Yeah, I figured this would happen. Granted, it was the defending NFC champs on a short week and a cross-country-early game, but the team at least kept trying, despite falling way behind in the 3rd quarter. And yeah, Carolina looked like they were close to unraveling completely after a Cam Newton fumble led to a FG and the subsequent kickoff was muffed by Ted Ginn and led to a quick TD.
The truth is Carolina is a better deeper team, but the team looked good at times, and looked overmatched at times. 529 to 302 in yards tell you a lot, and TE Greg Olson beat Anthoine Bethea like a drum all day. Our single coverage on Kelvin Benjamin was beaten badly as this didn’t help the pass rush in any way. . Turnovers didn’t hurt Carolina early (Niner FG off the tipped pick) but it was a killer for Hyde as Carolina got 6 off his fumble. Gabbert looked fairly solid till he started firing picks in the end. VMcD had a great play on a deep crossing route for a 75 yard TD, but dropped a big play on the next drive when the 49ers had clawed back into the game. Next pass was picked off and the route was on.
Carolina was able to take away our run game with their defense, and it showed. Forcing Gabbert to take charge came with fair results, at least early. The Niners even had a 10-7 lead after scoring on a nice 28 yard pass to Torrey Smith. This off a Carolina fumble. But this lasted exactly one play, as Greg Olson caught a 78 yard bomb from Newton, and Carolina added a FG to close the half.
17-10 and the end of the half seemed pretty solid especially when the Niners deferred on the kickoff to start the game. Problem is, the 3rd quarter started with 2 three-and-outs sandwiched around two long TD drives that the defense couldn’t get stops on. So a one-TD lead became a three-TD lead. After cutting it to a 34-27 deficit, the Niners once again couldn’t stop Carolina to the tune of 7-15 on 3rd downs. That needs to improve. Yeah, it was hotter than shit, and the aforementioned short week, yadda yadda yadda, but the team showed heart, if not consistency. All aspects played well at times, and all aspects failed at times. The signs of a young team.
Gabbert for some reason just flailed at the end as he tried to bring the team back from a 10 point deficit late. Throwing into double coverage was terrible, but it came at the heels of a big play that was dropped by VMcD. He had another game where he hit some nice passes, and threw some absolute bonehead passes, and missed another deep one. 17-36 for 243, 2 and 2 is another game where he didn’t throw for 50%. This cannot continue. He missed way too many open guys, and again threw check downs off no pressure.
On defense, the pass rush was nowhere to be found. O’Neill left the corners out on their own, and Newton took advantage. And as mentioned, Olson had the game of his life as he toasted Bethea with regularity. Benjamin as well. Tough game against a team that looked like the defending NFC champs.
We played like a young team coming off a short week and a cross-country flight. Sloppy and inconsistent. Thing is we get another road test in Seattle next week. The schedulers just love us. And for what it’s worth, the whole division is 1-1 right now.
Forty Niners Forever 
Some good news.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/nfl-penalizes-seahawks-violating-rules-pete-carroll-fined
The team was fined 400K, cheatin Pete was fined 200k and they lost a 5th round draft pick for repeat offenses.
The Niners aren’t cutting Kappy despite the impetus to do so. He’s either traded or he starts some time soon. This Seattle game will determine the course of the future. Another haphazard effort from Gabbert likely will give Kaepernick the nod.
This team is basically in tryout mode at the QB position. Sucks that it has to happen in the regular season, but this year is a transition year. They hopefully (hello, Trent?) draft a QOTF (quarterback of the future) next year, and build from there.
I’m not so sure Chuck, Kap is a huge injury risk for them. I said about week 4 but might be a little longer while the spotlight is on him for his protest. Not a good look to cut the martyr.
They’ve already paid him so i don’t think they are worried about that.
The kneel down shit has pretty much subsided anyway so all he has to do is put up or shut up.
I don’t think you follow. I am talking about his guaranteed injury money for next year. If he gets hurt this season, playing or practice, and isn’t healthy by April 1st 2017, like he wasn’t on April 1st 2016, then he is getting another 14 million from the 49ers.
So far he gets his 12 mil this year minus game checks for each game he doesn’t play.
The safe bet is to cut him and only be on the hook for this money. That or bubble wrap him like RG3
Bad enough they are paying so much for a backup, it becomes tragic if he gets another buttload of money from injury.
Practice makes perfect. Chip must schedule a lot of practice.
Hmm, the Niners score 55 points in 2 games and NoFear thinks the offense is a problem?
Granted Gabby isn’t doing very much,and we’ve had too many 3 and outs, but scoring points is scoring points. We didn’t hit 55 points last year till game 5 last year.
The Panthers and the Rams are 2 of the better defenses, aren’t they NoFear? No, they suck. That’s your point, right? No? What is your point? That fucking Geep Chryst. Now HE could score points. Seriously?
And funny how you don’t clamor for my return at the playpen but piss and moan over Dennis and freedom of speech here. All I did in Skeeberland was disagree with the prevailing bullshit over there. Dennis posts racists screeds and I disagree with you Harbaugh worshippers. As usual, you espouse false equivalencies. So, blow me, skippy. Save your righteous indignation for someone who gives a fuck.
Being a hypocrite is fairly easy on 2 blogs. Esp. when you run for cover under skeebie’s skirts. At least I didn’t call you a corpse and literally bury you.
I mean really. It’s obvious to all but the densest (hello bakkenbullitreddoggtouchdowntommy) that everyone over there reads this blog. That you are all to scared to post here makes my day. Especially you Phil. You went ’round the bend all by yourself and blamed the world.
Hyuk!
Because of your screed I went to the cancer site and read the last couple of posts. One thing is for sure, Skeebs is still a good writer. I don’t see what NoFear said that was so bad. Phil’s account of what happens here is funny shit. And NoFear and I both used Colinoscopy about the same time. He must have gone to the Seahawks sight and seen their fan say we are having a Colinoscopy too. It is a great word. I wish I would have read it from NoFear so I could have stolen another phrase from him! LOL!
Gotta say I stole it myself, from a fellow VFOG on a SF site so I can’t make a claim to it.
Just want to check, is this really the resurrected NF or just Bullitt again?
If it’s Bullitt he had a personality transplant.
Lol, playing possum?
Bullit would have to hijack my email address to log in to wordpress as NoFear49er and my password to hijack my customized SF crest avatar. If he could do all that he could be posting as you, too.
It was tongue in cheek NF, because the other thing he would have to do is grow a pair. Glad the rumor of your demise was premature.
I am so glad the Rams took Goff over Wentz.
yeah he looks good so far.
I’m watching the Eagles and Bears thinking to myself, who the hell had issues with Wentz? He’s fucking tough and accurate as hell with all of this throws. He’s taken several shots tonight while delivering the ball on the money and there’s nothing at all tentative about him. He’s a gunslinger. That’s the kind of guy we need. He looks really good to me.
I don’t think Kap brings anything to the table that necessarily improves things. He’s never been an accurate passer and he doesn’t read defenses for shit. Putting him in would be change for the sake of change. I just think 2-3 games is too early to make determinations about QB. Like Berger said, you have to give the offense time to become synched in game situations, not just practice.
If the argument is that Kap would run better, well Gabbert has been running just fine so far. Gabbert can go from making a brilliant throw on one play to a worm-burner on a screen play on the next. His problem lies between the ears, imo, but how does bringing in Kap so soon fix that issue? He’s the biggest head case in the league.
The Seattle game will be a good test because they are beatable right now. Wilson’s injury is worse than they are letting on, so getting after him is going to be huge, as will running the ball. The fucking Clink has been a bugaboo for the Niners since the goddamn thing opened and it’s about time they came up here and kicked some ass.
Remember Case Keenum? Well he did a pretty good job of carving up that defense yesterday, and hit a number of deep balls. If he can do it, Gabbert sure as hell can. The offense needs to be balance, which it wasn’t yesterday. Gotta run to keep the defense honest.
Thomas Rawls is also hurting from that nasty ankle break at the end of last year, so you’re basically looking at Christine Michael for a running game. He’s been pretty good, but stoppable.
Was listening to the color commentary during the LA/’Hawks game yesterday regarding the plans for Goff.
Didn’t know, until I heard them report it, that Goff never called plays or, operated from under Center in College.
All I can say is…WTF?
All those Picks dealt for a project QB?
Hey, it’s LA. Local media draw, I guess?
Look where we are right now, trying to get Kaep adjusted to the Pro-Level requirements of the QB position.
Yeh, he’s getting WAY overpaid to warm the bench, and protest, but, he came cheap enough in the Draft.
Goff never played a down in a pro set, either. Aaron Rodgers sat for years; it worked for him. Of course, he had McCarthy and Favre to learn from and Goff has Fisher and Keenum. Oops, that’s kinda where the plan fails.
Well RT, it’s good for us I guess?
They’ll be going the same route we did.
Run and play Defense until they can roll him out there to produce some Offense.
I was extremely high on Wentz prior to the Draft but, never in a million years did I think he was worthy of all the jockeying that took place to select him where he went.
I was hoping we could’ve stolen him in RD2 or 3.
Another reason I’m only a Jr GM wannabe 😀
NJ- You were the first person to bring him up. At least for me.
I got an early start on my Draft homework last year Berger.
Watching 9er football in ’15 was just too eff’n painful.
Liked everything about Wentz’s numbers and, coming from a small College program, I expected that he’d fly under the radar.
So much for that perspective.
As for Kaep?
I’m still holding hope for him to be dealt to the NYJ.
We take Mo and his Contract, for Kaep and his Contract.
Hoping Fitz will implode sooner than later and bring that discussion to a boil.
Geno Smith should be selling pretzels on game days.
He’s not going to provide them with any future solutions.
Not gonna happen. Gabbert has a .243 career winning percentage and Kelly likes to win. Chip will give Kappy a chance sooner and later. I’m starting a rumor now. The Niners trade three 1st rounders for Jackson of Louisville in the draft.
I think the clock is ticking in Baalke’s head as to when the best offer might come for Kaep RT.
If someone experiences a Teddy Bridgewater-type injury situation and, becomes desperate enough for a plug and play QB it could happen.
Biggest caveat is the Contract numbers attached to Kaep.
However, that could be offset by the fact that it’s only a pay-as-you-go structured deal.
We’d likely have to show him in some game action to enhance those chances however.
Seeing as he’s working on the Afro Puff, and his National Anthem posturing, he might be a bit too preoccupied to pay attention to his Day Job responsibilities now.
Was reading of some grumblings coming from the DC Clan regarding Cousins too.
He’s got a Brinks truck full of money attached to him as well, with little to nothing to show that he’s earning it through his play.
It’s no secret that successful NFL teams live, or die, with their QB play.
The best line about Kap was somebody said he looks like Angela Davis. I think it was Winder?
He does
ROFL. Perfect.
Another QB I thought would have worked for Chip was Dak Prescott.
Wentz has looked terrific, no doubt, a record setting night (first two games as a rook, no turnovers).
But the Iggles have played the Browns and the Bears. I’ll hold off crowning him until I see him play an NFL team.
I’m waiting for his first signs of Rookie-itis myself.
That’s when the City of Brotherly Love will turn on him.
Not a patient bunch, by any stretch.
Chip Kelly was the next coming of Vince Lombardi in Philly early on too.
Once the League caught on, and his Roster trimmings began, they couldn’t get him out of town fast enough.
City of Rabid Myopic Morons IMO.
I guess if you’ve grown used to the likes of Foles and Sanchez and Bradford, a smart young QB who wins his first two looks really, really good.
They turned on Donovan McNabb after he lost the SB RT.
They don’t come any more fickle than that Sports bunch.
I honestly didn’t think that much of Wentz, I still would have drafted Goff ahead of him. He may take a little time but he still is one of the best passers I have ever seen.
Berger you can put Cleveland on hold for any Kaep considerations.
Looks like they’ve opted for Charlie Whitehurst –
http://tinyurl.com/z9jqkkr
A sure sign that the end is near…
No bullpen. No bullpen. No bullpen.
No one is taking on that salary. Kappy is here. We ain’t cutting him. He ain’t disappearing.
Be that as it may NJ, we have at least scored 55 points against 2 good defenses.
Did they all forget how Chip coached in Philly? did all that tape go missing?
14 of those points came in the Rams game after Keenum threw that back breaking INT. Playing 14 down late after that is tough.
14 of those points came in the Panthers game after great D and ST plays in the 4th qtr.
I wouldn’t hop on the Gabbert offense bandwagon.
Agree Chuck.
We’re miles ahead of last years’ debacle of an Offense.
Topic being, what do we pay Kaep to do?
Granted, he might come around.
Bigger topic is whether his Contract is prohibitive as a backup.
The injury risks are very similar to what DC had to make a decision on with RGIII last year.
Now they’re paying Cousins, who isn’t producing any better than Gabbert at this point.
Tough spot for Baalke in terms of how to handle that call.
If Kaep isn’t making a serious threat to Gabbert in short order, his Contract vs Gabbert/Ponder options becomes the question.
Gabbert is showing signs of being gun shy, which is pretty much what he did in JAX.
His OL is miles better right now, yet he’s still rushing things.
He could settle down as the game reps increase, which is what we’re hoping for.
If that doesn’t occur, we’re onto the ‘money decision’.
We know the Seattle DL is formidable as well.
If our OL can erase, or diminish that factor, we stand a chance.
2 games in is no time to panic.
It’s a debate about the longer term decision.
Seattle with a hobbled Russell and an OL that looks out of sync, is something we should be able to exploit.
Of course, we’ll have to see how that develops on Sunday.
We were in the Carolina game in terms of play calling.
It was the play execution that didn’t happen.
That aspect has to improve in order for the Chip Offense to really be effective.
Pick up the tempo, give our Defense a rest and, maybe we steal one on Sunday.
Bochy has lost it. He might have 3 WS titles but he sucks now. He needs to shove his Saber Metrics up his butt. For over 125 years they play traditional double play depth. Casilla had a perfect double play ball two nights ago and Crawford was not in a traditional double play position. Ball goes up the middle and everybody blames Casilla. It was the coaching staff’s fault. Same thing tonight except Panik was not playing double play depth. Ball goes up the middle. It was not the pitcher’s fault, it was the coach’s fault. The reason the traditional double play depth has been played for over 100 years is it works. Saber Metrics is for reference and fantasy leagues. Bochy needs to realize his baseball acumen should not be replaced by some numbers service.
Careful, Bergs, you’re teetering on the brink of blasphemy.
Chuck, I think I have one in spam. It’s a baseball post.
Word[ress is being a bitch/
Double play depth is the least of the Giants problems. Bochy’s problem is praying to the Grail of the lefty lefty matchup. He switches pitchers every batter late in games and it isn’t working. Casilla has blown a ton of saves. And not on ground balls. That’s 30 blown saves for the team. ANd 10 this month I think.
We are far from an offensive juggernaut, but we didn’t hit 55 points til game 5 last year.
Gabbert is playing like he’s under seige yet he didn’t get hit til late in the 3rd quarter last week. If he keeps playing like this, he’ll be replaced. He rushes his throws, doesn’t set his feet, and checks out of plays too fast. WIll Kappy be better? I don’t know, but at least he takes shots further downfield. The sideways pass for a 2 yard loss on 3rd and 10 was astonishing in its stupidity. It’s like he wanted nothing to do with the play. That wasn’t the only option, mainly because there were no blockers within 15 yards, but that is where he went.