Seems like we’ve waded through another preseason. It has been 11 days since the Niners beat Seattle. And the NFL world has gotten more in focus. The Rams and Seattle both lost yesterday, and a win today would put the Niners in the drivers seat, 2 games up on both the AZ and Seattle, for the NFC West as we hit the bye. The blogosphere has been replete with grumblings from the national guys regarding Alex Smith and his status as a starting QB for the 49ers. Those of us not buying the bullshit know it’ll take some major suckitude to force Harbaugh into a decision to put Cappy in as the starter. This is Alex’s season, live or die.
That being said, there are two guys who ARE on the short list for being replaced as QBs. Mike (I heart dogs) Vick, and Mark (I heart NY) Sanchez. Both suffered terrible losses. the Jets lost to the fairly hapless Dolphins, while the Iggles lost to the undefeated Falcons. Philly, and their new defense promptly gave up points on Atl’s first 6 possessions, and the Iggles could never mount any kind of comeback. The good news for Vick was he weathered a game with no fumbles and no picks. Progress, I suppose, but the Iggles are 3-4, and 2.5 games out of 1st. Their playoff hopes are very dim. Their prospects after Vick however are rookie Nick Foles, and Trent (remember me?) Edwards. So, they don’t look to bench Vick. What could happen is HC Andy Reid getting his walking papers. All their aquisitions in recent memory have only served to jack up unrealistic expectations as the defense flails, and the points allowed pile up. Their line is battered, yet they want to throw more and more. Reid isn’t really protecting Vick by not trying to run more, but the defense threw that out the window yesterday by letting Atl score at will. No matter what these guys do, they are destined for failure, and what likely happens is these guys play out the string, and they make wholesale changes after this season mercifully concludes for them.
The J-E-T-S on the other hand have Jesus in their back pocket. Mark Sanchez had a terrible game yesterday as he hovered around his uasual sub-.500 completion rate, missed a ton of open guys, fumbled away on a sack, as he and the Jets yapped their way into another embarrassing loss. This time to the not-so-lowly Miami Dolphins. The curious thing to all this is the undercurrent of Timmy Tebow. Their heir apparent is also the up back on punts. Ooops. he allowed a blocked punt yeterday, and they also suffered a blocked FG to boot. So, you have to wonder, as the Jets are 3-4, but only 2 back in the suddenly weak looking AFC East, whether they take a look at Tebow as their QB going forward. I’d be for this one, only because Sanchez looked flat awful yesterday, and he hasn’t done much of anything to help his offense. The team is in disarray, and Rex Ryan appears only to want to make his team quote-worthy, or in the news for any reason other than playing good football. Might as well go full-circus mode. Tebow obviously isn’t much as a special teamer, and his running plays aren’t fooling anyone. If they DON’T start him, then why did they get him in the first place?
Give Sanchez one more start. Unfortunately, that start will be in Seattle. Not a place to revive one’s QB numbers. Actually, they should just throw Tebow into the mix. The Jets aren’t going to win that one anyway, so see if the trial by fire can somehow work out for the Jets.
Forty Niners Forever 
not sure what to expect from the Niners tonight. I’m assuming the game plan will be more focused on running the ball and playing take-a-way defense. I’d like to see Alex play more of a positive role in the O. I’ll say Niners win 17-14
Yeah, I think the Niners come out running. They have to. Just to see if they can pound some yards, and then go play action.
We haven’t thrown screens for about 8 years, and I’d like to see them, because their aggressive D can be taken advantage of that way.
AZ will try to throw quick passes to negate their horrible pass pro. It’s all about getting hands up and messing with Skelton’s sight lines. They won’t run at all.
Dragging the scoring challenge here. 9ers VS AZ:
Chuck: 17-9 Niners. I’m going 17-9. And that’s the baseball game . . . (funny dat. Hey Giants 2-0! And 4-0 wow!- phil)
12th man: 21-14 Niners down the birds.
Phil: 24-12 Niners. I’m calling 53-47 for Romney in the popular vote. Bank it. Now regarding the Redbirds I’ll say 24-12 Niners.
barleyfreak: 20-3 Niners …I have no fucking idea what’s going to happen, Moss gets a TD, Gore gets a TD, Akers gets 2 FG’s. AZ’s offense gets pummeled. 20-3, Niners.
Irish Kevin: 21-13 Niners
rtfirefly: 16-6 Niners
Winder: 31-6 Niners. dennis u keep doin what ur doin. 9ers 31-6
Flavor: 17-14 Niners: Not sure what to expect from the Niners tonight. I’m assuming the game plan will be more focused on running the ball and playing take-a-way defense. I’d like to see Alex play more of a positive role in the O. I’ll say Niners win 17-14
Del Mar! Stop with the blowup doll already. Make yer call.
Did you see the shirt Alex was wearing as he was walking into the stadium tonight? Alex was donning so much plaid he looked like a member of a lumberjack competition. I always knew Smith liked to play with other men and their logs…OK. After Vernon got nothing but the middle of a donut and a plate full of goose eggs last week I think Harbaugh will have Alex force feed him tonight. But Alex will force feed Davis to excess, and we all know excess is known as gluttony. And we all know that gluttony is one of the Seven Deadly Sins (http://deadlysins.com/sins/gluttony.html). Thou shalt not sin before thine eyes as I watch my Niners play football.
24-19 Cardinals. Choke on that.
I’ll say 20-10, 49ers.
Del the FF blowout you got on me was expected: I took a look at yer lineup and the projected outcome -something like 200-80 in yer favor- and decided ‘hmmm, spend the day trying to turn this mess into a ‘respectable loss’ OR cruise down to the coast, spend a night at a resort, hang out with family/fraternity friends of the wife w/ music, food, and air conditioning?’ It was also the wife’s birthday…
No brainer my friend
You definitely made the right choice. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I wish you nothing but bona fortuna in all your future endeavors.
Can’t remember now, think before I had Niners losing to Cards in Ariz.
I’ll go 17-13, Cards…
Ahhh, miss the Sopranos. Great show. Breaking Bad is pretty cool. but the Sopranos was the best,.
Yeah, AZ plays tough at home but I think we can neutralize their running and passing game.
This could turn on special teams. Lee’s got to punt to the sidelines.
Frank looks angry. The Cards are in trouble.
Fucking NFL Audio League Pass ain’t working. Morons
17 – 10 Niners.
I wasn’t joking about VD. Go see a doctor and wear condoms in the future…but I’m expecting a big night out of #85 tonight. I’m predicting an end zone goal post dunk tonight from Vernon. Well, if he’s learned how to dunk…and don’t be surprised if #84 catches a long pass tonight. But of course this is all predicated on our QB being able to get the ball to these receivers. I wouldn’t have any trepidation if we, well, if…did we sign Peyton Manning yet?
49ERS 20 RETARDINALS 17
Berman just stole my prediction.
Better Berman steal your prediction than you steal his hair…
..
.
“The best thing the 49ers do is hand the ball off to Frank Gore.” – Jon Gruden not but ten seconds ago…but what about Alex? Did we sign Peyton Manning yet?
copernicus is coming
gr-avatar changes are hard to do
So is breaking up with your quarterback. Especially if his initials are A.S.
c’mon gravatar
gotta worry about larry fitz tonight ! we need our pass rush to come up big 2nite !