A funny thing happened on the way to Colin Kaepernick’s ascendancy to the upper echelon of the young guns of the NFL. he pitched a ball 15 yards toward his own end zone, thus giving the Rams 8 points and new life. This of course came after retreating 24 yards only to throw an intentionally grounded pass from his own end zone for a safety. Kappy scored 8 for ther Rams, and 13 for the Niners. The Rams earned 5 on their own for the win.
Belaboring the conervative play calling may not be anyone’s idea of fun, but it has to play a part in this team trying to reach the promised land. yes, you change your look to what the defense is showing, but the Rams had the line packed most of the game, and the Niners still tried to run into in, to no avail. this game was so much a Noloan/Singletary game. With the exception that those guys may have WON this one.
Harbaugh called an option pitch from his own 17 yard line with 3:31 remaining in a game where the StL offense had scored zero points. The snap was low, and Kappy hurried the pitch, and it skipped to the 2 yard line, where Ted (Allen Rossum) Ginn pretended to try and get the ball. At best he should have knocked it OB, kicked it OB, fallen on it, or something other than the lame-ass attempt to get it that he did. Janorious Jenkins recovered the fumble on the 2 yard line. Inexplicably, and with Ginn sitting on Jenkins’ helmet after the recovery, Jenkins wasn’t ruled down by contact and was allowed to roll into the end zone for a score. Hometown call but whatever. StL converted the 2 pt conversion for the tie. The rest we all saw. Bradford scampers for a couple 1st downs with the obligatory stupid fuckup by Dashon Goldson on the hit to Bradford. For as good as he is, he continues to make some boenheaded plays at the worst possible times.
Anyhow, back to the play calling. As much as Kappy wants to pin this game on himself, and there is a large amount of resposibility that falls on his shoulders, you have to really question what Harbaugh/Roman are thinking. All game the Niners ARE playing it fairly conservative. Gore had one big run surrounded by a bunch of one yard runs. The passing game consisted of the kind of short shit that everyone blamed on Alex Smith’s limitations, not the desire of a head coach to play it safe. Kappy was supposed to assume the starting role because he brings more downfield striking ability to the table. Well, it was rarely shown all game despite the Rams packing the line and daring the Niners to go deep. They didn’t until the 3rd quarter. Again, VD was eerily silent. Walker dropped a sure TD, but there were very few downfield shots taken. Moss? He gets his 1 or 2 12 yard outs. He’s gotten I think ONE deep pass all year. It’s insane.
All that being said, the approach WAS working. The Niners had an 8 point lead with 4 minutes remaining. The D was stopping everything the Rams had. Then the fateful pitch play. If ever there WAS a time to play it conservative, it was then. Instead, Harbaugh wanted to go fucking college gimmick look-at-me-I’m-so-cool play, and boom, a gift 8 points for the Rams. Kappy did make another mistake, but it came after his 50 yard run to set up the late lead. He should not have gone OB on his 10 yard run to set up Akers’ 33 yard FG. A quibble? Maybe, but it would have forced StL to use their last time out before their last drive.
After trading punts in OT, Hekker boomed one 14 yards to give the Niners the ball at the 50. Now HERE’S where you DON’T go conservative. After converting a 3rd down to StL’s 37, the Niners ran right 2 tims for 4 yards. They tried to get the ball to the left hash mark, but the pass to Crabs was incomplete. Still and all, you don’t really want to leave your struggling kicker with a 51 yarder. Even indoors. Take at least one shot downfield. a nice mid-range pass or something. I know they were worried about a sack, but being conservative pretty much sealed their fate. I think about 95% of the Niner fans out there knew what was coming.
Forty Niners Forever 
Snow coming Monday, finally. It’ll either kill me or this influenza everywhere. It’s about time.
Shit, we got pounded with rain last weekend. Over 6″. Crazy. Snow level luckily came down to under 6000′.
Snow’s about 7 weeks late during this drought. The flu wouldn’t be here otherwise. NM is a funny place. In August I watched the bone dry arroyo behind my friends’ houses overflow in 4 hours. Sandbag lines were ready.
Then not a drop since. That’s why everybody has the flu.
Thank God you had somebody else do your roof. Good thinking on that one..
ha ha .
Twin, you keep emphasizing Kappy vs Smith. It’s more than that. It is was and will be more than that. Kappy blew a couple plays last week, but the OFFENSE was terrible most of the game. The blocking was horrendous. Gore had one good run and 18 for a yard. Having Smith in there wouldn’t have changed that. If anything, Smith would have been sacked more. And Smith doesn’t get the 50 yard run. Does he drive the team 90 yards for a FG? Do we run the dumb-ass pitch? Not likely with Smith, but I can’t say I’m positive about that. You can run in cirlces all you want.
The point being what? Pass pro is better with Smith? The run game magically improves with Smith in there? The pass rush improves with Smith? Horseshit.
BTW I rarelypost in the Insider anymore so I have no idea what you are talking about.
Rob was the first guy I read who pointed out Hunter going down was a big blow.
SingHardBall’s offense depends on the run, and Frank has to be saved for the playoffs.
Take a hint from RG last night. The first play from scrimmage was 50 yards downfield. Incomplete. Scared the crap out of the Gints, though. You could see in their eyes.
Kappy is a similar QB, though not nearly at RG’s level. Let him
THROW IT DOWN THE FUCKING FIELD.
Just my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.
When Chuckles is getting all butt- hurt because he doesn’t think poor Kap is getting his due,he neglects to note that he almost parroted what I said about the coaching in the Ram game- that the game plan seemed to be suited for Alex and that they needed to take advantage of what Colin does best. In their zeal to pretend I’ve done nothing but trash Kap, he and Fear both omit the many positives I’ve posted about his play.
I’m not emphasizing those two- the media, YOU, everybody is. As to your post about how Smith would have done- suddenly you know? It’s bullshit. He takes sacks but I’ve given you the numbers against the blitz- he’s one of the 2 or 3 best. You are making HUGE assumptions after your edict that no assumptions can be made.
Here’s what we KNOW- as I said- Kap, Roman, Jimbo fucked the poor little doggy. As per YOUR reasoniing, you have no goddam idea what Alex would have done,,,
Chuck- do not edit my posts. Delete them, ban me, but do NOT change my posts.
Please.
Fine.
Still fighting the good fight Twin? How’s it hanging?
In one of Berra’s better lines, I’m lost..but making good time, 12. But as I told Chuckie a few days ago, I’ve been alone for a awhile and laid up ( not the serious stuff (I hope)) Complications from a hernia surgery.Too much info? Anyway, hope to be on my feet and treating another site to my unwanted insights soon. Wanted to give Chuckie’s site a good try. Oh well.
I will absolutely guarantee that the Broncos, Colts, and Redskins are not having problems naming a starting QB this week.
Rex is. Too bad, gonna have to trade up for that future HOF QB. I wanted some line depth on O and D both, and a receiver wouldn’t hurt.
But 2 #1’s for guys like Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III?
A bargain at the twice the price.
Amazing how ready for the NFL some of these kids are. Never used to be, if a kid was put in straight out of college it usually ruined his career chances. Now some of them are stars out of the gate.
Well, for every RG III or Andrew Luck you have Jamarcus purple drank, Matt Hot tub Leinart, Vince Young, or even guys like Cam Newton. Newton may rebound, or he may not. He ceratainly isn’t the golden child he once was.
‘Wanted to give the site a good try’? Please.
How about you back off on the dickishness? That might help,skippy. You stretch shit that eveyone says to suit your Smith agenda, paint yourself to be the only one who didn’t like the switch, on and on.
Chuckles, I’m not going to respond to that, I should have stopped conversing with you years ago. I’m sure you’re a fine husband and father.
Pass protection, the run game, overall play can certainly be affected by who is behind center. But never mind that obvious fact- as I’ve said and others as well, if they’re going to hang with Colin they need to take advantage of what he’s said to bring to the party (besides his running ), and that’s the vertical passing game.He’s thrown a grand total of THREE passes in the air over 30 yards, with one completion- the 57 yarder to Williams. He’s 4-5 on passes in the air of 21-30 yards. This isn’t saying I think he can’t do it, he can. But they kinda need to start designing plays to go downfield more. Zero TD’s on those. That’s not appreciably more than how often Smith went deep- 5 for 8 21-30, 2 for 6 31-40, 1 for 3 41+ air yards. That’s 8 for 17, 3 TD, 1 Pick in 8 games plus 1 and a half quarters compared to 5-8 0 TD in Kaps nearly 4 whole games. Again- I’m not knocking Kap on this, Harbaugh and Roman are not calling for it. It can’t all be put on pass protection.
It’s my impression the coaches have tried to reign Kap in and play the ball control game. I just don’t get that.
Kap had a couple of passes to Crabs that went about 30 each that I thought were super impressive. I don’t think the deep vertical game is his thing. I know his arm is strong but so was Jamarcus Russell’s. I actually think that 25-30 yard pass hitting the guy in stride is his best play. And he throws it perfectly timed and with the perfect arc, much better than Alex, just out of reach of the defender.
Personally, I’m for Kap running MORE. He can start to beat that *8 in the box* shit if he does more play action and designed roll outs. Running Gore over and over and over was just stupid. And running Kap more often will defend against that “default defense” a little and allow him to maybe find someone down field. As he extended the play on Sunday he was looking for someone but no one was home.
Plus, running is his strength. He could be Michael Vick at his best. And if he gets hurt, fuck it.
We have the best back up QB in the league ready to take over if he gets knocked out.
That’s something that no one seems to give a shit about but it’s a big deal. NO TEAM in the league has 2 stud game-ready QB’s on their roster. It’s Montana/Young shit (if you squint really hard).
Vick can play with his puppy, for what I care. As long as the puppy doesn’t get hurt.
But we are all missing something I missed last night and picked up on ESPN today.
RG has the best play action in the league. Right now.
If Kappy learns that he may join the Pantheon.
Well, I didn’t give the yardage- on all passes over 20 yards, Smith is 8 for 17 273 yards 3 TD 1 INT
Kap- 5 for 8 185 yards 0 TD 0 INT on all passes thrown over 20 yards. Here’s Kap’s splits, with a click or two, Smith’s are there too.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/splits/_/id/14001/colin-kaepernick
As far as Colin runninng- I disagree with Denny and the conventional wisdom about 2 QBs. I would have liked to see Smith and Colin both in the game occasionally with Smith making the decions on what to with it. i
12th man, it’s a ploy Berger uses when he figures out that of the 300 posts there, 250 belong to him and his little dog Toto. When he finds himself playing alone in his sandbox he tries to stir up some shit.
Obviously Toto has nothing to do with anything or I couldn’t post here either. Actually it was Skeebers dis’ of “jerking off to war stories” that got his blog knocked out of my top ten.
Yeah, watch out for that bullit/wong/razor/timmy guy, he thinks he’s a real badass, like most miniature doggies do.
Funny thing NoFear. Chihuahuas are the most dangerous thing I’ve faced since I moved to New Mexico. Coyotes, no. Bears, no. Rattlers, yeah for a bit until I learned more about them.
Those little weasel dogs are not the least bit smart, but they do attack in packs like wolves.
Little bastards and you’re not allowed to shoot them out here.
That’s why people have horses out here. They ignore little weasel dogs and stomp on them if they too annoying.
*are*, geez time to go back to bed. Fun being up for a few hours and I hope the flu doesn’t get into CA.
Take care of that shit Rufus. Got any Bacardi 151? Sip on that for a bit. It doesn’t do shit for the flu.
Just bedrest and antibiotics. 151 way teenager stuff.
Had to go out in the sudden cold today to pay the rent and buy food.
Tired that’s all. I hate to just lay in bed.
Who gave you antibiotics for the flu? The 151 Rx was better.
Who was Skeebers?
LMFAO!
Indeed! Who was Skeebers?
Smith 40
Kap 37
Vick 20
Steve Young 33
EManning 39
McNabb 14
Marino 16
jeff George 10
Elway 30
Favre 22
Brady 33
Wunderlic score for 30 QBs:
1. Ryan Fitzpatrick 48
2. Alex Smith 40
3. Eli Manning 39
4. Matt Stafford 38
5. Tony Romo 37 ( obviously that’s a cumulative score of 4 tries )
6. Aaron Rodgers 35
6. Matt Leinart 35
8. Tom Brady 33
9. Matt Ryan 32
10. Matt Schaub 31
11. Philip Rivers 30
12. Matt Hasselbeck 29
12. Marc Bulger 29
12. Brady Quinn 29
15. Mark Sanchez 28
15. Peyton Manning 28
15. Drew Brees 28
18. Josh Freeman 27
18. Joe Flacco 27
20. Carson Palmer 26
20. Jay Cutler 26
20. Kyle Orton 26
23. Ben Roethlisberger 25
24. Jason Campbell 23
25. Brett Favre 22
25. Tim Tebow 22
25. Chad Henne 22
28. Bruce Gradkowski 19
29. Vince Young 15
30. Donovan McNabb 14
30. David Garrard 14
Some duplicates.
Nver had the pleasure or displeasure, whatever is chosen, to blog with Skeebers.I was accused of being him once.
I think Vince Youngs score was his retest. Didn’t he get 7 or something like that the first time and for whatever reason he got a do-over?
His first was a six, I think.
That’s all well and good, Flav, but that’s the same thing Smith brought when he joined the league. Quick passes out of the gun, using his legs to buy time. For years and years, I’ve been saying Smith has never been allowed to run something similar to what he ran in Utah. The Niners don’t have to go 5 WRs every play, but running more spread formations and multiple WR sets has been something no coach has done for him with any kind of consistency, so I really doubt Harbaugh does it for Kappy.
We saw that very thing last Sunday. Safe low risk passes and shit for a run game. The dishearteneing thing was the lack of changes after halftime.
A sample question, no calculators, Chuck.:
When rope is selling at $.10 a foot, how many feet can you buy for sixty cents?
I’d buy enough to choke your sorry ass . . .
Ten cents ought to cover it.
OK, I ‘m sorry about the calculator remark….you can use one.
Can you?
Sorry again.I guess that’s what’s called shit disturbing,
Weak, skippy. Humor obviously is something lost on you.
Chuck, I said I was sorry. But this is on 12, really. I knew there would be trouble when you found out Vince got two tries for his 15. Just forget about it, he’s an ath-a-lete. they’re all pretty smart guys.
Chuck— I noted that the 25-30ish yard throws that Kap throws perfectly down the sidelines are throws that Smith hits, at best, sporadically. It’s a good thing Kap can hit ’em, not a bad one. He might have the deep throw in him, we haven’t seen it. But he WAS looking for it in the Ram game, it wasn’t there. Or he couldn’t see it.
I hate going to Niner games just cause of how long it takes to get out of there but it would be super informative to watch the plays develop live and see what he’s seeing downfield………
Kap can throw over 70 yds.
no shit, everyone knows that. J-Marc could throw 60 yards from his knees. That doesn’t mean shit if you can’t hit the receiver……..
You have some insight he can’t hit the deep receiver?
Smith could throw over 70 when he got here.
He hit KW in the Bear game absolutely in stride on that deep ball. The Niners just don’t do that very much,
I distinctly remember a play from my childhood at Stanford Stadium where Elway was fiddling around near his own 20, evading pressure, more evading, etc… and WHILE HE WAS LEANING BACK to avoid a defender about to tackle him he flicked the ball 60 yards to a wide open receiver at the other 20 who scored.
Everyone just sat there dumbfounded that he could throw the ball that far while he was on his back foot going backwards……..
Yeah, I saw Elway running to his right, pretty much a full sprint and arm a ball at least 50 yards on a line to the back of the end zone against USC. Crazy.
The only one here that gets the NFL coaches tape package is NoFear. It’s called All 22.
It shows a much wider view, plus end zone shots, so you can see all the players. $39.99 gets you video of every game and all the playoffs.
I think NoFear said that the Rams took the deep routes away. I know the corners were playing off the line. The Niners should have thrown slants all day. Moss had a fucking 12 yard cushion on that 3rd and 3 catch he made.
Sideline throws ( not given by yardage).
Smith:’
Left Sideline: 37 for 51 425 YD 72.5% 4 TD 2 INT 107.1 QBR
Right Sideline: 42 for 63 531 YD 66.7% 5 TD 0 INT 119.2 QBR
Kap:
Left Sideline: 12 for 22 155 YD 52.2% 1 TD 1 INT 70.QBR
Right Sideline 21 for 30 284 YD 70% 2 TD 0 INT 122.1 QBR
World Record Paper Airplane Distance
If you can’t make it in football (does arena football2 count? I guess so), might as well get in the record books throwing a paper airplane.
Dude played QB for Cal.
White Shark just hit a 2 run homer on the Matt Cain perfect game replay on Comcast,
10-0 Giants.