Today, the 49ers were better than they were a week ago. They are 2-0, heading into next week's game against the Vikings.
"This league is about constant improvements," 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill said. "If we go out there next week and play like we did the first two games, it won't be good."
Running back Frank Gore scored on touchdown runs of 79 and 80 yards in the 49ers' 23-10 victory today over the Seattle Seahawks at
This came a week after the 49ers gained just 21 yards rushing in a Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Certainly, improvements were made in Week 2.
"Coach (Mike) Singletary challenged the offensive linemen all week," Gore said. "He told them, 'You all need to get him the season, and I'm telling you that he'll get the job done.'"
Said center Eric Heitmann, "This week we held them at the line of scrimmage and Frank could make the cutback. Last week, those guys (Cardinals) were penetrating so there was no cutback lane for Frank. He made some awesome runs. You don't get to see that too often in the NFL. We are extremely fortunate to have a guy like that in the backfield."
The 49ers rolled up 379 yards of total offense with 256 of it coming on the ground.
"We just executed a lot better," 49ers left tackle Joe Staley said. "It came down to us as a whole, just getting the job done."
* * *
The 49ers took sole possession of first place in the NFC West - just like the old days - on a day the current administration made former owner Eddie DeBartolo the first inductee into the team's Hall of Fame.
DeBartolo was honored at halftime, after the Seahawks had struggled back to within three points, 13-10, on backup quarterback Seneca Wallace's 1-yard scoring pass to running back Julius Jones. Wallace entered the game on that play after 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis knocked quarterback Matt Hasselbeck out of the game with a ribs injury. But the 49ers did not wait long to regain momentum, as Gore blasted 80 yards for a TD on the first play of the second half.
"It's huge to win those games against division opponents," Hill said.
The 49ers are 2-0 for the first time since 2007, when they promptly went into an eight-game tailspin. The 49ers have not been 3-0 since 1998. The 49ers travel to face the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings next week.
"We have to do a better job overall cleaning it up so we can compete with anyone," Singletary said. "That's what we're trying to do. We're not satisfied with being 1-0, 2-0. We want to be a team that really makes a difference in this year's playoffs, championships, whatever.
"The only thing we know is that we're striving to be a good football team. The only thing we know is that we can run the ball when we put our minds to it and our offensive line has leverage to do that."
When asked if the 49ers should be taken seriously, Singletary said, "Well, you know what? If they're not taking us seriously, that's OK. They can keep doing that. We're going to continue to take ourselves seriously."
* * *
Linebacker Patrick Willis delivered a punishing hit to
"I just know what it wasn't an illegal hit," Willis said of his punishing blow to Hasselbeck's ribs that knocked him out of the game. "I knew that he was hurting a little bit. I don't know what his (situation) is now, but I hope that he's OK.
"He's all for helping his team, and at the end of the day, you're going to do what you can to help your team win."
Seahawks coach Jim Mora said X-rays were negative. Hasselbeck was scheduled to fly back to
* * *
Fullback Moran Norris had a good game as a blocker, and he also got to touch the ball. Norris, a nine-year veteran, had a career-long 15-yard run. He also caught three passes for 17 yards, including a crucial 11-yard catch on a third-and-1 from the 49ers' own 1-yard line in the third quarter.
"It felt good to be involved in the offense," Norris said. "(Offensive coordinator) Jimmy Raye calls the plays, and I just try to go out there and execute. We had the plays in, and he dialed them up, so it worked out for the best."
* * *
Third-year player Dashon Goldson was elevated into the starting lineup in the offseason for his playmaking ability. He was promoted to replace Mark Roman, who had gone more than two full seasons without an interception at free safety. Goldson recorded his first career interception Sunday after hauling in a pass Nate Clements deflected.
"I was going for the hit until I saw the ball tipped," Goldson said.
* * *
INJURY REPORT
RB Frank Gore (right ankle sprain), RB Glen Coffee (right hip pointer), LB Marques Harris (right toe contusion) and David Baas (right ankle sprain) reported injuries that are not expected to keep them out of any action. Gore underwent X-rays and said his ankle felt fine. This is not the same ankle that Gore injured in Week 14 last season against the New York Jets.
* * *
Check here a little later this evening for my player-by-player report. We'll also take a closer look at Gore's two TD runs.
* * *
Gotta love the resolve of this team
Hill was garbage once again
Tough minded coach, tough minded team, tough minded win! Let the opponents keep sleeping on us. We'll knock them out!
One mans garbage is another mans treasure. All this guy does is win. Go get a life.
what a great game, i think we sent a message to the league that we are a team to be reckoned with. we will make big plays on offense, and defense!
i can't wait until week 3 ... P52 vs. All Day
Hill wasn't ultra productive, but he managed the game. His job is to not make mistakes, and he didn't. I was rooting for A Smith to win the job, but I trust the coaches. I'll take the wins, the division lead, and some optimism heading into next week. As fans lets pay more attention to the names on front of the uniform.
Not saying this guy is All Pro or even best QB in this division but he makes enough plays for us to win...I am very anxious to see the game against the Vikings to see how he handles that pressure...My feeling is he will be just fine and I hope Alex is doing his best impression of a sponge while he is around Hill....If we could transplant Hill's head on Alex's body we might just have the franchise QB we have been looking for
I wouldn't blame Hill entirely, Issac Bruce dropped A LOT of catchable passes (I'm not even joking), and Jimmy Raye's playcalling was just questionable at times.
-But it really looks like this team is still trying to get used to the new system. One positive though was during the fourth quarter, we took a VERY aggressive passing approach (even though we were up like 10-13 points). We're not playing as conservative as people think, our team just isn't executing. -This will change though as the team develops fluidity within the offense.
Interesting note: Our line looked 10% better in the passing game the moment Pashos took over at RT in the fourth quarter (besides the penalty).
But speaking of names on the back of jerseys. Each win makes ending this Crabtree holdout a little closer.
What a great game. It was great to see Eddie, Joe, Rice, Craig and others. It was little hotter in the stadium but well worth it.
There are many areas to improve but thats for another day.
If you were as PRODUCTIVE at your job as Hill is at his you wouldn't be hating life right now. 9-3 now as a starter and 6-0 at Candlestick, I think the 49ers have a Starting QB now.
I was at the last Vikings/49ers game in Candlestick and I will be going again this weekend in Minnesota. Last time I believe AP had 15 yards rushing against the 49ers, but Chester Taylor had a 90+ yard TD run and T. Jackson lit up the 49ers defense. Much better 49ers team this time around, especially offensively. Pack the box and make Favre make plays and his USUAL MISTAKES. If the 49ers don't turn the ballover and avoid key penalties and sacks they will have a chance to win this game. The way the 49ers are taking care of the football right now is the most IMPRESSIVE thing of many IMPRESSIVE things they are doing as a team.
hill still sucks and isnt even close to being an average qb
Crab is afraid to take a BIG LEAGUE HIT
Hey, Crashdummy, You don't know garbage from compost, sheet from Shineola, your ashtray from your elbow. All the man does is win. He has the second best winning percentage of any active QB in the NFL. You should be as potent and productive in your life as you throw barbs from your couch. Sounds like you've been teabagged again.
Hey, Crashdummy, You don't know garbage from compost, sheet from Shineola, your ashtray from your elbow. All the man does is win. He has the second best winning percentage of any active QB in the NFL. You should be as potent as Hill as you throw barbs from your couch. Sounds like you've been teabagged again.
If Hill was garbage, don't you think anyone but a few Internet nuts would say so?
Wonder what Singletary thought? Wonder if any of the beat reporters asked Singletary if Hill was garbage?
Wonder why it's only brought up here - and then by a few?
Quit being such a hater. Hill is 9-3 as a starter and 6-0 at home. It ain't always pretty, but he wins. Until otherwise, kindly STFU.
LETS GO NINERS!!! WE GET BETTER AFTER EVERY GAME.
It wont be as easy of a game for Soda like im sure most nfl annoucers will probably think.
thats fine with me. keep counting us out, cuz so far everytime you do, we win!
Hill made some mistakes, but every football game is full of them, like Bruce dropped a couple of passes. Both of them stepped up like winners when it counted. Also, I have not been a Vernon Davis fan, but he is stepping up as an important receiver. Keep in mind, Hill has only started about 12 games, not even one full season's worth. He'll continue to get better with both practice and playing time.
Did anybody see the NFL highlights for the Niners game? That dirtbag Deon didn't a single word
It was a good win, but We should have won by more than two touchdowns. Shaun Hill made some bad throws to wide open receivers. And Hill doesnt sense pressure, hence the fumble.
I still think Alex has more potential to be the better quarterback. We need to draft a qb high next year.
It was good to see the d get pressure in the first half, but didnt get much after matt got hurt.. But our defense is sick this year and is the key to us making the playoff for the first time in a long ass time!
Actually Deion did say about two or three words during the recap but you could hear the disappointment that we won in his voice.
Pay no attention to that hater behind the curtain (crashoveride) Hill just wins, no flash or style points just wins..I'll take it because you can't teach it or coach it, you have it or you don't
in the for a week or two
WOW game 2
expected two losses and yet here they are at 2-0
team wins if i ever saw one.
defense for two games and run offense for one game with a sprinkling of special teams
75 passing yards deep in the 3rd quarter today and not much last week doesn't bode well for next week....as something to scheme for from the opposing defensive coach
will reality hit next week and how hard.....
great job 9ers to this point more than i could ever expect.
The more Deion talks, the less the Commish can ignore the obvious interference being generated in this standoff.
Fact remains, we don't miss what he (Crabtree) hasn't delivered to date either.
Hill played well-he protects the football and makes very few mistakes. I don't know why you're ripping him, is your name "Darren"? Isaac Bruce, one of the best ever, dropped a beautiful throw by Shaun Hill that was deep in 'Hawks territory. Why don't you rip him instead...what a tool.....
2-0 Looking forward to the Vikings game. They are playing the best in a long time. I won't complain.
there were 2 series of play calling i was scratching my head over...The defense looks pretty good. the 49ers could have won big today. The game wasn't really that close. September is a weird month in the NFL. This win was huge. Next week is going to be a test. AP Farve and the Vike Defense is going to be a challenge to top it off a 10am start. Did we blitz at all today? It seems like the guys we have are doing a stellar job up front. Everything was 4 man right?
I hope our opponents underestimate our offense like some of our fans do.
Im not sure how this is an ugly win? What is with everyone ripping Hill?? I am not surprised one bit. The 49ers are exactly what they are suppose to be right now and getting better. Hill isnt suppose to be Payton Manning. i think its sad that cuz we have such a rich history at QB that a guy can be 9-3 as a starter 6-0 at home and have a 90+ Rating and still get ripped as much as he does. Lets remember he is not being asked nor are the plays being called for him to look like a pro bowler. Hill is no drew bress and the 9ers are no saints on offense. But there isnt one person on here that shld be complaining. We are winning the way this team was built to win. discipline, no turnovers, limit penalties, tough running and stingy defense. that is how we are built to win games. Hill was 19-26 thats 73% no picks (i admit he must hang on to the ball) but thats HIS job.
Sing has obviously made a huge difference n we are winning and winning our way and its beautiful and much repsect to the under apprecitaed Shaun Hill!
now on to getting better each week. i have been saying this for weeks and ill honestly say ill take (with a win) both of those embarrassing faliures of drives ending if it means we will never have to see those wild cat plays ever again. on THIRST n 5!!!!?? WHAT?? im Glad Hill is doing what he is suppose to do but im still a bit concerned with their lack of confidence in him. If you want the guy to take the next step from game manager to play maker he needs opprtunity. Too many draws runs and that rediculoud shovel pass on 3rd downs. not enuff putting some passing plays together for continuity. Thats how u get the ball rolling. also i feel like we go to VD early but then forget about him. we need to continue to hit him 5-10 yards n let him run. and now that we obviously see Spurlock has no value on offense can we uses Jason hill now and actually move the chains???
Yes, he said "don'g do it" on the clip where Hasselbeck got hurt. What a pig.
I am sure its burning inside that Niners are winning without his prodigy
Hill is being asked to do the same things Trent Dilfer did for the Ravens. Only we have a better rushing game than they did. Gore did something today, previously only accomplished by the legendary Barry Sanders. Hill put up the same type of numbers that Farve did last week when Adrian Peterson ran wild. He also had a better passer rating than Farve last year. We held on to the ball, kept their defense on the field. I understand Hill's limitations, they infuriate me while playing Madden! I am hoping for a Nate Davis or Alex Smith miracle one day (I don't want to waste a pick on a QB next year if we don't have to.) However, I give respect where its do, the guy has won for us. Playoffs are decided by how many W's your team has, not how many passing yards.
guys, please give shaun hill, our QB a slack! what's the matter with you? we are winning Thank God for that! You can choose, A fancy sounding name of a QB with tons of turnover or a QB who is winning without a single turnover? A message to Bret Favre and the rest of all the QB's who's going to compete with our Niners, we know you will review the tape of this game and have a close look Bret of what happened to Hasselbeck! its a clean hit so BEWARE OF NO. 52!!!! God Bless the City of the Faithful and GodSpeed 49ers!
Judging by the scores today there is a lot of parity in the league. Any team can win on any given Sunday. The Vikings had to come back to beat the friggin Lions so we have a good shot as anyone next week. Brett is old and slow and prone to boneheaded turnovers when pressured so it'll be up to the D to get us another W. The O is designed for about 20 a game & ball control. Gore is the man and props to the O line for picking up their game. Another confidence builder...the team is starting to believe. Bonus - Panthers lost again, that #1 is starting to look like a genius move.
Sad people are still hating on Hill. He won them the game last week and protected their lead today with no turnovers.
Neon Peion is going to have to say something nice next week when the 49ers finalize Farve's retirement decision! The old man is going down next weekend, just like he did last year when the Jets got smashed by the 49ers!
Whooo Dogggie!!!!! 2-0 Baby!
Oh...by the way, this win was extra extra sweet because the Panthers and Cowgurls lost!
Crab who?
Totally agree with Marco From Stockton; I won't complain. Saw the game live and then saw it later at home on TiVo, analysis: we are good and getting better. We are going to pound teams on offense and defense. Coach Singletary is molding a team that emulates his personality.
Oh, and to Crash, your comments receive my 'yaaawwwnnn' of the day award.
This is your BIG CHANCE, Faithful Fans! Go to this LINK and vote for the 2010 NFL HOF candidates of your choice. Hopefully, our very own Jerry Rice will be your #1 choice.
http://www.fanschoice.com/
As much as I liked Emmitt Smith, I didn't vote for him because I didn't want him to beat Jerry Rice. (Of course, he'll get in on the first ballot like Jerry, though; I just didn't want to HELP him!)
Niner Mom
Our game is about ball control. We had drives of 13 and 16 plays. If our offense is on the field, their offense isn't. We aren't designed to win shootouts, but we will win a bar fight!
Hey MikeinSac, I don't here any of those "Frank Gore is average" rants coming out of your mouth today... Still think he is average? Didn't think so!!!
I don't think there it's that big a stretch to say the niners can beat the Vikes. The defense is pretty stout looking, and we've been winning the turnover war.
With Favre's penchant for getting reckless and little harassment might make the difference. Have to bottle up their running game and make sure we're able to move the ball, but as someone said = they had to work to beat Detroit. I think it will be a much better game then you'll hear from the 'experts' on TV.
Here's the game Nate Clements needs to show up for.
Favre loves to pump and go up top.
If we can control their running game, (tall order), we can rattle Brett into some errors.
Take the crowd out early, then AP.
I'd activate Brooks and JHill for this one too?
For all of those fans worried about our style of game, should hear what John Clayton says about our team. Its sad he believes more than some of our fans:
4. 49ers taking charge: For years, the NFC West has been about pretty passes and offensive sophistication. Mike Holmgren dominated the division with his West Coast offense. Then Kurt Warner and Ken Whisenhunt stole it with their flashy three-receiver offense. But all of a sudden, the NFC West looks like the old NFC Central, the old Black and Blue division. Mike Singletary's no-nonsense style of football has the 49ers in first place with a 2-0 record.
The 49ers were more physical and more focused than the Cardinals in Week 1. On Sunday, the 49ers used a big performance from Frank Gore to beat Seattle 23-10. Gore rushed for 207 yards on 16 carries, and the 49ers' physical style of play destroyed the Seahawks' roster. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck suffered a rib injury. Left tackle Sean Locklear suffered a leg injury. Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu aggravated a hamstring injury. Cornerback Josh Wilson couldn't finish because of an ankle injury.
The 49ers can continue to win if the games are low scoring. Quarterback Shaun Hill doesn't lose games, and there are enough playmakers on the 49ers' defense to keep opposing offenses off balance. Of all the new head coaches, Singletary and Ryan have made the most impact.
Hi Matt, The older guys get banged up and and they become less and less effective, case in point Matt Hassleback and Walter Jones. The body can take just so many blows and when you have a demolition machine in the name of Patrick Willis - lights out. They match up favorably with the Vikings. Frank can do just as much damage as AP, and the defense does not need a map to find the QB. If we can win a 10am game it will serve notice to the entire NFL the niners are...........contenders.
Also for those who question Singletary's choice to be run heavy. 49ers are 12-4 when Gore rushes for 100+
I was just about to post that :-)
One thing is for sure - we've proved we can beat any team in this division. That right there gives us a shot at the playoffs this year. We're only going to get better!
Defense and Ball Control can take you a long way in this League, can't complain.
Our Defense can carry the load while the Offense gets in sync, all about staying healthy and executing when it matters. Sounds simple, but 2-0 isn't hard to take.
I remember a lot of hate for Steve Young. I don't know if these are the same morons or their retarded children who are now knocking Shaun Hill. One thing is certain: we're having a lot more fun that they are.
Some people can only see the negative in things. Embracing the moment is necessary for embracing life!
...Shaun Hill sucks.....no way we win big games like this...
" We want to be a team that really makes a difference in this year's playoffs, championships, whatever.
....NOT WITH SHAUN HILL AT QB
We are left with a clear choice about who is better equipped to evaluate quarterbacks: One Niner or Singletary and the coaching staff?
One person insists on creating an issue and everyone else is impressed that he is 9-3 in his career.
Alex deserves better fans than you, man.
The play calling this week was...better. But I still had to question a few of the calls (like Billick...the wildcat?). It was a good win though. The defense again performed very well.
The lack of consistency in the passing game is going to catch up with us eventually. I like that Davis caught a couple of good balls early, but was he ever targeted after that? What about Josh Morgan? I thought he was going to be a force, and I never even saw his number (other than a good block on a run play).
Next week has danger written all over it. 10 am games historically bring out the least in the 49ers. But if they can continue to pressure the qb with a 4 man front, we will pick off Favre. And if Raye can mix up his play calling, then we have a chance to go in and get a W. It will be loud though, and tough.
Oh and a P.S. comment. The lack of consistency in the passing game I alluded to is in no way a knock on Hill. Hill IS a winner, and he does what is needed. But I also think he could do a little more, if allowed.
And I agree with Stanyon on who is best equipped to evaluate performance. You're a joke that doesn't get himself, oneniner.
Hill is a winner, and if the 49ers were an arena league team, he'd be perfect. The problem is with his "game management" style is that the WR corps has plenty of talent (esp when Jones comes back) that Hill's weak arm can never tap into.
We might as well have all TEs or possession receivers for him to dink and dunk to. He can't hit a receiver in stride on anything longer than 20 yards, and for every receiver but Davis and Battle on this team, that's a waste of their potential, and ultimately the team's potential.
Somehow the plan has to be to shift to Alex Smith or Nate Davis within the next few weeks (maybe after the bye). Then it will have been a great thing that Sean Hill's efficiency and turnover-free play helped us to get off to a positive start with some momentum and the feeling that maybe a decade-long cloud has been lifted. But don't get complacent! Keeping Hill as our starter will result in a season that sputters to a disappointing finish with NO PLAYOFFS and no momentum for next season.
Alan, et al
I respect the tone of your post.
There are at least three flaws in your reasoning:
1) The coaches held an open competition and Hill won.
2) No one except three diehards (assuming they aren't the same person posting under the three different aliases) is asking the competition be reopened.
3) The team hasn't lost this season, which is usually a sign we need to make a change. OF course, the season is only two games.
4) No one in the mainstream media (let alone the popular head coach) agrees there needes to be a plan to switch this season.
5) No one is saying Hill is Peyton Manning. No one is complacent. No one thinks the playoffs are a lock. We're just saying Hill's the best we got, guy(s).
Alex is our #2. He seems likie a bright and thoughtful guy and deserves a more thoughtful level of support.
Stan, I am conflicted in my own views. One of the two voices in my mind says all the things you just said. The other says there's a chance if you put Alex in now, he struggles a little in the early going and gets better and better, and what happens in December could be a LOT better with him than with Hill. As of the end of training camp, Hill was better. But Alex and Nate have more upside, and more ability to stretch defenses and utilize our weapons.
I think the reason we'll stay with Hill is because he can get us to 10-6 and a playoff appearance. That will be considered a huge success. Then what happens next year? Do we spend a high draft pick on a QB? Does Hill remain our starter until we start losing again, and then we bring in Nate Davis (and what if he isn't very good and we passed up a chance to draft McCoy or Bradford because that was the plan, and we never really got to see him this year?). That's why if I'm the coach, I put in Alex Smith in 2 weeks, give him a few weeks to see what he can do, and if he fails, start playing Davis.
It's not about this season. If it is, we're mortgaging the future for a chance to be decent and nothing better, not just this year but also next year. Let's build a winner even if we do have to sacrifice playoffs this year.
Alan,
I think we came pretty close to agreeing just then.
I do think Alex will get his shot this season because I think the odds are that your starting quarterback will miss at least one game, if not more, per season.
When Alex gets his chance, I swear I'll be on his side just as much as you. I'll post as much too. I want him to do well and I think we both agree on that. The team, to me, is bigger than any single player.
I do note that you are even more optimistic in your forecast for this year than me if you think that Hill can lead us to 10-6. Even I only go as far as 9-7. I hope you are right there.
Umm, 3rd and 1? Not how I remember it. On first down Norris had a 1-yard carry to put us on the 2 yard line. Then Davis went offsides, pushed us back to the 1-yard line. Then a run by Gore barely got us back near the 2 foot mark. I remember it being more like 3rd and 11. Norris took the swing pass, broke a tackle by Curry, and then rumbled to barely get over the 11 yard line for a first down.