At least that’s what Dashon Goldson thinks. Maybe he should worry more about covering streaking WRs down the sideline. Or at least getting them out of bounds. All in all, I suppose the 49ers should feel lucky they managed to tie the what-once-were-Lambs. Pretty shitty game all around though. The D was toasted to the tune of 460 yards, and if not for penalties on a huge kickoff, and a 78 yard pass play to open OT, the Niners would have lost. On the other hand, Jeff Fisher gave the 49ers an additional 3rd down play down near their goal line to give the 49ers their first TD of the game. 4th and 1 or 3rd and 6? I’d force the 4th down decision. As would most coaches.
Just weird all around. After giving up two very easy 80+ yard scoring drives, the D was pushed around the field, but didn’t yield points til the Niners climbed back into the game. Smith took the 4th and 1 (rather than Brandon (who, me?) Jacobs, and suffered for it. After his TD to Crabs, he was removed for concussion-like symptoms. And the concussion was confirmed. He apparently slept fine last night, and reports no ill affects. We’ll see what the doctors say, and if he passes his tests, but Cappy Kaepernick finally got some meaningful playing time. After a few shakey drives, he did pretty well. Hitting Manningham with a nice 20 yard out, and a few other nice tight passes for 117 yards. he hesitated on a few plays where he ciould have decided faster, and he took a sack when the Niners were tantalizingly close to a long FG, and thus were forced to punt, but all in all he did about as well as could be expected. he should have led the team to the OT win, but David Akers seems to be reverting to the form that got him canned in Philly. Missing the big ones.
Special teams, which were finally settling down into a nice rhythm, were stunned by 2 fake FGs, and of course the Akers OT miss. But he did make the game-tying FG, and the Niners did force a fumble on a kickoff to all-briefly take the lead.
So, what to make of this? The old adage ‘on any given Sunday’ certainly springs to mind. Seeing as the Bears, Falcons, and Giants all lost, our tie is actually a good thing. If only for the time being.
And to those of you who served, or are serving, thank you for your sacrifice.
Forty Niners Forever 
NoFear, neither article I read had didn’t have any info on why he’s seeking a 2nd opinion. The Vallejo Times article referenced the PFT article and said an ‘unnamed legue source.’ Maybe it was Paula Broadwell . . .
Bay Area Sports Guy claims that Greg Papa has said on his radio show that Smith’s concussion was “karmic retribution” for John Harbaugh’s Raven team running the fake FG up 24 against the Raiders.
http://tinyurl.com/azz2n8u
Yeah, that makes sense.
Papa’s a fucking clown regardless. he should be canned just on general principle.
He’s seeking a second opinion, in *my opinion*, because the first guy wouldn’t sign off on him playing. Independent doctors don’t give a shit about the team or what’s at stake– they are just giving you their best medical advice. Assuming he went to someone competent I can’t imagine he’s trying to find someone who will let him play.
Just sit the game out, it’s one game. Nothing is worth risking the rest of your life.
That makes sense
This.
Too funny. From Denver’s ABC affiliate, Ch 7:
Well, maybe Smith just wanted more information.
As of today, “reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicate Smith might return to action this week after suffering a concussion in a 24-24 tie against the St. Louis Rams. Smith has not spoken to the media since the injury.
‘They feel pretty good that Smith should be able to go,’ Schefter said on ESPN this morning in comments relayed by Evan Silva of NBC Sports.”
This was after the report that he was seeking a second opinion, So, I dunno what’s up. But as I’ve posted, along with others, if there’s any question they should err on the side of caution. What happens to the brain when subjected to blows such as he suffered is quite scary.
I agree, and with Flav – a second opinion likely means he didn’t get the go-ahead from the first doctor he saw. .
Some talking heads on the radio are saying that because the Bears QB Campbell will clearly be better than our back up QB and that they’ll have the edge is meaningless to me. Health before sports.
Plus, I’d like to see Colin prove them wrong if he is the starter on Monday.
New thread is up . . .
Seeking medical clearance is a whole other can of worms. It’s like reversing a call on the field. Who or who’s medical liability insurance provider is going to step up and say, “He’s good to go out and get kicked in the head some more.” after another expert has declined to do so? Especially after seeing Alex’s slide technique.
Besides I too want to see Kaep play a game or two with the benefit of first team snaps all week and a game plan with his input.
Harbaugh is conversative by nature, the idea that he “dumbed down” the offense for Smith doesn’t wash, IMO. Does that mean that he didn’t tailor it to take advantage of Smith’s strenghs and minimize his weaknesses? Of course not. Any good coach does that.
If Kap starts on Monday, Jim will probably be even more conservative if the defense holds it’s own. Certainly the passing game would be more vertical if not more successful, but I’d think we’d see end arounds, pitch outs,draws, Miller with a few runs, Hunter, and Gore Gore Gore. Doubt that Harbaugh wants Kap passing much *or* running. With Smith we’d get a boring “W”, Kap? With luck, the same.
Alex threw for 70 yards before leaving the game and half of that was YAC. Who has a first overall QB doing that? That’s what backup QBs do trying not to be the reason for a loss. Why would we even look at a QB in the tail end of his career if our coach thought we had a guy who could throw the ball already?
Smith’s game is a dumbed-down passing game. The chance for Kaep to step in and show what he can do is how stars are born. Too bad it’s going to have to wait for Alex to take another shot to his brain pan.
IIRC you were totally against the coach not over-ruling his medical staff where Smith’s health was concerned. Why are you not all over Harbaugh’s letting Smith start again?
These YAC arguments are ignorant. Joe wouldn’t be in the Monongahela HOF without them…And pay attention, I’ve only posited an “if” Smith starts. I’ve posted more than once that “But as I’ve posted, along with others, if there’s any question they should err on the side of caution. What happens to the brain when subjected to blows such as he suffered is quite scary.”
You recall incorrectly-again.