Smith and Crabtree Seize the Night

Sep 18, 2012 at 2:38 PM


Once again, there we were.

Oh, sure; the entire night, the Niners had been in total control. The D began with a three-and-out, putting its immediate clamps on yet another high-flying O. Then, speaking of high-flying, our own O took all of 4 plays to drive 70 yards for the game's first score.

More importantly, at least to me, Alex Smith answered my latest critique. At the Lions' 21, the Niners lined up to run the ball, but Smith looked left and saw Vernon Davis in single coverage. Sensing the opportunity for a big play, Smith changed it up and threw a deep strike. And instead of second-and-whatever, it was touchdown Niners.

This interception streak is nice. But that's the stuff of a great QB.

From there, though, we started our weekly field-goal brigade—though the Lions generously converted one of those field goals into a touchdown—while our D gave up a few of its own. By the middle of the fourth quarter, the Lions had cut the lead to eight, and once again, there we were.

Third-and-seven, at the Niners' 24.

There seemed to be very little doubt as to what was about to happen here. First, of course, we'd fail to convert. Lost in the euphoria of the Packers game was the fact that our third-down conversion rate, so deplorable last year, was still an abysmal two-for-nine. And tonight was no better; with the entire receiving corps plagued by a sudden case of the drops—and with our complete aversion to third-and-one—we were sitting ugly at one-for-eight. So we'd miss the third down, and we'd ask our D for one more stop.

One more stop. How many times could we ask for this? In week one, we'd punted an eight-point deficit to Aaron Rodgers, and our D had held on. Now we were about to do the same for Matthew Stafford, he of the 5,000 yards and the 41 touchdowns. No doubt, our D is magnificent; but keeping him out of the end zone all night?

That simply isn't playing the odds.

But once again, there we were.

Smith dropped back and threw short of the sticks—a common practice that contributes mightily to our third-down issues—where Michael Crabtree made the catch. He was hit immediately, but by putting the ball ahead of him, and by keeping his feet just barely in bounds, he gained the first down by a fraction of an inch.

And that, of course, was just the beginning.

After a four-yard loss and an incomplete pass, things were looking even worse: third-and-14, at the Niners' 27. There was just no way, until there was. Smith hit Crabtree again, on a shallow cross; Frank Gore threw a block, and Crabtree got to the 43.

Four plays later, it was third-and-nine at the Lions' 41. With blood streaming down his face, Smith threw short of the sticks again, but to Crabtree again, who twisted and turned through three defenders and picked up still another first-down.

And finally, with the Lions' D completely demoralized, Smith rolled right and tossed a short lob to Davis, who scampered in for the clinching score.

Let's forget about our own D's letdown on the ensuing drive, and the fact that the game was technically in doubt until the onside kick, which we turned into a heartstopping free-for-all. (All hail the vice-like hands of Kyle Williams!) The important point was simply this: instead of leaving the game in the hands of the D, our offense seized a chance to take it itself. And thus, Smith and the O took another step, toward doing the things that great Os do.

And who would've thought that Crabtree would play such a pivotal role? After the holdout, the lost preseasons, the injuries both real and exaggerated—Crabtree seemed stuck in the same middle-ground that defined Smith for so long: not quite a bust, but also not quite anything else. Yet by now it's clear, in Jim Harbaugh's world, everything, everything, turns to gold. And so, despite the additions of Moss and Manningham, Smith looked to Crabtree again and again. And Crabtree, like everyone else who's suffered so much, showed how much he's ready to win.

Ready to win, and there lies the difference—the feeling that drifts around this year's team. Inherent in last year's magic was the prevailing sense that we were winning by the seat of our pants. No question, the play was strong and the coaching was genius, but given the locked-out offseason, it seemed like we were making it up as we went along. Clearly we were legitimate—our success was more than smoke and mirrors—but our acceleration up the learning curve was so dramatic that it felt almost unnatural, out of control.

We might've won, but we weren't quite ready.

Throughout this preseason, we discussed the difficulty of replacing that magic. We acknowledged the distinct possibility that the Niners could be better—especially on offense, where improvement was virtually certain—but still be unable to replicate last year's stunning success. It was this possibility for which I had prepared myself. And my myriad concerns—especially pertaining to Smith, who answers every fucking challenge—were merely borne of an intense desire, to squelch that prospect into oblivion.

We're two games in, and as they say, there's a lot of football left to be played. But we've played two of last year's playoff teams, including last year's very best. And the degree to which we've dominated—"imposed our will," in this week's buzz—leaves only one conclusion now.

We might not be this year's most magical team.

But we are the best, and we're ready to win.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.


14 Comments

  • Anonymous Niner
    Here's the real story behind the Forty Niners' success: Being a current Niner that has played through the Singletary Era. Coach has been unfairly criticized and ridiculed for some of the things he has done. At halftime of the home game against Seattle four years ago Coach dropped his pants. He wasn't ridiculing his team, he was making a point. At the time his pants were down around his ankles he said "We are down in this game, but we can come back from behind, hard and strong. I need you to be men and give me 100%. Now who wants to be a part of this?" It was one of the most inspirational speeches I have ever witnessed. When have you ever seen a coach staring at you between his own two legs with that crazy Mike Singletary stare? Yelling at you below his own two nuts "Give it to me, I want 100% or nothing." It was a moment that inspired all of us football players and we will miss you Coach.
    Sep 20, 2012 at 7:18 PM
    0
    Response: Great memories, Niner. Great memories indeed.
  • Lucky Phil
    Is anyone excited as I am to see Mike Singletary again?! I wonder what his gameplan is this week. I think Minn. has a huge advantage with Coach Sing in their clubhouse. I mean who knows the Niners better than he does? LOL. Nice article Jeff. It just feels like something is missing this year. After all the years of complete and epic failure, I don't know how to deal with the success! I'm sure I'll get over it when I see Sing again. That poor dumb bastard!
    Sep 20, 2012 at 6:46 PM
    0
  • Ted
    Something feels amiss, in the past your articles would incite, which would lead to agitated feedbacks and debates. Now it seems quiet, too quiet. Jeff you need to find a button, any button, please! Never mind, the Niners are winning and Alex has been reborn...... what more could we ask for?
    Sep 20, 2012 at 2:29 PM
    0
  • Deborah Q. Downer
    I enjoy reading your column when Alex Smith has a great game.
    Sep 19, 2012 at 12:39 PM
    0
  • Charles
    Enjoyed reading your column, needless to say the Niners offense was awesome! Crabtree has really grown and lived up to his potential and Alex is a legit qb.
    Sep 19, 2012 at 5:53 AM
    0
  • Ted
    Eloquent..... now maybe you could convert the remaining "Alex bashers" in the zone. On the other hand, they're running out of reasons (Alex's performance seemed to have muzzled most of them). Hey James, do you need one? If you're alluding to Alex, you should try to view old west coast offense videos featuring Joe and Steve, just saying.
    Sep 18, 2012 at 7:49 PM
    0
  • David
    Nice read. It's so much more enjoyable reading your stuff when the niners are good!
    Sep 18, 2012 at 7:18 PM
    0
  • Kuni
    Yeah that "F" bomb.....I LOL'd.
    Sep 18, 2012 at 5:05 PM
    0
  • overthemiddle
    Wow the F bomb, almost startled me beyond belief. Jeff with the vocabulary of the efficient, the twisted words of subjection, now the F bomb. The two most battered players on the Niners, Alex and Crabs rose to the occasion when it mattered the most in the game. Things are looking up and suddenly, the daunting schedule of the Packers, Lions, Giants, Saints, and Patriots doesnt look so bad as it did before the season began. We won the game because of our offense, Alex just showed us that the Saints playoff game was not an aberration but a glimpse of what is to come. Once again nice article Jeff. Good times are once again upon the fans of the Niners.
    Sep 18, 2012 at 4:56 PM
    0
  • 9er fanatic
    and an appropriately placed F bomb at that!
    Sep 18, 2012 at 4:41 PM
    0
  • ddmur
    Great start; we deserve the number 1 power ranking, but there is a lot of football yet to be played.
    Sep 18, 2012 at 3:15 PM
    0
  • James
    Who do you think is to blame for the 3rd and 7 pass that only goes 5 yards?
    Sep 18, 2012 at 3:13 PM
    0
  • Nick S.
    ...and only one mention of RAAAAAAAANDY this time. I'm impressed.
    Sep 18, 2012 at 3:00 PM
    0
  • Nara
    LOL @ "especially pertaining to Smith, who answers every fucking challenge". it was like i was listening to "You're beautiful" and there was this random F bomb.
    Sep 18, 2012 at 2:51 PM
    0

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