*285 yards passing?

Thanks for reporting the game on your blog, again, Matt. It really helps when they don't televise it down here.

Easily the best game by the Niners this year. Singletary's making it very, very difficult for the Yorks to name someone else the head coach next year.

This year, LOL?

This was the best game and most meaningful win for the franchise since dinosaurs, or at least Mooch, roamed the earth.

I'm reminded of a line from the second Terminator movie... "For the first time in a long while, I face the future with hope..."

That is what Sing has done... in six weeks, he has cleaned out the psychic Augean stables of the Nolan regime, and given us back hope for the future.

I have seen enough, my vote is in. Sing for Niner head coach in 2009 and beyond. No need to wait, and that means YOU, Jed-Boy.

Even Aubrayo Franklin is playing better (Sing asks him to one gap and penetrate rather than try to hold the point. So simple, yet Nolan never could get it done.

Every week this roster plays far better than it did under Nolan. And that, after all, is the best measure of a coach: how much more he can achieve with the same cast the last or next guy had. Can you imagine Singletary if he gets more talent and keeps them playing with this fire?

For the first time in years, I can't wait till next Sunday, and for that matter, for 2009.

Nice win against a good team. Two solid weeks in a row for the 49ers. I'm starting to think that Singletary is the right choice to coach this team next year. My one concern is ball security, which continues to be an issue for the 49ers. If the Jets could have recovered a couple of those fumbles today, the outcome could have been different.

Amen!!!

While I am no where near ready to proclaim Sean Hill as the "real deal" his play allows us not to focus on QB in the draft unless we think he is the best player available. Now we can worry about the defensive line and safety postion

Singletary for Head Coach is fine.....so long as the offensive coordinator position is in good hands. Martz is doing a good job trying to transform his aggressiveness into a power team concept, but realistically he is only doing that because Singletary is in charge. If Martz is willing to transform himself into this for next year then we should have a winning combination.

Despite this, I like what I see about him. He looks like a HC who is in charge of the team as he walks the sidelines.

Everyone thinks that every coach has to be a super-genius in order to be successful per Bill Walsh. Sadly, this type of lightning does not strike very often so it is better to have a solid system coach who can manage the team and get the most from the players. I think the next closest example to Singletary is Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh.

Where are we at draft wise? Somebody said we could wind up #10 in the playoffs, so:
6 NFC teams
6 AFC teams
contending teams

We're looking at the 16th pick? Damn. That's why we got to lose.

Jason Hill is for real!Im so pumped about this guy,aother one Nolan kept on the bench..Seems like we went from no receivers to all kinds in a couple of games!Probabaly because we finally hae a quarterback.S. Hill is the future fellas,allthough we still should draft a quarterback and let him watch Hill for a season or two.WE CAN WIN WITH SHAUN HILL.Goodbye Alex....Our best QB has been labeled number 3 and all he does is win..Without an arm or #1 pick worth 30 million.Im rooting for you shaun..Go 9ers!

Matt--I couldn't tell how Rachal played or how much he played--? I'm interested because that was one of Singletary's significant decisions re improving the line.
Also, my impression was that our fumbles could easily have turned this into a different game if a few more had been recovered by NY. Our time of possession would have dwindled and the defense would have been forced to play longer minutes and make a lot more stops. When/if you look at game films, it would be nice to know if there seems to be a reason we are putting the ball on the ground so much. (Nonetheless, team sure did look good by comparison to a few weeks ago. Go 9ers!) Thanks.

I want Alex Smith to remain with the team. I think he could be a starter in 09 for us for we don't have the Suit.

jp - What does Shaun Hill have to do to earn the job? although he has only had a handful of NFL starts, his career passer rating is a shade over 97 and that is the highest career passer rating in Niner history!! What were Joe's and Steve's ratings after the same number of games?

Today was our first glimpse of a Singletary team.

There is a saying I heard once - "You can't enter the same river twice.." People want to relive the past, but all these attempts to recreate a Walsh team, (or re-create a Dick Nolan team) have failed. I think it's impossible to live up to these expectations from history. That's why Singletary can succeed where others failed. Singletary is creating a new mold for the team, in his own image. It is a hard-hitting team, yes. It is also a disciplined team, where everyone is expected to perform their role. But most of all, it's a smart team. He's putting his players (and coaches) into a position where they can succeed. Which ironically enough, was Walsh's greatest trait.

Darren - you keep wanting a high draft pick. If you had to choose - would you prefer to take Alex Smith with the first pick, or Patrick Willis with the 11th? Based on your nauseating repetition, it is obvious you prefer the higher choice.

If they can play well in Miami then I think Singletary is definitely worth a shot. I'm glad he or McCloughan made the decision to start letting the young guys get the chance to contribute. This team actually looks like they're finally coming together as a team, much more than they ever did under Nolan. Today was the best defensive performance by a Niner defense against a good QB in a long time. Hate to go back to the end of the Arizona game but without the mess at the end this team could've been 4-1 since the bye which is really when Singletary had the chance to start doing things his way. He's definitely made a major positive change.

True, Martz has used the running game well recently...but let's not call this a "power" running team quite yet. Hill did throw the ball 40 times in this game, and you'll notice that even when Gore was in the game, they threw the ball something like 6 out of 7 times inside the 5 yard line.

The 49ers lead the NFL in 20+ yard plays for a reason; Martz calls an aggressive passing game and Hill isn't turning it over. THAT'S what's setting up Frank for good running lanes.

you're out of your element, darren.

a culture of winning is what we need after nearly a decade of disappointment.

Haven't seen a team performance like that from the 49ers in a long long time. Loved the way the defense converged on the ball. Also, liked how the younger guys are stepping up. The Jets even tried going after the young CB Brown and he held his own. The 49ers found some chemistry tonight and my hope is for some continuity next year to keep what seems like a good thing going. Keep these coaches in place.

I was just going to ask about Franklin & our DLine if they were FINALLY 1-gapping & playing to the type of players they are. (I watch online & can't replay via DVR.) They're not able to stand & hold the point 2-gapping. Amen, it's about time. That's the next step to get that type stud anchor NT.

What was great about this game (& it's progressed from game to game) is how Singletary gets them to focus & do their jobs after the 2nd half to FINISH & closeout for the W. I can see the players more even keeled & it looks like they're pacing themselves for the finish playing solid ball for a full 60 minutes. FINISHING - this is just like Singletary's been professing he aimed to do. You know damn well he learned to do that with their D in Chicago. Where he deserves big props is he's getting our guys to finally LEARN HOW to do that for the first time.

I wish we had more locker room leaders because I really don't see any. That's what makes Singletary SO VALUABLE. Not only is he the HC but he acts like a player's leader when I see him gather the guys on the sidelines telling everyone what we need to do like he's still out there playing. I'm sure that's what the players feel since they all know Sing is a HOF LB & a player just like them. In the locker room he fits in there perfectly & is what this team needs. Wait I take that back....there's Spikes. He's actually THE GUY that's taken the vocal players leadership role. But Singletary is the Alpha leader in there right now. I'm just saying we could use a few more. Willis could possibly grow into that role. Gore is more show you by example. So is Willis but Singletary has him trying to come out.

You can say the same thing when gore's running attack forces teams to stack the box with 8 guys opening up passing lanes for Hill. What's setting up gore to have more running lanes is the O line getting penetration into the defense and finishing blocks and more. On the radio broadcast, Plummer was raving about how the O line (VD included) was getting real dirty (in a good way) finishing their blocks then going downfield to pick on those DBs and that's what's up with why the niners are playing more competitive each week. And not to disregard what Hill is doing, but he really shines when plays break down and his receivers come back to help him out, kind of like how Romo was making broken plays to get his starting job. Hopefully when his receiving core isn't all battered up and playing through injuries, Hill can get used to not having to make plays on the fly so much =)

I want to secure our drafting needs and we do a better job messing that up each time: We lose early in the season, then we win late in the season. Why do we do this every time? Least Seattle/Rams are securing their draft nicely. They didn't give one ounce of effort out there. only KC out of the losers gave some respect out there. Ken Dorsey got his brains splattered for the Browns, that was God awful and thankful we don't get lousy games like that. But least those teams secure their draft needs and we're messing ours up by winning. Those teams are going to get the players that we need, but no, you people prefer to have a false hope. I rather see no hope then a false hope for I'm tired of the games the 49ers play. Either contend or play for the draft, those are the 2 choices and I'm sick of us going the middle path in screwing the draft. It's not right as we need players. And whoever we get, stop benching them and play them on the field. Dump saps like Clements, Harris, Roman, Jennings, Sims, Sopo, Franklin that take up space, money, and give nothing to our team.

I want to be happy that we won, but if this hurts us in the draft, we'll be worse off in 2009. Remember Erickson and the hope we had for next year? Turned into 2 and 14 didn't it?

grumpy old guy got it right, I have not seen the 49ers play like that since the late 90's.
They played like they owned the team coming in.
Brett Farve has great games at the stick. Seeing the defensive line get a push This can team that can play with anybody now. This team is not the same team it was 2 weeks ago folks. This team brings it. Imagine a training camp with Mr Lineback running the show. It's a whole different season.

Rachal played the entire game and played well. On one play, I saw him help Heitman redirect the NT then immediately go back and pick off the DT so he basically blocked two guys on one play allowing Hill to complete a pass for a first down.

Overall, great game. They played with intensity for 60 minutes. I was very surprised by the secondary's performance. I thought they would struggle without clements but T. Brown played very well. Roman did drop an easy pick so he still only has 1 in the past 3 years. Can't wait for Goldston to be in there.

First off, thanks MM for allowing me to follow the 49ers so closely from the East Coast! Second, great win for the 49ers. I wish I would have gone to the bar to watch the game. I think Sing and Hill have earned the chance of being "the man" in 2009, although I am very interested to see how they do if Gore can't go next week. And finally, I hate to give Darren the acknowledgement of refering to the junk he posts on your site, but seriously, do you think he is the same guy who would turn down a raise just because it put him in the next tax bracket?? Seriously Darren, that strategy didn't work so well for Matt Millen now did it?? The goal of football is to win, and build a team of winners. Draft picks are only as good as the team around it and the coaches and players that get them up to speed. For every good #1-5 pick, there are probably 2 or 3 good 12-20 picks. So lets enjoy the win, the keep building.

Darren,

Please go troll some other board. We are happy to see the niners improve. If you were a true fan you would be happy that they are making progress. The players that have been drafted over the past couple of years are getting a chance to play now and they are showing up. Hill, Rachal and Brown all got playing time today and did well.

I understand that people like having a high draft pick but this also saves us money by not picking that high which means we can try and lure some FA here. Today's win was a big in more ways then one. Good game and good win.

My team, my way, my opinion, my view. that's the bottom line, remember the Stone Cold 3:16 motto? don't make me open that can now. I'll choose whether or not to watch my team. I'll choose to like or not like how we do. I'll question that win if it hurts us in the draft because there is nothing to play for period. Arizona has the playoffs, it's over now. We have nowhere to go now so just pack the damn season in, period!

What FAs are going to come here? I'm sick of you people claiming that a Haynewsorth, a Peppers, a Freeney, a Porter, even a Briggs that is going to come here and help the team. It won't HAPPEN! It will NEVER HAPPEND Teams with bad reputations do not get good players. It's going to take serious impact to make big players come to this squad. It just won't happen and they'd probably wind up burning us out of good money and playing lousy. That's why I prefer we lose, secure a good pick and build through the draft. I don't wnat FAs on this team that do NOTHING! I Bruce, nothing. Johnson, nothing unless he was Chad Ocho OCho. J Smith, nothing, no help for him. J Jennings, nothing. B Simms, nothing. I'm tired of nothing on this team. I feel we need an overhaul and I'm frustrated by this team right now. Winning does nothing more then hurt us now. I can't enjoy it if we're losing the draft. Oh sure, we'll get Singletary but what will we get out of it? False talks that we'll win the west and lose again. Unless the NFL changes the schedule and we only play last place teams, we're always going to lose. It won't matter who our coach is because we don't have a WR, a QB, a Dline, or an Oline. We got nothing but LBs, few Secondary, a TE, worthless 3s and 4s of WRing, a P, and a K. That's why we're a below .500 team.

Hey Darren,

Do us all a favor and

SHUT THE HELL UP YOU STUPID IDIOT.

Thank you,
Darren Sucks

Matt, with the growth of the WR's, what are the chances that Bryant Johnson is resigned? I think that the 9ers would be willing to let him walk.

I'm sorry that a simple opinion allows a weak responder like you to take up an inappropriate handle with intent to flame and troll. I did what you all suggested, I had a day off from work, I watched the game, and there was some good, but there was also some bad. That's called an opinion! It means not all of the 49ers movie was GOOD today, it wasn't worth oscar consideration, it wasn't even game of the week. It wasn't one of the games that 95% of the nation got to see because I think Dallas/Pittsburgh was on, or some other important 1:15 game that we good Bay Area fans deservingly get to miss. So do the world a favor troll and don't respond to me if you don't like what I have to say.

Very Well said. I wish Darren would find something else to do. Call me crazy, but I LOVE it when the Niners win. They have now won two weeks in a row against PLAYOFF teams!!! I am excited about the future. What close-minded people like Darren don't get is that every team in the NFL is cappable of success every year. It is all about POSITIVE ATTITUDE, and COACHING! This is why the Niners are winning. They are turning their attitude around. They don't need a top 5-10 pick. They need to build a winning culture. My man Singletary is the real deal. As is Shaun Hill! Matt, please ask Darren not to continue the spam about losing on purpose etc... Do you think the Yorks are going to say "Gee Singletary, we were going to hire you but you screwed us out of a top pick by winning." Come on, man.

darren, the problem is that you're spouting off in EVERY topic and most of the time it doesn't even sound like you watched the same game as anyone else. Have your opinions, voice your opinions, but don't be a stupid troll. You're belaboring your points for no reason other than it gets a reaction--by definition you're trolling.

Matt, I've been lurking on this blog for a while and have noticed that this guy consistently stirs the Kool-Aid. Other disagreements, like the debates about Heitmann, remain civil but when Darren gets involved he's inflammatory and tends to covertly spam multiple topics.

To the topic, what the Niners need to do now is decide if sing and hill are coming back (hope so), and if so let them develops a new culture. Nolan's culture was conservative and too pseudo-intellectual. Again, if it wasn't for blowing a fourth quarter lead to Philly, and our poor finish in AZ we'd be tied for the division lead and carrying some momentum. That's for perspective.

Guys.. I wouldn't even worry about Darren's comment... just ignore them. The more you pay attention and comment, the more he enjoys. Go 49ers! Great game today!

More than any other game, this victory firmly puts the "Singletary stamp" on our team. It just shows you what this team's capable of. It shows Shaun Hill is our QB...all he does is compete and win. It shows the Yorks they don't have to look any further for next year's head coach...Mike Singletary's it.

Some fairly simple tweaks have turned the defense around. Have you noticed two weeks in a row our front 3/4 have gotten sacks...Haralson's getting sacks and pressure. Secondary's playing well...even without their best player, Clements.

One of the best things about Singletary is his willingness to let the youngsters play and show their stuff. And, it's mostly good stuff, too. A number of Niner fans pooh-poohed the Rachal pick last draft...well, the guy's a beast...he's got a lot to learn yet, but with the ever-so-smart Heitmann anchoring the OL and having Baas and Rachal alongside, it gives us a formidable interior OL. How cool is that...Staley and Snyder are steady at OT. As a group, they're coming together, and it's on Coach Sing's watch. I'm anxious for Coach to have a full off-season to improve this team. We can compete for the NFC West division next year...no doubt in my mind.

Lastly, Darren...give it up, man. The more you make these "let's lose so we can get better draft picks" posts the more you'll get bombarded. The losing culture has dominated our team for too long...Singletary's changing that. You should try embracing it...it's really pretty cool and a lot more satisfying.

Gee, I may stir the kool-aid, but you fans suck it down like a keg or a 5-gallon jug at 4 frat parties when we beat a team. Oh my gosh, we beat a Seattle team, a hopeless Denver team, a Buffalo team in the snow, a Jets team with Favre...you fans sound like wrestling fans when pro wrestlers win a match it's oh my freaking God the 49ers are back!

Why can't you fans just wait and see what happens? You're on the sign Singletary for 5 years, make S Hill the QB, dump ALex Smith, Make Jason Hill the #1 WR, get rid of Martz, hope Chargers fire Turner and we get Turner back on OC, we are 8 and 5 and not 5 and 8, we beat a big team, we're a #1 and who cares about the draft needs? Screw the draft!

You see why we get laughed at by the opposition fans? There's even Jets fans on NFL.com thinking there was officiating conspiracy in the game that cost the Jets that win.

Why should I enjoy this win when this is a set up? I saw it from Erickson, good season, in the toilet a year later. From Nolan, 7 and 9, in the toilet 5 and 11, then 2 and 5 and Nolan out the door. With Nolan in 4 years, he never fixed this team! There's no #1 WR, no Dline, no decent Oline, you cannot contend if you cannot get the players you cannot coach, you cannot win, and you cannot contend if you do not have the pieces of the puzzle. That's why we have a draft! There's no way we will get a Haynesworth, the Peppers, the TJ whatever he calls himself, there's something we need money, and per what we use on FAs, we need it for the 12 players we need from the draft! We need to trade our pick, that's going to be worthless now if we get a 16!

I don't want to give Singletary some 5-year deal and we get screwed out of it. I prefer Singletary win his games, then he earns his keep. The problem I have with these wins is we are going to do worse and worse in the draft. All the good players will be gone and who are we going to get on this team?

Darren - the Bills and the Jets are not the Hawks and the Lambs. These were two AFC teams with winning records that the niners flat out beat - back to back.

Singletary can coach and a leader of men. The key will be to keep Manusky and Mrs. Doubtfire in his cabinet. I don't think NFL teams are looking for a retread at HC, so the niners are in good shape. Although personally, Martz would be a perfect fit for the HC job at SDSU. ;)

The Niners definitely set the tone all game long. Great game!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8haEXIsEF8

Matt .... I read your blog everyday and as a life long 49er fan I truly love it and I'm extremely grateful for all of the hard work that you put into it. With that, I find it extremely sad that this Darren character is allowed pollute this great forum that you've created and detract from the experience of all of us who love your blog. This poor guy is a sad and pathetic figure with a medley of emotional issues that I truly hope he is seeking professional help to resolve. I'm confident that all of your dedicated readers would extremely appreciate a little forced vacation for Darren while he works through his issues.

Awesome win today ... how great would it be for the Niners to run the table and make Singletary the obvious choice for the job!

Like wow, you think I should take Ritalin or Provack or get some shock therapy, join a Jehovah Witness and uh, what else do disturbed individuals with common sense need to do to be a 49ers fan, huh? Jesus H Christ, can't a fan give a FREAKING STUPID DAMN OPINION?!! Has the world honestly come to this? like if I were to say I don't like Barack Obama,whoah, my God, I must be racist or something! Jesus, people, can't a fan have a little criticism about his team? Is it going to KILL YOU to read a little negative, a little disagreement, a little thumbs down? Crimony, you know, critics like Mick LaSalle wouldnt' read such stuff coming from you when you whine that the 49ers movie was only a 2 star performance when you felt we were a 5 star performance. You think like wow, Chef Ramsey should be eating from chef 49er and be forced to like the food we cook up!

Amazing. I'm just amazed that we can't have an opinion anymore without some whiner like you saying 'oh you can't say that. We won the game. Enjoy it. Take your provak, your ritalin, drink a beer, STFU, we won, we're good, we be good next year, Superbowl, playoff, don't matter.'

You know, there's a switch called OFF. Why don't you people try to use it if you can't accept a little cricism and look at the reality of our team. THEY ARE NO GOOD! 5 and 8 teams ARE NO GOOD! THEY NEED IMPROVEMENT! IT IS NOT ENOUGH!

If you people cannot use any common sense when you respond and you people are the ones that are using insult, troll attack, political attacks on another fan for having a damn opinion, KNOCK IT OFF! It's an OPINION! It doesn't mean I'm out to be some Grinch to take your joy away! It doesn't feel right to lose the draft when you got NOTHING to play for! SIngletary will be KEPT! Maybe Hill is our starting QB. We've shown ENOUGH RIGHT NOW! The season was officially lost after Arizona clinched their playoff so let's pack the gear and call it a SEASON! WE finish 8 and 8, kiss our draft hopes GOODBYE!

What's interesting about being out of the playoff hunt is that you can bring other teams with you. even though the niners no longer are able to get into this seasons playoffs doesn't mean the season is over, they can play spoiler like what they are doing now and make the teams that are still vying for a playoff spot earn it. SF has a history of winning and it's really demeaning when other teams think they can just roll into SF and get a free win out of it. Darren, you're putting too much hope into the first round draft pick, and while it can bring in some good players Willis/Staley, it can also bring in players that don't perform up to expectations A Smith, Russel (raiders), etc, there are alot of first round busts all around. Whereas deeper in the round there are still good players to be had. Brady Quinn dropped way the hell down in the 1st round, although that was a bit of a fluke, finding good players later in the draft is not an exception to the rule. You don't have to play devil's advocate all the time Darren, you should enjoy the wins that this squad has seen few and far between for the last quite a few seasons. And at least the next game will be relevant to the season even though the niners are out of the playoffs, the dolphins are in a three way tie for first in the afc east. you can watch/not watch after next week since for you the niner season is over.

To Darren, Sounds like you are half Matt Millan and half Terry Donahue: let's dump half the roster and go for high draft picks. The hope for Erickson's 2nd season was wrecked by Donahue getting rid of a bunch of decent players for salary cap reasons. It's the reason the Niners had very few NFL quality players when Nolan took over. Thanks to GOOD coaching now we're getting to see who can really play and where the real immediate needs are.
If you throw your "OPINION" out there for reader consumption then it's fair game. There's an old saying that might apply : better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you're an idiot than open your're mouth and prove it.

Jon in SoCal - I wouldn't mind signing Johnson to another 1 year contract if he goes for it. I don't think he'll get a lot of offers after being dinged up & not having much production. If Martz stays on (or not) he works the receivers so having some depth with a quality WR in BJ would be good to have. We had a lot of injuries there this year. I'd be curious to see how he is 100% healed from his hamstring which has hampered him all year. Let him fight for his spot plus it will light a fire under Morgan. Healthy competition is a good thing. Now if we go after say Housmanzadeh in FA we wouldn't need him.

Coach is the real deal. Ever since he kicked VD in the butt on National TV and dropped his pants at halftime the team started to respond. His instincts are spot on! He is the MAN! No more wishy washy answers. It's direct in your face, Perform! And they all have. I'm on board with Singletary. He even has had a great effect on Martz!! Now Jed, enjoy the ride, Coach is the face of the franchise and do anything to support "Samurai Mike!"

Matt- There is a lot of discussion about Hill, the OL, and the WRs, for good reason. But the big story over the last 2 games has been the defense. If you leave out the Lions and Rams games, our defense allowed 30 points a game, until these last 2 games. What is different?

RK in LA - IMO I think it just takes time for the "Singletary Effect" to sink in. It's always a shock to lose a HC midseason plus we didn't even time it right to allow for the transition properly where we should have made the change at the Bye week.

Everything...Coach's mentality, his personality, him holding the players/coaches accountable, change in QB, ball control philosophy, personnel changes on Offense & Defense, the front DLine finally 1-gapping, playing the younger Rooks.....it all takes time to gel & for everyone to get used to each other & buy in to what Coach is selling. Manusky getting the Defense entirely all his & searching for a true identity on D finally going fully to mostly a 3-4. My point is it just takes steps & TIME for it to come together. And it's starting to.

You were talking mostly Defense. Defensively it's finding the identity, the DLine 1-gapping, Singletary cranking up the intensity, & getting the team to trust each other on both sides of the ball that they have each others back is what's turned the D & this whole team around IMO. We're playing as one & on the same page. Just my 2 cents. Awesome work Coach Sing, keep it up!

Happy to beat Farve & Co. and happy you are all coming
around to my early assessment of Coach Singletary. I
feel we have the best coach in the NFL for our team.

Matt, the comments section is starting to look like the old days before we had to register. Why? Because "Darren" comes on here and trolls with ridiculous statements. If it was occasional, it would be tolerable. I think I speak for many of us in asking that you put us out of his misery. Signing up and logging in means that we all have some responsibility to keep the discussion on course. "Darren" has abused his priviliges, and he needs to go.

hill has earned the starting job at QB. But you cant label him the "real deal" just yet. He is serviceable but how good remains to be seen.