At the half way point in the season, there are serious problems with the Red and Gold. Say what you will about the so-called problems with the front office and the head coach, the head coach and the players, the players and the media, and certain wardrobe choices by the players, the product on the field is a mess right now.
The bye week was a chance to get healthy and to organize a fairly inconsistent offense. One that had shown flashes of big play ability, but had gone away from the ball control in your face offense they were known for. The th0ought was to integrate the two to the success of both sides of the coin, running and passing. And, by proxy, improve the red zone offense.
Well, we got last week. A surprising beat-down at the hands of a team that gained a paltry 192 yards on us, yet found a way to outscore us. The offense sputtered and staggered its way to a 13-10 loss, giving up as many sacks in the 1st half as the Rams had gotten ALL SEASON. The completely dominant game we played in StL was but a distant memory as the O line was beaten regularly by the same guys who smothered them in week 6.
Say what you will about Jeff Fisher, but he makes adjustments. The Niners? Not so much. As evidenced by the score and the way the game played out.
Anyhow, on to the Big Easy. This game takes on a ton of significance, as to the point that we are going in the wrong direction. 4-2 to 4-5 would put us behind a bunch of teams, including Seattle, to gain a playoff spot. Green Bay’s ahead of us, and NO very well might play into the mix as well. Dallas? Well, they are right on track to fade back into mediocrity as Mr. October once again becomes Ms. December.
Question is, how will the 49ers respond? They NEED this win otherwise they will be 2 games behind Seattle and way out of the division race, as Sea will beat the Giants at home, and the Cards should easily dispatch the Rams in AZ. Dallas may get a win in Jolly Old England, playing the Jaguars (shit, they play more games in London than Man U), Green Bay, as schitzophrenic as they are, play a Bears team in Lambeau that is more schitzophrenic and lousy. Lose this game and there are all of a sudden 5 other teams on them that could very well pass them up.
Still and all, this is a long season, and a lot can happen. A loss here doesn’t close the book, but it sure makes it a ton harder to get to the playoffs. And as the SF Giants showed, once you get there, all bets are off. The playing field is level, and a hot team can ride the wave.
Question is, can this team get their shit together, or will they continue to squabble and fret and constantly screw up on offense?
Forty Niners Forever 
No one is above criticizing Kaepernick. Just like no one called for the Mouse Davis offense, NoFear. But carry on with your imagined slights.
I said after the game that Kappy held the ball too long and could have avoided a couple of the sacks, but 14 sacks in 6 quarters, you think Kappy’s going to put his head down maybe?
Ball control is important. Problem is teams can blitz us AND stop the run by loading the box.
The Niners need to find a way to counter the blitzes. Once again. If they don’t it’ll be a long morning.
Emphasis on “long.”
Well then, why do you feel the need to keep denying something you never said? You also continue to insist we keep running nothing but five and seven step drop and slow developing plays which is another fiction you keep pushing. Or do you deny saying that, too?
You’re nothing if not thick-headed. It’s fine for you and 12th man to level criticisms at Kaepernick but anyone else having some thoughts along those lines is pinning it all on Kaepernick? Is that really how it works in Chuckland?
I listed over a half dozen things the team does to “counter blitzes”. What are they supposed to do, check with you? Do you think Belichick or Manning can stop the effects of a good pressure package? Why don’t they? Idiot!
The biggest things we need to do are the o-line blocking better and Kaepernick to recognize the free blitzer when they send too many to block. Even then if the defense sends more than five there’s nobody deep or someone uncovered. It’s a risk they take because Kaepernick’s not able to react to it and burn them for it.
This game, look for how many short options Kaepernick has and ignores. And look for how many one, two and three step drop plays we run.
Kaep isn’t quick to recognize single coverage either NoFear49er.
Be it short on a hot read or otherwise.
Yes, he’s missed plenty.
He seems to ignore the short middle area of the field too.
Most of his decisions seem to favor the edges, outside the numbers.
Fortunately, when Defenses have jumped those routes, his fast ball has prevented several Pick 6’s from occurring, going back to last year as well.
He’s shown some flashes but is a long way from a polished QB at this point.
I’d just like to see how we’d function with quick hitters.
Force Kaep to fire in rhythm.
Not going to be pretty tomorrow if we fall behind early.
We won’t get a break against the Saints tough d-line and Junior Galette/Parys Haralson as rush ends/OLBs. but I think we come ready to play and pull off the upset.
I’m not ready to throw in the towel either NoFear49er.
Gotta find our way on the ground in this one I think.
Frank/Carlos and Kaep need to keep the sticks moving.
Loud venue and Marcus at Center concern me too.
Good spot for the hurry up No Huddle maybe?
Gut Check time to put it mildly.
Men suck in those guts. And no eating while the game is on. Concentrate on business!
WOOF!
NoFear, none of those things you listed were done to counter blitzes. That is our normal offense. Runs off tackle? Really? Weak side runs? This is business as usual.
Screens, slants, delays. These are the customary ways to slow blitzing. In the 2nd half last week, we were still favoring deep drops for Kappy. Nothing quick. No 2 step and throw plays. We barely know how to correctly use play action for God’s sake.
And in the red zone, never have I thought, ooh look, something different. It’s the same play calling regardless of the situation. It has been noted everywhere that the offense goes back to the power formation in the red zone. It isn’t working. They AREN’T adjust their thinking in these situations, and repeat them ad nauseum.
New thread is up.