The 49ers are on Day 2 of practice-field preparations for Sunday's game, while the Packers hit the field for the first time in
The 49ers' coaches got a nice head start for preparing to face the Packers. Jimmy Raye did a lot of film study before sitting down with his big-screen high-def TV to watch the Packers face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
He said the Packers' defense "looked like a totally different team." (Meaning: The Packers rarely show much of the same look in back-to-back games.)
"From looking at it on the TV copy, they were borderline dominant in that game," Raye said. "I think it was way deep into the game before the Cowboys even had a first down in the game. So, as we started, then we had to include how they played
"They've been different against everybody they've played," Raye said. "Against the Rams, they only played with three defensive backs and five linebackers. They game plan every team that they're going to play, based on the strengths and weaknesses of that offense.
Raye believes the Packers will "target" slowing down Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. But the 49ers are changing, too. Raye said the 49ers have become a "little more thrown than run" with Alex Smith at quarterback.
Certainly, there is a lot of factors behind the stats, but the 49ers have averaged 57.7 passing yards per quarter (230.8 yards per game) with Smith at quarterback. While Shaun Hill was at quarterback, the 49ers averaged 42.9 passing yards per quarter (or 171.6 passing yards per game).
"We're going to do what we do best and see how they adjust to stop what we do," Raye said.
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Raye has coached in the NFL every season since 1977. He said he has coached only two games in Lambeau Field. One was quite memorable:
Raye had sustained a broken leg when he got hit by a motorist while jogging. He was on crutches for the game. On Dec. 1, 1985, a blizzard hit Lambeau Field during the game. Steve Young, then the Bucs' quarterback, was slammed to the ground - face first into the snow. Young couldn't breathe because the snow had packed inside his facemask. Several teammates rushed to his assistance to help clear the snow from his helmet.
After the game, Raye had to be lifted onto the shoulders of several Buccaneers employees because he could not walk, with a cast on his leg, through the snow.
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The 49ers are going through practice right now. It's a Wednesday, of course, but today they have their typical "Thursday" practice that focuses on third downs.
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"The Packers rarely show much of the same look in back-to-back games."
No such surprises from Jimmy Raye. Capers against Raye.. Is that fair competition?
Matt, what tactics did the Bucs use to win against the Packers? Was it all Josh Freeman?
Matt--I expected the team to take some days off after the Thursday win, but am a little surprised that they didn't go back to practice earlier. Surely the players have things they could have worked on with a new QB, lots of injury replacements, and a receiver who missed half the season?
Which defense will show up? The best over-all defense in the NFL. And ours, the second best by a whisker. I really see a potential battle of the defensive titans that leaves the game in the hands of the special teams.
And DESPITE Singletary's BRILLIANT decision to cut Rossum keeping us mired toward the bottom of the pack in returns, we have a chance to win the ST's battle because of Andy Lee (and solely Andy Lee). We have the best net punting yardage positional placement in the NFL at +10.5 points (this has to do with a complexish yards-to-point field position conversion formula) on the exchange. So, in this area we're actually better off than Green Bay which has been brutally horrible at -15.9 points off yardage differentials from punting position.
See The Hidden Game of Football by Carroll. In Hidden Game, the authors note that there is a mathematical value to field position based on a huge number of factors. For example, field position backed up inside your own ten yard is actually worth -2 points. Not necessarily because you'll give up a safety (though it could happen), but because your field position is so bad that the opponents, will any reasonable execution have a high probability of getting into scoring position. And while many things can happen, on a hundred drives started by an offense inside the ten, on average the net is against them. Other field-position numbers include taking the ball at the 50-yard line is worth 2 points on average, and the opposing goal line 6 points on average.
Anyway, while that's a bit wonkish, the concept is pretty obvious when really look. The closer you are to the endzone when you start a drive, the greater your chance of scoring. So, if you have a great punter who keeps teams way far away, more chances for the defense to force a punt or turnover.
With so many days to game plan, lets see what Raye comes up with interms of game plan and how well he can adjust during the game.
As a Niner faithful there were two coordinators who were the best at game planning and in game adjustments, Pete Carroll and Shannahan, loved those days cause you knew the offense would be well prepared for anything!
Matt,
Just curious about game film. I've heard numerous times that the TV broadcast of a game is of no value to an NFL team for game planning purposes. How does an NFL team get a coaches copy of game film between 2 other teams? I know for youth football it's fairly easy to get game film through websites where coaches post their game film online. Does the league have a process whereby teams can download coaches copies of all the games? Or does a coach have to have alliances with other teams to share film?
Question: How does an NFL team get a coaches copy of game film between 2 other teams?
My response: It's all done through the league. Every team in the league gets film of every game every week. Each team has people in their pro personnel departments who watch every play of every game to know the talent on other teams. I know each team then burns multiple DVD copies which are distributed to players and coaches. --Matt M.
LOL I can see a lot of fake injury time-outs coming this Sunday so that the offense can fix formation issues (or Alex Smith pulling some hard counts).
so who won the game?
Oh, never mind, that was when Tampa wore the cremecycle uniforms
I have a feeling that the 49ers are going to go back to their old offense more in this game which means relying on Gore to pound the ball against that light 3-4 defense. At least in the early going the 49ers should establish the run so they can set-up play action. I know...I know... the 49er O-line hasn't been able to do ANY of that with consistency but isn't it about time that they finally do it? As for the defense, I think they need to do what they did against Warner in the 1st game of the season & that is go with the nickel right from the get go & just use 4 lineman to rush Rodgers. We all know how bad the Packers O-line is on pass protection, they're worse than the 49ers.
That sounds like alot of work. No wonder these guys put in so many hours.
1977?? Man! He's been in the league a really long time when you see 1977 written.
All these teams going to these younger coaches. And MS picked Raye! Or maybe Raye picked MS? Either way Raye was all that was left. WOW!!
Raye's about your age, Terry. If he's obsolete, then I guess it's a natural assumption that you are, too? Although both of you are younger than the Colt's OC. Then again maybe Raye's just a pretty smart guy who doesn't care a bit that a lot of know nothings think he's stupid.
Mark,-" I expected the team to take some days off after the Thursday win, but am a little surprised that they didn't go back to practice earlier"
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The team played on Sunday, then had to play 4 days later on Thursday night. They came in on Friday morning to review the game on film, then got the next 2 days off. After all, lots of guys were banged up with contusions, strains or whatever!
The guys went back to work on Monday morning. What do you want--BLOOD? They needed a little rest to recover before hitting the practice field again to start going through their plan for the next game.
Cheez, guys! These guys are human--they aren't machines! If you expect them to put up a decent fight against GB, they need to be rested a bit before they start hitting each other!
Practices aren't exactly MADDEN games, you know. At times, players get hurt in practice and can't play on game day. Is that what you want? I don't think so...
Niner Mom
Thanks for that post Skeebers-really would love to play a few Mose Allison tunes for some of these guys(what was that tune-"Your Mind is on Vacation(and your mouth is working over time)" or perhaps "That's your Red Wagon") .
Thanks, Moses, for parting the RED SEA again! Finally, I read a comment from someone who finds something POSITIVE to say about our Niners: Your comment about Andy Lee:" We have the best net punting yardage positional placement in the NFL at +10.5 points. So, in this area we're actually better off than Green Bay which has been brutally horrible at -15.9 points off yardage differentials from punting position.")
I wasn't so upset over losing Rossum because he wasn't playing well this season, but neither was anyone else returning the ball. Until Robinson took over the job. Then the Sun starting to shine again for us.
I've gotten everything I wanted in changes so far this year--except for Brandon Jones not playing as a WR. But maybe with Bruce gimpy, he might get a chance. However, I'm very happy that Morgan, Crabtree and Hill will be the WR's (I do think) as the WR trio.
Also, I was thrilled when the first action of the last game was a PASS instead of the USUAL run play. We're starting to mix up things so we are not so predictable.
I had written to both the HC and the OC with my ideas, and I'm pleased that gradually they are implementing what I had suggested (though they might have decided to do the very same things).
If we can just get some stability out of our OL, we will provide more of a safety net for Alex. But people have to remember that guys get hurt and replacements go in, thus disturbing how well they play together as a unit.
Football is so complex. Never as simple as it looks to the eye of the observer. A dropped ball could be the fault of the QB or the receiving target--or someone totally unexpected who didn't follow through on his assignment or block. So, let's not be so quick to judge and blame.
GB is a good team and will be a real challlenge to the 49ers, but if we play as hard as we did against the Colts, why not do similarly vs the Packers? Injuries are a big deterrent--as is the weather!
Niner Mom
Skeeters, that was a funny remark you made to Terry! Is he the Terry (Donahue) who ruined our team around Mooch's timie? Just teasing....
its doesnt matter what Packer D shows up if the same 49ers O from the past 3 games shows up. I hope Frank breaks a big one. He will have his chances.
:).....that was a good one......
Skeebers! Your close about the age. But I'm retired because a man has to know his limitations! I do! The problem with Raye is he won't admit what his limitations are and go into the sunset! Maybe he needs the money!?
But his time is past!
Charles Woodson will shine versus LOCK and LOOK Alex..
27-16 Packers