Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
There were enough positives in this game on offense and with QB Ryan Lindley's progress to give us a chance next week at Carolina. This is exactly what I was hoping for in this game---losing the game wasn't a shame, only if Seattle had lost. In fact, seeing as it made no difference in the playoff rankings, we moved up in the draft by two spots from #29 to #27.
As for the offense and Lindley---if I am not mistaken the only three and out was the last possession, which was a two and out following an untimely sack (after good protection all day).
Lindley moved the chains consistently---he showed he could make all the throws in BA's offense---and with the mistakes he made, I see those as a good thing because he and the team needs him to learn from them, as in do a better job of looking off the safety and a better job in knowing whether his WR is running a stop and go or a post.
I felt going into this game that if Lindley could get a good little taste of success then he might be able to build a modicum of confidence.
The defense was a major disappointment in this game---save the efforts of Calais Campbell. Missing our defensive MVP, Larry Foote, was significant, as neither Minter nor Carson show the instincts or the downhill thunder to the ball that Foote excels at. In fact, even when Todd Bowles blitzed Minter right into the hole in order to get him attacking the ball, he had a clean shot on Gore and whiffed.
The tackling was awful, epitomized by Cromartie's high non-tackle of Michael crabtree that gave the 49ers the extra three inches Dawson needed to make the 50 yard FG. The fundamental tackling that was so key to the Cardinals' defensive success this season was regularly abandoned in this game.
The special teams were a non-factor, save for Catanzaro's FG, and the one decent punt return Ginn Jr. had that was nullified by a blindside block by Tony Jefferson that looked iffy on replay.
The defense needs big games this week from Foote and Honey Badger and they had better come prepared to tackle Cam Newton and the Panthers' RBs at the knees. High tackle attempts versus their skill players will result in added first downs and extended drives.
Just as Lindley needs to learn from this game, so does BA. The negative yard plays the last few weeks have stifled drives---like the sprint draw to RB Kerwynn Williams that was dumped for a 4 yard loss, the instant flip pass right to Grice with a defender standing right next to him and the 3rd-and-10 1 yard flat pass to John Brown that just gave the ball back to the 49ers.
Was really peed at both Boldin TDs (the 2nd called back for a chop block)---both were gift-wrapped and virtually uncontested.
Kerwynn Williams needs to play. Loved seeing Robert Hughes get a carry with a head start from the RB position (see that Russ!), as he powered his way for 5-6 yards, dragging defenders for 3 yards. Stepfan Taylor ran hard and tough per usual and the right side of the line got a good push this week.
Darren Fells is emerging as the best TE on the roster---good to see Rob Housler catch a ball over the middle, only his 9th of year apparently. What we saw from the Seahawks' speedy and slippery TE Luke Wilson last week is what we were all hoping from Housler for the last 4 years---alas, he aint that guy---and it doesn't look like he ever will be in AZ.
Would love to see Deone Bucannon shadow Cam Newton---Bucannon is one of the few defenders in recent games who actually takes players out by getting under their pad levels.
BA and Lindley got some things going today. That's the biggest takeaway from this game. This morning I called this chapter "Ryan's Hope"---I love the way BA told him "you are here for a reason." Today i think he took a big step forward toward believing it. Man, the deep throws to Floyd and the threaded rope into the right post to John Brown (first half) were major league throws.
As for the offense and Lindley---if I am not mistaken the only three and out was the last possession, which was a two and out following an untimely sack (after good protection all day).
Lindley moved the chains consistently---he showed he could make all the throws in BA's offense---and with the mistakes he made, I see those as a good thing because he and the team needs him to learn from them, as in do a better job of looking off the safety and a better job in knowing whether his WR is running a stop and go or a post.
I felt going into this game that if Lindley could get a good little taste of success then he might be able to build a modicum of confidence.
The defense was a major disappointment in this game---save the efforts of Calais Campbell. Missing our defensive MVP, Larry Foote, was significant, as neither Minter nor Carson show the instincts or the downhill thunder to the ball that Foote excels at. In fact, even when Todd Bowles blitzed Minter right into the hole in order to get him attacking the ball, he had a clean shot on Gore and whiffed.
The tackling was awful, epitomized by Cromartie's high non-tackle of Michael crabtree that gave the 49ers the extra three inches Dawson needed to make the 50 yard FG. The fundamental tackling that was so key to the Cardinals' defensive success this season was regularly abandoned in this game.
The special teams were a non-factor, save for Catanzaro's FG, and the one decent punt return Ginn Jr. had that was nullified by a blindside block by Tony Jefferson that looked iffy on replay.
The defense needs big games this week from Foote and Honey Badger and they had better come prepared to tackle Cam Newton and the Panthers' RBs at the knees. High tackle attempts versus their skill players will result in added first downs and extended drives.
Just as Lindley needs to learn from this game, so does BA. The negative yard plays the last few weeks have stifled drives---like the sprint draw to RB Kerwynn Williams that was dumped for a 4 yard loss, the instant flip pass right to Grice with a defender standing right next to him and the 3rd-and-10 1 yard flat pass to John Brown that just gave the ball back to the 49ers.
Was really peed at both Boldin TDs (the 2nd called back for a chop block)---both were gift-wrapped and virtually uncontested.
Kerwynn Williams needs to play. Loved seeing Robert Hughes get a carry with a head start from the RB position (see that Russ!), as he powered his way for 5-6 yards, dragging defenders for 3 yards. Stepfan Taylor ran hard and tough per usual and the right side of the line got a good push this week.
Darren Fells is emerging as the best TE on the roster---good to see Rob Housler catch a ball over the middle, only his 9th of year apparently. What we saw from the Seahawks' speedy and slippery TE Luke Wilson last week is what we were all hoping from Housler for the last 4 years---alas, he aint that guy---and it doesn't look like he ever will be in AZ.
Would love to see Deone Bucannon shadow Cam Newton---Bucannon is one of the few defenders in recent games who actually takes players out by getting under their pad levels.
BA and Lindley got some things going today. That's the biggest takeaway from this game. This morning I called this chapter "Ryan's Hope"---I love the way BA told him "you are here for a reason." Today i think he took a big step forward toward believing it. Man, the deep throws to Floyd and the threaded rope into the right post to John Brown (first half) were major league throws.
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