Once again, the San Francisco 49ers are on their way to the NFC Championship game. The difference being, the 49ers have to go on the road to reach the Super Bowl. Playoff history be damned (their playoff road record barely counts, as it is ancient history), but their last playoff trip to Atlanta was an unmitigated disaster as Garrison Hearst tore his ankle to shreds on the very first play, and the Niners never recovered, losing 20-18. This was Steve Young’s final full season with the Niners, and the Niners last best chance for a Super Bowl win. The Mooch/Garcia teams were never quite as good, and thus began the dark ages. Atlanta of course crapped themselves after beating the Niners, and John Elway trounced the turdy birds in that Super Bowl.
Flash forward to now. Is anyone really worried about Natty Ice and the Falcons? I’m not. After watching that game yesterday, I’m not too worried. Seattle spent the 1st half shooting themselves in their feet, and playing like they’ve been flying back and forth across the country numerous times for the last couple weeks. Atlanta grudginly took advantage of Seattle’s lethargy, and struck for some big plays, and did some decent running to back that up. Cue up the 2nd half, and Teflon Mike Nolan decided to go into his own special version of the soft shell deeeep dish pizza coverage that us Niners fans know and love so well. The old bend and bend over defense. After Dominating the game for 3 quarters, and not quite running away, it took Seattle all of 8 minutes to overcome a 27-7 lead and take a lead of their own. Funny thing is, Seattle did exactly what Nolan did in the 4th quarter, and that is drop the safeties deeeep, and give up the underneath sideline route that they are implicitly defending. Oooops. a 30 yard KO return, a 22 yard sideline pass, and a 18 yard pass to Tony Gonzalez led to Matt Bryant’s game-winning FG. Of course Bryant then followed that with the worst squib kick in the history of squib kicks. Sea then threw a stupid 8 yard pass that should have gone for 20 to give their kicker a shot, but instead set up the desparation pass into the end zone that Julio Jones picked off.
So, does anyone think the Niners change things up from last week? I think so. Teflon Mike just might be shitting his drawers over what to do about Kappy and his running ability, so I think the Niners may go away from that aspect of his game. Or not. Few of those runs were scripted, but a design of something I mentioined before the game, and that is to send the pass-catchers deeper than usual to open things up underneath. When Kappy saw long green in front of him, he decisively took off. And he also did NOT take the hits that guys like RG III were taking all year. Mainly because he either got OB or scored. He did miss some pases early, took a retarded taunting penalty, and the pick 6, but all in all, a game for the ages. Watching Kappy on speed turf is a bit intriguing, as Kappy on the Candlestick mush proved to be like watching Usain Bolt racing 6th graders.
So, on to the Cracker dome. The beauty thing about this game is, the Atlanta fans are waiting for the axe to fall. Yesterday WAS their Super Bowl, and Natty Dreadful showed he can win a playoff game with immense help from the other team. Next weekend? Not so much. I foresee a major crush job by the Niners.
Forty Niners Forever 
Niners cannot possibly let Mike Nolan get the better of them. I could stomach losing another NFC title game, but not one where the DC is Mike Friggin’ Nolan. Although I will give Nolan credit. Though he picked Alex, thus starting 7+ years of star-crossed QBing, mostly mediocre to maddening QB play, he did draft PWillis, Gore, Staley, Goldson, McDonalald, Haralson,
and VD. Drafting he wasn’t too shabby at, assuming he had some input with McCloughan, and I think he did, particularly on D players. Anybody every know whatinhell actually happened with McCloughan?…
McCloughan works for Seattle. Mike Nolan is a crappy defensive coach. He might actually be better at drafting. Mike Nolan reminds me of Rob Ryan.
Willis was Singletary, and he had to be talked into it.
Willis was Nolan. Nolan saw him while coaching one of those East / West shrine games (it wasn’t the East / West shrine game, but you know what I mean). Nolan was responsible for Willis.
Well, at the time, Sing was against drafting Willis.
Willis was a Nolan draft pick.Mike Nolan was actually pretty good at finding talent,he just couldnt coach them to the next level.Not gonna go with his one big mistake Alex over Aaron.But he did draft VD,Willis,McDonald,Goldson,Staley,traded for the “Cowboy” all starters,signed Clements,who was pretty good the first few years.Drafted Haralyson as well
Well that should tell you how Stupid and Fucked Up Singletary was.Trying to tell Nolan not to draft Patrick Willis.Willis was a “Beast” in college with sideline to sideline speed and terror.And still is!!!!
Singletary can go fuck himself,or somebody might next time he drops his pants and says I want Wieners,i meant Winners!!
Spit – it was the Senior Bowl.
That’s what I thought but then I just couldn’t imagine Willis not coming out his Junior year.
Nolan was decent at personnel decisions. I thought at one point he would have been a decent GM. Say McCarthy stayed as HC instead of jetting to GB. And we drafted Rodgers. The mind boggles.
We have all debated Smith/Kap from various viewpoints and I think that’s been settled. I just watched the GB game again, without the aid of amber glasses. I am a big fan of Frank Gore and he has been a stalwart for the Niners. In reality the QB, be it Smith or Kap have been the bit player to Frank Gore who has headlined this offense since being drafted. I don’t think that is the case anymore. I think Kap has become the “bell cow” of this offense with Gore now in the support role. Gore is still a top ten RB this year, amazing when you think of all he has done over the years.
Maybe this was obvious to everyone else and I am a little slow but it just felt like the GB game was a passing of the torch as to who the star of the offense is now.
The future so bright I gotta wear shades.
Not every team will play man coverage and let Kappy run for 181 yards. He’ll have games where it’s a lot tougher. But what I am impressed by is how he follows up mistakes – INTs, fumbles, etc. – with highly focused, productive play on the next drive. Usually ending in a score. He’s been doing it since his first INT. Unlike some young QBs, he doesn’t hang his head and beat himself up when he makes a mistake – he comes back and plays better the next series. That, right there, is enough for me to think he is going to be a real star in this league with another season under his belt. He is not only an amazing athlete, he is mentally tough as nails. I see good years ahead for this team.
I felt after the Chicago game the QB torch had passed and the GB game the offensive star had changed hands. Each game is different, the ups and downs, but Kap is now the player defenses have to account for the most, he is the focal point and that’s a paradigm shift for this offense from RB to QB.
I don’t think the Niners win by 21 against the Falcons, in fact I think a one score game is likely, but the Niners are the better team and tougher too which should be enough to get the job done.
Me too, Grump, if he can stop running and play from the pocket. Forget the read option in a year or two. Throw from the pocket. Whenever the read option is a major part of your offense, your qb is in jeopardy. I hope Kaep learns to win big while being a pocket passer.
That said…. for the next two games Kaep should let it all hangout and run wild. Run Kaep, RUN!!!!! The reward out-weighs the risk!
Chuck, you’re not right. If you ever are it’s more than likely just the law of averages at work.
Hardly any defense runs nickel more than we do, so that’s not a legitimate complaint since you don’t complain about it with us.
Nolan runs a base 4-3 in Atlanta. He likes to put an OLB up on the LOS and a safety in a 30 technique LB spot and likes to flip and switch up players on the line.
I don’t root for Atlanta but I do try to watch a game before I criticize the players or coaching from the score or stat sheet like some know-it-all blowhard.
Yes, I can complain about Nolan’s big suck. Sure, we play nickel. But we don’t play the nickel where the CBs are 12 yards deep. Nolan’s deep shell. Actually, the Niners DID do their version of that in the 2nd half of the NE game. Keep everything in front of you, and don’t let anyone get past you. Problem is this opens up everything underneath.
Answer me this. What happened in the 4th quarter, NoFear? Purely coincidence that the Falcons gave up 21 points in 13 minutes after the defensive switch? Coincidence that Seattle was able to move the ball at will after that? Just asking.
For all intents and purposes, that’s a 3-4 he’s running.
Also, it’s easier for the QB to run against man coverage because the defenders are facing away, you know, playing the man. When the defense is in zone they are facing the passer, playing the ball. Pretty basic shit, skippy.
Which is what I said, NoClue. Kappy’s struggles have been against zone defenses. He roasted the man teams.
Unless Nolan and the AFC winning DC are doing serious drugs, I would think we will see damned little man, and lots of zone, for the remainder of our playoff experience. Harbaugh and Roman need to spend this week preparing Kappy for that likely outcome.
No suprise…Colin Kapernick “Sports Illustrated Cover” Rockin the Red & Gold!!!
Love it.
I thought Kap did a good job overall avoiding hits and as has been stated, that is crucial. It’s funny, but the highlight reels the last couple days pretty much ONLY show Kap running. I like that. Just keep worrying about his RUNNING and forget the 260+ yards & 2 TDs.
I agree that against zone coverage Kap struggles. Why Capers went there is a mystery. Nolan won’t. But in the end ATL’s defensive line is not that great. Mediocre against the run, mediocre against the pass, 5th last in sacks — our OL should dominate them.
Despite all that, it is a road game, following an emotional electric game against GB. I think the game will be closer than it should, 31-23, Niners.
My gut tells me the Ravens will beat NE, setting up the Harbowl. But that would mean that BOTH road teams advance in the same year in the Championship games. That seems hard to believe. So I’ll go with the Ravens as the bridesmaid once again, and call it NE over BAL, 35-31.
The 49ers are going to beat Atlanta 45-17.
WTF? The 49ers are going to win the Super Bowl and you guys aren’t even excited about it. I mean, we’ve been wandering through the desert for years with guys like Jimmy Raye, Hostler, Manusky and Billy Davis (was that his name?). Think of all the stinkers we’ve watched since Steve Young went down. I mean in a lot of ways the stinker fest that’s been the 49ers is bookended by Atlanta – Hearst to Kaep, and you guys aren’t even excited that the dry spell is over and we’ll be champions again. I need a “FUCK YEAH,” from someone……… We need to get a little fired up on Tuesday. You guys don’t even see that the San Francisco 49ers are going to win the Super Bowl. Let me write that again: THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS ARE GOING TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!!
Your confidense is overwehlming. I have seen good, bad, and ugly out of the Niners. I am too lazy to go look but there was a season where the Niners just cruised through the season, and then the playoffs came and they got creamed (Chicago?) in the playoffs. If there is one thing in all of sports it is that NOTHING is guaranteed!! and if you are soooo confident that they will win, then you must be going down to barrow money against your home to make that bet in Reno, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe? the closest Indian Casino?? Go for it Spit.
Tough crowd…. tough crowd. Do you have a pulse, man? It’s the 49ers, and this is the Super Bowl!!!!!!
Hey — I think we’re going to win it all this year too. We beat Atlanta, then the Pats (or Ravens). I’m fucking excited. I just don’t use CAPS or exclamation points. Deal with it. I also still think it won’t be a blow out this Sunday despite our superiority as a team.
I’m also REALLY (!!!!!) stoked that Kap’s our QB — present and FUTURE!!!! I think he’s good NOW (!!) and going to get a good deal BETTER in the FUTURE!!!! We have our QB. The Smith era has ended. And it’s possible, and probable, that we will NEVER HAVE TO DEBATE ALEX SMITH AGAIN!!!!!
That alone was worth the extra CAPS/!!!
Couldnt agree more Barley…Kap can make every throw,run as fast as Usain Bolt.We have
just barely begun unleashing the “Hell& Fury” of what he is capable of.He is gonna be a DC nightmare for years.to come!!!!
Yeah, poor old Alex. But the great thing is, Barley, that if I’m ever allowed back on the 49er Outsider (I name I made up and gave to Skeebers btw), I’ll just get banned all over again for calling both Skeebers and Berger Alex Smith lovin’ fools. The 49erOutsider is a place for Alex Smith love. Don’t kid yourself…… like they do.
Minnesota 1987. That was the game when Walsh pulled Montana for Young as he played like shit. Young did OK, but in the end threw a killer pick.
I’m with ya. I think this team is poised to get there, but I have niggling doubts in the back of my mind. Inconsistency has been an issue. Kappy vs zone defenses has been an issue. All that being said, i feel this team is by far the team to beat. The last 4 times they were faves this season, they cratered and fell out of those stupid power rankings.
Like the team, I was jacked as hell that we beat the Pack. But now, it’s hunker down time. Get shit together and let it all out on Sunday.
The reason for the inconsistencies is two fold: One is that the 49ers were transitioning at the most important position in all of sports. In doing so, the 49ers were learning how to coach with Kaep. A qb, like we saw with Alex, obviously affects the offensive plays but also affects the defensive plays and the mindset of the coaching staff. This transition created inconsistencies.
The second reason for the inconsistencies is because I believe Harbaugh was holding back and not showing all of his hand – waiting for the playoffs to unleash hell tenfold a woman scorned.
In other words, it ain’t time to be Richard Sherman.
Never will be.
He’s quickly staking his claim to be the new ‘Most Hated Player in the NFL’. Hopefully Iupati will get a chance to ClayMatthews-ize him next year.
Was it Sherman who was clapping when Roddy White caught that bomb over his head? Same dude who was antagonizing Trent Williams? If that’s the dude, he’ll get his comeuppins.
That’s the guy Spit and yeah someone will give him his comeuppance and that’s half the fun in it.
No shit. He’s going to get blasted at some point. Would love to see VD blindside his ass next year.
I kinda like his antics, he is a good CB and gets into players heads, “you mad bro” was a classic. Never been much of a fan of the NoFunLeague. Talking shit is funny. I read on Skeebs blog someone complaining about Kap kissing his bicep is a problem and he should act like he’s been there, funny that since they were playing Mr. Discount Double Check and Clay Mathews who have both parlayed their victory dance into TV ad sponsorships.
Take the stick out your asses and lighten up, the game needs characters.
Well said 12th…… or Chuck…..never sure anymore.
Now that is funny coming from the maestro spitblood.
That was Bullit of course. From Cam Newton’s superman thing to the discount double suck to 10,000 other celebrations, the deal is ludicrous. Especially galling was the taunting call on Kappy after he rushed for the 1st down.
The taunting call was bogus, if he overarmed it into their faces sure, but being excited about them trying to jack him up but he makes the down anyway? Gimme a break.
It’s a game, fun and celebration are part and parcel of it or should be.
used to love seeing Merton Hanks do his chicken dance after an interception. Ironic he is part of the “no fun police” now.
I like that Kap has that little bit of swagger in the end zone, more power to him.
The 49ers are going to dominate the Altanta Falcons AND the New England Patriots!
You sure the Patriots will get there?
The Patriots aren’t going to lose at home. They’ll keep Torrey Smith and Ray Rice in check. Flacco is still a pretender despite exposing the Broncos’ defense. The Patriots aren’t going to lose at home.
Niners beat them at home, just sayin.
Baltimore ain’t the Niners.
…. and this is the playoffs.
Came across this on NFP
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/All22-How-did-Kaepernick-target-the-Packers.html
That is a nice post. Thanks for sharing it here.
That is a great article, 12th. Thank you. The one thing that jumps out at me is that people are right now second-guessing Dom Capers, but really, what can you do? The Packers were going with one safety over the top to help stop the 49ers run game that’s got a ton of different dimensions to it. Now, however, Kaep is beating those additional players down low and forcing teams to go with two or even three safeties high. This is why Harbaugh made the switch to Kaep – because Kaep will force teams to play nickle and dime where Alex Smith never did. Teams have to respect Kaep’s ability to pass. That opens up the power run game and all the fun stuff underneath. The one thing I’m worried about is that Kaep does have touch, but he loves to sling it. If you’re forced to play against zones and safeties over the top, that means if you’re qb is high with his throws ( and he’s throwing lasers) tipped balls become INTs. That’s my biggest concern against zones, and nickle and dime coverage.
I still think the Falcons’ D is big and slow and guys like Vernon will have a big game underneath. But Kaep will have to be patient and throw with more touch on crossing routes underneath. He’ll have to not get addicted to the big play and all the Sports Illustrated hype. If Kaep gets addicted to the big play, and is always looking to make a highlight run or throw, the 49ers could lose in Atlanta. I’m confident the 49er coaching staff is preaching the importance of patience to Kaep against Atlanta. You’ll beat Atlanta with slow, methodical drives. And every once in a while Mike Nolan will make a huge mistake that could lead to a monster play. But if Kaep’s mindset is that he’s going win with five or six good, slow, methodical drives that result in touchdowns, we’ll win the Super Bowl. We’ve seen Kaep beat one safety high, and we’ve seen him beat man coverage. The question is now whether or not Kaep can beat zone, nickle and dime coverage. Fortunately for Kaep, he’s got a great offensive line and a great run game to lean on if necessary.
For the gamblers amongst us or just for fun…
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Championship-game-early-action-report.html
Fuck yeah.
Steve Young is going to be on ESPN radio, on the Herd, Colin Cowherd radion show.
New thread is up . . .