Week 2 - 2014: Thoughts after rewatching the game... | Page 5

Marvin49 · 2014-09-15T09:34:07-07:00

Well that sucked a number of levels... Watched the game live from the stadium and then stayed up till 2:00 rewatching it to see if I saw what I thought I saw. 1) Kap: Well, I'll say this...leaving the stadium Sunday night I think I was the most upset with him I've ever been. The game was there on a platter and he just just kept giving the other team the ball deep in 49ers territory. The Bears couldn't get much of anything going all night and then all of the sudden the Bears put a few plays together and they have the lead. WTF happened? Well after watching the game again from the TV broadcast I can see what happened. I am not trying to excuse Kap here because he made some mistakes for sure, but those INTs were some great individual efforts from those Bear players. Kap is culpable because they still weren't the best decisions, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. The fumble? Allen put his helmet right on the ball. I would prefer a few less designed runs by Kap. First Pick? He didn't look off the safety and trusted his arm too much...but that play by Conte was nuts. All or nothing. If he doesn't pick that Boldin might score. Laid out for it. Good play by him there. Second Pick? Probably should have gone elsewhere with the ball, but I don't think you can count on the guy ripping it free from Crab and having the ball fall in his lap. Third Pick? Another very good play by the defender, but this was the one that concerned me the most with Kap. I think he thought he had the guy and never saw the underneath defender...but Kap was pressing. He was trying too hard to make something happen. Yes, it was third down, but you can't give the Bears another short field. Kap will be fine. He'll learn from it and he'll get better. Anyone remember weeks 2 and 3 last year? Its not like the Colts were a defensive juggernaut either. Kap did make some nice throws last night and was playing well..until the bottom fell out. 2) Penalties: Another thought leaving the game - WTF Refs? Thoughts after watching the game on TV? WTF Niners? There were a few ticky tack calls throughout the game and some missed calls as well so not saying the refs had a perfect game...but the refs aren't the reason they lost. The Niner really committed enough of those calls to lose the game. The Boldin call was bad and that drive ended in a fumble...but still. They were committing penalties all over the field. Can't do that and expect to win. 3) Levis Opener: That was a bummer. I was having a great night too. LOL. Love my seats, loved the pregame stuff, first half was fun, halftime was cool...and then....stab to the heart. Terrible way to end a great night. 4) Ward: It'll get better rook. He had himself a rough night, but it wasn't as if we didn't know at some point someone was gonna pick on him. Rookies sometimes play like rookies. He had himself a little baptism under fire against one of the best WRs in the league and a guy who's what, 5 or 6 inches taller than him and about 40 lbs heavier? He'll learn from this and get better. 5) Roman: I knew someone would be calling for his job. LOL. I don't think he had as bad a night as some think. I know peeps are all over the fact that they passed when they should have run all over that D, but when a team is stacking to stop the run, it leaves open the passing game. The Passing game was working too in the first half when not getting derailed by penalties, a fumble, or an INT. Frank did break through on that long run, but he wasn't getting a ton of space outside that run. Hyde couldn't find any space whatsoever. I also know peeps will harp on the three runs at the end of the first drive of the second half and I don't know what to make of that third down run, but that one run wasn't the reason they lost either. 4 turnovers and 16 penalties are the reason they lost. When you call a play, you can't go out and execute it for them. 6) Carrier: I dunno what the status is yet on Vernon and Vance (catch the freakin ball man), but Carrier looked pretty damn good for a #3 TE. They may have to lean on him a bit in the coming weeks if those other two guys are hobbled. 7) Carradine: Huh? He played one snap. Why is he important? He's important because he needs to play a lot more than one snap. He's young, he's a bit raw and he'll make some mistakes, but the one thing he showed a knack for in preseason is the one thing the 49ers are having issues doing...generating a pass rush. I think they need to work him into the rotation because they simply aren't getting enough pressure. Aldon isn't coming back anytime soon. If Cutler was able to do what he did, how do you think Peyton will do? 8) Missed Opportunities: I think this is the one that hurts the most. You don't get a lot of these opportunities. We don't know how many times Seattle will slip up this year. Niners had a chance to put up a one game lead on them and completely squandered it against a team they had no right to lose to. Come the end of the season, losses like this one are going to hurt. 9) Pattern: As much as it hurt, I think it's fair to remember the way every Harbaugh season has started. Some of the local media has pointed that out and they are right...every season they seem to start with a bang, get knocked around a bit, and come out the other side a better team. In 2011 it was an overtime loss to Dallas at home. Then they won 11 straight. In 2012 they lost to a Vikings team they should have manhandled and then got crushed when looking for revenge vs the Giants. Last year they got planted by Seattle and then looked just as bad against the Colts. In some ways, this is what they do. They start the year as one team, go through the trials and become a different team than they intended. They make changes...be it letting Braylon Edwards go, switching to Kap, releasing Nnamdi...whatever. They circle the wagons and end up a better team than the one that started the season. We'll just have to see if the pattern holds. 10) O-Line: Martin held up for awhile, but we either need to get Davis back or slide Boone out to tackle and let Looney play guard. Way too much pressure on Kap and run blocking wasn't a ton better. 11) All is not lost: Had to add one more. Look, that sucked. No 2 ways about it. Opportunities lost and some rough play. The good news is that some young players are getting some experience and should improve over the course of the year. Ward will get better. Culliver will get better. Kilgore will get better. Guys will get healthy. It's a long year. The sting will wear off. The season has a long way to go and if the Niners beat Arizona they are tied for 1st in the division again.

Sep 15, 2014 at 11:51 AM

#61

DelCed2486
Veteran
Posts: 7,158

Member Milestone: This is post number 2,400 for DelCed2486.

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by lamontb:
My main issue with Roman last night was the lack of aggression. I mean at what point are we going to challenge a defense down field? The NFL is telling you go deep and if you don't catch we'll call a penalty. and watching all the games the niners are the only team that doesn't even attempt deep passes. Crabs and Boldin are nice but they just don't have the speed to scare any corner. No double moves or anything

Interesting. I think his (the offense's) problem was a lack of patience. It seemed like Kap was forcing throws downfield when there may/should have been options underneath. Kap seemed to look downfield, not pull the trigger, then get into trouble in the pocket.

When VD left the game, those underneath options may not have been there. Can't tell.

In my earlier post I also noted perceived lack of the deep ball...I'm not talking about 20-30 yds where it's still in front of the defense, but something over the top that gets behind the D. I don't recall any of those last night, kinda thought that was one of the reasons for drafting Ellington, not just a few returns and being a decoy for fake fly sweeps.

Sep 15, 2014 at 11:52 AM

#62

brodiebluebanaszak
Veteran
Posts: 15,366

Marvin on point 1) you are being way too forgiving. Forget the ints. kap had a lousy throwing night. Really bad. Couldn't hit the side of a barn. All his completeions were inaccurate. look at them all. Practically every one the receiver is reaching lunging or breaking stride to get the ball. Come on.

Sep 15, 2014 at 11:55 AM

#63

Marvin49
Hall of Fame
Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by lamontb:
My main issue with Roman last night was the lack of aggression. I mean at what point are we going to challenge a defense down field? The NFL is telling you go deep and if you don't catch we'll call a penalty. and watching all the games the niners are the only team that doesn't even attempt deep passes. Crabs and Boldin are nice but they just don't have the speed to scare any corner. No double moves or anything

Interesting. I think his (the offense's) problem was a lack of patience. It seemed like Kap was forcing throws downfield when there may/should have been options underneath. Kap seemed to look downfield, not pull the trigger, then get into trouble in the pocket.

When VD left the game, those underneath options may not have been there. Can't tell.

LOL...

That's kinda the point I was making before. Tons of peeps who have issues with the OC say "They were too aggressive and passed too much!!" and a number of others say "Why didn't they run more!?!"

Cracks me up.

Its really not that complicated. Niners ran the ball and didn't have a ton of success because the Bears had been embarrassed a week earlier and were keying on it. Niners were getting passing looks so...they passed. Really quite simple. It was working too. You take what the defense gives you.

What killed them was NOT play-calling. It was execution.

Same on Defense.

The Bears had like 90-100 total yards of total offense 9 minutes into the 3rd quarter.

It was penalties and turnovers that did them in. Some were great defensive plays, some were mistakes. None of that though is playcalling.

Peeps crying about throwing the Crab at the end seem to forget one simple fact....HE WAS OPEN.

Sep 15, 2014 at 11:55 AM

#64

brodiebluebanaszak
Veteran
Posts: 15,366

Also please comment on coaching game plan. johnny del says running the read option was the right thing to do based on last week. The reason it didn't work was execution? Maybe. But doesn't the game plan need to adjust for that? Don't forget that we ran 0 sweeps, 0 screens, 0 bubble, and maybe 1 pass over the middle checkdown. Everyone has read the book on us over plays the medium out. result = 3 ints. kap looks like crap on the short throws.

Sep 15, 2014 at 11:56 AM

#65

thl408
Moderator
Posts: 33,298

Originally posted by BleedsRedNGold:
Kap was full of himself yesterday. He needs to learn when to be a gunslinger and when to be a game manager. Football is mainly a game of chess. This is where the 49ers have faltered in previous years. Harbaugh needs to do with Kap what Ditka did to him--tell him that he can't call any audibles at certain points. On the 3rd and 6, the play was a combo play and Kap audibled to a run. That should have been a pass no matter what. It didn't have to get into the end zone.

Is that for real? How do you know that? Honest question because I'm really curious where that call came from. I hated that call. It was not a packaged play if that's what you meant. The WRs looked to run block at the snap of the ball. I am referring to the 3rd & 6 at the end of the drive to start the second half.

Sep 15, 2014 at 11:57 AM

#66

Marvin49
Hall of Fame
Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by brodiebluebanaszak:
Marvin on point 1) you are being way too forgiving. Forget the ints. kap had a lousy throwing night. Really bad. Couldn't hit the side of a barn. All his completeions were inaccurate. look at them all. Practically every one the receiver is reaching lunging or breaking stride to get the ball. Come on.

When did I say he didn't have a bad night? All I said was that it wasn't as bad as I initially thought walking out of the stadium.

Sep 15, 2014 at 11:57 AM

#67

Marvin49
Hall of Fame
Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by BleedsRedNGold:
Kap was full of himself yesterday. He needs to learn when to be a gunslinger and when to be a game manager. Football is mainly a game of chess. This is where the 49ers have faltered in previous years. Harbaugh needs to do with Kap what Ditka did to him--tell him that he can't call any audibles at certain points. On the 3rd and 6, the play was a combo play and Kap audibled to a run. That should have been a pass no matter what. It didn't have to get into the end zone.

Is that for real? How do you know that? Honest question because I'm really curious where that call came from. I hated that call. It was not a packaged play if that's what you meant. The WRs looked to run block at the snap of the ball. I am referring to the 3rd & 6 at the end of the drive to start the second half.

Harbaugh said after the game that it was a pass-run option. He wouldn't elaborate.

Sep 15, 2014 at 11:59 AM

#68

theduke85
Veteran
Posts: 3,745

Originally posted by Marvin49:
LOL...

That's kinda the point I was making before. Tons of peeps who have issues with the OC say "They were too aggressive and passed too much!!" and a number of others say "Why didn't they run more!?!"

Cracks me up.

Its really not that complicated. Niners ran the ball and didn't have a ton of success because the Bears had been embarrassed a week earlier and were keying on it. Niners were getting passing looks so...they passed. Really quite simple. It was working too. You take what the defense gives you.

What killed them was NOT play-calling. It was execution.

Same on Defense.

The Bears had like 90-100 total yards of total offense 9 minutes into the 3rd quarter.

It was penalties and turnovers that did them in. Some were great defensive plays, some were mistakes. None of that though is playcalling.

Peeps crying about throwing the Crab at the end seem to forget one simple fact....HE WAS OPEN.

Well said! How in the hell can people complain about playcalling when Kaepernick committed 4 turnovers? My god. The staff could've called an objectively-flawless game and we still would've lost when the differential is that lopsided.

[ Edited by theduke85 on Sep 15, 2014 at 11:59 AM ]

Sep 15, 2014 at 11:59 AM

#69

Marvin49
Hall of Fame
Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by brodiebluebanaszak:
Also please comment on coaching game plan. johnny del says running the read option was the right thing to do based on last week. The reason it didn't work was execution? Maybe. But doesn't the game plan need to adjust for that? Don't forget that we ran 0 sweeps, 0 screens, 0 bubble, and maybe 1 pass over the middle checkdown. Everyone has read the book on us over plays the medium out. result = 3 ints. kap looks like crap on the short throws.

Yes...and the Bears were more prepared for it.

Gameplan did adjust...they started passing to counter the run heavy defense.

Sep 15, 2014 at 12:02 PM

#70

lamontb
Veteran
Posts: 33,134

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by lamontb:
My main issue with Roman last night was the lack of aggression. I mean at what point are we going to challenge a defense down field? The NFL is telling you go deep and if you don't catch we'll call a penalty. and watching all the games the niners are the only team that doesn't even attempt deep passes. Crabs and Boldin are nice but they just don't have the speed to scare any corner. No double moves or anything

Interesting. I think his (the offense's) problem was a lack of patience. It seemed like Kap was forcing throws downfield when there may/should have been options underneath. Kap seemed to look downfield, not pull the trigger, then get into trouble in the pocket.

When VD left the game, those underneath options may not have been there. Can't tell.

I don't recall many throws down field and maybe some were dialed up but they just didn't get the opportunity. I really just mean that I'm looking for 1 or 2 deep throws on the outside to a wr to stretch the defense and challenge them. And if they don't catch you probably will get a penalty these days. Give the defense something else to game plan for. I dont' want them to go crazy but just attempt it. I do agree about yoru point on the underneath stuff tho.

and did Vance get hurt and I just missed it?

Sep 15, 2014 at 12:03 PM

#71

communist
Veteran
Posts: 12,475

Originally posted by Marvin49:
LOL...

That's kinda the point I was making before. Tons of peeps who have issues with the OC say "They were too aggressive and passed too much!!" and a number of others say "Why didn't they run more!?!"

Cracks me up.

Its really not that complicated. Niners ran the ball and didn't have a ton of success because the Bears had been embarrassed a week earlier and were keying on it. Niners were getting passing looks so...they passed. Really quite simple. It was working too. You take what the defense gives you.

What killed them was NOT play-calling. It was execution.

Same on Defense.

The Bears had like 90-100 total yards of total offense 9 minutes into the 3rd quarter.

It was penalties and turnovers that did them in. Some were great defensive plays, some were mistakes. None of that though is playcalling.

Peeps crying about throwing the Crab at the end seem to forget one simple fact....HE WAS OPEN.

me too.

Sep 15, 2014 at 12:03 PM

#72

thl408
Moderator
Posts: 33,298

Originally posted by Marvin49:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by BleedsRedNGold:
Kap was full of himself yesterday. He needs to learn when to be a gunslinger and when to be a game manager. Football is mainly a game of chess. This is where the 49ers have faltered in previous years. Harbaugh needs to do with Kap what Ditka did to him--tell him that he can't call any audibles at certain points. On the 3rd and 6, the play was a combo play and Kap audibled to a run. That should have been a pass no matter what. It didn't have to get into the end zone.

Is that for real? How do you know that? Honest question because I'm really curious where that call came from. I hated that call. It was not a packaged play if that's what you meant. The WRs looked to run block at the snap of the ball. I am referring to the 3rd & 6 at the end of the drive to start the second half.

Harbaugh said after the game that it was a pass-run option. He wouldn't elaborate.

Got it. Thanks.

Sep 15, 2014 at 12:05 PM

#73

mayo49
Veteran
Posts: 65,216

Thoughts after rewatching the game.

Sep 15, 2014 at 12:06 PM

#74

Marvin49
Hall of Fame
Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by mayo49:
Thoughts after rewatching the game.

hehehe...

yeah, it was rough...but ultimately makes me feel better. Never as bad or as good as I thought the first time I watched it.

Sep 15, 2014 at 12:10 PM

#75

Hoovtrain
Veteran
Posts: 34,785

Originally posted by Marvin49:

Originally posted by NinerGM:

Originally posted by thl408:
Really like your points #1, 2, 5, 7, 11.

#1 Was not happy with the way Kap played. I want to say he was a bit too aggressive in looking downfield, but "i'll have to look at the film".

#2 Most of those penalties were earned. False starts at home? Come on Staley! Delay of games? Personal foul for bad language? Hand to the face...Is Tomsula teaching the pass rushers to get their hands up into the offensive lineman's facemask area? Is that the secret all this time? Like you mentioned, the worst call was the Boldin hold on Gore's big TD run.

#5 Blaming Roman is the easy way out. When he runs into a stacked box, we complain about it. When he decides to throw the ball over a stacked box, we complain about it. Maybe, just maybe, the players need to execute better. When the turnovers count as 3 INTs and 1 lost fumble, there has to be blame spread around. None of those INTs had Kap throwing into double coverage. That points to a lack of execution. Roman's worst call was easily the run play on 3rd and 6 from inside the red zone. That was a horse poop playcall. Not telling Kap to look short range against a zone defense was bad.

#7 Forte's running was shutdown. I am assuming that Tank doesn't get playing time because he doesn't follow his run defense responsibilities. Well with CHI's run game shutdown, and Cutler having a picnic in the pocket, let Tank flash some skill as a pass rusher. Surely he can't stink it up more than the Lemon.

#11 49ers lost game 2 last season and were right in the thick of things in January. The way they lost this game gives the players and coaches a lot to think about. Lots of points to emphasize. Humbling with many lessons to learn on both sides of the ball. The 49ers will be fine. It's not like they got steamrolled. They tripped over their own feet.

I would say that we aren't ONLY blaming Roman. Fangio owns a good part of this also IMHO along with Kaep. I'm just saying when you're up by 17 points, the improvements discussed during preseason and "new plays" were not there when we needed them to win within the conference. Just sayin.

I honestly don't know how you can blame the coordinators in a game with 16 penalties and 4 turnovers. Coordinators can call the plays, but they can't execute them

I can certainly blame the coordinators when there are seemingly no adjustments made. how many times did Marshall get isolated on Ward before maybe contemplating getting him some help? TD#1? TD#2? TD#3? And with a pass rush that is clearly struggling, you give Tank 1 snap? Fangio is a very good DC, and i do not blame the coordinators for this loss, because this game was lost by everyone from top to bottom, but after the Dial penalty that extended the drive and gave CHI 7pts and the momentum, they just sat on their hands..