October 14, 2012

With just under 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith took the snap, dropped back to pass and immediately saw Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka rushing toward him, as if Kiwanuka were running straight down Nob Hill.

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Victor Cruz was born on November 11th, 1986 according to 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Cruz_(American_football)

November 11th, 1986

11 + 11 +1+9+8+6 = 46 = his life lesson = Making history.

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November 11th, 1986

11 + 11 = 22 = his core number = Lucky.

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November 11th, 1986

11 +1+9+8+6 = 35 = his “secret” number = Strength in adversity.

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November 11th, 1986

November 11th

11 + 11 +2+0+1+1 = 26 = his personal year (from November 11th, 2011 to November 10th, 2012) = Popular.  Fans.  In the news.  Making headlines.

26 year + 10 (October) = 36 = his personal month (from October 11th, 2012 to November 10th, 2012) = Crushing the competition.

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comprehensive summary and list of predictions for 2012:

http://predictionsyear2012.com/

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discover some of your own numerology for FREE at:

http://numerologybasics.com/

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learn numerology from numerologist to the world, Ed Peterson:

https://www.createspace.com/3411561

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Sex Numerology available at:

https://www.createspace.com/3802937

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http://electionnumerology.com/

Alex Smith’s had a whirlwind seven-day stretch to say the least.

John Branch of the New York Times summed it up succinctly in a recent story.

“In this, the eighth chapter of The Many Lives of Alex Smith, the San Francisco quarterback leads the league in passer rating, coolly commands a high-scoring offense that sets a single-game yardage record, is deemed such a local celebrity that he tosses the ceremonial first pitch of a baseball playoff series and talks football with the president,” Branch wrote.

The week could get even better if the 49ers quarterback wins the FedEx Air Player of the Week award. And, if he beats the New York Giants this Sunday at Candlestick Park.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle passes along the comments of Giants offensive coordinator Kelvin Gilbride, who believes Justin Smith gets away with defensive holding.

Branch also writes about the 49ers success cramping Harbaugh’s coaching style.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee looks at the chances of Brandon Jacobs making his 49ers debut this Sunday.

CBSSports.com’s Kyle Bonagura shares Jacobs comments about returning to 100-percent health.

FoxSports.com’s Alex Marvez looks at the 49ers mindset heading into a NFC title game rematch.

49ers.com looked at Mario Manningham’s recent do-it-all versatility with his new team.

49ers five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis joined the latest Niner Talk podcast.

49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks joined this week’s 49ers.com “Weekly Conversation.”

TV49’S CLIP OF THE DAY

TWEET ABOUT IT

We need you #49ersFaithful… Sunday. Candlestick. #SeaOfRed….—
Jed York (@JedYork) October 12, 2012

Wear red, get loud (except with the 49ers have the ball on offense).

All of the elements are there for a great game.

The Giants are heading to San Francisco for the third time in two years and the first time since thwarting the 49ers in overtime for the NFC Championship in January. Most of the starters have returned for both teams, so have the coaches. And, yes, there’s even a little extra fuel on the fire, thanks to former Giants WR Mario Manningham and RB Brandon Jacobs signing with the Niners during the offseason.

Perhaps the only thing missing from this game are the stakes – it’s only the sixth week of the regular season, although it’s very possible the winner will be able to call upon this result to help gain a tiebreaker advantage for the playoffs.

Here are three matchups to watch:

1. Giants offensive line vs. 49ers front seven. Eli Manning took a career-high 12 hits, including six sacks, in the NFC Championship game. It’s understood that the game went into overtime and he had to drop back more than 60 times. Several players have said that was the clearest sign of toughness Manning has shown since he turned pro. But do they really need him to do it again?

LDT Ray McDonald had 2 ½ sacks and RDT Justin Smith were disruptive and the Niners’ speedy linebackers – led by inside guys Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman – cannot be allowed to get blitz happy and beat Manning into the ground.

And we know Manning is going to have throw it at least 40 times because the Niners are only allowing about 80 yards per game on the ground.

2. Giants linebackers vs. 49ers running game. Again, we’re going to go with a generic matchup. That’s because San Francisco has a very diverse rushing attack – they’re no longer just a pound-between-the-tackles team relying on RB Frank Gore. They can attack the edges with RB Kendall Hunter and wildcat QB Colin Kaepernick, who has run for a score in each of the past two weeks.

Kaepernick is averaging 10.6 yards per carry on 10 rushes, and he’s got a strong arm, although he’s only 1-of-2 for 7 yards through the air. Regardless, the Niners have the best balance in the league – they run the ball 52 percent on first and second down combined. They own the time of possession over their opponents, 32:28 to 27:32, and QB Alex has thrown only one interception.

If the Niners have their running game going, it’s that much harder to beat them.

3. Giants special teams vs. 49ers special teams. This is the one facet of the matchup that most folks have overlooked this past week – and the two special teams fumbles the Giants recovered in the NFC Championship game were the difference that day.

Ted Ginn has taken over the punt return duties from Kyle Williams (who remains deep on kickoffs and twice was the culprit in the playoff game). Either player can take it the distance at any time. On the flip side, 49ers’ opponents are averaging 30.9 on 12 kickoff returns and have a TD and a 23.6-yard average on five punt returns, so rookie PR Rueben Randle and KOR David Wilson likely will have room to operate.

The Niners prefer to tilt the field in order to enhance the conditions for their style of play on both sides of the ball, so the Giants will try to take away this advantage.

Prediction: 49ers 27, Giants 17

Prediction record vs. the spread: 3-1-1

Your prediction? Let us know in the comments below!

The former New York Giants wide receiver who made one of the most significant catches in the franchise’s post-season history signed with San Francisco in the off-season. Yes, he went behind enemy lines.

When asked what he’s looking forward to about Sunday’s clash between his new and former teams, Manningham said it was a dream.

“Oh man, that’s a player’s dream — to go out and beat their old team,’’ Manningham said. “That’s a player’s dream. We play the Dolphins (later this season) and that’s Ted’s (Ted Ginn Jr.) old team. We played Minnesota and play New England and those are Randy (Moss’) old teams. Now my time is up.

“I’m going to go out there and play my butt off, plain and simple. Do I have a grudge? No. But am I motivated? Yes. I’m motivated by this game. Who wouldn’t be motivated by playing their old team?”

Manningham has been a key addition to the Niners as they upgraded their aerial attack in the off-season. He wasn’t the only Giant to switch from Big Blue to red.

Running back Brandon Jacobs also signed a one-year deal to back up Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter, though he has yet to see the field this season.

While Manningham was motivated to face his former club, Jacobs — well, let’s just say the feelings aren’t exactly the same.

“It would be different if things were different, put it that way,” said Jacobs. “I don’t have any thoughts on it.”

“It would disappoint me a lot (not to play the Giants),” he said. “But like I said, it’s not my call.”

Follow Sam on Twitter; Follow SNYGiants on Twitter

The line says six points, but it might as well be a million.

Few are giving the Giants a chance to win Sunday’s game in San Francisco, and probably rightfully so. The 49ers have played like Super Bowl champions the last couple of weeks, way good enough for people to try to pass the Vince Lombardi Trophy over to them even at this early juncture.

You outscore two teams 79-3, and even though they’re the Jets and Bills, people take notice.

The Giants certainly have. Not that they’ve ever been scared of walking into Candlestick Park and beating the Niners. Never have been. After all, last year’s NFC overtime victory didn’t exactly come in the friendly confines of MetLife Stadium. They fought a real battle to get past San Francisco that day, and Eli Manning took more than his share of wounds in that 20-17 squeaker.

So is it any wonder that when the media informed the Giants that just about everyone on the continent would be picking the 49ers to win this week, they just sort of shrugged?

“Nobody gives us a chance to win,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “We’ll see.”

Pretty stock answer right there for Coughlin. A statement of fact followed by his trademark look into the future.

Think this guy can fill in for that injured player, Tom?

“We’ll see.”

Think this 2007 team is any match for the undefeated Patriots?

“We’ll see.”

Think the Giants can beat a team which has used its defense to pound teams into submission?

“We’ll see.”

More often than not, or at least often enough to find a comfort level, the answer to “we’ll see” has turned into a solid “yes” by the time the clock runs to 0:00. Teams under Coughlin have a tendency to walk into places others only dared to tread and come away victorious. The underdog mentality — us against the world — is as much a part of Coughlin’s locker room as ankle tape. And it works for the Giants.

If, indeed, a team that has rolled up 1,000 yards of total offense, including a franchise record 621 against Buffalo last week, beats the Giants, it won’t be because the Giants feared the Niners. Or that they listened to any of the chatter bandied about outside the walls of their locker room.

“So?” defensive end Justin Tuck said of the naysayers. “Who cares about that? I like the fact that we’re underdogs. I think we’ve been in that role a lot.

“The fact of the matter is they’re a good football team and they’re playing well. I think if I was a betting man and didn’t have anything to do with this team, I’d probably pick them as favorites, too.”

Tuck said the Niners’ offense, which now features the Giants’ Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham and former running back Brandon Jacobs, who is still awaiting his season debut after a knee injury, has added some twists since last year.

Scheming problems, he called it. Line up one way, run the play in the polar opposite of the alignment. They were devised to stymie the Giants’ pass rushers, who haven’t sacked many people as yet, and are getting more frustrated by the minute.

Still, Tuck believes. Just like Coughlin believes. Just like Manning and his patchwork receiving corps believe.

So go ahead. Lay the six. You might be right.

As Coughlin might say, “We’ll see.”

Giants fans, are you irked by this week’s line? Be heard in the comments below!

Have questions? Find me on Twitter: @Blackie_Mike

Watch the video version here.

Start ‘Em:

(MIN) Christian Ponder vs. (WAS): Washington has been one of the best teams in fantasy to face if you are looking for points from QBs and WRs, so I am looking for a big game from Christian Ponder and his 4-1 Minnesota Vikings this Sunday. I don’t think Ponder will throw for 300 and 3 TDs, but he could go for 250 and 2, while adding some more value with his legs, maybe even a rushing TD.

(PIT) Rashard Mendenhall vs. (TEN): Mendenhall came back from injury last week and impressed everyone by rushing for 81 yards and a TD, even though the majority of the fantasy world likely had left him on their bench for the week. Against the struggling Titans in week six, I know I won’t be leaving him on the bench if I own him.

(ATL) Michael Turner vs. (OAK): Turner has snubbed detractors the last few weeks with some very solid efforts, and now has one of the best matchups of the season in the Raiders run defense. The main concern in that the Raiders are coming off a bye week and could be fired up and ready for a win, but the Falcons are looking like of the best teams in football right now and should still be able to put up lots of points and get the win, with Turner getting his fair share.

(ARZ) Andre Roberts vs. (BUF): Roberts was a hot addition off the waiver wire a few weeks ago when he went off for 100+ yards and a pair of TDs, but was fairly silent last week with 5 catches for only 59 yards. Against a Bills defense that has allowed over 1000 yards against in the last 2 games alone and have allowed 45 or more points against three times in only five games this season.

(SEA) Sidney Rice vs. (NE): Rice is yet to have a big game for fantasy owners in 2012, but that could change this week against the New England Patriots secondary. The Patriots tend to get ahead of teams, forcing them to throw a bit more than they would like, and I think that happens this week, even though the Seahawks defense has been so good. Whether or not it’s Russell or Flynn at the helm, Rice should have the opportunities to have himself a big game.

(CIN) Jerome Simpson vs. (WAS): unfortunately Simpson is dealing with a leg injury after coming back for two games, but I still wanted to include him on the list due to the great matchup. I don’t want what happened last week with Ben Tate to happen though so I will include another player to roll out incase Simpson does not play.  If Simpson is unavailable to play this weekend, the Viking are going to need more than just Percy and Rudolph to catch balls (start both!), so look towards Michael Jenkins and Devin Aromashodu to pick up some slack. I would prefer Aromashodu as I think he has the more potential as a player and has gained more yards than Jenkins on 4 less catches; he could see some value as a deep threat.

(SF) Mario Manningham vs. (NYG): We all saw as Robert Meachem burned his former team for a pair of TDs in week five against the Saints, now in week six Mario gets to take on his former team in the Giants. The Giants don’t have the greatest defense right now, so I think Alex Smith is going to be able to put up some yardage totals and possibly throw 2-3 TDs. I wouldn’t be surprised if Manningham, like Meachem, went for a score against his former squad.

Honorable Mention (IND) Vick Ballard vs. (NYJ): Edit: Donald Brown OUT -  I have no faith in Brown as a fantasy starter most of, if not all of the time. I only own him in one league and very rarely stick him in the lineup; it is just so hard to drop a player with a starting role like his. This week however, I think I am putting Brown into the lineup against the Jets. The Jets are second last in the NFL, allowing 172 rush yards a game to opponents. Brown should be able to make a run at 100 yards with his legs, if not at least getting 100 total yards, and of course hopefully a TD.

Sit ‘Em:

(BAL) Joe Flacco vs. (DAL): Dallas has been the best team in football in not allowing other teams to move the ball in the air, largely due to the improved secondary, but even more so due to the stellar pass rush of DeMarcus Ware and company. Joe Flacco is already a QB that tends to cough up the ball and struggle from time to time in fantasy, and this is looking exactly like one of those match ups.

(OAK) Carson Palmer vs.  (ATL): like the Cowboys, The Atlanta defense has not been giving to opposing QBs either (as I pointed out to many people who asked me about RGIII last week, even though it seemed they were going to play him anyway. They just wanted my support in doing so and didn’t like it when I told them to sit him). This does not bode well for anyone looking to start Carson Palmer coming off of his bye week. Atlanta has only allowed five passing TDs through the first five weeks, I do not see Palmer throwing more than 2 TDs in this game, and am thinking he will throw an INT or two.

(SF) Frank Gore vs. (NYG): Gore and his teammate Kendall hunter have graced by Start ‘Em side of the list the last two weeks respectably, but now have been cast to the Sit ‘Em side of the board for week six. The match ups for the pair isn’t terrible against the Giants, but I do think the 49’ers will be throwing a bit more than usual as they are forced into a higher scoring game than usual against the high powered Giants.

(WAS) Alfred Morris vs. (MIN): Minnesota is a surprising 4-1 so far in 2012, and many would argue that it is largely due to the teams defense and how it has only allowed one rush TD so far this season. If you are someone who has grabbed Alfred Morris and are riding him for the time being, this is one match up to avoid. The Vikings are also only allowing 78 rush yards per game total to opposing teams.

(STL) Steven Jackson vs. (MIA): While only allowing two rushing TDs to opponents, the Dolphins are only giving up 61.4 rush yards per game to opposing team. If you have Steven Jackson as a starting player this week as anything more than a flex, than you just might be disappointed by the result; Jackson is already struggling as it is in 2012.

(GB) James Jones vs. (HOU): Jones paid off for anyone who started him last week with a nice two TD effort, but I do not like his chances of cashing in for a score in week six against a very tough Texans defense. It could even be argued that the Texans have the most complete defense in the league right now along with the Seahawks and Bears. This game is under the lights and could get a little high scoring, but I am still not trusting Jones as a part of my lineup unless I really need to.

(BAL) Anquan Boldin (DAL): Boldin has been much more productive so far in 2012 than I would have expected, with back to back double digit efforts, but I think that trend takes a week off as he takes on the Cowboys secondary and pass rush. This has as much to do with the fact I think Flacco will be pressured all day and the Ravens would be wise to use a lot of Ray Rice and the tight ends.

Beware (NE) Wes Welker vs. (SEA): I don’t know if I would be bold enough myself to sit someone like Wes Welker, unless maybe I knew I had a decent replacement, but week six is one week to consider doing so. The Seattle Seahawks have allowed a league low three passing TDs to opponents so far, so it might be hard for even someone as good as Tom Brady to throw for even 2 TDs in this game. Beware Wes Welker in week six.

It would seem that the New York Giants are going to get pushed hard when they go to San Francisco on Sunday to play the 49ers.

After all, the Niners were the consensus favorite to win the Super Bowl at the start of the season, and they look like a juggernaut at this point in the year.

They have a loss on their record thanks to an uninspired effort against the Minnesota Vikings, but head coach Jim Harbaugh is walking tall.

His team is coming off a rollicking 45-3 win over the Buffalo Bills, and it was the offensive showing that was most impressive. Alex Smith threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Frank Gore ran for 106 yards and Kendall Hunter added 81 more on the ground.

Couple that suddenly explosive offense with one of the hardest-hitting defenses in the NFL, and you have every reason for Harbaugh to be confident.

But he may be just a tad too cocky for his own good. Having the most explosive offense in mid-October and having a competent postseason offense are two different things. The Niners have apparently made great strides in the passing game — thanks in large part to ex-Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham — but they are still unproven in that area in games that matter.

As far as matching up with the Giants goes, the Niners still have to take a backseat.

Here’s two good reasons: The Giants are better at the quarterback position and at the head coaching slot.

That may not come into play this week because the Niners are playing for revenge, but don’t think for a second that what happens in Week 6 will matter even a lick if these teams meet in the postseason.

Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning don’t have anything to prove in the regular season. They have to survive a very difficult run, but it’s not about anything other than that. The Niners may be all about showing the Giants who is boss on Sunday, but Coughlin never lets these kind of “big” games matter.

Last year the Giants lost to the powerful Green Bay Packers at home in the regular season and then whipped Green Bay on the road in the playoffs.

When the Patriots were 18-0-0 heading into Super Bowl XLII, few thought that the Giants had a reasonable chance at beating them. After all, the Patriots had beaten the Giants during the regular season, and they didn’t appear to have the weapons to match up with them.

But the Giants played the game virtually even for three quarters, and then outplayed the Patriots in the fourth quarter and won the Super Bowl.

The Giants are far too mature a team to let the outcome of a regular-season game impact their long-term prospects during a season.

So the 49ers can make this game out to be a revenge game or whatever they want, but the Giants will remain focused on the big picture.

Smith is a good quarterback, but is he really an MVP candidate? His name is at the top of the NFL’s passer-rating list, but there is little reason to believe that he will remain there by the end of the season.

Smith is athletic and he is a good short- and medium-range passer. But he is not an upper-echelon deep passer, and there are serious questions as to whether he could play his best game when all the money is on the table.

There are no questions about Manning’s ability to do either of those things. He throws a great deep ball and he’s at his best in the fourth quarter of the biggest games.

Coughlin prepares his team as well as any coach for the key games. He’s got two Super Bowl rings to prove it.

Harbaugh looks like a good NFL coach. However, he’s a demanding and tough boss who often gets under the skin of his players. That means the longer he stays with the 49ers, the more difficult his relationships may get with his players.

He may overcome that friction, but he will take a backseat to Coughlin until he proves he can win a Super Bowl.

That’s not going to happen on Sunday, and it’s probably not going to happen this year.

Do you see the Giants pulling this one out on Sunday? Offer your predictions and thoughts in the comments section below…

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49er Big Win Over The Bills

49ers 45 – Bills 3 (Win)

**49ers are the first team in NFL history to join 300/300 club. The team rushed for more than 300 yards and threw for more than 300 yards. 

I think the 49ers and Roman read my gripes form last weeks post about their play calling  because they couldn’t have had a better game today. Everyone was involved and everyone brought their talent. The Offense and Defense were both in sync and firing on all cylinders. I couldn’t have called a better game today if I were the offensive coordinator or if I were Harbaugh, high-five guys!

As I have mentioned in the past you have to trust Alex and let him throw. Alex stepped up to that challenge and he proved he can throw today. Alex Smith is my Offensive Player of the game. Alex was on fire today going 18/24 for 303 yards and 3 TD’s with 49 rush yards as a bonus.

I will say this again, I LOVE THIS WHOLE TEAM! There is not one guy on the roster I am not a fan of or would get rid of this year. In  previous season I saw many weak spots and guys I didn’t care for but I love all these guys. If I had to pick on one guy I am calling out Ginn, he has been quiet. I think Kyle Williams has won out the returning spot on my roster.

Defensive Player of the game goes to newly engaged Patrick Willis with some key tackles and a forced-fumble. Congrats to Willis on getting married and on a great game.

Michael Crabtree had a big game today as I knew he would. Crabtree had 113 yards receiving and a TD. I know Crab can have a game like this every week if they just keep up the passing game and let Alex or Colin go deep. Great hands and great YAC today Crabtree.

As I said last week Niners have to get Mario Manningham the ball more often, he is exciting to watch and can make things happen. Ham only had 26 yards receiving but he did get that TD after he juked and got wide-open. I would like to see Manningham and Moss get more targets in the future but I think in todays game they played it perfect.

I would have to think that against the NY Giants the 49ers are going to unleash Randy Moss for the deep ball. The Giants put points on the board so that game is not one to be conservative with the ball and run the ball hoping the Defense will help you win. I expect to see all the boys with 50 yards or more receiving next week. The ball should be in the air at least 25% more than normal I would guess.

Colin Kaepernick is still on fire and it is good to see him still getting playing time and not sitting the pine. Kappy as I like to call him was 1/1 for 7 yards and he rushed for 39 yards and a TD. Nothing like having two quarterbacks you can rely on, it’s like Montana and Young. Great kid and very exciting to watch.

Vernon Davis, Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon got some more ball time today and all played hard. Just too many guys to mention here so if you missed the game you have to watch it. Again great work all around and you really pleased me as a long time fan today and took plays right out of my book.

Great game Niners!!

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Injury Update:

Alex Smith #11 QB – Sprained his middle finger on his throwing hand. First reports said “non-throwing” hand.

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Offense Recap Vs Bills

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Jesus is just alright with me, but I think it would be better left around.

The first quarter of the NFL season is out of the way and teams are starting to show their true colors.  We have had some great stories in the first part of the season and I for one am extremely excited to see what else we have in store.  This week holds a couple of extremely enticing matchups, including Brady vs. Peyton, which every NFL fan is anticipating.  As great as some of the games might be this week, the real excitement comes from your fantasy football teams.  So here are our week 5 picks to help improve your lineups in the final seconds before the 1 o’clock games.

Andrew Hawkins:  Sunday 1:00 PM EST

Will Cinci stay Green with envy, or switch up with Andrew?

One of the things that has stayed consistent in the first quarter of the season is the Cincinnati Bengals QB, Andy Dalton, and his love for his #1 receiver, A.J. Green.  That love affair is known across the league now so defenses are being designed to shut it down.  That means that Dalton will need to find new toys to play with on his receiving core.  That’s  where the second year man out of Toledo, Andrew Hawkins comes in.  While Hawkins has had a pretty quiet start to the season, he has been able to break a couple of big plays that went for touchdowns.  He will never be a heavily targeted receiver, but if you are in need of a “flex” position player and are looking for a big play guy, Hawkins is the way to go this week.  He has ridiculous speed and always has one-on-one coverage because of the before mentioned Green.  While his game won’t be earth-shattering, I do feel he will make a couple of big plays to boost his fantasy numbers against an inconsistent Miami defense.

Predictions for week 5:  4 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown

Randall Cobb:  Sunday 1:00 PM EST

Rogers with probably pop his corn off this Cobb.

The Green Bay Packers have been struggling this season, but the truth of the matter is that if they didn’t get robbed by the worst call in NFL history, than they would be 3-1 right now.  That being said, they are 2-2 and have played without a healthy star receiver, Greg Jennings, for most of the early season.  NFL M.V.P Aaron Rodgers has had to find other favorite targets to help the pass-happy offense of the Packers move up and down the field.  This week Rodgers has the luxury of facing off with the inexperienced Indianapolis Colts where, like Burger King, he should have it his way.  Rodgers’ #1 is Nelson and #2 is Jones, but this week I am focusing on the Packers #3 receiver and punt returner, Randall Cobb.  Cobb is arguably the fastest wide out the NFL has to offer and he has been targeted by Rodgers way more than anyone would have expected.  In a big game against the Saints last week, Cobb pulled in 7 catches.  I expect him to have a really good day against a Colts defense with no real stars.

Predictions for week 5:  7 receptions for 110 yards, Punt Return for a touchdown

Jacoby Jones:  Sunday 1:00 PM EST

Pass me a bottle, Mr. Jones
Believe in me
Help me believe in anything
I want to be someone who believes.

Joe Flacco is having an MVP type start to his 2012-13 season.  Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin have both been stellar this year in catching anything that Flacco throws at them.  Ray Rice seems to be pushing through any defender that tries to touch him and the Ravens defense is looking as good as the old days.  Things seem to be clicking for this AFC powerhouse and I feel that today’s game against the lowly Kansas City Chiefs with be the coming out party for the former Houston Texan, Jacoby Jones.  Jones is one of those rare receivers that actually puts his body on the line for his team.  While I’m not comparing his skill level to Keyshawn Johnson, Jones does possess a lot of the same receiving attributes that Johnson once dominated the NFL with.  While Jones is not a go to target for Flacco too often, whenever Boldin, Smith and Rice need a rest Jones will get a look.  I am imagining a huge blowout today in Kansas City where Flacco will be throwing for nearly 400 yards.  I expect Jones to be on the receiving end of a large chunk of those.

Predictions for week 5:  6 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown

Mike Tolbert:  Sunday 4:05 PM EST

Tolbert will circle the end zone and end up with the carry-on.

The original “vulture,” who stole so many touchdowns from my boy Michael Turner for 3 straight years in Atlanta, has moved to the Carolina Panthers.  Entering the season, many people were saying that Carolina had the best rushing attack in the NFL with names like Stewart, Williams, Tolbert and of course Cam Newton.  While they haven’t performed to the standards that we all predicted, they have shown signs of life and seem to have a breakout game coming in the near future.  If you pick Tolbert up in your fantasy league and expect him to get a lot of touches or even be in a lot of plays for that matter, you are sadly mistaken.  Tolbert is a “vulture” specialist, and for all you people who don’t watch “The League” and have no clue what a vulture is then here you go.  Vulture: Any player who steals a short touchdown after his teammate gets the ball down the whole field to inside the 5 yard line.  I’m expecting this to happen at least once for Tolbert this week and I even think he will be on the receiving end of a couple of ugly screens from Newton.

Predictions for week 5:  6 rushes for 5 yards and a touchdown, 3 receptions for 15 yards

Mario Manningham:  Sunday 4:25 PM EST

He may not be super, but Mario will be more than Manningham enough.

Sorry Bills fans, but you are going to have to suffer through everything the Jets did last week.  Maybe not as bad as we did, but it will be painful because the 49ers have a ridiculous team with talent at every position.  Alex Smith has been looking good and everyone on the receiving core has seemed to step up in different games.  Last week against the Jets, Smith seemed to have targeted Manningham almost every pass; it was laughable.  I do feel that the former Giants wide receiver is a very good player that just hasn’t had his moment to shine yet.  This week Manningham will have a field day with the terrible secondary that the Bills put out there on a weekly basis.  Mario’s stat line has stayed pretty consistent for the first 4 weeks of the season where he seems to pull in roughly 4 catches a game totaling 30-40 yards.  The big advantage with Manningham on your fantasy team is that he also gets a couple of carries on San Fran’s trickery end-around’s.  He has already gotten nearly 60 yards on the ground and now has the luxury of going up against a defense that gave nearly 1,000 points to the Patriots last week.

Predictions for week 5:  6 receptions for 80 yards and touchdown, 1 rush for 30 yards

Here is our free advice for you to take now and thank us later.  We will be posting 5 players every week who we feel will make a significant impact for that week.  If you agree or not with our predictions let us know.  If you take our advice and are successful because of it, congratulations and tell your friends.  Also check out our picks against the spread at:  
http://sports-debaters.com/2012/10/03/sports-debaters-expert-picks-against-the-spread-week-5/

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49ers And Jets Game

49ers 34 – Jets 0 (WIN)

I give my Defensive player of the week award to Aldon Smith, he had 2 sacks (his 3rd sack was taken away after a penalty), 3 tackles and a forced fumbled against the Jets. Aldon was a work horse all day and kept the pressure on Sanchez.

Mario Manningham continues to make plays and be a key part of the offense although his stats on paper wouldn’t show that. He takes a 1 yard pass and turns it into 5-8 yards and he is catching some longer passes down the sidelines. Manningham caught three passes for 47 yards and rushed once for 28 yards. He is very explosive and he has proven that he needs to be involved each week.

Colin Kaepernick gets my Offensive player of the week award. Kaepernick rushed five times for 50 yards and a touchdown and had an easy second TD which he chose with class to slide down on his own at the goal line so he wouldn’t run up the score since it was a blowout. Kaepernick needs to be a part of this offense like I have been saying all along you can’t let him sit the bench and get rusty. I hope we see a lot more of him and more of his arm on the air attack to Moss or Crabtree on deep passes.

The Defense looked like last years defense but not quite 100% yet. The defense was a huge part of this game and of course they get a ton of credit for the win but at the same time Sanchez looked horrible. Alex Smith to me looked like he was taking a step back to his days of happy feet and overthrows, I hope he will adjust for the coming week and look like the new-improved Alex we all know and love.

Vernon Davis is having back issues so I didn’t really expect to see him as much as I did in the game. We know Vernon is one of our consistent offensive weapons and he is Alex’ number two target. Michael Crabtree looked good but once again he had no TD. I don’t blame Crabtree for not having TD’s but I blame to play calling, lack of confidence in throwing and overthrows.

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My Gripes – The Playbook/Play Calling

I am very happy my 49ers are winning but most of the games the score is too close and you can’t always depend on the defense, time management, and playing it safe. I have a few gripes about the offensive calling since some of it looks like plays straight from the Singletary era.

There were a few offensive play calls where I said to myself “what the heck was that”! Giving Alex the option to run in the red zone? Kaepernick had been running like crazy why not use him? Why not try for a passing TD? Moss in the end zone? Anthony Dixon is somewhat of a power back so let him get a GL carry in Brandon Jacobs absence and help with the struggling red zone scoring.

On 3rd down conversions we are lacking and most of the play calls are not working. Whenever it is 3rd and say 5 yards we throw for 2-4 yards then hope for YAC yet 80% of the time the defense is right there to stop the receiver in his tracks. I get that you don’t want the defense to catch on that you are throwing for the first-down marker so you go for the short curl route but it doesn’t seem to be working. When it is 3rd and 5 yards go for 7-10 yards and use more slant routes.

You still have to open up the throwing game a little more, why have so many weapons and let them run out of stamina by just blocking and running routes where they are never targeted. Throw the ball and get all of these talented receivers more involved in a win. I say suit up AJ Jenkins and throw him in for a play or two if you have the room. Crabtree, Vernon, and Mannigham should have at least 4-6 receptions/targets each per game and Moss at least 3-4.

Kendall Hunter is another guy who isn’t get as much action as he should. I would like to see a little more Hunter and Dixon in the run and passing game. You know what these two did in college. Split some carries and give Gore a breather every once in a while.

I haven’t really noticed this with the 49ers yet but with other teams this year I have. On 4th and 1 or 4th and inches and you are in a decent position of the field “GO FOR IT”. Look at the Atlanta and Carolina game, Panthers were afraid to go for it and it bit them in the ass. They needed 1 yard and Cam had fumbled in a previous play so the didn’t want to go for it and chose to punt. They could have used one of their RB’s such as Stewart for the first down. You can’t be afraid to take risks when you face a hot team with a good QB that can march down the field with 2 minutes and under remaining.

Just my 49 cents but my ideas cannot be any worse than the plays that are not working every week for the past few years. Give them a try and if they don’t work I give you permission to yell at me and tell me I suck.

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Only a fool would eulogize the Jets — a first-place team after three games — in Week 4. Yet it won’t be the first time I’ve acted the fool.

The Jets’ season is over.

Done. Dead. Muerto.

The Jets and their fans, led by Craig Carton, are painting a Pollyannaish mosaic, silver linings streaked across the canvas.

You don’t cancel the season just because you lose a cornerback.

He’s only one player.

He only covers one receiver.

He hardly tackles.

The Jets went 8-8 with him last year, so let’s not crown him king of football.

Among all the siren songs is rampant duplicity. It’s amazing how good, how vital, how essential Darrelle Revis was to the Jets — before he got hurt. Now he’s suddenly an afterthought.

While I join the joyous chorus claiming there are no ugly wins in the NFL, that the Jets needn’t apologize or sympathize with the Dolphins after taking the backdoor to victory, the loss of Revis negates any postgame euphoria.

Yes, they have two wins in an anemic division. Yes, the Patriots are the only club resembling a playoff team. Yes, the Jets have a better record. Yes, they pounded Buffalo in Week 1. Yes, the Dolphins look lost, from Hard Knocks to Chad Ocho/Johnson’s domestic violence beef and sudden, subsequent unemployment to Reggie Bush’s injury to Coach Philbin’s eerie resemblance to Mr. Magoo.

But the only way the Jets can make the playoffs is by winning the AFC East. And they will not win the AFC East. They will face an ornery Patriots squad in a month. Before then, the Jets play the two best teams in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers, caught in that trap game up in Minnesota, will be particularly vulgar and violent this Sunday. If the Jets thought they struggled against Miami’s new, no-name (and no-talent) defense, wait until they run into Jim Harbaugh’s wolf pack, led by a conga line of All-Pro linebackers.

So, after a 1-3 month, the Jets will face the surprisingly decent Seahawks, the bona fide, bruising, 3-0 Cardinals, the Patriots (again), the explosive Chargers, and the Bills — in Buffalo — in December. Not to mention the Dolphins always give the Jets agita and will be out for vengeance on October 28.

Jacksonville is horrendous, and the Titans are hardly titanic. But the Jets play both on the road, which is never pleasant in pro football. It’s hard to find more than four more wins on their schedule. Let’s be generous and give them five, which lands them at 7-9.

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Then there’s the matter of Mark Sanchez, the franchise, Sanchise quarterback whom they’ve drowned in conflicting impulses.

They’ve given him fewer weapons each year, gutting the running game, planting a turnstile at right tackle and signing inadequate wide receivers. Then, in the ultimate act of romantic confusion, they sign Sanchez to an extension while trading for Tim Tebow, the most socially pyrotechnic backup in NFL history, who needed a private jet and personal press conference upon arrival. Did David Carr need either when he joined the Giants? How about Charlie Batch when he joined my beloved black and gold? How about any backup player at any position in NFL history? Woody Johnson has been vocal about star power, and acquiring Tebow was much more about Q rating than QB rating.

Forget Sanchez playing hubby, house (and cougar) hunting with a certain celebrity whose dating proclivities are predictably linear (find young, handsome athletes, pose for Page 6, and divorce them). There’s enough trouble in his vocation sans vacation.

Rex Ryan can gripe about the circulating, circus metaphors all he wants, but the label fits as snugly as his newer wardrobe. Rex dropped at least 100 pounds this offseason. With the weight went some of his bombast, his mojo, his essence. We are what we are, and the Jets don’t have an identity now. They can’t run, they can’t throw and the defense that Ryan branded so deadly just took a deadly hit on the knee.

So much of Ryan’s schemes are predicated on and dedicated to the idea that Revis would blanket the opponent’s best receiver, allowing Ryan a few risks in blitz packages. Without Revis, Ryan doesn’t have the horses up front to rush the passer in conventional formations. Expect a lot more passing against Gang Green, starting with Alex Smith and Matt Schaub, hardly household names who are now leading Super Bowl favorites into MetLife Stadium. And the scorekeeper could get carpal tunnel tallying Tom Brady’s yardage.

Losing a player of Revis’ gravitas would hurt any team, but losing that player is more poignant with the Jets because they don’t have depth. (Do you really expect Kyle Wilson to make the fans forget Revis?) The Giants absorbed the free agent losses of Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs, and then they lost Ahmad Bradshaw and Hakeem Nicks to injury last week. Yet they killed Carolina, on the road, on a short workweek — because they had depth.

Andre Brown and Ramses Barden stepped in seamlessly. Indeed, the Giants are 7-0 when Nicks sits one out. No doubt that’s an anomaly, a statistical hiccup, but it does speak to the Giants’ bottomless talent pool filled by Jerry Reese: perhaps the most underrated — if not the best — general manager on the planet.

Has a quarterback ever fallen out of favor so quickly? Indeed, Sanchez has gone from savior to stiff in a year. No doubt he’s earned some scorn, but you can’t go from four road playoff wins to draft day bust without a little help from his friends in the front office and the coaching staff.

Sanchez is what he is — a good quarterback who can be stellar one Sunday and an eyesore the next. And considering the rules, which are relaxed and far more favorable to the passing game, the Jets will be forced to ride the wings of a talented and now tormented quarterback, who now has a fraction of the traction he had while making a name for himself as a playoff road warrior. Don’t those two AFC Championship games feel like decades ago?

This season is lost, even if the record doesn’t say so today. It will say so tomorrow. Ryan, Mike Tannenbaum and Sanchez, three men inexorably tethered to each other, are lugging a team and a town toward a mirage, a Super Bowl that seemed so close just two years ago.

Since then, they have regressed, while their Big Blue roommates have progressed. There are four Lombardi Trophies in MetLife Stadium. Wait, there are five, but when the Jets won the title it wasn’t even named after the iconic coach.

It was just so long ago, it’s easy to forget — just like the Jets.

Feel free to email me at Keidel.Jason@gmail.com and follow me on Twitter here.

Did Revis’ injury officially kill the Jets’ season? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below…

I think a lot of fans were wondering, in the 2nd half, why you guys didn’t push the ball down field more. Is that a factor of being down 17-3 and they’re just kind of taking that stuff away from you?

“Yeah, for sure. I thought looking back on it, especially there in the 2nd half, a lot of times when a certain play’s called, whatever, playing very soft coverage. The couple times we felt like they did challenge us we did take a couple shots. A shot to [TE] Vernon [Davis], hit [WR] Mario [Manningham] down the field the one time. Yeah, we’re trying to stay balanced there in the 2nd half. Made it the one score game for a second and then it went back to two scores. You’re still thinking enough time, just put a drive together, get down and score and make it a one score game again. For me it’s just a matter of moving the chains and kind of getting the rhythm going.”

Obviously, WR Mario Manningham is from this area, can you just talk about his development since joining the club?

“Mario was an awesome player when he came here and I think it’s not so much the development, just all of us kind of molding and shaping this thing together. It’s going to change as we go on. To have the offseason together, then training camp was great. Mario’s a special guy, got a special set of tools, especially the passing game, just mold it and make it what it is.”

What’s he bring to the offense?

“Mario? I think he’s a guy that’s incredibly quick, great route runner, makes a bunch of tough catches, made another one on Sunday. A guy that can win one-on-one, that can really separate, I think.  So, brings a lot to the table.”

Was there trust on that throw? You seem like you threw it before he even turned on the break.

“Yeah, he made a terrific catch in traffic and then somehow managed to get out of bounds, which was even better. It was a great catch. I threw it pretty early, it was up, made a great catch in traffic.”

During the course of a game or season does it ebb and flow what defenses do as far as taking away the underneath stuff or taking away the deep stuff? Does that sort of keep you on your toes?

“Yeah, there’s so much that goes into it, matchups. I think where a defense might feel they’re vulnerable, where they think they can win verse us and vice versa, where we think we can win in a matchup. Game situation dictates that. Talking about Sunday’s score, I think game’s even, you’re playing a lot different there in the 4th quarter, then all of a sudden you’re up two scores. It changes for both sides of the ball. It changes what they’re calling, it changes what we’re doing. So, all those things play into it.”

So when you face a team that their best player is no longer playing, he’s a cornerback, is there an element of how are they going to try to cover that up?

“That’s a great question for them, we’ll see.”

From your stand point what do you expect them to do?

“Yeah, don’t know. Don’t know what to expect. He hasn’t played this year, he didn’t play. He’s missed a little time and don’t know what to expect. The next guy has stepped up for them and has played. Don’t know if that’s going to change now that he’s out for the season. Don’t know. There’s the unknown right there.”

With the addition of WR Randy Moss and Manningham there was expectation of fans, oh they are going to be chucking it, really chucking it deep. To be honest you haven’t done much of that to those guys this year. Is that just a matter of you, again like you said, take what the defense gives you not necessarily forcing things. Have there been opportunities for those guys down field?

“That’s a good question. I really feel like left a lot out there with Randy, me and him. We missed, threw the high ball in the corner there, another high ball on the over. I really feel like we hit those two we’re not necessarily talking about this, especially with him. As far as Mario, we got a lot of guys, a lot of guys that can make plays, not just those two. Going to continue to spread the ball around and go to the best matchup. But looking back on Sunday, could we have taken more shots? For sure, but hindsight it’s so easy to say. When you’re in the heat of the game there, you’re just trying to get a score. You’re trying to move the chains and get a score and do whatever it takes.”

Do you think with Randy is that an issue of chemistry and just a new guy coming in and you need time?

“Running the corner route, I throw the ball, I threw the ball thinking back pylon.  He rolled out of it, he ran a good route, beat the corner well and the ball just comes up high. We got to connect there. It’s on me, talked about it quite a bit.”

Alex, being here for the week out of your regular environment, what are the pros and cons in terms of preparation?

“The cons would be it’s somewhere different. It’s not your normal routine. You’re away from your family, things like that. The same thing with that, there’s no distractions here. We’re all hanging out with each other here in the hotel. The meeting rooms are two floors up, you go up you can watch film. You’re right here. You don’t have to worry about going home. For me, yeah I’m away from my wife and kid, but at the same time there’s no rush to go home either. So, I can sit here and watch film and really dig into the game plan. So, give and take for sure.”

When you guys were here last year, your big run was just starting. How much further ahead is the whole program than it was a year ago?

“We certainly feel like we’re a lot further ahead. With that, nothing’s guaranteed. This is the NFL. But for sure I think we would all say we feel a lot more confident about where we’re at right now than a year ago.”

Has anything changed since last year around the area that you’ve seen since you guys have been here?

“Here? I have noticed much difference to be honest. Still a Longhorn [steakhouse] across the street, Chick-fil-A. Not much.”

How much interaction have you had with Jets QB Tim Tebow over the years, through former University of Utah and University of Florida head coach Urban Meyer or through being in the NFL together?

“A little bit. More when he was in college, my first year out [of college] when he was there at Florida, got to know him. Went down and visited Coach Meyer and hung out a little bit with Tim. And then here and there, just seeing him, we played them a couple of times in Denver, just saying hello and seeing them in the offseason things. Here and there.”

Jim Harbaugh

Transcript Provided by San Francisco 49ers 

How are you doing?

“Good. Excited to be here in Youngstown. Looking forward to a great week of preparation here. And feel like it gives us a unique opportunity to circle the wagons and get a great week of preparation.”

Do you guys need to circle the wagons after yesterday?

“Always need to circle the wagons. It provides a unique way, to get the preparation, the mindset, right for our next ball game.”

Can you talk about the decision to come back here to Youngstown? What was behind it? And how you’ll use it, as you said, to kind of grow as a team?

“Well, yeah that and quite a few things. To take out the air travel, somewhere in the neighborhood of eight hours of flight time in what would be a five-day period. So, that’s one of the biggest ones. And also the ability to be here as a team in a unique way during the season. The advantages that the town provides, the facilities at Youngstown State University are excellent. So, several reasons.”

What are the positives to being here, though? What are the things you can accomplish as a group off the field in that regard?

“Well, we’re all staying under one roof for every night that we’re here. And eating those meals together, training together, practicing together, meeting together. And learn more about your team. Learn more about the guys, their stories. And talk football, prepare for a game on Sunday.”

By the time that you guys played the Eagles last year, did you feel like you were on East Coast time? And did you feel acclimated to the time zone that you were playing in after that week here?

“I felt like it. And then you can never put yourself in somebody else’s body. But, we felt like it was a good thing, Matt.”

I understand that you had the chance to meet with Hall of Fame RB Jim Brown?

“Yes.”

How was that?

“It was an honor. It was enlightening. Thought I learned some good things talking to Mr. Brown. My family, especially my dad, has always been a big fan of Jim Brown. They’ve met on several occasions, and this was the first opportunity that I met Jim Brown. And I really enjoyed our visit.”

Do you think it was beneficial for the players, too, just the way they were kind of coming up to him and kind of listening in on those conversations?

“I think so. In fact, I’m pretty sure of it. Yeah, just from the interaction. Just good man-to-man talk, football talk, life talk. It was very good.”

What kind of stuff did you learn?

“Well, we covered several topics. Learned more about him, his story, how he saw the game. How he sees the game right now. That he loves football. And that he has a deep abiding respect for it. And he’s someone that wants to see others benefit from what he knows. So, not hoarding that knowledge, but sharing it. And I think he comes at it with a very unique perspective. He’s seen a lot as it relates to football, as it relates to life. Those are things that he’s most interested in passing on to younger players, younger coaches.”

Did you talk at all about RB Frank Gore? I know that you don’t like to compare guys, but he must be an admirer of hard-nosed running backs. Did he bring up Gore’s name at all?

“Yes. They visited together and all the running backs made it a point to shake hands, or take a picture and ask questions.”

Unique opportunity for WR Mario Manningham as well being this is his home town. Can you talk about his role on the team and kind of his growth? I know it hasn’t been very long here. And then also that opportunity for him to be back here kind of back in his backyard.

“Yeah, and several guys. [G/T] Alex Boone, [WR] Ted Ginn [Jr.], [S] Donte Whitner. I think that goes for several of just the East coast guys, Mid-West east coast guys a chance to practice, play in their area of operation. So, their families can come to practice and Alex can check in on his young son. There’s a lot of benefits that way, as it relates to Mario, Ted. Those guys are going to get home and see some family and same with Alex. And that’s a very good thing.”

But in Mario’s role with the team, can you just elaborate on what he needs to do and what you’re looking for from him?

“What he’s been doing, contributing. And he’s a very good football player that plays at a very high level. And that’s what he’s been giving us and he’s a guy you can count on.”

Your second year here, you came here last year, kind of got into it. Is this year easier as far as practicing here because you guys know what to expect and you know what facilities you can use and when, that kind of thing?

“I think some things will be, yes definitely. We’re doing it for the second time. We’re doing it again. Everything we did we’re doing it for the second time as it relates to being in Youngstown.”

What impact do you anticipate CB Darrelle Revis’ injury having on the New York Jets’ defense?

“I don’t know that.”

Well, Jets head coach Rex Ryan said he’s out for the year with an ACL tear.

“Yeah, so what impact that’s going to have on the Jets? I don’t know that for sure.”

We talked to a couple of your receivers and almost sort of counter intuitively they were disappointed that Revis wasn’t going to be playing because they really wanted to play against one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Do you kind of share that as a coach? Do you want to go against the best? Or do you sort of like the advantage of them being without their top cornerback?

“I don’t think any of us in football, whether it’s your own team or an opponent, you don’t want to see that happen to another player. You don’t want to see them be injured. Just like you don’t want that to happen to your own players. But, I think all players feel the same way. I feel pretty confident in saying that.”

Given the unique circumstances of the travel and all that stuff, what’s the message to the team when you address them? What’s your take on that? What do you tell them to get them going here as you move forward this week?

“What we believe in is pretty consistent. You go to work, find something to believe in and then go to work on that. And that’s what we believe in, is preparation. It’s going to put us in the best position possible to be successful. We go to work and we attack it. That’s our message.”

You mentioned yesterday that DT Isaac Sopoaga and LB Patrick Willis would have X-rays, how did those turn out? Negative?

“Yeah, turned out good for both of those guys.”

When you looked at the film of that game, in what areas do you feel need improvement most, after seeing yesterday’s game?

“Without really getting into specifics, we’ll address that with the guys when we come in. We didn’t play our best and we’ll look at the ways to go to work and fix that. Everybody, players, coaches, that’s something that we’re shouldered with doing. That’s our responsibility to get that done. The Vikings did, they played a very good game. It’s not our mindset, but I sensed this from people that live in a mythical, magical, fantasy world of just expecting that game, that we would win. It just doesn’t work that way. Your enemy has a vote on that and they played a very good football game and we got beat. So we’ve got to bounce back, that’s on us, to work and prepare. Yeah, we’ll go in with confidence that we expect to win any game, anywhere, anytime, anyplace. But that confidence comes through preparation and we’re going to do a great job of that again this week. We’ll be going against another very talented, very well-coached football team, another very hostile environment. That’s just a fact of business. That’s just the nature of football in the National Football League.”

Did WR Nathan Palmer, did he come here with you guys?

“Yes.”

And then he got shipped to Indianapolis?

“Yes. He was signed by the Indianpolis Colts.”

You guys brought in three undrafted rookies, and two of them, Owusu and Palmer are on 53-man rosters elsewhere. Does that surprise you at all? What did you see from those guys in training camp?

“Good things. Going back to the very first press conference we had of the year, after the very first rookie minicamp. I noticed on that day, that we had probably the finest group of young wide receivers I’d ever seen at a training camp, or in a rookie camp. So, no, it doesn’t surprise me.”

Now that you’re here a second time and you’re out with the community and you get to see this type of thing, does this start to become a real home away from home the more time you’re here, the more time you spend with the community, out with people and just being here with the team practicing?

“Yes. Made some very good friends. I learned a lot from a lot of the people we’ve met here. And continue to do that. The more time you spend, the better it gets. There was a young guy from over at the hospital named Tyler, who gave me this beautiful necklace with a picture of Woody Hayes on the front and a little bit of biography on coach Hayes on the back. I was admiring Tyler’s necklace last year, and he brought this for me this year. Had it waiting for me when we came over. Means a lot. Also, Tyler’s in remission from Leukemia, it’s wonderful news, wonderful news to get today. And a wonderful gift too, from that youngster.”

Is this a really interesting change of pace, being West coast guys and kind of coming back to the Midwest? I know some people were from here, but from day-to-day life over there, is it kind of a nice change of pace to be in this part of the country for a week? 

“It’s very good. I consider myself a Midwesterner and a Californian and all those things. I don’t see that much difference to be honest with you. But yes it is great to be here.”

You currently obviously don’t have a wide receiver on the practice squad, does that present any sort of a challenge in terms of preparation?

“We’ll address that.”

Going back to yesterday’s game, TE Vernon Davis caught a third quarter touchdown pass, he’s been catching touchdown passes in consecutive games here. How reliable has he become as a scoring threat?

“The proof is there. Evidence is there. He’s been doing a very good job. He can do a lot of things really well and that’s what makes him a very fine player.”

He said he didn’t – when he caught the touchdown yesterday he didn’t celebrate because you guys were losing. Is that team policy or is that just every guy understanding the situation?

“You know, I’ve told you before what it is. It’s within the player’s personality. In terms of celebrating. So there’s no policy, no.”

His point was, you guys were losing so he didn’t celebrate, so just wondering.

“You asked if there was a policy, there’s not a policy.”

I know you haven’t been here long yet, but has head coach Eric Wolford reached out to you, the head coach at Youngstown State University? And have you guys had a chance to speak yet, or any interaction in that regard?

“Not yet. But I know he’s doing a heck of a job and has had a couple great early wins. Have a lot of respect for his program.”

(See here, I can do political stuff, too!)

If you aren’t a 49ers die-hard fan who has the right to think their team is the best, as all die-hards do, then I’m going to stop you from ponying up any more money on them in Vegas.

People generally tend to think of the NFC West as a crap division. The one that’s the brunt of every anchor’s joke that draws a round of fake laughter, or as I like to call it, ”anchor laughter”. So for future references, that’s what “anchor laughter” means.

Point is, people think the division is bad. And logical thinking probably points to a team that was 13-3 the previous year would win a weak division.

But look away logical thinkers. It is not so in the NFC West!

Here’s what the 49ers’ calling looks like:

• Defense
• Special Teams
• Running Game
• No Turnovers
• More Defense
• David Akers’ Bionic Leg

Now take a look at their divisional rival Seahawks’ deck of calling cards:

• Running Game
• Defense
• Special Teams (Starting to sense a theme?)
• Pete Carroll’s Undying Charisma
• Crowd Noise
• Defense’s lack of ability to tackle Marshawn Lynch
• And finally… Tell the readers what they won because they guessed it right… More DEFENSE!!!

Also noteworthy is the fact that both defenses ranked in the top 10 as well as the fact that the Seahawks are younger. Much younger. So realistically speaking, we might be looking at another year with the top two defenses in the same division. No, not the same shtick in the AFC East with the Steelers and Ravens. No, we’re talking Seahawks and 49ers. And in that order.

(The thinking with the youth is… well let’s put it this way, would you rather have three Pro Bowlers who are 25, or three who are 32? Exactly.)

Basically those previous 68 words are fancy-elongated speak for “both defenses are really good.”

The pitfall of every team in the NFC West, though, might be the offense. St. Louis is just horrendous. Arizona literally has been running the one-man offensive show that is Larry Fitzgerald for years, and then there’s Seattle and San Francisco.

Both obviously have efficient and almost stellar running games with Lynch and Frank Gore taking their places in the upper echelon of NFL running backs.

That leaves the one significant category in football that I haven’t gotten to yet, the passing game.

Both teams have very distinct views of their QBs. Views that aren’t that entirely far apart. Both like to use their Quarterbacks as the “point guard,” if you will, of the offense. They aren’t going to be the playmakers;  they’re going to be the distributors. One QB is a former number-one overall pick who has developed into a game manager (cough bust cough). The other is a dynamic, playmaking rookie who seems to be making every other team who needed a QB that didn’t get RGIII or Luck look foolish. Hint: Dolphins, Miami and Browns, Cleveland.

The thinking goes that if you have a “point guard” QB, then you should have weapons surrounding him. This is where the pundits and I disagree. Most people will tell you that the Seahawks have the worst group of receivers in the league. Worse than Cleveland, worse than Miami, even worse than St. Louis. I tend to think otherwise. Seattle has a good group of receivers in place. They aren’t going to blow you away, but they are good. Don’t forget that.

One other thing that you’ll notice is that San Francisco is not listed in the groups of teams with bad weapons and/or receivers.

The Niners have one good wide out on the whole team. That’s Mario Manningham. To be fair, they do have Vernon Davis at tight end, but after that there isn’t a whole lot. Go ahead. Voice your complaints in the comments section below (makes pointing gesture to bottom of screen). Tell me that Randy Moss isn’t a glorified fourth receiver in his twilight years. Tell me Michael Crabtree isn’t possibly the most overrated player in the entire league. Also tell me that Ted Ginn, Jr.  isn’t just a special-team-player-extraordinaire who happens to be listed at the wide receiver position.

The Seahawks argument for having better weapons than the Niners and in general goes like this. One, Sidney Rice is not the third coming of Koren Robinson or the second coming of Javon Walker. He isn’t going to fall victim to the permanent tag of “Brett Favre made me look like a Pro Bowler.” Rice still has way too many years left to play, as well as an intriguing mix of size and speed to be continually labeled as such.

Two, Braylon Edwards has some gas left in the tank and still shows some of the potential that made him such a wanted commodity around the league just a couple years ago.

And three, you have young wide receivers with the potential to be good in this league. The days of TJ Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch, Brandon Stokely and all those other older receivers are gone. Let me rephrase that, these players could actually play for more than three years at a high rate.

That may sound pathetic, but it’s true. Ever since we lost the solid duo of Darell Jackson and Bobby Engram, we have been subject to a rollercoaster of receiving leaders. The past four years since losing the Engram-Jackson partnership (one of whom led the team in receiving yards every year with one exception from 2001-2007) we have seen John Carlson, Houshmandzadeh, Mike Williams and Baldwin lead the team in receiving.

It’s been tumultuous to say the least, but now it seems that all of that has passed thanks to the new group of receivers.

I’ll argue it with anybody, if you haven’t figured out already, that the Seahawks not only have better offensive weapons than the 49ers, but are a better team. Period.

This is the last thing; people praise the 49ers. While giving their defense props is fine, praising the offense isn’t. It’s Vernon Davis, a slightly overrated Frank Gore and a shoddy receiving core. That’s not saying that the Seahawks are loads better. It’s just that their QB is more dynamic. Their running back isn’t overrated, and they have an actual elite back. Their receivers are pretty good, and their defense is younger and bigger.

Translation: the Seahawks and Niners are on even footing when it comes to defense, but in terms of offense, the Seahawks have the edge, which is why the Seahawks are the better team.

Hello. It’s Chad Gaytan again for week 13 of OP49! I just want to start off by saying that it feels good to be 2-0! So let’s talk some 49ers football! The Niners were in control from the first snap! After forcing a punt on the Lions first drive,  Alex Smith took the 49ers down the field in 4 plays for the early touchdown! One 32 yard end around by Mario Manningham, one 17 yard catch and run by Michael Crabtree, and to cap it off: one 21 yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis! Surprisingly, the run-heavy 49ers didn’t hand the ball off once to a running back at all on the first drive! Like last week, the 49ers took the lead and didn’t look back! After a field goal by the Lions,  Kendall Hunter pulled a “Kyle Williams.” But thankfully, the 49ers D held the Lions to another field goal! To Matthew Stafford’s displeasure, his longest completion of the first half went to 49ers safety  Dashon Goldson. Frank Gore finished off the ensuing drive with a one yard touchdown! The 49ers were on in the first half out scoring the Lions 14-6. The Lions and 49ers traded field goals in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter Alex Smith showed just how clutch him and Michael Crabtree could be! Smith completed three crucial 3rd down conversions to get the Niners in scoring range and eventually ice the game. Alex Smith faked the ball to Gore on the 23 yard line and dropped one into Vernon Davis and watched him run! Davis juked three would be Lions tacklers at once on a nice cutback scoring effortlessly in the process! This closed out the game! The Lions got a late touchdown but it was too little too late and 49ers held on 27-19!

The 49ers have played controlling defense and solid offense in both of their wins. Even more, San Francisco has played teams that have high-powered offenses.

Green Bay’s offense was virtually shut down until the last couple minutes of its opening game. Likewise, Matthew Stafford could only manage leading his offense to four field goals and a single touchdown.

In just two weeks, the San Francisco defense has five sacks and two interceptions.

It isn’t just the defense that defines the 49ers, however; the offense of San Francisco has complemented the defense’s success. With the addition of Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, opposing defenses have struggled thus far in stopping the offensive unit of the 49ers.

No, Alex Smith has not looked like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, but with the talent that surrounds Smith in the passing game, he looks like the first-overall draft pick he was meant to be.

Like most years, Frank Gore and the talent of the running game has defined San Francisco. Gore has averaged 100.5 yards in his two games this season.

As I continue to talk up the 49ers, keep in mind that it is still very early in the season and anything could happen. However, if San Francisco can continue to play well and not overlook any competition regardless of the situation, expect a deep run into the playoffs.

If San Fran can stay healthy, is it the best team in the NFC?

Frank Gore with Victory Flag (last year) I use this pic for Wins.

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49ers and Lions – Week 2

49ers 27 -  Lions 19 (Win)

Alex Smith with a blood-stained nose and all had a great game tonight, he looked much better than what you will see on his stats/paper from tonight. There were at least 5 to 6 dropped passes but I lost count. Although we won and played it safe in the future I would like to see Alex allowed to open up and go deep a little more.

Alex has been pretty accurate with his throws this year and I can see the difference after his off-season training with the pitching coach. Once again Alex had zero INT’s which really sets Alex apart form all the other NFL QBs. Fantasy football players should already have him on your roster.

Michael Crabtree continues to look healthy and ready, he had a great game despite no TDs. Crabtree is underrated and he has some of the best hands in the NFL. You should have seen some of the grabs he made tonight. Finally the world gets to see a glimpse of the Crabtree I am a huge fan of. Randy Moss was quiet with only one 14 yard catch. Mario Manningham was in the mix tonight and looking good too.

The running game was hit or miss. Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter did manage to break a few long runs. Gore ended the night with 1 TD and looked very healthy although earlier this year I said I thought his hip was bad. Hunter could have maybe had 6 but he was knocked off balance while on a long run and fell out of bounds.

The man of the night was Vernon Davis. Vernon had one early TD that he and Alex made look easy followed by another TD later in the 4th quarter. After the rejected dunk we saw and heard last week after a TD, Vernon played it safe tonight with only a jump shot. The Defensive man of the night was OLB Aldon Smith, he had 1 sack according to stats but I saw him sack Stafford twice. Not sure what happened there, maybe they thought Stafford went to the ground on his own.

Another very tough team our Niners beat after stomping Green Bay in week one. Very strong team this year, once again both offense and defense looked great. What I would like to see in coming games and what was missing tonight was more pass rush. Stafford had plenty of time to throw all night and wasn’t pressured too often. Lions O-Line did a good job. Also I think they need to get Randy the ball at least 3 catches a game even if he is only a decoy. Open the passing game up a little more and I think they will do just fine.

I would also like to see Anthony Dixon get a few rushes per game with LaMichael James (if he gets activated). AJ Jenkins also need some real game experience so let him get a pass or two just so he gets the feel of a full-speed regular season game versus a preseason game against only a 3rd string defense. Colin Kaepernick is on fire and I am afraid if he sits the bench too long he will lose that spark so maybe throw him in for another run option or long bomb since he has a great arm. I am not griping but only suggesting but I am very happy with what Coach and team are doing so far. Great game guys!!
Niners Win!

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49ers Game Stats Vs Lions

Offense:

• Alex Smith – 226 yards Passing, 7 yards Rushing, 2 TDs, 0 INT

• Frank Gore – 89 yards Rushing, 16 yards Receiving, 1 TD

• Kendall Hunter – 23 yards Rushing, 21 yards Receiving

• Michael Crabtree – 67 yards Receiving

• Randy Moss – 14 yards Receiving (1 REC)

• Mario Manningham – 28 yards Receiving, 29 yards Rushing

• Vernon Davis – 73 yards Receiving, 2 TDs

Defense:

Tackle Leaders

• Patrick Willis – 9

• NaVorro Bowman – 8

• Dashon Goldson – 6

Sacks

• Aldon Smith – 2  (although his stats say 1 I saw 2 not sure what happened)

• Ahmad Brooks -1

INTs:

• Dashon Goldson – 1

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