10 thoughts - Niners game

[Gandhi]

1 – On Murray’s rushing TD, that is the fastest run by a quarterback in the last eight years.

2 – The d-line is actually playing better than expected. L. J. Collier, Dante Still, Bilal Nichols, Roy Lopez. They are good players. It’s just that none of them are so good that they change offensive game plans. One or two stars could make the unit dangerous. Hopefully Darius Robinson can be one of them.

3 – Pass rush-wise, Nick Bosa had one pressure all game. That’s all.

4 – Is it okay to say that D.J. Dallas made the play of the game by running into Jake Moody, so that the Niners lost their kicker? It wasn’t Dallas’ fault, and I don’t necessarily mean “play of the game” in a positive way, but it is just reality. If Moody doesn’t get injured, the Niners most likely win the game.

5 – There are obvious issues with the connection between Murray and Harrison. After a full training camp, and now five games into the season, it should be much better. That has nothing to do with missing a few snaps in preseason games.

6 – Ossenfort made several good free agency-signings this offseason, and Murphy-Bunting certainly played like one of them.

7 – It is very strange that Jesse Luketa haven’t played more after a strong preseason, and today he showed that he should have.

8 – James Connor’s late success only comes because they didn’t abandon the run game when the game started to slip away from them. After two bad games, I liked Drew Petzing’s game plan this time.

9 – Very good game by Murray, but I don’t trust that he will play that way consistently. I would be highly excited to be proven wrong.

10 – I think Gannon hasn’t mentioned anything about the severity of Will Hernandez’ injury yet, but if he is out for a longer time, that would be horrible.

 

[HairZach]

Kyler's passing stats this season

Bills: 21/31 for 162, 5.2 yards per pass. 1 TD
Rams: 17/21 for 266, 12.7 yards per pass 3 TDs
Lions: 21/34 for 207, 6.1 yards per pass. 1 TD
Commanders: 16/22 for 142, 6.5 yards per pass. 1 TD
49ers: 19/30 for 195, 6.5 yards per pass. 1 TD

The passing offense has been very mediocre for 4 of the first 5 weeks. Luckily we were able to lean on the defense this week for a win.

Hernandez's injury looked bad, I'm expecting him to miss at least 4 games if not more.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

2 – The d-line is actually playing better than expected. L. J. Collier, Dante Still, Bilal Nichols, Roy Lopez. They are good players. It’s just that none of them are so good that they change offensive game plans. One or two stars could make the unit dangerous. Hopefully Darius Robinson can be one of them.

Enjoyed your thoughts in general, but this is an absurd assertion. These are not good players - every one of them are rotation players and below average starters.

 

[slanidrac16]

2. When you have an average bunch of guys your coordinator has to pick his poison.
I think the “bend but don’t break” system is in place. The entire defense is getting into the rotation on just about every play.
Say what you want but that’s two games we shut out our opponents in the second half of the game. So somebody’s doing something right.
In today’s NFL there is parity. What ever team shows up on Sunday wins.

3. GREAT JOB by Beecham.

9. I agree.

10. We can never have anything nice….

Good post!

 

[Redsz]

To add to your thoughts Ghandi:

- As expected, the media narrative regarding the game is that the 49ers lost not that the Cardinals won. Shout out to Kyle Brandt who called this out big time on NFL network.

- Rabbit and Max Melton looked like they played more snaps this game and looked good. This is really encouraging. We need these young players to step up.

- Cardinals held Purdy to one of his worst games as passer. He was expected to light us up big time.

- I continue to remain concerned about our pass rush. However, they had generated about 10+ pressures and a sack in 30 or so drop backs by Purdy. Not bad.

- Will Hernandez being out for the year sucks big time. He was playing great. We have had our starting OL unit for all of one quarter this year. Who steps up next?

- Bosa had one QB pressure all game but made a number of other significant plays. Credit to Beachum for playing him tough.

- Micheal Wilson you made me eat my words big time! Great game. Would of had a TD if Kyler hadn't over thrown him on a double move.

- Speaking of Kyler, he made key plays to win the game. That TD run was a thing of beauty. That throw on 4th down very much felt like a "MHJ is down there somewhere" type of deal.

 

[Gandhi]

Enjoyed your thoughts in general, but this is an absurd assertion. These are not good players - every one of them are rotation players and below average starters.

Well, they stopped the Niners four times in the red zone. No, I kind of agree with you that they are rotation players, but that was also my point. That they need one or two great players around them, so that they could take advantage of the opportunities it would give them that the offense has more focus on someone else. Most of them flash great play here and there, and I have always believed that their top level says just as much about them as their bottom level. If they can flash ones, then they can do it again, at it is up to the best coaches in the world to get it out of them.

 

[Gandhi]

3. GREAT JOB by Beecham.

Yes, it was, but do you think he can keep it up? It scares me with a right side of the line with only backups.

 

[Gandhi]

- Rabbit and Max Melton looked like they played more snaps this game and looked good. This is really encouraging. We need these young players to step up.

Well, that’s because they did play more snaps. DTD was up to 34.4% of all snaps (his highest was 14.4% in week 2), and Melton played 50% (his highest was 48.1 on week 2), and I agree that they held up fine. Especially Melton impressed me several times.

- Bosa had one QB pressure all game but made a number of other significant plays. Credit to Beachum for playing him tough.

I think that good players find a way to affect games, but it is still very positive that Bosa’s biggest strength was taken away. I wish the Cards had an edge rusher like that. Could you imagine? That would be great.

 

[GeorgiaCard88]

Lot to be said if CMC was playing and if, like you said, moody doesn’t get injured by Dallas. But hell- this is the nfl and we could cry about our injuries too.

Gandhi curious what impressed you about Sean Murphy bunting? It’s hard to evaluate DBs because they only get the spotlight if they make a big play (int) or are getting lit up. It seems every time this season a WR has made a splash against us, it’s always Murphy bunting on the screen.

Only thing I would add is that Jalen Thompson had a huge game. He’s just as big of a part on that last Purdy int as the rest of the crew and his coverage disrupting a Kittle TD (that I think kittle catches 9/10 against anyone else) was absolutely huge.

 

[TheCardFan]

5 - agree. I think it's mostly on MHJ...several of those drops were catchable.
6 - disagree - SMB hasn't played at the level I expected.
10 -he is out for the year.

 

[slanidrac16]

Yes, it was, but do you think he can keep it up? It scares me with a right side of the line with only backups.

We are the Cardinals… so probably not. I do believe parity in the NFL gives most every team a chance to compete. When you play an opponent, where you play your opponent, game plant the health of our team and their team and match ups.
That’s why the goal today should not be win the Super Bowl. It should be do everything possible to just make the playoffs. Then you just never know.

 

[Gandhi]

Gandhi curious what impressed you about Sean Murphy bunting? It’s hard to evaluate DBs because they only get the spotlight if they make a big play (int) or are getting lit up. It seems every time this season a WR has made a splash against us, it’s always Murphy bunting on the screen.

Sometimes I watch the All 22 coaches’ film, that DAZN make available through their app. I don’t always do it, but when one player catches my attention during the normal TV broadcast, I often take some time to focus a little more deeply on the said player.

Only thing I would add is that Jalen Thompson had a huge game. He’s just as big of a part on that last Purdy int as the rest of the crew and his coverage disrupting a Kittle TD (that I think kittle catches 9/10 against anyone else) was absolutely huge.

Yes, I actually had written a thought about him but ended up deleting it (since there can be only 10). He played very well. Do you agree that the safety spot might be the best unit on the team? I think it is. Two very good players, and DTD that are playing better and better.

 

[BirdGangThing]

murphy-bunting was craptacular against the whiners - i don't know which he was worse at - coverage or open field tackles

 

[Totally_Red]

8. JC is an awesome Thunder. We could use a Lightning to complement him. If Benson doesn't become that, it is an offseason priority IMO.

Thx for doing this each week.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

murphy-bunting was craptacular against the whiners - i don't know which he was worse at - coverage or open field tackles

JAG.

 

[Gandhi]

8. JC is an awesome Thunder. We could use a Lightning to complement him. If Benson doesn't become that, it is an offseason priority IMO.

Thx for doing this each week.

I understand your point, TR, but I doubt that it will be a priority. They certainly have big hopes for Benson, even if he never plays great this season, and I also believe they are truly high on Demarcado. I personally like Michael Carter a lot, but unfortunately, I am obviously a bigger fan of him than Gannon.

 

[Harry]

1 – On Murray’s rushing TD, that is the fastest run by a quarterback in the last eight years.

2 – The d-line is actually playing better than expected. L. J. Collier, Dante Still, Bilal Nichols, Roy Lopez. They are good players. It’s just that none of them are so good that they change offensive game plans. One or two stars could make the unit dangerous. Hopefully Darius Robinson can be one of them.

3 – Pass rush-wise, Nick Bosa had one pressure all game. That’s all.

4 – Is it okay to say that D.J. Dallas made the play of the game by running into Jake Moody, so that the Niners lost their kicker? It wasn’t Dallas’ fault, and I don’t necessarily mean “play of the game” in a positive way, but it is just reality. If Moody doesn’t get injured, the Niners most likely win the game.

5 – There are obvious issues with the connection between Murray and Harrison. After a full training camp, and now five games into the season, it should be much better. That has nothing to do with missing a few snaps in preseason games.

6 – Ossenfort made several good free agency-signings this offseason, and Murphy-Bunting certainly played like one of them.

7 – It is very strange that Jesse Luketa haven’t played more after a strong preseason, and today he showed that he should have.

8 – James Connor’s late success only comes because they didn’t abandon the run game when the game started to slip away from them. After two bad games, I liked Drew Petzing’s game plan this time.

9 – Very good game by Murray, but I don’t trust that he will play that way consistently. I would be highly excited to be proven wrong.

10 – I think Gannon hasn’t mentioned anything about the severity of Will Hernandez’ injury yet, but if he is out for a longer time, that would be horrible.

5. This is the Murray/McBride thing all over again. For some bizarre reason Murray has a blindspot about new receivers. He just can’t find them. Time should heal this.

 

[phillycard]

1 – On Murray’s rushing TD, that is the fastest run by a quarterback in the last eight years.

2 – The d-line is actually playing better than expected. L. J. Collier, Dante Still, Bilal Nichols, Roy Lopez. They are good players. It’s just that none of them are so good that they change offensive game plans. One or two stars could make the unit dangerous. Hopefully Darius Robinson can be one of them.

3 – Pass rush-wise, Nick Bosa had one pressure all game. That’s all.

4 – Is it okay to say that D.J. Dallas made the play of the game by running into Jake Moody, so that the Niners lost their kicker? It wasn’t Dallas’ fault, and I don’t necessarily mean “play of the game” in a positive way, but it is just reality. If Moody doesn’t get injured, the Niners most likely win the game.

5 – There are obvious issues with the connection between Murray and Harrison. After a full training camp, and now five games into the season, it should be much better. That has nothing to do with missing a few snaps in preseason games.

6 – Ossenfort made several good free agency-signings this offseason, and Murphy-Bunting certainly played like one of them.

7 – It is very strange that Jesse Luketa haven’t played more after a strong preseason, and today he showed that he should have.

8 – James Connor’s late success only comes because they didn’t abandon the run game when the game started to slip away from them. After two bad games, I liked Drew Petzing’s game plan this time.

9 – Very good game by Murray, but I don’t trust that he will play that way consistently. I would be highly excited to be proven wrong.

10 – I think Gannon hasn’t mentioned anything about the severity of Will Hernandez’ injury yet, but if he is out for a longer time, that would be horrible.

Gandhi, great points as usual, but respectfully I couldn't disagree more with SMB. He has been my whipping boy, and object of scorn since week 1. I haven't seen anything resembling an impact on the secondary and through my "non-trained" eyes he's been out of position and way out of frame on too many opponents' receptions. The next time I clap over any play he's made will be the first. If I stepped away from the TV for a sec, I apologize if I missed anything positive from Sunday.

 

[Russ Smith]

5. This is the Murray/McBride thing all over again. For some bizarre reason Murray has a blindspot about new receivers. He just can’t find them. Time should heal this.

Rookie McBride was just a different guy because of the injury. If you go back and watch highlights of his rookie year and then now you can literally see the difference in how he was running. He was playing hurt much of his rookie year.

He actually played hurt against SF too he had a rib injury that popped up during the week, and then took a big hit early in the game. He makes such a big difference on this offense, he's a threat as a receiver and has become a really good blocker.

 

[Gandhi]

Gandhi, great points as usual, but respectfully I couldn't disagree more with SMB. He has been my whipping boy, and object of scorn since week 1. I haven't seen anything resembling an impact on the secondary and through my "non-trained" eyes he's been out of position and way out of frame on too many opponents' receptions. The next time I clap over any play he's made will be the first. If I stepped away from the TV for a sec, I apologize if I missed anything positive from Sunday.

Really? I think he played well. Now, I agree on the rest of the season, but I thought this was a step forward for him. Having said that, they sorely miss a great cornerback. I actually think it is like with the defensive line that the current players are good players, but they are not good enough to carry the team. Max Melton or Elijah Jones might develop into something great, but right now the coverage is not good enough.

 

[phillycard]

Really? I think he played well. Now, I agree on the rest of the season, but I thought this was a step forward for him. Having said that, they sorely miss a great cornerback. I actually think it is like with the defensive line that the current players are good players, but they are not good enough to carry the team. Max Melton or Elijah Jones might develop into something great, but right now the coverage is not good enough.

That's kind of where I'm going with it. He came in with expectations (at least mine) of being a solidifying veteran presence among a sea of young bucks, but hasn't made an impact. I'll defer to you as it seems that you digest more of the game than I do, and admittedly I'm drinking heavily during games, (LOL!) but I haven't seen anything from him of value yet. For all he's given me, I'd rather Max or Kei'Trel get the reps. I hope he can change that because I was genuinely excited for the signing.

 

[Gandhi]

That's kind of where I'm going with it. He came in with expectations (at least mine) of being a solidifying veteran presence among a sea of young bucks, but hasn't made an impact. I'll defer to you as it seems that you digest more of the game than I do, and admittedly I'm drinking heavily during games, (LOL!) but I haven't seen anything from him of value yet. For all he's given me, I'd rather Max or Kei'Trel get the reps. I hope he can change that because I was genuinely excited for the signing.

I was excited too, and after all, he can still turn it around. He was very good for the Bucs, even though it was never as a #1. Gannon has the history of DB coach, so I still trust that he knows what he is doing with that unit.

Personally, I would like Melton to get snaps from Starling Thomas. I think Thomas is a fine player, but certainly not great.

 

[phillycard]

I was excited too, and after all, he can still turn it around. He was very good for the Bucs, even though it was never as a #1. Gannon has the history of DB coach, so I still trust that he knows what he is doing with that unit.

Personally, I would like Melton to get snaps from Starling Thomas. I think Thomas is a fine player, but certainly not great.

Facts......

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Well, they stopped the Niners four times in the red zone. No, I kind of agree with you that they are rotation players, but that was also my point. That they need one or two great players around them, so that they could take advantage of the opportunities it would give them that the offense has more focus on someone else. Most of them flash great play here and there, and I have always believed that their top level says just as much about them as their bottom level. If they can flash ones, then they can do it again, at it is up to the best coaches in the world to get it out of them.

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Roy freaking Lopez, some dude off the street is our best D-lineman. Justin Jones, our big money FA acquisition rated 124 out of 124 lineman. This group needs some major talent just to get to mediocre.