Originally posted by thl408:
jonnydel won't be joining in this week so I'll try to highlight some of the lowlights in this game and try to get a feel for whether the mistakes are correctable due to player mistake, player inability, or poor scheme. When the best play of the game is a punt return, you know it was a craptastic game from a 49er standpoint.
First off Kap. All his INTs were the correct read, but they were all thrown so poorly. Whether the throw was late, inaccurate, or both, the throws were downright pathetic. Some mentioned that it was due to pressure and that was the reason he couldn't put power into his throw. This is true, but the pressure affected the throw because the throw was so late. Had the throw been on time, on rhythm, pressure wouldn't have played a big factor, if at all. We all saw how quickly the game got out of hand with the two pick6s. Usually we can count on kap to shake it off, but he was clearly shaken up and that affected him the rest of he game, especially on the 4th INT (underthrown to Torrey). He saw a lot of cover1 blitz which is no surprise, that's what ARI does.
Some key failures help put this game to rest early. Three notable plays were the Patton personal foul which killed that drive, a key failure to convert offensively on 3rd &1 (Devey fails on a block), and the INT to end the 1st half (Kap's 3rd). Had the 49ers gotten a FG, it would have been 28-10 going into the half with the 49ers getting the ball to start the 2nd half. Some hope. Instead, Kap throws his 3rd INT and ARI gets the end of half field goal to make it 31-7. That was a huge swing that killed team confidence.
I will show some offensive plays, but wanted to try and focus more on Mangini's defense - which I think is the most alarming aspect to the 49ers two recent blowouts. The game started off with a chunk play +21 yard gain to Fitz, and that would be a reoccurring thing. Fitz made a living behind the LBs and in front of the safeties. Palmer also made some pinpoint throws into zones, something I hope Kap can do at some point in his career. I'll show how Palmer throws to open spots of grass which was way too abundant in Mangini's zone coverages. 49ers came with a lot of Fire Zone blitz and ARI did a nice job picking up the extra rusher. Combine a vet QB, with a vet WR like Fitz that understands the soft spots, and a pass rush that can't get home, and it's pitch and catch for the ARI offense.
Tidbits:
Can't forget to mention shoddy tackling, especially from Reid. This guy must be scared to notch another concussion or something. Boldin and VD had a tough time getting separation versus ARI's man coveage. Brock is not looking at all like 2013 Brock - dude got a fat deal and checked out. Bethea seems to have lost a step, or is thinking too much. The safeties went from lining up too shallow (PIT), to playing too deep. Hyde continues to be the lone offensive bright spot. Patrick Peterson followed Torrey all around the field no matter where Torrey lined up and did a good job. I'll try to show Kap's INT's, some of the key plays that determined the outcome, and the 49er's defensive coverage this game. If it hurts to watch, just look away.
He just doesn't look like the same guy from year 1 flying around making plays. He looks tentative like he's not playing at full speed. I wonder if he's thinking retirement in the back of his mind.





