Atlanta Falcons: Birds Win! One Away from Super Bowl
Falcons Heavy Underdogs vs. 49ers
No Caption Needed! (AJC)
Our cardiac Falcons couldn’t make it easy on themselves or their fans could they? What a game, a thrilling finish, and the amazing death of the “playoff curse,” or whatever you want to call it. The Falcons came roaring out of the gates behind a huge crowd who were in their seats and loud from the first moment. The first half was a thing of beauty that saw the Falcons surge to a 20-0 lead, and even responding with their own touchdown on their first possession after the Seahawks took the opening drive down for a TD. Then, the wheels came completely off. Maybe a better analogy would be that they absolutely shut down in all phases of the game, seeing the Seahawks score 21 unanswered points. However, the Falcons found a way to win the game, needing only 31 seconds to do it. Kudos to the entire organization, from the players and coaches to Thomas Dimitroff and Arthur Blank and all the way to the support staff. It was a wonderful win in so many ways, even if it did almost send many of us into cardiac arrest. A look at the huge playoff win………….
Goodbye Playoff Albatross
Right Up There w/ Morten Anderson in '99 (AJC)
No two people on the planet are likely happier today than Mike Smith and Matt Ryan. For the past 5 seasons, all that has been said has been Smith and Ryan’s inability to win the playoffs. The 0-3 playoff record has been stated so many times by so many media members that it was not only annoying, but just complete overkill. It literally has been repeated thousands of times as an excuse to denigrate or outright ignore the success the Falcons have had. Some of it may have been a little justified, but using it as an excuse to trash them in week 3 of the regular season? It wasn’t pretty at the end and Smith darn near tried to give it away, but it’s done once and for all. The media elite will have to come up with another excuse to slam the Falcons because the “can’t win in the playoffs” garbage is gone forever.
Running Game was Thing of Beauty
Turner Big Day (AJC)
Where did that come from? The Atlanta Falcons have been one of the worst rushing football teams in the league the whole year and most of the times only ran enough to keep the defense at least somewhat honest. That was not the case on Sunday. Michael Turner ran for 98 yards on 14 carries with a long of 33 and Jacquizz Rodgers put on a highlight show when he trucked All-Pro safety Earl Thomas as if he were playing Madden. The offensive line was a big part of the running success and hats go way off to them. After being criticized so often and so heavily over the season, they showed up ready to play on Sunday and the running game was on track for most of the game because of it. The success on the ground also opened up the passing and play-action game, which was also a big reason for the win.
What Happened to the Defense?
Fans are still trying to figure out what happened that precipitated a complete defensive meltdown in the 4th quarter, that darn nearly cost them the game after being up 27-7 in the final quarter. It may not have been one thing in particular, but a slew of really awful performances, from the players to the coaching. The defensive pass rush was non-existent, as Russell Wilson had enough time to do his taxes in the backfield. It literally seemed on one play that he almost 10 full seconds to try and find someone, without nary a Falcon even close. Some of it was losing John Abraham, but it seemed as though the scheme wasn’t even that concerned on pressuring Wilson. One of the main reasons that Brian VanGorder “found another job” was his insanely soft zones where QBs could just sit back and pick them apart with ease. That fourth quarter zone was as bad a zone / scheme as any of those the previous 4 years, with maybe the exception of the loss to the Packers in 2011 in the playoffs.
Best Catch of All (AJC)
The Falcons also picked a terrible time to stop tackling well, after they had done such a good job of it in the previous 3 quarters. Maybe it was just a case of being way too confident with a 3 score lead with a quarter to go. Perhaps Coach Smith or Mike Nolan decided to just sit back in the zone and hope that the Seahawks wouldn’t have enough time or that the rookie QB would finally make a mistake (even though he gave no reason for them to think that). Zach Miller was made to look like Tony Gonzalez, Shannon Sharpe, and Kellen Winslow Sr. rolled into one. It was shameful how wide open Miller, Golden Tate, and Sidney Rice were in that fourth quarter. As fellow Cage member SOMEBODY said, it was like they were playing catch in the backyard. Maybe the entire team tightened up as the game was falling apart (the offense literally stopped doing anything, the coaches submarined, and even the special teams participated in the collapse). In hindsight, the fact is that the defense did a good enough job to keep them to 7 points for 3 quarters and decided to have a really bad last quarter. The Birds shouldn’t have that issue vs. the 49ers, since it projects to be closer for all 4 quarters rather than just 1.
“Just a Mere Formality”
Should Spoon & Co. Even Show UP? (AJC)
Yes, that is actually what a writer for the San Francisco Examiner wrote in one of the most blatant, poorly written articles about the Atlanta Falcons, maybe ever. According to this writer, if that’s what we’re calling him, his vaunted San Francisco 49ers are the best team to ever grace the field in this game we call football. They have the best RB’s, OL, DL, LB’s, and overall team in the history of the NFL. David and Goliath? No, this is more like Goliath vs. an ant. Should the Falcons even show up or just forfeit to the greatest ever? In all seriousness, there’s nothing wrong with saying the Niners are better on paper and likely should be favored and may even win the game, but this is something altogether different. When the 49ers got blown out by the Seahawks, Giants, lost the Rams (and tied them), and even the Vikings, it’s all good to discard. But when the Falcons WIN the games that were close with bad teams, that’s a sign it’s a mere formality. Not to pick on this writer too much, because really he’s just representing what pretty much everyone in the media (including hometown media) are saying: these Falcons have no shot whatsoever. Luckily, we get to actually play the games. That David kid was pretty small, right?
Can Defense Contain Kaepernick?
Can Willy Mo & Crew Contain the Great QB? (AJC)
First of all, Kaepernick is not a rookie. He was taken in last year’s draft in 2011. So, even though it’s his first year playing, he’s not fresh out of college. After the Niners QB ran rings around the Packers and their poor gameplan, all involved are crowning him the next superhero of the NFL. And if the Falcons play as they did vs. Russell Wilson in the 4th quarter or Cam Newton in the second game, than he very well could set records rushing and passing. There simply is no denying that he is a special talent, but he’s not the first mobile quarterback that has been stopped, nor is he the first mobile QB that the Falcons have played this year. In fact, the Birds are 4-1 vs. all mobile QBs they’ve faced this year. Yes, they haven’t always done particularly well vs. mobile QBs, but they have found ways to win 80% of those games.
The defensive line is definitely undermanned and undersized against the Niners big and burly OL and the linebackers could surely use a touch more speed as well. First of all, you can’t imagine that Nolan will be running much type of man coverage the way the Packers got torched on and one benefit of running the 4-3 defense is it’s ability to plug gaps better and stop mobile QBs. Fellow Cage Member trademark detailed it best when describing how the old Tampa 2 defense used to not only contain, but downright destroy Michael Vick in his heyday here in Atlanta. Much like shutting down Marshawn Lynch vs. Seattle, Nolan will likely either use some type of QB Spy on Kaepernick, make the QB beat him with his arm, make Frank Gore carry the load, or some combination of them all. One idea might be to replace one of the LBs or nickel backs with William Moore, insert Chris Hope in as strong safety, and let William Moore track Kaepernick all over the field, having the speed and the hitting ability to slow down the talented QB.
How Should Falcons O Approach Niners Great D?
What a Catch! (AJC)
Even though they don’t have as good a secondary as the Seahawks, the 49ers have one of the very best front seven in all of football. Aldon Smith, Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, and Navorro Bowman make up a nightmare for any team because they stop the run so well, but especially get after the quarterback as good or better than anyone in the league. Are the Falcons doomed vs. the great Niners defense? As Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast my friend!” Yes, it will be a major challenge, but if you feel as though you can’t get it done vs. the best, what makes you think you have any shot at the Lombardi Trophy?
No team had scored higher than 17 points since around week 7 this season until the Falcons scored 20 points on them in the first half and then 27 in the third quarter. Even though the media elite will gush and rave over the Niners being the best defense since the 2000 Ravens, they can be scored on to. The question is how. The natural inclination would be to keep rolling with the hot hand of running the football. Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers put on a show on Sunday and racked up some major yards, most of them coming in just 3 quarters. Can the Birds do the same against a tougher defensive front 7? It sure would be nice, but the Niners will likely plan to stop the run anyway they can and surely not let Turner and Rodgers do what they did to the Seahawks defense. If the run fails, how long should they stick with it, and further, does playing clock control offense play into the Niners hands?
Beautiful Play! (AJC)
One clue from the past that might could work is Falcons vs. Ravens, Thursday Night Football in 2010. Matt Ryan ran the no-huddle offense virtually the entire game and tore the stellar Ravens defense to shreds. He was 32 for 50 passing, with 316 yards, 3 TDs, and no INTs. Now, that doesn’t mean that it’s probably a good idea to have Matt Ryan throw the ball 50 times against such a great defense, but the Niners defense have many similarities to that Ravens. They have a great DL, great LB’s, studs at safety, but decent-at-best corners. The no-huddle is unpredictable and can not only help a blitizing team at bay, but also allows Matt Ryan to do what he does best which is call the shots, change the play if needed, and run the offense. In addition, it can also help wear out the strength of their team (LBs and Big DL). Maybe the Ravens game was just an element of surprise and maybe the Ravens depended heavily on substitutions, which the Niners do not. But it’s something that may help counter a tough, tough defense.
Bird Cagers Playoff Turn
Short and simple – will the Birds get it done on Sunday and be in the Super Bowl?
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854 comments Add your comment
Big Ray
January 18th, 2013
1:53 pm
Good stuff, D3 .
Don’t you just love how Pat Yastinkas keeps on saying that fans are merely “perceiving” that the media is slighting the Falcons?
What a douche….every single article it’s about us thinking our team is being slighted.
I get it though. Yastinkas is one mad Saints fan. He just happens to work for a national sports media outlet.
D3
January 18th, 2013
2:18 pm
Why SHOULDN’T We Believe?
What makes any of us fans believe that we won’t see this team show up ready to play, fight like hell, and likely win? Our Falcons have had some serious clunkers to be sure, but they almost always were against inferior teams. Sure, that’s not very excusable, but the point in competitive sports is to win the game, not look really pretty in a loss. We looked poorly vs. the Cards, Raiders, and others where we barely scraped by. But we did win, and they were terrible teams. However, let’s look at this in two parts……..
Part 1 — The Losses
Saints #1 — Was one play away from winning that game on the road.
Panthers #2 — Our worst game by far. We just wrapped up the division, had the Giants the next week, and got our @sses handed to us. However, we had every chance to actually win that game in the 4th quarter after falling behind by 3 scores in the first half.
Bucs #2 — We got beat. We had nothing to play for and really, this was just a Smitty error. Losing wasn’t the problem after we locked up home-field advantage and it really only looks halfway bad due to Smitty playing his starters at all, especially with Abe’s injury. Yet again, had a chance to win the game with the awful concept and game we played at the very end of the game.
Part 2 — The Big Wins
All we’ve heard this week and last week is how we benefited from the easiest schedule in the NFL history and played no one and therefore we’re terrible. A look at the big wins of the season…….
Chargers — OK, so of course in hindsight, this looks like a terrible game. But at the time (3rd game of season), it was a good win. Not only that, but we came out and dominated from the first to last snap.
Broncos — All we heard was Peyton and him being back. 3 INTs later and on MNF, we show up ready to go, full of energy, and win.
Giants — 34-0, only time in NFL history a defending Super Bowl Champ was shutout.
Saints #2 — The Saints were back! They were on their way to the playoffs after a terrible start. On TNF, not our best game on O, but we showed up, got that monkey off our back, punched them in the mouth, essentially won the division, and oh yeah, we broke that effin’ TD streak for Breesus.
Eagles — OK, this is probably a reach. But, at the time, it was a HUGE game. Eagles were already underachieving a little, but they also had beaten the Ravens and it was a must win game for them. Throw in the fact that we completely dominated that game, and yeah, we showed up.
Cowboys — OK, a reach also, but at the time, it was on SNF, and we faced yet another “must-win” form our opponent. Not our best game, but we showed up and found a way to win, even with Romo not throwing any picks.
In other words, our boys show up to play in EVERY BIG GAME. Can the same be said of the Niners? (Beat Packers and Patriots, but also lost to Giants 26-3 and to Seahawks 42-13)
trademark
January 18th, 2013
2:22 pm
Things we need to get right in our heads:
- Remember the letdown in the Carolina game after New Orleans. And better yet, the loss to New Orleans after the Dallas game. In both situations, we thought we could win that week no matter what. We could always come back, and had the talent to just win based on that. We can’t. In fact, in the NFL, no one can. Now, after the Seattle game, we have the same situation. We came back and won facing huge odds. But that was guts, focus and determination, and most of all, belief. That saved us. Not our talent. And definitely not our intensity, which was practically gone following the drive, and wavering on extinguished.
-We need to see the 49ers as what they are. They are the Giants. Screw what the media says, they are now the team that is standing in our way. They are now the team that made us doubt ourselves. They are now the team that stands between our growth as a team and the achievement of our goals, or reloading and having to wait for our turn again. I say screw the media, because, unlike the Giants game, if we win this one, especially in the same manner, they will finally not be able to ignore us. They will have to acknowledge our accomplishments. In the end, screw them, because we don’t need it. We know what we’ve done, but the truth is, to be the best, it has to be clear, even to the cynics. Leave them no options. Make them see us. As we really are.
GO FALCONS!!
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
2:33 pm
As I have said numerous times, we started with nothing, and one my one, we have steadily climbed level by level. A team takes on the personality of our coach, and like Smitty, we just keep climbing steady.
First we broke the consecutive winning season curse. However, the criticism was that we feast on inferior teams, and lost to better teams….So, this year, we did the opposite, we had some letdowns in relatively meaningless games, yet we won all the big games. Then it was we could not win in the playoffs, then, we did.
It just seems ever level we climb, the naysayers say “we can’t” get to the next level, but slowly, steadily, we keep reaching, the next level, and we keep reaching a little higher, and getting there. That is what I call Smittyball.
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
2:36 pm
I would rather go the Smitty route of working hard, getting better, staying the course, then a flash in the pan, one or two season lightening bolt. Regardless of that happens this year, I have no doubt we will be in position next year to climb a little higher…..As Buster Douglas proved, in sports, all you need is the opportunity.
Geo
January 18th, 2013
2:40 pm
Oline has to have another great game. I hope when it’s over, we’re saying, Matt Ryan had a great game, he was on fire. The game plan was brilliant, and he used all his weapons. The defense did just enough and we just outpaced them, 34-31. (know this, though: the 49er defensive gameplan is going to be to get after Ryan, big time. We’re gonna need that run game.).
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
2:43 pm
Run game is key, if we can handle their front 7 on the pass rush, we win going away.
The Time is NOW
January 18th, 2013
2:53 pm
Good stuff today, Cage. I am surprised that I am calmly confident about the NFC championship game. However, the reality is that the Falcons will never get the respect they deserve until they win the Super Bowl. If we win this week, we’ll get a few nuggets of praise, but the main storyline will be how the 49er’s allowed a lesser team to escape with a win.
One other note: if memory serves correctly Marino did take the Dolphins to the Super Bowl as a true rookie in the 80’s. I have not verified this, but such is my recollection.
The Time is NOW
January 18th, 2013
3:14 pm
After some research, Marino was not a rookie but a second year pro when he went to the Super Bowl. He had started some games in his rookie year. Roethlisberger was a second year player when he went to his first Super Bowl (and won). Kurt Warner was a first year starter when he went to the Super Bowl and won. He had been signed by the Rams the previous season, but had been assigned to NFL Europe. Of course, Kaepernick is a second year player.
D3
January 18th, 2013
3:15 pm
Screen Game
Seems like this game would be a perfect time to break out one of Koetter’s favorite schemes in the screen game. Koetter has done wonders for the offense with the screen, something like #2 in the NFL if I can remember correctly. Especially in the past when our running game isn’t working and they’re starting to get good heat on our QB. However, the screen game didn’t work worth a durn against the Seahawks because they weren’t getting good pressure on Ryan. As we all painfully know well, he tried to force the screen game in the 4th quarter and it had not only no effect, but actually a negative effect with us losing yards.
The Niners are different. They blitz a lot and bring heat well. Of course we want the run game to work as well as it did vs. the Seahawks but, just like CK will likely not have a record performance two weeks in a row, likely neither will our run game. Hope it does, just not counting on it to be dominant. That’s where the screen game could really make some hay with Roddy, Julio, HD, Quizz, and Snelling.
JB Falcon
January 18th, 2013
3:20 pm
Even though the espn dorks only had two pick the Falcons, out of fourteen, I’ve found some other folks, sho should know, that believe the Falcons will win for various reasons. I personally don’t think that the 9ers are all that and a bag of chips. They can be beat and they will get beat.
Not to be on the negative side but when NO made their run, no one thought they would actually win the SB. The majority of their games were squeakers won on a lot of luck. Of course we know you make you own luck.
A SB with “Flappo vs Ryan” would be a world class SB.
D3
January 18th, 2013
3:32 pm
JB — I agree. The Ravens are getting smashed just as we are. No one thinks either of us have a chance. Ours is worse because we’re at home and we are the #1 seed, they are the #3 seed, I believe and they’re on the road. I agree on Super Bowl. That’s what I’m pulling for, sick of the Patriots going and losing. They had their due. The Niners had enough success in the 80’s and 90’s to last a lifetime. Time to get some new blood in there.
The Time is NOW
January 18th, 2013
3:34 pm
One of the articles I read from a link on the Cage noted that the greatest NFL team of all time, the undefeated Dolphins from the 70’s, was disrespected all through the playoffs because of their weak regular season schedule. They were underdogs in the Super Bowl, as well. I found that interesting.
JB Falcon – a Super Bowl featuring the top 2 QB’s taken in ‘08 would be a wonderful thing. Matty Ice and Flacco will always be compared since they came out at the same time and have had similar success in the W-L column.
smitty's anal parasite
January 18th, 2013
3:42 pm
Everything that has happened in the positive for the Falcons is due to one man, and one man alone. Mike Smith. Mike Smith is the best coach in the NFL. His way is the right way. If you see something good happening in a game, think of Mike Smith because that is why that good thing happened.
If Matthew Ryan throws a good pass, believe that it was Smith who taught him to throw that pass and even designed the play. If Michael Turner has a good game, understand that this was Smith’s plan from the start. This team is all about Mike Smith. The new stadium should be named the SmittyDome or Smithfield.
If you have trouble understanding this, it is because you are a heretic, an unbeliever, a pagan, and basically an imbecile. Now please pardon me while I go and find some duct tape. I keep falling off of my fake cross and prefer not to use nails because they actually hurt.
Screen Pass
January 18th, 2013
3:45 pm
“Screen Game
Seems like this game would be a perfect time to break out one of Koetter’s favorite schemes in the screen game. Koetter has done wonders for the offense with the screen, something like #2 in the NFL if I can remember correctly. Especially in the past when our running game isn’t working and they’re starting to get good heat on our QB. However, the screen game didn’t work worth a durn against the Seahawks because they weren’t getting good pressure on Ryan.” – D3
You rang?
. Seacawks played bump coverage a good bit which imits bubble screens and “design screens” effectiveness. Using “riposte screens” instead of precalls would have been the correct way to deal with this. Koetter is good but not at the Pats level of scree calling just yet. Hope he does alot of offseason work and templating…we have a scary good looking future if that and a good allpurpose back is obtained.
I have read on SF boards where their fans fear the screens and they have had problems with in the past. This is a good sign and Koetter needs to get on the ball fimstudying/ gameplanning in this area. IF this happens we mitigate their rush, keep them off balance, and open up the aerial and gash running attacks.
LRD
January 18th, 2013
3:46 pm
Ryan in blitz situations is statistically very good. He seems to have lost his “happy feet” that plagued him earlier in his career.
It will also mean more screen passes, and more slant rants…
Roddy is going to have a big game this sunday…
Screen Pass
January 18th, 2013
3:50 pm
“If you have trouble understanding this, it is because you are a heretic, an unbeliever, a pagan, and basically an imbecile. Now please pardon me while I go and find some duct tape. I keep falling off of my fake cross and prefer not to use nails because they actually hurt.” – SAP
“Pat, you and Yahoo’s Mike Silver touched on something many Falcons fans are sick of seeing: Mike Smith taking his foot off the gas and letting beaten teams back into games. Why does Smith continue to coach like it’s 1983, not 2013, where rules changes help quick, explosive plays in the passing game? Someone please ask Smith DIRECTLY, why he continues to try and sit on leads WHEN IT DOESN’T WORK! He never learns. He keeps on doing this. Denver this year. SanFran last. Carolina. Saints. It goes on and on. Belichick doesn’t do this. The Harbaughs don’t do this. Why won’t Smith LEARN?” – Matt ( Roswell Ga )
“Yep, it’s definitely a Smitty flaw. I covered John Fox through much of his Carolina time and Smitty reminds me a lot of Fox in that regard.” – Pat Y. at ( http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/46799/nfl-with-pat-yasinskas )
Does this mean we can burn Pat. Y at the stake and roast marshmellows? YUUUMMMM!! Marshmellows…
Big Lou
January 18th, 2013
4:03 pm
http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8854007/nfl-playoffs-time-give-matt-ryan-due
Nice Article on Matty Ice.
Big Lou
January 18th, 2013
4:23 pm
Hope William Moore’s injury is not serious. Don’t need any dropped INTs from the Falcons D!
DePlane
January 18th, 2013
4:40 pm
Is it just me or did this week drag on forever; even worse than last week? Tomorrow is honey-do day…gonna knock it out so me and the bride can relax on Sunday, grill it up and watch Falcons kick some 49er tail! Go Falcons!!!
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
4:45 pm
Funny how Pat Y does not mention Smittys 44-1 when having a lead at half time lead…..So, I am not really sure what the definition of “not working” is, but had this crazy idea that the goal was to win the game…..But yea, SP, I do see a lot of similarities between your, and Pat Y’s “analysis”.
I mean, we would not want stats to get in the way of our perception…..
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
4:46 pm
No, 45-1. forgot about last week.
LRD
January 18th, 2013
5:25 pm
How can you burn someone if they are not a witch. And how do you know if they are a witch.. Well they are made of wood… AH, so therefore they would float.. and what else floats… A Duck… so lets way smitty and a duck and if they weight the same, then he is a witch. ( some quick monty python for y’all)
Screen Pass
January 18th, 2013
5:30 pm
“I mean, we would not want stats to get in the way of our perception…..” – MB
I’m in a good mood so I’ll play your game a bit. Soooo, vague useless macro stats is all you can defend Smitty with? Ok, here are my stats in reply;
0-2 0.00 win percentage of M. Smith w/o M. Ryan starting
2-3 .400 win % of M. Smith w/o M. Turner starting
Hrmm, Smitty can’t win at all without Ryan and is below .500 without Turner. Clearly Smitty’s coaching alone is not winning us games. I love stats.
Screen Pass
January 18th, 2013
5:34 pm
“How can you burn someone if they are not a witch. And how do you know if they are a witch.. Well they are made of wood… AH, so therefore they would float.. and what else floats… A Duck… so lets way smitty and a duck and if they weight the same, then he is a witch. ( some quick monty python for y’all)” – LRD
Slant Pattern
January 18th, 2013
5:35 pm
Ooopps…wrong name on the last two posts.
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
5:41 pm
Mike McCarthy looked like a genius who would never lost a game, then looked like….Smitty in the Debacle.
Sean Payton, he “got it” when it comes to winning in the playoffs, until he lost to a 7-9 team in the playoffs.
But how about Tom Coughlin? now he really knows how to get his guys up for a big game, the man has 2 rings….Until he played at the Dome.
Do I go on? In the NFL, you are who your record says, all the bluster about winning in spite of someone, or blaming a coach for a loss before the game is even played yet…..it sorta cracks me up.
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
5:47 pm
Screen, I would image you know stats. you have to have sample size….geeez, and Ryan is our starting QB, most coaches don’t fair very well without their starting QB, unless they have a good backup, which Chris Redmon was not.
But really, if the goals is to win games, how much better than 44-1 do you think Smitty would be if he had a different philosophy?
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
5:54 pm
Sp, do I need to give you Stats lessons on sample sizes? But to cut to the chase.
When you lose games where you have the lead, you blew the game…
When you win games where you had the lead, you did not blow the game.
When you go 5 seasons and are 45-1….the proof is in the pudding, either you are the luckiest SOB alive, …or you are doing something right.
falcon21
January 18th, 2013
6:19 pm
8 and 1 in the dome this season, a rookie QB coming to the dome to face all that noise and we are given no chance. My only worry is what kinda of game plan Mr. Smith will bring in for this huge game. Being stubborn and conservative could lead to a loss. Hopefully the team and HC will be ready.
Slant Pattern
January 18th, 2013
6:22 pm
“When you lose games where you have the lead, you blew the game… ” – MB
Bout time you finally understand, I was beginning to wonder. Smitty’s Martyball demonic failboat strategy did what it always does and fails…he blew the game. This is not all bad as it did give M. Ryan the chance to work his magic and save the win. Smitty isn’t a great X and O’s coach but his failures do make others shine, I’ll give him that.
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
6:43 pm
“his failures make others shine”.
SP, did you see the correction that was made in the blocking scheme on that last play when Seattle brought the same blitz and hit Ryan on the 1st interception play? I guess that was Koetter shining, Quizz, and Clabo Shining….Actually, the best managers make the guys under them shine….my opinion.
Look, I know if we lose Sunday, you will blame Smitty, if we win, it will be in spite of Smitty, regardless of what happens on the field, no matter what play is called, or how it goes down, no matter what happens… I get that, but don’t confuse your dislike for Smitty style with that of true thoughtful analysis.
You cannot objectively analyze something that has not happened, and I know, if we lose, you think you already know why…..that is not analysis. That is all, I guess, after 16 games, that is my point, are we here to bitch about Smitty, or give true quality analysis of that happens in a game.
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
7:12 pm
There are a number of ways to skin a cat, being a copycat in the NFL and following the new trends insures nothing. A winning formula is what every team wants, and we have one for the first time in team history, the first time in 45 years. Before you can convince me that there is a better winning formula out there for THIS team, you have to convince me that understand and comprehend our winning formula today.
Stat of the day….The Burner was in for 503 plays this year, Quizz for 502….
old man
January 18th, 2013
7:14 pm
To beat the 49ers we need courage.
Defensively, we need courage that 49er WRs are not as good as ours, and we can cover them even if we add a delayed blitzer to the “contain” rush we used against Seattle.
Offensively, we need courage that our WRs and TEs (Chase Coffman?) have the physicality and height to create a big passing day, and stay away from the false euphoria of our rushing game against Seattle. Use play action, and use pass to set up the run. SF saw our run game, they may fear it on Sunday, and they will prep for it, and assume it is coming. But have faith in our receiving corps.
For me, the entire game hinges on the superiority of our receivers versus theirs. Especially looking at their short CBs.
Pigskin
January 18th, 2013
7:22 pm
What about our ‘hurry-up?’
Should we use it early on or later…..or just on third and longs?
We need to wear that D out.
old man
January 18th, 2013
7:24 pm
Matty Bicep:
Agree 100%, the volume of “on the fly” changes that go on during a game must be tremendous. Has anyone ever recorded the audio from OC and DC to HC and QB? It must be completely nuts.
I had a business partner once who said that having a plan was about 90% of the fight. You have to have a clear, distinct plan from the beginning, then you can adjust. Having the wrong plan is better than no plan at all. At least you have something to work from. Our plan with Seattle was to let Wilson throw, and to run the ball early, to set up the pass. To some extent, the plan began to backfire, but at least it was a plan. I think our flaw was in not adjusting quickly enough.
I could see our plan very early last week. I think our plan on Sunday will be obvious after about 7 or 8 minutes.
old man
January 18th, 2013
7:29 pm
The assumption is that we made blunders on defensive scheming last week. Really we did not. We shut down a running QB team totally for the first half. We need to tweak what we did with Seattle only a little bit (add a delayed blitzer) but be ready to adjust instantly when SF goes to the pass game.
old man
January 18th, 2013
7:30 pm
On offense, we need to do a 180. Open with pass, to open the run.
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
7:39 pm
Old Man, you are correct, I think our D play was sound, our linebackers got caught looking in the backfield a little too much, and gave up the intermediate plays. Our lack of pass rush was due to keeping lanes. Russell is a fierce competitor, and our game plan required him to beat us from the pocket….and he damn near did.
Geo
January 18th, 2013
7:53 pm
Our “plan” changed to prevent in the second half and it almost caused us to lose the game, and we would have if not for Ryan’s ability to pull out wins. Period. Comma. Exclamation point.
Greg Mendel
January 18th, 2013
8:01 pm
Imagine a Home Depot Vice President walking into Arthur Blank’s off office to discuss a store manager.
VP: Mr. Blank, our store in Des Moines has been close to the top in sales for the last five years.
AB: That’s great!
VP: The store has surpassed our goals for five straight years.
AB: Terrific!
VP: It got to the finals four times in the last five years. Beat sales goals five years straight.
AB: First time in Home Depot history!
VP: This year, it may go all the way. Top store in the country.
AB: Awwwriiiight!!!
VP: So what do you think we should do about the store manager?
AB: Wow! A raise? Promotion? What do you suggest, VP?
VP: I think we should fire him.
Football Bat
January 18th, 2013
8:10 pm
Did anyone else notice that when Marshawn Lynch fumbled, a Falcon had him by the crotch? Couldn’t tell if it was Moore or the LB involved…. hilarious really, diverting his attention that way. Glad to see the D playing with “gusto.”
The Time is NOW
January 18th, 2013
8:13 pm
Greg Mendel – classic.
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
8:34 pm
Smitty is not perfect, I think the team did tighten up, more so the defense, as D3 said, the pick was the catalyst. But in the playoffs, everyone is prone to feeling the pressure, I saw a lot of coaches, some with rings, do some bone headed things in the past few weeks.
But for all you guys who say Smitty’s “playbook” should have been tossed, the play to HD with 25 seconds left was the EXACT play that we ran against Chicago when we beat them with 11 seconds left. Sure Ryan pulled us out, but he did not do it alone.
falcon21
January 18th, 2013
8:39 pm
It should have never got to that point.
JB Falcon
January 18th, 2013
8:45 pm
21,so true!
Matty Bicep
January 18th, 2013
8:55 pm
Agreed, we melted down, the catalyst was the Ryan pick, the crappy punt and the Davis slip did not help….But, ultimately it was our D who allowed Seattle to score 4 TD on 5 possessions……
But at the end, shoulda, woulda coulda means nothing.
old man
January 18th, 2013
9:07 pm
The defensive scheme we ran against Seattle broke down in the second half, but it sure as heck worked against a running offense with a running QB for quite a long time. I’m hoping we tweak it, not abandon it.
On offense, I’m licking my chops with their short CBs.
By game time, I’ll be able to cut a steel cable with my sphincter.
JB Falcon
January 18th, 2013
9:10 pm
IMO. I’d like to see us use the basic same plan, modified to fit SF, as we did againt Seattle, BUT, if it works against the 9er’s in the first half, keep using it, or , whatever else we can do to keep putting points on the board. The playoffs is no time to play anything but the best football you know how to for a full 60 minutes.
JB Falcon
January 18th, 2013
9:13 pm
Old Man, old men think a like.