivers suck, bad oline, playcalling) being used there. Good riddance. I expect Andy Reid to be out of a job within the next 3 yrs if Alex remains starter.
/rant
I for one was VERY happy when his ship sailed. Now he's KCs problem, and we're already seeing the same excuses we used in SF (receivers suck, bad oline, playcalling) being used there. Good riddance. I expect Andy Reid to be out of a job within the next 3 yrs if Alex remains starter.
/rant