NFC Championship game notes

[ChrisPozz]

Ed Werder reported this morning that this week Nolan expanded the Falcons spy packages in the playbook. My comment on that would be, well, obviously. Unless what Werder meant was that they created even more packages than they had for any other running QB they've faced this year. It was kind of vague and isn't incredibly newsworthy but I thought I'd pass that along as well.

 

[tomikcon1971]

For those that are superstitious, Calamity created last week's GDT.

Less than 3 hours.....

The GB game seems like eons ago.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Steve Palazzolo:

The #Falcons went with 21 personnel last week more than any other game of the season. Playoff adjustment?

 

[deep9er]

Ed Werder reported this morning that this week Nolan expanded the Falcons spy packages in the playbook. My comment on that would be, well, obviously. Unless what Werder meant was that they created even more packages than they had for any other running QB they've faced this year. It was kind of vague and isn't incredibly newsworthy but I thought I'd pass that along as well.

but wouldn't a spy create a little more room for short and medium pass routes? what if Kap rolls out and not only brings the spy, but brings him closer to the LOS?

 

[ChrisPozz]

A College Offense Graduates to the Pros

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/20/s...ada-offense-to-big-stage.html?ref=sports&_r=0

 

[deep9er]

Steve Palazzolo:

The #Falcons went with 21 personnel last week more than any other game of the season. Playoff adjustment?

surprising cause isn't their strength the passing game? to me, lean on your strength first, don't get too cute because of the opponent.

want them to run more against us too, then less passing to their receiving strength.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Jim Harbaugh knows how to evaluate QBs - SFGate

 

[ChrisPozz]

Dilfer breaks down 49ers, Falcons and more - NFC West Blog - ESPN

 

[ChrisPozz]

Jed York tweet after the game:

Sorry I missed Mike Nolan after the game. He congratulated a lot of our guys along with his wife. #ClassAct He set the foundation"

 

[ChrisPozz]

Mark Schlereth:

the 2 most physical teams won today...this game is still about thunder punching folks!

Wahoo! Football the way I believe it's supposed to be played.

 

[ChrisPozz]

15 of Kaepernick's 16 completions came on 1st or 2nd down today.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Championship Sunday: Flacco, Boldin, Gore... | National Football Post

2. 49ers’ Option scheme: Colin Kaepernick (16-21-233-1 TD) was impressive throwing the ball today in the Niners' 28-24 win win, but let’s focus on the option game in Jim Harbaugh’s offense. Start with LaMichael James on the Inverted Veer (Gun alignment, backside guard pull) and then move to Frank Gore in the Read Option. With the Falcons keeping their DEs up the field (play the QB through the mesh point), the 49ers ran Gore on the inside give with the FB/H-Back leading up through the hole. Plus, with the TE using an “arc” release at the snap (outside release, work to the second level), the SS was removed from the run front (gives the safety a false pass key). It was obvious the Falcons game planned to limit Kaepernick in the option scheme off the Green Bay tape from last weekend, but they didn’t account for Gore (21-90-2TDs) or James on the TD run.

 

[ChrisPozz]

49ers punch ticket to New Orleans | ProFootballTalk

 

[Flyingiguana]

Championship Sunday: Flacco, Boldin, Gore... | National Football Post

2. 49ers’ Option scheme: Colin Kaepernick (16-21-233-1 TD) was impressive throwing the ball today in the Niners' 28-24 win win, but let’s focus on the option game in Jim Harbaugh’s offense. Start with LaMichael James on the Inverted Veer (Gun alignment, backside guard pull) and then move to Frank Gore in the Read Option. With the Falcons keeping their DEs up the field (play the QB through the mesh point), the 49ers ran Gore on the inside give with the FB/H-Back leading up through the hole. Plus, with the TE using an “arc” release at the snap (outside release, work to the second level), the SS was removed from the run front (gives the safety a false pass key). It was obvious the Falcons game planned to limit Kaepernick in the option scheme off the Green Bay tape from last weekend, but they didn’t account for Gore (21-90-2TDs) or James on the TD run.

roman has done an excellent job these past two games.

 

[ChrisPozz]

San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons - Recap - January 20, 2013 - ESPN

Just some of the notes they list:

From Elias: The Falcons gained 477 yards but lost the NFC title game at home to the 49ers, setting an NFL postseason record for most yards gained by a team in a postseason loss at home (neutral-field Super Bowls are not included). The previous record was the total of 472 yards gained by the Dolphins in that classic overtime loss to the Chargers in the playoffs following the 1981 season.

Matt Ryan was outstanding throwing downfield in the first half on Sunday. Ryan completed 11 passes on throws deeper than 10 yards downfield, equaling his full-game career high in completions of that distance. Ryan and the Falcons' offense were more conservative in the second half.

After taking a 28-24 lead, the 49ers defense put Matt Ryan under duress on six of his final 12 dropbacks (50 pct). Ryan was put under duress (including a sack) on just three of his first 32 dropbacks (9.4 pct) of the game. The 49ers did not change their approach, blitzing once on Ryan's final 12 dropbacks (8.3 percent), consistent with their approach in his first 32 dropbacks (three with added pressure, 9.4 percent).

Colin Kaepernick was 9-of-11 for 129 yards and a touchdown when the Falcons sent five or more pass rushers Sunday, setting a career high for passing yards against added pressure. Kaepernick's primary target on these throws was Vernon Davis, who caught four passes for 75 yards and a touchdown when the Falcons sent extra pressure. Kaepernick also scrambled once for 23 yards.

Colin Kaepernick was kept in the pocket on 21 of his 23 dropbacks Sunday (91.3 percent), his highest rate of the season. Kaepernick averaged 11.5 yards per pass attempt when inside the pocket though, his highest rate since his first start in Week 11 (13.5 YPA).

No team has ever won the Super Bowl without winning AT LEAST 3 straight games during that regular season, and 49ers didn't win 3 straight games in 2012. Their longest win streak was two games (done 5 times)

 

[Flyingiguana]

San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons - Recap - January 20, 2013 - ESPN

Just some of the notes they list:

From Elias: The Falcons gained 477 yards but lost the NFC title game at home to the 49ers, setting an NFL postseason record for most yards gained by a team in a postseason loss at home (neutral-field Super Bowls are not included). The previous record was the total of 472 yards gained by the Dolphins in that classic overtime loss to the Chargers in the playoffs following the 1981 season.

Matt Ryan was outstanding throwing downfield in the first half on Sunday. Ryan completed 11 passes on throws deeper than 10 yards downfield, equaling his full-game career high in completions of that distance. Ryan and the Falcons' offense were more conservative in the second half.

After taking a 28-24 lead, the 49ers defense put Matt Ryan under duress on six of his final 12 dropbacks (50 pct). Ryan was put under duress (including a sack) on just three of his first 32 dropbacks (9.4 pct) of the game. The 49ers did not change their approach, blitzing once on Ryan's final 12 dropbacks (8.3 percent), consistent with their approach in his first 32 dropbacks (three with added pressure, 9.4 percent).

Colin Kaepernick was 9-of-11 for 129 yards and a touchdown when the Falcons sent five or more pass rushers Sunday, setting a career high for passing yards against added pressure. Kaepernick's primary target on these throws was Vernon Davis, who caught four passes for 75 yards and a touchdown when the Falcons sent extra pressure. Kaepernick also scrambled once for 23 yards.

Colin Kaepernick was kept in the pocket on 21 of his 23 dropbacks Sunday (91.3 percent), his highest rate of the season. Kaepernick averaged 11.5 yards per pass attempt when inside the pocket though, his highest rate since his first start in Week 11 (13.5 YPA).

No team has ever won the Super Bowl without winning AT LEAST 3 straight games during that regular season, and 49ers didn't win 3 straight games in 2012. Their longest win streak was two games (done 5 times)

we just won three straight, so shove that stat up...

 

[deep9er]

Dilfer breaks down 49ers, Falcons and more - NFC West Blog - ESPN

Most of us have a tendency to lump Kaepernick in the group with RG III and Russell Wilson and some of the quarterbacks of that style. And that's probably true to some extent. I'm wondering is he unique in his own way compared to some of those guys?

TD: It's a great question. I'm a big believer in what separates the better players in the league is a unique trait. You just go any position in the NFL. You say, OK, what separates person A from person B. It's usually one dominant unique trait that he has, another guy doesn't have. You know, Colin, RG3, Russell Wilson, one thing they're all very similar in -- this is what I'm trying to keep hammering home to people -- is between the ears. They're very smart kids. They're very poised individuals. They're highly, highly competitive. Their competitive temperament is built for the position.

And that is more important than the physical skill sets. But I think what maybe makes Colin unique to the other two is he's got the thickness, kind of the strength of Russell Wilson in a 6-foot-6 frame with the foot speed of RG III. You don't see many athletes like that. Like people keep talking about Colin is going to get hurt like RG III got hurt. I've been next to Colin. I'm 6-4, 238, and he makes me look tiny. I mean, he is 6-5. He's huge. I mean, he has big, thick joints in his upper body. Big wrist. Big neck, big shoulders. Wide hips. I know he's got skinny legs, but he's a thick dude. Works very hard in the weight room. He's going to be durable.

That's what makes him unique physically is that he's not only a great foot athlete, but he's got the stature of a tight end that can take, that can absorb some punishment. So I'm blown away -- even when I studied him coming out of the draft, I was like he's different. I didn't want to say better. He was just different than anybody else you studied because of his physical makeup. And he had the mind to fit it as well.

yep, the intangibles, that meriad of items that can't be quantified in the draft process. this is why Wilson is good even at his physical dimensions, Drew Brees.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Colin Kaepernick proves no moment too big for him - NFL.com

 

[deep9er]

Atlanta played a good game but not good enough to overcome two turnovers. the team with the most mistakes lose, and obviously these are the largest mistakes.

we only had one big (15 yard) penalty right?

our pass defense wasn't THAT bad (minus the first TD), but Atlanta's passing game was hot.

 

[deep9er]

Championship Sunday: Flacco, Boldin, Gore... | National Football Post

2. 49ers’ Option scheme: Colin Kaepernick (16-21-233-1 TD) was impressive throwing the ball today in the Niners' 28-24 win win, but let’s focus on the option game in Jim Harbaugh’s offense. Start with LaMichael James on the Inverted Veer (Gun alignment, backside guard pull) and then move to Frank Gore in the Read Option. With the Falcons keeping their DEs up the field (play the QB through the mesh point), the 49ers ran Gore on the inside give with the FB/H-Back leading up through the hole. Plus, with the TE using an “arc” release at the snap (outside release, work to the second level), the SS was removed from the run front (gives the safety a false pass key). It was obvious the Falcons game planned to limit Kaepernick in the option scheme off the Green Bay tape from last weekend, but they didn’t account for Gore (21-90-2TDs) or James on the TD run.

yep, when you have succes running the ball, the defense has to pick its poison. boy does LMJ hit the hole QUICK or what?