49ers Dominate -- Deja Vu All Over Again

I've been through this before.  1981.  I watched in amazement as my heretofore aimless 49ers ran through over and  around the very tough Dallas Cowboys 45-14 at the Stick.  We were looking VERY good.  In the 35 years that I had been a 49er fan, since the day my dad walked me across the street to the Polo Field in Golden Gate Park to watch the "new team" in town when I was almost 4, I had never felt quite this kind of excitement.  This team was good!

Flash forward to 2011.  Last week I watched the 49ers dominate the Eagles, a team with amazing talent at the skill positions and a lack of it in the line.  The confidence this team showed during this win reminded me exactly of the Dallas game 30 years ago.  I told my wife, "Honey, the end is near".  The end of the era of Nolan-Singletary is upon us.  Our modern version of Bill Walsh has arrived, this one with a rougher edge and a killer instinct.  He has no hesitancy in "running up the score".

So, I watched the Tampa Bay game with more excitement and anticipation than I've felt approaching a Niner game since they fired Mooch. The destruction of Tampa Bay, 48-3, so beautifully crafted by Harbaugh, whose blocking schemes were brilliant, enabling both Gore and Hunter great access to the outside and lanes being blown open by a highly criticized but much improved offensive line.  Anthony Davis had the best day of his career as a 49er and deserves credit.  He is still only 21.

Harbaugh has taken his time with Alex Smith and in essence has re-programmed him.  He has taught him to truly focus, something I admit I thought was was beyond his ability.  The genius of Harbaugh is what immediately places this team right up there with the 1981 49ers.  Go back and watch the final drive by Montana leading to "the Catch".  Most of the plays were misdirection runs, short sweeps, and slants over the middle.  Walsh had Dallas so off balance they didn't know which way to turn.  Watching Tom Landry and his hat stew on the sidelines is a memory I will always cherish.

Dare I say it?  This team compares favorably with the 1981 49ers:

OFFENSE:

QB - Montana, Cavanaugh (81);  Smith, Kaepernick (11)

RB - Elliott, Patton, Ring, Lawrence (81);  Gore, Hunter, Dixon (11)

FB - Cooper, Davis (81);  Norris, Miller, Sopoaga (11)

WR - Clark, Solomon, Wilson, Shumann (81);  Edwards, Crabtree, Ginn, Williams, (Morgan) (11)

TE - Young, Ramson (81);  Davis, Walker (11)

OL - Audick, Ayers, Cross, Downing, Fahnhorst, Quillan (81);
       Iupati, Davis, Goodwin, Snyder, Staley, Boone (11)

The 2011 team is deep and presents at least the same level of talent as the 1981 team with one possibly glaring exception at quarterback.  Alex Smith will have to continue his Harbaugh-directed imitation of a top-flight quarterback in order for this team to reach the level of greatness of the team in 1981.

DEFENSE:

NT - Reese, Harty (81);  Sopoaga, Jean-Francois (11)

DE - Board, Dean, Pillers, Stuckey (81);  MacDonald, Smith, Dobbs (11)

LB - Bunz, Harper, Leopold, McColl, Puki, Reynolds, Turner (81);  Willis, Bowman, Harrelson, Smith, Brooks, Grant, Gooden (11)

CB - Lott, Wright, Thomas (81);  Brown, Rogers, Spencer, Culliver (11)

S - Hicks, Williamson (81);  Williams, Whitner, Goldson (11)

The defenses are comparable.  The 49ers introduced their almost all-rookie backfield in 1981, while this season they have brought in outstanding secondary players from elsewhere in Rogers, Whitner and Williams.  The defensive line in 1981 was solid and the foundation of the best defensive line the 49ers ever put on a field in 1984, when they added Gary "Big Hands" Johnson, Manu Tuiasosopo, Michael Carter and Jeff Stover, not to mention big Louie Kelcher.

Now it's up to the team...Remember 1981!  Go Niners...

 

   Copyright @ 2011 All Rights Reserved  
@ 1998-2011 All Rights Reserved

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Kapernick Has the Stuff

NFL.com news: Niners rookie QB Kaepernick to learn playbook through others

This is just one of the reasons I like this kid. He's eager to learn and I remember Joe Montana in his early years. He had that confidence but that impatience, yet he was catlike when he moved. Joe wasn't the fastest of all-time, but he was among the smartest. If you watched the Science video in the previous post, you can see that this kid gets rid of the ball in real hurry, despite a long throwing motion.

Like I have said before, I have seen every 49er QB that has ever played for the team. Frankie Albert was probably the most exciting -- he could fake, run, pass, and quick kick or punt. He was left-handed and could make plays where there weren't any. Tittle was the toughest, Brodie the cockiest, and Young was every bit the equal of Albert for excitement. Alex had all the physical tools, but no natural instincts. He's a thinker, and he doesn't do anything instinctually, he has to think first. You can't teach natural instincts, and Alex will never be more than barely adequate. He is like Steve Deberg (who was a far better passer) on steroids.

Kaepernick has those same cat-like qualities and intensity of interest that Joe used to have. Will he be as good as Joe? Probably not. But he will be good -- very good, and I'm looking forward to him beating Alex out in head-to-head competition to make the passing of the torch official. In a creative Harbaugh system, he'll succeed.

    Copyright @ 2011 All Rights Reserved

Singletary Shackles Smith -- Can't Remember Punting

CLUELESS BY THE BAY

Last week when Troy Smith put on a record-breaking performance by a 49er QB vs. the Rams, there was hope and joy in Niner land. Finally, the 49ers opened up the offense and demonstrated the kind of attack they are capable of launching on any given Sunday.

However, the look on Mike Singletary's face when the gun sounded ending the game foretold the future. Curiously, he raised an eyebrow and shrugged as he left the field. After the game, when any other NFL coach would have been praising his young QB for an outstanding effort, Sing was complaining that he needed to reign in Troy's bad habits. Amazing.

This was the same guy who had praised Alex Smith for "outstanding performances" in a season when Alex had none. Now, Singletary was going to make it his mission to curtail the initiative and aggressiveness of Troy Smith, traits that are essential to becoming a top QB in this league.

From the first call of the day, what else but a Gore run up the middle, any fan could see that Singletary was in control. He had his offensive coordinator, Mike Johnson, on the field and not in the pressbox, a strong clue that he wanted him nearby and under his control. Mike didn't like it when Johnson said earlier in the week that he wanted to encourage Smith's daring, not curtail it.

What followed was one of the most embarrassing offensive performances in 49er history and I should know since I've been following and rooting for this team since Frankie Albert opened their history in 1946. In a game where they were facing a team with no pass rush and where they had an opportunity to really open up the offense, Mike would have none of it. No downfield patterns, misdirection plays, or anything that could be considered creative. No, this was Mike's kind of offense. The result: a shutout.

Later, when being questioned by reporters as to why he punted on a 4th and 3 from the Tampa Bay 33 yard line, he couldn't remember it. Incredible! This guy is not only clueless, but mindless. He claims he studied under Bill Walsh. Please, Mike, forget it. Bill must be turning in his grave as he watches your Pop Warner league offense flounder.

This was embarrassing to the players, the fans, the team and the entire organization and Jed York should fire Singletary immediately. He has become a cancer on this team and is driving fans away in droves.

I supported Mike when he was appointed Head Coach. I was so wrong.






Copyright @ 2010 All Rights Reserved

"You're Fired"

I have never said anything negative about Mike Singletary -- until now. He has demonstrated a total lack of knowledge of offensive football. At halftime he said, "We have to run the ball". Raye calls three running plays up the middle when trailing 21-3. Mike sees no reason to replace him. Two weeks ago Mike said that "Alex played an outstanding game".

Stubbornness is what led to Nolan's downfall and is a trait that Mike can't seem to shake. This team is talented. Our coaching staff is clueless. He proved it by cutting our best special teams player, Michael Robinson. Now our special teams suck. No leadership that was provided by MRob. Singletary said he cut him because he couldn't find a spot for him on offense. Two seasons ago MRob caught 17 passes for over 200 yards out of the backfield during the second half of the season. And he uses Norris as a pass receiver at the goal line. Brilliant!

He keeps useless camp fodder and allows Diyral Briggs to be snatched up. He cuts the QB with by far the best talent after just one year and stubbornly keeps Alex who has proven for six years that he is the best check down QB in history. Never looks downfield and if he did he'd flutter the pass anyway.

Doesn't anyone in Niner management learn from the past?  Our best coaches have been offensive experts.  Buck Shaw was the Bill Walsh of the 1940's.  Mariucci understood offense.  Our worst coaches have been defensive "specialists" and you can go back to Jack Christensen, both Nolans although Daddy won three division crowns because he had so much talent.  Defensive oriented coaches seldom make winners.

Now Mike blames "execution, not philosophy".   That simply proves that he just doesn't get it.  Dinosaur ball will never make it in San Francisco. 

Come on, York. If this was Trump the words "You're fired" would be ringing in Mike's ears right now.

What needs to be done:

Fire Singletary; Fire Raye. Cut Alex. Start Carr.
Activate Nate Davis and get him off the practice squad before we lose him. Hire a QB mentor to work with him this season.
When he appears ready, start him and spread the offense.  Let's see a vertical passing game.  I'm getting a stiff neck watch Alex pass sideways.
Hire Jon Gruden.

The fans are behind you.  We are fed up.  Change direction now or experience an empty stadium.  







Copyright @ 2010

Will Nate the Great Lead a 49er Repeat of 1981?

NATE DAVIS #7 - The Next Great 49er Quarterback

Last August I wrote an article entitled, "Nate Davis, the Next Great 49er Quarterback".  In the forums, I was roasted.  "The kid can't read", "the kid can't spell, the kid is dyslexic", etc.  There are insulting remarks about him all over that humorous site, the 49ers forum.  Besides the fact that seemingly nobody can spell or string together more than a couple of logical sentences, it is a source of constant negativity.  I like positive.  


This was the article I wrote a year ago:

I love Mike Singletary. He is the perfect man for the job of returning the San Francisco 49ers to their former greatness. I especially feel close to the man, quite possibly because we share the same birthdate -- October 9. That makes Mike a Libra, a man dedicated to fairness, able to see both sides of the question, and a man to whom "balance" is a key word in any equation.

Mike is now faced with a dilemma. Shaun Hill is a serviceable quarterback, an excellent game manager, a fairly accurate passer with a soft arm, and a leader. Alex Smith came to the 49ers with great physical ability but no natural instincts for the position. Alex continues to take way too long to set up and deliver the ball. He makes very slow decisions which results in a very slow delivery. His passing is scattershot at best and while he has a strong arm, he is and continues to be very inaccurate. The game has never slowed down for Alex. He will NEVER be a reliable quarterback for the 49ers.

Enter Nate Davis. In two games he has demonstrated that he has a rocket arm and makes plays that the other two guys simply cannot; he is mobile and can make throws on the run the others cannot, and he makes excellent decisions. I don't care that he has only faced backups -- his ability is right there for all to see.

Most important of all is his poise. In four years, Alex Smith has continually shown that deer-in-the-headlights quality that frustrates 49er fans. Many blame his failure to excel at QB on the 49ers. They say he has been ruined by them due to having too many offensive coordinators, a poor supporting cast, etc. I say that is baloney (bologna to my Italian readers). In reading the forums and comments of many of the newer and younger 49er fans who don't even have a clue as to our winning tradition, beg and plead not to rush Davis into the fray. I read comments saying he's our QB for 2010, 2011, and even 2012.

Come on 49er fans, where is your mojo? Just because Alex Smith fell flat on his face doesn't mean that every rookie QB is incapable of starting in their first season. I think back to the greatest 49er team of all, the 1984 squad that went 18-1, the only loss being on a terrible pass interference call on Eric Wright that gave a game to the Steelers. That squad faced a young 2nd year QB, playing his first full season as a starter -- Dan Marino. The year before in his rookie season he had started only 9 games, yet threw for 20 TDs and 2210 yards. In his first full season in 1984, he threw for 5,084 yards and 48 TDs. I remember another rookie QB, Ben Roethlisberger, who had a very successful rookie season.

There is one inescapable fact. If a player is great, he can overcome just about all obstacles. Nate Davis is dyslexic, but hasn't let that stop him. In my opinion, nothing will stop this kid from greatness. Mike Singletary made one very telling observation -- that Nate was "too composed", "too calm". That quality is the hallmark of great quarterbacks.

I am now in my 64th season as a 49er fan, having seen every quarterback in Niner history from the great Frankie Albert up to the present and consider myself to be a pretty good judge of quarterbacking talent. Nate Davis possesses the most talent and ability to be seen in a 49er quarterback since Steve Young. It makes no sense to hold him back. We discovered a gem, let's polish it and put it on display.

Attention Mike Singletary -- are you listening???

Wow!  Deja vu all over again.  In 1981 Joe Montana was an untried 2nd year QB playing under a coach in his third season who had built a powerful and relentless defensive squad.  In 1981, the offense was not loaded with backfield talent with Lenvil Elliott, Ricky Patton, Johnny Davis, Walt Easley and Amos Lawrence.  The offensive backfield of the current 49ers is MUCH BETTER -- with Gore, Dixon, Westbrook and Robinson as an oh-so-valuable jack of all trades.  I still wonder why they haven't played him at safety.  He and Mays will terminate the receivers.


At any rate, NATE DAVIS is ready and waiting, and today, FINALLY, Jimmy Raye must have seen what I saw last year -- greatness just waiting to come out.  Today he announced that Davis deserved more "representative" reps.  In other words, he'll play vs. 1st and 2nd team defenses.  If he excels, there is NO WAY Raye or Sing will be able to delay the inevitable any longer.  This team will be elite with Davis at QB and average with Smith.  Time to cut our losses and get behind this kid with the rocket arm and a heart of steel.


With the solid defense we have and a punishing running game behind a huge offensive line, averaging about 325, all Davis would have to do is manage the game.  He demonstrated his natural instincts last week (something Alex has never done) with his rollouts and pump fakes.  He is a natural athlete.  Why stick with mediocrity?  


Anyone who thinks Alex improved last year, I implore you to watch the first half of the Rams game, our last game of the season and Alex's chance to blow the worst team in the league out.  52 yards!  That's 52 yards of total offense for the entire first half in what I can honestly say was one of the worst performances EVER by a 49er QB.


We have had mediocrity for a decade.  49er fans deserve better -- the players deserve better.  Give Nate a chance to prove how good he really is.  We're all behind him.


Again, are  you listening, Mike?

Niners Load Up for NFC West Title Run

With their first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected ANTHONY DAVIS, a 6'5", 323 lb offensive tackle from Rutgers.




With their second pick in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected MIKE IUPATI, a 6'5", 331 lb offensive guard from Idaho.




With their #3 overall pick, in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected TAYLOR MAYS, a 6'3", 230 lb. free safety from USC.




With their fourth overall pick, in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected NAVORRO BOWMAN, a 6'2", 240 lb. inside linebacker from Penn State.




With their fifth overall pick in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected ANTHONY DIXON, a 6'0", 233 lb. running back from Mississippi State.




With their sixth overall pick in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected NATE BYHAM, a 6'4", 268 lb. tight end from Mississippi State.




With their seventh overall pick in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 49er selected KYLE WILLIAMS, a 5'10", 187 lb. wide receiver and punt return specialist from Arizona State.




With their eighth and final pick in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected PHILIP ADAMS, a 5'10", 192 lb. cornerback from South Carolina State.

The Niners weren't finished. They then signed a host of free agents including:


LEROY VANN - DB/PR, Florida A&M




JARRETT BROWN - QB, West Virginia




PATRICK STOUDAMIRE - CB, Western Illinois
CHRIS MARAGOS - FS, Wisconsin


Analysis: GREAT JOB by Trent Baalke and Mike Singletary.

Copyright @2010. Gary Mialocq. All Rights Reserved.

2009 San Francisco 49er Roster

#	NAME	POS.	HT.	WT.	DOB	YRS.	COLLEGE
4	Lee, Andy	P	6-0	178	08/11/1982	6	Pittsburgh
6	Nedney, Joe	K	6-5	234	03/22/1973	14	San Jose State
7	Davis, Nate	QB	6-2	217	05/25/1987	0	Ball State
11	Smith, Alex	QB	6-4	217	05/07/1984	4	Utah
13	Hill, Shaun	QB	6-3	220	01/09/1980	8	Maryland
15	Crabtree, Michael	WR	6-1	214	09/14/1987	0	Texas Tech
18	Spurlock, Micheal	WR	5-10	214	01/31/1983	2	Mississippi
20	Rossum, Allen	DB	5-8	178	10/22/1975	12	Notre Dame
21	Gore, Frank	RB	5-9	217	05/14/1983	5	Miami (Fla.)
22	Clements, Nate	DB	6-0	205	12/12/1979	9	Ohio State
23	Hudson, Marcus	DB	6-2	200	11/15/1982	4	North Carolina State
24	Robinson, Michael	RB	6-1	223	02/06/1983	4	Penn State
25	Brown, Tarell	DB	5-10	193	01/06/1985	3	Texas
26	Roman, Mark	DB	5-11	205	03/26/1977	10	Louisiana State
28	Taylor, Curtis	DB	6-2	208	07/13/1985	0	Louisiana State
29	Coffee, Glen	RB	6-0	209	05/01/1987	0	Alabama
30	Smith, Reggie	DB	6-1	200	09/13/1986	2	Oklahoma
31	Bly, Dre'	DB	5-10	188	05/22/1977	11	North Carolina
32	Lewis, Michael	DB	6-1	222	04/29/1980	8	Colorado
36	Spencer, Shawntae	DB	6-1	190	02/22/1982	6	Pittsburgh
38	Goldson, Dashon	DB	6-2	200	09/18/1984	3	Washington
44	Norris, Moran	RB	6-1	250	06/16/1978	9	Kansas
46	Walker, Delanie	TE	6-0	242	08/12/1984	4	Central Missouri
51	Spikes, Takeo	LB	6-2	242	12/17/1976	12	Auburn
52	Willis, Patrick	LB	6-1	240	01/25/1985	3	Mississippi
53	Ulbrich, Jeff	LB	6-0	240	02/17/1977	10	Hawaii
54	Harris, Marques	LB	6-1	245	09/20/1981	5	Southern Utah
55	Brooks, Ahmad	LB	6-3	259	03/14/1984	4	Virginia
56	McKillop, Scott	LB	6-1	243	03/04/1986	0	Pittsburgh
59	Wallace, Cody	C	6-4	300	11/26/1984	2	Texas A&M
62	Rachal, Chilo	OG	6-4	315	03/15/1986	2	USC
64	Baas, David	G	6-4	330	09/28/1981	5	Michigan
65	Sims, Barry	T	6-5	300	12/01/1974	11	Utah
66	Heitmann, Eric	C	6-3	312	02/24/1980	8	Stanford
68	Snyder, Adam	T	6-6	325	01/30/1982	5	Oregon
69	Wragge, Tony	G	6-4	310	08/14/1979	5	New Mexico State
74	Staley, Joe	OT	6-5	315	08/30/1984	3	Central Michigan
77	Pashos, Tony	T	6-6	326	08/03/1980	7	Illinois
81	Jones, Brandon	WR	6-1	212	10/06/1982	5	Oklahoma
83	Battle, Arnaz	WR	6-1	208	02/22/1980	7	Notre Dame
84	Morgan, Josh	WR	6-0	219	06/20/1985	2	Virginia Tech
85	Davis, Vernon	TE	6-3	250	01/31/1984	4	Maryland
86	Jennings, Brian	LS	6-5	242	10/14/1976	10	Arizona State
88	Bruce, Isaac	WR	6-0	188	11/10/1972	16	Memphis
89	Hill, Jason	WR	6-0	202	02/20/1985	3	Washington State
90	Sopoaga, Isaac	DL	6-2	330	09/04/1981	6	Hawaii
91	McDonald, Ray	DE	6-3	290	09/02/1984	3	Florida
92	Franklin, Aubrayo	DT	6-1	317	08/27/1980	7	Tennessee
93	Evans, Demetric	DE	6-4	275	09/03/1979	8	Georgia
94	Smith, Justin	DE	6-4	285	09/30/1979	9	Missouri
95	Jean Francois, Ricky	DE	6-3	295	11/23/1986	0	Louisiana State
96	Balmer, Kentwan	DE	6-5	315	10/15/1986	2	North Carolina
98	Haralson, Parys	LB	6-0	255	01/24/1984	4	Tennessee
99	Lawson, Manny	LB	6-5	240	07/03/1984	4	North Carolina State

Copyright @ 2009
All Rights Reserved