Passing game: what is the biggest weakness?

[deep9er]

that's the problem. he isn't being utilized like he was in 06 because of the line

he's a good TE and glad we have him, but he's not a huge receiving threat because of himself. the coaches will not ignore a top receiving threat, if he was one we'd be using him no doubt.

again, not saying he's useless or don't throw to him, just his reputation is super high.

yes, the O-line shares responsibility no doubt, but its not all on them.

 

[Flyingiguana]

davis is our top recieving threat. he also opens things up for other recievers.

 

[h0ckeysk83r]

I disagree about Davis being overrated. He was a beast when he was being used properly. No doubt he isnt having a good year, but this offense isnt made for one person to have huge numbers at least right now. I feel when we get a full offseason under our belt he will produce more. Harbs does like using lots of TE looks so Walker has seen more his way with Davis being used to block. He still has some dropsies issues, but hes our biggest weapon with Crabtree slowly making a case right behind them. Still we need that #1 WR.

 

[deep9er]

then why aren't we throwing more to Davis, much more?

you guys are basically saying because Harbaugh is an idiot and doesn't know a receiving TE when he sees one. because Harbaugh thinks his WR's are much better. Harbaugh thinks Walker is better. ie you guys are looking at any reason you can think of but Davis himself.

again, Davis is good overall but his receiving REPUTATION far exceeds his ability. if his actual skills matched his reputation, no doubt we'd be throwing to him more.....NO DOUBT. would San Diego limit Gates? New England limit Gronkowski? Orleans limit Graham?

 

[Yadahell]

Part of the problem:

49ers Blog and Q&A: Five more sacks: Breaking down the breakdowns

 

[deep9er]

Part of the problem:

49ers Blog and Q&A: Five more sacks: Breaking down the breakdowns

• In addition to the five sacks, Smith was hit another nine times after the throw.

wow!

 

[freaak]

• In addition to the five sacks, Smith was hit another nine times after the throw.

wow!

Yep, I hope CK is ready to play Monday. Alex may get killed, with or without Woodley and Harrison.

The OL is turrble. That's where this team's troubles begins.

 

[h0ckeysk83r]

then why aren't we throwing more to Davis, much more?

you guys are basically saying because Harbaugh is an idiot and doesn't know a receiving TE when he sees one. because Harbaugh thinks his WR's are much better. Harbaugh thinks Walker is better. ie you guys are looking at any reason you can think of but Davis himself.

again, Davis is good overall but his receiving REPUTATION far exceeds his ability. if his actual skills matched his reputation, no doubt we'd be throwing to him more.....NO DOUBT. would San Diego limit Gates? New England limit Gronkowski? Orleans limit Graham?

So were his 2 seasons before this a fluke? He put up 965 yards and 13 TD's in 09 and 914 yards and 7td's last season with the QB carousel. Hate to be the "stat guy", but this year he has 548 yards and 5TD's. Also not a bad stat line. I dont see overrated on there anywhere. Cant really explain why there not getting the ball to him like we used too. Regardless he is having another solid year, not like the last 2 but still solid indeed. Nowhere am i saying Harbs is an idiot. Sometime the playcalling gets a little to cute though.

 

[sayheykid1]

I like how the haterz are once again feeling bold enough to take big shots at Smith. Nice and quiet - almost humble - 1st half of the season but a few bad games and its back out with a vengeance.

We've seen how he can perform behind a wide range of performances from the OL......it should be obvious to pretty much any fair-minded person where the biggest recent problems lie here.

1. OL
2. WR
3. QB
4. playcalling

Him being above average for a spell shouldn't have radically changed any opinions.
I am most surprised by the allegations that coaching problems (play calling) are yet again holding Smith back.

The reality is that the team needs a #1 WR, the line could use some work and the team really could use a very good QB. Davis is not a problem.

 

[clyde_carbon]

Him being above average for a spell shouldn't have radically changed any opinions.
I am most surprised by the allegations that coaching problems (play calling) are yet again holding Smith back.

The reality is that the team needs a #1 WR, the line could use some work and the team really could use a very good QB. Davis is not a problem.

Ignore space. He's so far up Smith's ass he can't hear you.

 

[Texas9erFan]

In previous seasons Alex had the best redzone rating in the league. Better than Rodgers, Brady AND Brees.

I'd sure like to know WTF happened??? What's the difference this year? What changed?

 

[deep9er]

So were his 2 seasons before this a fluke? He put up 965 yards and 13 TD's in 09 and 914 yards and 7td's last season with the QB carousel. Hate to be the "stat guy", but this year he has 548 yards and 5TD's. Also not a bad stat line. I dont see overrated on there anywhere. Cant really explain why there not getting the ball to him like we used too. Regardless he is having another solid year, not like the last 2 but still solid indeed. Nowhere am i saying Harbs is an idiot. Sometime the playcalling gets a little to cute though.

'09 were excellent stats, and is exactly where his receiving reputation took a big leap. so what happened since then?

'10 isn't bad for an average TE, but is that how he's viewed...as average? in fantasy leagues last year, he was probably taken top 5?

'11 isn't so bad either.....for an average TE, but again, is that how he's viewed....as average? he probably wasn't taken top 5, but certainly as the #1 TE for somebody.

lets leave Gronkowski out of this, what kind of stats does Jimmy Graham have? look at Gates considering the few games he's played? i know stats aren't all that, but if Davis was such a receiving weapon, no way Harbaugh purposely keeps him down. its similar to having Gore and not giving him much rushes.

anyways, gotta get off this now before i'm a Vernon Davis hater.

 

[deep9er]

In previous seasons Alex had the best redzone rating in the league. Better than Rodgers, Brady AND Brees.

I'd sure like to know WTF happened??? What's the difference this year? What changed?

don't really know but GUESSING we're now avoiding passes between numbers? when we do throw, its all to the outside. believe Alex Smith had some success in the middle previous seasons?

whether true or not, throwing down the middle IS more risky? so not knocking it as much as trying to guess.

 

[bvanthielriceyoung]

That number 75 dude who replaced Staley is awful. They couldda put a traffic cone out there instead of him and got better results.

This article doesnt agree with you at all.

49ers vs. Cardinals: Breaking Down Alex Boone - Niners Nation

 

[sayheykid1]

'09 were excellent stats, and is exactly where his receiving reputation took a big leap. so what happened since then?

'10 isn't bad for an average TE, but is that how he's viewed...as average? in fantasy leagues last year, he was probably taken top 5?

'11 isn't so bad either.....for an average TE, but again, is that how he's viewed....as average? he probably wasn't taken top 5, but certainly as the #1 TE for somebody.

lets leave Gronkowski out of this, what kind of stats does Jimmy Graham have? look at Gates considering the few games he's played? i know stats aren't all that, but if Davis was such a receiving weapon, no way Harbaugh purposely keeps him down. its similar to having Gore and not giving him much rushes.

anyways, gotta get off this now before i'm a Vernon Davis hater.

I think the QB position might be why VD isn't putting up monster numbers. If he was on NE he might have numbers similar to Gronkowski.
Gronkowski, Graham and Gates all have had very good QBs. Look at Gates this year, his numbers are down because Rivers is having an off year.

 

[bvanthielriceyoung]

I think the QB position might be why VD isn't putting up monster numbers. If he was on NE he might have numbers similar to Gronkowski.
Gronkowski, Graham and Gates all have had very good QBs. Look at Gates this year, his numbers are down because Rivers is having an off year.

Gates' numbers really arent down that much, especially considering he is playing injured and missed a few games.

Vernon Davis is just not in the same league as Gates, Gronkowski, And Graham. His probably a tier or two down from them.

 

[sayheykid1]

Gates' numbers really arent down that much, especially considering he is playing injured and missed a few games.

Vernon Davis is just not in the same league as Gates, Gronkowski, And Graham. His probably a tier or two down from them.

You don't think a QB has any effect on a TE's numbers? I think it is a big factor. I think Davis is right behind Gates and probably as good or better than the other two.
How many tiers below Brady, Brees and Rivers is Alex Smith?

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

In previous seasons Alex had the best redzone rating in the league. Better than Rodgers, Brady AND Brees.

I'd sure like to know WTF happened??? What's the difference this year? What changed?

It's only been the last 4 weeks or so that they've struggled. Early in the season they were scoring a lot of touchdowns in the red zone; even running some in.

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

You don't think a QB has any effect on a TE's numbers? I think it is a big factor. I think Davis is right behind Gates and probably as good or better than the other two.
How many tiers below Brady, Brees and Rivers is Alex Smith?

Better than Graham and Gronkowski? Are you out of your mind? Davis couldn't catch a cold and the first guy that hits him always brings him down. he's not close to Gronkowski or Graham.

 

[Flyingiguana]

then why aren't we throwing more to Davis, much more?

you guys are basically saying because Harbaugh is an idiot and doesn't know a receiving TE when he sees one. because Harbaugh thinks his WR's are much better. Harbaugh thinks Walker is better. ie you guys are looking at any reason you can think of but Davis himself.

again, Davis is good overall but his receiving REPUTATION far exceeds his ability. if his actual skills matched his reputation, no doubt we'd be throwing to him more.....NO DOUBT. would San Diego limit Gates? New England limit Gronkowski? Orleans limit Graham?

vernon has to stay and block. they seem to be using him more as a reciever the last few weeks but then blocking has taken a big step back as well.