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San Francisco 49ers
Location: San Francisco, Calif. | Stadium: Candlestick Park (69,732) | Owner/President: Jed York | GM: Scot McCloughan
Coach: Mike Singletary | Super Bowls: 5
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49ers report: Inside slant
 

The Sports Xchange
 
 
Inside slant · Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes
 

 

With the San Francisco 49ers fading out of the NFC playoff picture, there is still plenty for which to play the remainder of the season.

Even if the playoffs are now a long shot, the 49ers must answer one huge question before the offseason.

Is quarterback Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, going to be the player on whom the 49ers pin their hopes heading into the future?

On Sunday, Smith will start his fifth game of the season when the 49ers face the surging Jacksonville Jaguars at Candlestick Park. The Jaguars have won three consecutive games.

There is increasing pressure on Smith to solidify his future with the 49ers in the final six games of the regular season.

"I still don't think his play is where we want it to be, but I think he's getting there," 49ers coach Mike Singletary said of Smith.

The 49ers own two first-round picks in the 2010 draft, and the organization needs plenty of help.

The club certainly needs a talented offensive lineman to enter the mix next season. The 49ers have also been searching for a dominant pass rusher for years. And if Smith falls on his face in the final six games, they will add a quarterback to the franchise's wish list.

And there might be even bigger concerns for the franchise.

Singletary entered his first full season as head coach with the thought that the 49ers would be the kind of team that could be physical and run the ball whenever they needed tough yards.

But through 10 games, the 49ers have not demonstrated that kind of physical presence. The two best halves of football seen from the 49ers this season have come after they've been down by 21 and 20 points at halftime against the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers, respectively.

Only then has offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye abandoned two-back formations and put Smith in the shotgun formation.

Smith threw for 5 yards in the first half against the Packers. After being down 23-3, the 49ers lined up Smith in the shotgun formation. Rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who played in the spread offense at Texas Tech, clearly liked the emphasis on passing. He finished with four receptions for 77 yards, including his first career NFL touchdown.

"It kind of opened it up for all the playmakers we have," Crabtree said. "That would be good. (But) that's out of my range. All I can do is (run) the plays. . . . I really can do something in that spread. Coming from college, that's all we ran."

But Singletary is clearly resistant to change.

He said the 49ers' success in the second half against the Packers had a lot more to do with the defense than with the 49ers' offensive formation.

"I think that's a combination of a number of things," Singletary said. "Sometimes when you get behind, the defense is playing a different kind of defense. I think they relax a little bit. It's a different coverage. I think if you're in basic two-back set, you probably get the same result.

"But I think Alex can throw the ball, and I think he can throw the ball well. I think our offensive line did a decent job. Once we got in a rhythm, it was on. Unfortunately, we couldn't get (our defense) off the field to find out if we could close it out."

The numbers show that Smith has been particularly effective when lining up in the shotgun formation this season. He has completed 58 of 92 attempts (63.0 percent) for 639 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. His passer rating is 95.3 in the shotgun, and 61.3 when he's not in the gun.

"I don't necessarily think that whether the gun or under center has to do with it as much," Smith said.

SERIES HISTORY
3rd regular-season meeting. Jaguars lead series, 2-0, with both games in Jacksonville. This is the first meeting at Candlestick Park.

Copyright (C) 2009 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.

 
 

San Francisco 49ers Message Board
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 25, 2007

November 30, 2009 1:41 pm


Ok they have dropped to 4-7 and only have one game I can conceivably see them winning left on their schedule. That being against the Bucs this upcoming weekend.(They lose that then there not winning any games from here on out) Seattle could win two more games as they have the Bucs and Texans on the schedule and the ...(more)

Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 25, 2007

November 30, 2009 12:50 pm

Ok they have dropped to 4-7 and only have one game I can conceivably see them winning left on their schedule. That being against the Bucs this upcoming weekend.(They lose that then there not winning any games from here on out) Seattle could win two more games as they have the Bucs and Texans on the schedule and the ...(more)

Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 7, 2007

November 30, 2009 2:02 am
Sure looked like a different 49er offense in the first half than the one we're used to seeing to start games. I thought it was interesting to read some of the postgame comments from Maiocco's page. Made it sound like the team was really upset after last week's loss to the Pack and the guys really wanted to do something different. Vernon, Alex and Crabtree were all voicing their opinion and Jimmy R ...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 22, 2008

November 29, 2009 9:38 pm
  Was that good enough for you.  I know it wasn't a perfect game but it was a good one.  He may never be the next Joe or Steve but if he is given the time he can be good in his own right.  I just hope he can back this game up with another six to nine more.  Yes i know know there are only five games left.  But I'm hoping the season doesn't end ...(more)
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 27, 2006

November 28, 2009 9:28 pm
Last Chance. I haven't really seen much 49er fan on this website talking about this game,This game is big. But i really care about our Niners.
Veteran, Takeo Spikes is on a game-decision situation, to play toomorow. Newly Signed Wilhem looked Horrible against the Green Bay Packers, Not Closing ga
...(more)
Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 6, 2006

November 24, 2009 12:24 am

I'm a little shocked to say this after the egg  we laid in yesterday's first half. BUT, 5 of 6 games and I think we win the division. This does take into account the Cardinals losing their next 3 (AND it's possible). The Titans look good. The ...(more)

Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 25, 2007

November 24, 2009 9:34 am

Coach Mike and OC Raye take all their aggressive plays in that play book as well as the ones they draw up/ incorporate into the playbook in practice and just mix it up from here on out. Figure out a way to work the run into these different formations and just do whatever works thru out the course of the game as opposed to waiting till the end of the game and there desperate. If Alex turns ...(more)

Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 7, 2007

November 26, 2009 1:54 pm
First of all, hope everyone is having a happy and healthy Thanksgiving from one 49er fan to the rest. 

Per Maiocco on his Twitter feed: He was asked by someone what the difference would be if Mike Johnson were to become the OC. He responded by saying that from his sources he understands that Johnson would certainly be more aggressive. This is the basis argument that the Niners are
...(more)
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 25, 2007

November 23, 2009 8:52 am

 I understand all the things you guys are saying on here but we just have to accept that THIS year Alex Smith is going to be our guy because the coach has committed to him and he is not going to change anything on tha ...(more)

Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 7, 2008

November 9, 2009 12:40 am
After starting the season 3-1 and talking all that thrash that your 49ers are the best team in the NFC West and that finally almost close to a decade now that finally this is the year the 49ers will win the NFC West and go to the playoffs this season and that the Cardinals, ...(more)
Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Mar 30, 2007

November 29, 2009 6:55 pm

hey ericinct what your excuse today why alex looked fantastic????? 2 td and 0 int.  200+ yds. 

Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 25, 2007

November 23, 2009 8:22 am

The Packers are just a flat out better team and our team really is not that good plain and simple! You blame the Coaching staff, play calling, defense, Alex Smith and the O-line. The team is not g ...(more)

Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 15, 2007

November 29, 2009 7:21 pm
49ers fans. Congrats on 20-3 win over the Jaguars. It was a real good game. Really enjoyed it. Good luck next week when you take on the Seahawks.
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 12, 2008

November 29, 2009 7:30 pm
OK, with 5 more games...TELL ME WE CAN'T FINISH 9-7!!!!!

Seahawks - Should be a win
Cardinals - Cards have been tough but I think the niners can beat them again.  Tiebreaker game?
Eagles - Eagles
...(more)
Reputation:91
Level:All-Star
Since:Oct 5, 2006

November 24, 2009 2:03 pm
The 49ers need to get a better pass rush, the db's need to be more physical, and they have to get off the field when given the chance. How many times have the 49ers given up a 3rd and long and not get off the field. It has to be frustrating for the coaches when they can't get off the field. The 49ers are close but ju ...(more)
 
 
 
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