The 49ers had a number of heroes against the Giants, some of whom were trumpeted to the rafters and others who went largely unnoticed. Sunday’s 27-20 triumph over New York was a landmark triumph for this team, not only because it finally got the attention of the national media based in the east coast – it was a nationally televised game against the team that plays in the number one media market – but also for the first time they scored in the mid-20’s (and it could’ve been higher) against a respectable defense without Frank Gore contributing heavily.
Make no mistake, the way the Giants played defense against the 49ers will be the norm, rather than the exception, going forward. One good passing game by Alex Smith (and I mean that in terms of yardage, he’s had plenty good games in terms of efficiency) is not going to change how opposing defenses view this team overnight. They’re going to have to prove it again and again. Defenses are gonna stack the box and make it difficult for Gore to run.
The important thing to realize is that this is nothing new. It’s true that Gore had five straight games of 100 yards rushing before the Giants game – where according to my Bodymedia monitor I got more exercise than he did – but all we need to do is go back to the first three games of the season when Gore was averaging a mere 2.5 yards-per-carry and some folks were wondering aloud whether that three-year extension the team gave him was a big mistake. Sure, it’s a lovely thought to think that the running game just up and improved because of the changes at right guard (Adam Snyder replacing Chilo Rachal) and fullback (Bruce Miller replacing Moran Norris), and while those guys have surely had a positive effect, the fact of the matter is the 49ers had the fortune of playing a succession of teams that are terrible at defending the run.
For Philadelphia and Detroit, I’ve written about this before. They play that reckless, gambling, “Wide Nine” defensive front, which is a defense that is hell bent on getting after the passer at the expense of giving up massive running lanes. It’s a defense that, theoretically, one would want to draw up against Green Bay or New England, perhaps even New Orleans. However using it against the 49ers just plays into their hands. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, lost their best run defender in defensive tackle Gerald McCoy early in the game, which severely compromised their defense. You’ll note that they haven’t exactly stopped anybody since the 49ers game. Cleveland, if not the least talented team in the NFL is at least in the top three, while Washington stopped caring a while back.
My point is that except for a four or five game scheduling anomaly in midseason, the way the Giants played the 49ers is hardly new, especially among 4-3 defenses. We saw it for most of the Mike Singletary era and even during Mike Nolan’s term. It will be on Smith to make the practice stop, and honestly I don’t know how many good games in a row he’ll have to have for them to. That being said, I agreed with what Braylon Edwards said during a Wednesday interview session about the 49ers showing in their last game that they could pass from the classic drop back offense and not just out of the play-action or run sets. Obviously Edwards was exaggerating somewhat as Smith has thrown plenty from shotgun in 3rd-and-long, in two-minute drills and in situations when the team has been trailing, but really this was the first time they relied on the passing game for a whole half not because they had to but because they wanted to, which Steve Young basically implored them to do last week on the radio.
Still, it’s worth noting that Smith didn’t complete a pass to starting receivers Braylon Edwards (who wasn’t running well at all) or Michael Crabtree in the last 35 minutes of the game. Really, the stars of the passing game were Delanie Walker and Ted Ginn, despite his disastrous drop that turned into an undeserved interception for Smith. Ginn made a couple of nice catches on the boundary and had a big third down grab early in the game. The 49ers wisely take advantage of defenses playing off Ginn with underneath routes, but you get the feeling that one of these days they’ll uncork a long one to him. What we do know is this group of tight ends and receivers – including Kyle Williams, who has a couple of packages per game – is as deep as the team’s had in ages, even without the injured Joshua Morgan.
Guards Adam Snyder and Mike Iupati both gave up a sack in the game, but otherwise the pass blocking was mostly sharp against a team that came into the game number one in the league in putting the quarterback into the turf. The run blocking looked mostly hopeless when Gore was involved, but I found it curious that Kendall Hunter was able to get off. Did the Giants have fewer in the box against him? No, not really. I think, just like the Cincinnati game, it was simply a matter of him having fresher, quicker legs and being able to find some room that a hobbled Gore could not. Hunter missed a chance of scoring a touchdown a series before he did. He had the whole right side of the field available on a cutback – with Smith as the lead blocker! – but instead he just cut back toward the right guard gap instead of all the way. Snyder redeemed himself for the sack he allowed by pulling very well on the counter play on the next series and fullback Bruce Miller sealed off a linebacker and Hunter had an easy 17-yard score for the winning points.
It’s a credit to the 49ers coaches – especially Running Backs Coach Tom Rathman – to see what was happening and protect Gore from himself in the second half. Giants end Jason Pierre-Paul hyper-extended Gore’s right knee during the second quarter, and as Gore explained afterward, he couldn’t really push off on the leg afterward. The truth of the matter though is he came into the game with a gimpy left ankle, so it’s not like he was feeling spry to begin with. Gore practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday and declared himself ready to go for Sunday’s game, but it would be smart if the coaches sat him or at least really cut down on his workload. There’s another game coming up in four days and at this stage of his career there’s no way Gore can handle 40 carries in five days. Realistically, I’m expecting the carries to be split up something like 12 for Gore, 12 for Hunter and maybe 3 or 4 for Anthony Dixon, but personally I’d give Hunter 20, Dixon 10 and Gore a nice warm seat on the bench.
Defensively the 49ers didn’t play well at all against the Giants. Eli Manning had ample time to throw for the majority of the game and he was brilliant on all but two of his throws. The pass rush was lacking – Aldon Smith didn’t breathe on Eli – and the cornerbacks had a rough day, even Carlos Rogers who had two interceptions in the game. It may have looked like the Giants were picking on rookie Chris Culliver, but really he was getting worked on because of how the Niners were lining up on defense. New York was in their three receiver package most of the game and lined up their best guy, Hakeem Nicks, across from Tarell Brown on the left side. Naturally, Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio wasn’t in love with that matchup and protected Brown as much as he could by doubling Nicks with a safety. Culliver, meanwhile was on an island against Mario Manningham. The fact that the Giants game planned to put Nicks on Brown shows who they the better corner is. Again I ask when the coaches will give Shawntae Spencer a chance.
I’m not sure who gave a good account of themselves against the Giants outside of Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. Yes, the front seven did a decent job against the run, but that’s nothing new and we take it for granted. Besides, New York was missing Ahmad Bradshaw. Justin Smith had that bat down at the end, but where was he most of the game? The safeties were poor and I have no idea why Dashon Goldson blitzed from 20 yards up the field on that 32-yard touchdown to Nicks in the fourth quarter. How long did he think Manning was going to hold onto the ball? That was a poorly designed blitz.
It’s true that Manning was sharp and that the Niners were their usual brilliant selves in the red zone (3-of-4 in not allowing a touchdown) but overall I think this game was as much of a step backward for the defense as it was a step forward for the offense, reminiscent of the way Tony Romo killed this secondary in the second half and overtime during week two and also of that Eagles game where Michael Vick and his fleet of little people effortlessly blazed down the field between the 20’s time and time again. To me, this is a bad omen should these guys face New York or Dallas again, let alone Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
On special teams there were a number of standouts. David Akers was a beast again, going 4-of-4 on field goals, including a 52-yarder. He’s now 5-for-5 on kicks of 50 yards or longer for the 49ers after never making more than two in any of his 12 seasons at Philadelphia. Andy Lee averaged 50.7 yards net on his three punts, with each of them gaining at least 46 yards of field position. Lastly, gunner C.J. Spillman drew a holding penalty on Lee’s final punt, which forced the Giants to start their final drive from 20 instead of the 30. That drive crapped out at 70 yards, you’ll notice. The 49ers continue to get attention around the league for Harbaugh, their defense, Frank Gore and Alex Smith’s resurgence, but their special teams continues to be by far their most dominating unit.
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Not buying the Cardinals
Several 49ers, most emphatically tackle Joe Staley, have said that there’s no way this will be a “trap game,” despite the Cardinals 3-6 record and the Thanksgiving “Harbaugh Bowl” at Baltimore just around the corner.
“This is a rivalry game for us,” said Staley. “We’re going to give it our best effort because they’re going to give it their best effort. These teams always give everything they have against each other.”
Well, it’s a noble idea in theory, but I don't know if the Cardinals gave it their best effort in either of their blowout losses to a 6-10 49ers team last year. The 49ers won 27-6 at Arizona on a Monday Night game in late November and had over 260 yards rushing in that one. In the regular season finale at San Francisco, with interim coach Jim Tomsula patrolling the sidelines, they won 38-7, with Alex Smith throwing for 276 yards and two touchdowns.
Yes, I do think the Cardinals will be more competitive in Sunday's game at Candlestick, but let's be clear, this should still be a mismatch. Their offensive line is in shambles and their defensive line doesn't present much of a pass rush. The 49ers should dominate the line of scrimmage. Throw in a double-team against Larry Fitzgerald and make sure there rookie Patrick Peterson doesn't break a big return and there isn't a whole lot else the Cardinals can do.
With Kevin Kolb still ailing, John Skelton is expected to start his third straight game for the Cardinals. He's won his last two starts, completing 41-of-75 passes for 537 yards, with four touchdowns, two interceptions and a 84.1 passer rating.
“He’s got good arm talent,” said Fangio. “This guy can throw the ball. He’s got an easy release. He’s got a strong arm. Kind of reminds me of [Ravens QB Joe] Flacco a little bit with his arm strength and how easy the ball comes out. His feet don’t have to be set. He can still get a lot of steam on the ball. Throws a good deep ball, and in the last couple of weeks he’s fallen in love with Fitzgerald, which is smart on his part. So, I’ve been impressed with the guy.”
We’ll all get a chance to be impressed by him on Sunday, but consider me skeptical.
I continue to think that the 49ers, if they have any plans at all of winning at Baltimore on Thursday, need to rest some of their front line guys. Reserve tackle Alex Boone should play a few series to give starters Joe Staley and Anthony Davis a blow, and backup guard Chilo Rachal can rotate in as well, to give Iupati and Adam Snyder a rest. On defense Larry Grant can sub in to give inside Bowman and Willis a breather, and young linemen Ricky Jean Francois and Demarcus Dobbs can relieve Justin Smith and Ray McDonald.
The 49ers have to be smart here and use their depth. They’ve got a bunch of players who are basically cheerleaders on the sidelines except for special teams plays. It’s about time they were utilized so that the starters can get past this two game stretch in one piece.
Naturally, Harbaugh isn’t subscribing to my theory and even if he was, he wouldn’t tell me. “We’re not saving anything for the swim back,” he responded to my question, which made me think of that dumb Ethan Hawk movie “Gattaca.”
Fangio, meanwhile, revealed a bit more. “We’re treating this like a normal game,” he said, “But if we were to think along those lines, it would be for the second game.”
The Niners taking their lumps and treating the Harbaugh Bowl as a scheduled loss? I don’t see it.
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The 49ers and Awards
So far Lee is the only 49er leading his position in Pro Bowl voting, which has caused some anger among the fans. The Pro Bowl is the meaningless All-Star game in all of sports and while everyone wants to be named to the team (mostly for incentive reasons) nobody wants to actually play. In fact, now that the game has been moved to the week before the Super Bowl instead of the week after, nobody should want their guys to be playing in that game because it means they’re not at the Big Game. Anyway, the thing to remember is that other team’s fans aren’t going to be objective and care about your players and you’re not going to be objective and care about theirs, so who cares about the voting?
Here are the guys I think deserve to go for the 49ers: Andy Lee, David Akers, Brian Jennings, Blake Costanzo, Patrick Willis, Carlos Rogers and Justin Smith.
Seven’s a pretty good number, right?
Somehow I’m thinking it won’t satisfy you. So let’s look at why the other guys miss the cut.
NaVorro Bowman: Having a sensational year, but you only get three ILBs. Urlacher and Willis are mortal locks. Will Bowman beat out guys like Desmond Bishop, London Fletcher and James Laurinitis? I doubt it. I think he may get in as an alternate if Bishop plays in the Super Bowl, as expected, but don’t rule out Fletcher taking that last spot. Bowman’s only in his second year, so let him do it again to cement his reputation.
Frank Gore: Only three backs go, and those three should be Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte.
Alex Smith: No, no, a thousand times no. Rodgers, Manning and then take your pick between Tony Romo, Jay Cutler, Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford, etc. It’s a stat thing, not a “how well you’re playing” thing. Like Bowman, Smith needs to do it more than one year.
Vernon Davis: He didn’t get in last year and his numbers are far worse now. Witten will start, with Jermichael Finley or Tony Gonzalez getting the other spot.
Mike Iupati: I can’t think of good guards at the moment, so maybe he’s got a shot. Still, he’s a young guy so maybe he’s a year away. He’s probably got the best shot of anyone on this list.
While we’re here, let’s cut out the silly chatter about Justin Smith being an MVP candidate. I know Harbaugh said it in his postgame press conference and Peter King had Smith in fourth place on his list, but let’s be serious. First of all, the engraver already put Rodgers’ name on the trophy. Secondly, Smith is not even the MVP of his own defense let alone the league. He’s a great player, a good leader, but let’s dial it down a notch. I can see Willis possibly winning a Defensive Player of the Year award, unless the voters go nuts over DeMarcus Ware or Jason Allen’s sack totals.
Also, no Alex Smith does not deserve to be a Comeback Player of the Year, for the same reason that Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong didn’t. For them to be qualified, they would have had to be good at some point in the first place and they weren’t. If Smith were coming back from a disease, I could see it, but otherwise no (although one wag in the media trailer said he “overcame Mike Nolan.”
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Not Giving A Shift
After being penalized twice in previous games for simulating the snap on shifts along the offensive line, the 49ers gained a first down on Sunday by drawing an offside from the Giants during a late Walker shift on a third down play. Harbaugh denied that the team is doing anything out of the ordinary, saying shifts are a regular part of football, but let’s be serious for a second.
We’ve all watched a million games. Even if you can’t describe it verbally, you can tell when something is off. You watch guys play basketball long enough and you can spot the hitch in their release or follow through on a free throw and predict whether it’s going to go in or not. The same thing with a tennis serve. If the movement looks off, then usually it’s going to lead to a fault. The way the 49ers are shifting doesn’t pass the eye test. The movements are sudden, and jerky. There’s a twitch. It looks for all the world like a false start, designed to get the defense to react. Also, the shift comes unusually late in the play clock. Something about it just seems off to you when you see it, and your instincts aren’t wrong.
“It’s cute, and the league has said it's a legal cute play,” said Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton. “So kudos to them for having cute plays in.”
Expect Horton to blow his lid if his guys get drawn off-side on one of these plays and Harbaugh to lose his mind if the flag goes against the Niners. The simple solution would be to just shift normally like everyone else does, but Harbaugh likes having enemies, real or imagined. He’s just wired that way.
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Week 11 Picks:
I had the Jets yesterday, so I’m already off to a great start. I’m not even keeping track anymore, my record is so depressing. I know the Niners and nothing else.
Carolina at Detroit (-7): Lions better treat this game like their season is on the line, because it is. Lions 27, Panthers
Jacksonville at Cleveland (+1): I love the Jags here, but that's because I love anybody against Cleveland. Jaguars 16, Browns 10
Tampa Bay at Green Bay (-15): The Bucs have completely fallen apart and Raheem Morris is showing his youth and inexperience with the media. We might have another Jim Mora Jr. situation on our hands. Also: The Packers are very good. Packers 38, Buccaneers 14
Buffalo at Miami (-1): Doesn't it feel like these teams should have each other's records? Dolphins 23, Bills 16
Oakland at Minnesota (+1): What a quandary. On one hand the Raiders gave up a billion rushing yards to Denver. On the other, short rest hasn't been good to teams this season. Eh, what the heck, Minny's corners are all hurt. Raiders 24, Vikings 20
Dallas at Washington (+8): Redskins will try hard just this once, for the sake of next season's ticket sales. Cowboys 23, Redskins 17
Cincinnati at Baltimore (-7): A.J. Green out for Cincy, Ray Lewis out for Baltimore. Bigger loss for the Bengals. Ravens 23, Bengals 13
Seattle at St. Louis (-3): I believe the Seahawks entire offensive line went on IR this week. That can't be good. Rams 17, Seahawks 10
Arizona at San Francisco (-10): My guess? 49ers come out throwing, hellbent for leather, trying to get a 20-point lead so they can rest some starters going into the Ravens game. 49ers 30, Cardinals 17
Tennessee at Atlanta (-7): Is it me or do the Titans either get blown out or win outright? An upset pick because why not? Titans 23, Falcons 20
San Diego at Chicago (-4): The commish of my fantasy league offered me a trade of Ryan Matthews for Shonn Greene hours before Thursday's game, which I happily accepted. Greene got injured three carries into the ballgame. What the football gods have taken away from the team I root for, they've generously bestowed upon my fantasy team. Bears 30, Chargers 23
Philadelphia at NY Giants (-6): I've got the solution to the Eagles problems. Fire Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. Hire offensive coordinator Marty Morhinweg as the new coach and Reid as the new defensive coordinator. Boom. You're welcome. Giants 27, Eagles 13
Kansas City at New England (-15): Pats should start Brian Hoyer just to be sporting. Another classic tilt for ESPN. Patriots 41, Chiefs 3
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Power Poll:
1. Green Bay (9-0)
2. San Francisco (8-1)
3. New York Giants (6-3)
4. Baltimore (6-3)
5. New Orleans (7-3)
6. Houston (7-3)
7. Pittsburgh (6-3)
8. New England (6-3)
9. Chicago (6-3)
10. Cincinnati (6-3)
11. Detroit (6-3)
12. Dallas (5-4)
13. Oakland (5-4)
14. Atlanta (5-4)
15. Tennessee (5-4)
16. San Diego (4-5)
17. Denver (5-5)
18. NY Jets (5-5)
19. Buffalo (5-4)
20. Tampa Bay (4-5)
21. Miami (2-7)
22. Arizona (3-6)
23. Jacksonville (3-6)
24. Seattle (3-6)
25. Minnesota (2-7)
26. Carolina (2-7)
27. Washington (3-6)
28. St. Louis (2-7)
29. Cleveland (3-6)
30. Kansas City (4-5)
31. Indianapolis (0-10)
4,582,593. Philadelphia (3-6)
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