The 49ers have won two games this season while fashioning the league's 30th-ranked passing attack. There will be a time when the 49ers need a little more production from quarterback Shaun Hill.
But coach Mike Singletary said he hopes that day does not come any time soon. At his weekly press conference today, Singletary said he envisions a team that relies on its offensive line and defense.
Singletary was asked if Hill is capable of putting the team on his back and leading them to a victory.
"Hopefully, we never have to ask him to do that," Singletary said. "Hopefully, we don't have to have a quarterback in position to just take us and put us on his back and take us down the field. I believe what he's doing right now has been good enough the first two games.
"Going forward, and I've said before, we're going to have to run the ball and Shaun Hill makes some plays here and there, and as he gets more comfortable, we can open it up a bit. That's what's going to have to start happening. And I believe he can do that."
* * *
Singletary said he likes the team's playmakers on offense, but those players are only going to be as good as the offensive line allows them to be.
"We're going to be as good as our offensive line," Singletary said. "We got playmakers on offense, we have Josh Morgan, Isaac Bruce and Vernon Davis. We got Delanie (
Morgan, by the way, had no receptions yesterday. But Morgan did make a significant contribution with his blocking. He delivered key blocks on both of Gore's long touchdown runs.
* * *
Singletary said right tackle Adam Snyder took strides to getting back on track. He said Tony Pashos did a "pretty decent job."
Which one played better? Singletary said they played about the same. Singletary says right tackle is not an area of concern. He said, "If Tony Pashos were not here, it may be an area of concern." Singletary said Snyder and Pashos will probably split time again and continue to do so until one player separates himself.
* * *
Through two games, the 49ers' wideouts (Morgan, Bruce and Arnaz Battle) have combined for 14 catches for 170 yards. There are eight players in the NFL with more yardage, and Reggie Wayne (whose team plays tonight) had 162 yards in the Colts' first game.
Do the 49ers need Michael Crabtree? The New York Daily News reported that the 49ers have filed tampering charges against the New York Jets for having contact with Crabtree and/or his agent, Eugene Parker.
When asked if the 49ers have filed tampering charges, Singletary answered: "That's something the league is going to handle internally, and I'm not going to get into that. We'll let that play out."
Singletary said he has not closed the door on Crabtree signing and playing for the 49ers.
"I think we need every football player that can help us win that's supposed to be here," he said. "As I've said before, I think he's a talented guy. Hopefully it works out so he gets here. If it doesn't, I feel confident with what we have.
"As we go forward, I think we're going to need all the football players we can get," Singletary said. "I'm never going to be prideful enough to stand back and say, 'We don't need him.' "
Singletary took the high road at the opening of training camp. After all, he said he sat out the opening of his rookie training camp in a contract dispute.
"At this point, I've put it out of my mind, totally," Singletary said. "At the beginning, yes, you have to understand. (But) this is a little out of the realm I was in, so it's one of those things I don't even think about any more."
* * *
ONENINER: be sure to read the second section above, I think that was for your skewed viewpoint. REALITY!
crabclown siging seems to be less and less likely. as for my comments on hill yesterday. i was wrong. i see what sing is using him for. he isnt an eli manning who can lead the team on his back. but merely a game manager. someday i hope nate or someone can be an eli for our team.
I know Onewhiner's going to go off on his usual rant, so I'll preempt him with mine: So far this season, Shaun Hill is doing a great job. He's led us to an undefeated record, he's made plays when we've needed him to, and he's kept turnovers to a minimum. His stats matter much less to me than whether or not the 49ers win, and he's already won more than any 49ers quarterback since Garcia. Dude's a solid football player and a big reason for our success during the Singletary era.
By the way, Singletary has been great handling the Crabtree situation. He's smart to let the front office handle its duties and to keep his focus on the on-field product. He's been diplomatic, but he's also made sure not to concede anything. His early exuberance about Crabtree falling to us shouldn't be held against him because any coach drafting Crabtree where we did would have likely said the same.
Matt,
On to more important WR news. Do we have an update on Brandon Jones' status for the Vikings game?
Matt, regarding the O-line and sacks given up, are we on-pace so far towards improving drastically over last years sack count or are we improving at a more average pace? At least I hope the trend shows we are improving! Thanks.
A few posts ago, here's what Matt said re: Jones
"Jones is potentially a No. 3 receiver, but he has been out since Aug. 6 due to a broken right shoulder blade. He began practice last week but looked too rusty. He'll have a chance to get on the field next week against the Vikings."
So it sounds like he'll probably get some PT. It sounds like the biggest problem is just that he's out of football shape, but after two weeks back playing he should be closer to being back to form.
Thanks for your response. I was hoping for an update on that info. At some point this week they'll make a decision on whether he's ready to go.
I expect him to contribute sooner than that other WR.
If Deion Sanders works for the NFL Network and the NFL Network is part of the NFL, shouldn't the NFL compel him to name the 2 teams he referenced or lose his job? Seems if someone else in the league office said something that would be the case. Deion advised Crabtree before he draft and has the same agent, so either he is an idiot (he is but besides the point) or he had inside info that there were two teams out there tampering with Crabtree. If he is an NFL employee it seems obvious he should be forced to talk
...(Morgan, Bruce and Arnaz Battle) have combined for 14 catches for 170 yards...WOW
.....lool....is this a joke....:)
"coach Mike Singletary said he hopes that day does not come any time soon"
cmon - coach sing - u know that day is next sunday...
The vikings have a good run defense - you gonna have to pass the ball...
"That's what's going to have to start happening. And I believe he can do that."
- Well coach we have seen 4 pre-season games - 2 regular season games -
from the words of the famous Bro - "I ain't seen it yet" -
but I will take your MACHO tough words for it....
Whenever a coach says thats whats going to start happening - I start to wonder what was training camp for - what was preseason for?
Why wasnt this happening before?
Didnt they think the QB will pass the ball?....
hmm...the seeds of Nolan
Singletary was asked if Hill is capable of putting the team on his back and leading them to a victory.
"Hopefully, we never have to ask him to do that," Singletary said
WHAT?????
....coming from a MACHO TOUGH GUY COACH - what happened to the answer YES...
Why not just say YES...?...anyone care to explain why not just say YES HE CAN
hmm....maybe coach is trying to play the middle like Coach nolan did - maybe he does not believe he can...
hmm...those seeds of nolan.....hmm...i see what you see coach, ...i see it also
Just ignore the repeating hater. Don't reply or acknowledge him.
..."I believe what he's doing right now has been good enough the first two games."
...yea coach - i am with you ...emphasis on the first two games....
So you agree he his gonna have to do more in the next couple of games?
- sounds like you and oneniner are in AGREEMENT.....
As Fran Tarkenton once said, "Players don't win championships. Teams win championships."
The fact Singletary wants the brunt of the offense to be laid onto the backs of multiple players rather just one shows this team mentality. It's something I can respect.
Just ignore the repeating hater. Don't reply or acknowledge him.
onewhiner - how old are you?? 11? 14? is all u do is talk crap after crap?? us REAL niners fans just appreciate how the team won as a TEAM! you are one of those selfish buffoons that i see on TV that all they think about is themselves.
if you saw singletary's post game interview, he said that as hill gets more experience with the playbook, he's going to open it up more. now, if they're doing this good with just a little bit of the playbook, i can't wait to see hill and the team get full comfort with it!
i'm sorry that i have to jump in again with that detroit lions' fan, but that's it. just want to throw this one in.
onewhiner - stop playing hooky and get back to your 6th grade class!
I know its conventional wisdom, if not vogue to say "we are going to win with the Oline...i.e run the ball", but lets not fool ourselves. Without Gore we are doomed. Yes, I understand it all starts in the trenches, but without an elite back like Frank it ends 3 yards out rather than 80 yards to the endzone. Bottom line is I think its flawed philosophy to focus to much on any part of the offense. We should be able to do both and strive to do both well. In my mind there is no diffrence in relying on the run (running back) or the pass (QB), in both instances you need a good Oline, but still depend on the ONE INDIVIDUAL with the rock.
No doubt about it...Gore is a special back and with this gameplan, he is set for a big season. The rubber is gonna meet the road when we play Minny though. This is going to be an exercise in the will to run the football kinda like the Zona game was. I can see the 9ers trying to run the ball to keep that pass rush honest and ending with another 30 carries for 21 yds or so. The biggest key to this game though is our D being able to contain Harvin and AP. I have seen people rant about how P Willy shut down AP the last time they played..something like 14 yds if I remember right. But Chester Taylor torched us that game and we need this to stay low scoring because even though I think these tough run-first games are exactly the game S. Hill is built to win...I don't want our O-line trying to block Allen, Edwards, and the Williams wall 30 times in this game because thier pass rush is mean and if we are doing this then Alex just might have to finish the game. We need to get up early and put the pressure on the gun-slinger to give the ball to our D...the Lions had these fools on the ropes and we should see where we stand up against the most physical team in the NFC.
Oneniner video available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHmvkRoEowc
Unfortunately, someone altered the audio portion of the video and exchanged the name Alex Smith for someone elses apparently for comedic purposes, but Niner fans can see for themselves just how passionate he is in his defense and love for Alex Smith. This is Oneniners' blog and he just lets Matt post from time to time.
Oak: The Niners passed 58% of the time in the Cards game and overall I believe they have run 54 times in 2 games BUT have passed 57 times !!! Very well balanced,as I and Sing and Raye have said all along !
And Hill have proven that he can pass the ball and move the team passing consistently passing the ball. Gore is very important,but Hill needs to be able to move the team when the run is stuffed. He has done that .
Sing also said they are adding more of the playbook as the offense and Hill get more familiar with the new offense.And they are already passing more than running,and are trending towards more passing ,not less.
hehehehe i love this video for oneniner very appropriate for him. nice one.
hehehehe i love this video for oneniner very appropriate for him. nice hit.
I think next time we face Seattle Forsett will have taken over the starting job. He looked very impressive, shifty & very strong. He was dragging 2 guys on the play when he was trying to get into the endzone.
LOL Oneniner said Minnesota has a "good" Run DEF
No oneniner a Good Run defense is the 49ers who have only allowed an AVG of 59yds per game and are ranked 3rd best run Def in the NFL! Minnesota has allowed 109 yds per game that is just mediocre at best!!! Last time we faced the Vikings we held AP to how many yds? 3, yds on 14 carries.
LEAVE ALEX SMITH ALONE!!!!!! WAAHAHHHHAHAHAHAH!!!!
Good one!!!
Like I said in the last article Oneniner....
Go root for the Raiders.
They have a QB with all of those physical capabilities that you want so badly....
Have fun with Al Davis and JaMarcus...
Shaun Hill and the 9ers fans don't want you
Oneniner,
1. Are you really a 49ers fan?
2. How come you don't support the Niners?
(Shaun Hill is a 49er)
3. What is the number to your dealer?
(I want what you're smoking!)
GO NINERS!
Fist off, I'm glad you, Raye and Sing are all on the same page....lol
Secondly, in general I don't really disagree with anything you said. However, stats can be a little decieving. There is a big diffrence between a 3 yard pass to get the QB out of trouble (which Shaun is the master of) and consistent intentional down field (10 yards plus) throws. No matter what the stats say we have not shown a CONSISTENT passing attack that would scare anyone yet. Good defenses will shut down the run. It's still early and I hope they really do open up the playbook for Shaun.
Oneninerhater-go away.
2. How come you don't support the Niners?
(Shaun Hill is a 49er)
And when you crapped on Alex Smith? Kevan Barlow? Kwame Harris? And any other player you wanted gone?
Hypocrite, thy name is "The(pretentiously self-identified)NinerFan"
Shaun Hill is a mediocre QB running a string of luck. Bad teams and record-setting performances have brought him to where he is today.
He is the 49er equivalent of the Raven Dilfer. A putz along for a ride.
Greetings from beautiful Bali, Indonesia, where I am still thinking 49ers football at least part of every day.
I will have a lot to say about the team's QB/passing attack. But we really don't know how all this is going to play out yet. (how good running attack and defense really are) Next few weeks should be very interesting (and nerve wracking if we stay a contender for the division title).
I do think Hill is a better QB than Dilfer was though (timing, movement, "clutchness") but Dilfer DOES have something that Marino and Fouts don't have (no, not he baldness.....)
Regarding the comment about Hill carrying the team on his back
(Singletary was asked if Hill is capable of putting the team on his back and leading them to a victory.
"Hopefully, we never have to ask him to do that," Singletary said)
you're really not understanding Singletary here.
He wants to win the physical battle on both sides of the ball, along with the running game and with TIMELY (read quality over quanity) passing.
Phil Simms has been playing and broadcasting NFL football for over a quarter century. He says in his book (Sunday Morning Quarterback) that, almost always, the MOST PHYSICAL team wins the game.
So far the 49ers have beaten the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahwawks. I would submit that those teams had the better QB's (Warner and Hasslebeck over Hill). I would also submit that the 49ers were the most physical team both games.
Perhaps this has to do with Singletary running 'Camp Nutcracker' and Whisenhunt/Mora running 'Camp Cupcake.'
Shaun Hill is who he is. He's an excellent leader and an effective QB. He will never be the type to put a team on his back and carry them to victory on any kind of regular basis.
Right now, he's just fine for this team.
"if you saw singletary's post game interview, he said that as Hill gets more experience with the playbook, he's going to open it up more. Now, if they're doing this good with just a little bit of the playbook, i can't wait to see Hill and the team get full comfort with it!"
I think OneNiner's problem is that he has never personally witnessed the team practicing or playing (or on video) or he would be more AWARE of the team's full team potential as only partially realized in practices or games PLAYED. Seeing is believing. Unless you are BLIND to the truth.
I think he just writes to hear himself preach--like a rookie teacher who has never stood in front of a class and actually TAUGHT. I've lived that experience (teaching) and speak from practicality.
Either that...or he is NOT a true 49ers Fan...or he is a troll. Take your pick, folks!
Anybody who has only negative points to write about (never anything positive and objective) is blowing off steam. For whatever reason, I have no idea. Nobody is perfect; nobody is all bad, either. So anybody who is ALWAYS negative has a problem of POOR VISION--mentally or physically.
I think it was wonderful that Gore won a singular honor that is SECOND only to what Barry Sanders achieved--read up on it, if you haven't already read about it (or heard about it on TV).
Even NFL Network on Sunday evening had a SPECIAL at the end of the 1.5 hours of review of highlights of the day in which the TOP 10 MOMENTS of the day were reviewed. It gave me chills and thrills to see that our Frank (Gore) stole the show at #1 ! Even 49er-hater Deion Sanders had to give credit to Gore for his achievement with the two 79, 80 TD runs yesterday, which broke NFL history! Such a grand achievement for such a humble RB from the 49ers.
There's something to write home about--unless you are a 49ers-hater, OneNiner. Look in the mirror!
Niner Mom
I don't thinkit's fair to make fun of oneniner so onesided. yes he has a bias towards a smith, but just because he's really high on smith and hill doesn't excite him, doesn't make him not a niner fan. like me, I love the niners, I'm biased towards j hill getting off the inactive list, and spurlock being the odd man out when crabtree signs. That doesn't make me not a niner fan. you can be critical of players and still have passion for the team.
"Hopefully, we don't have to have a quarterback in position to just take us and put us on his back and take us down the field."
"It doesn't matter how good our skill people are."
49er Nation is dying out here, from NJ to AZ -- anywhere beyond the borders of Northern California. We became 49ers fans because we love OFFENSIVE football and great passing games. We have nothing left to root for now from what we once loved but the uniforms.
I feel like I'm listening to Freddie Mercury sing Polka. This ain't right.
If I'm Josh Morgan or Brandon Jones, I consider holding out next year and asking to be traded. Singletary is going to ruin his career just like he is already with Jason Hill.
When Singletary says: "It doesn't matter how good our skill people are."
All he is saying is that if the LINE dopesn't play well or isn't very good, then it doesn't really matter how good the skill positions are.
Have you ever heard the saying: "Football is won in the trenches?" That's what he means.
As far as passing and scoring, the days of Walsh and company are long gone in SF. That said, Singletary himself has often made the comment that if you want to beat the elite teams you have to be able to move the ball downfield with the passing game.
He clearly states that on page 187 of the Sports Illustrated NFL Preview Issue.
I am a bit surprised Coach Singletary answered the question about Hill the way he did. I would have told the questioner to go back and look at the tape of the Arizona game. Hill has ALREADY put the team on his back and taken them down the field this year.
We were down 16-13 in the 4th quarter. The run game had been stuffed. The ball was on our own 20, and one more three and out would probably have broken the backs of the defense. Hill was in command on this drive For those who were watching the game with anti-Hill glasses here a re-cap of the drive:
1-10-SF 20 (14:52) (Shotgun) S.Hill pass incomplete short right to I.Bruce.
2-10-SF 20 (14:50) S.Hill pass short left to I.Bruce to SF 26 for 6 yards.
3-4-SF 26 (14:11) (Shotgun) S.Hill pass short middle to V.Davis to SF 45 for 19 yards.
1-10-SF 45 (13:29) S.Hill pass incomplete deep right to I.Bruce.
2-10-SF 45 (13:23) (Shotgun) S.Hill pass short right to V.Davis to 50 for 5 yards.
3-5-50 (12:42) (Shotgun) S.Hill pass short left to I.Bruce to ARZ 45 for 5 yards
1-10-ARZ 45 (11:59) S.Hill pass incomplete short left to V.Davis.
2-10-ARZ 45 (11:52) F.Gore left tackle to ARZ 42 for 3 yards.
3-7-ARZ 42 (11:07) (Shotgun) S.Hill pass short left to I.Bruce to ARZ 29 for 13 yards
1-10_ARZ 29 (10:37) S.Hill pass short right to A.Battle to ARZ 19 for 10 yards
1-10-ARZ 19 (9:55) S.Hill pass short left to V.Davis to ARZ 20 for -1 yards.
2-11-ARZ 20 (9:10) S.Hill pass short left to V.Davis to ARZ 8 for 12 yards
1-8-ARZ 8 (8:30) F.Gore up the middle to ARZ 6 for 2 yards. FUMBLES, recovered by SF-M.Norris at ARZ 7.
2-7-ARZ 7 (7:39) S.Hill pass incomplete short right to D.Walker (A.Wilson).
PENALTY on ARZ-D.Dockett, Defensive Offside, 4 yards, enforced at ARZ 7 - No Play.
2-3-ARZ 3 (7:34) S.Hill pass incomplete short left to I.Bruce
3-3-ARZ 3 (7:29) (Shotgun) S.Hill pass short right to F.Gore for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
It was all Hill. In fact, Gore almost gave the game away with his fumble.
"We became 49ers fans because we love OFFENSIVE football and great passing games"
Sounds like a bandwagon statement to me!
I became a fan of the 49ers by being bred into it from my father. I did not see an offensive power house and say that's the team I like. So I will take winning football anyway I get it.
Does that mean I will defend every move the organization makes? No it doesn't but I sure as heck will give them a chance to prove me wrong before I jump down other players or the organizations throat.
Last season I had gut wrenching pains watching JTO give the ball to the other team repeatedly and never lose his job.
I am happy with Hill, he doesn't give the other team 7-28 points a game just off of turnovers like JTO did.
He has also when called upon made drives he needed to make in order to get a score. Were they as beautifully choreographed as montana and young used to do? No, but I will take them.
I agree Hill is not our QB of the future but he is the best we have right now.
Thank you.
It's a good thing Singletary has so many smart fans on this blog to clarify the ridiculous quotes he makes about offense.
McCoy, Bradford, Snead or Tebow. If we don't draft one of these guys, then we know the 49ers are simply following the Ravens template.
Just to be clear on what I would do if I were a GM. I'd build my lines first, just like what Singletary's quotes seem to suggest he believes (only the 49ers ignored them this offseason???). Then I would maximize the talent of my offensive line with a balanced attack on offense and QB as talented as my RB.
And I'd tell 49er Nation, we're going to beat you in the trenches first, then beat you every which way just like we used to.
Rick, I think Sing is trying to deke, or ruse if you will, our opponents. By down playing Hill, this will not only lower the oppenents expectation of our passing game, but will also insetivise Hill to continue to prove his worth to the 9ers.
Playing the underdog role is not a bad strategy for Hill and the 9ers.
Hill does need to improve on some of those easily missed pass attempts during the first two games. There is no reason Hill should not be throwing close to a 70% completion rate.
Brekkon, I agree with you when you accuse me of being a bandwagon fan. 49er Nation, just like Red Sox nation, grew out of the passion that a certain brand of football, and the success it achieved inspired....all across the country.
It's a different dynamic than when you grow up in the city and have a father that instilled his love for the team in you. But it's a part of the fan base that is no less passionate about the team. A necessary part, when you consider the long-term dynasties in the NFL (Packers, Steelers, Cowboys) all have it.
Because we're not in the area, keeping the "brand" intact might be more important to our continued passion (since it's not about the city). Trust me, you don't see our presence, but we contribute a palpable love of this tradition. You feel it too. The tradition is high powered offense. Win in the trenches, honor the brand, and 49er Nation will grow and prosper!
LONG LIVE THE GLORY OF THE 49ERS!!!
I still don't understand what all the Shaun Hill bashing is about. He's made the plays he's needed to make to win. SF has played with a lead most of these first two games and the formula is to run the ball and eat up clock when you have a lead...
At least wait for a game where the team is behind and has to depend on Hill's arm to win or lose it, then pass judgement. Anybody who complains right now has no credibility...
I've seen some posts about Jason Hill not playing too, I think these complaints are more warranted. Spurlock plays ahead of him and I don't really see what Spurlock brings that the Niners didn't already have in Arnaz Battle.... I too will be disappointed if they give up on former third rounder Jason Hill
Singletary has been all about laying down that foundation of physical toughness and making sure you can do the fundamentals as soundly as you can then building from there. Anyone in football knows that being one-dimensional is going to get you worked when you run into a good defense. If you aren't sound from the ground up though, adding all the extra's in can make you a more gimmicky offense that is very sporadic in finding success. We have a variety of playmakers and if you read all that Singletary said he very specifically mentions a desire to get them involved in due time (specifically mentioning morgan, bruce, davis, walker...had to back track back to mention gore still being involved). An offense that is on all cylinders has a lot of ways they can beat you and is looking at ways they can get everyone involved. He is building to that and simply acknowledging (for the fans and the under-involved players sake) that they aren't there yet. Hill is a game manager and may have a cap down the road where he limits this offense by inability to utilize all these targets to their full potential, but he is the best person for this offense right now because we are not there yet and he manages where we are at the best. The fact that they feel that cap is there is why there was a competition this offseason, but Smith (despite having more physical tools that don't point to a cap) didn't show that he was ready to run this offense in the capacity they needed in order to start building.
I think they have given up 5 sacks in two games. It is too early to say whether they have dramatically improved. They are better but we are not throwing as much and we are 30th in the NFL at passing and 9th at rushing.
I am happy we are winning but it is way too early to say we have solved our O-Line problem. The Vikings will be a good test.
We have already had a game where we were behind and hill had to use his arm to win it.
That was week 1 ARI vs 49ers...... We won
Yeah had that good one drive but the defense was playing the run, I'm talking double digit deficit type stuff where they know you're throwing, then we'll see what he's got. Not that I wanna be down double digits but it's gonna happen. I honestly think he can lead a comeback like that. The guy has probably done it before and I just don't remember... the last two seasons are a blur
For those few fans who for some strange reason don't already appreciate the fine QB we now have running the show...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/22/SPTJ19QBHS.DTL
How about the rams game last year and I don't remember how far behind we were in the Skins game but that might be another one. (both wins !)
Besides,if your QB doesn't turn the ball over all the time,and you have a decent defense,you probably won't fall behind by a couple of TD's too often. Especially if your QB leads long ,time consuming drives every week ,like Hill has done both weeks so far this season(twice last week !) !
That was my point too-people expect big stat lines from Hill but if your team has a lead and you play good defense, you run the ball to eat up clock, you don't try and pass for 300 yards. Which game was it where Shaun Hill turned the ball over last year and went to Singletary and told him that he could win the game and he went back out there and did it?
It was the Rams game.
And we should note that on all those long,time consuming drives Hill has rammed down the throats of the defenses this season already,they were mostly passing drives ,with few runs. Hill did it himself,not the running game.
Over all the offense has passed MORE than it has run this season !!!!!!! In the Cards game we passed 58% of the time ! both games together we have passed 57 times and only run 54 times. Very well balanced,as Sing and Jimmy Raye have always said they wanted to be...BUT the media missunderstands ,seemingly on purpose,and keeps filling the fans heads full of the missinformation .I fully expect the offense to keep up the level of passing or even increase the level of pass attempts,because Raye and sing have said they are adding more onto Hills shoulders as the new offense gets more fully installed and as Hill and Raye get more in synch and more comfortable in what each player does best in this new offense.
Hill is doing very well,lets hope they get the RT thing resolved and Hill stays healthy,so we don't need to worry about the back up getting in a game this year.
Yeah I've been pretty happy with Jimmy Raye's playcalling this year so far except the stupid wildcat, I don't like that very much. Shaun Hill wouldn't miss a wide open Vernon Davis like that-that play really annoyed me.
I think the point should be that Raye called a "Taser" play that had VD wide open. Maybe Robinson could have completed the pass ? That is just what I was talking about. Sing said Raye is still learning which plays fit which players etc. I loved the fact that they were not just busting the ball up the middle with Gore. All those pitch plays outside to gore and that wildcat play that should have been complete to VD,keep the defenses guessing,that's good.
Usually a newly installed offense doesn't hit it's stride until at least mid season.So if that is the case,the best is yet to come .Put that together with this vastly improved defense and you might have something special.
I really don't expect to win this week on the road ,against one of the top teams in the NFL,but if we do pull it off,the sky is the limit this year because we will do nothing but get better as we go along.
The consensus here is good news to me...that we are eventually heading toward a more varied playbook and a semi-dynamic passing attack. That we're taking baby steps since the defense is so strong. No need to risk over-implementing a new playbook.
I'd like to find out which of the QBs coming out in the draft you would all choose if the draft were today. I'd take McCoy.
shawnrhod replied to comment from Rick | September 22, 2009 8:46 AM | Reply
Rick, I think Sing is trying to deke, or ruse if you will, our opponents. By down playing Hill, this will not only lower the oppenents expectation of our passing game, but will also insetivise Hill to continue to prove his worth to the 9ers.
Playing the underdog role is not a bad strategy for Hill and the 9ers.
Hill does need to improve on some of those easily missed pass attempts during the first two games. There is no reason Hill should not be throwing close to a 70% completion rate.
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I agree with you on the main point of the post .
But I think Hill completed about 73% of his passes last week against the Hawks,so it seems Hill is already doing what you asked for.. (19 out of 26 ).
Don't expect him to keep that up,if he did ,he would easily make the Hall of Fame.
Just be happy that he is moving the team and running the clock and scoring and keeping our defense off the field a bit.
shawnrhod replied to comment from Rick | September 22, 2009 8:46 AM | Reply
Rick, I think Sing is trying to deke, or ruse if you will, our opponents. By down playing Hill, this will not only lower the oppenents expectation of our passing game, but will also insetivise Hill to continue to prove his worth to the 9ers.
Playing the underdog role is not a bad strategy for Hill and the 9ers.
Hill does need to improve on some of those easily missed pass attempts during the first two games. There is no reason Hill should not be throwing close to a 70% completion rate.
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I agree with you on the main point of the post .
But I think Hill completed about 73% of his passes last week against the Hawks,so it seems Hill is already doing what you asked for.. (19 out of 26 ).
Don't expect him to keep that up,if he did ,he would easily make the Hall of Fame.
Just be happy that he is moving the team and running the clock and scoring and keeping our defense off the field a bit.
right on-I'm not screaming "playoffs" yet cause of what happened two years ago but if they can somehow win against Minnesota, you'll hear me yelling from the east coast.
The Vikes match up real well against SF though, the Williams wall plus Jared Allen and some athletic LBs, it's gonna be real tough. Two years ago the Niners shut down A.P. and then Chester Taylor ended up kicking their butts
I like McCoy as well
I'd like to find out which of the QBs coming out in the draft you would all choose if the draft were today. I'd take McCoy.
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I have been a proponent of the Niners drafting Nate Davis since half way through last years College season. I was overjoyed that Scotty got such a steal as to get him in the 5th round. So why would we need a 1st round QB in next years draft ? We already have a real stud QB now,who can easily become the franchise QB of the future . We probably should pick up another prospect in the later rounds. So that next year we have Hill-Davis -rookie prospect...or maybe even Davis-Hill-rookie prospect,if Davis keeps surprising in how fast he is developing.
Why waste one of our two #1 picks (or more ,if we get something out of trading Crabs or in compensation for tampering),on a QB? We need to use those picks on playmakers on both sides of the ball !!!
Nate Davis looks like he's got some real talent but that rookie QB pool looks mighty good next year....
You know what this offense could use I think? A speedy RB like a Reggie Bush or Sproles type that can make plays on short passes in space. I like Glen Coffee but he's another between the tackles type runner, I think a speedy third down back would add another dimension to the offense.
I never root for a player to be gone from the Niners. I have rooted to have someone benched. Like Alex Smith, JT O'Sullivan and Harris! I loved Barlow!
You don't think they might just promote Sheets up to the 53 next year ?
And again I ask,why waste a top draft pick on a position that is already filled?
Save those 2 picks for a OT or Pass rusher or WR(if Crabs is not signed).So many possibilities. And if we have a good record this season,we would probably need to trade up to get a top QB,meaninwe would waste MORE than just a #1 pick. Not necessary with Davis already showing he can be THE guy.
Take the best player on the board ,twice ,in the first round. (but not if they are QB's ).
Can Sheets be that type of player? I think a RT is a foregone conclusion at this point (of course I think it was in this last draft too till Crabtree screwed things up lol)
As far as a high #1 pick goes, I'm hoping Carolina has a disastrous season and we get a high pick. FYI I put a hex on Jake Delhomme before the season started for that very reason-so far, so good!
How tall is Davis? I think if we can get McCoy or Bradford with Carolina's pick, we do it, and keep Davis. This way we can't lose. And Davis isn't being paid a lot, so we're lucky. Now everything doesn't hinge on one player's development or health like it did with Alex.
Davis is listed at 6'2" and I think I saw earlier today that McCoy is also listed at 6'2". You gotta figure Sam Bradford is long gone unless Carolina wins one game or less, otherwise the guys is probably a Ram. It seems silly to look at QBs while the team has a guy winning games under center already but this Crabtree business has me looking ahead to next year's draft...
I think I posted during the preseason that as much as we all like Nate Davis so far, he may fade away if the Niners draft a first round QB next year. However, that was when we didn't know who the starter was gonna be THIS year and Shaun HIll has continued to win. I think we can all agree on one thing though, there is a QB on the roster now that won't be around next year...
Good points Alan !
Davis is listed at 6'2".He is not as tall as some QB's but he does have a great over the top throwing motion,so his balls should not get knocked down at the line all that much. And he has great vision of the field,so him being an inch or so shorter than many qB's,should not be a problem.
One note though. If we do spend a valuable pick on another QB,won't it be the same as with alex.The front office will feel compelled to push for him to play over the 5th round pick (Davis),to justify using(wasting) that pick on a bench player.
We still see the effects of that 5 years later,with Alex getting the backup role,instead of being let go to make a spot for a better QB. I would be afraid that a move like that would set back Davis ,like it has held back Hill.Maybe we can do as I indicated,get a later round prospect,to be plan B,if davis were to faulter?
It will be fun to watch what Scotty does with that big bag of gold he will be bringing with him to the draft next year.
Yes it should be a fun draft next year. I like him as a GM, I don't fault him for drafting Crabtree at all, I think he's done a great job drafting excpet for Smith I guess - but who knows if Rodgers would have been any better considering how bad the team has been the past five years...
Clearly, we're relying on Hill all the time to make a play - pick up a 3rd and long, defeat a blitz with a quick pass or screen, go over the top when they get too comfortable in the box, etc. I don't think Singletary meant he didn't trust Hill to do all of these things.
I think this is just the other side of the 60/40 quote. If the run game is working, you don't need to pass as much. Looking back, Steve Young averaged 25 pass attempts per game in his career; Marino averaged 35. That's not just 10 more passes a game, it's 10 less running plays as well. They were both great QBs. However, Steve was a lot more successful, in part because he had a better running game and defense. He didn't have to rely so much on his arm.
Now, Hill is no Steve Young. However, Coach will probably be quite pleased if we can win consistently while passing 25 times/game.
QB's that have a lower QB rating than Shaun Hill:
Aaron Rodgers
Ben Roethlisberger
Philip Rivers
Tony Romo
Tom Brady
Carson Palmer
Jay Cutler
I'm not trying to say that Hill is better. I'm saying that Hill is doing what he is being asked to do, doing it well, and most importantly winning. Can Smith do this? Nobody knows for sure, but you know that Hill can. If you think Hill is the reason that the passing offense is ranked 3rd to last in the league then you should probably stop smoking meth or start watching the games. It is clear to me that they just don't throw it that often. This coaching staff wants to run the ball and they have... and they have won. Get over the fact that the 49ers will probably not have any 300 yard passing games this year and enjoy the 200 rushing yard games.
Actually the team is passing more so far this year than they are running. They ARE leaning on Hill.