Admit it.
Oh, sure, it isn't the usual feeling. You're a die-hard, after all, and watching the Niners is one of the highlights of your week. Maybe it's the ONLY highlight. Maybe it's the one thing that gets you through your daily grind: the thought that in a matter of days you'll be able to escape into another world. A world where all that matters is the Niners.
Admit it, though. There was a point, on Sunday, when you thought you would rather be anywhere else.
For me, that point was just before halftime. The Niners faced a third-and-2 at their own 47. We'd managed all of 93 yards. We hadn't ventured past midfield. And behind an abysmal offensive line, Jim Harbaugh sent
Frank Gore up the middle, again. Predictably, Gore lost a yard. Andy Lee punted for the sixth time, and we went to the locker room trailing the Bengals, three to nothing.
It was right about then when I couldn't help thinking: you know, maybe I should be mowing my lawn.
I stuck it out, of course, and to some extent was rewarded. In the fourth quarter, down six to three, the Niners put together their one impressive drive, a game-winner thanks to our defense, which held the Bengals to field goals on their two trips inside the 10.
The Niners had won. We were two-and-one, alone atop the NFC West. Yet Harbaugh described the experience perfectly: "That football game, from an offensive perspective, ... was painful at times. Like going to the dentist."
All together now: rinse and spit.
I know, I know. A win is a win, right? Plus, as I've written myself: "When you've lost as many games as we've lost recently, you don't complain about ugly wins. You take ‘em however you can get ‘em."
So I won't complain. Instead, I'll ask a simple question: what exactly are we doing?
Let's start with the obvious: we're not gonna win the Super Bowl, not THIS year anyway. This offense, now ranked dead last, is stuck in an endless, miserable loop. Because of the limitations of our personnel--particularly on that embarrassing line--Harbaugh won't even attempt to install the actual West Coast Offense, and the limitations of our personnel are made even more limiting by the limitations of our schemes. To whatever extent you still had hopes for a miracle dark-horse Super Bowl push, Sunday's snoozer should've put ‘em to bed.
Now if you're not gonna win the Super Bowl, what you want is proof that you're getting there. Proof that you're building. Proof that you're putting the pieces in place.
After Sunday, it's fair to ask: are we even doing THAT?
Consider the case of Colin Kaepernick. He isn't playing; he's our purported QB of the future. Andy Dalton, though, whom the Bengals chose just before we took Kaepernick, is playing now. Our defense gave Dalton a pretty rough day. But he's getting precious experience, and he's playing well enough to show Bengals fans (if any exist) that their team just might be a team on the rise. Meanwhile, Kaepernick sits.
Now I'm not saying that Kaepernick's experience would be as productive as Dalton's; our offensive line is so atrocious, his experience would mostly consist of being knocked down. It's better, of course, that he watch and learn.
But then again, look at what he's watching and learning.
A veteran bridge is valuable only if he's running the system that the rookie himself will be running next. The rookie will watch the plays unfold; he'll learn which decisions work and which don't. But the system that Kaepernick's watching just can't be the system he'll ultimately run. On Sunday there were some modest wrinkles--the game-winning drive was nicely schemed--but if Kaepernick's given the real WCO, and please, PLEASE, tell me he will, what he's watching now will be virtually worthless. Essentially, he'll be starting from scratch.
Yet our crappy division continues to be both a blessing and a curse. The Rams, the popular preseason faves, are oh-and-three, though of course they've faced a tough early schedule. Seattle is truly awful, yet they just beat the Cardinals. So yeah, our offense is nearly unwatchable. But, once again, it might be enough.
If it weren't, Harbaugh might've been inspired to break the vicious circle, and truly start installing his offense. Naturally, it wouldn't be pretty, but at least we could see it. We could start to see what we would become. We could start to see how the future would look.
But my concern, for THIS week, is that Harbaugh is attempting to win a very small battle while slipping behind in a larger war. He's attempting to "grind" his way to a division title--which would be somewhat exciting but ultimately meaningless--at the price of a year of genuine development. A year closer to real contention.
I've been accused lately of being impatient, of unreasonably demanding immediate progress. I've been reminded to think once again of the lockout: how could Harbaugh possibly install the WCO in a month and a half? Well, to begin with, I think we've seen that the lockout hasn't been nearly the obstacle that it originally threatened to be, as offenses across the league--even those that are newly installed--are producing at almost ridiculous levels. But beyond that, I'm really not impatient at all. I don't demand perfection. I don't even demand WINS, at least not yet. All I want is proof that we're building toward something real. Proof, if you will, of true restoration.
Instead I got what I got on Sunday. A game that seemed to prove only inertia. A game that was like a head meeting a wall. A game that was almost a burden to watch.
We won it, of course, and a win is a win. Yet I can't help but think that we're losing more.
-
jaxinsac
Thus the problem with suggesting a win is a bad thing. Didn't look like it hindered things on Sunday. I'm still in shock on why this section of the webzone isn't yet deleted. It's an eyesore, like this article.
Oct 3, 2011 at 6:39 PM
-
Michael Taylor
Yes Jeff, I noticed, but we won because the team played tough in all phases of the game, especially at the end. Justin Smith's defensive play and smashing the Eagles in the mouth with the run for 2:15 sealed the game. Your favorite whipping boy, Mr. Smith, is ranked top ten in a number of categories (as noted by Peter King today) for playing the way Harbaugh wants him to: as mistake-free as possible. I think the offense will evolve when Harbaugh feels that everyone is on the same sheet of music. We saw flashes of that gel yesterday & I think we'll see more in the future. BTW, SI had a great breakdown of Smith in the Eagles game. You should check it out and we here in Ninerland can't wait for next great Kaplan article.
Oct 3, 2011 at 4:33 PM
-
Michael Taylor
Hey, Kaplan, I can't wait for another patented BS article from you. You are truly such a sourpatch kid. By the way, did you enjoy the 49ers-Eagles game or were you mowing your freaking lawn?
Oct 3, 2011 at 4:50 AM
-
Bill B.
Thanks, Phil! No worries. This whole thing is not so much a difference of opinion as it is semantics and I'm just glad you guys are still Niner fans after the last 8 years of mid-seventies-like Niner performance. Like I said, this season actually seems more interesting and exciting to me than usual because I just know Harbaugh is going to try to bring new things every week. And, although they've been very frustrating to watch, I think we'll see better and better performance from the O-line as well. That 80's line didn't look too good as they were installing the offense in '79 and '80 either. These guys are learning to work together on the fly. Again, if this team manages to get through the first half at .500, they're going to the playoffs.
Oct 1, 2011 at 8:28 AM
-
Lucky Phil
Hey Bill B. I want to apologize for the crude tip I suggested about keeping yourself clean. I was alluding to the fact that I think you are an idiot and I'm assuming you figured that out based on your comments. For the record, I don't think you're an idiot but I want to explain why I was angry with your first comment and why I thought it was a dumb comment to make. I think I clearly said I was not happy with this team and I'm no longer a fan. I don't need anyone repeating what I have said. #2 Saying I'm a "bandwagoner", I'm doing the exact opposite. For the first time in years this team will make the playoffs. I'm the first idiot that is jumping off this bandwagon because this offense is unwatchable. And Bill before you make comments that myself, Jeff, and others are not true fans, you need to understand that true fans are passionate about their team. The "whining" on these boards is what I consider constructive criticism. Bill I admire your dedication, I hope you enjoy the season. Even though I have a lot of respect for Alex's hard work and toughness I need to see Kap out there for me to get excited about this WCO.
Sep 30, 2011 at 8:05 PM
-
Bill B.
Jeremy, I don't think you understand what I'm saying. Of course, I'd rather the Niners were winning. I'm just saying that whether I or any other fan "accepts" it is irrelevant. Apathy has nothing to do with it. I'm a passionate Niner fan - always have been.
Terry, it simply does not follow that a person has no credibility because he is a homer. A homer can be very knowledgeable about NFL football. I'll put my understanding of the game next to anyone here. For example, I know enough about the game to understand that expecting a well-timed west-coast offense at this point in the season without off-season installations is unrealistic. As I've posted below, I expect to see new wrinkles every week and I think this is a special season that requires patience. In many ways, this is going to be more interesting than usual, because we'll continue to see new formations and plays every week.
Sep 30, 2011 at 5:16 PM
-
John H.
Here's an interesting column from ProFootballFocus, looking at the best and worst pass blocking lines in the league. Surprisingly, we are not in the bottom ten. Of course, these rankings are somewhat suspect given that the Bears aren't in the bottom ten either. We do have one thing of note, though, in that Jonathan Goodwin grades out as the worst pass blocking center in the league. Good signing, Trent!
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/09/30/signature-stats-snapshot-pass-blocking-efficiency/
Sep 30, 2011 at 8:23 AM
-
Alden Brown
Frank Gore up the middle again! Amazing!
Sep 30, 2011 at 5:50 AM
-
Jeremy
That's the second time you've made that argument Bill B., and I'll never understand it. Because you're old enough to remember the futility of the pre-Walsh days, you're perfectly willing to accept it now. Hey, enjoy yourself. That will never be me. The day I become that apathetic is the day I stop being a fan. So what if other teams are winning with our former coaches and the system we pioneered while we dither away year after year with this prehistoric offense? So what if we keep starting a QB who any other team would have cut years ago? So what if we keep failing at the draft year after year? We should just accept it! Never me, Bill. Never me.
Sep 30, 2011 at 4:33 AM
-
Terry B.
To answer your question, Bill B., no, I have absolutely no problem with you being a homer. It certainly is your right. I just think it's important to state it up front so everyone knows that you have zero credibility.
Sep 30, 2011 at 4:26 AM
-
E.Coast Niner
You have got to understand football to understand the way coach has been progressing the team. If anyone can say they have not seen the offense progress since week 1 preseason speak now. Play calling has been amazing so far, week 2 if Braylon doesn't go down 3-0. The defense looks hungry and Alex Smith, yes Alex Smith is growing confidence. I believe he throws a pick this week at the eagles, but has a big game, 300 yards passing. You heard it here 1st!
Sep 29, 2011 at 7:39 PM
-
Bill B.
It must be my age. It must be that I've been a Niner fan for over 50 years and watched them for decades before they became the big thing of the 80's and 90's. Honestly, Jeremy, when you talk about what fans used to demand, it's hard for me to take you seriously. The Niners had the longest stretch of excellence of any team in NFL history. In view of that, it's not hard to understand how Niner fans have become so ridiculous, demanding this, not accepting that, so filled with a sense of entitlement that they believe it is their right to watch a winner. I appreciate the fact that you guys all want a winner. I really do. But, please stop the whining and demanding like entitled little brats. The team will be back. Whether you know it or not, it's already on the way back. And, Terry, yes, I'm a homer. I'm a Niner fan and a homer. You got a problem with that?
Sep 29, 2011 at 6:33 PM
-
Terry B.
What if Harbaugh ALREADY KNOWS that Kaepernick isn't the QB of the future? Good God, did someone really write that? What the hell? No, seriously, what the hell?
Sep 29, 2011 at 1:53 PM
-
M. Horner
What the hell's the matter with you, Kaplan? Don't you know great football when you see it? Bill B. and Dan certainly do. Can't you find SOMETHING positive to say about this GM who drafts bench players, this coach who promised the West Coast Offense but gave us Jimmy Raye, this QB who's wasted seven years of our lives? Come on!
Sep 29, 2011 at 12:04 PM
-
49erLegacy
Jeff, assuming I am correct on Kap not being the future (for argument's sake), it would not necessarily mean Harbaugh has no capabilities as a Qb evaluator. First of all, the whole "guru" thing is media created, he is entitled to mess up or make incorrect evaluations, Bill Walsh did, and that did not make him a bad coach or overall evaluator.
Sep 29, 2011 at 11:50 AM
-
louie
Jeremy, you said it all. Thank you.
Sep 29, 2011 at 11:28 AM
-
Dan
That's the winning spirit Jeff. You really think like a winner don't you? You know what, the sky is falling and we're all going to dieeee! I'd hate to be you, there is no joy to be had. You can't ever enjoy anything, and things are always going to fall short no matter how good it gets. I know the 49ers haven't put up the most points in the NFL, and they have the least productive offense, and they are just about leading the NFL in penalty yards, but you should put down the razor blade and the bottle of pills Jeff, the 49ers are 2-1 and there are still 13 games to play. Things could get better. You're killing yourself here...and it's killing me. I'm sure the dream offense you're waiting for is just around the corner. You can quote me on that. I'm sure the mighty fact-checker (or fact-twister) Terry B. will (mis-) quote me on it. There's some love for you here too Terry B., don't want you to get lonely.
Sep 29, 2011 at 10:24 AM
-
49erLegacy
Jeff, I do agree with you that this team is not winning the SB THIS year, probably will not even make the playoffs. I disagree on the comments related to installing the offense, the WCO is not a simple system. I am willing to bet anything that Harbaugh is not happy running and gaining just 2 yards and then deciding to throw and have his Qb knocked around like a rag doll. I also wanted to add, what if Kap is not the Qb of the future? He was drafted with that in mind, but what if he is not and Harbaugh already knows it?
Sep 29, 2011 at 6:42 AM
-
Terry B.
Bill B., if you send that new Homers 'R Us membership card to Dan and AJ, they'll have it laminated for you.
Sep 29, 2011 at 5:22 AM
-
Jeremy
Welcome to Silly Season with Billy B! Is there anything worse than a fan who tries to tell other fans who have suffered through this crap for ten years that they aren't real fans? What would we be doing at 49erswebzone if we weren't real fans? Wouldn't we have left at some point in the last decade if we were just bandwagoners? Being a true fan does not mean bending over and spreading your cheeks for Jed York. Bill, I never said that the 49ers were great because of their fans. I said that their fans used to demand excellence. As for whether or not fans have power, they most certainly do. It's the power of the purse. If people like you just keep cheering the crap you're being served, then all you will be served in the future is a bigger pile of crap. Is a real QB, something resembling a modern NFL offense, and a GM who drafts players who play really too much to ask?
Sep 29, 2011 at 5:21 AM
-
Dmack
Jeff, are you saying you would rather the niners lose with direction than WIN!? I just took a couple of exams and I'm pretty tired but I could not help but to blink my eyes and scratch my head... I don't want direction for the future or to see my niners perfect the West Coast offense, we want WINS Jeff! I will take it any way I can! West coast, East coast, spread, no coast, just show us die hard fans that are paying every Sunday that you want to WIN. Scratch, claw, fake injuries, whatever it takes to get that win and I'm happy as hell! Let's worry about the present now and take care of the future when it comes. What's that saying Jeff, any team can WIN on any given day!
GO NINERS! Where do I purchase my SB tickets Jeff?!
Sep 29, 2011 at 12:15 AM
-
Bill B.
I can agree with Lucky Phil on at least one issue. I find Kaepernick to be a very intriguing prospect. I'm not worried about the picks. College guys with rocket arms almost always go through that because they're just not used to the quickness of pro defensive backs and they still think they can squeeze passes into coverage with just the strength of their throws. Kaepernick has an incredible arm and he's very fast. I agree that he's Vick-like. He also reminds me of Randall Cunningham. But what I like most about him is his character. He's a great kid and a football fanatic. I'm hoping Alex Smith totally blossoms this season because he's also a great kid with great character and that by next season, Harbaugh has one of those great problems - having two good QB's.
Sep 28, 2011 at 9:16 PM
-
Bill B.
Hey Lucky Phil! That's just the kind of reasonable, intelligent response I'd expect from a faux-Niner fan who would rather be a Raider fan if he finds the Raider offense to be marginally more interesting this season. But evidently my remarks about you being a bandwagoner hit a little too close for comfort. You admit to it yourself: "But I can't say I'm a fan, not of this team." Earth to Phil! Urgent message! "This team" is the San Francisco Forty-Niners! If you're not a fan of "this team," you're not a Niner fan. I know the logic of that might escape someone of your intelligence, but there it is.
Sep 28, 2011 at 8:21 PM
-
Ninerdawg
I feel ya Jeff, I'm getting impatient too. I live in Texas, and I'm still getting ribbed by all these Dallas fans, and we had that game. I'm afraid that's just how we are going to look this year, with our current QB, and horrendous line, Harbaugh won't be able to do much this year. I hope, maybe he's thinking that since Josh Johnson, of Tampa Bay, his contract is coming up next year, he'll try and get him, and then install the WCO......I hope.
Sep 28, 2011 at 8:09 PM
-
Lucky Phil
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Jeff. I'll still follow the Niners and I'll still be pulling for these guys. But I can't say I'm a fan, not of this team. When Kap gets his shot I'll watch. I'm a big fan of this kid. Great guy with Vick-type skills. I'm hoping Kap turns out to be our Aaron Rodgers. And for Billy B. I have a little tip for you that you might find useful. The next time you get up from the toilet, write crap on your left hand and no crap on your right hand. I don't want you to forget what hand you wipe your ass with.
Sep 28, 2011 at 7:24 PM
-
Bill B.
Jeff, I do appreciate your article, but I have to differ with you on this idea that Harbaugh is going to "grind." I think this season requires patience for the obvious reasons. In a normal year, there would have been countless off-season sessions installing the new offense. This year, Harbaugh will be installing as the season progresses. If you think about it, the last two games have both featured lots of new formations and at least a few interesting new plays. The Dallas game featured a double screen setup which would have gone for major yardage if not for a sack. The last game featured a tight end throwback that was such a new play that there was nobody within 15 yards of Davis when he caught the ball. I expect to see new plays and formations every week and by the time the team hits the second half of the season where most of our division games occur, I expect an interesting offense.
Sep 28, 2011 at 7:22 PM
-
stef
harbaugh is a smart enough coach to realize we won't be winning games until our passing game starts coming to. but he isn't stupid, he's not gonna throw our future investment kaepernick in just to try to accelerate getting more offense production, that would only make us worse now and even worse down the road. it's obvious the offense is being installed piece by piece and honestly i wouldn't have it any other way cause if he just threw it all in we'd be 0-3. idk if anyone's noticed a few of the new creative kind of plays they've run like gore's run right with the qb as a blocker and the early one at bengals with miller running left and catching a short pass, each one has gotten us substantial yards, more importantly on the first time we tried these plays. there may not be a lot more right now but this shows us that our playbook is no "nolantary" book. i think the players and coaches we are set up with now is proof enough, it isn't immediate, it doesn't even happen in months but once they've gotten that offense down and we can execute and move the ball the niners will be working on playoffs next.
Sep 28, 2011 at 6:53 PM
-
RichS
Romo went undrafted... He turned out pretty good...
Sep 28, 2011 at 6:16 PM
-
Bill B.
"Lucky Phil" is not a Niner fan. The most you could say about a guy like Phil is that he's a bandwagoner. Hey, the team's got to win or Phil won't root for it. What kind of a "fan" is that? No fan at all. Yes, Phil, by all means become a Raiders fan. Or, try the Packers - they win a lot of games these days. I like them a lot. But please don't pretend to be a Niner fan anymore. It's embarrassing.
Sep 28, 2011 at 5:45 PM
-
The_Real_Randy
Have you considered the possibility that Harbaugh is using Smith to teach Kap what NOT to do? I kid. I kid. Seriously though, given the fact that the 3rd QB on the roster is also a rookie I'm thinking maybe Harbaugh doesn't believe Kap is the answer either.
Sep 28, 2011 at 5:37 PM
-
Bill B.
Jeremy: "49er fans used to be defined by their refusal to accept mediocrity. Sadly, they now appear to be divided 50-50..."
Two things: 1. the Niners were around for a long time before the 80's. They were good sometimes and they were often very bad. Fans were fans through the good and bad. The Niners of the 80's and 90's were simply great teams and it had nothing to do with any "demands" fans made. The fans had nothing to do with it. The Niners' record on the road was better than at home. 2. Whether or not a given fan "accepts" anything is irrelevant. You get what you get. You have nothing to do with the product on the field. If you think you can "demand" anything from the team, you're delusional and have an over-inflated sense of your own importance and power. Your choice is to be a fan or not be a fan. If you can't be a fan when the team is going through hard times, if it's hard for you to be a fan and you'd rather be doing something else than watching a Niners game, then you are simply a bandwagoner, and there's lots of those in the Niner nation. It's okay to be a bandwagoner - just understand that this is what you are. To me, this is an article for bandwagoners.
Sep 28, 2011 at 5:22 PM
-
Lucky Phil
I'm looking at the ass of a baboon. There's no light at the end of the tunnel. For over twenty yrs the Niners have been my crack cocaine. Last Sunday was the end for me. The first drive, the Niners showed no passion on defense. A common theme for I don't know how many seasons. The offense...Holy Shit, is that what we are still calling it? This team had the greatest offense in football in the 80's. The best offenses in football today, GB and the Eagles, still use the WC. But here in SF we have the worst pile of crap offense i have ever seen. Not just last Sunday, but every Sun for the last seven yrs. Who gives a damn what offense we run here. You could load Frank G. in a cannon and stuff a football in his mouth and it wouldn't matter. I'm done. Raiders and Pats this weekend. Best of Luck, Jeff. You have any interest in following the Raiders?
Sep 28, 2011 at 3:50 PM
-
Edd
Jeff, thanks for keeping it real. I disagree with you on the Kaepernick situation, tho. Until Harbaugh installs a working offense system, I would rather have him use ASmith as a disposable sack-target. I don't think Harbaugh actually knows what he wants to do on offense yet, so this season is moot. To me, a reasonable goal would be to coach these guys to execute basic plays and don't worry about the playoffs this year.
Sep 28, 2011 at 1:13 PM
-
Jeremy
49er fans used to be defined by their refusal to accept mediocrity. Sadly, they now appear to be divided 50-50 between those who will and those who won't. It's nice that there is still a voice for those of us who won't.
Sep 28, 2011 at 11:57 AM
-
Dan B.
I just wanted to tell you that a long time ago I stopped reading the other bloggers that post here. I look forward to yours because of your unique take on our team. I don't always agree but I also don't think my disagreement is right. What I look for is a pragmatic, well thought out argument. You always provide that, which makes for an entertaining read.
Thanks.
Sep 28, 2011 at 11:13 AM
-
Bill
Christ you're spoiled. Shut up and enjoy the ride.
Sep 28, 2011 at 10:54 AM
-
Terry B.
Doug, I think everyone agrees that winning is what's important. And that's why this offense has to go. Singletary and Baalke built this team to run, so that may give them the best chance to win now and finish with a mediocre record. But winning in the NFL is all about dominating in the passing game. It's been proven time and again. Please read this article: http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/11_2406_The_myth_of_the_ground_game.html.
If we want to be a truly successful team that wins in the long term and wins championships, we need to dominate in the passing game. I want to win championships, not just finish with a slightly better record than the other pathetic teams in this mediocre division. The offense we're running right now is a road to nowhere. Why fritter away another season with it?
Sep 28, 2011 at 9:02 AM
-
John B
Wow there are a lot of commenters that aren't very bright. I get what you're saying. Give Kaepernick a meaningful series or two here and there. And yes the offense has been pretty boring, but as long as they win I suppose that's ok.
For all the "Tolzien is the heir" commenters. Do you think there is a reason he went undrafted by all 32 teams? Do you think there is a reason he looked so great against us and then got cut by San Diego 3 days later? Do you think there is a reason that in all 3 games he was on the inactive list? Must be because Harbaugh was an idiot and traded up to take Kaepernick when he could have just waited til the seventh round and taken Tolzien I guess.
I can't stand fans like that.
Sep 28, 2011 at 8:54 AM
-
ladale
Reality speaks for itself.... here's an absolute truth for those hoping and waiting to see an explosive offense. That's not your 9ers this season. Do you all think the coaching staff looked at film of past seasons when deciding to retain our current Q.B., and envisioned the guy ripping the league for 3 & 400 yard passing games? No. The niners are playing the perfect ball control game that favors the Q.B. they have at the helm. His game is to be given a specific option and then check it down or find a hot read if pressured. He does not have a quick throwing motion, nor an exceptionally strong arm. We have to play to the strengths of personnel.
Sep 28, 2011 at 8:37 AM
-
doug
The biggest point that you miss in your complaint... er, I mean column is the importance of WINNING. The product on the field will not improve greatly regardless what Harbaugh does with the offense... and given the choice to win in this fashion or lose in this fashion... I will take the W every time.
Sep 28, 2011 at 8:29 AM
-
AJ Dembroski
Watch and learn? There's nothing Kaepernick can learn that will fix the reasons he doesn't belong in the NFL.
Sep 28, 2011 at 8:26 AM
-
free2rhyme214
You don't start a rookie quarterback! You are insane to think we can run the WCO with our offensive line. Shut up and accept the win.
Sep 28, 2011 at 8:12 AM
-
49ersswagger
I can understand why you feel the way you do but you are a glass half empty guy and I am a glass half full type of guy. We are alone in 1st place in the NFC west, we have a defense playing terrific, great against the run and improving against the pass with the addition of whitner and rogers to go with spencer and goldson, the defense finally looks like the real deal. I remember the ravens won a superbowl with trent dilfer, they won a lot of ugly 6-3 type games. The offense looks better each week, we got hosed on crabtree's 10 yd TD, he did not step out of bounds, vernon davis our top playmaker caught 8 passes for over 100 yds, the offensive line is horrible but it can be fixed. Alex has a qb rating in the 90's, bottom line is we are winning and we have only 2 turnovers in 3 games. The 3rd down runs are killing me and Alex still holds the ball too long, resulting in too many sacks, but all problems can be fixed. If we go for the throat against dallas and accept the 15 yd penalty we could be 3-0 so I can see the improvements even if u can't.
Sep 28, 2011 at 7:27 AM
-
RichS
I don't think Harbaugh is holding back or "grinding out" a division crown. I just don't think we (the 49ers) are that good. We are not loaded with talent like some pundits would have you believe. Go position by position and look at our roster. It's very average at best. Harbaugh is doing the best with what he's got. Putting in Kaepernick would exacerbate the problem. In fact, I'm going on the record here as saying that Kaepernick is not going to be the heir apparent to Alex Smith, Scott Tolzien will be. Scott Tolzien is going to be a very good quarterback in this league, mark my words...
Sep 28, 2011 at 7:01 AM
-
52thegreat
I thought your articles were improving little by little, like the 49ers, until I read this one. Thanks Debbie Downer.
Sep 28, 2011 at 6:54 AM
-
BillB.
The subtitle for this article should be "The Bandwagoner's Lament."
Sep 28, 2011 at 6:41 AM
-
oldniner
Great Stuff, Mr. Kaplan. You have now surpassed Lowell Cohn as The Official Curmudgeon and Niner Hater. The 49ers can't do ANYTHING right for you, can they???
Sep 28, 2011 at 6:37 AM
-
PhillyNiner
Not sure why you even write about the Niners...all you do is complain about everything. Clearly you are not impartial and are approaching this as a "fan". I put that term in quotes because your pathetic attempts to put the knife in the back of the team you claim to love are both transparent and sad. Play Kaep when he isn't ready is a horrible idea, that is how you ruin a QB who is not pro ready. That is precisely how we created Alex Smith. Beyond that, tanking a season on purpose in the name of progress is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. No professional team should ever approach the game with the intent to give anything but 100%. All that would accomplish is to destroy the last bit of pride this team has, to snuff out the candle of a winning culture before it has a chance to become a real fire. Please Mr. Kaplan take your unending string of hate-filled commentaries elsewhere...real fans are tired of hearing it.
Sep 28, 2011 at 5:24 AM
-
Terry B.
Even AJ Bolino would have to concede that this team is moving in the wrong direction. According to AJ, third down percentage is the best metric for determining offensive proficiency, and he argued that our arrow was pointing up after week two because we improved on third down. But this week, we were abysmal on third down again, so even according to the Bolino metric our arrow is pointing straight down. AJ also argues (wrongly) that third down efficiency is the best predictor of wins, and we're now 22nd in the league in third down efficiency. It seems that even our biggest cheerleader can do nothing to convince us that this team is headed in the right direction.
Sep 28, 2011 at 4:22 AM
-
M. Horner
Did we hire Jim Harbaugh or John Fox?
Sep 28, 2011 at 4:07 AM
-
CroNiner
If we lost the game in a wild shootout say 31-38 I can see the same article but with a slight difference, that time you would yell, Harbaugh has to down tune it so that we win games, what's the point of running plays that are only here to fill the stat sheet?
What have you expected, the 1989 or the 1994 niners?
I have no problem with the games, it's changing at a painfully slow pace yet it is changing, playcalling is different. The throwback screen to Davis has been in the making for a couple of weeks, expect to see more of such stuff as soon as the players are comfortable executing it.
Sep 28, 2011 at 2:23 AM
-
JCC
"....a game that was a burden to watch". WOW--you haven't been watching 49er football very long young man. I remember the days when Vikings HOFer Jim Marshall ran the wrong way for a TD and Kezar erupted like we'd won the freaking Super Bowl. FYI some fun facts to know and tell your friends Jeff: 1--We haven't beat the Bengals in Cinci since 1990 which would be let's see, 21 years? 2--our defense is ranked 7th overall and getting better. 3--Alex Smith is ranked 13th w/ a passer rating of 91.3. 4--we are tied for first place in turnovers @ 6. 5--we have arguably the top special teams unit (and coach) in the entire NFL. 6--we are alone at first place in our division @ 2-1. You must have come on board when the 49ers started winning in the 80's. Stop crying in your milk and acting like a big baby...
Sep 27, 2011 at 11:29 PM
-
Baugh
....smh. There's nothing valuable to take from this article, it's kinda just pointless whining :/
Sep 27, 2011 at 11:08 PM
-
BaliNiner
Agree with everything. That game, after the first 2, was almost unwatchable. I mean I stayed up till 1am to watch till 4am, and I almost turned my stream off.
I agree, just open it up somewhat, get Kaep some reps, I mean is Smith going to sign a 5 year deal at the end of this season?? If so, I quit. I am a 30 year very hard core fan but my patience is really being tested. It is the same thing for the last 8 years, and now JH wants to grind it out for the next oh 13 games, cool...
As Cosell said, More is to be revealed. I am going to laugh at my monitor if JH tries to grind it out on the Eagles. Is it cool to drink at 3am in order to drown my disgust?
Ughhh
GO NINERS!!!
Sep 27, 2011 at 10:42 PM
-
Jose Rivera
Agree with pretty much the entire article & by the way, it was a well written article. I am a Southern CA Niners FANATIC & down here it's all about the "what have you done for me lately" attitude but to get a team at rock bottom like Harbaugh did I am content with our 2-1 start (Cowboy game got away). Anyway, you sound like a person who believes Rome was built in a day! Like you stated early in the article, we're not winning the SB this year so you're in the right frame of mind but your expectations were set too high. Winning the division was & continues to be my expectation for the team, anything else is a failure but I am a realist and give Harbaugh a longer leash than most.
By the way, I also believe in Alex Smith!!
Sep 27, 2011 at 10:38 PM
-
cliff green
It takes more than 2 months to install an offense. Lots of practice reps to make sure everyone is on the same page. And until the line can get better and be consistent, I really don't think we will see the offense "open up". Harbaugh will install only what they can handle and do well at. The line is hindering this development. An ugly WIN is better than a loss.
Sep 27, 2011 at 10:12 PM
-
Mdoran
I really like Nick's comment. Well said. Kap is getting all the experience he needs for this season. No need to ruin him like A.Smith was in SF by throwing him straight in the fire behind a brutal o-line. 5-7 sacks a game isn't what he needs. He's learning to prep like a pro and really learn the whole playbook.
Sep 27, 2011 at 9:32 PM
-
50 year fan
This article is incredibly stupid and dumb. First of all, we are running the westcoast offense, and it's Hardbaugh's offense. Look at the style, tendencies. Look at what Stanford is running and see the Niners running the same plays. Alex Smith is still the best option at this point to play. This club is growing and getting better. There are obvious areas in need of improvement, right guard, left tackle for instance, but they are coming together. Notice that Hardbaugh opened up the playbook options for Alex on Sunday and he delivered. Notice the subtle changes in personnel, running back, 3rd tight end, extra lineman in the backfield and end blocking. Same stuff Walsh used....get it. We'll be fine and get better as the year goes on, just understand what's taking place, have patience and enjoy the year. 2-1 at this juncture ain't bad...
Sep 27, 2011 at 9:27 PM
-
Dave C
Your scoffers are correct: that was pure pessimistic drivel. Problem is that you're right; I dang near shut it off at the half, and yeah, wondered about what else I could be doing. But fundamental football can be ugly and I think we saw a lot of that Sunday ('fundamental' here is loosely used to mean 'just barely execute; don't totally blow it'). I've come to accept that the
team I grew up with being synonymous with the Super Bowl and at least the postseason is just learning to stand up, as opposed to being face down in the mud for the last decade. I believe, just from what I've witnessed the last 3 games, that this coach is showing this team how to stand, without toppling over; I'm witnessing some semblance of balance emerging through the tragic pathos of the past. Despite all you said(correctly so)--the sieve of an o-line, the reticent quarterbacking, the pointless middle-running game--there's some semblance of this other team that I don't recognize, one that doesn't totally blow it at every critical moment. There's something else here; I see a team slowly learning to win: sometimes only morally, others more easily, and some downright fugly. Hell--when was our last 2-1 start?
Sep 27, 2011 at 9:18 PM
-
MBniner
I sympathize with your feelings. There are some small improvements in playcalling from week to week; witness the throwback screen and the long pass to Davis. So I expect marginal advances. What puzzles me is the OL. These guys may not be all-pros but in the past they have played better than they are now. I have to hope that they will come together as the season goes on. Maybe that's wishful thinking.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:58 PM
-
Chief
This article sucks.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:51 PM
-
Jerret
I'm beginning to wonder if anyone really remembers what the WCO was about. This is the lite version. Harbaugh is the captain of this ship now so when he's damn good & ready he's gonna open the sails & leave the rest of the league behind. You really expect him to go all out with these scrubs? That's like showing your cards before the flop.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:44 PM
-
Steve
It was truly eerie reading this article, as I had planned to write one along the exact same lines within the next few days. I've never felt so apathetic during and after a 49ers game in my entire 19 years of rooting for/watching them. I didn't care that they won because of how awful they looked and how year in and year out, this team is like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day except they don't change the routine one bit. Very well-written and you hit the nail on the head. You see these other young, inexperienced NFL teams with new schemes and rookie starters and they run circles around a 49ers team that has been stuck in first gear, in the same beat-up old car, for what feels like forever.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:41 PM
-
Van
Give it a rest. It's only 3 games! They dominated Seattle, took a better team (the Cowboys) to overtime, and played a really lousy game against another lousy team.
And until they get better and more consistent play from the O line what do you expect Harbaugh to do?
Can you just be a little satisfied that at least the team is 2-1 instead of 0-3 like last year?
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:39 PM
-
GMAN
You hit right on the mark of our problem....our horrible offensive line.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:37 PM
-
haterofninerhaters
We won a road game... No it was not pretty but we won... And how do you know what harbaugh's thinking... Did any of what you are saying come out of his mouth?? Noooooooo... I think the niners look liteyears better... We finally have a real head coach and you want to rip the guy... We r 2-1... Applaud that.. Jesus help these so called niner fans.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:30 PM
-
Tony
I just lost 5 minutes of my life reading this crap!
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:27 PM
-
Craig
I thank you for the site and news. I've been a Niner fan since Gene Washington & John Brodie. I choose not to whine. We have an excellent new coach who's had precious little time to install his systems. He is doing what he needs to do to win and is 2 & 1 with the loss being very winnable! Once the O-line gels who knows what we will be seeing. Three games, we're 2 & 1 and the article makes it seem we are 0 & 3 and destined for tragedy?
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:26 PM
-
louie
Not to mention, on a team as needy as the 49ers, none of our draft picks are starting!
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:21 PM
-
flash80
Couldn't agree more. Our O-Line is an abomination. A Davis and C Rachal are not good players. Davis is a liability. Snyder is out of position. Even Joe Staley is not a great Left Tackle. I think he is a better fit on the right side. Who is this Goodwin character? All we hear is how good he was and he has not made one bit of difference for us. Once again demonstrating our inabilities when it comes to personnel.
Am I the only one who is not a Frank Gore guy? He is an OK player who has 2-3 great games per year and 7-8 terrible ones (yes, my math is correct. He is hurt at least 4-5). They have tried to cram this guy down our throats for too long. You CANNOT build your offense around this guy! I was disappointed when they resigned him. I was impressed when they hadn't because I thought Baalke had a pair and was going to do what was best for this team. Guess he showed us. Until we figure out that a QB makes an offense, we will not win anything of significance.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:19 PM
-
Ed
Without a full training camp and OTAs, it's going to take a while before the offense gets in sync. The coaches don't really know what the players are best at yet. It's going to take a while. I don't think the O will get things running smoothly until about week 8 or 9.
This year feels different than the past 8 or 9 years already.
The games are not a lot of fun to watch, but we could be 0-3.
What I remember during the Steve Young days is that the defense wasn't very good. They couldn't stop the other team at the end of close games.
Don't complain too much, I'm not in the bay area and can only catch the 49ers on KNBR on the internet.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:15 PM
-
Longtime49erfan
What's the matter with you Kaplan? You obviously will never have anything good to say about the 49ers unless they succeed in surpassing their success in the 80s and 90s.
They could win the rest of their games and if the wins were "ugly" then you would criticize the team.
Fewer and fewer people read your articles, because real fans want to see their team correspondents occasionally make positive statements about the team they love.
Go write for the Raiders.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:13 PM
-
BrodieWins
You need to understand that the OL is switching to zone blocking schemes for Harbaugh's offense. When San Diego made OL scheme changes for Turner in his first season there, they struggled until midseason before they got it together...and they had a full offseason. So this will take more time. And factor in a new center to the line and Rachal not performing well. Also, there are a number of teams across the league in the same situation, Dallas being one of them, and they aren't running well or pass blocking great either. Just another example for you.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:11 PM
-
Nick
This is a terrible article. I don't know why I wasted my time reading it. What was your point, that instead of trying to win games with an ultra-conservative offense, Harbaugh should just open up the playbook and call plays that the team can't execute? Just so that Kaepernick can see those plays happen (and probably fail) once a week for 16 weeks? That's ridiculous.
Our QB isn't the only person on the team. If you can't see the improvement from last year to this year just in terms of playcalling, discipline (yeah there's been a few miscues, but nothing as bad as last year), then you're blind. Our defense is much improved, and the secondary is looking less terrible. We have exciting young defenders getting valuable playing time (Bowman, Ray Mac, Aldon), and new veterans gelling (Rogers, Whitner).
Our offense is no doubt terrible, but what can be done? Alex Smith already looks better than he did last year. Our o-line is atrocious, but there's not much that Harbaugh can change about that. Kaepernick is getting time with the team, and he's learning not just on gameday, but all week in practice. You think he just disappears during practice?
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:05 PM
-
BrianMac
Two things, Jeff.
1- A win is a win, winning games is not just about scheme, it's also about attitude. Winning games helps affect attitude in a positive way, and that is going to pay off in the long run. I think that it is not unreasonable that if we still had Samurai Mike, we would be 0 and 3, maybe 1 and 2 with a win over seattle at home, and our players would be already checking out.
2- The baby steps approach has us sitting at the top of our division (for now, at least). Until Sunday we haven't played from behind yet this season, and when is the last time we could say that coming into the 3rd game of the season? We have shown the ability to execute an offense and Harbaugh has had us far more competitive in any three game stretch than any time in recent memory. That is good news. Try to enjoy it, because I think Harbaugh is a fighter through and through and by the end of the year we are going to be thumping through our division to a 10 and 6 record.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:02 PM
-
Shane
Jeff, great article bud. I feel like you took my exact fear from last week and made it an article (i think i even came close to the score.) i said "i wld rather lose 38-35 and know we are getting better than win 10-3 in an ugly game in cinci," well that's exactly why, that was one of the more painful sundays of my recent memory and the win didn't help a bit.... just pathetic. A decent team wld have destroyed us. Love to give more feedback but got a real early morning over here on the east coast, Great stuff jeff, always look forward to it.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:01 PM
-
louie
I couldn't have said it any better. Once again, the 49ers will win just enough games to take them out of the running (draft) for the best players (that are supposed to go to the worst teams). But then, without a real GM the 49ers would probably probably snag more high picks like Chilo Rachal, Anthony Davis, Taylor Mays, Michael Crabtree, Anthony Dixon, Kentwan Balmer, Joe Staley, Manny Lawson, all those below average DB's and running backs, wide receivers, .......too many busts to want to remember.
Sep 27, 2011 at 8:01 PM
-
jet22
Harbaugh's offense to date is more of the same moribund Jimmy Raye offense; a radical departure from the well advertised rebirth of the west coast offense. The offensive line still employs the man to man blocking scheme of the Singletary and Jimmy Raye offense. Consequently, run yards are nonexistent or paltry at best when subjected to eight man defensive fronts. Why the zone blocking scheme of the west coast has not been featured in the offensive blocking scheme is anyone's guess. The absence of any credible passing game exacerbates the agony of the offense. Protection miscues aside, the pass offense will not improve if the object of the offense is not to lose the game.
A few changes can be made to improve performance. First, replace Chilo Rachal with Adam Snyder. Second, change the run blocking scheme to zone. Third, improve protection by teaching the basics to the two tackles. Staley signed a contract for 6yrs, $49m. He hasn't earned his money. Playing more like Zito of the SF Giants. Davis can use more time on the practice field. Finally, mental sharpness on game day should be demanded at all costs. No excuse for wholesale false start blunders by the entire offensive line.
Sep 27, 2011 at 7:59 PM
-
Nathaniel
This article is out of touch. The NFL is about results now. I don't care about style points or statistics. It's about adjustments on the fly and the next man up. The author makes it sound as though the wins are not as meaningful if the offense isn't run a certain way, or as the "experts" think. This article should be written about how the 49ers are 1 or 2 plays from 3-0. What's getting lost in this is that they are winning for a change. For some reason that is not good enough.
Sep 27, 2011 at 7:58 PM
-
winsome49erfans
Kudos to the 9ers for beating the Bengals who seem a bit better than the worst in the league. Grinding out a win which is tough enough for any NFL team on the road with a new coaching staff installing a very complex offensive scheme isn't nearly enough for now but it sure is promising and a bottom line win nonetheless. Stats really don't nearly mean as much as wins which is all that counts and any win, be it a blue-collar defensive effort over a high scoring last minute loss, is more gratifying and a better feeling to carry over to the next weekend battle, whether we do get any highlights to brag about on the postgame shows or not.
The WCO Harbaugh and staff are trying to install seems more difficult for this talented 49er team to master and their stats aren't nearly as good as last year's but it will hopefully come together and the team will only get better because we are a well-coached and better managed organization than the recent past. Arguably the worst in the league in offensive stats sure but so far better results and that's all that matters.
Sep 27, 2011 at 7:49 PM
-
AL
well said !
Sep 27, 2011 at 7:40 PM
-
TIM
Great article Jeff!!! I think you speak for the vast majority of fans. JH has a fine line to walk between trying to win now and building his team of the future with his new QB and several others in place that are not in the starting lineup yet. I said before this season started that the real JH era would not start until 2012, when Alex Smith is gone. But I firmly believe as you do that it would be better to let Kaepernick make his rookie mistakes this year and learn from them, so we can start 2012 on the run. But the NFC West is there for the taking, even with an inferior QB like Alex and an O line that can't run or pass block well enough to make up for having an inferior QB. So, JH wants it all, he wants his cake and to eat it too. Maybe as the season progresses he will get Kaep into games here and there, as he said he would, and Kaep will start getting some experience. That is why JH was preaching patience in his press conference yesterday, because he knows it doesn't look like he has a plan but he knows he does and he wants the fans to hang with him until that plan unfolds. Too bad the plan will not really get rolling until 2012, but after 7 years of futility another year should be easy for Niner fans to take.
Sep 27, 2011 at 7:39 PM
-
Sean
You said you won't complain that we won but that's ALL you did. You sound like Lowell Cohn. Why not be happy we won a tough, gritty game we would've lost 10/10 times before and watch the offense grow?
Sep 27, 2011 at 7:35 PM
-
ooverthemiddle
Starting CK would be a mistake. With our offensive line we don't want to risk the potential damage to the body and soul of a rookie. Yes these other rookies are starting but let's look at them a couple of years from now. Biggest thing that I am seeing right now is penalties/mistakes and they are mistakes being made by veterans. Most seem to come from the OL but there are others also. We're not going to be getting any proof till the mistakes are dealt with. To me Harbaugh's first test is to stop these mistakes. And you're right, losses at this point are tolerable if it looks like you're getting there.
Sep 27, 2011 at 7:30 PM
-
j scott
i couldn't agree more.
Sep 27, 2011 at 7:24 PM
-
Tim
You are being impatient, though, as well as unreasonable. Don't look "across the league" at other offenses, look at other offenses that also installed a new head coach/coaching staff/offense system this year. The only ones I can think of are really just us, Browns, Broncos and possibly the Seahawks (other teams have new coaches, but they were promoted from within the system). The Browns and Broncos are also having a rough time, and the Seahawks are abysmal. Installing EVERYTHING new from scratch is a hugely different proposition than just training up a few new rookies & free agents, and maybe trying some slight scheme adjustments.
Sep 27, 2011 at 7:21 PM
Christian McCaffrey is on a roll. In addition to racking up yards and San Francisco 49ers wins on the football field, the running back has been named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week for the second consecutive week.
With his victory, McCaffrey joins Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Dalvin Cook, and Rashaad Penny as the only active players with back-to-back FedEx Ground Player of the Week victories in their careers.
McCaffrey rushed for 116 yards on 20 carries (5.8-yard average) and a rushing touchdown in Week 2's win over the Los Angeles Rams, and his 268 rushing yards through the first two weeks of the season