Troubled Times by Chris Wells
Away game in Arizona. All the discussion is about how the 49ers haven’t scored in the second half of a game in the first two weeks and how that might play out in Week 3. Well, now it’s three weeks with no points in the second half. We could draw lots of inferences from this, but I’m going to look at two perspectives: Performance and penalties.
Even with Davis out injured, the 49ers have loads of weapons on offense and we saw when they were used, they got results. Yes, Kaepernick made some good throws, and made some good ‘planned’ runs, and even some runs on situations where he was rushed. He was better at reading his options, but this still needs work.
When being rushed, or even when there was a planned run, where it was obvious he wasn’t going to get the yards needed, he could have passed the ball. There were receivers open. Everyone thinks he is a dynamic player because he can run and he has a powerful arm. The fact is, to be truly dynamic, he needs to be able to adjust to a range of variables. He can change from a passing play to run the ball, but can he do the reverse? When Kaep runs, it’s like he gets tunnel vision, not seeing his receivers or running backs to toss the ball to, even laterally.
Third downs are an issue. When Niner fans start saying they wish they had Alex Smith back (which I have heard from 3 different Niner fans), you know that confidence is low.
Statistically, it appears more likely that 3rd downs result in a 4th down punt. Am I being unduly harsh on the 49ers QB? No. The team has invested in him, by replacing and trading away a QB that was consistent, and by signing him to a 6 year deal. A QB is a leader and he needs to step up to that role. Leaders look like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady… and he needs to emulate that NOW.
Enough on Kaepernick. He isn’t the only one who has let the team down. The defense let some receivers get wide open and make some spectacularly long yard catches. Not acceptable. Guys like Fitzgerald need to be covered at all times.
How to begin? Well, there were some plain dumb mistakes being made. Eric Reid trying to make a tackle flying over his opponent and grabbing his face mask. I understand things happen fast, but the refs are watching. Every infraction being made is observed and identified by Big Brother (reference to 1984, George Orwell). Nine penalties equalling 107 yards lost. They accrued sixteen penalties (118 yards) playing the Bears the week before. Seriously?!
Two major infractions resulted in 30 yards lost (15 for each). The first one was committed when Stanton lowered his head into the path of the 49er Skula. This wasn’t intentional like the penalty indicated. Skula had committed to the tackle before Stanton had dropped his body and head. Absolutely frustrating.
Then came the second infraction where Patrick WIllis came bearing down on Stanton. Roughing the passer. What a joke. WIllis had also committed to the tackle, and it just so happened Stanton got the pass off just before contact was made. 15 yards.
Clearly, it was frustrating for all players on the Niners squad, and Boldin’s head butt was a result of this. I’m not excusing his behaviour. In fact, there was a good shot at us tying the game, and Boldin’s penalty changed that. Under any good QB, we may still have got a TD. Stanton proved he could get first downs when the marker was 20+ yards away.
Overall, serious disappointment in the team and and more so the officiating. The issues from this game will reappear next week and the week after, if they are not addressed properly. Harbaugh and his staff need to sort the team out quick.
On a positive note, well done to Stevie Johnson for breaking 100 yards on Sunday. I look forward to his role becoming bigger over the season.
Next up, Fan Rally on Regent Street, London, this Saturday and Dolphins Raiders game Sunday at Wembley!
