The 49ers finally get their 2nd game in the muddy confines with the Buffalo Gals, uh Bills. This is week 2 of the let’s play-all-the-NY-(NJ)- teams-in-the-league-in-three-weeks deal. Not sure if this is some kind of NFL record or something but I ain’t looking it up. The NY round-up got off to a rousing start with the shellacking of the J-E-T-S 34-zip. The D pitched a shutout, and the offense racked up nearly 250 yards on the ground. Fodder for Alex to take another load of shit for his performance, but whatevs, as my kids are wont to say. The Niners won convincingly and, at least to me, seemed to stress throwing longer passes to stretch the defense and open up the running game. If that was the plan, it worked. Smith didn’t connect as much as I would have hoped, but he didn’t make any mistakes, and had a good day. The mid-range passing game is a work in progress. This is Crabs’s 1st year in camp, and Manningham/Moss are still getting up to speed with Alex, so this would be a good game to keep this work up. The Minnesota game plan failed as all the underneath passing clogged the running lanes, there were few yards after the catch, and the Niners appeared out of synch. Can’t say enough about the D, so I won’t say anything. Other than they stifled the Jets. A team that laid 48 on these same Bills.
Buffalo spent the offseason retooling their defense. To the tune of $100 million on Not-So-Super Mario Williams. He of the 1.5 sacks 4 games into the season. So much for that. In their two losses to their AFC East rival Jets and Pats, they’ve given up 100 points. Does that mean we walk all over them? One would think. But then again, we should have beaten the Vikings. Could this be a trap game for the Niners seeing as the New York Football Giants wait on the horizon? Possibly. but even then I don’t think this team will come out flat at home. I don’t see Spiller being that big a factor either. Ryan Fitzpatrick leads the league in TD passes, yet he leads the league in interceptions with 7. Seeing what happened with Minnesota, the Niners need to Shake up Fitz early and often. Something they didn’t do to Ponder and the Vikes. I’d throw some early blitzes in and really work on rattling Ryan. The Niners should prevail easily, 28-10.
Forty Niners Forever 
We are in the “finer tuning” area of Smith’s recent development as a QB. He is getting better and quicker at reacting, his accuracy is improving. His long ball game is weak and needs improving with in game attempts under real fire being the only way really. To date during his career Smith has won zilch, and has been statistically below average, which includes last year, so if there is doubt’s about him it at least has an 8 year foundation to it.
He goes from hero to goat on a weekly basis and his history plays a huge part in that. The “We love Alex” crowd and the “We always new he was awesome” crowd take any critique of his performance as bashing and over react badly, pointing out any success as the second coming of Joe, no doubt due to the barrage of criticism their hero has had his whole career.
The fact is he is playing well mostly and any Niner fan can only be happy about that or the fan credential card should be revoked, but that’s a far cry from waving pom poms at all things Alex. Now because Kap is sprinkled in and there is justified excitement each time he touches the ball there is an over defensive reaction with things like “he only ran a lot” as a basic retort.
I personally don’t care if Alex or Kap run it in, or score any other way, I just want to score. If playing Kap in situations improves our team do it. There is no doubt that the coaches want to see Kap in game action, as they should since he has tools Alex doesn’t. Why does that diminish Alex?
“Why does that diminish Alex?” Clearly it doesn’t. Maybe our boy Alex ‘hasn’t won a lot’ but he’s accomplished plenty: Him and Frank prolly accounted for 80% of whatever respectability this team has had on O for the past 5-6 years. It may seem like small potatoes now but shit we won the NFC West last year with him at QB. First time since …fer evah. Won a playoff game fer crysakes, First since like forever. Harbaugh comes along, Smith still here, suddenly we got hope for the future based on a great season. Won’t see that in the W-L but it is a great accomplishment.
Last year as a talented and rebounding flawed team he took us as far as we the Team could go. I wish the best for him and our boys this year as we all do.
Quit your whining,. Mike. I banned Spitblood, and I reprimanded Dennis offline. DMD’s pretty much toed the line since then.
Questioning the deep passing game isn’t abject hatred of Smith. It’s a legitimate concern. Most of us here feel that Smith HAS improved, and as Grump (and I) have been saying, it is being worked on right now, and due to the fact that Smith HAS a good rapport with VD on deeep routes, there’s no reason to think he can’t get more uin synch with Crabs and Manningham. Even Moss, although he seems to be checking out.
You seem to be holding on to old opinions of Alex, Mike. We’ve all moved past that.
And, the truth of the matter is, Smith will never have Brees number, or Rodgers numbers, or Brady numbers. The 49ers are a balanced offense. They don’t NEED Smith to throw 45-50 times a game. Like I said on Skeebs blog, those guys all say “Gee if we had Manning/Brees/Rodgers/Van Brocklin, we’d be champions.
ALL those teams are saying “Gee, I wish we had the 49ers running game.” The point being, this team is very close. Barring injuries, they should once again be right in the thick of the Super Bowl hunt. There are a million variables, but these guys have as good, a shot as any other team. Or better.
Brees’ numbers haven’t changed from this year to last, but how about the Saints record?
It’s pretty simple, Niners need to stretch the field and have had that need for years. If Kap is the designated field stretcher cool, If Smith can do it cool. A few shot plays a game opens the run and underneath pass more which is scary considering our run game. They held Gore down and still the team dropped 245 on the ground on them.
Glad to see the coaches try it, even though the results were mixed the safeties had to respect it.
Excellent question that
“Brees’ numbers haven’t changed from this year to last, but how about the Saints record?”
Willis: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/03/patrick-willis-garners-nfc-defensive-player-of-the-week-honor/
D Player of the Week. Very cool . ..
Bowman is right there too, add in Aldon and Brooks and they are probably the best LB corp in football.
Tell me something Chuck, does Bullit (under that name) not post here because he/she is banned?
No, he (along with berger) choose not to post here. the only one banned is Al Stinkle.
Just afraid then?
Not Berger particularly, since he has written here occasionally.
Some people change their user name left and right. On every new blog, and even on the same blog.
Me? I’m Grumpy Guy. Just Grumpy. Always Grumpy, at least in the 49ers universe. There are one or two other permutations of grumpy used on the blogs, one of whom is on the Insider now, but grumpy guy, so far as i am able, is always me. I don’t feel the need to hide or play games.
I don’t see the point in pretending to be someone else, to me it’s a cowardly act. It’s not like any of this blog stuff is important so why go to such lengths? Speaks volumes about the character or lack thereof. I read your stuff on Grant Cohn blog sometimes, it’s the same guy. I’m not much of a fan of Grant’s writing but I like how he puts all the quotes up, saves time running around finding it on other blogs.
Speaking of which, since it’s a slow day after last night’s psychotic venom binge, I’ll repost this here for shitz and giggles. My take on the top 20 49er players (in response to Grant’s top ten):
1. Justin Smith – All he does is eat double teams and make the defense work.
2. Aldon Smith – In a passing league, pass rush is so important. Aldon is the guy who limits what a QB can do against us.
3. NaVorro Bowman – This kid has very quickly become a monster. When people start saying PW might not be the team’s best ILB, you’re special.
4. Patrick Willis – Other great players have emerged on our defense, but this guy still has to be accounted for whether you are running or throwing.
5. Vernon Davis – Best athlete on the team, maybe the best blocker pound for pound, and best receiver. If our passing game gets more dynamic and he blocks les sin passing situations, he could move up.
6. Frank Gore – An old warrior but still a good one. his ability to carry the ball into the middle makes our offense go.
7. Andy Lee – Don’t laugh. In a ball control system, field position is everything. Lee is a HoF quality punter, if Canton ever decides to let them in.
8. Dashon Goldson – He has elevated his game so far this year. He is still prone to misdiagnosis and being fooled but it’s happening less and less. His pass defended Sunday was a thing of beauty.
9. Alex Smith – Indispensable because of his knowledge of the offense, his ball handling, and ability to play within JH’s system. CK has more raw talent but the “Game Manager” deserves more credit.
10. Mike Iupati – People still look at Staley as out O-line leader, but when was the alst time you heard anyone say anything bad about the Man-mountain? A roadgrader for the run, he is getting solid against the pass too now.
11. Ray McDonald – Benefits from great players around him, but he is no slouch.
12. Ahmad Brooks – Ditto.
13. David Akers – A 63 yard field goal shows his range. He had a bad game finally this season, but prior to that he was money over the last 20 or so.
14. Anthony Davis – Quietly is getting better and better. Should pass Joe Staley this year. Only question is, do you flip them?
15. Alex Boone – Again, where is the learning curve? He has been shockingly solid for a guy new to the position. Where would we be without him?
16. Chris Culliver – Grant is right, he is passing Rogers and T. Brown at CB and will soon be a standout.
17. Joe Staley – I’m not a fan at times, as I think he is overrated, but he is still a mostly solid tackle at one of the toughest positions in football.
18. Carlos Rogers – Very solid CB who matches up well with a stylistic range of receviers.
19. Colin Kapernick – Not yet a starter, but has tremendous weapon potential even playing in spot situations. Given the brutal nature of the NFL (Goodbye and Good Luck, Santonio Holmes), he is vital insurance as well.
20. Donte Whitner – Very solid strong safety. Not a star, but when your 20th freaking best player is this good, you have no business complaining!
In summation: Wow. What a team. The rest of the league can only look on this roster with envy.
Goldson and Brooks a bit high for me, Anthony Davis a bit low.
“Psychotic venom binge” nice name for a punk band. Beats ‘food fight’ but then, hey I can’t throw the deep ball either.
Check ya later gotta run
Nice list Grump. Glad you reposted this here as I’m not following Grant C that close anymore since he prdicted a GB blow out of the Niners. Since you lay it out like that, yeah we got a lot of good players. I would flip Culliver and MacDonald but who’s quibbling?
Man, you asked ‘why do people post under deceptive/different names and not just stick with one?’ My take is it’s several things: cowardice yep that’s one. Also having been banned on a site the poster tries to get back in under a diffrent ID. Maybe he can get the last word in before the blogmeister catches on. Could also be some posters have built up a lot of ‘anti-fans’ on a blog and have been labeled as troublesome, irrational, hostile, ‘hater’, moron, etc. So a new screen name voila! no baggage, fresh start. But of course if all that changes is the screen name in short order the old patterns resurface and folks catch on. It’s a pretty juvenile tactic isn’t it?
Far better to stick with one (adult) persona, present one’s opinions as fairly and rationally as you can and own it if yer wrong or things change. Example: Winder answering twin with “Yeah I did that back then but I saw things change with Alex and the team so now I’m rooting for him too”. Boom, ovah. I mean adapting to changing realities is what we do every day as adults. No one is always right all the time. Jeeez…
BTW Bullit/reddog hasn’t really been a regular poster here at all- only seen him at skeeber’s back when
Hilarious is how I can describe the mentality of some of you football “gurus”. Not a clue to what you’re talking about? Lowball offers are performance driven? Then whatsup with Dashon Goldson?
Goldson was offered decent money for a guy with 1 good statistical year, he tried free agency and came back without any offers. He is getting paid top 5 money (Franchise) this year. His next offer with the Niners or someone else will be top 5 also if he keeps playing at this level.
It will be difficult to keep everyone going forward. We are running out of cap money. We have an option to exercise on Alex Smith next year, a contract to work out with Dashon Goldson, and a desire to lock up NaVorro Bowman for the long term. Just looking at the numbers, I am not seeing how we can make all that work. We are probably looking at some unhappy choices in the off-season.
I have the same thoughts. They do have some heavy hitting contracts that could get a rework to free some space but Goldson and Bowman will both demand top 5 money so it’s gonna be tough to do and if they franchise Goldson again it eats even more cap room than a long term deal.
We have an unnaturally loaded roster for a team in the 2012 cap-era NFL. At some point, losing quality players is going to be unavoidable. How we manage this process will determine our success over the coming decade. Baalke is a bright guy, but it’s going to be a bitch.
Same scenario with coaches, lot of talented guys on staff, it was a mild surprise they stayed together last year. Another good run this year will make it tough to keep them all.
Nice job Grump. Not much to quibble with on that list.
Not sure what your point is, Tommy. You think Goldson was lowballed? HE got on the bad side of the FO by turning down the 5/25 deal a couple years ago and tweeting his unhappiness. When no one wanted him, he came back for $2 mill. Duh.. Yeah, he had a great year last year, but he was franchised due to his own screwups. He again turned down another decent multi-year deal. I don’t think he stays after this season regardless of how well he does. He’ll be 29 next year, and giving a multi-year deal to a 29 year old safety isn’t high on their list of priorities.
Alex Smith? Same kind of thing. He’s guaranteed for this year only because of past history. Right or wrong, he’s proving himself yet again. I’m sure if they go all the way, or close to it, they’ll sweeten the deal. Or they will took to Cappy if things don’t go quite so well..
They are hedging their bets with both guys.
I agree Goldson is getting up in age Chuck but if not him who? We have some ok guys on roster but nobody jumps out at me as good enough which means free agency. Could be they sign a younger guy for less money but Goldson has shown pro bowl stuff again this year. It’s a tough one.
Didbn’t see your post, Grump. Like I said, Goldson will not be a priority after this season even as good as he’s playing. Bowman? Oh yeah. Baalke is trying to lock down key guys whenever possible, and Bowman is next. There is a lot of backup talent on this team. You have to wonder how long they can keep this up. Bellichick was able to do it for a while, but even there, they are slipping/losing guys to FA.
These next 3 years are huge for getting ring #6.
They will break the bank to keep Bowman. Instead of mocking Alex Smith for not going elsewhere
and labelling him as an unwanted commodity I see him as the ultimate team player giving the Fortyniners a hometown discount for the third time. If you can’t see that you don’t see the big picture.
Not trying to get into an Alex Smith argument but Niners paid more for Alex this year than his only other offer from Miami, where’s the discount?
After leading the team to the playoffs and their best season in 15 years Alex had the leverage and a lot of people expected him to demand a Ryan Fitzpatrick contract, big money and multiple guaranteed years. Forytniners received a hometown discount for what he signed for. Greed was not a factor.
Well despite what a lot of people thought, or this leverage you thought he had, he got 2 offers and the Niners was higher by a million bucks.
i think he had a pretty raw deal after his first contract, treated pretty badly, but his contract is what it is. I agree with Chuck they are in wait and see mode, if he does well enough they up the ante, if not it’s CK time.
The thing is, riding the tiger only becomes harder down the line. This off-season you’re trying to lock up Bowman. But soon, you have to account for your young O-line guys who are playing very well now – Iupati, Davis and Boone. And Aldon Smith will be due for a big payday. Culliver is going to be an important piece down the line, he may already be passing our other CBs in coverage skills. You have to figure out about Brooks and McDonald. Kendall Hunter.
We will have to be very careful to keep as much quality as we can on the roster, without a return to late 1990s / early 2000s “Cap Hell”.
It’s a good problem to have Grump, better than the alternative and I agree Niners have a window of maybe 3 years, this year and next being the best talent wise so far.
I just got home from my other “home.” I made stops at Safeway, Target, my corner liquor store and intercepted two more Tony Romo passes along the way.
You should play for the Cowboys Dennis, you catch more than Dez. Tough day for Romo.