At the same time, the team blew quite a few opportunities to put this game away early. This is the perfect game to use as as a prototype for reviewing the good AND the bad.
The Good
- Frank Gore carried the team in the first half, setting the tone with a 61 yard touchdown run on the opening drive. In spite of the concussion, Gore rushed for 159 yards, which helped the 49ers dominate the time of possession 38:49 to 21:11.
- Alex Smith did not dominate, but did manage the game effectively.
- The defense showed up for the second straight game with a very effective performance.
- The Lions failed to establish the running game
- Roy Williams got his numbers but he was never allowed to break a big play, while Muke Furrey was practically shut out
- The defense got pressure on Kitna with some big sacks.
- The team mixed in some trick plays that will get future opponents thinking: Arnaz Battle reverse pass and Michael Robinson lining up as a RB in the shotgun, but taking the ball for the trick "QB draw."
- Joe Nedney continues to be absolutely MONEY!
- The team blew multiple opportunities to put this game away settling for field goals and punts when they should have done a better job of going for the throat. If they do that against many other teams, the 49ers will be walking off the field as losers.
- Mike Nolan had a couple curious decisions. For the most part things worked out, but this could lead to trouble in the future.
- Hopefully Frank Gore will be ok after a concussion described as "mild" by Nolan.
- The Seahawks come to town in what should be an emotional game, as Jerry Rice will be having his jersey retired. If the 49ers can bottle up that emotion and use it to play a determined game, an upset is very possible. It sounds like Alexander will probably be back next week, while Hasselbeck doesn't feel confident he'll be ready. Seneca Wallace has been very solid in his subbing for Hasselbeck, so the defense will need to make things happen again. No matter what, this team is 4-5 and appears to be turning a corner.
2 comments:
I liked the "QB draw" that Robinson ran. I remember when the Bills with Thurman Thomas and Jim Kelly used to do it multiple times a game. The HB direct snap catches sleepers off guard, but as with any other trick play: it can be potentially fatal.
Nolan seems to make "questionable" decisions every week, but I think he's doing a great job out there. What could be percieved as "mistakes" don't generally come back and haunt the team. So as with his players, he's taking his lumps and learning. I liked that he challenged that play in the fourth quarter. I really believe that if he hadn't, the Keith Lewis INT would have been but a dream, and the Lions would have won.
One benefit to running the play with Robinson in the backfield is that he was a QB at Penn State so he has a better grasp on receiving the ball from the center. I like the idea of mixing it up and having a pair of former quarterbacks makes it something the defense will always have to look out for.
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