UPDATE: Apparently the Niners are in trade talks with (surprise) the Browns over the services of WR Josh Gordon. A very talented but character-lacking wideout. Taken as a supplemental pick in the 2nd round, he’s likely cost the Niners their Alex Smith 2nd round pick.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Well, in what I thought would be a hard-fought battle for legitimacy as a bona fide playoff contender among a couple of underachieving teams turned into a laugher as Matty Iceberg struggled mightily at the muddy confines of Candlestick Park. The game got off to a rousing start as Schaub;s first pass of the night was returned for yet another pick 6. Matty’s 4th game in a row with a pick 6. Houston is 1-3 during this ignominious streak.
The game didn’t get any better for Matty and Co. as the Niner defense did a good job of containing Arian Foster and we nullified their passing game. Tremaine Brock, he of the pick 6, had another pick that was almost a 2-fer for him. His downfield coverage was excellent, and Tony Jerrod-Eddie got his Ninersforever bump with a pick of his own.
The offense? Well . . . The good news was they had a short field most of the night, and cashed in on their opportunities. Kappy had a great opening drive, taking the team 65 yards with 3 third down conversions. The other drives were of the short-field variety. 32, 11, 39, 69, and 2 yards. 64 yards of the 69 yard drive of course was the TD to VD. The run game again looked strong. Against a good defense no less. The passing numbers were anemic, (6-15 for 113 yards and a TD), but again, the fields were short, and the opportunities were taken advantage of. They sputtered in the middle of the game, but still got points, so take that as you will.
Winning 34-3 against a tough team is a good thing. Sure, there needs to ba a little more consistency on the offensive side, but all in all a great effort against a very highly rated defense. It’s tine for this team to rattle off a few decisive victories.
Forty Niners Forever 
Test test . . .
WordPress is acting weird again.
Great win. But. If the Niners meet a team they can’t push around for Gore and Hunter runs, it looks dicey to me. The lack of WRs is more than concerning. I doubt this team can go far into the playoffs, if it gets there, with a WR corps that is basically at the bottom of the league in ability. I’ll believe Manningham and Crabby coming back in time to help out when I see it…
Yeah what’s with are bay area teams Snarkk.
Freakin Giants can’t get outfielders (Pence excluded).and the 49ers cant draft or trade for talented WR’s.
Freakin maddening to me.
Well, they will get Manningham and Crabs back at some point.
They do need a speedster though.
Let me repost this
I don’t see the Niners getting tested till they play N.O..the 4 games before that if the Niners don’t go at least 3-1 over the next 4 games they will not make the playoffs.
The season’s just at the 1/4 pole so there’s time to fix things. I am seeing a little different take on things as some of the passing game is getting a little quicker. Again, though, this is Harbaugh’s offense. Heavy on the run until forced otherwise.
And I’m a little more optimistic than you, Snarkk/AK. I think these guys will improve with Manningham back. Crabs even more so. They are worlds better than Baldwin and Osgood.
No, Chuck. My point about Crabby and Mann is that I DO think they would improve things, I just don’t think they’ll be back in time or if back, they won’t be in good enough shape in time, to help much before the playoffs are decided. Harbs says Crabby will be back in mid-Nov. I think that’s crazy talk. “Back” meaning what — he can jog? I’ll believe both WRs will be back and really helping this season when I see them running routes and catching passes in a game. Until that happens, I don’t see the Niners beating the top teams like NO and Seattle. Too bad, this year the top tier teams are few and far between — I don’t see Atl or GB or da Bears threatening to take the NFC title game. Nor, the NY Giants (ha ha). I think this week’s game against the Cards needs attention, could be a trap game. Cards at 3-2 have been playing not great, but decently. They need to put pressure on Palmer, he’s like a statue back there. If they do, Niners should be in good shape…
Back means ready to go, Snarkk. Crabs is running and apparently in good shape. Same with Manningham. They won’t risk hurting them for the rest of the season if they aren’t fully recovered.
VD is at about 85% . . .
OK, I hadn’t heard that those two were even walking fast yet…
Missed it except for seein a 14-0 score. Net on da blink, fiesta today too busy. Nice win!
Hey! Long time!
Think Harbaugh can straighten this guy out?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000258614/article/josh-gordon-object-of-browns-niners-trade-talks
We certainly have the picks to get him.
I’d vote to keep our higher Rd Picks Chuck.
I know he’s a head case and, has potential for off field headaches but….
Kenny Britt might just be worth a kick of the tires for a Mid Rd Pick to TN.
Former Rutgers guy who could find some companionship with another Rutgers guy, Anthony Davis?
Also, having Boldin in the Locker Room wouldn’t be a bad thing either.
I think we’re OK with the prospect of Crabtree and Mario returning but, again, Britt is a big body who can play when he wants too.
I think they’ll be looking for something from Baldwin over the next few weeks too.
We should be OK in the WR Group with what we have, especially if Baldwin contributes.
My preference for the Draft is to add DB depth and another DLinemen early.
I’d keep our anticipated pair of 2’s from Alex along with our 1st.
Rices’ cousin Jordan Matthews is a WR worth consideration too, might see him in Rd 2?
Package him with that effin’ Norv Turner to call plays for him. Otherwise, what’s the point?
A hearty WOOF!
Wanted to throw this out there and forgot…
Did anyone notice the placards we used on the sideline?
Rams game I think?
Perhaps we’re prepping for the Seattle venue afterall.
The more things change the more they stay the same, Frank Schwab at Yahoo sports, power Rankings
4. San Francisco 49ers (3-2, LW: 5)
Strong, playmaking defense and a solid running game make up for an ineffective quarterback … the 49ers won plenty of games with that formula when Alex Smith was their quarterback, and can do the same with Colin Kaepernick.
So basically The Niners are going to go away from what got them to the super bowl last year, Kap in the shot gun, seeing the defense, being able to run when neccessary. Instead the Niners are dusting off Nolan/Singletary playbook and turning Kap into an under center QB who will get pounded by a good defense. Should have kept Alex Smith if they were going to revert back to that offense. The Niners have played 2 weak offensive teams in a row. Boldin had 2 yes to touches!! WTF!! Winning against teams that you should be able to beat and thinking that your defense is back is only going to make you delusional when you have to play a good defense and a good offense. When the Niners play a good Defensive team and Gore is stopped whant will the Niners have in plan B? Nothing, because their recievers will not have gotten the touches they needed to stay sharp.
My how touchy!
ha ha I am just tired of all the bravado last year about how the Niners were so exciting to watch and just wait till Kap has a full pre season at QB and how the Niners passing game was going to be as good as the running game. 2 bad games and Harbaugh abandons the passing game!! good strategy
Kevin, this team isn’t going away from the run. As long as you embrace that, you’ll be fine. The passing game IS the issue. Bad WRs or no, this team has to get better at utilizing their WRs. Besides, Houston is not a bad offensive team. Arian Foster is one of the premiere backs in the league, and Schaub is, well, uh, hitting a shakey streak. the D played so well, they gave the Niners short fields and little to do but score easily.
Good news was the opening drive, they were successful converting 3rd downs, Later in the game? Not so much. Like the Ram game, the offense stagnated for a couple quarters. This can’t happen when you are playing say, Seattle. then again, Houston should have beaten Seattle. I’m pretty sure Harbaugh has no need for Osgood or the lower echelon WRs. Baldwin is the key going forward. At least til Manningham comes back.
As far as Gordon goes, it would be a pretty high-risk move to go after the guy mainly because of his price tag, but the guy could be a star. The teasm definitely needs a young fast guy who can stretch defenses. No one on the team can currently do that. And, as we all know, they aren’t very good at drafting anyone for that spot.
I’d do the trade. Boldin has maybe one more year. Crabs might get re-signed. Manningham and Crabs are FAs after this season, so they need to make some decisions as to who they want to keep.
Much will depend on how both of them bounce back from their injuries.
And, Kevin, don’t forget the Green Bay game. The Niners came out passing and it worked.
Sure, it was all Boldin, but with VD getting healthier, there is more opportunity for one of the 2 to be open on any given play.
Chuck, I don’t mind the run, but pretty soon, and we saw it when Singletary was here, teams are going to load the box and Gore will have no where to go. The 4th quarter would have been a prime time to test the receivers. even put James back there for some screens. something should have been practiced in the 4th quarter
oh and the proffessional analysis just gets better and better, from BRIAN BILLICK
Colin Kaepernick had just six completions in the entire game on Sunday … and won. Those are like Tim Tebow numbers.
Did Tebow ever go 27-39 for 412 yards and 3 TDs? It wasn’t that long ago.
Do you hear people bitching about Russell Wilson’s stats? He’s got 28 more yards than Kappy.
“Bitching” ……..did I detect a Dennis reference?
Chuck, all I know is that EVERYONE, wants to know what has happened to the Niners passing game. as well as you.
I’ll tell you what happened. Manningham got hurt, Crabs got hurt, and the others not named Boldin aren’t very good. When VD went down, the passing game was kaput. All they had to do was double Boldin and that was that.
Granted, I’m with you that these coaches need to come up with something a little more exciting than the bland passing game, but as it is, they’ll lean on the run game til they get their guys back.
And as I said earlier, I thionk they should take a long look at Josh Gordon. If they can talk Cleve into a 3rd round pick, I’d pull the trigger. Hell, I’d throw in Osgood.
The truth of the matter is the toughest part of their schedule is now done. The nest 4 games (Cards, Tits, Jag, and Panthers) should all be wins. Seattle has also got an easy skate, but we just have to see how this rolls out. The point is to get stronger as the season progresses. 3-2 through this stretch is about what I thought would happen. They need to get these next 4.