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 
Well I thought I was kidding when I asked who their third QB was.
Wow. What a crap call there/
bullshit
Still passing the ball to score. Hope Harbaugh is taking notes. Last time the Niners had a great passing game (Buffalo) the Niners then played NY Giants and lost. Harbaugh went all conservative on the passing game!! And so then we play the Rams and end in a tie!!
Pressure = turnovers. Well done D!!
It’s up to Harbaugh to take control- announcing unequivocably that Smith is the QB. ( but ready to make the change if Alex falters.) Either that or go the other way and do it now. He can’t let it draw out either way.
The game ain’t even over yet, Twin.
Well, I’m anticpating what Harbaugh needs to do when it is over, Chuckles.
Alex, take your time and make sure the concussion symptoms are totally gone. Another game or two is OK…
I;m sure Smith gets the nod next game if he’s cleared, BTW.
Willis blows up another screen.
Smith bros are unstoppable.
yesssssssss
These Bear O linemen are letting Smith to get under their pads and he’s just driving them backwards. He’s one stron mofo. He gets a little more size and he’ll be even better.
These are the worst calls in recent memory. That should be a safety
Alex will probably still be starting QB. But, what this game proves is that Kaeppy is a viable choice as the starting QB into the future. That certainty is worth a lot. Kaeppy may be starting QB next season…
It’s possible depending on how this season plays out. But sorry, one big game isn’t quite enough. Ask Clint Longley. Or more recently, Matt Flynn. But no doubt the jackals will be out tonight. That’s why Harbaugh needs to shut them up,one way or the other.
WTF was Chilo doing on that play? Mook.
So, how the hell do we explain the Niners performance against the Rams last week? Rust?…
Rust never sleeps.
This game was very encouraging after last week’s Rams game. Kaeppy is not only a viable QB alternative, the kid is clearly the way to the future. Wow. I’m diggin’ the Niner’s upside into the next half decade after this game…
He looked great, but try not to get too excited over one game. The Bears never expected this game plan and receivers were wide open downfield. Plenty of reason to be encouraged, not enough reason to be anything more than that.
The real test would be NE, if they have the week to game plan against him. Belichick will make his head spin… if Kappy can survive that, he might become The Chosen One. He has the skills in a physical sense, now it’s just getting his head around the game.
Most likely, Alex finishes this year, and we revisit this in TC.
Alleykat the winnah? Alleykat: 17-6 Niners! Kat’s stone cold lock…17-6 Niners!!!
Or Chuck’s suggestion to Chico? 40-17 Niners
Great game
Well, if it was the Rams, sure. But this was by all measures the best defense in the game right now. It wasn’t too hard to figure what the Bears came out to do and that was stop the run. When we didn’t they still couldn’t stop the pass.
Plus, we are encouraged Mike. What else are we?
Actually, no, about the game plan.. Harbaugh had Kappy throwing out of the chute.
No shit sherlock. The Bears were defending the run to start the game by packing the line with 8-9 guys. They were defending the old singletaruy offense. The Niners came out passing BECAUSE they played a lot of guys up on the line
I’m already bookin’ it.
Kaeppy is next years starting QB Way better instincts and deep ball throws than Alex…
Aldon Smith with a reported five (5) sacks tonite. Five? This guy is a beast. Great upside for a decade, as long as he can stay away from off-field mayhem…
Assign him a mentor– HOF numbers if he keeps this bad-ass play up.
Kaeppy. 133.1 QB rating.
16 for 23, 2 td, 5 completions to VD. NO turnovers. Outstanding first start in the NFL. The kid has arrived. QB competition is ON…
Correction. 6 completions to VD…
4th best QB rating of the year for the 49ers.. Nice job.
Why such grudging praise? Give the kid his due. He did very well, in fact, outstandingly well against a tough opponent. Your attachment to Alex doesn’t allow you to let go and enjoy the moment. Just let it go for a day or two, and give the kid his due. It’s neither right nor wrong, it’s just the way it is…
Pay attention to more than one post- the kid did a great job and I loved the game. I’m just not ready to anoint him the next Joe over one game. I’ve already said that Harbaugh should make a decision- EITHER WAY- and do it now. If it’s Kappy, fine.
But you’re the guy suddenly making a BFD out of the the numbers that were unimportant whan Alex put them up.
I will add this- if Smith loses his job over this game, he will not be a happy camper- and don’t for a second think that’s unimportant. He’s been a stand up guy through a ton of shit- and led them to a 20-6 record. Kap is 1-0-1.
He won’t. IMO, he shouldn’t. I’ve been a Smith Douber for a long time, and I recognize that he has played by and large well this year — leading us to 6-2-1. CK played a really, really, great game, and did so making some passes that I don’t think AS can. But it is just one game. Alex should start next week.
But I will say that pressure is a good thing. Alex looked like the least happy camper on the 49er sideline. He will need to elevate his game to shut the controversy up. My quick read on the NO game next week is that it is not going to be about our defense. Brees and company are going to come out and put up some points. At home. Playing well offensively. No, to win next week is going to be about our offense. There’s pressure on Alex, for sure. But he’ll get the start. If he flails over the next game or three, then he may lose his job, but it really should be a trend, not a one game and out decision. IMO.
Either way, I’m glad that we can even consider a viable option.
**Doubter**
That was great fun. All three margaritas and my compulsory shot of tequila solidly endorse our display of ass-kicking dominance. CK made some really great passes. And I have to hat tip the OL — great pass blocking. I also agree that Alex will not be benched based on this one game, but it does offer a glimpse — based on just one game — of CK’s potential, and so yes, the leash may be short for Alex. Da Bears really are all about defense, let’s face it. Even with Cutler, they’re not formidable. It’s their D that is who they are. They. Were. Owned.
WTF with Aldon? Can we play all out games on MNF?
I doubt that Cappy starts next week, unless medically warranted. But it certainly makes things interesting down the stretch.
If anything, Cappy should have gotten the win last week. They were in the hole when Cappy got in there. I’m giving the tie to Alex. He started the damn game.
The deficit was hardly on Smith. He was 7 for 8 and put them back in it after the concussion. The luckiest motherfucker on the planet was Kappy after Williams didn’t turn around for the pass that would have* lost* the game.
Listening to Harbaugh, it seems that Smith has lost his job. I hope folks remember that there is zero honeymoon when taking over for a QB who was 20-6-1 and rated 3rd in the league this year.
And if Smith lost his job- on this Ratto is right- Harbaugh has lost Smith forever.
Coming from a guy with the length of honeymoon Smith has had, huzzah.
Again, I don’t see it happening, but if it does, well, that’s a gigantic leap for a small sample size. Crazy? Oh yeah. I find it hard to believe that they’d make this call, though. Not with a few more games played.
The blogs and airwaves must be on fire right about now.
Smith inherited a good team? He’s had ZERO honeymoon, Chuckles.That’s fucking hilarious.
Smith being a ‘happy camper’ is the least of my worries.
He can happily camp his ass on the bench if need be.
“Smith being a ‘happy camper’ is the least of my worries ”
Well, I hope you’re worried about more than that, Chuckles. But Harbaugh should be.
Agreed. But coming from my own personal experience of player bandwagon jumping, I’ve learned I have to see something more than once to believe it exists. I’ve been optimistic about CK from the get-to, and some of that definitely is related to my doubt about Alex. Now that I’ve seen him smoke it, it’s easy for me to want it to be the truth-for-all-eternity. Based on my pathetic ability to predict the football future though, I gotta see some more.
Next week, unless my predictive abilities have completely vanished, Alex will start. And we are going to need some points. I don’t see our D holding NO less than 24 points. We’ll need to score. There is pressure on Alex, any way you slice it.
Yeah, he pretty much sucked last time time we played New Orleans…
I was kind of surprised to hear JH’s post game comments. I wouldn’t put too much stock in them though. He often seems a little dazed after games, addressing the media. Unless AS is not cleared medically, he’ll start. But as you said, the leash got shorter…
Harbaugh certainly didn’t say Smith is automatically starting if healthy, but he hasn’t been cleared yet, so you’re jumping at shadows.
Well, he* was* cleared by a neurologist -an orthopedic surgeon “uncleared” him.