Of course, Joe Staley (knee), Nate Clements (shoulder) and Demetric Evans (shoulder) are out with injuries. Jean-Francois will be the 49ers' fifth defensive lineman, while Patrick will take over as the team's backup at both left and right tackle spots.
Barry Sims was the 49ers' backup tackle, but he will now start at left tackle in place of Staley. Tony Wragge will remain as the team's backup at center and the two guard positions.
* * *
Coach Mike Singletary said he there's a chance the team will get the services of safety Reggie Smith this week. Smith has been out since Sept. 27 with a severely strained groin.
* * *
Why has Vernon Davis' game taken off this season? Well, he credited the fact that he's around Mike Singletary, of course. But the first explanation he gave was "opportunity."
Under Mike Martz there would be games in which
"I haven't pass-protected much,"
He said he does not expect that to change with the shuffling on the offensive line.
"There's confidence to rely on Barry Sims to get it done,"
* * *
Brandon Jones and Arnaz Battle are the candidates to return punts Sunday against the Titans. Jones has returned 13 punts in his five-year career, including two Sunday against the Colts after Clements' injury. He fielded a fourth-quarter punt at the 3-yard line and returned it to the 6.
* * *
Why is outside linebacker Parys Haralson's production down from a year ago when he led the 49ers with eight sacks? Singletary said it's because the 49ers have faced a bunch of maximum protection schemes.
"Parys Haralson will do just fine, that's just where we are right now," Singletary said. "Max protection is one of the main things that's happened for all of our guys. But we'll still find a way to get there."
Singletary said Ahmad Brooks will see more time in third downs. "He's a talented guy and he's just getting back healthy from the knee and everything else," Singletary said.
* * *
Me First
where was Parys during the Colts game? The Colts sure as heck don't Max Protect.
Did you happen to notice if the team had decided if Alex Smith and the OL could run a more wide open spread offense this week - outside the two minute drill they seemed to run just fine for an entire half of the game when Smith took over for Hill? Or are you still mesmerized by Singletary's & Smith's mumbo jumbo for why they couldn't return to it last week?
I vote to ban "first!" posters. Grow up.
"There's confidence to rely on Barry Sims to get it done," Davis said.
I have a feeling he his praying Sims holds up, cuz he doesn't wanna go back to blocking...
Pro-bowler V. Davis is going nuts this sunday...the titans secondary is weak
PhD... you don't like the blogging here?? Go to kawakami... you might like it better there.
SB
I vote to Decapitate Idiots who take life so serious? Chillax man.
Lmao. This isn't yahoo!
I've really been a fan of Sing but I have to say it just seems like the 49er offense went into the season with plan "A" RUN Frank. Even though I have to assume people much more knowledgeable than I knew their line was undersized therefor somewhat prone to injury.... and just possibly there might be a need for a plan "B".
Matt, reading your recent blogs it sound like to me the offense doesn't know enough plays to run a spread offence beyond the 2 minute offense?
Does that mean we have to wait until next spring to put Alex in the shot gun anytime the situation on the field dictates it? Don't you think opposing offenses might quickly pick up and that. What's really the difference between a QB who can't throw the ball very far and one that doesn't have more than a couple of plays that are designed to go deep. What exactly were they going to do with Crabtree and the 7 other receivers?
I'm not as knowledgeable as many on this site. Can anyone in blogland help me with this?
Cmon pierre you have to admit that was funny.
I'm predicting a 300 yard game for smith with 3 TD's.
Crab's catching 1, VD 1, and Gore 1
I'ma gonna go home and tell my Mom the kids on MM blog keep pickin on me!!!
Sorry I don't buy the "Haralson facing alot of Max protection" Look you're either are getting it done or you're not so I don't want to hear excuses. You look at the best defenses when it comes to getting to the QB you don't see them being effected by the so called "Max protection" Haralson just got his contract extended & is getting paid alot of money to put the QB on the ground. Man Up!
I really hope Ricky Jean-Francois can make an impac, kid has all the physical tools, just needs to get his head right.
allforfunnplay - I'm going to ask this in as nice of a way as I can: Do you think before you post or do you just write whatever is on your mind? That is a stupid comment given that the Colts had allowed 2 sacks in the 6 games they played this season before the San Francisco game. Again - 2 sacks in 6 games. Payton is one of, if not the, hardest QB in the NFL to sack. The Niners had 3 on him in one game.
BTW - I'm affraid VD is going to have trouble making the Pro Bowl this year and he seserves to make it. Get on NFL.com and let's stuff that ballot box.
MM, Any chance Jason Hill will get to suit up this week?
Why are you worried???
He leads the NFL in receiving TD's... he is a lock as of right now
The question was in regards to Haralson's sacks this year. HE HAS ONE SACK. Manning only being sacked 2 times this year has to do with Manning's ability to get rid of the ball quickly. THE EXCUSE SINGLETARY USED FOR HARALSON WAS HE WAS SEEING MAX PROTECTION. Dallas Clarke was NOT IN FOR PASS PROTECTION. Remember all those yards Greg Olson got on us in the Texan's game?
So Mike in SF DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUESION WAS ABOUT HARALSON? DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT MAX PROTECTION IS????
"Max Protection"...Singletary says our opponents are doing it to our pass rushing frustration. This begs the question, if it works, then why doesn't he use it to keep Alex Smith and Shaun Hill safe in the pocket, completing passes. If "max protection" means keeping the TE in to block, I can tell you Houston's Owen Daniels wasn't staying in to block. I know Adrian Peterson and Joseph Addai weren't staying in to block. It sounds like an excuse that he hoped people would think too hard about.
technically speaking, "Max Protection" means keeping both backs and the TE in to block and only the WRs go out in patterns. a hybrid variation of sorts would be to allow the backs to chip block and then go out into the flats for dump offs.
Wow...
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/8330/what-raye-and-the-49ers-were-thinking
Sorry to pimp someone else's work, Matt... but my god. Sando does an Excel spreadsheet breaking down every single play we've run, then the Indy game., then total production all charted. It's actually amazing. not to mention personal comments on each play.
Then he writes a case by case synopsis of Raye's thinking process for his decision making. I know Sando relies on you/credits you for a fair bit of his insider info, ... It's very impressive. Worth taking a gander at.
I would call Vernon anything but a lock with Visanthe Shiancoe (who nearly matches VD’s numbers less 1 TD), Jeremy Shocky, and Jason Witten all having good years. Yes - Vernon has the best numbers, but this is a popularity contest and Witten, Shiancoe, and Shocky are all on very popular teams that are winning and getting a ton of National press. They also have the name recognition and have been in the Pro Bowl before. Only two guys can go. Do you still think Vernon is a lock?
Witten is having a down year- And as weird as this sounds, Vernon was a Pro bowl alternate last year... simply because of his blocking!
He's become one of the interesting topics of the year in NFL circles... how his potential has been realized. if he keeps up his pace, and gets 12-16 td catches and around 900 yds... he's a lock. he's that well thought of as a blocker.
His downfall may be the Staley injury... Will they keep him in more for protection? will it affect his numbers?
I hear you. I think VD deserves it. Also: He is the type of player that will thrive even more with accolades. He is playing out of his mind this year and its fun to watch.
As I said for allforfun,
I don't want to hear excuses about Max protection. Just do your job & get it done! Haralson needs to do his job.
I'd like to see "the replacements" take full advantage of their opportunities. VD is finally being used like he should be thanks to Mr. Raye.
"It's very important that we become familiar with them very quickly. It's a discipline football team that plays hard, finishes game and forces mistakes. I'm really impressed the more and more I watch."
Fisher says he sees the 49ers as a team that "finishes game(s)!)
But I thought that the word after the game was we need to learn how to "finish!?" Hmmmmmm! I wonder what Fisher is seeing on the game films? I also wonder if Singletary just thought of that word to throw out to the team after their loss of a game that could easily been won except for dismal play calling by the offensive coaching staff! You know like ZERO points in the second half?
"It's very important that we become familiar with them very quickly. It's a discipline football team that plays hard, finishes game and forces mistakes. I'm really impressed the more and more I watch."
Fisher says he sees the 49ers as a team that "finishes game(s)!)
But I thought that the word after the game was we need to learn how to "finish!?" Hmmmmmm! I wonder what Fisher is seeing on the game films? I also wonder if Singletary just thought of that word to throw out to the team after their loss of a game that could easily been won except for dismal play calling by the offensive coaching staff! You know like ZERO points in the second half?
WHOOOAAA! Easy there dude! You're commenting to us 49er fans! You're writing about offensive strategy that is way over our heads! We're all in the 1980's with our offense! Just stick with up the middle and 3 and out type strategy! Or haven't you been watching the games!?
Although I am an unapologetic Mike Singletary fan ,questioning Haralson's lack of sack production and Coach's explanation of that phenomena seems fair enough. Refresh my memory, didn't Haralson have a hip injury earlier this year -I wonder if that has affected his play, obviously there are multiple factors in a drop in production(injury,other teams scouting him more effectively after a good year,etc,) It maybe a matter of "manning up"F49er but he just doesn't seem like a dogger to me. Bottom line, he needs to find a way.If Coach says he'll be alright good enough for me.Show me!
yes, i recall haralson being minorly injured in the preseason. hmmm..maybe that injury is effecting him? singletary couldn't out right say haralson is workng through an injury as it may show a vulnerablity to opponents. and singletary has been talking about giving ahmed brooks more time...so maybe sing has figured out just how limited haralson may be right now? i still call bllsht on the max protect excuse.
uhm, i have no idea what your post has to do in relation to anything i've posted (on this blog).
MAX Protection? I thought that was a 2 bagger you wear one just in case her's falls off... MAX PROTECTION!!!!
Witten, Shockey, Shiancoe??? Your kidding me right????
Witten has 1 TD this year!!! 1!!!
Shiancoe has less rec yds by alot
Shockey is the closest to Vernon on your list, but Vernon has 1 more rec, 1 less yd, and 4 more TD's....
If you want to make an argument over players that deserve iti in the NFC:
Brent Celek, PHI - 1st REC, 1st YDS, 3 TD's
Tony Gonzalez, ATL - 3rd REC, 2nd YDS, 3 TD's
... but Vernon is #1.
HE LEADS THE NFL IN RECEIVING TD's WITH 7!!!!!!!!
Matt,
Who's coming off the field when Ahmad Brooks starts seeing more snaps on 3rd down?
...that was a good read....
I am shocked .........."The 49ers have not established a three-receiver offense beyond third down. As a result, they have no running game from three-receiver personnel. This is one aspect the 49ers need to develop."
I would think the quote below was common sense...
"Putting three wide receivers on the field could open up running lanes for Frank Gore while making the 49ers less predictable. "
Okay.......now i am getting my doubts about Raye..........but i really don't wanna change OC again......
Why can't he just turn on madden and copy sum of the plays on it or just copy some plays from the patriots......jeeezz
All kidding aside, the late Bill Walsh used to save videotape of all the meetings wheere he would describe the various key plays in detail. Raye should not have too far to go at 4949 Centennial Blvd to find the Walsh tapes and learn from them.
...you think its the ego some of this coaches have or what?.....Raye does sound educated, you think it might be arrogance or the thought that he his the MASTER with the hat on......Whtz goin on here?
i even went far to suggest madden or the patriots who use this formation every game...
but you are right...there has to be multiple tapes of the past niners he could research...
i mean how hard is it to think you will need a running play out of a three-receiver offense......especially with FGore on the team.......not to mention you claim to be a run offense
I mean if you are a running team shouldn't you have a running play out of every freaking formations........
i would expect him to have a running play out of a punt formation...
...WTF is going on here.....
Raye's approval numbers just went south........i can't believe this......plz someone tell me its not true
Houston 9er: good question.. the 9ers brass have long been intrigued by Brooks's pass rushing ability.
oneniner: I think so too. I always say, the 2 writers who seem to go above and beyond are Maiocco (reason I'm here) and Sando, who has to cover all the NFC west teams. btw.. He thinks the Cards have a real dilemma. they have injury concerns with Breaston and Boldin, and Fitzgerald's # are down... The reason is exactly opposite of our struggles. Teams figured it out... They are seeing a ton of cover 2. it's eliminating the deep outs that used to be a given for them. and nobody is afraid of their running game.
....if that is true of the cardigrls.......the west could be won with a losing record......
We better be careful against the Titans. Their pass rush has one less sack than us and our O Line is really hurting.
We do match up, but Vince Young is a real wild-card. They have talent and I don't want them waking up.
I think you guys are reading too much into Sando's blurb. He didn't say Raye has no running plays with 3 WR sets in his playbook, which clearly is a ludicrous notion. I would think they just haven't practiced any. Remember, with Hill, there were never any 3 WRs on field except in all out passing mode. Now that Smith is the QB, I'd expect that to begin changing.
53Niners - If you read my posts I'm not debating who has better numbers. And who deserves to make the Pro Bowl. What I'm trying to say is the Pro Bowl is a popularity contest and name recognition goes a long long way to get in. I think Vernon is a lock for first team all pro honors, but I have a hard time seeing him voted to the Pro Bowl as the top 2 will go and there are a lot of big names like: Shiancoe, Gonzales, Shocky, and Witten playing on better and more popular teams.
Question: Who's coming off the field when Ahmad Brooks starts seeing more snaps on 3rd down?
My response: It would be both Lawson and Haralson (at different times, of course). Remember, those guys are playing on first and second downs, too. So the 49ers will use Brooks to give both of those guys a rest from time to time. --Matt M.
What you're saying is absolutely true. VD may not make the pro bowl this year but he might be set up next year to make it if he maintains his current production. Also, people need to start talking up Shawntae Spencer. He's having a pro bowl year but he's an unknown on the national scene.
oneniner: I still think it's going to take at least 9-7 and a win against the Cards at home to get in. Also, I think the cards try and and establish Wells to get that extra guy in the box. He is starting to look good.
Mike in SF #2: As I stated earlier, Davis was a pro bowl alternate already. Coaches and players are already aware of his performance. Is it a given he gets in? no. But he's considered the best blocker of all the big name tight ends. So if his numbers are equivalent, I suspect he gets in. Whitten just isn't getting the ball as much. But we aren't even at the halfway point of the season. If the pro Bowl was voted on today- I would bet money Shockey and Davis would be in. But lots of games to play. the wild card to me is Celek.... he's becoming a real go to guy in a west coast offense that's starting to gel. And as I stated before... with Sims at left tackle, do the 9ers decide to keep Davis in more to block?
I can't recall the stats about the past games, but in the espn break down.....we ran the 1RB-1TE (3WR) 11 times
Also not sure if all that was on 3rd down (cuz then you have to consider the yards required)
but there shouldn't even be a question about this....
or is it just me?......Won't you think a team that was so focused on running the ball will at least have run plays from all formations......
Coach Sing did complain about defenses stacking the box, and i don't recall Raye using the offense to spread the defense out to run the ball
i know of three ways to stop defenses from stacking the box -
By completing deep passes - consistently....
By using a spread offense(3wr, 4wr) to spread the defense......
By trick plays...
its seems Coach Sing solution was to go macho - and use the power running to force the offense through a stacked defensive scheme.....
thinking back now, i can't recall seeing Gore run out of a 3 WR sets.........i do recall draw plays for coffee out of the shotgun formation in preseason
to be fair to Raye maybe the short passes out the formation is considered a running play (sum coaches think like that)....
....i smell something and i hate to say it smells like Jim Hostler.........Another guy trying to be like Norv.....
Shawntae Spencer........I hate the fact he might not get the well deserved pro-bowl because he does not have the INT's.......
it seems that INT number is what is used to judge CB's......i think the number of yards and tds giving up should be the judge
from the colts game:
49ers Personnel Group against Colts in Week 8
Carries YPC PA YPA TD
1RB-2TE (2WR) 6 13.5 12 6.0 1
2RB-1TE (2WR) 8 1.9 9 4.0 0
1RB-1TE (3WR) 0 0.0 11 8.2 1
2RB-2TE (1WR) 3 2.3 0 0.0 0
4WR 0 0.0 0 0.0 0
2RB-0TE (3WR) 0 0.0 0 0.0 0
Totals 17 6.1 32 6.2 2
"The 49ers have not established a three-receiver offense beyond third down. As a result, they have no running game from three-receiver personnel. This is one aspect the 49ers need to develop."
from Sando
I wouldn't go so far as to say Spencer should be in the Pro Bowl...
But after 7 games, I think he should at least be in the conversation. He's been very good and consistent. not great yet. that being said, He's been a real high point.
The guys I think deserve some consideration are Franklin and Smith. Franklin is starting to get noticed by the national press... so that's good.
But if you watch the Colts game again... The guy who the Colts were obviously scheming to stop was Justin Smith (double teamed and rolling protection). He's just relentless on every play. Unfortunately the NFL lists him at DT for voting and his sack numbers will never be great... you just don't see too many 3-4 DE's make the pro bowl. They are usually bigger guys who also play the run like Smith. Jared Allen would probably be an OLB in the 3-4.
I am still pissed at Franklin for standing up or not getting low quicker during the goaline stand against the falcons....
he played very well against the colts.....i need to see him be consistent....
Why not? Admittedly, it's only halfway through the season but Spencer has been great. I don't know the official stats but he has locked down just about everyone he's faced.
Justin Smith is a no-brainer for the pro bowl. He has been absolutely awesome.
i saw that play last week when Brian Bilick pointed it out during a session of NFL Playbook. It pissed me off too. But now after watching how the Niner's D had thier linemen standing up in the colts game to confuse Manning as to who was comming and who was dropping into coverage, I'm wondering if that play against the Texans...if Franklin (and he wasn't the only one standing on that play...I think Soaps was too)wasn't standing up in some kind of designed deception of a blitz/coverage like the the defensive play design against the Colts. I don't know...but either way; by design or by laziness, it resulted in Franklin getting blown out of his gap.
For all the commenters writing about the 49ers like Davis and Spencer that should make the Pro Bowl.
First, realize that the Cowboys dominate the minds of the NFL. The NFL is a product of entertainment in every respect like the commissioner has stated. Dallas is a dominant in this product area (sales of NFL jerseys and so on, the Raider's stuff sells too for what reason I have no idea.) So Cowboy players always get first dibs not because they're always good but because the NFL goes by popularity, especially when it comes to selling NFL products! Check out the NFL Network. It's all Dallas this and that! I can't stand Dallas but that's the way it is!
Second, there IS an Eastern bias in EVERY sport! From high school teams to pro sports teams! You see it most in the rankings of College teams in sports. These Eastern teams get the most coverage and the press of any area in the country. And by the East, I mean from the Midwest to the Atlantic Ocean!
So it's not surprising that the 49ers players never get the coverage and press they are due. Unless they are like Montana, Young, Rice, Lott etc., where the players greatness can not be denied by any fan and demands coverage by the press and the league itself!
So if Davis doesn't make it to the Pro Bowl, and that would be a disgrace and embarrassment to the game (unless he's injured) the 2 reasons stated above will go a long way to explaining why.
I too think 9-7 is a minimum to win the division but I don't think beating Arizona is a must (certainly it would help). Here is a summary of where Niners and Arizona stand going into this week:
AZ 4-3 (1-1 Division)
SF 3-4 (3-0 Division)
Remaining games:
Arizona: @Chi, Sea, @StL, @Ten, Min, @SF, @Det, StL, GB
Niners: Ten, Chi, @GB, Jac, @Sea, AZ, @Phi, Det, @StL
Scenario 1: Niners beat Ten, Jac, Sea, Det, StL. Lose to Chi, GB, AZ, Phi to finish 8-8. Arizona Loses to Chi, Min, Ten, GB and Sea and beats Rams twice, SF, and Detroit to also finish 8-8. Niners then will win the division based on a 5-1 division record vs 4-2 for Arizona. Bottom line for this scenario: Seattle has to lose a division game to either the Lambs or the Seachickens.
Secnario 2. Niners beat Ten, Jac, Sea, AZ, Det, StL, to finish 9-7. If this happens Arizona has to be 10-6 to win the division since we would have beaten them twice. Giving them the Seattle and the two Lamb games, they would still have to win three of the remaining 4 (@Chi, @Ten, Minny, GB) I don't see it.
I know it is a bit early, but I am so looking forward to thinking play-off scenarios involving the Niners. The last seven yearswe have been out of it by mid-season. Go Niners.
Tie Breaking Procedures:
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in common games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
12. Coin toss
No No not today......plz stop with the headache...Nobody has first dibs....
"but that's the way it is!" -..... Then prove it with FACTS
"Eastern bias in EVERY sport!" - .....another one of those Death Panel arguments.....you just can't be repeating what people say without thinking about it.......I guess the TIME DIFFERENCE is a bias invented by the government .....Cmon dude....
"So it's not surprising that the 49ers players never get the coverage " - ........we are getting positive coverage, cuz we are no longer a bad team, why would anyone want to talk about a 4-12 team?.......cmon dude
v.davis is already in the pro-bowl if keeps leading all TE with td's.......I am even going to guess and say i don't think there has ever been a TE who led the positions in TD and never got into the pro-bowl........talkless of leading the NFL
Cmon dude...plz spare us the irrational thoughts for one day.....
by the way how come you not in DC with Top_Cat......
plz - i beg yu ....spare us....
I tried to a couple of blogs ago. After the colts game, but I was called a fair weather fan. I can't understand what kind of offense some fans are watching. This guy is lame. Until sing or someone else calls him out. Nothing is going to change.
you are right it was the texans ......
I get your point about trying to confuse the offense but it was the goaline........there shouldn't be any gimmick.......he should have been looow in the dirt......no excuse at all....
in his defense he played better last game.....
but i am still mad at him.....so i am giving him none of my cake...
he will change......don't worry........he will adapt...........comparison to Jim Hostler might be harsh........but the difference is Raye does have the experience.......
we should be disappointed he wasn't prepared......for change
I wonder if Pashos is going to compose some film on the Titans D-Line. It seemed to work pretty well for last week. Considering the opponent coming up, the Niners could run all over the hapless Titans-D with similar preparation.
Anybody seen Cody Wallace??
Anybody?
Good comment, but there is a slip of the tongue (or mind) on the last sentence of Scenario 1: "Bottom line for this scenario: Seattle has to lose a division game to either the Lambs or the Seachickens." Seattle IS the Seachickens, and they can't lose to themselves. What did you really want to say?
Sorry. I meant to say Arizona has to lose once to either the StL or the Rams.
Sorry. I meant Arizona has to lose at least once to either the Rams or Seahawks. I am thinking of the second tie breaker.
If the 49ers start winning they will get plenty of ink. Sure there is an East coast bias but with the 3rd WORST record over the last 7 years just exactly WHY would the team get east coast ink?
ESPN LOVES the East coast and LA. there is NO debating that BUT if the 49ers go 11-5 win the division go to the Suepr Bowl etc they will get INK..
People buy Raiders gear because it looks so damned good..
If we lose Sunday I guarantee you we will not make the playoffs this year. 3-6 is staring us in the face. Alex will have to play a mistake free game and that's almost impossible for him to do. He's good for some quarters but he has yet to put together 4 solid quarters. We will see.