It's been only six weeks since I did the whole 49ers-Rams matchup exercise. You can refer back to what I did then and it pretty much remains the same.

Instead . . . I finished a homework assignment on my flight this morning.

 

Earlier this week I compared the statistics for the two 49ers quarterbacks this season. Heading into tomorrow's game, they have thrown a like number of passes. This seemed like a good time to compare them head-to-head.

 

But I also wanted to see how the pass targets have been affected by the quarterback change. So I compiled three lists. The top one is the numbers for each 49ers receiver this season, followed by how they have fared individually with J.T. O'Sullivan and Shaun Hill at quarterback.

 

The lists includes receptions and how many times they were the target of passes (along with the completion percentage).

 

A couple things stood out:

 

--Frank Gore's production in the passing game has dropped dramatically with Hill at QB, and that's even taking into account the six quarters he has missed due to his ankle injury. He caught 28 (or 77.8 percent of the passes thrown his way) with O'Sullivan. Those numbers are 14 receptions (48.3 percent) with Hill.

 

--Isaac Bruce is liking the change. He caught 21 passes (50 percent) with O'Sullivan; and 31 passes (60.8 percent) with Hill.

 

--Arnaz Battle sustained his injury shortly after Shaun Hill entered the lineup. So, basically, Battle was O'Sullivan's No. 3 wideout, while Jason Hill has been the man for Shaun Hill.

 

The O'Sullivan-Battle combo hooked up on 55 percent of their attempts for 298 yards with no TDs and SIX interceptions, while the Hill-Hill pairing is going at a 72.7-percent clip with 282 yards with one touchdown and NO interceptions.

 

--Vernon Davis caught 14 passes (60.9 percent) for 175 yards with O'Sullivan, and he's caught 13 balls (68.4 percent) for 148 with Hill.

 

Here are all the numbers:

 

* * *

 

49ERS PASS DISTRIBUTION

(Thru 14 games)

Bruce 52 of 93 (55.9 percent) for 766 yards with six TDs and four ints

Gore 42 of 65 (64.6 percent) for 367 yards with two TDs and one int

Johnson 39 of 62 (62.9 percent) for 443 yards with three TDs and two ints

Davis 27 of 42 (64.3 percent) for 323 yards with two TDs and no ints

Battle 24 of 42 (57.1 percent) for 318 yards with no TDs and six ints

J.Hill 24 of 34 (70.6 percent) for 283 yards with one TD and no ints

Morgan 15 of 36 (41.7 percent) for 214 yards with two TDS and one int

Robinson 15 of 17 (88.2 percent) for 159 yards with no TDs and no ints

Foster 11 of 14 (78.6 percent) for 96 yards with one TD and no ints

Walker 10 of 16 (62.5 percent) for 155 yards with one TD and one int

Zeigler 5 of 8 (62.5 percent) for 97 yards with no TDs and no ints

Keasey 3 of 5 (60 percent) for 25 yards with no TDs and no ints

Ryan 1 of 2 (50 percent) for 8 yards with no TDs and no ints

Bajema 1 of 3 (33 percent) for 5 yards with no TDs and no ints

Rossum 1 of 1 (100 percent) for 4 yards with no TDs and no ints

 

* * *

 

With O'Sullivan at QB

Gore 28 of 36 (77.8 percent) for 263 yards with one TDs and no ints

Battle 22 of 40 (55 percent) for 298 yards with no TDs and six ints

Bruce 21 of 42 (50 percent) for 363 yards with four TDs and two ints

Johnson 15 of 24 (62.5 percent) for 202 yards with one TD and one int

Davis 14 of 23 (60.9 percent) for 175 yards with no TDs and no ints

Morgan 11 of 26 (42.3 percent) for 160 yards with one TD and one int

Walker 7 of 11 (63.6 percent) for 126 yards with one TD and one int

Robinson 4 of 4 (100 percent) for 48 yards with no TDs and no ints

Keasey 3 of 5 (60 percent) for 25 yards with no TDs and no ints

Foster 2 of 3 (66.7 percent) for 14 yards with no TD and no ints

Rossum 1 of 1 (100 percent) for 4 yards with no TDs and no ints

Hill 0 of 1 (0 percent) for 0 yards with no TDs and no ints

Bajema 0 of 0 (0 percent) for 0 yards with no TDs and no ints

Zeigler did not play

Ryan did not play

 

* * *

 

With Hill at QB

Bruce 31 of 51 (60.8 percent) for 403 yards with two TDs and two ints

Hill 24 of 33 (72.7 percent) for 283 yards with one TD and no ints

Johnson 24 of 37 (64.9 percent) for 241 yards with two TDs and one ints

Gore 14 of 29 (48.3 percent) for 101 yards with one TDs and one int

Davis 13 of 19 (68.4 percent) for 148 yards with two TDs and no ints

Robinson 11 of 13 (84.6 percent) for 111 yards with no TDs and no ints

Foster 9 of 11 (81.8 percent) for 82 yards with one TD and no ints

Zeigler 5 of 8 (62.5 percent) for 97 yards with no TDs and no ints

Morgan 4 of 10 (40 percent) for 54 yards with one TD and no int

Walker 3 of 5 (60 percent) for 25 yards with noTDs and no ints

Battle 2 of 2 (100 percent) for 20 yards with no TDs and no ints

Ryan 1 of 2 (50 percent) for 8 yards with no TDs and no ints

Bajema 1 of 3 (33 percent) for 5 yards with no TDs and no ints

Rossum 0 of 0 (0 percent) for 0 yards with no TDs and no ints

Keasey did not play

 

* * *

 

Note: Johnson was the intended target of the only pass this season not thrown by O'Sullivan or Hill. Last week, Bruce threw incomplete to Johnson against the Dolphins.

 

* * *

 

From the pages of today's Press Democrat, please read, "Bar set high for 49ers' Staley."

 

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13 Comments

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ouch that 0/6 with JTO/Battle kinda leaps out.

No disrespect intended Matt, but is this a true indication of anything? Since the receivers are becoming more comfortable with the offensive scheme (routes), shouldn't an improvement have been expected regardless of who the QB was?

Marc - Not necessarily. Consider a couple of things:

Most of our receivers (outside of Ziegler, apparently) have much experience with Hill;

Hill lacks experience with Martz's offense (relative to JTO's season of exposure and heavy number of preseason reps);

Martz's offense itself seems to have undergone something of an overhaul since Singletary took over.

I would say that Matt's statistics highlight what they should - namely, that the offense functions better with Hill at the helm.

Urgh - that should be "Most of our receivers DON'T have much experience with Hill." Ziegler's had the most experience catching his passes thanks to his extended time on the practice squad.

I agree, J.T.O. is who we thought he was-career back up. Two more good Shaun Hill performances, and he will be considered who I thought he was...Diamond in the rough. Overlooked and under appreciated. Maybe like Tony Romo? I'm excited about Hill and Sing '09! I recall my stepdad(Dolphin fan who lives in Florida) calling me one day a couple of seasons ago during a pre-season game and asking me "Who is this Shaun Hill guy?...He is awesome!" I said I don't know, but he is a baller. Matt, can you compare Hill's first starts vs. Romo's-efficiency, passer rating, turn overs, etc..?

I'm talking about VS. Romo's first starts of course.

Last thing...Romo's supporting cast is pro bowl caliber.

Ouch....that JTO-Battle is reminiscent of Alex Smith-Antonio Bryant.

Frank Gore.
That was one observation I've noticed since Shaun took control.
We're running more but he's receiving less.
Would like to have seen a better attempt to use Frank in space. Did it against NYJ for 6, he's an excellent receiver.
A patented play in the Dallas years was how Emmitt killed us with the fake/snake/dump routes in front of the LBs.
Frank in space is a great matchup.
I'd expect to win with that against most teams.

Uh-oh! No Frank Gore today. Lets hope we can keep it together. Go Niners!

Totally agree Mark. Martz should call plays designed for that. Clear out a side for him. The way I see it with Hill he's looking downfield & gets rid of it quick, Frank's his safety valve right? Still like you said I'd like to see some plays set up for him out in space....cross all WR's to one side & iso Frank or send all the WR's long w/Gore underneath...that kind of thing.

No disrespect to Hill....he's totally turned us around & deserves tons of credit. I 100% support him, great guy too. But we have to develop a future franchise QB. Can you imagine having a legitimate stud QB with some elite tools?? It's no small order & easier said than done, we have to get to work on this. Hill can carry us through next year plus now we know he'll always at least be a legit #2 & has job security.

Got to get this W vs the Rams. For some reason I think
these guys will be pumped up today. They have Pace back w/Incognito playing well & their stud Jackson who I think will be hungry. Willis & Co. still has the upper hand on him & I'm sure he wants payback. Hopefully Willis & the D can put him down again. Also look forward to Staley vs Long.... they're more seasoned now & coming into their own. Should be a good battle. Let's not let up & let this be a trap game. Tear 'em up fellas.....NINERS!!

Q: No disrespect intended Matt, but is this a true indication of anything? Since the receivers are becoming more comfortable with the offensive scheme (routes), shouldn't an improvement have been expected regardless of who the QB was?

My response: Where did I say this was a true indication of anything? I merely presented facts, and you can read into it whatever you wish. --Matt M.

My bad, didn't realize that you were just providing extraneous information. I had assumed that you were trying to make a point.

BTW: Thank you for providing me something to chew on (intellectually) daily about the 49ers. I am a true FANatic when it comes to all things Niners, and as everyone knows you won't get the national coverage unless you are a competitive force. Which unfortunately their hasn't been much to be proud of from Northern California professional teams for quite some time.

The information provided by you sometimes fools me into thinking that you're also a fan of the Niners.

Whenever I hear that you're going to be on KNBR, I try to adjust my schedule around your interviews.

Thanks, Marc

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Who is Matt?

Matt Maiocco is in his 14th year covering the 49ers. He has reported for The Press Democrat since 2000. He is a three-time winner of Pro Football Writers of America awards. Rotoworld.com ranked "Instant 49ers" as the No. 2 NFL team blog in the country in 2007. Maiocco has written two books, "Roger Craig's Tales from the 49ers Sideline" and "San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone?" Matt can also be heard regularly on KNBR (680-AM) during the season. He is also been added this season as a regular guest on ESPN's "First Take."