comments about the game

[deep9er]

I wasn't knocking Smith in any way. Just said there were a few throws that were behind receivers taking away any chance at a run after the catch.

don't worry, this has always been true of Alex Smith. some of it is accuracy and some of it timing.

 

[deep9er]

That's terrible....

hey, don't rub it in, its horrible.

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

Yeah, I have no posters of her on my wall either.

".....Just a tattered old Union Jack...."

 

[Crimsoncrew]

Haven't gotten a chance to do my thoughts on the game, yet. Don't have much time, so this will probably be somewhat brief and perhaps a bit repetitive.

First off, HUGE win. I don't want to get too excited, cause there were plenty of things to be unhappy about, but to actually come back in this game, on the road, and seal it at the end? Huge. It could completely change the attitude of this team. Coming off back-to-back early starts on the east coast is pretty big.

The offense finally opened it up and got some nice results. Smith was really shaky in the first half (though I thought better than in the first half against Cincinnati), but he came around in the second half with some really big plays. I don't think he threw the ball as well as he did in the first two games, but he made more big plays when he had to. The TD to Morgan was a great read and throw (though the coverage was spotty at best), the deep ball to Crabtree was very nice, and the improvisation to Hunter once again is something we haven't seen much of in his career to date. People are calling this a signature win for Smith, and I think there's a lot of truth to that.

The receivers came back and made some nice plays, but what was with all the drops early on? Walker, Crabtree, and Hunter all had pretty blatant drops. The Hunter one didn't really matter cause he was going to be dropped anyway, but we aren't good enough on offense to get over drops on a regular basis. Crabtree continues to be infuriatingly inconsistent, making great plays but still dropping some of the easy ones. I wouldn't consider the long ball with the no-call PI a drop, but if he catches that ball, it would have been huge for us.

Gore and Hunter finally showed up as a nice one-two punch. There was Gore, running with power and vision. Finally. Saved me in fantasy this week after I seriously considered pulling him. And Hunter had some nice jitterbug moves. At this point in his career, Gore needs lanes up the middle. He never had great speed, but he's not hitting the outside these days. We need the passing game to open up the field more in order for Gore to continue to have success.

The OL was a bit of a mix. Good job in the second half opening up running lanes, but Davis was abused all day long. And we really struggled to run early after Gore and Hunter ripped off a couple long runs to start the game. It seemed like Staley did a fair job against one of the better DEs in the league in Cole, though it also seemed like things really clicked once Cole went down.

The D made some big plays, but I think that has overshadowed some pretty big concerns. We simply couldn't stop the Eagles, and if not for the asinine play by Brown and some missed gimme FGs, we lose this one. Once again DeSean Jackson ran all over us. Great job of containing McCoy. I was worried he would hurt us as the quicker backs have tended to do recently, but that passing D is a concern. Vick had a lot of time pretty often, and when we got to him we weren't bringing him down.

That said, Aldon Smith started to find his groove. He made some good plays rushing the passer. With Justin and Ray still looking dominant, and Brooks also making some plays, this front-seven has the potential to be really, really good. Along those lines, Bowman just keeps getting better.

The back end was a bit shaky, though. Once again the safeties were repeatedly out of position, and Reggie Smith dropped what would have been an absolutely huge INT. Goldson and Smith both had some nice hits, but that doesn't make up for the collapses.

And finally, STs was actually a bit of a liability this week. The missed/blocked FGs could have been absolutely huge in this one, and Lee seemed off his game (possibly trying to kick away from Jackson). I have faith they'll bounce back.

I think we match up pretty well against TB if we can keep Freeman from hurting us too badly with his legs. Bowman should come in handy there. That game is winnable, and would really keep the pressure on our division opponents (not to mention that ARI won its NFC South game). Hopefully we can keep the momentum going.

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

Lots of positves, the biggest being they won; but withut Ronnie Brown losing his mind or their kicker making just one of the two short field goals he missed, the Niners lose this one. I hope they don't come into the Tampa game believing the hype. They've still got to play just as hard as they possibly can.

 

[tallglassofwater007]

Why is it that when the Niners miss on 2 field goal attempts it doesn't go into account of the game but because the Eagles missed on 2 everyone says the Niners got all kinds of help? The way I look at it... if all of those field goals are converted the Niners still win the game by 1. I just read where the guy loved how Smith led this comeback but he couldn't have done it without help from the Eagles. When I was watching the game it looked like the Eagles were still playing defense out there. What happened to teams winning games...not the other teams losing games??

 

[h0ckeysk83r]

Why is it that when the Niners miss on 2 field goal attempts it doesn't go into account of the game but because the Eagles missed on 2 everyone says the Niners got all kinds of help? The way I look at it... if all of those field goals are converted the Niners still win the game by 1. I just read where the guy loved how Smith led this comeback but he couldn't have done it without help from the Eagles. When I was watching the game it looked like the Eagles were still playing defense out there. What happened to teams winning games...not the other teams losing games??

Was just about to post something like this. Spot on! Somebody posted an article from espn in the 49er-eagle game thread about how one team earns the win, not the other team blowing the game.

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

Why is it that when the Niners miss on 2 field goal attempts it doesn't go into account of the game but because the Eagles missed on 2 everyone says the Niners got all kinds of help? The way I look at it... if all of those field goals are converted the Niners still win the game by 1. I just read where the guy loved how Smith led this comeback but he couldn't have done it without help from the Eagles. When I was watching the game it looked like the Eagles were still playing defense out there. What happened to teams winning games...not the other teams losing games??

I suppose its just doing a reality check on the team so we don't get too carried away with the win and we realize how fragile our margin of victory is. A play here or a play there and the game could have gone the other way.

 

[Crimsoncrew]

Why is it that when the Niners miss on 2 field goal attempts it doesn't go into account of the game but because the Eagles missed on 2 everyone says the Niners got all kinds of help? The way I look at it... if all of those field goals are converted the Niners still win the game by 1. I just read where the guy loved how Smith led this comeback but he couldn't have done it without help from the Eagles. When I was watching the game it looked like the Eagles were still playing defense out there. What happened to teams winning games...not the other teams losing games??

The Eagles missed both from within 40 yards. The Niners missed a longer kick (can't recall how far) and had one blocked. I wouldn't say they were entirely comparable. The Niners still had to seal the comeback, but we shouldn't get TOO excited about this team based on one big win. Still plenty to work on.

 

[tallglassofwater007]

I suppose its just doing a reality check on the team so we don't get too carried away with the win and we realize how fragile our margin of victory is. A play here or a play there and the game could have gone the other way.

I completely agree, but I feel like the 49ers went out and won this game. The Morgan TD was a nice pass by Smith. Davis ran over a guy to score, and Gore carried a man into the endzone. It's not like we scored on wide open blown coverages or something. Even when we were down 20-3 at the half, it felt like we were in the game. Or maybe that's just me.

 

[FourBeeDen]

The Eagles missed both from within 40 yards. The Niners missed a longer kick (can't recall how far) and had one blocked. I wouldn't say they were entirely comparable. The Niners still had to seal the comeback, but we shouldn't get TOO excited about this team based on one big win. Still plenty to work on.

Crew, there is no doubt that the Niners still have a long way to go but I think what's rubbing people in the wrong way is that everytime the 2 missed FG's are mentioned, they are mentioned in a way that belittles the Niners effort to comeback and win the game... Most of the media would rather focus on the Eagles inability to close the game and the missed FG's as the main cause of their losing rather than the fact that the Niners overcame a 17 point half time lead to win... It maybe OK for Harbaugh that his team is not getting any respect. For him that lack of respect is a motivational factor but for layman fans, it is a rub to their team...

 

[Crimsoncrew]

Crew, there is no doubt that the Niners still have a long way to go but I think what's rubbing people in the wrong way is that everytime the 2 missed FG's are mentioned, they are mentioned in a way that belittles the Niners effort to comeback and win the game... Most of the media would rather focus on the Eagles inability to close the game and the missed FG's as the main cause of their losing rather than the fact that the Niners overcame a 17 point half time lead to win... It maybe OK for Harbaugh that his team is not getting any respect. For him that lack of respect is a motivational factor but for layman fans, it is a rub to their team...

Yeah, I agree. The Niners still had to pull out a remarkable 21-point comeback. The Eagles had their chances and couldn't close. The Niners did, and deserve a lot of credit.

 

[MW49ers5]

I completely agree, but I feel like the 49ers went out and won this game. The Morgan TD was a nice pass by Smith. Davis ran over a guy to score, and Gore carried a man into the endzone. It's not like we scored on wide open blown coverages or something. Even when we were down 20-3 at the half, it felt like we were in the game. Or maybe that's just me.

100%! Well said, Glass.

You are also spot-on about the FG's!

They missed two scoring opportunities, we missed two scoring opportunities, they are perfectly comparable.

ALL four FG's were attempted well within each kickers range. Akers miss was from 44 yards and the block was a 45 yard attempt.

 

[MW49ers5]

Was just about to post something like this. Spot on! Somebody posted an article from espn in the 49er-eagle game thread about how one team earns the win, not the other team blowing the game.

+1

 

[MHSL82]

100%! Well said, Glass.

You are also spot-on about the FG's!

They missed two scoring opportunities, we missed two scoring opportunities, they are perfectly comparable.

ALL four FG's were attempted well within each kickers range. Akers miss was from 44 yards and the block was a 45 yard attempt.

Plus, unless Akers kicked abnormally low, it isn't his fault the guy was able to break through to block the FG, whereas Henery just flat out missed.

 

[MW49ers5]

Plus, unless Akers kicked abnormally low, it isn't his fault the guy was able to break through to block the FG, whereas Henery just flat out missed.

In addition to that, if I recall correctly didn't the replay show that a player had levitated? (yeah, I know that sounds funny, but) I am reviewing the game now and haven't arrived at that point, but if I am right, then that would have given us a first at around the 22.

 

[h0ckeysk83r]

Watching some of the highlights of the game and you catch more than you do when watching live.

Hunter and Gore were great of course. But man Hunter needs the ball some more, he hits the outside so fast and is good on the pitch plays. Another great play is when he caught the big catch, he saw smith scramble and improvised and ran to an open area for the easy catch. I thought he was gone after that lol, but overall great speed and recognition to bail smith out.

Bowman was a monster as was the whole LB and DL line. Goldson and smith had some awesome hits and played agressive.

 

[EaseUrStorm]

I completely agree, but I feel like the 49ers went out and won this game. The Morgan TD was a nice pass by Smith. Davis ran over a guy to score, and Gore carried a man into the endzone. It's not like we scored on wide open blown coverages or something. Even when we were down 20-3 at the half, it felt like we were in the game. Or maybe that's just me.

Morgan was wide open on the TD. It was pretty much a blown coverage for how bad Asaunte Samuel played that one. That may have been the easiest pass Alex Smith had all year. But it was good recognition to anticipate where the weakness was in the safety blitz and hit it. There's a really cool snapshot of this play and some of the other key plays in an article posted somewhere on here this morning.

We haven't had that type of play in a long time. Gore and Davis' effort to get the ball across the line on those plays were incredible. They are both awesome near the goal line in getting the ball over.

I pretty much felt the game was done when the fumble happened right before half and they punched it in. The game was a lot closer than the score at that time, but I didn't think we had enough firepower to light up their pass defense. This is a huge reference win for the offense after struggling so hard with that team for so many years.

 

[deep9er]

when a dog beats the favorite, there had to be a combination of the dog playing well, and the favorite making mistakes. going into the game we all knew we had to play well, and the Eagles make mistakes.

this is exactly what happened so this isn't a one or the other argument, both are correct.

now if the media chooses to show Eagles mistakes, fine with me. it does make for better TV and not so sure i'd make the same decision?

 

[Crimsoncrew]

In addition to that, if I recall correctly didn't the replay show that a player had levitated? (yeah, I know that sounds funny, but) I am reviewing the game now and haven't arrived at that point, but if I am right, then that would have given us a first at around the 22.

I think that happened on the miss, not the block. I thought the miss was from further out than 44. Should have made it, but if we take Akers as an example, he's hit 70% from 40-50 in his career, as compared to 88% from 30-40. That's a pretty significant drop-off from the added distance.