Well, that was one of the craziest games I’ve ever seen. Saw a game years ago when it was Joe Montana vs Dan Fouts at the Stick years ago. Both teams went up and down the field all day. Defenses left gasping for air as 2 high-powered offenses had their way. San Diego had the ball last, and thus won 41-38. Fantastic game even if it wasn’t a Niner win.
Yesterday’s game? Even more wild. The difference being this game was a tale of 2 halfs. In the 1st half, the Niners played well, but wasted a bunch of scoring opportunities and still went into the locker room with a 17-3 lead. The 2nd half saw the Niners strike quick;y for 14 more points, then Tom Brady led a ferocious comeback a 31-3 deficit to tie the game late in the 4th quarter, only to lose in the end.
The 1st drive was an impressive march down the field in 6 plays, capped by a 24 yard strike to Randy Moss. The D played outstanding in the 1st half (1 first down, 113 yards for NE). Carlos Rogers picked Brady on a deep ball, and nearly scored, only to have Walker fumble away the opportunity. Next drive, on 4th and 10, Goldson took the snap on a fake punt for a 31 yard gain, only to see David (sayonara) Akers miss a 39 yard FG. Another turnover (a Bowman strip) deep in NE territory was followed by a botched snap (one of 5) on 4th and 1 from the NE 25. Kappy then led the Niners on 2 scoring drives to close out the half. A deep sideline route to Walker for a 34 yard score, and a 6 minute drive ending in a FG to close the half. A great job of keeping Brady on the sideline, but the Niners left at least 20 points off the board.
3rd quarter? The Niners came out very aggressive again, as Kappy took a deep shot to Moss that was picked off. He didn’t see the weak-side safety, and he took a real deep drop. The pass was short and easily picked. On the ensuing drive, Donte Whitner laid the wood on Steven Ridley, and the fumble was returned by Goldson to the 6. On another botched exchange by Goodwin and Kappy, Gore picked up the fumble and ran it in for a 24-7 lead. Aldon Smith (who was in Brady’s face all 1st half) intercepted a tipped pass, and Kappy took advantage on the next play, throwing a strike down the middle, splitting 2 defenders for a 27 yard Crabman TD. The route was on. 31-7.
Then it wasn’t. No gory details, but the Niners went into deep shell mode, and the offense went a little conservative. It took the Pats 4 drives (35 plays for 320 yards for NE compared to 10 plays/20 yards for the Niners) to tie the score. trhen came the biggest play of the game. LMJ, who had a good day spelling Gore, returned the ensuing kickoff 62 yards to the NE 38. It took one play, an allouit blitz by NE that Kappy read, and found his secondary reciever, Crabs, who stepped around the corner and YACed his was to the go-ahead TD. Even though the drive took tllittle time and gave the defense little rest, it really pumped up the team, and the defense did enough to slow the Brady onslaught. The Niners forced a turnover on downs as NE went for it on 4th and 1 on their own 12. A strange call as NE had 2 timeouts and the 2 minute warning. This led to a chip-shit FG. NE added a FG of their own as Delanie Walker recovered the onsides kick with little problem.
Say what you will about the NE comeback and stagnation of the offense for those 3 drives, this is a huge win for the Forty Niners. NE hadn’t lost a December game at home in years, and they were the hottest team in the league. The Niners overcame their own mistakes and the ferocious comeback by future Hall of Famer Tom Brady to win on the road in the freezing rain against the defending AFC champions. Kappy’s numbers look small when compared to Brady’s, but Tom Terrific threw 2 picks to one TD on 36 of 65 for a whopping 443 yards, as NE outgained SF 520 to 383. Kappy threw 4 TDs and 1 pick on 14 for 25, 216 yards.
Forty Niners Forever 
Making up facts, Twin? You are a riot. How many NFL teams has Alex led to the Vince Lombardi Trophy? How many years was he a starting QB? How many top 5 defenses did he play with in that time?
You’re so good with facts, answer.
There is a 30 page book for coaches on odds for down, distance, score, and time remaining. That’s the short version. He was playing the odds.
It was gutsy but stupid. On your own 12 you are giving away points. Their D had been doing a great job of stopping us. They had 2 timeouts and the 2 minute warning. I know Belichick has confidence in his offense, but that one was way too risky.
As I posted before the game- count on a stupid Bellyache game decision. “And take advantage of the inevitable fuck up from Bellyache.”. In fact, I pretty much nailed it all. Again.
Truth is, Twin, I think the team and the fans have passed the point of giving a shit about Alex Smith. Right or wrong, they mainly think that Kappy gets them farther than Smith ever could, so if we lose with Kappy, then so be it. The prevailing sentiment being Kappy is better than Smith right now.
I wasn’t down with the switch mainly because it gave Harbaugh no outs had he stuck with Smith. But, he made the call, and Kappy is holding up his end of the deal thus far. You can bemoan the growing pains, but the team is winning tough games in hostile environments.
Or are you going to complain about a win in New England in December?
Kap obviously makes throws Alex never could, never will. That is why Harbs bailed on him.
That catch that Crabby caught late, and turned into the game winning TD, was a low laser that Alex never, never makes. Maybe Kap won’t get past the first playoff game, I dunno. But, he’s the future franchise QB, and he has to start sometime. That time is now. If he gets hurt this season, Alex will be a very capable backup. Crabby will need to thank Kap for his next contract…
Crabtree caught 43 passes in the first 8 1/4 games for 4 TD from Smith. He’s caught 30 in 5 and 3/4 with 3 TD in games from Kap. He’s been almost equally successful with both. ..The game winner last night was in fact a throw Smith has made many times and been knocked for because it was mostly YAC.
Jesus H. Christ-I KNOW he’s going with Kap, fuckhead. Since when does that deny me or anybody else to right to disagree with it? it’s not “so be it:” if Kap fucks the doggie in the playoffs, it’s “dumb move, Jimbo”.
Of course I’m not complaining about the fucking win.in fact, they achieved it offensively like I thought they would. What I’m pointing out to you is that the move is not a success for getting to the playoffs, it’s in succeeding there. If you want to pretend they weren’t going there with Smith, be an idiot, you have plenty of experience.
You sound awful sad the day after the Pats lost at home in December for the first time since 2002.
Seattle, HO-O.
I was delighted that Colin’s 5 unforced errors didn’t end up hurting us. But this is about New Orleans in February. We can’t count on surviving his mistakes forever.
“I was delighted that Colin’s 5 unforced errors didn’t end up hurting us.”
So delighted that you had to point it out?…
Hmmmm. how is it that suddenly the QB is immune to criticism? Of course his mistakes should be pointed out. As I’ve said, he’s been spectacular at times but he’s also made mistakes that could have cost us two more losses. The fact that they didn’t doesn’t make it less of a concern.
The goal doesn’t change with either guy. Neither will the blame should it come to pass. Harbaugh will catch heat, but know what? He won’t care. I don’t fucking care.
Kappy, for his growing pains, is better right now. He’s more explosive, he adds the ability to change games with his legs, and he gives the team a better shot to win in the playoffs. You don’t have to like or agree, but I think Kappy gives them a better shot going forward than Smith does.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/2012/12/17/hopefully-lesson-learned-for-patriots-defense/aEVbSE0kIBEHMG9tdz9EMK/story.html
That’s OK, Twin, just keep barking up my tree. But it’s the wrong tree.
Monday Morning HCs are out in force, as it should be I guess. Every fan is smarter than every coach AFTER the game’s been played. Hindsight makes us all geniuses.
It’s funny how much effort is expended trying to convince one hardheaded guy that Kaep is better than Alex Smith. I’d say the rest of the team and those guys in NE are believers today.
Kaep kept his head in the game after making some costly errors and is humble praising only the other players after a huge win and test for him. That’s leadership. That gives the team a chance to win. Kaep threw 4 TDs against the hottest team in the league at home in bad conditions. I’d guess we’d never hear the end of it if Alex had done that.
Harbaugh, Fangio and Roman are learning how to win with Kaep. It’s the same thing they did with Smith when Harbaugh and company took over for Singleturkey. They learned how to use Smith: What Smith was good at and how to coach the rest of the team around Smith. The wheel route? Harbaugh and Roman didn’t know until the Cowboys game that Smith loved the wheel route. Harbaugh and his coaching staff are learning how to use Kaep and coach the rest of the team around Kaep. And this is why I was advocating Kaep earlier. It takes time to get ready for the playoffs. Kaep is learning important things right now he can’t learn as the backup. Two bad passes to Moss? Throw ’em higher. Even Moss was pointing up after a near INT. And the one that WAS picked….. Kaep didn’t see the safety and just tried to lead Moss. Kaep is learning important things right now that you can’t learn without being the guy. And that’s why I was so pissed this off season when the 49ers re-signed Smith. Dalton, Russell Wilson, Cousins, RGIII? But Kaep, “Isn’t ready?” That didn’t make sense to me. Sure, Kaep has a very real issue with the snap, and Harbaugh is coaching a team that’s Super Bowl ready. But there’s only one place you can truly learn how to play qb in the NFL – as the starter. Kaep is learning and he looks cool under pressure. The playoffs are going to be fun this year provided Harbaugh, Roman and Fangio can let it all hang out. Harbaugh clearly made the right decision to dump Smith and start Kaep. Clearly.
I feel good that we have a QB now for at least the next half decade, hopefully more, that looks like he has a shot at being a real difference maker. Kap can only get better, has a high ceiling. As a former QB, Harbaugh sees that, that’s why he gave up picks to move up and draft him. That’s why he made the change now. I’m not going to shed a tear for Alex. It’s unfortunate he lost his job from getting hurt, but that’s the way of the NFL. Production. Higher ceiling over a known ceiling. Harbaugh resurrected Alex’s reputation, and he’ll do well getting a contract with somebody else next season. Arizona would seem a likely spot, as I think Chuck has said. His brand of low risk QBing might even do well over there, although without an O-line upgrade, he might be in for some trouble. Anyway, a top drawer difference maker QB is something the Niners have lacked ever since Garcia got dumped. The early road may be a bit bumpy, Kap looks like a high risk, high reward guy. But, more game experience will turn that ratio more in favor of the high reward. He’s got tools we’ve waited to see for over a decade…
The money Alex has made in the NFL, he could buy a whole city out here in NM. I hope he picks a good franchise to whom to go. KC and he could be the starter in 2 games against Peyton. He has worked damned hard. Just doesn’t have IT.
I think Ariz would be a better place for Alex. Indoors, good weather. No high expectations for the QB after the disasters they’ve had since Warner. And a fan base that really doesn’t give a crap. Low pressure situation. In KC, the fans are rabid, they’re hungry for a winner, and they won’t be patient; so if Alex plays his brand of ball, they’ll be on his ass quickly, and way more than here…
Boys, everybody, including me, agrees that Kap is the QB of the future. But it’s hardly a given that he’s the better choice to QB the team for the playoffs this year. You can say “clearly”, “end of discussion”, whatever- but it’s yet to be determined. Tell you what- you’ve all been around through Smith’s years here,, you’ve all championed the other QBs who have come and gone- some of those guys are tending bar.Tell me, who of them have justified your faith? Been to even one playoff game with anybody since Smith got here? Where’s your boy Shaun Hill, Fear? Nate was a flavor de jour. JTO. Some of you smoked Troy Smith’s pole. I could go on. But here’s your bottom lne- there is exactly one person here to to trust on QBs- me. Live with it.
The Niners never drafted one of my choices. Except one. I wrote that the Niners might spend a 2nd day pick on Nate Davis.
You have to draft a QB or 2 and teach them and let them make mistakes before you can have a real discussion.
Who are the Redskins’ QBs?
Keep thinking things like this, Twin, if it keeps you warm at night. You wear arrogant pomposity like a snuggie. The truth of the matter is, this team usually doesn’t live or die by the QB play. And if it does, the advantage will always be with Kappy. Deal with it, skippy.
Truth is, there was never an in-house option other than Alex til now. Dilfer? JTO? Hill? T Smith? They all had their moments of semi-consciousness among the other dreck they signed or drafted.
Isn’t Alex Smith an NFL backup now?
He may never see the field aqain.
Yeah he is but someone wants to continue the discussion.
Try to stay focused RT. Hey, would you like it if I call you call you RTIII ? That would be cool, wouldn’t it?
Yeah that would be cool. RGIII is a future HOF if he can stay healthy.
Niners 27-16 over the Broncos in New Orleans. If the Niners can get by the Skins in the NFC Champ Game. That will be a good one.
Thanks for the accolades fan1.
It’s about time you dropped that pretense of insisting your adopted son is the best ever.
He’s been the biggest reason we’ve had to lean on a running offense since his #1 overall miss on a high draft pick. He’s made every coach since turn away from relying on a passing game. Finally, that era of misery is at an end, thanks to Harbaugh’s knowledge of QBs and Kaepernick.
That’s interesting. Niners passed 26 times per game in Smith’s 8 full games, 25.6 in Kap’s 5 games. Kap’s averaged 216.6 yards per game. Smith 207.4. I don’t see this sea change that you Smaters fabricate. The same with the fabrication that Crabtree didn’t produce until Kap got the nod. You’ve already had to back off blaming Smith for keeping Davis handcuffed. You need to get your facts straight first, open pie hole later.
More specifically- we run 56 percent of the time with Kap, 53 when Alex was the QB.Those damn facts. As Chuck says :”Fuck the numbers”. Or is there a “sniff test” that 12 falls back on when the numbers lay an argument to ruin?
Keep depending on those stats while I watch the better QB play Twin, can you smell that?
I loved what Fangio did doubling Welker and focusing on Hernandez. Hernandez looked intimidated. Alligator arms that resulted in an Aldon INT and other dropped passes? Even though Roger Goodell wants to take defensive intimidation out of the NFL, the 49ers still intimidated Hernandez. And doubling Welker is something I’ve always thought teams should do regardless if it opened up more for the other Patriot receivers. If the 49ers face the Patriots in the Super Bowl with the Gronker, they should still double Welker. My only concern is Whitner guarding the Gronker. If you stacked one Whitner on top of another Whitner, the double Whitnre still couldn’t guard the Gronk.
I was also puzzled by Aldon’s pass rushes. I know Josh McDaniels put a receiver in the slot to Aldon’s side to manipulate Aldon’s rush (making Aldon drop), and that McDaniels chipped Aldon a lot, and I’m sure the faster Brady tempo put Aldon on his heals, but I never saw Aldon try to use his speed rush. Aldon only tried to overpower his man. There was no swim, bull, club, speed or stunt, and I think that’s because Fangio wanted Aldon to hold his lane. But if the 49ers do face the Patriots in the Super Bowl, Aldon needs to use all of his tricks. The Giants beat the Patriots because Tuck, Osi and JPP got after Brady. In my mind, that’s 50% of it, and the other 50% was because of Eli throwing dimes. But if the 49ers do face the Patriots in the Super Bowl, Aldon Smith needs to use all his pass rushing tricks. I loved that Ray McDonald got in on it, and that Ricky was a factor backing up Justin, but that may not be enough if we face the Patriots with a healthy Gronker. That said, we did just go into Foxborough and kick the sheat outta the Patriots. The Super Bowl won’t be in Foxborough.
Goldson is going to get fined by GoodieBoy for that hit on Hernandez.
I bet he thinks it was worth it though. Hernandez was not the same player for much of the second half after that hit. He was hearing the Footsteps of Lott. Which is far worse than the footsteps of doom.
From the FWIW department:
Jim Harbaugh said Justin Smith will be assessed throughout the week. Said injury is not long term like Parys Haralson’s triceps where he was lost for the year.
Losing J Smith would be rough, so the hope is he gets back out there. He tried to get back in last night as they fully taped his arm, but then shut him down.
RJF and co did a decent job of covering for his absence, but Justin’s a guy that we’ll need in the playoffs. Wonder if they give him the next couple games off.
And I also still say that there should have been a personal foul on Tom Brady for spiking the ball in the field of play, in frustration when the 49ers called timeout. If Colin had done that, it would have been 15 yards. Why wasn’t there a flag? Because he is Tom Brady. The league’s golden boy.
Yup. It isn’t as bad as the NBA, but it’s getting there.
Somebody wrote that Crabs would be a great #2. I don’t know who that was.
Well, this was the year for Crabs to either shit or go blind. He finally got one out.
He was doing somewhat better with Alex, but with Kap, his yards per catch is up. Kap gets the ball faster to him on a rope. It’s a big difference, it allows Crabby to get more YAC because his man is still off him a bit when he catches Kap’s ball…
“The leadership is what makes the difference.”
He was speaking about the Niner QB Controversy, Twin.
Mike Ditka 10 minutes ago.
Fucking go for it.
RTIII, try to post coherently.
If you would stop taking the backup QB’s panties off.
We might have a discussion about football.
Funny RT
Confidence is the key to all this shit. Cappy keeps his and Alex has his moments. Also, Cappy is a much better runner and passer than Alex. I feel like we have far more chances to make plays with Cappy back there. Whether we win a SB or not usually depends on quite a few variables.