WHAT A Day

For someone who loves football, it really doesn't get much better than today. A ton of great games with playoff implications, the 49ers winning yet again and looking pretty good while doing it, it was just awesome.

Oh yeah, AND I BEAT KEV TO WIN THE FANTASY CHAMPIONSHIP BOO YA I BEAT YOU IN YOUR FACE KEVIN!!!!!

Ahem.

So looking at the 49ers' side of things, Frank getting 1,000 yards was not quite as impressive as him doing it last season, but still very awesome that he pulled it off in an injury-riddled year. The fact that Foster performed very well again against a pretty good D was another nice bonus. I'll have to watch the whole game through, but from what I was able to watch, Shaun Hill did very good, save for that pretty terrible interception.

I have to say, after hearing that Singletary got his much-deserved extension, I am really very excited for next year. I know a few of you are thinking that this is just the 49ers winning yet more late-season meaningless games, but unlike previous years, it really looked like the team was playing better. In the past, it just seemed like they were hanging on to win, whereas this year it really looked like they were the better team almost every week. Their ability to come back to win the Rams game really showed the difference between Nolan's teams and Sing's teams. There's no way Nolan's team wins that game.

So yeah, it seems like there's hope. Find a pass rusher, find a safety who can actually cause turnovers (anyone notice that the D got a little better when Roman and M. Lewis were out?), stop screwing around and give Shaun Hill the permanant job, and get ready for a 2009 division title run.

BTW, what do you all think about Mike Martz next season? There's no doubt that he massively improved the offense this season, but he also had some pretty terrible late-game play calls. I personally am leaning towards bringing him back just so the team doesn't have to learn yet another offense, but I actually trust the coach to make a good decision this time. Sing has shown some pretty decent judgement this season.

HAHAHAHAHAHA KEV HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Good times.

A Conflict

Boy, do I love winz. You know how many winz us niner fans have had since we last saw our team in the playoffs? 30. In six seasons. 30 winz. That's pretty bad. 5 winz a year is pretty bad when you play 16 games.

So, with that in mind, it sure would be fun to just keep winning and see our team go 8-8 and finish with a non-losing season for the first time in 6 years, right? ....right? It's not exactly improbable when you look at the schedule and the way they've been playing lately.

But, there's the conflict. Not only are the playoff hopes for this team over, but each win is taking us further and further away from a nice high draft pick. Also, if the 9ers beat the Dolphins this week, that means that either Brett Favre or Bill Bellichick will be in the 2008 playoffs. Wouldn't it be fun if both those douchebags missed out?

Sooo...what do you root for? I love this team and the new direction it's headed in, but let's just say I won't be crushed if they lose this game. I really like the story of the Dolphins and always liked Chad Pennington. Seeing them beat out The Bretts and the Cheatriots for the playoffs would probably make me feel better than a few more (mostly) meaningless winz for our team.

Let's put it this way- if it turns out to be one of those last-team-to-have-the-ball-wins kind of games, and the Dolphins have the ball last, and their unknown kicker wins it for them....I won't be upset. That's actually a nice feeling to have before a football game- I'd love another east-coast victory (becuase then we'd have two wins over there when nobody else even has 1), but I'd also love the Phins to win their division.

Football is weird. Am I crazy for maybe sort of rooting for a close niner loss?

Exorcising the Demon

BRETT FAVRE CAN SUCK IT!!!!

Do I care that it took him being 47 for us to finally beat him in a home game during the season? No, because that game ROCKED.

The 49ers did something in that game that I have literally never seen them do in all my 4 years of following them closely- they actually looked like the better team when playing against a squad with more talent. They beat the best person who's ever even thought about thinking about playing QB. The humanitarian football jesus himself.

When they had a key 3rd and goal, they didn't do what Mike Nolan would have done- run it into the pile and taken the 3 points; they came out with a 25-step drop and a beautiful fade playcall to the big WR on the team for an absolutely nut-kicking TD. THAT is the effect that a new coach has on a team. Is there any way in that Nolan would let that play be run?

Then, as the game was running down in the 4th, the 49ers- without their all star RB- ran the clock down. Like an NFL team would do! They didn't throw it, they didn't run it into a pile, they were very efficient and by the time they had to give the ball back to the Jets, there was only enough time left for Brett Fav-rah to throw a nice little game-icing INT to our own ageless wonder. THEN, they put a big, fat exclamation point on their victory by putting his stupid ass on the turf TWICE. That's what I call finishing right there.

All in all, these last few weeks give us hope for the future. If the 49ers don't re-sign Mr. Singletary after the effect he's had on this group, you will be looking at one pretty angry fan here. If you try to tell me that it's just a coincidence that this team looks so good now, I'm sorry, but I'll have to call you an idiot. The only difference between this team now and this team earlier is the QB and the head coach.

Shaun Hill, Jason Hill, and Mike Singletary- me thinks these will be the 3 major benefits of us having to sit through this season. It looks like those are 3 key foundation pieces that actually belong on an NFL team. Just find a pass rusher already!

Unfortunately,

this one matters too. I just wish I could see more than the first quarter of it.

Why am I so excited for a week 12 game when my team is 3-7? This cannot be healthy. We all know what's coming- T.O for 158 and 2 TDs, and our offense makes them look like the '85 Bears. It's a road game starting at 10 AM. It's an all-world running back against a D that made Antonio Pittman look like Gayle Sayers. It's going to be ugly.

And yet...I'm nervous. As though this game actually means something. Maybe it's because if.....if they actually look somewhat competitive, then we can have some sort of hope for the future. So for all of our sakes, let's hope that when I have to stop watching at the end of the first quarter, the score is 35-0 Dallas, so that we can see our team for what it really is: not very good.


That said, how effing sweet would it be to beat the Cowgirls in our last ever game there?!??!?!?!

How do I feel about this game?

Sorry, can't help it....Gamenight thread

I have BFS- battered fan syndrome. No matter how many times this team has kicked me square in the balls, choked under pressure, failed after a bye week, played without fire...despite all of it I'm still unbelievably excited about tonight's game. There really isn't much reason for hope, though Shaun Hill is still undefeated as an NFL starter. In the 2 games he started last year, Mr. Davis had 2 TD catches.

Is this the night the tards finally turn back into the tards? It's set up perfectly- you KNOW they're not going to finish over .500 this year. Let's start their downturn, k?

1st Half:

• OMFFFGGGG!!!!!!!! Is there a better way to start this game?????? ALLLEENNN ROOSSSSUMMMM
• Noticing the defense still struggling. That D line is pretty awful- they really need to get some sort of pressure on mr. fumble statue.
• I'm not liking the niners looking somewhat OK so far. They're building up my hopes FAR too high.
• Ok, STOP IT GUYS. What a frickin great throw and catch to Josh Morgan. Is he for real after all? We shall see.
  
• Hey 49ers coaching staff- I'm still waiting for Shaun to do something that warrents his getting benched this year.
• THERE THEY ARE! Took a little while, but there we go. Letting Kurt Warner out maneuver you, giving up 60 yard passes to 3rd options, that's the niners we know.
  
• Still, it's nice to see them being sort of competitive.
• Anybody else see that? Shaun Hill got hit on the throwing hand and.....held onto the ball! And even threw a completion! It was short of a first, but that's a huge change in field position.
• The return is complete! That was horrible tackling on Boldin- you cannot take him down with shoulder hit. This is the 49ers (defense) we know and love.
• HE WANTS IT! Shaun Hill has become Steve Young! What a run!
• Ok, shit yes on that drive. SHIT EFFING YES. Vernon Davis finally makes the kind of catch he was drafted to make.
• Oops, he's still VD, though.
• LOL CARDS. Good thing the penalty actually gave them WORSE field position. I told you they were still the Cardinals.
  

Halftime report:

This defense is making me very nervous for the second half, but I think it's obvious this team at least wants to win the game. The offense is what it should be- run first, throw short, then take occasional deep shots. Shaun Hill, so far anyways, has shown himself to be more than capable of running a team, and this is now 3 straight starts where he's thrown a TD to Vernon Davis. Maybe Vernon just needs the right QB? Or needed to get yelled at maybe?

Either way, reason to be optimistic, but the worst aspect of the team tonight (defense) will be on the field first in the second half. This is a great chance for the Cards to turn the momentum right back in their favor.

2nd Half:

• Big return, followed by a quick completion. They're at midfield- here comes the momentum shift.
• I've been dogging the d, and they looked bad on this drive so far, but wow the run D really showed up tonight. They've shut down a very good player. They can't stop the pass, but they've at least not been gashed by Hightower.
• BTW, F U to all the refs. Terrible call against Nate on that one.
• OK, it's up to the team to respond to that non-effort by the defense.
• Boy, I loooovvvee this offense. Soo much more effective to be grind-it-out rather than going long every time. I friking love this.
• That was very close to VD's second TD there. Wow.
• Take the points. Sure, it would be nice to be up by 8, but the D can't stop them tonight, so you HAVE to get points on every drive. I'm not confident enough in the short yardage O to think that was makeable.
• OK, so the defense again looked terrible, but I'll definitely take the refs finally making a call in our favor. Take the stops how you can get them, and score points when you have the ball.
• We need another 13 play, clock-killing drive here.
• .....what a terrible sequence. That INT was horrible, we get another shot, then their entire D is offsides and it's not called....WTF?
• Sorry, but these refs are awful. What the hell was that? Facemask? No grounding? Picking up flags? Good lord. Still, at least it was only 3 points.
• That drop is the kind of play that loses games.
• This pass rush is really bad. The run d has been extremely stout, but wow they're getting no pressure and covering no one. I'm really quite nervous about how this drive is going.
• *EXHALEEE* Finally we get a stop, so now it's up to the offense to just get points.
• Boy, that was the kind of play that just knees you right in the groin, liver, and kidney at the same time.
• Here's where we see what the team's made of. Plenty of time to drive for a score, so let's see how bad they want it.

END

I can't even speak about how this game ended. I know I shouldn't be surprised, but it's my BFS acting up again. I honestly thought we could win this one, but wow did the team ever turn into the 49ers at the end. That was the worst 2-minute sequence ever. They should have won, and they just handed it away.

That said, the refs sure didn't help. This was one of the worst-reffed games I've ever seen. Gore should have had a TD, and there were numerous penalties that weren't called. Unbelievable.

I liked the way the team played tonight, and they made the game closer than I realistically would have thought they could, but they showed they still can't finish a game like even a mediocre team could. For what it's worth, I've gotta say that it seems like Singletary is at least a passable head coach, but I'm sure that after I get a closer look at the game I'll change my mind.

Ugh- this is sports. Such a sick feeling.

Soo...

We're drafting 1 of these guys, right? Maybe both?

OMG that game was amazing. With the top ten pick we're bound to have, Crabtree is lookin like a must take. The new Andre Johnson.

Ummm.....WTF?

So, how much of this article can we believe? Michael Silver has always struck me as a huge douchenozzle, but is he totally off base on his reporting very often?

Let's start with the VD saga of Sunday:

“You don’t need to be sayin’ nothin’ to me right now,” Davis barked at the coach, according to witnesses. Singletary ordered Davis to take a seat on the bench, and shortly thereafter the coach approached and stressed the importance of avoiding stupid penalties.

“I said I don’t need to hear it,” Davis snapped, cutting him off.

Hmm, this is a total contrast to every other report I've heard of what happened, but it sure explains Singletary's over-the-top response if it's true. And as for the team's reaction?

Meanwhile, on the 49ers’ sidelines, most of Davis’ teammates were quietly singing the praises of ‘Coach Sing.’ ”

Explained one veteran defender: “Vernon does this crap all the time, and Nolan would always let it go. He created this monster. The good news is that Coach Sing wasn’t having that.”

Added another veteran defender: “No one’s bigger than the team, right? We were all happy to see that this (expletive) won’t be tolerated.”

Wha wha WHAAT?? I havn't heard the team's dislike for Davis reported ANYWHERE else.

I also specifically remember Maiocco saying that he thought Nolan was well respected in the locker room, but this article reports the EXACT opposite:

Conversely, Nolan’s lack of locker-room cred had a lot to do with his awkwardly timed departure last Monday evening. To his credit, McCloughan had heavily foreshadowed the move in a long conversation between him and Nolan on the Niners’ flight home from Newark, N.J., following a defeat to the Giants.

Nolan, several Niners players say, lost the team last season, which began with high expectations following a 7-9 campaign in ‘06. Midway through a year in which San Francisco would lose eight consecutive games and finish 5-11, Nolan gave a speech to the team on the Monday after a defeat in which he announced an end to his lenient ways. It soon became known derisively in the locker room as the “Warm and Fuzzy” speech.

“He got up there and said, ‘I’m done with the warm and fuzzies,’ ” recalled one player who witnessed the talk. “He said, ‘I’ve made it too warm and fuzzy around here for too long. No more (expletive) warm and fuzzy.’ It was comical. He was up there ranting and raving and clearly trying to be something he wasn’t.”

Added another Niners player: “It was a total front. I had a comeback waiting for him if he ever said it again: ‘It’s real warm and fuzzy on the sidelines, (expletive).’ ”

WTF? If any of this is true, how the hell did we not here about it until now? After this he goes on about how McCloughan went out of his way after his promotion to not rankle Nolan's feathers, then claims that the QB "battle" was a total front and that Martz wanted JT from the start.

Nothing real surprising there, but then he drops the line that makes me really wonder WTF is going on with this team, and question the credibility of this dude:

Not known for his people skills, Martz baffled his players after their 33-30 comeback victory over the Seahawks last month when, at a team meeting the following day, he told them, “You shouldn’t be satisfied, because it’s not just about winning. It’s about trying to be the best offense in the league … the best offense in history.”

......WHAT?? If this is true, then Mike Martz is effing insane and should not be allowed within 1000 feet of a football stadium. I really am not sure whether or not to give this any credibility, seeing as how there's nary an actual source named. But wow, if any of this stuff is true, then this team is more effed up than even we thought. I strongly recommend you read the whole thing and take it all in.

JT O'Sullivan can go back to making UPS Commercials

That is now that he's done with his 9th NFL team in as many, errr, less than as many years.

The STINKertary era begins

Get it? GET IT?

That was quite frankly the most pathetic effort in a meaningful game I've ever seen in my life. Where was this passion that we all thought Singletary would bring? If anything, the team was even flatter to start this game than they've ever been before. Mike Martz, teh geniuz, seems to have so answers on offense, or the personnel is so terrible he really can't do anything with it.

Shaun Hill- I'm sure there's some reason JTO started over him this season, but I still havn't ever seen him do anything that warrented being benched. He's not the most explosive QB ever, but when you've got a great RB and decent WRs, you just need a guy who won't eff up your chances of winning, and he doesn't. He doesn't make stupid turnovers. He doesn't fumble when someone breathes on him. He can run a little bit. Why the hell has he been on the bench?

And I can't even begin on the defense. When you let a Fullback take 2 catches over 40 yards for TDs, you have given up and have no pride left. What an absolute joke of a defensive performance. They weren't doing all that terrible at the beginning, but they must have realized they didn't have a hope in hell in this game and just mailed in the second half. Unbelievable.

This team is completely screwed. Offseason needs:

Head coach
Defensive Co-ordinator
Offensive Co-ordinator
Offensive line coach
Linebackers coach
Defensive line coach
Tight-ends coach
Defensive backs coach
Owner
Stadium
Quarterback

I think you get the picture. I know it's not fair to judge Singletary on one game, but there was not a single aspect of this team that was in any way different, let alone improved, during this game. It is going to be a catastrophic embarrasment on national TV in 2 weeks. Maybe, juuuussst maybe he'll be able to change something over the bye, but forgive me for needing to see it first.

Side note: I did like him telling Vernon to quite being a little baby and GTFO. Twould be nice if that lit a fire under the prick.

The Singletary Era Begins

Watching the talking heads on ESPN eulogize the great Mike Nolan is pretty funny.

What a relief.

For the record: Chris Berman is disgusted at this development. He obviously hasn't been watching this season. Probably all those deux deux duex's.

RESULT

THANK THE GOOD LORD IN THE HEAVENS. Rotoworld brings news that I can only hope and pray is accurate:

ESPN's Michael Smith reports that 49ers head coach Mike Nolan is "likely coaching his last game" against the Seahawks this week.
"Barring a dramatic change in course," Smith said on NFL Live, "The team is going to relieve Nolan of his coaching duties and replace him with assistant head coach Mike Singletary." It's not a shock after Nolan was nearly fired last offseason. Since Singletary figures to leave Mike Martz and the offense alone, the possible move doesn't have a huge fantasy impact.

Please, please, pleeaaassee let this rumor be factual. We get the two-fur of ditching Nolan and giving the job to Singletary, not Manusky. Somebody in the front office is using their brain!!! This is exciting!!!! Makes me think McCloughan is actually smart, and that Nolan was standing in the way of progress all along. I cannot wait for that press release.

BTW, there is absolutely no way of knowing whether or not Singletary will be any better, but at this point I think we all prefer the devil we don't know to the idiot we do know.

Getting serious for a minute...

...what exactly are the chances that Mike Nolan is the head coach on Nov. 10th in Arizona on Monday night? I have to admit, I live in an apartment where I have to try to "borrow" internet access right now, and I don't have TV, so I haven't been able to see the entire length of these recent games, but I've been able to watch snippets of the live game and highlights, and from what I've seen lately, the offense is actually going downhill, not improving like we thought it would.

JT O'Sullivan is now the New York Giants version of Kurt Warner- throwing terrible INTs, and fumbling the ball every time anyone even breathes on him. The offensive line looks to be quite awful- Gore has nary a hole to run through, and Jimminy Thaddeus has all of 1.459 seconds to find an open target. What the hell is going on here? And nobody can blame that east-coast BS either, because it was the same in the Pats and Eagles games, and they weren't road games. Why did Vernon Davis disappear? Why is Gore getting 11 carries again?

And then there's the real reason we should get that sweet, sweet press release on the morning of October 27th: the defense. Mike Nolan's defense. He is getting the absolute least out of a marginally talented group that I could possibly imagine. Are they great? No. The defensive line is actually pretty bad, but this defense has some very talented players, and they are a complete seive out there. Brandon Jacobs is very good, so you'd expect to give up some plays to him, but Correll effing Buckhalter? He's ok, but this defense made him look like Westbrook wasn't actually injured. Then you've got the genius move of keeping your fastest and most athletic LB on the sidelines for 2 entire games. Absolutely ridiculous.

One of the arguements I've seen Maiocco make in Nolan's defense is that he took over a team with absolutely no talent and then improved the roster quite substantially. That may be somewhat true, but if so, why is his team still woefully awful? 2-5 after 3 1/2 years is not at all an improvement, I don't care how bad the roster was when you took over. 2 straight seasons with 4 (+?) game losing streaks shouldn't be happening when you've "improved the roster".

Here's something we've never ever evveerrr seen a Mike Nolan-coached 49ers team do: win a game they weren't supposed to win. Notice what the Rams did last week? Or this week for that matter? We would have made Brad Johnson look like Tom Brady. Or what the Raiders did against the Jets? Or the Dolphins against the Pats? Or the perfect example: Chiefs over Broncos. Even the crappiest of the shytiest teams have those games once in a while where you just go "WTF? They won that game?" Have you ever seen the 49ers do that with Mike Nolan coaching them? No, no you haven't. Some may want to count that game in Seattle in '06, but if we're honest with ourselves, we'd realize that the Seahawks totally sucked that season and we were damn lucky to pull that one out.

I honestly cannot see a single reason to keep Mike Nolan. The only good news about this season is that, even at 2-5, we're still only 2 1/5 games out in the division. Maybe if the correct move is made in a couple weeks, we'll actually have a shot, since we know the Tards will do what they always do: be an utter and massive disappointment to everyone.

Mike Nolan: Wrong for the defense, wrong for the 49ers.

I'm a pissed off 49ers fan and I approved this message.

0%:

Both the chances that this isn't a 2 touchdown blowout, and the chances that Mike Nolan keeps his job after the bye week. EXACTLY THE SAME TEAM as last year so far.

Some thoughts on the game while they're fresh like an open wound

Was anyone else completely disheartened on the first Eagles drive when you couldn't see Clements or Harris in the TV frame? This is such a sad, passive defense.

The game provided an instructive comparison in offensive lines. When the Eagles pass protected, their o-line provided a rock-solid wall rarely penetrated by a Niners defender. When the Niners pass protected, the linemen immediately fell back in a loose, pocket-like structure that almost immediately collapsed into JTO. I guess the conclusion here is the 49ers offensive and defensive lines are terrible.

Maybe if Mike Nolan wore his headset, he would be able to communicate with other coaches. Just a suggestion. In fact, he might have heard that Hank Baskett didn't catch that pass.

JT O'Sullivan has been a different QB since the New Orleans game. They must have really rung his bell, because his pocket presence is gone, and he's running scared. Bodes well for next week in the Meadowlands, huh?

Mike Martz. It was fun when he appeared to motivate the Niners offense earlier this season. I suppose some coaches would decide to go pass-whacky with a slim lead and a defense that can't get off the field, but those coaches are no longer employed.

I've been enjoying these "Martz vs. the opposing coach" storylines they keep hyping before the game. It's hilarious because Martz always seems to be 2-8 or 1-4 against the opposing coach.

THAT is how you start (Gameday thread?)

• BOO YES. Quick drive for a TD and a STUFF on 3rd-down defense. THAT is what I'm talking about! Bout fooking time, too.
• And now VERNON EFFING DAVIS hits a big play!?!?!?!?!?! YEAAAA BABY
• That 4th down play was pure Frank Gore. He's good.
• Takeo Spikes? Takeo Spikes? Dude has 3 INTs in 3 games!
• They didn't do anything with the INT, but that was still a HUGE play...and then Andy Lee..WTF?
• Quick question: Why is this defense such a sieve against the run? Good lord this is awful.
• Well that sucks. My online access cut out for some reason and then JT throws the pick. WHY can't we have consistency for once? Jeez
  

Classic Mike Nolan (AKA, another awful loss)

It'd be a relief to become one of those overly-dramatic fans and state, with grave conviction, "No more 49ers football. I'm done." Fact is, I dropped $260 on the Sunday ticket for the pleasure of watching Mike Nolan and Mike Martz fail on a weekly basis, and I'll get my money's worth, damn it.

Who doesn't enjoy watching the 49ers defense get mauled by consecutive 13 and 14 play drives? It's even better when it happens in 4 of the 5 games played this year. At least I know I can go do some yard work in the second and third quarters next Sunday. Because if we know one thing about Mike Nolan, we know he is consistent. Consistently out-coached.

Time of possession? That's for losers (seriously). Why, Martz' grand scheme can score in four plays anytime (except when it really counts).

And how about that hallowed Big Sub package? It's a hollow turd unable to stop even the longest third and long. There's not much you can do defensively without a defensive line. That's kind of a "key" component.

Maiocco reported Mike Nolan knew the name of one Patriot: Wesley Walker. Nolan's familiarity with the name translated perfectly to the field. As that little buttplug Welker scorched the pathetic Niners defense time after time, Nolan was probably canvassing the sideline, "Hey, where's that Walker guy? I've never seen "Welker"."

And we all know that the way to beat Randy Moss is to let him run free. Am I right? The secret to victory is letting Randy run those little 10 yard outs all day, because that way you'll make sure he doesn't burn you for a 70 yard TD...oh...wait.

I laughed out loud when Martz pulled out the direct snap to Gore LATE IN THE SECOND HALF. This tells me one thing: Martz' playcalling "feel" is a lie. He sticks to his plan come hell or high water. That play was probably intended to run in the second quarter, but with the unbalanced time of possession, it got pushed back. He sat on the one play that gave the Patriots fits two weeks ago. He didn't even try it. It would have been perfect on that 3rd and 1 where Gore got stuffed, no?

Are we watching the unraveling of Jiminy Thaddius O'Sullivan? What happened to the pocket presence, and those great sidesteps? Oh, right, New Orleans knocked those clean out the box. Sure, the interceptions were bad, but the throwaway on 4th and forever was a 'head in hands' moment.

The sad news is: there is no upside. It's not going to get any prettier. Mother of god imagine how bad this team is going to be in the Meadowlands in two weeks.

The 49ers will get a new coach sooner or later, probably throw in Shaun Hill as the sacrificial sack doll, and continue to flail against any offense slightly more competent that Detroit's. Booze is the only answer.

OMFG

I just get home...and we're leading a game we should win 21-6???!??!?!? And on the goal line? WHO IS THIS TEAM??

Oh wait, they just epically failed on the goal-line. All is well, guys.

EDIT: SINCE WHEN DO REVERSES WORK????!?!?!?! WOOOOOOO

Old and Tired

Yes, the discussion about whether or not Nolan should be fired IS a tired one. However, a back-and-forth with Maiocco on his blog today got me thinking.

IF the 49ers do well this year (maybe even *GASP* make the playoffs), I think it's safe to assume that it's because the offense is massively improved over last year. We've already seen that it's quite a bit better over the first 2 games.

That situation, says Maiocco, will put a decision before ownership. Who means more to the franchise: Nolan or Martz?

Now, looking at it from the perspective of a jilted 49er fan who's watched all or parts of 90% of the games for the past 3 years, it's obvious that I want Nolan fired. I wanted him fired after last season. But I'm not going to do that. I'm going to put on my "objective, reasonable" cap and view this situation as an outsider.

In doing so, I see that the difference between this team and the team that went 5-11 last year is a new offensive coordinator, and a few new offensive players who were basically brought in by said coordinator. Let's face it- it's unlikely that Bruce or O'Sullivan would have been here without Martz.

The defense is largely unchanged, with the exception being the return of Manny Lawson, the same Manny Lawson who didn't play a single snap last week. A possible season-ending injury to Spencer would be the other change. Through 2 games, it's safe to say the defense is not performing like it did last year, but it is early.

What, exactly, has Mike Nolan done in his 3 years here to save his job if the team does well this season? I am actually asking this question objectively, and am going to try to answer it.

It must be said, the talent on this team is quite a lot better than the team Nolan and company took over in 2005. Back then, the only playmakers were Julian Peterson coming off injury, and Bryant Young. This was before most knew Gore was any good, Kevin Barlow was still the starter, and Brandon Lloyd was being looked to to be a number 1 WR target. (As an aside, I recently came accross a copy of madden 06 and checked out the 49ers roster- not pretty). And the defense...well Joselio Hanson? Derrick Johnston? Mike Adams? Ben Emmanuel? Yikes.

Now, we've got Patrick Willis, Frank Gore, Nate Clements, Micheal Lewis, Vernon Davis (?), and Bryant Johnson (?). There's some question marks for sure, but the talent is at least respectable at most positions.

However, in Nolan's 3 years in San Francisco, the 49ers are 0-8 and have been outscored by 146 points in games played on the east coast. Yes, those numbers are skewed by the 52-17 and 42-3 losses to Washington and Philadelphia in 2005, but last year they were 0-4 and outscored by 60 points. Yes, last year's team was terrible, but part of that was because Shaun Hill was sitting in favor of a guy in his late 30s who was not performing well. And who made that decision?

Quick note: In 2006, the one year under Mike Nolan when the 49ers were close to not having a losing record, they didn't play a single game on the east coast. In the other 2 disastrous years, they've played 4.

OK, I don't want to be too partisan here. But there's more bad news. As we all know, Nolan's teams have been hideous after bye-weeks, going 0-3 and getting outscored by 81 points. A caveat on this: all of those games were on the road. But that is still quite bad.

Let's look at scoring differential: in the 17 games the 49ers have won during Nolan's tenure, they've outscored their opponents 387-298, or 5.2 points/ game. In their 33 losses, they've been outscored 415-959, or 16.4 points/ game. If a team loses a game by 16 points, it's said to be a blowout. Over the last 3 years, the 49ers have, on average, been blown out 33 times. Yes, that's a misleading stat, but that's just the jaded fan sneaking in.

In 3 years, San Francisco has never beaten a team by more than 14 points. Not even the Houston Texans can say that, as they have five such games in the same time period. I don't think that's a meaningless stat, either. It shows that this team has been historically inept for quite an extended period.

Anyways, this whole post is sort of based on a theoretical season that hasn't happened yet. IF the 49ers do well this season, it will come in a year when the major personnel changes from a 5-11 team came through someone who was not Mike Nolan. It will be in a year when the offense was considerably better under a new coordinator, and a year in which Nolan was actually demoted. Nolan gets demoted, the team does better. I'm sorry, but jaded fan or not, that wouldn't be a hard decision to make.

Also: if the 49ers pull a "Nolan" and don't show up against a terrible Detroit team, I'm never watching them again.

Gameday Open Dead

God I love this team. They're so awesome at the game of football.

F*ck you, 49ers

How awful were the 49ers yesterday? How freaking bad will it get? Mike Nolan is completely incapable of preparing his team to play on Sundays. And this was at home!

First off, I would bet money that Mike Nolan never had his team practice short kickoffs, or ever even thought about them once in training camp. He prefers to put his players in a position where they can't succeed. Or, more accurately, he trains them wrong on purpose.

When your coaching philosophy tolerates spotting points to opposing teams early in the game (this is a CONSTANT theme that has yet to be corrected throughout these miserable Nolan years), how much more of the same will it take for ownership to fire the idiot with said coaching philosophy? (I am aware that ownership is a big part of the problem).

I can hear the pollyannas now:

Oooh, look, we outgained the Cardinals. (BFD look at TOP and GFY)

Give JT O'Sullivan a chance. He showed some promise. (I guess you didn't see the perfect Favre-like interception he threw? If he had tucked and slid the first down is his easily! And the fumbles...no wonder no one wanted this guy at QB

Hey, if you give up 5 turnovers, it's difficult to win. (I concur. Why is Zak Keasey on this team?)

Frank Gore looked great . (that's because he is great. Too bad Nolan can't figure out how to get his defense off the field on third and long, so Gore can do his thing.)

And it gets worse. The second half was unadulterated 49er fan torture. I guess it's no surprise that this team finds new ways to lose every year. I feel like the 49ers should compensate me for those 90 minutes in the second half that I will never get back. How in the hell do you tolerate getting absolutely manhandled by the Arizona Cardinals?

And if you thought the boring offenses of the last 4 years were bad, you're going to love the "no offense" of 2008.

Wasn't it two years ago Nolan talked about getting more physical players, so his team wouldn't be bullied by those big meanies from Arizona? (I know, I'm laughing, too). Epic fail, Nolan. 37 minutes. Those are Madden numbers.

Fire Mike Nolan. I know this means a Mike Martz-led 49ers, and I vomit a little at the thought, but Mike Nolan is the problem. The Niners were outhit, outplayed, and most definitely outcoached. Again.

GOOOOOOOOO JTOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and predicitions)

Ok, so I admit it. I am almost completely flip-flopping on one Mr. John Thomas O'Sullivan. Do I think he's better than Alex Smith? No. Do I think he's better right here, right now than Alex Smith? Most definitely.

I don't understand my initial hatred of the guy; he's the kind of guy everyone should root for. A 6th round pick journeyman who's never quite caught on anywhere. He was even a niner fan as a kid! It sorta sounds like Jeff Garcia to me. Maybe O'Sullivan is the Garcia to Smith's Druckenmiller? No, that's a moronic thing to say. But still, why not pull for the guy? He's a great story!

The frustrating thing to me was that Smith got basically no first-team snaps in the offense, an offense that he needs to learn. However, even Mike Martz, the guy who lobbied for O'Sullivan, is suprised at how well J.T. is playing.

So here's what we hope for: O'Sullivan gets a few wins, then sustains a mildly serious but not in any way career threatening injury right around week 7, then Smith gets his chance to show what he's got before his possible final year here is up. I don't know about anyone else, but I do not want Smith walking away from the team having never had a chance to show his stuff this season, and from what I read, neither does McCloughan.

Meaningless Prediction Time!!!!!111!

I did this last year, and came up with 3-2 at the bye, and 10-6 for the season. ESPN has recently called me for a job opening, as I'm still better than anyone that works there *rimshot*

Anyways, the more sensible, practical me this year is looking at the schedule, and is seeing the following: 3- 5 at the bye, with wins against Arizona, Detroit, and Seattle at home. For the season, it's looking like a possible 8-8, but more likely 7-9, with wins probably coming against STL (either at home or in St. Louis, but I don't see a sweep), Buffalo, New York (FU Fav-rah), and Miami. The last game against Washington at home looks to be the game that makes the difference between yet another losing season or just a mediocre one.

Now the question becomes: is 8-8 or 7-9 good enough to save Nolan's job? Will he be fired? Will the offense out perform my ridiculously low expectations? Will Bryant Johnson make me look like a genius for drafting him in the 12th round in fantasy football? These and many more questions will be answered starting in THREE SHORT DAYS!!!!11!!1!!!1!!

ed note: I'm going to be out of town for week 1, so that sucks. I'll be back Sunday night and will hopefully be in a good mood, celebrating a nice victory over the Tardz. Have fun without me!11!!

Peter King: Total Asshat

Hmm, Mike Nolan, we havn't heard you say something stupid for, oh it must have been about 10 minutes!

J.T. O'Sullivan has yet to play a meaningful game for the 49ers, and coach Mike Nolan is already calling his play better than anything he's seen from a 49ers quarterback since the 2005 season...

Nolan made that comment to SI's Peter King. "Thus far,'' Nolan told King, "J.T.'s been better than the other two (Smith and Shaun Hill), and there hasn't really been much of a gray area. His play's been better at the position than what we've had at any point in the last three years.''

WOW! You, sir, are a moron! Not that what he's saying is wrong, but why the hell would you say this in public? And I would have been fine leaving it at that, but then...

"My comment to Peter was talking about the entire position, and I'll talk to Peter because I know him well. As the conversation was going, I said the position is playing better than it has at any time since I've been here, not any one in particular. I have been pleased with the way the individuals have played. But Alex is playing at a very high level as well, in my opinion. So it was a position comment."

Now, I'm always one of the first ones to call Nolan a moron and get all huffy about things he does, but when Peter King's involved, well that's a different matter. That dude is a total douchebag, and I wouldn't doubt for a second that he deliberately misquoted Nolan just to stir the shyte.

Or it could be that Nolan is just an idiot, and once again showing he doesn't know how to publicly handle matters. There's a track record of incompetence from both guys!!! What do we do here?!?!?

John Thomas O'STARTERvan

hahahahahhah!!! I'm so clever.

Whatev, everyone saw it coming, and even I, the resident JT hater, have to admit it's the right call. He just plain looks better than Smith, and he must know the offense better than Hill. Here's to hoping the $9 million man wins his job back later on- it would really suck to cut him and have him actually be good for another team.

As long as Johnathon keeps the stupid INTs to a minimum and keeps the beautiful rainbows to VD to a maximum, he'll be fine in my book. GO JT!! I'm such a flip-flopper...

Notes: PS Week 3 vs Bears

First Half

• The early Red Zone failure is disheartening to say the least.
  
• WOWWOWOWOWOWOWOW. J.T. Just made 2 of the best throws I've seen back-to-back, and Vernon Davis actually held on to a ball!!! Jason Hill also FTW
• OK, that was a safety in any game, any time. What a crock of shit that call was. And, of course, the missed call leads to a TD. Mike Martz-esque timeout management means it couldn't be challenged.
  
• Overall, the defense really looked quite turrible. Some bright spots, but yikes. A lot of big passes given up, no pressure put on Orton. Made him look like Joe Montana circa 1988.
  
• Offense looked pretty good- O'Sullivan made some beautiful throws, Gore ran the ball very well, and VD actually held on to a tough pass.
• Me, the huge AS homer, is admitting he's not getting it done. He took wayyy too long to get rid of the ball a couple times, and missed WIDE OPEN targets also. That said, he got 'em in the end zone in the RZ, which had been a struggle.
  

Second Half

• Alex Smith- kind of a conundrum... He throws horribly inaccurate passes often, but has been moving the team, scoring points, and not turning the ball over. Hard to read the guy, maybe his shoulder isn't quite 100% yet?
  
• Thomas Clayton is a man! He's 40!! To this point, 9 car/ 62 yds and a GREAT TD run (finished with 18/81). His long is only 15 yds, so he's getting nice sustained long runs.
• Some other stuff happened that I don't remember. Shaun Hill should be given more of a shot, given his past success, but whatever. Also, that Hail Mary at the end really pissed me off for some reason.

So that's the "most important" preseason game, and I gotta say, it was an overall encouraging affair. Just think- at this time last year (after a PS game against the Bears), I had to make up excuse after excuse to explain to myself why this team looked SO amazingly awful at a time when they were being picked to win their division.

However, as I sit here after a nice victory, with extremely low expectations for this season, I find more and more reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming campaign. There are no excuses necessary (apart from the terrible Special Teams play, and the at times ridiculous defensive breakdowns...). They've actually looked....good. For two straight weeks!

Here's some things that really jump out at me :

30 + points(!) in back-to-back games
425(!!!!!!) yards of total offense (combine weeks 4 & 5 last season and you don't reach that)
Jason Hill with nearly 100 yards and a TD
Dominique Ziegler had 6 catches for 61 yds & a TD. Innnteresting. Lelie who?
No turnovers by the offense
Only 1 sack given up

Notice how none of those things are defensively related? That's because the defense didn't play very well, but they still played better than the Bears' D. I think it may be a symptom of a very short week; this game was all about offense for both teams.

Quick note on the QBs: I'm now officially retracting my hatred of JT. Sure, he's going to make infuriating decisions at times, but he made 2 throws that I've never seen Smith make before, and he can get stuff done on offense. I realize this total flip-flop makes me sound like your typical NFL fan, but I wasn't sure he was good enough, and he showed me otherwise (so far, anyways).

I think Smith may have a chance to regain the starting job later on, partly because the 9ers have to know if he's capable of haunting them after his release, partly because he needs more time in this offense, and partly because I'm not convinced he's fully healed from his injury. I've seen him underthrow very easy passes the last couple weeks- this is the guy who overthrew Battle 50 yards downfield in the rain in Seattle flat-footed. Let's hope his arm isn't Penningtoned.

PLEASE! STOP IT!!!

alkwdjfeianegoiwehagehgehgaoehothaewoirjeioajoenvaowinvioae
wnofienaoidvnoiadnvoeio11!!!

JTO to get third consecutive start

Quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan will get his third straight start to open the 49ers' exhibition season, but again coach Mike Nolan stopped short of saying O'Sullivan has won the starting job.

Who do you think you're kidding you douchebag? "Well yes, JT has taken every goddamn first-team practice snap since August first, and he's started all 3 preseason games. But Shaun Hill is still in the competition!!!! NOTHING HAS BEEN DECIDED! I'M THE DECIDER!!!!!!"

How stupid do we look? Really, you're going to let someone start 3 of 4 preseason games, work exclusively with the starters in practice, then bench them to start the season? We know you're stupid, but you're really that stupid? And you think we're that stupid?

ARRGGHHHH this is getting so old. I honestly will not be upset with a losing season, because it will mean we don't have to hear this crap from this idiot any more. I don't care if someone wants to be evasive, but you have to actually have success before you can act like what you're doing is going to work. You can't have 3 years of epic failure and then still act like you're smarter than everyone else. *political comment* Just ask George Bush! *rimshot*

Mike Nolan Translated

It is a well-documented fact that Mike Nolan cannot provide a decisive answer to even the most basic question. Instead of the straightforward machismo of a Ditka, or the strategic obfuscation of a Walsh, Nolan prefers the meandering irrationality of a Rumsfeld. I think it’s pretty obvious that Nolan thinks his press conference audience is comprised only of enemies and fools. This undeserved arrogance gives us a small peek into the man’s mind, and insight into why the 49ers never seem to put a complete (regular-season) game together.

Quotes from 49ers.com (Questions and Nolan's responses in gold-ish):

Any new decisions as far as the quarterback situation?
“No there’s been no decision. As soon as we do, I’ll offer it, but right now we don’t. As soon as we watch the film, grade it, and our guys are getting more involved in Chicago and we’ll go from there. No decisions. Nothing to announce.”

Translation: Hell if I know what to do with these 3 guys. One of them throws Favre-grade interceptions, one can’t anticipate receivers, and one can’t throw longer than 12 yards. Oh yea, and I don’t need quarterbacks. Remember the 2000 Ravens? That’s my blueprint. God I miss Trent Dilfer.

How much better can he (J.T. O’Sullivan) be with playing time?
“Well, I think anyone gets better with playing time. I think that’s fair to say. I would like to believe whoever we name quarterback, that that person – you know you obviously want to get better when the season goes along. I think that all of them can get better.”

Translation: We’re screwed regardless of our starting QB. I haven’t a clue how to manage the most important position on the team. Welcome to my legacy. [Pulls out cell phone. dials Trent Dilfer (he’s first in the contacts list)]

Do you think you’re getting a fair reading on Alex Smith and Shaun Hill at this point?
“I feel good about what we’re doing so far from a repetition stand point and time as well. Practice counts as well. So I feel good about the time.”

Translation: Why do you question me? You couldn’t possibly understand my “repetition stand point and time” metric.

We have talked about the naming of a starter for the regular season. Have you gone down that path yet of what you want to accomplish Thursday night in Chicago?
“Not quite yet, no. Because I’m just getting to looking at film on them. We’re just putting closure to the game from yesterday. But, going forward, we’ll do more work tonight and tomorrow. Again, Mondays – today’s not a Monday, as you well know – but Monday's schedule, typically, you’re putting closure to the prior game, and that’s about where we are.”

Translation: I haven’t looked at any film of the quarterbacks on my roster. I’ve spent the last 7 months watching film of Trent Dilfer. Not just football film, either, if you catch my drift. I don’t know what day it is.

Given Bryant Johnson’s injury situation, what’s the possibility of Josh Morgan starting the first regular season game?
“It’s too premature to say. I want to get … I don’t know when … We’ve only played two … we’re just halfway through preseason. We’ve only played two preseason games. Obviously we play four preseason games and we’ve only played two. So, there’s still a lot of time left for us to make that assessment of whether we want him to start or not. He’s done a very good job, and I don’t want to take anything away from the way he’s playing, but there’s nothing to report on that.”

Translation: Josh Morgan looks like a legitimate NFL receiver that could possibly scare defenses, so I’m going to bench him in favor of a grizzled vet who scares no one. The vet will provide 1 or 2 catches per game, helping us to a 3-9 record in November. At that point, Josh definitely gets his shot (but only after I’ve attacked him with my patented “motivation-magic” for 3 months).

Obviously, you’re looking at this from an expert’s eye. How would you assess his overall play last night?
A: blah blah blah

Translation: Nolan, flattered to no end by being referred to as an “expert”, proceeds with a 170 word answer. As a gift to his questioner, who obviously “gets it”, he drops one precious bit of insight:

“Really was a nice play by Alex and Josh, where they timed up well, and Alex stepped up and threw it before Josh was even out of his break, which is what you’re supposed to do.”

I guess stating that Alex Smith performed his job on one snap isn’t really insightful, but for Nolan this is a major concession.

How would you assess Josh Morgan’s blocking at this point?
“Good question. I can’t even answer it, to be honest with you. I haven’t looked at it. He’s fully capable. I know in practice he does a good job. I don’t see a weakness in that area, but I can’t say how he did in the game.”

Translation: How could I evaluate him if I haven’t watched any game film, Einstein? And why would I, master of defense, evaluate a potential playmaker we plucked in the 6th round? You should ask Martz. Next.

Is Tony Wragge’s play putting him in contention for the starting spot at the beginning of the season?
“Well, he’s done a good job. When the other guy comes back, the better player is going to play. So, we’ll see. David [Baas] started half the season last year at right guard. Tony has played in the past for us and done a good job. If nothing else, you have to feel good a little bit about the depth inside at guard. Kind of like at the receiver position, with some of these young guys getting some opportunities to play. It helps our depth.”

Translation: David Baas will start because I drafted him in the second round and my vanity will not allow an Arena reject to start. You hear that Martz? This guy thinks someone from the Arena league might start on our team. Idiot! Oh yea, and with the receivers, Josh Morgan is just depth: no chance to start.

Do you have to evaluate David Baas on what he did last year? Because you won’t have enough time to evaluate him on what he did this year...
“We’ll see when he gets back. The timetable for when he gets back -- I think he’s a little ahead of schedule. We’ll know that for sure the day he gets back. And if that happens, maybe he’ll get some opportunities. If he comes out and shines right away, then there might be something to it. But otherwise, like I said, I think it’s a good problem to have if you have two guys competing who can play when the season begins.”

Translation: No. Baas will start if he’s healthy. The roster I have cemented in my head says so.

On that play when Donald Lee got so wide open in the end zone, I’m assuming that Takeo Spikes bit on the play action and that’s the reason he got so wide open. I’m wondering if that’s correct, and, overall, how did he play?
“Takeo played eight plays. He did not have the responsibility of the tight end on that play. That was not his play at all. He might have been able to bang the guy before he when up the field, but by the formation, that was not his.”

Translation: Finally! A question about the defense. Maybe these nitwits are catching on. To answer your obviously IDIOTIC question: Takeo will never be in error, for he is a grizzled vet. I heart grizzled vets.

Who was responsible for Lee on that play?

Nolan goes on about banjos. I can’t imagine playing for this guy. Still, his boiled-down answer is actually pretty good. It is about defense after all. Basically Spikes missed the bump and the tight end used his eyes to freeze the DBs.

Were there any injuries to report?
“Jonas [Jennings] had a hand, had a knuckle that got banged up. They were checking it; I don’t know what the extent of it quite yet. But they had to check it out to make sure there wasn’t a break or something.”

Translation: Jonas Jennings once had a hand. They had to check out his ovaries to make sure there wasn't a break or something.

Do you know when that occurred in the game?
“I do not. I do not, because it wasn’t told to me after the game. I think it was something that he just came in this morning with.”

Translation: It occurred during his time on the field. Since this will amount to all of 12 minutes this season, who cares about Jonas Jennings. Next.

How do you think he played against Aaron Kampman?
“OK. You know, just OK.”

Translation: Enough with the questions about the offense!

How did Zak Keasey play last night?...etc

A: Nolan says Morris and Keasey are both doing a good job. No decision. I’m shocked. I know the answer will come in the form of roster cuts, but it’s so obvious Nolan doesn’t give a crap about this competition.

Next there are a couple special teams questions. Nolan essentially rolls his eyes and makes jerk-off motions with his hand.

Lastly, in regards to confidence in the team after a good performance:

Does the same go for the pass rush?
“Yeah, we’ve done the same for two weeks. We’ve done it well and we’ve done it well in practice. We just keep building on that. We’re all well aware that it’s preseason. So we have to, everything we evaluate, we have to decide how we’re doing it, what group we’re doing it against. At no time do you want to sit back and say, ‘Boy, we got that fixed.’ It is preseason, so it’s an ongoing process to continue to stay on top of things during the season. So, we still have a lot of work to do, but there’s a lot of encouraging things that are happening. It’s just we have to identify them correctly.”

Translation: Damn straight I’m confident. With Aaron Rodgers coming to town, I put in every defensive look in the playbook. Sure, I wasted valuable training camp time by installing a regular season game plan, but there was no way I’d let that Rodgers punk off the hook, even for preseason. Yes, I am that vain.

Additional thoughts and concerns

OK- so when's the last time the 49ers led the league in scoring during a week? Pretty amazing. As fun as that game was to watch, I have a concern.

See, that bomb to Morgan was awesome. Maybe too awesome. I'm a little worried that that one play will overshadow the absolutely horrendous INT that led to 3 points for the opponent. That doesn't fly in the regular season, and O'Sullivan has thrown two terrible INTs in back-to-back weeks. It wasn't like he was even forcing them into coverage- there was no red jerseys around.

And before I sound too homerish, I gotta say that I didn't think Smith looked great. I thought he was better than JT (I would have liked to have seen less running plays to Clayton- WTF? Let the dude throw), but that under throw to Morgan was awful. That should have been another big TD play, and I've seen him leave points like that on the field too many times. I'm wondering if maybe his arm isn't all the way healed, and that's why he's slipping down the roster. Or maybe he's just not good. Or maybe he's still figuring the offense out. That's what the rest of the PS will show us I guess.

Anyways, quick note on the defense: WOWOWOWOWOW. Do you know how many net yards the Packers had? One hundred eighty two. That's 2007 niners right there. Pass rush was excellent, run defense was pretty good, and pass coverage was nice as well. For once, the defense didn't make bad players look good. They made bad players look bad, and made pretty good players look bad, too.

I'm overreacting a bit to this one, meaningless preseason game, but can you blame me? How long has it been since we've watched a game like this? I had quite a lot of fun with it. Here's hoping the team shows up against Chicago- that will be a better test, methinks.

Some notes

• I love you, Josh Morgan. Have my baby. You are the man, dude.
  
• O'Sullivan- you had good stats, and as much as I hate you, even I must admit that long TD was a great GREAT pass. That said, your arm looks weak on too many throws...but I don't hate you as much now. Your ridiculous INT is the only reason the D isn't pitching a shutout, though.
• Alex showed improvement over last season- give him time and he'll figure the offense out.
  
• DeShaun Foster- very happy he's the backup. That's a solid RB corps (compare him to Hicks? Not even close)
• The defense. Was. Epic. They made the Packers look like the 49ers circa 2007. Aaron Rodgers? You can SUCK IT, my friend. Can haz sackz? Yez, can haz themz! Four sacks in one half, with (I think) 2 coming on only 4-man rushes. D was very encouraging to say the least.

Bring on the second half and Alex Smith. 233 yards in ONE HALF? Has the NFL been notified? I'm pretty sure the 49ers are breaking some sort of rule, since they didn't get 200 yards in many games last season.

SECOND HALF

• Are you kidding me??!?!?! When's the last time, PS or not, we saw the 9ers play this well on offense? 24-6, with 310+ yards.
  
• Alex Smith: Better than J.T. O'sullivan. Had the terrible underthrown pass, but that was his game warm-ups. O'Sullivan's game warm-up was a terrible INT, akin to the terrible INT he threw last week. Just sayin'...
• Josh Morgan- still a stud. Newz @ 11.
  
• Backup defense still playing pretty well
• Joe Nedney: good kicker.
• Epic fail on the 2 big returns for the Packers
• TBC will own your soul, Matt Flynn
• Punt return for a TD?? Allen Rossum for the effing win. Is that the first one since 2005? Pretty sure it is. That was fun.
• This game is fun to watch. 34-6 over the Packers- I don't care about preseason or whatever, it's fun to blow people out. I looked it up- niners haven't won a game by more than 2 TDs (PS included) since Nolan took over. Holy shit- we have an offense! Sort of!
• Quick note: the TV guys gave O'Sullivan player of the game. Josh Morgan: 5 Rec, 114 yds and a TD. And they gave it to J T. Wow.
• 4 TOs for the D tonight. Good game everyone!
  

OMGZ UZ GUYZZ!

IDK if you've heard, but the Packers are goin to SF tonight. And I've heard somewhere that there's something significant about their QB. I'm not sure, because there sure hasn't been enough media coverage about it, but I think there's something there.

I'll just say this- anyone who wants to compare Rodgers to Smith can STFU and GTFO. Maiocco (link also available to the right! Ooo, shiny) says everything I've been thinking, only in a much more understandable way. It's apples & oranges to compare them with the relative careers they've had to this point. If Nolan was Rodgers' coach, I really doubt the dude would be any good; but I'm a homer. I didn't know that Nolan, right after he selected Smith, was trying to trade him. How did we not realize this guy is a douchebag sooner? I guess I wasn't paying close attention.

About tonight's game: It'll be the Josh Morgan show on offense methinks. Limited Gore/ Bruce, no Lelie/Johnson/Battle. Could get ugly if Morgan can't beat the D. Oh yeah, and O'Sullivan at QB.... I have a more open mind now than I did earlier (back sliding in progress), but confidence not high right now.

Just so you know, here's the link again I used to watch the game last week. I'm hoping it works again tonight. It's got the New York Favres game on right now, but the chat room assures me it'll be the niners at game time...

Beet teh packurs pleez.

WRs..and other stuff

So I'm watching some random old niner game I recently acquired ('97 MNF vs the Broncos- Rice's first game back after knee surgery), and it struck me- I'm a huge nerd who downloads and watches old niner games for no real reason. But something else made itself apparent too: the WRs that have been playing for the 49ers in recent years are truly awful.

Sure, that's not really a surprise to anyone. We all know the entire offense has been bad for years now, but seriously- JJ Stokes was better than any single WR we've seen on gameday since 2003. JJ. Stokes. The same JJ stokes that we all make fun of all the time for "r00fleez being teh su><0rz!!". I know Battle's been around a long time and has been a nice consistent target, but if he's anything more than a number 3 WR on your team, your team has very bad numbers 1 and 2 WRs. When you really step back and look at how bad the WRs have been, it's inexcusable.

Not to say that there's not hope- Josh Morgan sure looked damn good in his debut, and we've got Johnson and Bruce to look to for some much-needed improvement. But ModMatt made an excellent point when he said the offensive players that the 49ers release don't get acquired by any other teams- how is that possible? How can you have such high draft picks year after year and yet have such a terrible offense? I do not get it. And I don't see it getting any better, which leads me to:

One man's suggestion for making a truly terrible offense not so terrible:

1. Stop lying to us that this is a "3 way QB competition", pick a quarterback, and make him your starter; the last thing in the world a crappy offensive team needs is uncertainty at quarterback. Nolan must think he's being cute with this ridiculous charade he's been playing since the Raider game, but he is just making himself look even more clueless. What the hell is he doing making offensive personnel decisions anyways? Letting him do anything with the offense is like someone letting Brian Sabean run a baseball team....oh wait...
2. Expanding on the theme, the starter needs to be Alex Smith. Even if he takes a couple weeks to learn the offense, what's worse: 2 weeks of a talented QB that doesn't quite know the offense well, or an entire season of a mostly untalented QB who knows the system a little better? That kind of thinking has "complete disaster" written all over it. You have to give Alex Smith this one year, because if he rides the pine, you have no idea what you're giving up when you have to cut him at the end of the season, and as Maiocco says: he may come back to haunt you. If he plays and is terrible, you at least know that you're not losing anything special when you let him go. One other advantage to this strategy: if Smith fails, the 49ers fail. If the 49ers fail, Nolan fails. If Nolan fails, he's fired, and us fans rejoice. But that's why we havn't seen this happen, right? It's because Nolan is too busy worrying about saving his job, not about what's best for the franchise. Which brings me to:
   
3. Expanding on an earlier comment: tell Nolan to stay the hell out of any offensive decisions. Those are Mike Martz' decisions to make. If he really wants to save his job, then Nolan needs to realize that the offense is completely off limits for him. As I look back on his time in San Francisco, the only thing that I can really point to as a plus on offense is Frank Gore.... that's about it. The WRs haven't gotten significantly better, the O-line is still pretty bad, and we all see how he's now handling the QBs, not to mention how he totally effed things up with Alex last season. That's why this year is so important, and why he needs to leave the offense alone. He wants to save his job, but if he keeps interfering with the offense, he'll do just the opposite. It's true that we don't know the exact way those offensive decisions are being made, but that's the problem: we should. There's no reason to not let Martz talk to the media and explain what he sees in the QBs and what he wants to do. Didn't you know he's teh GENIUS??!?!?
   

So, you follow those 3 easy steps, and you get yourself a chance at maybe improving the offense. Despite my laments on the WRs, I actually think Johnson, Bruce, Morgan, and Battle would be a pretty formidable corps for defenses to deal with. Also, if they used Lelie like he's supposed to be used, he could be a very effective change of pace for a quick big play. We'll have to post our 53-man rosters again this year, complete with projected QB starter.

And yes, I'm a hopeless homer on Alex Smith, but the dude got totally screwed last season. He deserves one more "real" shot before he's written off as so many people seem so eager to do already.

*Shocked*

Brandon Moore got cut? Color me genuinely surprised at that. Too bad he never played as well as he did for that stretch in 06, though something tells me he wasn't given a very fair shot. Here's hoping the move doesn't hurt later on.

As for the (apparent) signing of Spikes, I really don't even know what to think there. Dude's old, but he was pretty dang good in his time. Probably an upgrade over Ulbrich, I guess. Justin Smith seems to think this makes the 9ers' MLBs one of the top groups in the league. Innnteresting.

Just another note on the PS game: I never mentioned the defense. Harris looked quite good on the 2 bombs he defended, and overall the first unit looked like it was generating pretty good pressure on the QB. I loved seeing a sack early on. I guess I didn't mention them because they are who I thought they were: pretty good.

Final note: I really hope Smith starts the next game. I know some of his throws were off, but he had that GREAT completion to Ziegler, which was promptly fumbled away, and then he was done. I'm being SUCH a homer here, but what can I say? I want to see him play more.


Dude's out!



Dude's in?

Hrm...

Well, I really don't know what to think after that game. I sure was expecting more from the offense, I know that much. Lemme first say: I like Josh Morgan. A lot. I was not expecting him to look THAT good. Also: Jason Hill cannot effing catch anything. Off the top of my head I can remember 1 perfect TD pass over coverage that he dropped, and another first down that he dropped- both of which hit him in the hands.

19 runs, 37 passes- that's a lot. Hill had over half of them, though. Here's one person's opinion on the QBs:

O'Sullivan- Really? This guy has the best understanding of the offense? From what I saw, he did not look all that comfortable. The INT was pretty horrible, and the fumble...well I guess he's just not mobile. And his arm sure didn't look very strong. That said, he did have some nice completions to Morgan down the field.

Smith- Am I just being a stupid homer for thinking he looked pretty OK? I was wishing he could have stayed out there longer. He escaped pressure very nicely a couple times, times when he probably would have taken a sack in previous years. But again- I could be being a stupid homer here.

Hill- Is he allergic to throwing off his front foot? Some nice quick passes, but we all know he doesn't have a strong arm, and that's what caused the INT.

I have to admit, I was not paying 100% attention to the game, what with Zito pitching for the Giants and everything, so my takes may be off by quite a bit, but the offense did not look markedly improved to me. No TDs. In fact, the 49ers are the only team in the NFL to not score at least 10 points in their first preseason game. That is not encouraging right now.

We did know that there would be growing pains while the new offense was put in, but on the very first effing drive they ran a dive play on 3rd and 1- that is classic Hos shyte right there. I, sir, am not impressed. Let's see what next week brings, please.

BTW, if you're like me and don't have access to the live games, this guy will be streaming niner games all season, at least that's what he told me. Worked pretty good last night. (May only be availble during the games, though.)

Thiz tyme it countzzzz zzzzzzz....

Ok! So, I just read Maiocco's blog post talking about how unbelievably important this preseason game is, more so than any other. Sure, preseason games don't count, but "THIS TIME IT MATTARS!!!!" and "JOBS ARE AT STAKE!!11!!!!!!" he says, dramatically.

And I call bull doodoo. And it ain't just him sayin' it, either.

Obviously, there is a competition going to decide on a starting quarterback. But if it's going to be decided based on what they do without 2 of their top 3 WRs (and Bruce may not even play) in a meaningless game, then what exactly are we learning about these QBs tonight? O'Sullivan has the gritty, gamery, intestinal fortitude of a leadery "untangibility" we hear so much about, so he gets the start. Let me back off a little on what I said yesterday: I think he may be pretty good, actually. Maybe.

HowEVAHHH, I'm assuming his WR corps tonight will consist of Isaac Bruce for 3 plays, then Arnaz Battle, Jason Hill, and (rookie) Josh Morgan. Really? You're going to judge the future of a team based on how a QB performs with those targets? I'm sure we're all hoping those guys become all-pros, but come on. Also: Frank Gore will (probably) not be playing. So your 2 (maybe 3) biggest WR threats won't be playing, and the most dynamic player in your offense won't be there either. BUT YOUR JOB IS ON THE LINE!!!

And hey, Alex and Shaun? You're not even going to get the 2nd team WRs! You have to perform with all the camp bodies we signed off the street!

It really seems to me that the coaching staff shouldn't have to be relying on these friggen preseason games to decide a starter. You run the plays in practice, you see who sucks- it's not that difficult. Don't act like the entire season hinges on the outcome of these games, you're just massively overselling them when you say that. And if you really are placing that much importance on these ridiculous exhibition games, well, then you're just a stupid as we all think you are.

Oh yeah, and LOL Jets. It's gonna be fun watching you suck this year. Also: GDIAF, Brett. I have the Jets game circled multiple times on my calander.

COUNTDOWN TO (niner) FOOTBALL BEING PLAYED ON AN ACTUAL FIELD: a few hours!!11!!11!!1!11!11!1 Get pumped! It's go time

BREAKING NEWS!!1!!!!!1111111111

O'Sullivan to start preseason opener!!!11!1111!1!!!

I guess this makes the most sense, since he knows a little bit about what he's going to be doing, but am I alone in thinking that Smith should be getting more work in? It just seems like he actually has the most talent, and that he needs more work in order to not be "non-functional".

One thing I know: I sure as hell don't believe the reason Nolan gave:

Nolan said O'Sullivan will work with the first team for the first quarter to quarter-and-a-half because he is less familiar with O'Sullivan than Alex Smith and Shaun Hill....

"We have experience with Shaun and Alex in game situations, and we do not have that experience with J.T. O'Sullivan," Nolan said.

Seriously, is it so hard to just tell the truth once in awhile? "Well, my job is on the line this year, and if I run a QB who has little experience in this complex offense out there to start a game, and he looks like crap, I'll look like a complete tool. Also: I am incompetent". Wouldn't that be nice to hear for a change? It may be a little thing, but I can't even read a quote from the guy without getting pissed off anymore. He is so full of crap.



O'Sullivan in his natural habitat.

Fantasy Football11!1111!11

Posted this on the furom, but got zero response. Any of you peeps interested in doing FF again this year? It was a blast last season, so I figured it would be fun to try out again. Lemme know.

I love el jeffe, but...

would it really be a great idea to have him play here? I'm sorry, but I do not understand this at all:

At 38, Garcia would have to cram but he could get up to speed in Martz's offense in relatively short order - enough time for the regular-season opener against the Cardinals on Sept. 7.

Not sure about anyone else, but when I read this, my first reaction was "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE GOD NO!11!1!1!"

Like I said, I love Jeff Garcia and everything, but the niners ain't the Vikings. It's not a case of "get yourself a decent QB and you probably go to the super bowl". The upside of getting Garcia would be extremely small- you're basically destroying your future to have a chance to maybe win 2 or 3 more games this year. This is a move Brian Sabean would make.

This is Alex's pivitol now-or-never season. Why in the world would you trade for a 38 year-old QB who has, at most, 2 seasons left? Who has zero experience in this very complex offense? I havn't ruled out the fact that Maiocco is just being sentimental here, but it's still worrying, especially with the monkeys in charge of the team. :0

Also: how pathetic are the Raiders and their fans? Sure, it's only preseason, but you seriously couldn't sell the game out? Good grief. Maybe Javon Walker will retire in shame. Not sure about anyone else, but I'll be hunched over my computer listening to Starkey. And desperatly trying to find someone who's streaming the game, if at all possible.

COUNTDOWN TO (niner) FOOTBAL BEING PLAYED ON AN ACTUAL FIELD: 3 Days

Sick of fav-rah

Seriously dude, STFU already. We all hate you. And hope you die soon. (Is that just me? Or everyone?)

Anyways, joint practice sounds like it was a ringing success. The scuffles are always fun. Good thing Lelie is showing his great durability, too:

But he was limping with his left calf wrapped in ice as he made his way to a team bus. Lelie said his calf was feeling "fatigued." He status for tonight's practice is also in question.

Awesome. Sooo glad the ofense sounds like it'll be ready to roll on day 1. I know there will be inevitable horridity to start the season, but if it's at least watchable after a couple weeks it won't be that bad. I think.

The HOF game has got me totally pumped for football now. There it was! Being played! Live! On TV!!!! FOOTBALL TIIYYYYMMMMEEEE!!!! (in america)

COUNTDOWN TO (niner) FOOTBALL BEING PLAYED ON AN ACTUAL FIELD: 4 Days

Training camp: Week 1

After a 2 week out-of-towness, with only my cellphone's connection to Maiocco's blog to feed me niner info, I'm back and ready to talk some foosball. This is when it gets exciting.

Impressions from camp:

• This QB thing is being handled with typical Nolan effectiveness: "Yeah, it's a 2 person race." "What? I never said it was a 2 person race!" Anyone else have zero confidence that this will end well?
• Justin Smith is a defensive end. He played that position for like 7 years. Don't move him to OLB now. That's not his position- it's defensive end.
• Vernon Davis/Delanie Walker: there is now an offensive coordinator in charge who knows how to take advantage of these guys, and who won't leave a fullback on the field every time he runs them out there.

Overall, it sounds like the defense is going to be pretty good. It also sounds like the QB situation is going to be a total disaster. I'm firmly on Smith's side, but not exactly giddy at his prospects to do anything soon- he should be getting the majority of the reps, since he's the one who needs to internalize information to be effective.

Whatev, if last year taught me anything it's that you don't make any kind of predictions at this point in the year. I'm approaching everything with EXTREMELY measured optimisim, but I'm expecting at least mild disappointment.

COUNTDOWN TO FOOTBALL BEING PLAYED ON AN ACTUAL FIELD: 5 days

Alex must do it this year

A comment I saw on Matt M's blog got my attention and I checked into the details of Alex' contract. He has to perform this year or he can be easily dumped for the remaining two years (2009, 2010). He is scheduled to make $9+mm in 2009 and $15+mm in 2010 in base salary. His remaining unamortized bonus going into 2009 is under $6mm so cutting him after this season would result in substantial cap savings for both years.

I was inclined to not believe the "QB competition" thing we have going, but frankly this puts it into perspective. Every time I come across one of these tidbits it reminds me what a great job the front office in general and Marathe in particular has done. Maybe they need to get Marathe on the New Stadium team.

Training Camp tickets

I don't know if any of you guys are local, but I have tickets to training camp for all four weekend practices. Let me know if anyone wants to meet up.

You tell me

Is going from Sean Salisbury to Trent Dilfer an upgrade? I say yes. A thousand, million, trillion times yes.

Testing comments

hope this works like I want it to

This is completely unacceptable.

Ok, so for the past 3 years, we've been under the impression that our favorite team plays in the NFL, right? That they have an offensive scheme, that there's somebody there getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to instill that scheme, and that somebody knows WTF is going on. We'd sit there on Sunday, watch Alex or Trent get blind-sided on yet another blitz, and say "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!?!?!?!?!!1111 r00fleez!!! Alex Smith is teh su><0rz!!!"or something similar. However, many of us thought that maybe, juuuuust maybe, it was the coaching staff that was to blame all along, and not a failing of the players.

We were right.

During 49ers practice today at their organized team activities, there was something obvious about the team's offense that had not been seen in a while. When a blitz was coming, the quarterback got rid of the ball quickly.

Ok...well duh, right? Surely that's not a new concept, right? Kind of obvious? Right?

"The hot thing is new around here," 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill said.

what?

In the recent past, whenever the 49ers saw a blitz coming, they'd try to adjust the blocking assignments to pick it up so they could stick with the same play. Now, if the 49ers under new coordinator Mike Martz recognize a blitz is coming, they can also get rid of the ball quickly in hopes of making a big play.

WHAT???? Are you [pardon the language here] fucking kidding me with this? They didn't hot route the play during a blitz?????

We as fans love to believe that we could do as good or better of a job than the coaching staff of whatever team we root for. That's one of the allures of sports- monday morning QB or whatever you want to call it. But honestly, which one of the 5 people reading this didn't know that you're supposed to run a hot route when the other team sends a blitz? I thought that was just sort of something you did, I didn't think it even needed to be a part of the playbook. For God's sakes, I do it in MADDEN.

And this is not nitpicking. Every one of us can remember specific plays where we wondered why the hell the ball wasn't coming out sooner. Many people on the furom wanted to point at Alex and say he was a failure because he couldn't make quick decisions. Well, maybe that's because in every one of his 3 NFL seasons, he didn't have a coach teaching him fucking hot routes. Honestly, I cannot believe this.

If you had a freak, over-sized, insanely fast TE, wouldn't you use him on one or 2 of these blitz hottie routie thingies if he'd been in the league for, oh I don't know, 2 years?

Tight end Vernon Davis, who is the target of some of those hot reads, said this is a different mentality than in the past. He said he couldn't remember being the target of any hot reads in the past.

You've got to be kidding me. I know Vernon likes to run his mouth, but I've certainly never seen him used as a hot option, and I'd be interested to know if anyone else has.

I cannot even accurately type out how unbelievable this is to me. What a goddamn joke it is that an NFL team didn't have an option to change the play when the other team was blitzing.

Also: less than 2 months until the preseason!

Hmmm

They're at it again with this whole layout change thing. This one isn't so bad, though.

Please, God- NOOOOO!!!!

Various sources say that, not only are the Rams up for sale, but....and you're going to need to sit down for this......Eddie effing DeBartolo is considering buying them!!!!!!! You've got to be kidding me with this.

Sure, like Maiocco says- it would be near impossible for Eddie to come anywhere near the success he had in SF...but just the thought of it makes me throw up a little in my mouth. Excuse me, I need to run to the bathroom.

Wait, Kawakami wrote something that isn't terrible?

Yes, he did. Well, to be fair, it doesn't suck only because Mike Martz does most of the talking. Thanks to Jrice80 on the old furom for the link.

We got ourselves a smart-ass (the non insult type) OC people. Some choice quotes:

Last year Jason went through probably what all rookie receivers go through… He just looks like a different guy. And Ashley, he’s got so much ability. I just think I understand where he is and I feel like he’s going to make a real strong contribution.

And BJ is exactly what our personnel guys said about him. Great potential. Those three guys have really kind of stood out with the receiver group. The tight ends: real solid. As are alll three quarterbacks.

...

I’ve got to tell you this, I’ve been in league 17 years and by far the way they went about this draft is best I’ve been exposed to. Very comforting to me to be able to watch the interaction between Scot and Mike, and then to hear the scouts and the whole process.

They’re very thorough, very analytic, they have a plan with how they’re going to draft guys. They don’t vary from the plan, which means you’ve got a very good chance to do it just right. They don’t panic and in my experience when you panic is when things don’t go right.
...
The thing that’s been kind of remarkable with Alex, he’s one of those guys if you tell him something, he take it to the field and do it the first time. Very unusual. Very accurate.

Again, trying to avoid the fiasco that was last year's ridiculously high expectations, but this guy is no Jim Hostler. He actually knows what the eff he's talking about. And as a Nolan hater, this blew me away:

Mike [Nolan's] why I came here, really. This is a great organization. I’ve got great respect for this organization. This organization is known for the way it goes about things with great class and dignity, and that defines Mike too. I was with Mike at Washington–I’ve got such great respect for him. He’s great coach but also a great man. Just somebody I absolutely wanted to work for. Just an outstanding fit for me.

Blowing smoke up his ass? Probably, but he didn't have to blow that much smoke up his ass.

He goes on to throw Hostler under the bus in an extremely polite manner, then gives his early evaluations of the young WRs. Check it out!