Closer look at Game 2 Offense vs Minny

Originally posted by JCStormbringer:
Jimmy Raye need to mix his first down calling a little bit more, the first series he called runs in all first downs and in the second series he called three runs from shotgun formation in a row.

I know is all about execution but a little PA would be nice.

Singletary stated after the game that the 49ers wanted to see how successful they could run against the second-ranked defense. I'm sure they wanted a look of A. Dixon against the 1st team as well.

Ouch for Moran Norris with the "pathetic block" analysis! Speaking of Moran, does this guy still have it? I know there are a lot of young and hungry FBs in the NFL.

Originally posted by Ninefan56:
Thanks again oldman. I have questions about Snyder making it. Perhaps my own issues. He is at best a stop gap player in my opinion. I also wonder about Wilhelm, D. Evans, M. Rob as well. I think we have other players that I would rather see than these players, even though they have experience. If I was making the final cut, and of course that must be countered with my lack of total information, I would rather have B. Miller than M. Rob, I would rather have Balgoun instead of Wilhelm, Mitchell than Evans, and would rather have B. Davis on defense instead of Snyder on Offense.

I would rather have Miller and hybrid MRob as our FBs over Norris... but I don't see that happening. I'd take Wilhelm over Balogun... too much experience and comfort in the scheme for me to overlook. I also would take Mitchell over Evans... but I think they like Evans enough to risk Mitchell on the PS. Bruce Davis looks perfect for our PS, if we keep the 9 LBs I think we may. I just couldn't find room for him on the PS, but he looked pretty good off the edge. Snyder is the tough one to keep, but I suspect we will... I would also dump him or trade him for a late round pick. Snyder did show me decent RG play as I watched the 3rd quarter... but I like Wragge better for the interior backup spots.

Originally posted by Kilgore_Trout:
Ouch for Moran Norris with the "pathetic block" analysis! Speaking of Moran, does this guy still have it? I know there are a lot of young and hungry FBs in the NFL.

I was a big Norris fan back in the day... but no more. He's just too slow to have much chance of blocking outside the OGs, and he doesn't powerfully engage and drive as a lead blocker like he used to... not often enough.

... the "pathetic block" was a well deserved description... He was thrown down on his face.

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by Kilgore_Trout:
Ouch for Moran Norris with the "pathetic block" analysis! Speaking of Moran, does this guy still have it? I know there are a lot of young and hungry FBs in the NFL.

I was a big Norris fan back in the day... but no more. He's just too slow to have much chance of blocking outside the OGs, and he doesn't powerfully engage and drive as a lead blocker like he used to... not often enough.

... the "pathetic block" was a well deserved description... He was thrown down on his face.

Yikes... do you think he makes the team? Good analysis by the way, as always!

Originally posted by Chief:

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by Chief:
Seriously, Dixon picked up one block nicely, other than that he looked civilian out there.

Pick out the play(s) you are mentioning please, and I'll happily review them again. Otherwise, I saw good awareness and effort so far from him in regards to protection.

His pass protection was good for a rookie, I was talking about his running with the ball that lacked anything.

He looked like s**t running the ball and dropped at least one pass I can remember.

I have to disagree about Dixon.

While I do agree he needs to hit the hole faster, there was really very few holes for him to hit. Our run blocking against one of the best D-lines in football (opponents only averaged 2.6 yards per carry last year) was lacking, leaving him no place to go. The rookie 6th round pick will get better, and all and all did not have a bad game.

Originally posted by 49er4life:

Originally posted by Chief:

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by Chief:
Seriously, Dixon picked up one block nicely, other than that he looked civilian out there.

Pick out the play(s) you are mentioning please, and I'll happily review them again. Otherwise, I saw good awareness and effort so far from him in regards to protection.

His pass protection was good for a rookie, I was talking about his running with the ball that lacked anything.

He looked like s**t running the ball and dropped at least one pass I can remember.

I have to disagree about Dixon.

While I do agree he needs to hit the hole faster, there was really very few holes for him to hit. Our run blocking against one of the best D-lines in football (opponents only averaged 2.6 yards per carry last year) was lacking, leaving him no place to go. The rookie 6th round pick will get better, and all and all did not have a bad game.

After the game Dixon acknowledged that he danced around too much and wasn't decisive enough. He said it was a learning experience. Personally, that made me very happy to hear. I love this kids ability and attitude!

Originally posted by Kilgore_Trout:

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by Kilgore_Trout:
Ouch for Moran Norris with the "pathetic block" analysis! Speaking of Moran, does this guy still have it? I know there are a lot of young and hungry FBs in the NFL.

I was a big Norris fan back in the day... but no more. He's just too slow to have much chance of blocking outside the OGs, and he doesn't powerfully engage and drive as a lead blocker like he used to... not often enough.

... the "pathetic block" was a well deserved description... He was thrown down on his face.

Yikes... do you think he makes the team? Good analysis by the way, as always!

Yes, I do expect Norris' job is safe... but 2010 will be the end. If it were not for Norris' respect with his teammates... or friendship with Gore... or lack of trust in other options... I'd say they dump him now. But I can't expect it to happen at this point. Not when Miller will probably be safe tucked away on the PS.

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by Ninefan56:
Thanks again oldman. I have questions about Snyder making it. Perhaps my own issues. He is at best a stop gap player in my opinion. I also wonder about Wilhelm, D. Evans, M. Rob as well. I think we have other players that I would rather see than these players, even though they have experience. If I was making the final cut, and of course that must be countered with my lack of total information, I would rather have B. Miller than M. Rob, I would rather have Balgoun instead of Wilhelm, Mitchell than Evans, and would rather have B. Davis on defense instead of Snyder on Offense.

I would rather have Miller and hybrid MRob as our FBs over Norris... but I don't see that happening. I'd take Wilhelm over Balogun... too much experience and comfort in the scheme for me to overlook. I also would take Mitchell over Evans... but I think they like Evans enough to risk Mitchell on the PS. Bruce Davis looks perfect for our PS, if we keep the 9 LBs I think we may. I just couldn't find room for him on the PS, but he looked pretty good off the edge. Snyder is the tough one to keep, but I suspect we will... I would also dump him or trade him for a late round pick. Snyder did show me decent RG play as I watched the 3rd quarter... but I like Wragge better for the interior backup spots.

We now have enough talent that the decisions will be hard ones. Thanks for the feedback.

3rd Quarter look at offense:

1st and 10 at SF 42 N. Davis in at QB N.Davis sacked at SF 31 for -11 yards (B.Robison).
LT Boone gives a push to Iupati's DT, but can not get over quickly enough to block RE... Iupati stayed in front of spinning DT well... Wragge at OC loses a yd to DT surge, but anchors well... Snyder at RG is free, finally comes over to try to help AD... AD gives a bit too much outside... Nate Davis runs backwards from the pocket instead of his best bet of running forward in the pocket.... bad idea, as Boone's and AD's man are all over his retreat.

2nd and 21 at SF 31 N.Davis pass incomplete short left to A.Dixon.
OL held up very well on this late, PA screen play... ball is lofted too much and is thrown to a spot in which Dixon is stretching for it and can't haul it in.

3rd and 21 at SF 31 (Shotgun) N.Davis pass incomplete deep right to T.Ginn.
a double stunt by the RE and DT really confused Boone and Iupati... they do enough but would have given up a sack if the throw had taken much longer... AD does just enough, as he was quickly losing ground... Snyder keeps the DT away nicely with a helpful shove by Wragge... the 3 second pass was behind Ginn, but catchable. Not likely that Ginn would have made another 3 yds for the 1st down

4th and 21 at SF 31 A.Lee punts 39 yards to MIN 30, Center-B.Jennings. D.Reynaud to MIN 39 for 9 yards (N.Byham). PENALTY on SF-D.Zeigler, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced at MIN 39.
-

1st and 10 at SF 3 J.Caulcrick up the middle to SF 5 for 2 yards (J.Mitchell).
Boone crashes in, but so does the RDT and ILB, so Boone can do nothing there... Iupati with IMPRESSIVE drive blocking there, takes the DT well off the LOS... Wragge, Snyder, and AD all got adequate push... Byham, not so much... lead FB block by Caulcrick negated by that crashing LB from Boone's side... 8 men in the box and run blitzing LBs...

2nd and 8 at SF 5 (Shotgun) N.Davis pass short right to N.Byham to SF 11 for 6 yards (K.Onatolu; J.Brinkley). Caught at SF 10.
Boone does fine on RDE... Iupati is free and unneeded, gives lil shot to Wragge's DT, but Wragge was fine... Snyder did a good job staying in front of his man... AD was beaten badly around outside shoulder by LE... if Nate had to pull it down to look for someone else, that would have been a sack for 2 points.

3rd and 2 at SF 11 N.Davis pass deep right to T.Ginn pushed ob at MIN 29 for 60 yards (H.Abdullah). Caught at MIN 36.
Boone slips to 2nd level for LB block... Iupati beaten badly inside by RDT... Wragge does fine... pull block interrupted by Iupati's penetrating DT... AD gets backed up and dumped on his back... Nate sets his feet + uncorks a monstrous deep throw to Ginn!

1st and 10 at MIN 29 A.Dixon up the middle to MIN 22 for 7 yards (L.Guion).
Boone crashes in on RDT, really opens the rush lane... strong block by Byham on RDE... Iupati slips 2nd level for effective LB block... Wragge in stalemate with DT, keeps him busy... very good pull block Snyder... AD swats his way on LE to keep him away... tentative block outside from Caulcrick, gotta put some effort, son...

2nd and 3 at MIN 22 A.Dixon up the middle to MIN 20 for 2 yards (K.Onatolu).
Byham and a pulling Snyder get a lil push weak-side... Boone power-drives RDT out of lane... Iupati stumbles to the turf... Wragge twists/occupies his DT enough (though could easily have been flagged for holding)... AD had an easy task to peck away at LE.... unimpressive block efforts from Morgan and Caulcrick.... the defense sent extras like they knew what was coming here...

3rd and 1 at MIN 20 A.Dixon up the middle to MIN 16 for 4 yards (Erin.Henderson).
strong blocks from Finley and Boone... Iupati into 2nd level LB block... couple yds surge from Wragge up the gut... not impressive push Snyder... AD stands LE up and away from play... Caulcrick takes shot from penetrated LB...

Timeout #1 by SF at 07:25.
1st and 10 at MIN 16 A.Dixon left end to MIN 10 for 6 yards (H.Abdullah).
Hey! Boone getting a pull block on the outside toss play! He crushes some poor DB. Byham wraps arms around RE, probably let go just in time to not incur a flag... Iupati stays in and picks up a blitz LB headed for Nate... Finley chips Byham's guy then goes deeper for someone to block... Wragge shoves and angles DT, then rushes over for downfield blocks... could have gone for more, but great block by flying DB

2nd and 4 at MIN 10 (Shotgun) N.Davis pass incomplete short right to T.Ginn.
Boone has no problems with RE... Iupati free... light shove to Wragge's DT, though no problems there... AD stays in front of LE fine... no issues Snyder... great blitz pickup on LB by Dixon... 3 second throw overthrown out of endzone in double coverage to Ginn. (miscommunication between Nate and Ginn's route

3rd and 4 at MIN 10 (Shotgun) N.Davis pass incomplete short right to D.Zeigler.
All OL held up fine, but a stunt around AD's outside shoulder was coming fast at the last second. 3 second pass thrown well out of back of endzone

4th and 4 at MIN 10 J.Nedney 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-B.Jennings, Holder-A.Lee. 3 10
S.Andrus kicks 62 yards from SF 30 to MIN 8. A.Young to MIN 25 for 17 yards (C.Taylor).[/b]
-

1st and 10 at SF 16 N.Davis pass short right to A.Dixon to SF 12 for -4 yards (F.Evans).
Boone giving up too much outside to the quicker RE, gotta get out there with more effort... Iupati with no trouble stoning his DT... Wragge and Snyder with decent initial blocks and releases to get outside for screen... AD giving up too much outside shoulder (he's not playing "mean"... gotta bring out "the nasty" within him) just bad timing between Iupati letting the DT go and that DT slicing in behind the pull blocks of Wragge/Snyder

2nd and 14 at SF 12 N.Davis pass short middle to N.Byham to SF 30 for 18 yards (H.Abdullah).
Boone and Iupati block well on RE and RDT... Wragge gradually losing ground on LDT.... Snyder is free, watches AD's battle and essentially continues to do nothing... AD continues to get beaten by speed around outside shoulder... very nice step-in and wobbly yet accurate throw by Nate

1st and 10 at SF 30 N.Davis pass short left to J.Caulcrick to SF 36 for 6 yards (J.Brinkley).
Boone and Iupati block in well on RDT and LDT respectively... Wragge and AD handle LDT and LE fine with Snyder giving a helpful shot to both... Dixon doesn't get the cut block he wanted, but it slows the penetrated DB a step... Hill misses his block downfield, probably wouldn't have mattered... ILB really hustles to get over there, great play by him.

2nd and 4 at SF 36 A.Dixon right guard to SF 40 for 4 yards (T.Johnson).
strong block on RE by Byham... Boone crashes in on RDT, drives him across field, yet into play direction side for the tackle... Wragge decent block on LDT, but no push... Snyder on useless pull block inside... Iupati takes on 2nd level LB, doesn't sustain block... AD has easy job of shoving outside momentum of LE to keep him away from the run... J. Hill good block of DB at LOS opposite play-side... Caulcrick gets a block on LB opposite play-side... excellent lateral cut by Dixon

1st and 10 at SF 40 N.Davis scrambles up the middle to MIN 49 for 11 yards (J.Brinkley).
OL did alright except for Iupati, who was beaten around his left shoulder by the RDT... Nate stepped up to avoid that pressure, giving Boone's RE a better shot at Nate... wisely took off to run

Timeout #2 by SF at 01:44.
1st and 10 at MIN 49 N.Davis pass short left to J.Caulcrick pushed ob at MIN 34 for 15 yards (Erin.Henderson). Caught at MIN 49.
Boone stones the RDT... Iupati can't get the blitz LB up the gut and around his left shoulder.. Wragge loses a quick few yds, then anchors... AD does better containing outside rush this time... Snyder free and there to help, but basically stands there...

1st and 10 at MIN 34 N.Davis pass incomplete short middle to N.Byham (Tyrell.Johnson). SF-N.Byham was injured during the play.
all OL do plenty well here... Nate nearly gets Byham killed with this 3 second throw

2nd and 10 at MIN 34 N.Davis pass short left to D.Zeigler to MIN 21 for 13 yards (H.Abdullah). Caught at MIN 26.
super quick throw... blocking looked fine

1st and 10 at MIN 21 A.Dixon right guard to MIN 18 for 3 yards (M.Montgomery).
Wragge did well in turning DT and moving him out... Iupati pulled well, but no one was really there to engage... Boone kept his man away... Snyder engaged but no push on DT, very awarely takes shot at incoming LB coming through the hole... Finley getting a decent shot on LE... Caulcrick nice lead block on SLB... AD did alright.... got a bit lost in the mix

End 3rd Quarter

Originally posted by mcbaes72:
As long as you take the time for these extensive reviews, I'll keep reading them. Thanks for posting!

Yes, very detailed. thank you.

"Niners defensive coordinator Greg Manusky probably just got a letter from the NFL telling him that he ever blitzes Brett Favre again, he'll be deported to Lower Estonia. Collinsworth deems this a successful series because Favre got hit, "and now he can settle down." In other words, 49ers, that failed drive you just handed Brett Favre had nothing to do with you - it was all about Brett's nerves."

It's sad how accurate that is.

4th Quarter look at offense:

2nd and 7 at MIN 18 A.Dixon left guard to MIN 14 for 4 yards (T.Johnson).
good job by AD, Wragge, and Snyder to get inside and push the pile... Iupati and Boone did okay opposite the play, but didn't create much push.. . looks like Curtis did a nice job of shoving LE inside to create a seam, but Dixon ran into it instead of out to the right of it, poor decision.

3rd and 3 at MIN 14 A.Dixon right tackle to MIN 13 for 1 yard (J.Brinkley). Penalty on SF-M.Iupati, Offensive Holding, declined.
Curtis does nice job controlling the LE and angling rush lane to the right... AD too slow and lets LDT penetrate inside shoulder (nearly tackles Dixon in backfield)... Iupati tackles the RDT... Boone lunges and misses LB in 2nd level (opposite of play direction)... Finley holds up RE enough... Caulcrick makes contact with LB but slips off of him... Snyder pulls well, but doesn't get much block on DB... either thinks he's gonna hit him in the shoulder/back or is just a pu$$y...

4th and 2 at MIN 13 J.Nedney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-B.Jennings, Holder-A.Lee. 3 13
S.Andrus kicks 64 yards from SF 30 to MIN 6. A.Young to MIN 30 for 24 yards (K.Kristick; K.Jurovich).
-

1st and 10 at SF 20 M.Robinson up the middle to SF 20 for no gain (K.Onatolu).
Finley goes around LE to get 2nd level LB block... Boone (at RT) walls off LE from the rush lane... Snyder is scrapping and does enough to occupy/push back the LDT... Sims does fine walling RE off... DLP collapses on the RDT while Wragge picks up incoming LB... Caulcrick gets nobody on lead block... defense knew this was coming

2nd and 10 at SF 20 N.Davis pass incomplete short right to M.Robinson (K.Onatolu).
OL gave Nate 4 seconds, indecision... started to break down for Snyder up the middle though...

3rd and 10 at SF 20 (Shotgun) N.Davis pass incomplete short left to J.Hill.
*odd glitch on my DVR skips ahead a few seconds as the ball is snapped. Vikes sent extra pressure around the outside. Nate gets hurried into throwing with feet not set, and ball comes up short

4th and 10 at SF 20 A.Lee punts 46 yards to MIN 34, Center-B.Jennings. D.Reynaud to MIN 37 for 3 yards (K.Kristick).
-

1st and 10 at SF 20 M.Robinson left guard to SF 26 for 6 yards (B.Sapp)
Curtis with good blocking effort, but minimal push... Snyder at RG gets little push till the end... Boone shoves way to 2nd level LB block... J. Hill contains DB outside... not much push from DLP (at OC)... good 2nd level block from Wragge (at LG)... Sims walls off his man well... decent lead block from Caulcrick

2nd and 4 at SF 26 N.Davis pass incomplete short left to D.Zeigler.
Curtis stones the LE well... Boone does well on LDT... Snyder is free, takes a shot on DT to help DLP, who did okay... Wragge pulls inside, nothing really there for him to engage... Sims gets beat at first with speed outside, but keeps himself between RE and QB. Just an overthrow from Nate, who was not under pressure...

3rd and 4 at SF 26 (Shotgun) N.Davis pass incomplete deep right to J.Hill (M.Sherels).
Sims stays in front of RE okay... all interior OL hold up well... Boone does enough, but struggles a bit with the speed of the LE... could have been called for a hold after the LE does nice spin move... not overall bad block there from him. Hill had a couple of steps on the 9 route but underthrown pass from Nate.

4th and 4 at SF 26 A.Lee punts 53 yards to MIN 21, Center-B.Jennings. D.Reynaud to MIN 34 for 13 yards (J.Caulcrick).
-
*hilarious and just wrong late hit by LB Balogun after a great Philip Adams break away.

1st and 10 at SF 7 M.Robinson up the middle to SF 10 for 3 yards (K.Onatolu).
Finley gets downfield block of DB... Curtis slices into 2nd level for a marginal block on LB... Boone cuts low to create some room... Snyder gets stood up for no push... DLP and DT go nowhere... pull block Wragge opens something, however minimal... Sims has easy job away from play... decent lead block Caulcrick

2nd and 7 at SF 10 M.Robinson up the middle to SF 11 for 1 yard (Erin.Henderson).
Boone keeps LE away from run... pull from Snyder opens up nothing... another stand-still from DLP and DT... Wragge pushes his way to 2nd level... Caulcrick, Curtis, Sims just overwhelmed by stacked box incoming... (SF just trying to run out the clock and go home)

Timeout #1 by MIN at 02:52.
3rd and 6 at SF 11 N.Davis scrambles right end to SF 16 for 5 yards (Erin.Henderson).
all the blocking held up well... even MRob got a good shot on someone blitzing in... Nate decides early to take off with it... slides down well short of sticks

Timeout #2 by MIN at 02:42.
4th and 1 at SF 16 A.Lee punts 40 yards to MIN 44, Center-B.Jennings. D.Reynaud to 50 for 6 yards (T.Brock).
-

1st and 10 at MIN 42 M.Robinson left tackle to MIN 41 for 1 yard (Erin.Henderson).
Run blocking was pretty good except for lead block by Caulcrick... his man slid off the block and tackled RB.

Timeout #3 by MIN at 01:48.
2nd and 9 at MIN 41 M.Robinson right tackle to MIN 39 for 2 yards (M.Montgomery).
Boone nearly tackles his LE... Snyder gets no push... DLP slips 2nd level but LB easily slips off him... Wragge drove the DT out very well... Sims, Finley, Curtis all did okay opposite play side... Caulcrick dives into the rush lane and can not really be seen for a while...

3rd and 7 at MIN 39 M.Robinson left end to MIN 40 for -1 yards (C.Anderson).
Curtis and Sims block RE well to create the outside seal... Wragge loses a yard and can not get back on the DT to even slow down his lateral pursuit... Caulcrick gets out there well, but becomes useless in blocking anyone... DLP chasing the backs of every defender... nothing worth reporting of right-side opposite play direction.

4th and 13 at MIN 45 A.Lee punts 37 yards to MIN 8, Center-B.Jennings, fair catch by D.Reynaud.

END GAME 2

Oldman:
Thanks again for the analysis. Can you give us the official Oldman grades for the Oline? And of course the neverending requests for your predictions if you were Singletary.