The Good:
Brooks - actually had a very good game; big hit on Wilson (we got a few this game also with Aldon/Dorsey), had to defend the QB or RB on just about every play, TFL, had a sack, consistent inside pressures, excellent on setting the edge and containing Wilson in the pocket and playing off blocks and making big tackles on Lynch. Still taking on the double teams just about every snap on the strong side; not always getting the stats but more often than not, making the play. The penalty was a bummer with Wilson diving on the ground head first (head down); obviously Brooks was just trying to touch him down. That may not be called somewhere else but it technically was a penalty by rule book. Too bad they discarded the 5 yard face mask penalty. PFF showed how he was the most consistent OLB, game-in, game-out. He showed that again on this day.
Aldon - had a very nice game in both rushing and containing. That said, he may have had the assignment on Lynch on the blown coverage out of the backfield.
Justin - also had a nice game where Seattle tried to neutralize he and Aldon by running right at them.
Blocked punt - seriously, we blocked a punt. LOL. But the bad is we did nothing with it
Reid - another great game; got another INT and it was obvious the second he went out, we were meat back there.
Dorsey/Dahl/Dobbs - well played coming off the bench.
Push 'em back - defense did a very nice job forcing negative plays in the first half when Seattle got in scoring position.
4th down stop - nice play! We got away with Justin jumping off sides though. Bowman made back-to-back plays on this one.
The Bad:
Cris Collinsworth - can he hate our team any more? Just wondering...
Al Michaels - noted that last year, we blitzed the least amount of any team in the NFL...OHHHH, but Fangio does blitz our backup FS in Dahl inside the RZ on an all-or-nothing blitz and consequently, gave up the easiest TD in NFL history. Brilliant!
First down production - I already started a thread on this (spoiler alert...it was horrendous). 2nd and long was the theme all game again. In watching the Hawks, they lined up 8+ up tight at the LOS and never audibled out of it. They have obviously picked up on a tendency with us on 1st downs. http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/niners/174760-first-down-production/
Coverage units - was very poor this game (example, first punt return was to the 50 after the 3-and-out). Still many missed tackled with guys right there! Starting field position was lopsided all game as a result of ST's and missed tackles (coupled with 3 and outs deep in our own territory, plus the safety).
Injuries - I said it before the game, you can guarantee at least one major injury and we got it. But don't discount the other three injuries as well as they may have addition game ramifications.
Penalties - it's not just the touchy penalties but WHEN we were called for some of these. We do have a tendency to shoot ourselves in the foot on a regular basis. Not a smart, disciplined team even starting year 3. Heck, even Boldin had a false start penalty.
CB's - are our CB's getting slower? I saw a play where Rogers was trailing Wilson (a TE) by 5 yards on a simple sideline route! 3rd and long for the opposition? This is when I fear for our secondary the most. Nnamdi had the edge/angle on Wilson and Wilson still ran right around him for a first down.
RedZone (RZ) - teams continue to target the simple seam quick pass in the EZ. If Rice had ANY hands at all, he has two more easy TD's on our secondary who STILL can't seem to grasp this concept after getting abused ALL last year (esp. the Superbowl).
Miller - poor safety penalty and that ball was right in your hands at the 2 yard line; FB or not, you have to catch that. He has very good hands.
Kaepernick - pointed out last game his accuracy was poor (and overlooked) and this game was even worse esp. on the touch passes and deeper balls and quick out routes. Ran when he should have passed and vice versa. Gun shy. Turnovers (last INT was horrendous as was the fumble...his final INT was worse throws than the overthrow to Moss in the Superbowl). Indecisive. Just a very very poor game no matter how one tries to spin it. It happens. The first INT was just a tad too late and Thurmond was able to break off his rute and come over to tip it. Good play on his part. The pass should have been there right as VD broke instead of waiting UNTIL he was open. This is another areaI highlighted in weaknesses in CK's game. He relies too much on his arm strength and doesn't always throw guys open or throw anticipation (trust) balls on routes. He waits until they are open and then slings it in there at 100mph. The past two games, his feet are not getting set either (wild stances). He is more on his toes getting ready to run vs. standing tall, planting and stepping up through the throw. This is esp. salient on deep balls.
Pass protection - was pretty pathetic this game to say the least
Run blocking - Staley and Davis blew this game and we STILL can't seal an edge to save our lives (no off-T runs = makes you one-dimensional).
Gore - I hate to say this about my boy but he looks slow and lethargic. He used to hit ANY hole up the gut with great quickness and burst. I don't see that anymore...at all. Laterally he's even more slow now. He still finishes off his runs well but they are 2-3 yards shorter than they used to be with no big hitters. His hands continue to be getting worse but makes up for it in pass protection and blocking for CK.
Play clock - well, better hand signals this game and less penalties BUT even with a "hurry up" offense at times we were barely getting the play off under 5 seconds; completed plays negated. This continues to be a thorn in our side.
Pass interferance - you're going to get at least two big ones up in Seattle, fair or not (today was Rogers and Nnamdi)
Lee - back-to-back not very good games.
Blown coverages - talked about this last game. We have trouble keeping our eye on the RB out of the backfield and on swing passes, we're typically late getting there for some reason. Even on correct assignments, it seems we are always in trail mode. Lynch (35 yarder) and Baldwin (51 yarder) killed us here.
Run Defense - the DL is getting moved back on many runs a good 3-5 yards and had many missed tackles as well. I stated this may have been a game we needed a 2-gap NT or consider a 4 man DL. Lynch had 98 yards and Turbin had 31 more. Both had several big runs called back d/t holding penalties.
The Coaching: Good and Bad
Bermuda Traingle - 8 man box was the clear theme here; well, sometimes the Hawks even brought in 9. But what they esp. were doing was using their inside and outside LB's off the LOS (about 5 yards deep) WAY out on the edge to contain an off-tackle run or QB run (CK got a few yards with designed runs with Gore lead blocking). These LBers were in spy-mode. BUT, what stood out to me and what I noted in the pre game thread was that there was a Bermuda Triangle right behind the DL that McDonald, VD, Gore, Hunter, Miller and any slot WR (ala Boldin) could have literally, exploited all game long. When Gore would take a fake hand off or CK would step up, they would too leaving an even BIGGER hole. If a casual fan can see this, what good is Mangini?
HaRoMan - sad sad day. Wildly unprepared and I wonder if they even scouted this game? LOL. Zero adjustments until minutes left in the 4Q. In the first half, I saw THREE guys covering Boldin. Pete the Cheat even alluded to that game plan in the press. But neither Roman or Mangini could "see" that?
Fangio - hey Fangio, when a pro bowler like Okung gets hurt, you may want to consider overloading that side and blitz. This is called a "weakness." Sometimes coaches attack these. Just say'n.
Philosophy - been talking about this one for years. We run a college offense with a one-receiver option a lot where the other ten guys play a role in getting that receiving option the ball. When it fails, we have NO outlets built in like a true WCO. And as a result, we saw CK running for his life when his target was covered and lots of throws OB. There were times Boldin was down field blocking, not even a receiving option while the play broke down (target was covered or blown up). Fail. If you want an example of what I mean, watch the play at the 5:27 mark of 1Q (watch the replay too...looks like Boldin didn't even bother to block out Sherman). Williams is to get the ball underneath, beat Sherman (laughable) while both Boldin and VD (ahead of him) are down field already blocking. The theory is, if Williams can beat Sherman (or is blocked out effectively), he'll have two blockers out in front of him. This is a college offense. Period.
3rd and long? - quick, guess the route! Yup, typically a run or quick safe out route well shot of the 1st down marker.
Play after delay - after the rain delay (Gore up the gut for 0, 10 yard sack and short, safe quick pass for minimal gain = punt) and half time as well, we went 3 and out. Hawks? FG & TD. Game over!
Execution & Physicality - we lost both these battles. We had several chances to take the lead early and how often will Wilson only throw for 142 yards against us (basically on 2 plays)? We got outmuscled and didn't execute (and were STUPID in several occassions from players to game plan to in-game calls).
Coaches - get your #$%^& straight (and your players right) for Indy!
[ Edited by NCommand on Sep 17, 2013 at 1:28 PM ]
If I don't see improvement I will cancel my season tickets for next season...