I’m always confused that the word ecstacy does not have an X in it. Anyhow, this season sure isn’t what I imagined it to be. Yeah, I thought we’d beat up on the underlings like Tennessee and Arizona, but I didn’t think we’d get waylaid by the likes of Indy, Carolina, and especially New Orleans. Game 1 was a shining example of what turned out to be false expectations as we quickly fell to 1-2 and hit scramble mode. 5 wins later, and we’re feeling fine.
Boom, another little rough patch as the Niners lost 2 close games to 2 good teams. At least we tightened up the losses. Fast forward to now, and we’re rolling on a 4 game winning streak. Which of course includes the stirring victory over the Seahawks. So here we sit, with the 5th seed in our grasp. Yes, we could possibly get the 1 seed should the earth open up and swallow Seattle, but that probably won’t happen. Ans yes, we could lose out and miss the playoffs entirely I suppose, but that’s another far-fetched deal.
So, if things go according to the path of most likely, we win out and get the 5 seed. Which means we get the winner of the NFC Norris Division. Which most likely means Da Bearsss. GB could sneak in and ride the wild hope that Aaron Rodgers makes it back, but ewither way, we are playing in the elements. Not too big a worry to me as we have a strong run game, but if it’s a blizzard like we saw a couple weeks ago, all bets are off. Still, running and defense travel well in shitty weather.
Green Bay has Pitts, and a huge showdown with Chicago, which likely determines the playoff team. Lose and you are out. Deetroit, in the inimitable words of Steeve Young last night, “threw up on themselves” in a fairly ghastly loss to the Ravens, who did nothing more than get into field goal range 6 times yesterday. So, it would have been nice to play in the warm confines of the Bankrupt Dome, or wherever Deetroit plays, but Deetroit can’t get out of their own way, amid the penalties and stupid play calling. So it looks like the Niners are packing their longies for the trip to the frozen midwest.
Forty Niners Forever 
So which will it be Bears, Packers or Lions? Pick your poison.
Sounds like a competition for bragging rights, where’s Phil when you need him?
Is that Dr Phil, Dog Sled Phil Dawson or that coconut lover guy?
I’ll take kid creole and the coconuts Phil please.
Are the Niners opening it up on O? Check this out from Maiocco:
Comment From Gary
Hey Matt, Did you notice in the last game – how many players seemed not to know where to line up? Who’s fault is this? Do you see it becoming a problem down the stretch?
Matt Maiocco CSN: Who’s fault is it? I understand the 49ers had as many as 30 new plays in their game plan. So whenever that kind of volume is placed in the playbook, it comes at a price.
So it seems we are confusing the opponents and some of our guys with lots of new plays going in.
I certainly saw some different formations, and I’m seeing more 3 and 4 WR sets, which i really like, but the timeouts and delays they need to cut down on.
Which is what I’d suggested at times recently Chuck, that Roman is holding plays from view until the time is right.
I see Harbaugh as a calculated, yet conservative guy.
All the banter related to the debate over on Skeebs’ site isn’t about bashing Kaep.
I think it’s come down to whether you hate Roman/Harbaugh’s style of play vs Kaep working in a true WCO?
It’s a transition phase from Pistol/Spread to Harbaugh/Roman/Schembechler/Stanford football.
I completely buy into the philosophy of solid Defense and a Running game wins Championships.
When the time is right, I trust Roman will have Kaep ready to go, with plays he can command and execute.
Our issues this year are more about missing WRs than the Sardine Can Offense as Berger likes to put it.
I will say there has been more 3-4 WR sets these last few games, which is what I’ve been hoping for. All the 22 formation does is make the defense pack the box with their own guys.
Believe it or not, losing Miller might force them into more aggressive formations. I really don’t know if they will even try Dixon in the backfield blocking. He was the first thought I hashad, but I don’t hear his name coming up at all.
I’d be down with a playoff game in Chi-town. Not Lambeau. I’m reminded of the 1988 Champ game at Soldier. Niners had gone a pedestrian (for them) 10-6 season, then whupped up on the Vikes in round 1 (34-9, three TDs Montana to Rice). Champ game on Jan 8, 1989 at Soldier. 17 degrees at game time, with -28 degree wind chill, with gusts 30 mph. End of Q1 gets a Montana-Rice 61 yd TD, and they never looked back. Beat down on Ditka 28-3, Joe with 288 yds and 3 TD throws, 2 to Rice, 1 to Frank (sometimes a forgotten TE). My favorite road victory of the Niners of the Walsh era. They were given virtually no shot in the freezer against the McMahon Bears. Instead, Niners absolutely dominated and kicked bearass. Next stop, beating the Bengals again and the John Candy drive for the ages. I’d love to see a replay this playoff season…
Maybe you are right, but is just seems like they are taking it VERY slow. We are getting better at the right time, and I damn well was ha[[y they were running the ball in thes game and also the Seattle game, as they really screwed the pooch in those early llosses when they went away from it.
Chuck I think Harbaugh just likes them to grind and grind on the 22 formation until everyone does it in their sleep.
It also gives everyone in the League the same film to view.
For me, I’ve always figured Harbaugh to have a bazooka hidden somewhere, when everyone is expecting a gun fight.
We may look predictable to everyone but, we are winning more than we’re losing.
It also wears down a Defense the more you keep pounding on them.
As you just posted, without the ability to grind clock when you need to, games can get away from you.
Best way to stop a high powered Offense is to keep them watching from the sidelines.
I’ll take our running game and Defense against anyone.
Doesn’t matter to me where we play, so long as we’re healthy and clicking.
Given a choice, I’d prefer Chicago over GB, as I don’t think Detroit will get there now.
My original wish was for Detroit and Dallas to take their Divisions.
Both have shot themselves in the face now. It won’t be easy for either of them.
With Miller going down, our running game takes a BIG hit.
I wouldn’t feel confident trying a little used passing game now in the cold either.
I’m guessing that the ground game is more dependant on a solid lead blocker anyway so, while we’ll take a hit losing Bruces’ catching ability, Kilgore or whomever they choose, can likely make up for the lead blocker needs.
I hope we take this crisis/opportunity to put in some more pro sets with regular pro set personnel. Shit, dust off some of the old Walsh playbooks and mix in some CK7 option reads. My guess is we will try to make up for the power runs with more CK7 option runs and pass plays. If defenses go to nickel, see Frank run, and Kendall.
I don’t care where or whom we play first either. It’s winning the conference that I look forward to. And I think the Cowboys still have us bettered there. The Seahawks are still neophytes at that rodeo.
Did you see the billboard the Niner fans bought in Seattle? I don’t know, I think it’s pretty “seahawkish” of us.
Hey NoFear49er –
Yes, the billboard schtick is just petty nonsense between fans.
They did add some semblance of decency to the gesture, by offering excess donations to the Seattle Childrens Hospital at least.
I’d agree with the Pro Set opinion too.
We’ve got the WR compliments now, which weren’t there for the bulk of the year.
I’m confident that there’s plenty of unseen pieces of this Offense, waiting to mess with the ‘book’ we’ve given everyone to prepare from.
Not sure I’d be comfortable with Boobie Dixon stepping in cold either.
He doesn’t impress me as a mean RB.
Very similar to Brandon Jacobs IMO.
Big man with timid feet.
Part of me wants Seattle to take AZ out of the picture on Sunday, the other part says what if we could steal this Division?
Either way, I want to stay healthy and make another run, from whatever seed we obtain.
Hes supposed to have 1400 yards rushing at Mississippi State in his senior year if I read that right. Link is below
It was be nice to give Frank a little time off too I think?
Tinker with some new ideas as you suggest with the fresher legs Kendall and LMJ possess.
Either way, we’re on the threshold of the Playoffs again.
Good spot to be in.
Time to make some noise.
More on Anthony Dixon and others replacing B Miller:
http://www.ninersnation.com/2013/12/17/5220084/anthony-dixon-49ers-fullback-bruce-miller-injury
and:
http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/how-49ers-plan-compensate-millers-loss
Hey Phil, yes I knew he was pretty impressive in College.
However, everything I’ve seen from him as a RB with us wasn’t very impressive.
My concerns are for the loss of Bruce.
Boobie might contribute some as a short yardage guy I’d assume?
Not real sure what he brings in terms of a FB though.
I’d be fine using the services of Kilgore as the lead blocker perhaps?
Harbaugh will have an answer come Monday night.
Various reports have mentioned LB Wilhoite and even TE Derek Carrier, who was a WR in College. At least he’s got hands.
Time to see who can step up in these final 2 games.
Also Tukuafu was in for workout
Niners!
Problems are many with a new guy in at FB. With Norris and later Miller, Frank knows how they see changing targets and who they will and how they will block. Not to mention the protection aspect of the job. I’d rather they stick to some basic power runs with the replacement lead blocker and make up the difference with other plays and formations not involving a FB.
Dixon reminds me of Jacobs, too, NJ49er. Quit dancin’, find a hole.
Exactly NoFear49er –
It’s a comfort thing for Frank.
Timing is just as important in that regard too.
My guess is they go the TE route.
We’ll see what the next Man up can do.
Found a small amount of info on Carrier – Spent time with Oakland and Philly before joining us is Sept.
6’4″ 241 –
A 23-year-old native of Edgerton, WI, Carrier attended Beloit (WI) College, where he appeared in 39 games, and set school records with 189 receptions for 3,111 yards and 29 touchdowns. He earned All-Midwest Conference honors twice and was named WFCA Private College Player of the Year following his senior season.
Doesn’t appear as though he’s seen any game action.
Wouldn’t count too heavily on him at this point.
Time for Celek and VMcD to get some work.
He did participate in multiple sports while at Beloit –
Football, Men’s Basketball, Indoor Track & Field
So, I’d say he’s athletic enough and, being from Wisconsin, a cold weather Playoff game would be right up his alley 🙂
Came out as a WR – 40 times in the 4.5 range too.
38″ Vert with 15 Reps on the bench isn’t too shabby either –
Good size and speed combo for sure.
Green in terms of experience though.
Have to keep an eye out for him.
Yeah, it would be nice to see VMcD get some action. I don’t think he gets any H back action, but who knows? They have to nomninally consider who the back up FB is as the season goes on. And I mean strictly as a blocker. Boobs? Doubtful. I was trying to remember if they used him as a lead blocker in preseason even. It’s not like they don’t run out of single-back foromations, but I’m sure Frank digs him some FB.
It begs using 3 WRs though to lighten the box.
And the sweeps to Hunter were a Godsend. I don’t know if that was just a product of playing a shitty defense, but they nailed some nice 10-12 yard runs every time they tried it.
“shitty”
Damn, you guys early birds or what? Even with the time diff, it’s still early. And I don’t know where you are NoFear.
Sorry NJ but I don’t get it. Kap had another strong game with some absolutely outstanding moments. We as fans have no idea of the play calls or where he is supposed to go with the ball so how can we say with any confidence he missed an open man?
Maybe he did, in which case he is just like every other QB in the league or maybe he saw something the cameras didn’t and that’s why he went where he went or maybe he hit the man the coaches told him to because of the matchup.
What we can say with some certainty is that the play calling and scheme is restricting Kap’s natural play ability. Now maybe that is a good thing. Maybe Kap would throw a lot more INT and with a great D and solid RG that that is the most prudent path for a win. That he needs to learn to be a pro pocket passer in the long run is likely the right thing to do.
Or just maybe they should cut him loose a little and let his natural ability show itself on a larger percentage of the plays. Certainly the guy has ungodly gifts as a QB, perhaps unmatched in the league.
All this nit picking about the guys supposed deficiencies is a crock. He has his weapons largely back and the play calling has been opened up to a degree starting before Crabs came back. Both those things have seen a more potent O.
Is the lack of shots into the end zone when in the redzone a lack of Kap’s confidence or the coaches being very conservative with the ball choosing to depend on field goals and a strong defense over the possibility of a turn over as we saw with the short throw to Crabs?
I would say there is more than enough evidence to say the coaches have the training wheels on and most likely intend to keep them there choosing to make the Niners the Ravens west.
Another piece of evidence that it is scheme and play calling is that Alex Smith has come out and said the restrictions are off now he is with the Chiefs.
We always believed they limited him because he was not capable of consistent down field play yet there he is in KC doing it. Do you doubt they have restricted Kap too? This O is a calculated scheme and Kap has to play within it’s confines. I have no doubt it is difficult for him to ignore his natural tendencies and do what he is told, creating hesitation.
Kap is not a finished product by any means. He is a kid learning, but he is the same kid that went to the SB last year and came within a hair of winning it.
Lets put all this complaining about whatever he did imperfectly into some perspective eh?
Yeah!
Alex is still Alex. Last week’s 5 TDs passing traveled a grand total of 13 yards in the air.
Wow 12th, that was a good post!
Thx Bergs, glad to see you here again. I’ve been reading your posts at Skeebs, pretty much agree with you.
Niners brought in Will Tukuafu for a try out. You may remember he was defensive lineman they used as a FB in the jumbo run package. He was not signed yet though.
12th I don’t think anyone (except Bullitt) is really going off the deep end on this. Yes, Kappy has locked on some to primary WRs, but I’ve also seen him read through his progressions and get to the 3rd read. My point is was and will be that Kappy is still young and learning his craft. He needs to slow the game down in his head. That mainly comes through experience. Bullitt holding Kappy to Montana’s standards is ludicrous. What Walsh saw in Joe was his innate ability to scan the field in an instant and find the right guy to throw to. Joe was doing that in college. He was the best at reading defenses quickly.
The rigiamarole around the whys around Kappy this year is the conundrum. Kappy last year for the most part, didn’t have to go through progressions. The read-option gave defenses fits, as did his ability to escape pressure. Guys were open and he hit them. It wasn’t until the Ram game last year that someone figured out how to slow him down. Knock the WRs off their routes, jam at the line, and change/disguise zone cover packages. Bringing more people up close also minimizes his scrambling ability. Throw in no WRs, and bad playcalling, and you have a misfiring offense.
This season is about adjusting out of that. It IS getting better. Are they forcing him to stay in the pocket at the cost of scrambling for yards to try and get him to be a more traditional QB? Are they reigning him in to minimize mistakes? Is this some sort of learning curve to get him to read coverages better? I don;t know. But through the season, there have been some pretty big problems with this offense. And not being in the meetings, it’s hard to say what their end-game is.
But, with Crabs back, VD healthy, Manningham (he’s kinda missing) on the field, at least we have forced defenses to play us honestly, as opposed to doubling VD and Boldin, and stuffing the run,as was happening early in the season.
I think it’s all about Kappy’s health. Running to the edge (to minimize both the danger of injury and fumbles) and using his combination of strength, speed, and the threat of uncorking one downfield is what I miss.
RG III (pre-knee) and Kap are quite different in running strengths. RG is a little guy who was one of the fastest players in the league. He was just too reckless, begging for trouble. Kappy is fast, but not that fast, and is a big, powerful corn-fed boy. Passing, Kap is more accurate downfield and far more accurate on the run. Running him up the middle would be insane, but more designed rollouts and play-pass options would suit me just fine.
There goes Mr. spam filter again, and on one of my more brilliant posts! (sigh). I’ve become Charlie Brown kicking a field goal.