Bob Ryan on around the horn just said...

Originally posted by GEEK:

Originally posted by PTulini:
Did anyone also hear Jay Mariotti's comments? He said he believes if Alex Smith and Michael Crabtree were starting with this 49ers team at Week 1, that this would be a playoff team.

I think that's a stupid thing to say. I hope he lost points for that one.

It's so easy to say that right before the end of the season. What if Smith became ineffective in the natural (not spread) formations? Then, Shaun Hill would be starting, and Smith would be done in SF.

I think had Crabtree started camp from day one, the coach would have a better idea of what talents and what guys can do together much earlier. They would make a better decision on what type of offensive mentality to have going into the season. Instead of doing it in the middle of the season like they did.

I think they would have tried Smith, Crabtree, VD, Morgan combo and more than likely would have realized or at least get the hint that Smith is more dynamic in offense than Hill.

As to Smith himself, judging from what he did taking over in the middle of the Houston game, I wouldn't doubt that he would do a good job for us at the beginning of the year had he given the chance.

But whatever, something to think about when bored but totally nonviable cause it's past

Originally posted by reasonable1:


6 of the 7 losses were by 7 points or less (Min, Indy, Ten, Hou, Sea, GB)

4 of those have been by 4 points or less (Min, Indy, Hou, Sea)

That is a very big indicator of exactly where your team is. In seasons past if the team was 6-7, half of those losses would have been by 10 or more. This team is very close and if learning to close out games is the largest obstacle then that speaks volumes for the positive outlook of the team.

+1

bob ryan is a c*ck slap. (east coast bias), homeboy is from boston. i hate it when he is on PTI, Cornheiser does as well.

Originally posted by sincalfaithful:
we're like rocky balboa in movie 1..we can keep it close and go the distance but can't finish

next season will be like Rocky 2 then?

Last year we would have been shutout by now. This team has fight. With a year of coaching under Singletary's belt this team is definetly a playoff contender....next year!!!

Originally posted by reasonable1:

Originally posted by Thorhawk:

Originally posted by ninerfan4life:
If the saints or colts would have came in with there B+ or A- game and played the niners the way they played last night they they would have lost. WOW just shows you how close the niners are from being a playoff contender.

I think every loss besides the Falcons game has been close.

6 of the 7 losses were by 7 points or less (Min, Indy, Ten, Hou, Sea, GB)

4 of those have been by 4 points or less (Min, Indy, Hou, Sea)

That is a very big indicator of exactly where your team is. In seasons past if the team was 6-7, half of those losses would have been by 10 or more. This team is very close and if learning to close out games is the largest obstacle then that speaks volumes for the positive outlook of the team.

This single handedly has been the most disappointing and yet encouraging aspect of the season for me. It kills me that all of our games have been decided by a few points, especially against some elite teams (Vikes and Indy). We could have closed out the division by now. The great news is this team is finally putting it together and once we add two first round Oline man next year and Jimmy learns what his team can and cant do we should be playoff bound for years to come as we are still very young.

The trick is keeping our young core together.

Originally posted by PTulini:
Did anyone also hear Jay Mariotti's comments? He said he believes if Alex Smith and Michael Crabtree were starting with this 49ers team at Week 1, that this would be a playoff team.

I still dont trust smith. I'm glad he's playing well, and I love that he's revived his career...but, i'm not believing in him just yet...

just give me time...

the good thing weather this year or next , if we take care of our Division we win the west and let the chips fall were they may. We are on the brink cuz we did not take care of our division , we thought we could show up to seattle and win , did not work out that way cuz we are not there yet ! Alex needs an off season to get timing with Craps , VD & Morgan ! and we should work on the balance between the Run and pass cuz on Monday we had both and that what kills other teams don't know what to defend !

i just love how ESPN is god when somebody say something nice about the niners but one bad comment and the entire channel is propaganda and out to get the Niners.

Originally posted by cNiner:
the good thing weather this year or next , if we take care of our Division we win the west and let the chips fall were they may. We are on the brink cuz we did not take care of our division , we thought we could show up to seattle and win , did not work out that way cuz we are not there yet ! Alex needs an off season to get timing with Craps , VD & Morgan ! and we should work on the balance between the Run and pass cuz on Monday we had both and that what kills other teams don't know what to defend !

don't forget about Smith's ability to scramble like he did on the first series as it forces the defenses to think for a split second against that threat

Originally posted by GEEK:

Originally posted by PTulini:
Did anyone also hear Jay Mariotti's comments? He said he believes if Alex Smith and Michael Crabtree were starting with this 49ers team at Week 1, that this would be a playoff team.

I think that's a stupid thing to say. I hope he lost points for that one.

It's so easy to say that right before the end of the season. What if Smith became ineffective in the natural (not spread) formations? Then, Shaun Hill would be starting, and Smith would be done in SF.

I think they all lost points for being on 'Zona's nuts last week and then selling them down the river this week. Cowlishaw lost seven before the first topic...

We are closing the gap...but there are still some things needed:

- More consistency from Alex. He missed too many throws Mon night that could've turned the game into a real route.

- Consistent balance between the run and pass. Each game's different, but ideally we shoot for the kind of play-calling Raye employed against 'Zona.

- Killer instinct...we still don't have it.

- Consistent pass rush. It was good again vs 'Zona...but we've got to bring it each game.

- Consistent OL play...it was good Mon night, and there are signs they're pulling together more and more. I think Sims deserves some kind of award for his stellar play. He's definitely earned another year.

Man, it feels so good to smash the Cardinals on national TV. SOOOO GOOOOD!