Well, in a late breaking development, Alex Smith didn’t pass the final contact drills for his concussion, so he is out for tonight’s game against the Bears. So, we have Cappy vs Campbell. Jason and the Sluggonauts vs the raw Reno talent. Jay Cutler may or may not be the gift that keeps on giving, but he’s not a mobile as Campbell. Which may actually help the Bears and their sieve-like front line. Campbell IS a backup, though. He failed pretty miserably as a starter in both Washington and Oaktown (not that he had a shit-load of help) so the hope is the Niners can force mistakes and get some turnovers from him.
Offensively, the hope is the Niners can maybe use their new big-armed QB weapon for some longer passes, but I expect to see a steady dose of Mr. Gore to start the game. If the Niners can establish the run early, then the game should go their way. If the Niners are forced to lean on their passing game, this is where things can get dicey. Chicago is very good at creating turnovers, and they have forced 30 turnovers already. Charles Tillman himself has forced 7 fumbles. The Niners are pretty good at keeping the ball, they have only 9 turnovers, but time will tell. As far as I can tell from here, the weather looks good. Although it may be colder/wetter down by the ocean tonight.
All in all, an interesting game with Cappy getting his first start in real-time. He has shown some impressive arm strength and some nice runs out of the pocket in his limited action. We’ll see how he does against an aggressive defense. I think screens may be in order, and also some misdirection/trap/draw plays to get those active linebackers out of position.
Forty Niners Forever 
Bizarre way to announce it on the 49er Insider- Eric Branch said Smith was not cleared by a “neurologist” (quotation marks are his). WTF is that supposed to mean? He wasn’t cleared by an actor playing a neurologist? Stupid.
Bottom line, though: any doubt about Smith’s readiness, you sit him.
Alex couldn’t pass the contact drills?
.
you.
first word was “fuck”
If Manning takes that hit, he’s with you in the assisted living center. BTW, what’s on the lunch menu-strained peas? Or carrot puree?
Smith had been cleared for non-contact drills last week and reports over the weekend indicated that Smith expected to play, but ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that he could not pass the final impact test given by a neurologist. Colin Kaepernick will start in Smith’s place.
Funny, Dennis. You can’t pass a urine test.
Just read the article, and I didn’t see the quotes around nuerologist . . .
Anyhow, this will be a tough game for Cappy. It comes down to the Niners running game. If the Niners can establish that, they’ll have success on play action. If the Bears can establish THEIR run game, it could be a long night. Cappy did nicely agaisnt the Rams, but this ain’t the Rams. The Bears create turnovers everywhere on the field.
He better not wave that ball around like a loaf of bread the way he did when he was running last week.
He removed them. If you look, another poster noted it, too. I don’t lie, Chuckles.
“veef 9:57 AM on November 19, 2012
Why is “neurologst” in quotes?”
The really bad thing I got from that article is that Alex got most of the reps in practice this week. So Kaepernick got less time with the first team to prepare than Campbell did on the other side. For a rookie making his first start, that’s not good. I’m changing my prediction, folks: 20-17, Bears.
The only thing I’ll say is no one really knows what went on in practice rep-wise. Practices are closed, so Cappy could have gotten more reps than is being reported. I did hear Cappy got more reps than he usually does, but beyond that? I don’t know.
The 49ers are 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 home games versus a team with a winning road record. The home team is 5-1 against the spread in the last 6 meetings, and football gambling fans would be wise to wager on the 49ers to win this game.
http://nfllatestnews.com/monday-night-slugfest/
6.5 points though. I think it’ll be closer.
BTW, Alex was not ruled out by a neurologist. He was ruled out by the team’s Medical Director, who they claim to be their concussion expert. He’s not a neurologist, maybe that’s why Branch originally had it in quotation marks. He’s an orthopedic surgeon.
If Alex seemed not ready, I don’t care if he’s a veterinary physician, just clarifying things.
Well, he shouldn’t have said nuerologist then. Mort from ESPN originally said the N word. The rest just picked up on it.
The later article attirbuted the non-starting to Dr. Dan Garza, team concussion expert.
The turnover mojo is mysterious and often stays with a team all year long. Funny the way the ball bounces, don’t ya know. Chicago has it this year, and with CK’s lack of experience and loaf of bread waving (hat tip to Grumpy) I see a couple of TO’s. I could be talked into seeing a couple of CK TD’s though too.
This may be a loss in the making, but at the very least it gives CK some big time experience against a good D in prime time — invaluable stuff. I won’t judge him by one game alone, but it is exciting to see if he can improve. I read somewhere recently (ESPN?) that backups that have not had a chance to be a starter often use a chance like this as an “audition” of sorts and try to star in the game to show they are starter material instead of playing solely within the game plan/scheme of their team/opponent, etc. I don’t think that will be the case with CK though. If anything, I think JH’s conservative offensive approach keep CK conservative as well.
Yeah, the Niners aren’t getting near the TOs they got last year. Some can be attributed to Rogers dropping 3 sure picks, and a few other drops, but even the fumbles don’t seem to be bouncing their way.
When’s the time a team had two ties in the same year? Nah, that won’t happen. I can see some good and bad out of CK and the O. I’m having a tough time getting a read on our D though. Mobile QB’s are a pain, and our D looked pedestrian against STL. But flat happens. I can’t see them anything short of pumped for a MNF game. Sure would like to see a rebound game from Sopoaga and a first sack from Justin Smith.
Yeah, if the running game is working, and they go up by 14 points, it will be run, run, and more run. So when do you test CK? it is not like the Niners do no have a team already built. How long do wait till to determine if CK is not the heir apparent to Alex? I say go all in on offensive plays to see what this kid can do, otherwise you keep letting possible Draft day QB go by. Just a thought
Cappy being a 2nd year player is in a tougher spot than say, Campbell is. Campbell could very well be auditioning for a shot somewhere else. Cappy is just looking for a solid night out there. He’s not really making his case to take over for Smith, or auditioning for a shot elsewhere.
If Cappy DOES do well, it COULD raise his stock in the offseason if the Niners decide to trade him for whatever stupid reason. But there’s no reason to believe the Niners would even consider the thought of trading him. His potential is worth more than what they may get in a trade.
They are taking it slow with Cappy. Which is the way to go. A lot will be determined by the way this season ends up. Smith is here for the time being, but that could change next season.
Final: Da Bearss . . . On Monday Night No Less. So who you gonna call? Step right up gentlemen:
Chuck: 17-13 Niners. I think the Niners should shake off the rust for a win, but it’ll be close.
barleyfreak: 20-14 Niners. No ass kicking prediction from this end this week.Close game. Kind of hard to gauge the up and down. If Smith starts, 20-14, Niners. If CK starts, or even sees action 27-21. I figure he’s good for an extra long heave/run, and a pick six.
Phil: 20-17 Niners. A close one. Alex has a TD and the D has a pick 6. Akers redeems himself w/ 2 FGs. If its Kap…hell I dunno.
twinfan1: 13-10 Niners.
NoFear49er: 20-16 Niners. This week’s contest is what you’d expect from two top defenses with weak passing games. Probably the week’s lowest O/U, if you care about that aspect of the game. Their backup QB should present as many or more opportunities for our D as Cutler would have. still they have a running game with Forte and Bush and Campbell has an arm. Pretty sure they watched the Rams film, too. I hope for a solid win in a battle in the trenches. 20-16 Niners.
rtfirefly: 16-7 Niners, Phil. ((Hmmm where have we seen that call before??))
Flavor: 23-20 Niners… Cutler’s horrible. Campbell improves them. They’ll score, hope we score more. 23-20 Niners…..
Grumpy Guy: 20-17, Bears. The really bad thing I got from that article is that Alex got most of the reps in practice this week. So Kaepernick got less time with the first team to prepare than Campbell did on the other side. For a rookie making his first start, that’s not good. I’m changing my prediction, folks: 20-17, Bears.
(With Kaepernick starting this is going to be tougher. Hope we win a close one)
Irish Kevin: 16-13 Bears. Well you can put me down for a 49ers 13- Bears 16.
Chico: 20-17 Niners. It’s gonna be tough. Chicago gets turnovers and are really deep on defense — a green Kaep — Niners coming off a tough physical game = not good. Still, I’ll stick to 20-17 Niners
(That’s my call too Chico- Phil)
Alleykat: 17-6 Niners! Kat’s stone cold lock…17-6 Niners!!!
#2 barleyfreak: 27-21 Niners. No ass kicking prediction from this end this week.Close game. Kind of hard to gauge the up and down. If Smith starts, 20-14, Niners. If CK starts, or even sees action 27-21. I figure he’s good for an extra long heave/run, and a pick six.
I can see Harbaugh going all run but I can also see him going the Mad Bomber route.Should be interesting. And if Kap is so electric that Harbaugh would have him supplant Alex, I’m all in. Alex can grab some pine and watch the rest of the season with the rest of us.No prob.
You and I both know they ain’t going the Daryl Lamonica route tonight. Unless absolutely forced to. That being said, Cappy does have a hell of an arm. Get him to read defenses and look off safeties, and he could be a bona fide threat to do big things.
This means we are underdogs I would think. Better sane than sorry and it’ll be interesting to see how Colin performs. Looking forward to it .
Vernon can make Urlacher have a long night running the deep seam. I hope we don’t keep him in to block too much. 3×1 passing formations and not too many read options against their tampa style defense. Lots of Gore and Hunter with a few keepers sprinkled in. Kaep’s running ability should be used but with a late sub without a week of first team snaps how many new plays can you put into the game plan?
I also wonder about the effect of Harbaugh’s medical scare this week on team prep. If this is his first go-round with it he may well be a little pre-occupied with facing his own mortality.
Like I said above, the niners already have a team in place. go all in with the offense. My example is Troy Aikman, he had no team around him, but Jimmy told him to be patient and he would build the team around him. And low and behold Jimmy was good for his word. Now Colin has a team around him. Harbaugh needs to recognize this. And you say well Troy had 2 years of going 1-15 to learn to read defenses?? what while he was running for his life? hmmm…just a thought
Harbaugh actually had the same procedure when he was playing QB for Indy.
As far as formations go, I’m sure we’ll see a little more spread and a lot of shotgun.
I’m wondering about deep middle myself. maybe shoot Walker underneath VD and get some intermediate yards that way. I think VD will be busy either doubled or harassed constantly at the line.
Well you can put me down for a 49ers 13- Bears 16.
Huh. The spread is down from 6.5 to 3.5.
And the O/U is down from 37.5 to 34.5.
Figures.
I’m just hoping we don’t have another power outage like the Pittsburgh game last year . . .
The difference, Kevin, is Aikman had 2 years of playing QB with his teammates. They all practiced together, played together, and got better together.
Cappy’s coming in fairly cold with very little meaningful (2.5 quarters) of playing time. Give him 2 years of starts from now is the only way to compare the 2.
Put me down for a Niner win. 20-17. I found 40bucks in an old jacket hanging in the closet this morning. Good omen
I’d say 40-17 then . . .
Good point. It’s gonna be tough. Chicago gets turnovers and are really deep on defense — a green Kaep — Niners coming off a tough physical game = not good. Still, I’ll stick to 20-17 Niners
The point is, Kevin, it will be a tough row to hoe for Cappy to come in and be able to be successful against the best defense in the NFL in Chicago. It could happen, sure, but it’s going to come at the success of Gore running tough early, and the ability of the Niners to throw some play-action/misdirection plays that mean something. If this comes down to Cappy having to carry the team from behind, it’ll be even more difficult.
Kat’s stone cold lock…17-6 Niners!!!
Tolzien has to.be activated for this game right?
Otherwise were a Huge Hit away from Kyle Williams or Andy Lee at QB….Yowzer
Yes ST backup
49ers inactives: Alex Smith, B. Jacobs, L. James, AJ Jenkins, Looney, T. Robinson, I. Williams
I guess Jacobs has been relegated to team mascot. You know he’s pissed. He tried to cover his ass over his tweet the other day by saying he was talking about his other businesses. I believe you.
It’s looking like the only reason the Niners signed Jacobs was to get him off the Giants.
4th and one and Smith gets concussed? Aren’t those supposed to be Jacobs’ spots?
And yeah, Tolzein was activated for this game.
I think Kaep plays OK tonight. Nothing flashy, but a workman-like effort of say 15/25 for 190 TD/INT and 50 yds rushing. Just don’t lose the game. The Bears D is know for their ability to create turnovers. Play smart, play safe and secure the play.