Funny thing is, for all the turmoil and angst, the 49ers are one game out of the hunt. Beat the Raiders, and Hawks (right) and all is good. I mean really, all we have to do is pass Dallas or Deetroit. If we somehow beat Seattle, our life will be good.
Then again, who am I kidding? The Niners could barely beat the Giants, and they promptly lost to Jacksonville. The Niners put up a paltry 16 on the Skins, and Indy dropped a 49 spot on them. The lowly Rams dropped 52 on the Raiders so we should get about 9.
Shit, I don’t know. If this team was middle-of-the-road offensively, we’d be 9-3. As it is we are teetering on the brink of losing our head coach, among other staff members. Is it the right path? Well, seeing as this was the make-or-break year for Harbaugh, and he’s played his part in this charade as well, I think he’s as good as gone. Barring some kind of majic offensive mojo turnaround.
Harbaugh did give his blessing to Roman’s play calling for the rest of the year, so it looks like we go 9-7 and miss the playoffs.
Forty Niners Forever 
We live in interesting times and that’s a curse. But still interesting, entertaining and even educational here in Ninerland.
Do believe this will end in a new contract/extension or the firing of HC. Believe Jim holds the cards and if he wants to sit back and recruit his new staff, interview prospective owners, evaluate players he can do just that while Jed ponies up the $5M.
It’s serious matter firing a successful HC and hope the owner/FO cabal are up to making good decisions. Loved Jimi’s comment “I have a recessive gene when it comes to worrying about my future: I don’t worry about my future”. Is this man folding? No way.
It’s been reported for quite sometime Phil, Jim loves chaos.
He’s wound tighter than most, that’s for sure.
He’s got 48 wins NJ. He’s not worried about his future. He will pick and choose and win another 48 somewhere else.
He’ll learn from his mistakes whether he stays or goes. But he’ll be fine. Lots of teams need a Harbaugh. And with his record and having been a player, players will buy into his system.
If you were an assistant here looking to make your bones in coaching, and Harbaugh offered to hire you in his new job, would you stay here or go with JH? ( sans promotion offer in either case)
Happened to the best of them NoFear49er.
Belichick and Pete each had their early failures before fine tuning their craft elsewhere.
Jim had a good situation here talent-wise when he arrived.
Should he go the route of Oakland, he’d likely have the option to have more input from a personnel perspective, but, he’ll also have a tougher timeline to find success.
As he’s been loyal to his current assistants, he’d likely retain many of them if he moves on.
Oakland would afford him excellent Draft positioning as it stands now however.
Sure, no shame in that. Especially with the record he’d leave with now. He now knows what was easy for him and what caused him the most problems as HC. And that’s the trouble with hiring a first-timer. The Peter Principal.
or peter principle. damn spell check! lol
In conclusion: They’re still bleeping lousy. Period. Beating the Raiders will not change a thing.
True, but losing to the Raiders could change a lot of things.
Lol Berger you got that right. Don’t see a loss to the Raiders on Sunday
I was listening to Trent Dilfer on national radio yesterday. He did not say it outright but he was sure critical of the 49ers play calling. He was openly critical of the offense, in general. One question he asked was why the 49ers can’t run the read option. He said the read option is here to stay, every team runs it. How can we possibly have the best read option QB in the game and not be able to run it. Great question. He should talk to me, I have already explained why. I’m sure he knows why too.
I saw a play this week-end that made me think coaching can’t be that hard. Denver had a 3rd and short and were in the read option formation withy the RB to the right of the QB. KC loaded that side of the defense. I just thought what an ignorant DC. Of course the run went to the left and of course it was wide open and of course it was the players fault for most fans. With that formation the runs go to the left almost always and the coach left it wide open. Blame the players if you don’t understand the game, but the coach screwed that up with aplomb.
Yes plenty of coaching mistakes every week, every game, every team like your example but there”s a huge bias to yack about execution because it’s easier to see.
Where is the run game?
“McDonald grades as one of the Top 3 run-blocking tight ends in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. Left tackle Joe Staley and left guard Mike Iupati rank among the Top 3 in run blocking for their respective positions as well. Overall, only Baltimore and Philadelphia are graded as better run-blocking teams than San Francisco at this point in the season.”
Oh here it is:
” Opponents easily recognize the 49ers tendencies and are prepared for them. Frank Gore has been held to under 40 yards in five games this season, including only 10 yards on six carries against Arizona in Week 3. It’s his lowest output since Seattle held him to nine yards on seven carries in the final regular season game of 2011.”
The better D teams have caught up and are not fooled. Players execute the called plays. If the D knows what is coming that play far less chance of success. We can look at exactly which player was not able to execute the play and say it is his fault so why not also look at why the D knows the teams tendencies?
Isn’t that what they brought an ex HC in to do, scout the teams tendencies, because they know they are not fooling anyone?
The ex HC brought in to spot our tendencies is now our TE coach. Is it a coincidence that our TEs are having their worst year I can ever remember? The only time I remember our TEs doing this poorly is with Martz, but that was because Martz didn’t much use TEs. This offense is supposed to rely heavily on TEs. I strongly believe that Jim needs to hire a competent OC and let him take control of the offense.
Me too.
There is a strong tendency to blame player execution by coaches, it is easy to see a dropped pass, a missed block and the only time I’ve ever heard a coach say “Bad play call” was Jim Harbaugh, once.
This is called covering your ass.
From Chris Sims:
“The talent around him, you look at the receivers – Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson, Anquan Boldin – they are not game-breakers,” Simms said on “NFL Monday QB” on the CBS Sports Network. “Those are names and names only. They are not keeping defensive coordinators up late at night. (Opponents) are not worried about how they’re going to stop Michael Crabtree.”
I really wanted D Jackson when he was available. Yes a problem child, but a real game breaker. Turns out the Niners were close to signing him and should have. Still need someone like that. Time is ticking on the core of this team, a few pieces and a new OC is all I want for Christmas this year.
This is the full piece from Branch:
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2014/12/02/speed-bump-49ers-offense-missing-vertical-threat/
I found the Brent Jones article NF.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/former-49ers-te-jones-questions-kaps-football-obsession
I read it and he makes good points. He falls short of saying Kap is not studying enough but it is implied and that could be the case. He also says they need a burner WR.
Not sure why you think this blog wouldn’t post it, he makes general points that make sense.
I just listened to Brent Jones. I agree with what you are saying. He said running QBs don’t watch film, he did not say Kap doesn’t. If I was the radio host I would have asked him directly if he is saying Kap does not watch film, just to clarify. I would not assume either side of the argument.
I had the same thoughts, why not just ask him?
Because asking him would ruin the innuendo narrative that “Brent thinks Kap doesn’i study enough”. Better to have you think that than have Jones deny it outright. You see smears are the stock in trade by leaving it vague. You guys are too honest and factual.
Please work on being a little more slimy.
Like the horsecrap out of east coast media about : Losing the players, rift, dissension in locker room. Repeated here on this blog sadly. Latest to refute is Lattimore who says for the record “The players love Jim Harbaugh”. Long line of players have said same but some jokers are using BS to “up the pressure”. Lies? Now here are some documented lies. It’s not he Players who dislike Jimi now is it? Wonder who does?
Harbaugh laughs at this stuff. As do most of the players. I wonder who wants us to believe it tho? Hmmmm?
Chuck my post to this comment did not appear. Help!
Now on Skeebs blog I can see why someone might say why are they only posting articles and opinions that support the case for Kap being the main problem. You don’t see any other viewpoint there IMO. In fact after the link to Brent’s piece posted by Bullit, he claims Brent is saying Kap doesn’t study enough, which he clearly does not say, Brent talks in general about athletic QB’s.
Also odd that the articles by former players talking about poor scheme, disgruntled players, obvious disfunction, don’t seem to get an airing.
Yes I noticed that too. There are several agendas at work here and there
There was another viewpoint dominating the blog until he got upset his “don’t ridicule Alex Smith” buddies weren’t blindly following him with his “Kaepernick can do no wrong” stance. He loves piling on others with a different view but isn’t up to it when he’s on the receiving end I guess.
And that left “it’s the coaching, obviously, take off the blinders” Phil and he bailed quicker than a press corner playing zone.
And then there’s Chuck. He’s posting more there than here. So WTF you talkin’ ’bout Willis? Plenty of opinions floating around there.
Maybe I misunderstood your point. I thought you were saying/implying individuals here only post something that supports their theory. That is what I am talking about Willis, Bullit et al do exactly that.
This is where you are full of it. like I said. It’s a broken record. It gets boring. It is like ramming your head against a wall. A cognizant conversation cannot be had there. It is believed the coaching can’t have anything to do with the bad offense. Everything that can be said has been said. It is all repeat info now. When something changes creating new info I’ll rejoin. For now the fact Bullit won’t come here makes it a much better place to be. He is a nauseating man. Skeebers is wrong but I can communicate with him. You never say anything so there is never anything anyway. We know you don’t think coaching matters much, maybe a little. I think it matters a lot. I don’t mind you differing but you just ridicule without committing to opinion. Nothing there. Besides, you weren’t there much until I left. Hmmm! I didn’t run off, I just have nothing to say over there. When something changes I’ll be back.
Don’t worry Bergs we have Chuck to tilt away over there. What a job!
Can you guys seriously be saying you see players blowing assignments and writing it off as unimportant to the failure of a play while being firm about insisting it has to be something you can’t see or know instead? Preach on.
My comment about not posting Jones’ article here was for Chuck. He dismisses Jones’ take and says his opinion of Kaepernick is more informed. I’m sure you read that on Skeebers’ site as well.
By the way, the whole thing was about Kaepernick, not QBs in general.
I haven’t seen any articles from players talking about poor scheme. Gotta link?
Don’t have time to look right now NF but Eric Davis, Steve Young spring to mind.
He was speaking about Kap for parts of that interview but stopped short of saying Kap doesn’t study enough. He generalized about athletic QB’s in general relying on their skillset too much. I guess its how you choose to interpret it.
Sure, players blow assignments with good play calling. They blow more assignments with bad play calling. Players blowing assignments is going to happen. It is a problem but that is not the biggest problem, the biggest problem is bad play design creating more blown assignments than necessary. Listen to the players if you care to. Seems you don’t want to. “Dumb Schemes, “we were out schemed”, “we have the best offensive players since I’ve been here” and “we are too predictable’ have all come out of current players mouths recently. Choose to listen to them or not, I don’t really give a rats ass. But if you ignore those statements it tells me all I need to know about your agenda. It is not objective.
That’s bullshit. You’re taking vague references out of context and trying to build a case on that while ignoring a mountain of evidence to the contrary.
If that’s your opinion, fine. But it’s not the be all end all you think it is. You try to miscast what I write by saying I think it’s all on the players and none if it is on the coaching. I’ve never said that, it just sounds better to paint the opposition as unreasonable.
You still think Mike Nolan was a good HC. Enough said.
There are agendas at work here too. Mainly coming from certain individuals but I don’t really notice the overall trends b/c ‘so what?’
NoFear, it’s just like the shit that Dilfer said about the locker tom being toxic. When pressed by Steve young, Dilfer backpedalled furiously because he said he based it on what he saw on the sidelines, not on direct knowledge.
Same case with Jones. He basing what he says on observation, not direct knowledge of the situation.
Or are you goin with Bullit’s ‘I think they talk’ deal.
Well, I’m sure Jones and most ex-players have contacts inside the building or on the team they talk with if they want to. But I think Jones can speak on his own with quite a bit more authority than you. That doesn’t mean he’s right and you’re wrong automatically but it’s disingenuous to hold up one ex-players thoughts to support your opinion and dismiss another’s because he says something opposed.
NoFear, crabs, staley, and nowiller have gone on record regarding the scheme. Sherman had said for. 2 years that he knows our plays based on formation. Take that with a grain of salt, but the results speak for themselves.
BLEEP REDUX II
Berger, on the play you said was a terrible defensive call by the Chiefs; was it the end of the third quarter? 3-1 on the KC28? Where Manning passes on most third downs and had trips lined up on the right side? I can’t find another third and short that was a run gainer.
Read option for Peyton Manning? I don’t think so. What’s the option?
Sounds like you don’t understand the read option.
Maybe it was 4th and one, or two. Please don’t be a Bullit. The play happened. If you don’t want to believe me then don’t. I don’t care.
Yeah, there’s the asshole I know. You just want to throw out any shit and not be bothered with facts or other people’s pov.
You think I don’t understand the read option? What’s Manning going to do, keep it and run outside if the end man crashes down for the dive?
Another comment proving you don’t understand the read/option. Sometimes it is better that people wonder if you are a fool instead of opening your mouth and erasing all doubt.
Put it this way, NoFear. If Bruce Arians had Kappy instead of Stanton, or even Palmer, do you think Kappy would be doing better than he is now?
Peter King thinks so. He said on the radio yesterday that if Arians had Kap that Kap would be doing great.
What team did Peter King coach? I think I missed that.
I know, anyone who agrees with you is a genius and anyone disagreeing doesn’t know football.
I know he knows more about football than you do.
Well, I don’t know. Neither do you or Peter King. You made the same argument about Alex Smith. Is he doing better now?
Would our offense be doing better with a better QB?
I think Alex is doing fine at KC. They have had some issues the last two weeks but Alex is doing fine. I trust Peter King’s football knowledge more than yours. In fact, with your biases it is impossible to know your football knowledge. We do know your agenda.
It’s week 14 and how many TD passes to WRs does Alex have? Who lost last week with a wild throw? Same ol’ Alex. And same ol’ Berger saying he’s doing great.
Find the word “great” in there. Just more of your obfuscation. We are used to that.
You cite the won/loss record for Harbaugh, does Alex have a different NoFear standard?
Pete Carrol has outcoached Jim Harbaugh since they have been at these two teams. That is just a fact. I’d rather talk about that than Bullits constant Kap is a bad QB agenda. We know how Bullit feels. How about a different subject. Bring up Carrol outcoaching Harby and the subject changes to what Cosell said about Kap. Bring up Gore is not running like he used to, somehow that is Kap’s fault too. Until the subject changes, Bullit is too nauseating to be around. I think Kap is a good young QB with a chance to be great. That cannot be an opinion over there without some pictures of how Kap missed an open receiver last game. 12th told me of Kap’s short comings yesaterday and I agreed. That was that. Next topic please.
Since Harbaugh chose Kap, if one does not like the choice of QB why does the coach get a pass? If it is the QB it is the coach. Never forget that fact. So it is the OC or the QB or both. We’ve established that. Either way, Harbaugh is the coach responsible for both. We even know everyone’s opinion. Here I can be civil without Bullit throwing up on the site with his overbearing pursuit of misinformation that he thinks is accurate because of his interpretation of the info that he calls facts. Besides, I’m sure Unca is keeping him in check. Maybe I’ll go over there and read some of the posts. Or maybe I won’t. I used to care but things have changed. At least here I can have a decent confab about my Niners!
That’s fine. I agree Carroll has outcoached Harbaugh and just about everyone else. I remember writing as much when no one else here agreed.
You never allowed any criticism of Kaepernick without an onslaught of disparaging posts toward the poster. The same as you did with Alex Smith. You didn’t object to Bullit’s methods when he was on team Alex with you.
If you want to have “discussions” you’ll have to concede that there’s likely two or more valid positions involved.
When have I ever said Kap is not still developing? I have said he would develop faster with a better system. I sat on the fence with Alex. I pointed out Alex had bad OC’s. When Harbaugh came I made my mind up Alex is a good QB. Because I wasn’t an Alex hater you labeled me on Bullit’s team of loving him. Difference is with Kap, I think he is a good QB. He needs a better system which isn’t so anti of what his strengths are. Our OC does not look to know how to do that. And now we hear about the too many cooks in the offense. But I guess that article is BS since you don’t agree. Got it.
Do you think if a coach is outcoached it affects how a young QB performs? Why does Kap perform worse against Seattle than other teams?
Well, I agree wholeheartedly, bergs. Still though it is fun to guck with Bullit.
“I think Jones talks to Rathman about Karpernick’s film study habits” is just fucking laughable.
Harbaugh told the media that Kap looks at film of the last game after each game. I wonder if they fact checked that with Brent Jones?
“Everybody” has agendas of various kinds, that normal. Where it gets weird is when someone with an agenda will not own it up front. Where they need to prove the other POV /guy “wrong” to the point of irrationality, hostility, imbecility. We see that here sometimes and more at Skeebs with certain people. Also that blog attracts some people who enjoy rigidly insisting on their POV and glory in dominating and controlling, so they think, others who disagree. Here not so much.
What we have here is a similar (human) dynamic w/o the name calling, hostility, so echoing what Bergs said = we can have, do have, more rational, enjoyable discussions about the Niners. Some people prefer that or like myself, not really caring, will drop in at the other blog with my POV popular or not. Often too people get caught up in “either/or” scenarios and will not see the others POV = “It is both/and” povs to some degree.
You mean, don’t tell me how to think! I’m here to tell you how to think! And I have some numbers and pictures to prove it! And I can speak louder and longer than you to prove it! LOL!