Week 17: Thoughts after re-watching the game.....

Originally posted by crabman82:

Originally posted by oregonniner:

Originally posted by crabman82:
regarding #2, i intially though why use a good trick play in a meaningless game? but i think it gives teams something to think about now, after watching the other one in arz, its clear coach seely has multiple fake fg formations that work, keeps the other teams on edge i believe

That wasn't a meaningless game. We had 2nd seed in the NFC riding on that. I'm glad the coaching staff took that game seriously. It had trap game written all over it.

i know that, but in terms of the opponent it was meaningless, conventional wisdom says trick plays like that are better reserved from more high profile opponenets and games, first thing that ran through my mind, why waste that on the rams? then i thought ah well gives teams another thing to think about and scheme for

I think the Fake was designed to hold back the FG rush since the Niners will probably need many FG's if they want to make a playoff run.

Every DC in the NFC saw that play on Sport's Center and want to make sure they don't get burned by the fake. Split out Crabtree on FG attempts, and you'll virtually guarantee somebody comes off the block team to cover, and 1-2 rushers hold back.

Harbaugh knows that every DC is going to watch film, so he's crafting what they see. You can be that the bye week will involve practice on plays that haven't been used in games yet. My spidey sense tells me that we're going to see some HB screens vs. blitz packages since there have been very few screens all season.

Originally posted by Next9erDynasty:

Originally posted by crabman82:

Originally posted by oregonniner:

Originally posted by crabman82:
regarding #2, i intially though why use a good trick play in a meaningless game? but i think it gives teams something to think about now, after watching the other one in arz, its clear coach seely has multiple fake fg formations that work, keeps the other teams on edge i believe

That wasn't a meaningless game. We had 2nd seed in the NFC riding on that. I'm glad the coaching staff took that game seriously. It had trap game written all over it.

i know that, but in terms of the opponent it was meaningless, conventional wisdom says trick plays like that are better reserved from more high profile opponenets and games, first thing that ran through my mind, why waste that on the rams? then i thought ah well gives teams another thing to think about and scheme for

I think the Fake was designed to hold back the FG rush since the Niners will probably need many FG's if they want to make a playoff run.

Every DC in the NFC saw that play on Sport's Center and want to make sure they don't get burned by the fake. Split out Crabtree on FG attempts, and you'll virtually guarantee somebody comes off the block team to cover, and 1-2 rushers hold back.

Harbaugh knows that every DC is going to watch film, so he's crafting what they see. You can be that the bye week will involve practice on plays that haven't been used in games yet. My spidey sense tells me that we're going to see some HB screens vs. blitz packages since there have been very few screens all season.

Good points all.

BTW, that "spidey sense" at all related to the "tingle" that Mayo's always talking about?

I'm so excited.....and nervous....my god......I'm shaking at work right now, LMAO!!!!

GO NINERS!!

Originally posted by Marvin49:

7) O-Line: I heard this morning something I hadn't heard before. BOTH 49er tackles went the ENTIRE season without a holding penalty. When you consider how they were getting beaten like a drum in the pre-season, thats an accomplishment.

Anthony Davis improved a LOT this year. He's got room to still grow, too. Very impressed with him. I also think Snyder was a HUGE help to him at RG, and this just goes to show - AGAIN - how inept the prior coaching staff was about the little things like o-line chemistry.

Thanks Marvin. Agree -- will add:

Did you see the middle screen called? That was literally the first time that has been called all season (unless it was called and checked away or blown up earlier this year so we wouldn't know it was called). I agree with another poster, I suspect that screen will be worked on and emerge in the playoffs -- but then again, I have been saying that all season - LOL.

1. I was really feeling that "oh no, not a meltdown now" feeling. If they had given away that game I think the negative affect on their morale could have been huge. Relating it to your point #10 - instead, a tight win serves as a good rallying point for them to "be angry", practice hard, and play with a chip on their shoulder in the playoffs.

2. Fake FG - kinda felt like we were getting desperate to get RZ TDs.

3. T Brown - Agree 100%. Every CB gives up plays - but he is doing well IMHO. With this year's experience, he is also getting more crafty with his game.

4. Aldon - I wanted him to get that record sooooo bad. My only disappointment with the game. But he really didn't seem to be rushing that hard, and they didn't run many stunts to get him free. I think they were playing a conservative defense (he was making his contain responsibilities a priority) and also the players seemed to be pulling it back a bit to not to get hurt.

5. Willis -- agree, I didn't want him to play and risk aggravating his injury. But afterwards, see the wisdom of him getting back into the game flow before the playoffs -- 6 weeks off would have been a long time to then be inserted into a play-off game.

6. Crabs -- here I disagree a bit. He is coming on, yes. But I still think his skill set and size make him a great #2 possession type, not a #1. I'd like to see the 49ers land VJackson or DBowe to add WR talent. I suspect we will draft a WR in round 1 or 2. And, wow, we really need Ginn and KWilliams back for the playoffs!

7. OL - they still have a terrible time establishing a clean pocket and blocking in a way that pressure gets to the QB predictably. They are better than before, ADavis has come a long way this season. Staley to the probowl - I am not sold he is that caliber, but hey, the votes come from other players and coaches, so I'll go with it. Snyder has done wonders for ADavis, and I don't know how, but his own play is pretty weak -- way too often he misses blocks in both the passing AND running game. I suspect RG/C will be a selection in round 1 or 2 this year.

8. ASmith - I think he is maxed out for the year -- meaning, he and the coaches have been so focused on installing the offense and ball security that it is deeply ingrained now for the balance of the year. If a game suddenly requires him to start winging it around and throwing into tight windows, I suspect he will be slow to let the ball fly. But this offseason, I think the coaches, QBs, and WRs are going to work very hard on taking the passing game to the next level. They will work on timing and precision so that the QB can confidently throw more aggressively. This will really help the RZ offense. If ASmith can continue his development to that next level, and JH seems to think he can, next year could be fun.

9. RB - I love Gore, but he isn't premiere in terms of burst or breaking tackles anymore. But I don't think you take a RB in 1 or 2, there are just too many talents available late and even as UDFA.

10. As above in #1.

Isaac Sopoaga deserves most of the credit for stepping up at the right time this year.....BIG PROPS TO FOR BIG ICE!!!!

Marvin, when are you going to put together a season highlight?

Originally posted by Joecool:
Marvin, when are you going to put together a season highlight?

After the season ends (after postseason). I'm starting to go over the games now one by one bulling the good highlights.

Marvin, no need to tell you nice observations, as your rewatching thots are legion. Here's a couple more.

qnnhan gets an A re: Dixon. Altho we haven't seen him play much, I couldn't figure out what was the deal with him. Bingo. Once Hunter turned it on, AD turned it off. Maybe mental, maybe not. Anyway, good observation and point.

As for fake FG, initial impression was "Oh, no, why burn a play like that against the Rams?". After some thot, I believe it was intentional and had been planned well in advance, for reasons mentioned earlier. Get the opposition thinking about a WR way out there, and focus less on FG blocks. Clever, Coach.

Staley said early on this OL was a good one, and lots of people said, "Yeah", especially after the Saints and Texan games. Well, Joe was right, and to realize neither OT had a holding call all season is fantastic. OL has to play well as Saints( i am assuming) played us exactly like the Ravens...blitz, blitz, blitzkrieg. It was really painful to watch, and I would suspect alex thot the same. OL can't play another game like that. However, they won't , because:

Coach Harbaugh has learned that against the BIG RUSH, he has to call 2 second passes , or as they say, "snap it and sling it". That amounts to a one stepper and the WRs and TEs better darn well better be looking for ball the moment they leave LOS. We can always go back to playbook once the D gets 8 guys off the LOS, and quick slants and outs are now part of our answer to the BIG RUSH.

Slowly, very slowly, with but 2 legit receivers in the Rams game, Tree(Crabs) and VD came up with what, 19 catches between them? I rewatched the game a couple times, and it just didn't seem like anywhere near that many. Both guys had terrific games...but so did #11. Also Vernon once again proved that he is the best blocking TE in the league, and especially if we have a ballcarrier downfield. Awesome, just awesome. (Note to Vernon....work out the legs, not the upper body, as those are what make you run thru a tackle. On the other side of the coin, Vernon's upper body is what makes him such an incredible blocker.) Guess you complainers about VD's running, are going to have to just be happy he makes the catch. As for the TREE, man can he ever snag bullets way out of reach. Sometimes it looks just impossible. His arms must be 4 feet long each.

Coaching: Sean Payton is THE best coach in the league. JH got outcoached (with a beat up team on 3 days rest going east) by his brother, and John Harbaugh is no where near as good a coach as Payton. Plus Payton has all that experience, plus a SB win. Coach Harbaugh is COY, hands down, but he is going to have to come up with one helluva game plan to win this one. (I'll look stupid if detroit wins). When we last played the Saints, our D was somewhere between formative and non existent. We have to blitz Brees virtually every play, and watch sproles besides. On O we have to go with quick ins and outs to get them off LOS. But we need a lot more than that. N.O. will be tough to beat, but they are NOT at home...our one saving grace. In Rams game the O calls were often just flat...not much thot given to them. That has to change and i'm sure it will. But for whatever reason, at times our O calls are just so unimaginative, that you want to tear out the TV....or your stadium seat. Stay tuned.

I'm not convinced that Snyder has helped Davis at all. People hate Rachal on these forums, but Snyder is a minute step up from Chilo and is nothing more than a back up as well.

Davis' progress is due to him alone.

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:

Coaching: Sean Payton is THE best coach in the league. JH got outcoached (with a beat up team on 3 days rest going east) by his brother, and John Harbaugh is no where near as good a coach as Payton. Plus Payton has all that experience, plus a SB win. Coach Harbaugh is COY, hands down, but he is going to have to come up with one helluva game plan to win this one. (I'll look stupid if detroit wins). When we last played the Saints, our D was somewhere between formative and non existent. We have to blitz Brees virtually every play, and watch sproles besides. On O we have to go with quick ins and outs to get them off LOS. But we need a lot more than that. N.O. will be tough to beat, but they are NOT at home...our one saving grace. In Rams game the O calls were often just flat...not much thot given to them. That has to change and i'm sure it will. But for whatever reason, at times our O calls are just so unimaginative, that you want to tear out the TV....or your stadium seat. Stay tuned.

I still think Payton is over rated. He's good because he doesn't call the dogs off on either side of the ball. He attacks. They had issues when Manusky or Nolan was our DC. They had issues vs SEA last year.

Originally posted by FredFlintstone:
no to a rb in the 1st, you can find a stud later on. a wr if we dont sign one during free agency

A WR in the 1st or 2nd and a FA. Niners need a couple new receivers.

Originally posted by Joecool:

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:

Coaching: Sean Payton is THE best coach in the league. JH got outcoached (with a beat up team on 3 days rest going east) by his brother, and John Harbaugh is no where near as good a coach as Payton. Plus Payton has all that experience, plus a SB win. Coach Harbaugh is COY, hands down, but he is going to have to come up with one helluva game plan to win this one. (I'll look stupid if detroit wins). When we last played the Saints, our D was somewhere between formative and non existent. We have to blitz Brees virtually every play, and watch sproles besides. On O we have to go with quick ins and outs to get them off LOS. But we need a lot more than that. N.O. will be tough to beat, but they are NOT at home...our one saving grace. In Rams game the O calls were often just flat...not much thot given to them. That has to change and i'm sure it will. But for whatever reason, at times our O calls are just so unimaginative, that you want to tear out the TV....or your stadium seat. Stay tuned.

I still think Payton is over rated. He's good because he doesn't call the dogs off on either side of the ball. He attacks. They had issues when Manusky or Nolan was our DC. They had issues vs SEA last year.

I think Payton is good, but I desagree that Jim was outcoached by John. Its pretty easy to outcoach when you have the Ravens D and play a team flying cross-country on 4 days rest.

Even with that, it was a 3 point game going into the 4th despite a bad rule on the chop-block and an iffy call on a 50 yard PI.

Both men coached well. One team has to lose.

Originally posted by Schulzy:
I'm not convinced that Snyder has helped Davis at all. People hate Rachal on these forums, but Snyder is a minute step up from Chilo and is nothing more than a back up as well.

Davis' progress is due to him alone.

Snyder is valuable because he is a veteran who knows the linecalls and can help Davis on the mental aspects of the game. Rachal seemed confused and frustrated much of the time. The physical aspects of the position go to Rachal who is younger and very strong. Snyder isn't as strong but he doesn't make as many mistakes and that helps both Davis and Goodwin.

I'm not sure how complicated the line calls are in this system but they are different from last year and no doubt contributed to bad line play early in the season. If the 9ers play NO again it will be fun to compare the preseason debacle to the playoff game...my money is on the 9ers coming through.

Originally posted by dbdublin:

Originally posted by FredFlintstone:
no to a rb in the 1st, you can find a stud later on. a wr if we dont sign one during free agency

A WR in the 1st or 2nd and a FA. Niners need a couple new receivers.

They also need a safety. I don't see Goldson coming back.