San Francisco 49ers: Mike Singletary’s Vision, Deferred

After Sunday’s game in Green Bay, the reality has not only become concrete, but it has set in, hard and firm. The only problem now becomes, who’s going to tell Mike Singletary?

 

Singletary’s decision to go back to the grind with his infamous “smash-mouth” philosophy has solidified what many fans feared, that Singletary is incapable of abandoning his philistine, brutish, simplistic reverie.

 

He wants to run smash-mouth, and there is no combination of logic, explanation, or reality based test cases, that will change Singeltary’s thought process.

 

In an ideal 49er contrast, Bill Walsh’s nightmare IS Singletary’s vision. It is the opposite of what Walsh built and believed in, in every conceivable respect.

 

Since Mike Nolan arrived with Singletary at his hip, this warped concept has stained itself into the very brick and mortar of the 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara, which still holds those five, ever so distant Super Bowl trophies.

 

 

Second Half Salsa-Dance

 

“But the 49ers were throwing the ball in the second half of the Green Bay game, I think Singletary will make the switch now.”

 

The 49ers were throwing the ball in the second half of the Houston loss too, but much like the Green Bay loss, one cameo does not make a show, much less a theatre company.

 

Apparently, nothing has been learned from their brief escapades into the shotgun offense. Nothing at all. The 49ers go there, like a vacation to the Bahama’s, but that is only when they are feeling down and need a breath of fresh air. They don’t live there, they live nowhere close to there.

 

The Arctic Circle is a long trip away from their beach house getaway, and they much prefer to sleep on beach blankets in the freezing cold of the far north. That’s “who they are.”

 

Furthermore, the 49ers didn’t use the “effective offense” for the whole second half. They flirted with it. They fondled and fluttered around the idea of it. Like a drag act, they dressed it up, danced and pranced their way down the runway, but at the end of the day, the reality cannot be escaped, Singletary does not feel comfortable in that kind of dress.

 

 

What Happens to a Vision Deferred?

 

The reality is that the 49ers have a minuscule chance at changing their smash-mouth philosophy, and likewise, have a minuscule chance at sniffing the playoffs.

 

Even if they did decide to suddenly change their course, they haven’t practiced the “effective offense” enough to put a serious winning streak together with it.

 

The real problem is that Mike Singletary does not believe that smash-mouth is a dream, he believes it is a vision.

 

But what happens to a vision deferred?

 

Does it dry up like a season in the sun?

 

Or fester, like smash-mouth, and run?

 

Does it stink like a rotten defeat?

 

Or crust and scab over, like a scabbed knee?

 

Maybe it just sags, like a heavy load.

 

Or will the offense explode?

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

San Francisco 49ers: The Season In The Stone

The 49ers had to deal with a very tough loss last Sunday versus the Titans. This was a tough loss for many reasons, but I think what is most important, is what was lurking just beneath the surface of this last tidal wave.

 

Mike Singletary deserves a lot of credit. He has taken a lot of criticism for trying to run a conservative, ball-control offensive scheme, but he did more than deal with that criticism; he demonstrated that he is willing to change.

 

As the weeks have progressed through the 2009 season and the wins started to turn into losses, it was clear that the strategy the 49ers were using was no longer tenable. Something had to change, and change fast.

 

The first major change came at the start of the second half of the road game versus the Houston Texans. Alex Smith came in to replace the struggling and physically limited Shaun Hill. It was the right move, and it remains the right move.

 

Alex Smith has certain advantages over Hill that are obvious. Smith can make certain NFL throws that Hill can’t make. Deep outs, ins and hitch routes opened up a whole new dimension for an offense that needed to expand its horizons.

 

It worked to a degree. Smith was able to move the offense along, at times. The offense certainly looked better against the Colts, although the three n’ outs and losses continued to pile up.

 

In the last few games, Smith has had several opportunities to lead comebacks, only to stall and falter at the end. But this was understandable right? It was Jimmy Raye’s offense that leads the league in three n’ outs, and this is the weight holding Smith back, right?

 

 

Move the chains

 

Something moved against the Tennessee Titans. The weight was lifted.

 

For the first time all-season, the 49ers offense could actually move the chains.

 

Against the Titans, the 49ers certainly did not go 3 n’ out on 40+ percent of their possessions. In fact, they started off throwing the ball like there was no tomorrow, and it worked.

 

Frank Gore actually picked up some consistent yardage on his runs. The 49ers were controlling more of the clock. The offensive line was providing time to throw. The WR’s were getting open.

 

Jimmy Raye was calling a game that attacked with the opposite of what the defense was prepared to stop. Raye was doing his job.

 

This was the coming out party for the 49ers offense.

 

 

I like that kind of party

 

Coach Singletary agrees.

 

At the Monday press conference, Singletary said he liked what the offense was able to do last Sunday. He said he is excited to see more of what this offense can do in the weeks ahead.

 

But it’s not just the first downs that make Singletary excited. He is also exited about the moment him, and his team, are in. They are three days away from either the beginning, or the end, of their 2009 season.

 

Singletary believes that these are the moments when you have to put your best foot forward.

 

There is no turning back now. The offense is making first downs. Frank Gore is productive. Barry Sims has done a good job replacing Joe Staley. Vernon Davis is in the midst of a Pro-Bowl season.

 

The excuses are few and far between for this team.

 

The weight has been lifted, the passes are flying and the running game has found its space.

 

Alex Smith is free.

 

 

Time to step up

 

But just because Smith has the freedom to throw, the weapons to throw to and the ability to make the throws, does not mean the path is clear.

 

He still has to make the right decisions. He still has to step up.

 

In the NFL, clarity is rarely at a quarterback’s disposal. Much of the time, an NFL quarterback has to deal with confusion and fog.

 

The pathway is rarely clear.

 

A quarterback throws from the pocket. But pockets are not comfortable places to be. They are constantly moving, morphing and changing. They are in a constant state of flux. Every pocket is different on seemingly every play.

 

Some pockets have more space on the left, some on the right. Sometimes a quarterback will face pressure up the middle and sometimes from either edge. Some pockets collapse completely, forcing the quarterback to scramble out and make a play.

 

The trick is to stay somewhere in the “middle” of this amorphous blob and keep a cool head.

 

Obviously, one of the primary jobs of an offensive line is to make a pocket last as long as possible. But how long does the pocket have to last? How much time does a quarterback need? Can a quarterback’s movement help keep the “blob” alive?

 

This is where it get difficult. You see, sometimes quarterbacks have a lot of time, and sometimes a little.

 

What separates the best quarterbacks from the rest, is that the best quarterbacks know what kind of pocket they are “riding,” and how much time they have to get rid of the ball.

 

Sometimes the rush comes around the edge, sometimes up the middle, sometimes the whole pocket collapses. But great quarterbacks always seem to find a way to step up.

 

They step up to the challenge, they duck and dodge and brush off defenders, all the while keeping their eyes down field, and their heads in the game.

 

It’s hard enough to read defenses and find the open receiver, it becomes much harder when simultaneously running away from giant human beings. Few can overcome these obstacles.

 

If Alex Smith is to lead this team to where Singletary wants to go, he’s going to have to make more plays with his feet and step up. He’s going to have to turn lemons into lemonade. He’s going to have to turn water into wine. Well OK, not quite that, but close. He’s going to have to keep plays alive.

 

No matter what happens in the weeks ahead, Smith’s play will forge a new destiny for the 49ers, one way or another.

 

 

Emergence

 

Within one year’s time, the 49ers have an opportunity to become a great team.

 

There is already a good defense in place. There are more than enough play-makers on offense. Vernon Davis, Crabtree, Gore and others make for a dangerous group.

 

But who will pull this team out of the depths, and lead this team as its signal caller, as its “King”?

 

The 49ers have two first round draft picks next year. One of these picks is theirs through the Carolina Panthers, a pick which will most likely fall somewhere between 10 and 20.

 

The next pick is where things get interesting. If Smith can pull the 49ers season out of “the stone,” and get the team into the playoffs or better, he will be proudly known as the 49er quarterback of the present and future. In this scenario, the 49ers own first round draft pick would likely fall between 15 and 25.

 

However, if the season remains lodged firmly into the stone of defeat, interceptions and failed fourth quarters, then their draft pick will reward them much more generously; somewhere between 5 and 15.

 

Simultaneously, they will also have the opportunity to utilize their two high first round draft picks, and forge them into gold.

 

A top quarterback can be had in the 2010 draft. The 49ers might have to give up their two first round picks, plus a little extra to make it happen, but they certainly can make it happen.

 

However, they might not even HAVE to go with a draft pick next year, for they already plucked a promising signal caller in 2009.

 

If Smith fails to pull the season out of the rock, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to see if the new kid can provide a spark of some kind. Can Nate Davis play? That is the question.

 

The only way to answer that question, is to give him a chance when real “bullets” are flying. If the season is lost, why not find out? It might just save us a few precious draft picks.

 

Alex Smith has always had potential, Nate Davis has potential, and the 49ers’ draft picks have the potential to deliver a leader for the 49ers. Strong enough, gutsy enough, and good enough to pull this team out of the dark obsidian, into a bright and golden future.

 

The 49ers have some powerful knights already.

 

But none of them can heave their team out of the granite by themselves. That would take a king; a great signal caller.

 

Anyone can try; the handle is there for the plucking. Some of royalty, have been trying in vain for some time.

 

But wait, that kid, “Who is he”? No one knows, but maybe it’s destiny, maybe “that kid,” one of the new kids emerging out of the shadows, can pull it off; pull the kingdom of 9er-land out of the dark.

 

If Alex Smith does not succeed in this task, fear not, because it is likely that a new kid will emerge, out from either college or clipboard, to pull the great 49er team, that is stuck just beneath the surface, from out the rock of mediocrity, and into the land of great visions and dreams.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

San Francisco 49ers: A Very Very, Moral Victory, Right?

This will be a funny week in 49er land.

 

Everyone will say all the proper things. There will be lots of half-answers and poetry.

 

No one involved with the 49ers organization will want to speak the truth. They’ll say, “we played better” in the second half. They’ll say, “we executed.”

 

But we all know what just happened against the Houston Texans.

 

Alex Smith went from hopeless, to hopeful; Mike Singletary went from single-minded to spread offense; and Josh Morgan, Vernon Davis, and Michael Crabtree each crawled out of their shells.

 

They were open.

 

The line was pass blocking.

 

The quarterback was seeing the field.

 

This “victory” was more moral than Mother Teresa, and you would have to be a sightless mole in a dark cave at night to not have noticed it.

 

 

Smith forges a new beginning

 

Alex Smith picked an interesting time to have a career game.

 

Not because it was in his fifth year in the league.

 

Not because it was on the road.

 

Not even because he didn’t start the game.

 

Alex Smith had a career game in ONE half of football. Looking at all the opportunities he has had over his career, it is almost unbelievable to think about that fact.

 

Smith came into the game and lifted this team out of the mud.

 

With the spread offense—which we have practiced very little—Smith was able to move the ball down the field with seeming ease.

 

He picked a good time to play his best football ever, because the 49ers could use this kind of quarterbacking, in this kind of offense.

 

Based upon the way the offensive line played in the second half, they seem to like this attack oriented offense as well.

 

What we saw in the second half against the Houston Texans is what an NFL offense is supposed to look like. It is certainly more fun to watch. Right?

 

 

Mike Singletary takes the hint… right?

 

Whisper: “Hey, Mike Singletary, your offense leads the league in three n’ outs.”

 

Whisper: “Pssst, Mike, your power running offense looks terrible.”

 

Whisper: “Yoohoo, Mike, did you know that you have seven wide receivers on the roster, with two capable pass catching TE’s?”

 

It doesn’t matter how it happened, but thank God he took the hint.

 

Because watching this offense, has been as fun as an appointment with a sadistic dentist named Orin.

 

Singletary can suddenly “see more,” and there is no turning back now.

 

Alex Smith will start next week.

 

The 49ers will use a spread offense passing attack.

 

I don’t even want to think about the possibility of the two above things not happening after the quality of “hint” Singletary received in the second half of the game in Houston.

 

Alex Smith’s spread offense performance, was like drinking a tall, cold glass of water in Hell.

 

It was a reprieve, a breath of fresh air. Everyone saw it. Right?

 

No one will forgive Singletary if he decides to crawl back into that “little shell of horrors,” after what everyone witnessed in Houston. Right?

 

 

This Crab’s got hands

 

Michael Crabtree crawled out of his shell too, and waved his hands in the air, to say hello to several passes.

 

Considering he has only practiced for a few weeks, his performance was impressive.

 

Obviously, all 49er fans were eager just to see how he looked running around.

 

Against Houston, he not only confirmed that he has some nice hands, but he also has some wiggle.

 

He already looks like the most explosive wide receiver on the team. “Explosive” in terms of short area burst.

 

It will be exiting to see him work in the Alex smith featured spread offense. Right?

 

 

Something to believe in

 

This team now has something to believe in.

 

Before, the 49ers only really had a good, solid defense to hand their hat on.

 

If they can combine this defense with the newly found Alex Smith led spread offense, they have a chance to pick up the pieces and try and go for the wins, instead of avoiding the losses.

 

Singletary got frustrated in Houston, kicked over the rock, and all kinds of things started to crawl up and out of their “shells.”

 

The only thing that can put a halt to this momentum, is if some foolish child were to come along and, horrifically, sadly, mysteriously, place the rock right back where it was and put all the little critters back into their shells.

 

But that can’t happen, right?

 

Lem em crawl, let em run, let em throw. Let em be free.

 

Let’s see how far they can go.

 

Training camp is over; no more crab walking. Its time to let our Crabs, run.

 

Right?

 

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

San Francisco 49ers: A Very Very, Moral Victory, Right?

This will be a funny week in 49er land.

 

Everyone will say all the proper things. There will be lots of half-answers and poetry.

 

No one involved with the 49ers organization will want to speak the truth. They’ll say, “we played better” in the second half. They’ll say, “we executed.”

 

But we all know what just happened against the Houston Texans.

 

Alex Smith went from hopeless, to hopeful; Mike Singletary went from single-minded to spread offense; and Josh Morgan, Vernon Davis, and Michael Crabtree each crawled out of their shells.

 

They were open.

 

The line was pass blocking.

 

The quarterback was seeing the field.

 

This “victory” was more moral than Mother Teresa, and you would have to be a sightless mole in a dark cave at night to not have noticed it.

 

 

Smith forges a new beginning

 

Alex Smith picked an interesting time to have a career game.

 

Not because it was in his fifth year in the league.

 

Not because it was on the road.

 

Not even because he didn’t start the game.

 

Alex Smith had a career game in ONE half of football. Looking at all the opportunities he has had over his career, it is almost unbelievable to think about that fact.

 

Smith came into the game and lifted this team out of the mud.

 

With the spread offense—which we have practiced very little—Smith was able to move the ball down the field with seeming ease.

 

He picked a good time to play his best football ever, because the 49ers could use this kind of quarterbacking, in this kind of offense.

 

Based upon the way the offensive line played in the second half, they seem to like this attack oriented offense as well.

 

What we saw in the second half against the Houston Texans is what an NFL offense is supposed to look like. It is certainly more fun to watch. Right?

 

 

Mike Singletary takes the hint… right?

 

Whisper: “Hey, Mike Singletary, your offense leads the league in three n’ outs.”

 

Whisper: “Pssst, Mike, your power running offense looks terrible.”

 

Whisper: “Yoohoo, Mike, did you know that you have seven wide receivers on the roster, with two capable pass catching TE’s?”

 

It doesn’t matter how it happened, but thank God he took the hint.

 

Because watching this offense, has been as fun as an appointment with a sadistic dentist named Orin.

 

Singletary can suddenly “see more,” and there is no turning back now.

 

Alex Smith will start next week.

 

The 49ers will use a spread offense passing attack.

 

I don’t even want to think about the possibility of the two above things not happening after the quality of “hint” Singletary received in the second half of the game in Houston.

 

Alex Smith’s spread offense performance, was like drinking a tall, cold glass of water in Hell.

 

It was a reprieve, a breath of fresh air. Everyone saw it. Right?

 

No one will forgive Singletary if he decides to crawl back into that “little shell of horrors,” after what everyone witnessed in Houston. Right?

 

 

This Crab’s got hands

 

Michael Crabtree crawled out of his shell too, and waved his hands in the air, to say hello to several passes.

 

Considering he has only practiced for a few weeks, his performance was impressive.

 

Obviously, all 49er fans were eager just to see how he looked running around.

 

Against Houston, he not only confirmed that he has some nice hands, but he also has some wiggle.

 

He already looks like the most explosive wide receiver on the team. “Explosive” in terms of short area burst.

 

It will be exiting to see him work in the Alex smith featured spread offense. Right?

 

 

Something to believe in

 

This team now has something to believe in.

 

Before, the 49ers only really had a good, solid defense to hand their hat on.

 

If they can combine this defense with the newly found Alex Smith led spread offense, they have a chance to pick up the pieces and try and go for the wins, instead of avoiding the losses.

 

Singletary got frustrated in Houston, kicked over the rock, and all kinds of things started to crawl up and out of their “shells.”

 

The only thing that can put a halt to this momentum, is if some foolish child were to come along and, horrifically, sadly, mysteriously, place the rock right back where it was and put all the little critters back into their shells.

 

But that can’t happen, right?

 

Lem em crawl, let em run, let em throw. Let em be free.

 

Let’s see how far they can go.

 

Training camp is over; no more crab walking. Its time to let our Crabs, run.

 

Right?

 

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

San Francisco 49ers: A Very Very, Moral Victory, Right?

This will be a funny week in 49er land.

 

Everyone will say all the proper things. There will be lots of half-answers and poetry.

 

No one involved with the 49ers organization will want to speak the truth. They’ll say, “we played better” in the second half. They’ll say, “we executed.”

 

But we all know what just happened against the Houston Texans.

 

Alex Smith went from hopeless, to hopeful; Mike Singletary went from single-minded to spread offense; and Josh Morgan, Vernon Davis, and Michael Crabtree each crawled out of their shells.

 

They were open.

 

The line was pass blocking.

 

The quarterback was seeing the field.

 

This “victory” was more moral than Mother Teresa, and you would have to be a sightless mole in a dark cave at night to not have noticed it.

 

 

Smith forges a new beginning

 

Alex Smith picked an interesting time to have a career game.

 

Not because it was in his fifth year in the league.

 

Not because it was on the road.

 

Not even because he didn’t start the game.

 

Alex Smith had a career game in ONE half of football. Looking at all the opportunities he has had over his career, it is almost unbelievable to think about that fact.

 

Smith came into the game and lifted this team out of the mud.

 

With the spread offense—which we have practiced very little—Smith was able to move the ball down the field with seeming ease.

 

He picked a good time to play his best football ever, because the 49ers could use this kind of quarterbacking, in this kind of offense.

 

Based upon the way the offensive line played in the second half, they seem to like this attack oriented offense as well.

 

What we saw in the second half against the Houston Texans is what an NFL offense is supposed to look like. It is certainly more fun to watch. Right?

 

 

Mike Singletary takes the hint… right?

 

Whisper: “Hey, Mike Singletary, your offense leads the league in three n’ outs.”

 

Whisper: “Pssst, Mike, your power running offense looks terrible.”

 

Whisper: “Yoohoo, Mike, did you know that you have seven wide receivers on the roster, with two capable pass catching TE’s?”

 

It doesn’t matter how it happened, but thank God he took the hint.

 

Because watching this offense, has been as fun as an appointment with a sadistic dentist named Orin.

 

Singletary can suddenly “see more,” and there is no turning back now.

 

Alex Smith will start next week.

 

The 49ers will use a spread offense passing attack.

 

I don’t even want to think about the possibility of the two above things not happening after the quality of “hint” Singletary received in the second half of the game in Houston.

 

Alex Smith’s spread offense performance, was like drinking a tall, cold glass of water in Hell.

 

It was a reprieve, a breath of fresh air. Everyone saw it. Right?

 

No one will forgive Singletary if he decides to crawl back into that “little shell of horrors,” after what everyone witnessed in Houston. Right?

 

 

This Crab’s got hands

 

Michael Crabtree crawled out of his shell too, and waved his hands in the air, to say hello to several passes.

 

Considering he has only practiced for a few weeks, his performance was impressive.

 

Obviously, all 49er fans were eager just to see how he looked running around.

 

Against Houston, he not only confirmed that he has some nice hands, but he also has some wiggle.

 

He already looks like the most explosive wide receiver on the team. “Explosive” in terms of short area burst.

 

It will be exiting to see him work in the Alex smith featured spread offense. Right?

 

 

Something to believe in

 

This team now has something to believe in.

 

Before, the 49ers only really had a good, solid defense to hand their hat on.

 

If they can combine this defense with the newly found Alex Smith led spread offense, they have a chance to pick up the pieces and try and go for the wins, instead of avoiding the losses.

 

Singletary got frustrated in Houston, kicked over the rock, and all kinds of things started to crawl up and out of their “shells.”

 

The only thing that can put a halt to this momentum, is if some foolish child were to come along and, horrifically, sadly, mysteriously, place the rock right back where it was and put all the little critters back into their shells.

 

But that can’t happen, right?

 

Lem em crawl, let em run, let em throw. Let em be free.

 

Let’s see how far they can go.

 

Training camp is over; no more crab walking. Its time to let our Crabs, run.

 

Right?

 

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

San Francisco 49ers: Rhythm ‘n Soul

The 49ers expected to beat the Rams last Sunday, but more importantly, they took it a step further, they HAD to beat the Rams. Otherwise, they would have been at risk of having their season completely unravel, just as their confidence was at its most vulnerable, after the “Favre breaker” a week earlier.

 

The Rams game this past Sunday was one of the most astonishing games the 49ers have played in quite some time.

 

Last year, under Mike Nolan, one would have expected this game to end up 10-7 or so, perhaps with an overtime finish.

 

But there was something different this time.

 

This time the 49ers were riding a wave.

 

They manifested a blowout, forged from pure belief. Belief that existed on BOTH sides of the ball.

 

 

Manifest destiny

 

After an entire first half of offensive ineptitude, the 49ers came out in the second half as if they had only thrown an incomplete pass, and that this error was to be quickly corrected.

 

A microcosm of this, occurred after Shaun Hill through a beautifully placed long pass right into Josh Morgan’s hands at the start of the third quarter.

 

Morgan dropped the perfectly thrown pass. But again, it was as if this was just another temporary hiccup, because after that play, the tidal wave of belief in the entire stadium, on both sides of the ball, hit; it hit really hard…

 

Not long after the dropped pass, St. Louis had the ball deep in their own territory.

 

Kyle Boller stepped back into a well protected pocket. That was the reality; but the BELIEF was different. The perception in Boller’s mind, in that spooky, creepy, loud stadium, was that there must be someone emerging from the shadows, about to grab him for the sack.

 

Running from ghosts, Boller rolled to his right. At this point of course, there truly was pressure put on him, because he had just stepped out of a well protected safe zone into a defenders charge.

 

Panicked, like Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow, he committed a cardinal sin of quarterbacking. He threw the ball across the field without vision of the middle of the field.

 

Patrick Willis, to his credit, read Ichabod’s eyes and galloped up in front of the throw, and took it to the end zone like a headless horseman holding a flaming pumpkin.

 

It was then the stadium came alive, and the 49ers offense was now finally able to operate, throwing two touchdown passes as if it was something they expected to do all along.

 

The sheer willpower in that stadium, made it happen.

 

 

Soul

 

This 49ers team has “soul.” Whatever that might mean, it is the best way to describe the Rams game. Because no matter how inept the offensive attack looked, it was as if they were simply expecting to do great things regardless of what had happened up to that point.

 

Mike Singletary has tattooed an intangible image upon the logo of the 49ers this season.

 

This shouldn’t be happening. We have essentially, the same defensive personnel we had last year.

 

But this defense has a beating heart, that carries the will power of Mike Singletary himself.

 

Yes, the scheme is slightly different. Yes, we are more committed to running a “true” 3-4 etc, but these slight alterations are not good enough to explain such a dramatic turn.

 

Singletary is a great leader. Plain and simple.

 

He has a defensive soul with a willpower to win that is, using his own words, “uncomparable.”

 

Say and think what you will about what the word “soul” means. But whatever that is, this team has it; in spades.

 

 

Rhythm

 

There is however, a piece missing from this well-oiled machine.

 

Before this 49er team can start singing the “Super Bowl Shuffle,” Singletary will have to work on his rhythm.

 

Sorry Mike, its just not there. You’re great and all, but you’ve got no RHYTHM.

 

Although it’s possible, it’s very tough to win the Super Bowl with an offense that goes three-and-out all the time. Dynasty? Forget it.

 

Rhythm is less esoteric than “soul,” but it is still hard for some to grasp.

 

A quarterback who completes a couple passes in a row, has now adjusted to the flow and tempo of the game.

 

However, a quarterback who is asked to bail his team out on 3rd-and-long because the first two running plays didn’t work, has a much more difficult task at hand.

 

Like an NBA shooter who has been in the game and made a couple of shots versus a player who has just come off the bench, you would much rather put your trust in the player who has been in the game to make the big shot instead of the “cold” player coming off the bench.

 

Once the quarterback is in a rhythm, the offense can now run the ball effectively, because the defense is not completely focused on stopping the run anymore.

 

The main point, is that you need BOTH.

 

Unless you have a team like the Colts, you should never rely on only one dimension of your team.

 

Why?

 

Because, except for two long runs, our running game was more consistent under Mike Martz.

 

Teams were afraid of our pass (effective or not) because they knew we would stick with it and make it work at some point.

 

We had the same talent we have now.

 

We had the same offensive line. We had the same WRs and the same running back. We have the same quarterback as well, yet our offense was able to move the ball last year, get first downs and score points.

 

As it is now, teams expect us to run, and they just attack because they know that they can take risks against us due to our conservative approach on offense.

 

 

Singletary soup for the 49ers’ soul

 

The soul of this team is being molded into a winner. Singletary has willed it into being.

 

Our long-term leadership looks bright. And what better news could you want, other than winning leadership?

 

But in the short term, we are making it tough on our defense. We are asking them to hold the fort until the sputtering offense makes a couple of plays late in the game.

 

Its going to be tough to win like this against the best teams in the league. They are going to attack like every team, except their talent will be able to put points on the board.

 

We almost beat a good team in Minnesota, but handcuffed ourselves with the three-and-outs.

 

We are going to have to get a lot more rhythm on offense before we can feel confident against the best teams.

 

Singletary is going to have to learn some rhythm, before he can expect to do another Super Bowl Shuffle.

 

Mike Singletary,

 

I didn’t come here, lookin’ for trouble,

but you need to find rhythm, if you want to do the Super Bowl Shuffle.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

San Francisco 49ers: The Good Teams, the Bad Teams, and the Ugly

Just about every NFL coach and player would endorse the idea that “it doesn’t matter how you win, as long as you somehow get the win.”

 

This is the stance they must take.

 

After all, you can’t argue with a win. If you try, you might appear as if you care more about pretty things such as stats, style, and flash. No sensible pro football player wants to be caught dead putting personal stats over team.

 

Despite all of this posturing, the reality is obvious.

 

It does matter how you win.

 

It matters a lot.

 

 

Ugly

 

In football, “ugly” is a common term to describe a mostly defensive football contest.

 

These types of games are usually low scoring and frustrate and confuse fans on both sides.

 

But where are “ugly” games most often found?

 

Perhaps both teams have a good defense which can shut down most other teams’ offenses?

 

Perhaps both teams have bad offenses which struggle against any defense?

 

Or perhaps a team plays every game ugly?

 

If “ugliness” follows a particular team around, then that particular team most likely has a good defense because they always seem to slow down the other team’s offense.

 

On the other hand, if that same team never wins a game “pretty,” then that team obviously has problems on offense too.

 

So, a team that wins “ugly” is most likely a team with a good defense and a not so great offense; because if they had a good offense, they would win and lose many more “pretty” games.

 

 

Pretty

 

A “pretty” football game is generally considered to be a game with a lot of successful passing on both sides of the ball.

 

Both teams dance around the field, and when the music stops, whomever made the last trip to the end zone goes home happy.

 

It is pretty much the opposite of “ugly.”

 

 

Good Teams

 

A “good” team is almost always a team that has a history of winning games.

 

Almost always, this history is “recent.”

 

But what are the most common traits of winning teams?

 

Hmm…

 

Let’s try this: Take the top five players (whomever you think they are) at every position; QBs, RBs, LBs, etc.

 

How good is the team they are on? Are they a winning team or a losing team?

 

So let’s just cut to the chase. The top QBs almost always play on good teams.

The same thing cannot always be said of any of the other positions; most notably RB.

 

 

Bad Teams

 

There are some very good running backs in the NFL who play on bad teams.

 

Over the last few years of losing, 49er fans are well acquainted with one of them.

 

Obviously, there are also top running backs who play on good teams, but I’m sure it can be agreed that simply having a top running back does not mean you have a top team.

 

The most ideal example of this in NFL history is, of course, Barry Sanders. He spent many tough years on a losing team.

 

Sanders was one of the top running backs to ever play, yet even he was not good enough to turn a bad team into a good team.

 

 

Throw the Ball, Not the Game

 

The greatest quarterbacks to ever play have a large collection of Super Bowl rings.

 

The greatest running backs to ever play have fewer.

 

It’s just the nature of the game.

 

A perfect pass cannot be defended. 49er fans have seen this occur many times (cough cough).

 

A perfect run can be defended, because you can’t outrun everybody.

 

However, a typical forward pass can outrun any defender who has ever played the game. Combine this with the fact that a perfectly thrown ball can be placed into any receiver’s hands anywhere on the field at any given time.

 

Not every quarterback can throw the perfect pass of course, but even an imperfect pass will keep a defense on its heals and guessing.

 

Without an effective passing attack, every win is ugly and every loss is hideous.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Eugene, Have Some Sympathy for Michael Crabtree

My last several articles have related to the Michael Crabtree fiasco, but luckily for the 49ers, I am not the only one.

 

Crabtree is being torn a new one, all over the media.

 

They are slicing and dicing him faster than his “ advisers” can say, “we just want ‘fair’ value.”

 

“But why should the 49ers be thankful for it? Isn’t their new player getting tarnished?”

 

The 49ers couldn’t ask for a better scenario in their contract negotiations.

 

Every day, as the media focuses on Crabtree and his “greed,” more hot coals get thrown at the feet of Eugene Parker.

 

Every day, as people lose more jobs, less sympathy is shown for Crabtree.

 

Every day, as corruption and scandal in the financial world is revealed, there is less sympathy for Crabtree.

 

Sorry Eugene, but nobody is going to cheer for the hothead who plays a game for a living and is guaranteed to make millions of dollars. Nobody can be sympathetic to the “bonus bailout baby” millionaires trying to claw and scratch and steal every last penny. Not right now.

 

Scrooge, Madoff, and the Wall Street Ponzi scheme crowd are not very popular figures at the moment.

 

Eugene Parker is thrusting his client into the “hungry hungry hippo” spotlight; just the place most high-rollers are trying to avoid.

 

Parker is speculating as to how valuable Crabtree will be in the future. Again, big no no, Mr. Dodo.

 

Speculators are the millionaires and billionaires who have been bailed out by the little guy. They’re not too popular either.

 

People who make money by scheming and scamming are not the “Masters of the Universe” we once thought they were, and top ten picks who proclaim “mastery” of their game (Peter Warrick) have already proven to be shakers and fakers.

 

The gig is up.

 

The “Masters of the Universe” are just a bunch of crooks and cronies.

 

The “Masters of the College Gridiron” are often-times toxic assets.

 

 

 

“Leave Crabtree ALONE!!!” *snip* *snip*

 

Michael Crabtree is irrelevant to the real conversation.

 

The fact that his reputation is being tarnished is far more important.

 

Even if Eugene Parker is forcing Crabtree at gunpoint; the heat is still square on Eugene in the contract negotiations.

 

Because of his inept understanding of current events and social problems, Eugene Parker now finds himself between a rock and a hard place.

 

If he holds his client out for the year, his reputation is finished. The media will rip into him like nothing you have ever seen before. My articles will look like they were written by his mother in comparison. In fact Parker and Crabtree’s reputations seem to be intertwined.

 

However, if he agrees to pay Crabtree according to where he was selected in the draft, 10th overall, he will also sully his reputation; because forever after, when “crazy Eugene” talks about crazy money, teams will not bite, because they will know that he is full of hot air.

 

Regardless of whose idea it was to steal gold from the 49ers, Parker and Crabtree are both on the same course as the Donner Party.

 

 

“A DHB deal was our last hope.”

“No there is another.”

 

Parker has no leverage, he is toast. The 49ers have all the leverage with the contract, with the media, with the team, and with the fans.

 

A Heyward-Bey deal would be a wayward way for the 49ers to move at this point.

 

All the 49ers should do is hold strong, and wait for Eugene to sit on the wall, fall, and crack.

 

Parker knows that if his client holds out for the year, all the kings horses and all the kings men will not be able to put Eugene or Crabtree’s reputations back together again.

 

But there is another way out for Eugene Parker.

 

He can get out of this by QUICKLY signing a fair contract with the 49ers, and quickly declaring that all the reports in the media were bogus and false, and have no basis in reality etc.

 

The sly dog might just save himself and his client’s reputations.

 

Of course, if he chooses the other way; the dark side, his reputation will sour faster than the legendary Poston brother clown duo.

 

Choose the right path Eugene; but you must do it quickly.

 

Because your client is being “electrocuted” by the media.

 

Crabtree: “Agent, PLEASE…help me!”

San Fransisco 49ers: A Done Deal, But Its Far From Over

Darius Heyward Bey (DHB) got his deal done, but considering the ludicrous contract demands that Parker has already made, I am not sure that even if the 49ers succumb and pay Crabtree the SAME money as DHB, Parker would be satisfied.

 

You see, Parker has been talking about top FIVE money. I don’t know how he can ever “play that down” to less money then DHB.

 

Parker is an idiot. Therefore, he will do everything in his power to save face. Even if it means a year-long holdout.

 

Don’t forget TWO reputations are on the line here. The 49ers can’t seem like they will fold like a wet tissue to every agent out there. And Parker has already committed to an outlandish presumption of value, which will make him look foolish if he backed down.

 

Remember, this is NOT Poker. In Poker the cards are hidden.

 

This is a game of “Parker,” and he’s not playing with a full deck.

 

Just think about it for a second.

 

Imagine Parker agrees to the same money as the No. 8 overall pick, Monroe.

 

If Parker backs off this far from his original demands, it will make Parker look weak and/or silly, and/or unprofessional.

 

I don’t think Parkers ego, much less his reputation could handle that.

 

Now turn the tables.

 

Let’s say the 49ers agreed to pay Crabtree the same money as the No. 5 overall pick. What do you think this would do for THEIR reputation?

 

Every “gold digger” and bamboozala since the days of old Methuselah would circle above 49er headquarters just waiting for a chance to pounce and pull off the same type of shenanigans.

 

From such a horrendous pretense, SOMEONE is going to have to come out of this smelling like roses, and SOMEONE is going to have to come out of this smelling like, well, a rosebush that just got sprayed by a skunk.

 

The worst part of all, is the possibility which neither side wants, the possibility that NEITHER side takes the bullet (which like I pointed out would be VERY tough for either to do) and this thing remains stalemated for the whole year.

 

One would HOPE Parker realizes that his client is going to lose TONS of money if that scenario, in fact, transpired. One would hope.

 

But in an age of “winning;” in an age in which I’m sure both negotiators have read books roughly titled, “WIN WIN WIN, How to WIN EVERY Negotiation Without Really Even Trying And Make The Other Side (The Big Losers) THINK They WON, by Winners Inc.,” I am not sure if there is any possible avenue out of “Stalematesville.”

 

Both sides want to be “winners,” therefore, both will come out losing in the end.

 

Parker is demanding a bailout, but last time I checked he was a sports agent, not a hedge fund manager.

 

No bailout is coming buddy.

 

Instead, you’re going to have to be paid what you’re worth for a change; what a novelty.

 

San Francisco 49ers: Eat Contract Cake and Have Easier Games, Too

Some teams seem to be a little frustrated about the No. 10 overall pick in the draft. They say he is holding up the entire signing process. They say he is stunting and screwing with the rest of the NFL.

 

Whether or not you agree or disagree with this logic, the 49ers should be thinking,
“good.” Because if it is hurting other teams, it is relatively giving the 49ers the same edge.

 

One might think the 49ers are disappointed that Crabtree’s agent, Eugene “The Dream” Parker, is imagining a contract FAR larger than his clients draft slot. But think again…

 

You see, the 49ers don’t NEED Crabtree as much as other teams need their top picks; which is even MORE true in the 49ers own division.

 

Which games are the most important games in a football season? Division games.

 

Why? Because there are more total division games, and the leader of the division goes to the playoffs no matter what.

 

If I were the 49ers, I would gladly sacrifice Crabtree this year, if it means that all the other teams in our division will miss out on their first round picks as well.

 

The Rams are in desperate need of a high quality offensive tackle, especially now that the Orlando Pace era is no more.

 

Enter Jason Smith, or wait! No. Not yet, he’s waiting for Crabtree…Sorry.

 

The Seahawks released Julian Peterson, which coincided with the arrival of Aaron Curry which is wonderful, because he will step right in and…err, hang on a sec…woops, my bad, he’s also sitting on his own thumb waiting for Crabtree. Yikes.

 

The Cardinals have brought in many running backs to be “the guy,” but it looks like their wait might finally be over, you see, they got a steal with the 31st overall pick in the draft, with Chris “Beanie” Wells, he arrives at the perfect time for them, like a gift from heaven, oh hell, hang on again…#$@!, sorry about that again, he and his agent are sitting on both of their thumbs waiting for Crabtree, too!

 

Shame on you Michael Crabtree!

 

As a result of “your” actions…

 

The Rams will have no pass protection, AGAIN. Two easier games for the 49ers.

 

The Seahawks will not be able to replace Julian Peterson’s production. Two easier games for the 49ers.

 

The Cardinals will still have a running back by committee. Two easier games for the 49ers.

 

The 49ers without Crabtree, does not mean NEARLY as much.

 

First of all, WRs don’t usually make as big an impact in their rookie seasons. Second, the 49ers still have Isaac Bruce, just signed free agent Brandon Jones, and are expecting very big things from last year’s sixth round steal (and Crabtree clone), Josh Morgan. Jason Hill and others will have a chance to emerge as well.

 

You see, unfortunately for Eugene Parker and Michael Crabtree and the rest of the poor, poor *snip* *snip* teams in the NFL, especially those in our division (oh, it breaks my heart!), the 49ers don’t NEED Michael Crabtree that badly.

 

The 49ers WILL NOT sign Crabtree to an outlandish top 5 contract; GUARANTEED.

 

You can go ahead and write it down. It won’t happen, it can’t happen.

 

They simply have NO reason to do it. NONE. AT ALL.

 

You see, the 49ers are happily sitting down (on their butts) while the rest of the NFL sits on their thumbs waiting for the 49ers to do something they will NOT (not in a million years) do.

 

The 49ers will wait for the other teams in the top 10 to sign their picks FIRST. It is not the other way around. Don’t get confused.

 

If the other picks never sign, then good, because of the reasons outlined above.

 

If the other picks DO sign, then good, because then “El Dumbo” (his mother knows him as Eugene Parker) will have to at least feel the heat turn up a notch or two on his side of the universe (although I doubt his brain is even IN this particular universe).

 

In other words, the 49ERS are WAITING FOR YOU (the rest of the league) to sign YOUR picks, NOT the other way around.

 

And UNTIL you (the rest of the league) realize this, every team but one (the 49ers) will have a bunch of rookies with smelly thumbs.

 

 

Next Page »

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010