49ers Gameday Thread: Week 14: 49ers at Cardinals

Borat · 12-07-2011, 02:18 AM

Week 14:
Sunday, December 11, 2011

San Francisco 49ers (10-2)
at
Arizona Cardinals (5-7)

Location: University of Phoenix Stadium

Time: 1:05 pm pst

NFC WEST CHAMPIONS! Damn, it seems like forever. Finally got over the hump after so many years of pure suckage. So let's take a moment and:

Jump up and down if you want.

Celebrate it.

Or don't.

Yeah.

Get it out of your system now, cause we still got work to do. The #2 seed is in our hands. Got to get back to business.

Just one more

OK, for real, let's get down to business. Going to 'Zona and we can't afford a letdown. We got two real tests left (Pittsburgh, at Seattle) and we have a 1.5 game lead over the Saints. We can't lose this game. I'm saying we a lot. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Feed this man the ball PLEASE

This is not the proper way to defense him:

Yeah, this isn't proper either:

This guy is looking healthy and I think he's ready to have a big, breakout game

But we got none of this

So we'll need more of this

and this

This guy is back

So, I guess none of this

And, same as last time, more of this

and less of this

Standings: Should I even post the standings anymore?

1. San Francisco 49ers (10-2)
2. Arizona Cardinals (5-7)
2. Seattle Seahawks (5-7)
4. St. Louis Rams (2-10)

Special Note:

Ness · 12-07-2011, 03:12 AM

Cardinals might be a tough game. They are playing good football lately and I'm a little nervous about our offense not converting third downs and some of the drops on key plays. I hope that doesn't keep haunting us. But third downs, we really need to improve in that area. As long as we get after the quarterback and continue to shut down the run we should be fine. Have to keep a lead against the Saints. I really don't want to potentially lose the bye and win another game just to play the damn Saints in the Superdome. I like the Titans chances against the Saints this weekend so I'm hoping for an upset.

binary · 12-09-2011, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ness

I'm a little nervous about our offense not converting third downs and some of the drops on key plays. I hope that doesn't keep haunting us.

You hit the nail on the head, those little lapses have been killing drives. We lead the league in drop rate and sacks given up, yet we still have a QB and a WR performing at a top 10 level; imagine how good the O would be if the execution improved.

This is gonna be a tough game, can't believe they beat a streaking Dallas team last week. I actually see our guys coming up short :(.

Ness · 12-09-2011, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binary

You hit the nail on the head, those little lapses have been killing drives. We lead the league in drop rate and sacks given up, yet we still have a QB and a WR performing at a top 10 level; imagine how good the O would be if the execution improved.

This is gonna be a tough game, can't believe they beat a streaking Dallas team last week. I actually see our guys coming up short :(.

Well I personally wouldn't say top 10 as far as Smith and Crabtree are concerned. They've shown flashes of good things though. We'll see next year how our third down percentage measures up. That's the main I thing I think is holding this offense back from being pretty good. Alex's growth factor as well.

And I wouldn't put much stock in beating Dallas. The Cowboys lost that game more so than Arizona won the game in my opinion. Arizona is still not that good against the run. Frank Gore seemed to be having a good game early against the Cardinals when we faced them three weeks ago. I think he is the key in this game, unless Harbaugh wants to air it out. Unfortunately there is no room to breathe due to New Orleans in hot pursuit. We need to win this game in the worst way, because losing to the the Cardinals doesn't bode well for having to face the Steelers the following week.

binary · 12-09-2011, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ness

Well I personally wouldn't say top 10 as far as Smith and Crabtree are concerned. They've shown flashes of good things though. We'll see next year how our third down percentage measures up. That's the main I thing I think is holding this offense back from being pretty good. Alex's growth factor as well.

I would say Alex is definitely top 10 THIS year so far, there is too much statistical backing; the only area he falls short is total yards and total attempts. Weakest area imo was YPA, but even that is around 12th in the league right now, not bad when you consider we get some of the lowest YAC in the league. When you consider the total sacks, the drop rate, the injuries at WR, it's pretty impressive stuff.

Crabtree I know you're not a big fan of, and I could see the argument for top 15-25, but remember he was playing hurt AND he missed training camp. Right now he's healthy and his suddenness is killing people. He still has some drop issues but he's a lot better there than he used to be, plus his utter physicality makes up for it imo. He's even shown some straight-line deep speed. He'll never have elite athleticism, but with his craftiness and change of direction, he could be a #1 guy.

Drops are still a huge problem for this team. I know everyone loves Morgan, but it would be sweet if we landed Bowe next year. It all depends on Braylon I guess. Not a huge fan of the WRs in this draft or taking WRs early in general.

PatrickWillis · 12-09-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binary

I would say Alex is definitely top 10 THIS year so far, there is too much statistical backing; the only area he falls short is total yards and total attempts. Weakest area imo was YPA, but even that is around 12th in the league right now, not bad when you consider we get some of the lowest YAC in the league. When you consider the total sacks, the drop rate, the injuries at WR, it's pretty impressive stuff.

Crabtree I know you're not a big fan of, and I could see the argument for top 15-25, but remember he was playing hurt AND he missed training camp. Right now he's healthy and his suddenness is killing people. He still has some drop issues but he's a lot better there than he used to be, plus his utter physicality makes up for it imo. He's even shown some straight-line deep speed. He'll never have elite athleticism, but with his craftiness and change of direction, he could be a #1 guy.

Drops are still a huge problem for this team. I know everyone loves Morgan, but it would be sweet if we landed Bowe next year. It all depends on Braylon I guess. Not a huge fan of the WRs in this draft or taking WRs early in general.

I'd like to see a link that proves we are the lowest YAC team in the league. Hard to see since Crabtree has recently killed it in the YAC department, as well as Kyle Williams who gave Smith a TD this past sunday with his YAC ability.

And I would also point out that YAC is largely dependent on passes thrown in stride, which is obviously not Smith's strength.

Madirishman · 12-07-2011, 10:32 AM

I'll be at this game (7th year in a row since moving to AZ) and will be representing the NFC West Champion Faithful! I believe Hawkeye is going as well.

The Cards have been playing well as of late and I think that while Seattle's D is overall better, the Cards have the more talented team, second best in the division. The Niners will have to contain Beanie Wells early and then eat Kolb alive with the pass rush, making sure that PP or Stephens-Howling don't crack any big plays open on special teams.

The Niners have had pretty good success in AZ and there has been some close games they've won in recent years. This year is different and I want to see them dominate and run up the score.

Gore usually thrashes these guys and VD scored his first TD against them here in AZ. Gore's hip injury did occur in the blowout win for the Niners last year which sucked big time but I did meet Steve Young that night (as it was a Monday Night game) which helped bring my spirits back up. That and the postgame rant by Derek Anderson, who puts his 'heart and soul into this $*!+!"

http://youtu.be/Y2vTzHf2tus

LMAO - It IS funny! Go Niners!

abaddon41_80 · 12-07-2011, 12:44 PM

Definitely could see this being a trap game. We are gonna be overlooking the Cardinals after winning the division and they aren't a bad team. Not to mention that the running game has been terrible recently.

hawkeye123 · 12-07-2011, 02:50 PM

I'll be attending this game. First Niner game i'll see in person since '03. So pumped!

phlysac · 12-07-2011, 04:42 PM

THIS appears to be the best way to defend Vernon :/

PatrickWillis · 12-08-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phlysac

THIS appears to be the best way to defend Vernon :/

Phlysac always loves to mention the drops....but never the laughable off target throws, which are just as bad.

And weren't you on News in 09' sucking Vernon's **** playing the "I told you so" game with them on him breaking out? Now with one bad drop and you're off the wagon? Holy facepalm.

abaddon41_80 · 12-09-2011, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickWillis

Phlysac always loves to mention the drops....but never the laughable off target throws, which are just as bad.

And weren't you on News in 09' sucking Vernon's **** playing the "I told you so" game with them on him breaking out? Now with one bad drop and you're off the wagon? Holy facepalm.

There have been a lot more drops this year than there have been ridiculously off-target throws. There have been more drops than there have been off-target throws, period, honestly.

PatrickWillis · 12-09-2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abaddon41_80

There have been a lot more drops this year than there have been ridiculously off-target throws. There have been more drops than there have been off-target throws, period, honestly.

That would be false.

phlysac · 12-09-2011, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickWillis

Phlysac always loves to mention the drops....but never the laughable off target throws, which are just as bad.

And weren't you on News in 09' sucking Vernon's **** playing the "I told you so" game with them on him breaking out? Now with one bad drop and you're off the wagon? Holy facepalm.

No facepalms for me oh, kind sir. Vernon Davis is my favorite offensive player. Just because I show both praise for good play and blame for bad play, doesn't mean I'm "off the wagon."

Those that blindly support or blindly bash are the ones that are jokes.

Got jokes?

PatrickWillis · 12-09-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phlysac

No facepalms for me oh, kind sir. Vernon Davis is my favorite offensive player. Just because I show both praise for good play and blame for bad play, doesn't mean I'm "off the wagon."

Those that blindly support or blindly bash are the ones that are jokes.

Got jokes?

Well you blindly support Alex, so I guess you are a joke.

phlysac · 12-09-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickWillis

Well you blindly support Alex, so I guess you are a joke.

Showing support for positives in a player is far from"blind support." You follow me around. Feel free to provide an example of me giving blind support for him.

In your opinion ANYONE that supports Smith is blind, because your hate for him, indeed, is.

Borat · 12-09-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickWillis

Well you blindly support Alex, so I guess you are a joke.

I'm always amazed that you can't simply hold a conversation on these boards without insulting people.

Play nice.

49erNation85 · 12-07-2011, 09:06 PM

Should be a fun game to watch this weekend. Wish I had Tv here in AZ it would be on ha oh well.

I'm so happy that we have finally made it to a 10-2 record we could only wish to be 11-1 from that Dallas mess but oh well we made it threw and a destroying the nfc west like we should have been. But now most likely we are gonna own it for a few years coming.Unless Seattle can get a real QB and some protection or every one else starts playing fresh. I would love to be able to watch CK get some playing time this Sunday if it is a blow out. We need to see if he can run this offense and make it fly.

phlysac · 12-07-2011, 09:23 PM

Translation...

"I hope Alex Smith plays well enough, again, to blow another team out so CK can play and take his job."

/Tremendous rationale.

Brent · 12-07-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phlysac

/Tremendous rationale.

I actually want to see Kendall Hunter throw down a 100+ yard game...

dan77733 · 12-07-2011, 10:06 PM

Even if its a blowout, I would still keep Smith in the game but he would handing off to Dixon and Hunter in that order to waste as much time as possible until the game is over.

stl9erfan · 12-08-2011, 04:26 AM

This one could be tough... but the one I'll really be worried about as a "trap" game is against Seattle in a few weeks. There's enough bad blood between the Niners and Cardinals that I don't think Arizona will ever catch SF napping. Meanwhile, if the Niners were to win the next two, and especially if New Orleans were to lose one in there and GB keeps on winning, I could see a let down against the SeaChickens. Short week, maybe not quite as much motivation to play for at that point... and that could potentially be huge because there's still an outside shot that Seattle could make the playoffs at 9-7 if they win out... And given their remaining schedule, if they were to beat us, they could do that.

ETA: One minor nitpick I had from last week's game-- the Wildcat. Is anyone fooled by this anymore? What possible purpose could it serve to take out your QB and basically let the other team know, "Yeah, we're definitely running it." This seems even more absurd to me given that we have Kaepernick on the bench. If you really wanted to run this kind of play, why not let Kaepernick be the Wildcat back? He'd be a legitimate threat to run or throw that would actually keep the defenses honest.

Verloren · 12-08-2011, 09:38 AM

Maybe the idea is to have Hunter and Kaepernick out there at the same time to provide the threat of a direct snap to Hunter.

Madirishman · 12-09-2011, 03:31 PM

'The 49ers new anthem' playing at their practice today according to Maiocco.

http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/niner...22&feedID=5884

Completely. Buying. In.

phlysac · 12-09-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madirishman

'The 49ers new anthem' playing at their practice today according to Maiocco.

http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/niner...22&feedID=5884

Completely. Buying. In.

I buy.

Aside from mentioning Reggie instead of Justin.