5 games out with 6 to go . . . The 49ers pretty much had their way with the AZ Diamondba, uh Cardinals yesterday. It was close, even when it was in the 1st half. The Niners were pretty inept in the red zone for a change yesterday. Something of a problem these last few games. In the end, though, the Niners won easliy and convincingly 23-7. The game should have been 41-0, but hey, the best laid plans and all that.
ST was ugly early as Akers missed a 49 yard FG, and had 2 FGs blocked. And the Niners STILL got 3 FGs in the 1st half. That’s a total of 6 tries in the 1st half! Weird. The Niners moved the ball into the red zone with ease, yet had some problems once there. Much of the trouble can be attirbuted to Bruce Miller’s concussion. He got hit pretty much helmet-to-helmet (no flag) by Adrian Wilson trying to stretch for a touchdown. He trotted off the field, but didn’t return. The protections and the run blocking suffered after Miller left because the Niners didn’t have Norriss dressed for the game. Peelle (the 3rd string TE) came is as the FB and made due the best he could. But it wasn’t up to the capabilities of Miller. I highly doubt Miller gets cleared with this short week upon us.
Anyhow, the 1st half was littered with missed opportunities, dropped passes (Edwards had 3), and one weird wildcat play which killed a drive on a false start penalty. However, the Niners opened up the 2nd half with a 7+ minute drive that ended in a Kyle Williams TD that pretty much sealed the victory. TOP for this game was an unprecedented 44:30 to 15:30 in favor of the Niners. Crab Man had one of his best games as a Niner, as well as kyle Williams. I’m glad to see him getting a shot here, because Edwards still appears to not be right with his knee, and doesn’t seem to have any speed as this point. The drops didn’t help either. We all know Ginn is a dropped pass waiting to happen, and Smith said he had trouble finding Williams due to his lack of height, but trusted Williams on the route for the TD, and he was there for the catch. Williams has a knack for making the catch AND getting his feet down. Something that VD forgot about yesterday. As well as going for passes that aren’t perfectly in place.
The D? Well, they padded their lead in turnovers with 3 picks and 2 fumbles recovered, held AZ to 229 yards, and 7 points, 11 first downs, and 48 plays (to the 49ers 439, 23, 25 first downs, and 87 plays). The only blemish was the ejection of Dashon Goldson for retaliating after getting coldcocked by Early Doucet. No word if he’ll get suspended, but he should be able to at least appeal it, as Doucet hit him while he was a) on the ground, and b) not looking. I’m glad the TV cameras caught what really happened. The point being, if Goldson gets suspended for fighting, Doucet should get suspended for instigating.
So, barring a semi-miraculous recovery, we’ll get Moran Norriss at FB this Thursday.
Forty Niners Forever 
OK, well I’m glad to hear that Eagles are heading out to Seattle. That reduces some of my outrage. The fact that the West to East hasn’t happened since ’75 increases it, though…
Win or lose the Harbaugh 2011 49ers will go down to the last snap against Bro John’s Ravens. Game will not be a blowout and will go down to the last snap, offense or defense, fighting, clawing, scratching, biting, screaming and kicking until da final gun. Someone said it might be 3-0! Yeah, agree it might be. For SF.
What’s your call Oh Mighty Football Prognosticators? You geniuses of the gridiron? Put up or shut it…
23-22 Niners grumpyguy
19-13 Niners phil
27-24 Niners da mighty chuckster
3-0 Niners ?? Mystery guest
17-9 Ravs barleyfreak
16-12 Ravs fearless Dennis. Did I get the prediction right D?
I got a question about blogs: Did anyone anywhere EVER post two consecutive BLOG titles better dan desse two??:
WE’RE ON A MISSION FROM GOD
and
TRAIN KEPT A ROLLING ALL NIGHT LONG
Yes = 0 (pls submit evidence)
You fuckin MOOK or forever whither under the scorn of the wannbe pundit phil fan
NO, are U fuckin outta yer g’damn gord? = 1
Prove it shithead, fuckin MOOK, lying jackass, disgusting lying spawn of da East Coast media
At the risk of bein’ called an ass kissin’ chuck lover as well as the already alleged Tebow disciple I’m going out on a limb and sayin’ only a dipshit DICkWAD would dare to say YES, der has been two better….uh huh.
Fine, prove it.
In the very long meanwhile I nominate the CHUCKSTER, aka Chuckles, unca_chuck as the Blogmeister Par Excellence who will shortly be acknowledged as da GREATEST Blog title meister of ALL TIME.. (never mind da content. we’re talking strictly TITLES people!)
We’re on a Mission From God
Train Kept a Rollin’ All Night Long
I VOTE YES! Chuck is da best = 1
I vote no. I am a moron = 0
(sorry must be da rum….)
These are two damned fine defenses, coached by brothers, with similarities beyond the obvious Willis-Lewis comparisons. I expect a savage, close game. On paper, we should lose – their house, long travel for us, expect an emotional letdown after a long win streak. On the field, I expect our Harbaugh to have the team screaming for blood and respect from the opening kickoff. This game is the biggest we’ve had in so many years – for the guys who went through the lean years, this is almost a Super Bowl level game. A chance to show we are for real. My main worry right now is the injury situation. We have a lot of guys nicked up; I hope we are not hobbled too much by that.
Over on the Chron, they have listed who they think are the Best Bay Area QB’s. go check it out
21-7, Niners
I suppose Alex is 11th..did he beat out Boller ?
My 1st fan . . .
Big game? In the grand scheme of the season? No. This is a game that is stacked against us from the get-go. Respect, and all that? Shit, we’re 4-0 on the east coast so far this year. Frankly, a stinker wouldn’t be far fetched, although our defense won’t let it get too out of hand.
Our philosophy should be to try and keep it close and hope for something in the end. Sure, we can win it, but it’ll be tough. The thing that gives me hope is that Balt turns the ball over a lot. Got to capitalize on that.
. . . and thanks for the kind words, Phil . . .
You’re so welcome “Sir Chuck” as they would say over here. Gotta love the commenters and the permissive mood you allow. What? We get treated like adults around here? You got the right idea there, thanks. Though it was good for you to limit some of those who abused the ‘right’ to spout off. A little respect does go a long ways!
This is entertainment for me, not some serious religious stuff. Yes we are “on a mission from God” and the mission is enjoy the successes of our team with fellow fans. For me I wanna learn from fellow fans and slap a few virtual high fives. Win or lose this is my team and also our fans! Last I checked this is called having fun!
Respect is something already given to this team by the ones we’ve beaten. The Giants may talk about lost opportunities yadda yadda yadda, but the truth is the Niners took it to them, and a lot of other teams. Respect is for the talking heads at ESPN and elsewhere. Losing this game, and ending up 13-3 won’t give too many people headaches when you see where they’ve come from.
So, is this a big game? From the hype factor, sure. But in the course of a 16 game season, it’s a tough road game that they’ll be hard-pressed to win.
Before the Cardinals Game I said to my co workers that worst case scenario is the Niners go 4-3 over that last 7 games.
Per the NFL, no suspension for Goldson. They in effect said that since he was ejected from the game, he’s getting time served. The fines will come down on Friday.
Probably the usual $25,000 for he and Doucet.
With regard to Mt Moran, I should concede that if anyone can get him to improve it would be JH. Shit, maybe he has some FB screen play all lined up and Mt Moran manages to catch it and rumble 25 yards for a TD. And speaking of catching it, I think our receiving corps has to bring the invisible stickem hands this game. My bet is that despite AS playing well and putting up good passing numbers the last few weeks, the Ravens will come out to stop the run and dare the pass. If we have another case of the dropsies this week I don’t think we’ll be able to recover.
BTW it was really good to see Kyle Williams getting involved. May of us have been clamoring for him for a while. Smith’s WR options have not been terribly inspiring with Morgan out, Edward out/not 100%, and Crabtree hit or miss in terms of being synced with Alex. Williams really looks to be a weapon that helps the passing game, and by extension, the running game. After Singletary era opponents consistently challenged the niners to pass, it feels really good to be able to successfully do so.
Yeah, Williams has great hands. Edwards just ins’t right. Crabs looked very good last week, and he and Alex have been talking on the sidelines. A nice development, as Crab man didn’t even acknowledge Smith’s existence at the beginning of the season.
I don’t consider this a “respect” game, because I don’t give a shit, and I don’t think Harbaugh and the Niners really do, whether the East coast press gives them an extra article in the Post or the Glove or the Times or whateverthefuckall if they beat the friggin Ravens. Like Chuck said, what more do they need to prove after a 9-1 season so far and 4-0 on the road back East anyway. If they win this one, great, good on ’em. If they don’t, sheezus, the deck was stacked anyway — take the 10 days after to rest up and win the next one to clinch the division. I’ll predict 20-13 Niners justforthehelluvit…
Chiuckles- I have never selected to be notified of “follow-up up comments via E-Mail”, yet I’m getting bombarded with them. Can you check into that? I’m sick of creating E-Mail accounts to handle this.
Well, outside of the game with us, Seattle has a schedule that could have them not losing again.I’d feel a lot better about our comfy lead if we won the next two to clinch it early..
Seattle ain’t gonna win out. Maybe if the get Orton.
It would be funny if he went back to Chi town though. Houston or KC might jump on him though.
Strange. I never set that, Twin. And no one else has said anything.
Let me knwo if it keeps happening. I think I shut it off . . .
Kevin, I’ll be happy to answer your inquiry rom Flavor’s blog. As I’ve said ,I’m always happy to help nice people. You’ll never get an intelligent response from the others there because no one else bothers to pay attention to the prospect’s progress and scouting reports. Stix comes close but he often just looks at their numbers. Its’ not an exact science but you’ll get an informed opinion from me. Thanks for asking, and thanks for your always pleasant posts.
Chuckles: Seattle may not win out but the schedule is set up very well for them to do so. Tavaris is much better than he’s given credit for here. He’s been erratic but he’s hasn’t played much in 3-4 years. Don’t know his health status but he’s a helluva lot better option than NoWhiteyHurst..
Whitehurst looked better than TJ in the preseason, but now not so much. TJ’s playing pretty with the pectoral injury, but he could go at any minute.
NEW POST NEW POST NOW PEST