Luck Be A Lady
Dec 31, 2012 Post Game Spread
The 49ers repeated as NFC West champs Sunday by whisking aside the crumbling Arizona Cardinals 27-13. Rather than celebrate, the team adjourned to the locker room and did what fans do — anxiously watched the TV end game between Green Bay and Minnesota. While we cheered for them, they cheered for Minnesota. Everybody went home happy.
Once in a while, it’s better to be lucky than good, and Sunday that fickle lady tossed a crumb to the staggering 49ers when the Vikings rose up and whipped Green Bay, returning the number two seed to the team after they had botched it away in Seattle last week. If ever a team needed a week off — and one less game to win — it would be the 2012 Niners. They now have an extra week to conduct a nation wide search to replace David Akers as our FG kicker.
The 49ers started the AZ game pretty much like they started the Seattle game, staggering ineptly through the first quarter. Instead of being down 14-0, though, they were only down 6-0, and that’s when Michael Crabtree took over the game. Patrick Peterson might be an all pro CB, but Crabtree owns his patootie. Yesterday’s 8 catch, 172 yard effort was the best of Crabtree’s career and a continuation of his rise to stardom this year. For the first time in ten years, the 49ers truly have a bona fide number one wide receiver.
It would be nice if they had a bona fide number two receiver, too. Vernon Davis used to be a pretty good second guy, but for some reason he’s been phased out of the passing game. Unfortunately, nobody has been phased in to replace him. Top draft pick AJ Jenkins took a stab at it Sunday, going out for a simple third down pass and muffing it. This feebele effort brought his total catches for the year to ZERO.
What would a game be without a Delanie Walker dropped pass? Walker did catch two passes for fifty yards, but he butter fingered one in the end zone, bringing his total for the year to 18 catches and 9 drops. If Lady Luck is really shining on us, why not have Delanie catch the winning pass in the Super Bowl? He could then sign with the Raiders this offseason and disappear from the NFL landscape forever.
As much as Niner fans were rooting for Minnesota Sunday, they should be switching allegiance next weekend when the two teams meet in Green Bay for a rematch. If the Packers win, they’ll come to Candlestick and provide a better match up for the 49ers than the winner of the Seattle vs Washington game. That’s assuming Justin Smith can’t possibly defy the snickering of the doctor types who say his injury takes three months to heal, not the mere one that he’ll have at game time in two weeks.
But Smith is a cowboy, so you never know. The other well known cowboys are more of the John Travolta type bronco busters, and we all got to laugh them off into another offseason as losers yesterday, with the familiar Tony Romo end game choke and GM Jerry Jones vowing to get the problem fixed that essentially is himself, the architect of sixteen years of mediocrity.
Have I mentioned the Giants didn’t make the playoffs? Hahaha. Eli the Elite wasn’t. Now he gets to grab some popcorn and see if his brother can get a second ring himself in Denver. Peyton Manning has the number one seed and a good defense. There can be no excuses if this guy doesn’t bring home the Lombardi this year. We all know Joe Montana would.
And so we bid adieu to the up and down 2012 regular season. It came, it head scratched, it oh welled. Here we are in the playoffs again, the number two seed again, and two games away from the NFL Holy Grail. Take a deep breath fellas and break out your Rosary beads!
Tags: AJ Jenkins, Arizona Cardinals, David Akers, Delanie Walker, Eli Manning, Jerry Jones, Joe Montana, Justin Smith, Michael Crabtree, Patrick Peterson, Peyton Manning, San Francisco 49ers, Vernon Davis
December 31st, 2012 at 5:53 am
The benefits of the bye are obvious in getting an extra week off and saving your team from potential injury in playing that wild card game.
The bye also rewards you a free pass through the wild card round
and gives you the all important home field advantage for the round two game.
Most probably it means playing the Pack at the cozy warm Stick as opposed to the icy snowy frozen tundra of a hostile cheezy Lambeau Field.
December 31st, 2012 at 5:59 am
Normally they announce the winners of 49er awards at the last regular season home game which was yesterday
I didn’t hear who won the Len Eshmont Award, The Ed Block and Matt Hazeltine Awards.
December 31st, 2012 at 6:28 am
Here we go with the Black Monday ticker:
Jets announced they fired GM Mike Tannenbaun and are keeping HC Rex Ryan.
Fired so far: Pat Shurmur & Tom Heckert, Jags GM Gene Smith, Romeo Crennel…
December 31st, 2012 at 6:50 am
we should also give a real big thank you yo the replacement refs for blowing the call in the GB Seattle game. without that call we’re playing next week
December 31st, 2012 at 6:51 am
Somebody needs to sign Greg Roman away from us!
December 31st, 2012 at 6:54 am
Footbasll Lock has the 49er as the third favorite with Atl to win the SB at 6:1. Denver is #1 and NE, #2.
December 31st, 2012 at 7:12 am
Hate to say it, but Seattle looks like the most dangerous team in the NFC right now.
December 31st, 2012 at 7:12 am
So long Andy Reid.
December 31st, 2012 at 7:26 am
the Jets keeping Ryan? that’s just plain STUPID. glad i’m not a Jets fan. Ryan is the biggest, overrated bag of wind there is
December 31st, 2012 at 7:39 am
Renojim
That’s why they’re the Jest.
Their owner is too dumb to pinpoint where the problem lies.
He got convinced it’s the GM and the Offensive coordinator that were at fault.
That’s why this team has not been to the Super Bowl since Joe Willie was their QB.
December 31st, 2012 at 7:49 am
Lovie Smith bites the dust.
December 31st, 2012 at 8:03 am
Adios Chan Gailey.
December 31st, 2012 at 10:23 am
Tom Gamble the Niner Player Personnel Director might be in play for the vacant GM positions that opened up today.
Black Monday was a bloodbath fueled by impatient owners and there is mass unemployment in the NFL as in most cases the coaching staffs are also let go.
A 2 game improvement from 8-8 to 10-6 got Lovie fired from Da Bears.
December 31st, 2012 at 10:24 am
“There can be no excuses if (Peyton Manning) doesn’t bring home the Lombardi this year.”
Ha! You and everyone else would be feeling better about our chances of bringing home the trophy if Manning were the captain of our ship. And so help me Christ. If we lose to Manning and the Broncos in the Super Bowl. I will remind the entire world every hour on the hour if we’ve signed him yet. “There Will Be Blood”
December 31st, 2012 at 10:24 am
Whisenhunt just got axed by the Cards along with their GM.
December 31st, 2012 at 10:28 am
“A 2 game improvement from 8-8 to 10-6 got Lovie fired from Da Bears.”
Lovie and his Bears have missed the playoffs five of the past six years. His shit-canning was long overdue.
December 31st, 2012 at 10:29 am
Have we fired David Akers yet?
December 31st, 2012 at 10:31 am
Skeebers — re: SEA, dangerous, NFC — I was talking SB hopes with my wife last night after enjoying the DAL loss and told her it wouldn’t surprise me at all if SEA made it to the SB. As much as I dislike Caroll, I have to admit that they can probably beat anyone. Tough, disciplined D, and QB on the rise.
Having said that of course they may go to WAS and lose. But I rather doubt it. I’ll pull for WAS naturally.
December 31st, 2012 at 10:58 am
Del Manning CHOSE the Broncos over us. he didn’t want to play here. oh how bout your Boys last night. Tony Homo blew it again
December 31st, 2012 at 11:11 am
Today’s riotous remark:
Mark Sanchez: “I know we’re destined for great stuff here.”
December 31st, 2012 at 11:39 am
There are now 6 more former head coaches in the world.
December 31st, 2012 at 11:45 am
Both the Jest and the Jags have asked the Niners for permission to interview Tom Gamble.
December 31st, 2012 at 11:49 am
Playoff scheduling question:
The #1 seed in the AFC plays on Saturday, seemingly giving them an extra day to rest/prepare for the AFCCG the following Sunday, should they win. Seems fair enough, for the #1 seeding. But in the NFC, the #1 seed Falcons play on Sunday, and the Niners play Saturday, giving them the potential extra day. I’ll take it, and hopefully have it mean something, but WTF with the scheduling? I would think they’d be consistent.
Not sure why I’d think that…
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8794214/nfl-playoff-schedule-2012-13
December 31st, 2012 at 12:18 pm
“Not sure why I’d think that…”
Good point, Barley!
December 31st, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Dennis
So based on your thinking the Gnats should fire Coughlin because they have missed the playoffs 3 out of the last 4 years.
December 31st, 2012 at 12:36 pm
The Redskins are a 2.5 point underdog at home against the Seahags.
Packers are a 7.5 point favorite
against the Vikes.
December 31st, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Brandon Jacobs suspension is over and the Niners released him. Jacobs made a statement he’s only interested in playing for the NY Gnats so if they don’t want him he’s unemployed. (Hint to Jacobs: always a good idea to keep your options open)
December 31st, 2012 at 12:45 pm
From Matt Barrows
“The 2013 schedule won’t be set until April. But the list of opponents was set when the 49ers took the NFC West division yesterday and the Redskins took the NFC East.
Home games: Arizona, Seattle, St. Louis, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, Green Bay.
Away games: Arizona, Seattle, St. Louis, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville (London), Tennessee, Washington
The date of the 49ers-Jaguars game in London has been set for Oct. 27. It’s a pretty safe bet that the game preceding it will be on the east coast. So I’m thinking the 49ers will visit the Redskins on Oct. 20 and fly to London that night.”
December 31st, 2012 at 1:02 pm
It is also safe that the week after is a bye.
December 31st, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Bullit, Tom Coughlin has won two of the past five Super Bowls. As soon as Lovie Smith can say likewise he can have his job back with the Bears.
December 31st, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Yahoo Headline hilarity:
“More heartbreak for Tony Romo”
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Let me play my tiny violin….
December 31st, 2012 at 1:36 pm
This London bullshit is all the fault of Dr. York. He’s the chair of the NFL’s International Committee. He pushes for this shit. Screw playing across the pond and screw Dr. John.
December 31st, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Joe Nedney, a.k.a. The Calcified Mass, said the only way for Akers to regain his confidence would be to hit the GW FG in the divisional round that would propel us to the NFC Championship Game. You wanna take that chance?
December 31st, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Del. there’s a better chance of that happening than Tony Homo ever winning a playoff game
December 31st, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Tony can’t even get to a playoff game.
December 31st, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Skeebers. i just want to tell you that i really enjoy your writing. Berger says you wrote a book. what is it’s name i would like to read it
December 31st, 2012 at 2:26 pm
I’ll take a little luck anyday. Good coaching and game planning will help too. Our offense has to be the aggressor and attack. We have one of the most mobile QB’s in the league with a pretty strong arm, we should be practicing the no huddle offense and use it the majority of the time. We seem to have a lot of trouble understanding the hot reads and audibles our confusion really shows at times. That is on coaching. I don’t know if it’s because we don’t practice it enough or what but it really gives the opposing D’s a break.
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Yeah Skeebs thanks for putting on this blog it really is a good one. And, even though my spelling and grammar suck I enjoy contributing at times(at least i consider it contributing).
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Happy New year and Go Niners
December 31st, 2012 at 3:26 pm
SKEEBS i want to echo the rest of the guys ! thx for the blog , all my old favorites come here to post replies !
December 31st, 2012 at 3:27 pm
happy new year niner fans !
December 31st, 2012 at 3:52 pm
winder- You are a great poster! It’s good to post with you! This site has some really good people to post with, even NoFear! LOL
December 31st, 2012 at 3:54 pm
I almost cut my hair today. I bought a six pack of Icky instead!
December 31st, 2012 at 3:57 pm
December 31st, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Since I bought a six pack of Icky I’ll be doing some compotations tonight!
December 31st, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Berger, let your freak flag fly.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Thanks, Renojim. If you click on the “About” tab at the top of the blog, you’ll find a link in there to two books I wrote – one fiction, one fact.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:35 pm
And thanks to the rest of you. You’re the ones who make the blog interesting and fun.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Grumpy- I grow my hair long every winter. In the summer I keep it at 1/8″, in the winter I grow it out to 1/2″. No, it is not freaky hippie days, it is just warmer. I am a freaky 49er fan but the only 49er flag I have goes in the window of my car. I could fly my Dale Earnhart flag! I’m going to forget the flag and just do some compotations! Time to go open an Icky!
December 31st, 2012 at 5:02 pm
BERGER
omg ! where can i find one of those ?
December 31st, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Eagles are interested in Mike Nolan for their HC position. I’ll pass this one off to ROB.
December 31st, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Rob- You live in the south, you should be able to find a Dale Earnhardt flag with ease.
December 31st, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Berger- Thanks. I keep my hair pretty short because it’s so grey and it kinda looks like Aqualung if I let it go to long. But great old song by CSN havn’t heard that one in a while.
.
The Eagles must have a death wish going on or some kind of tax write off.
December 31st, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Skeebs, I was waiting for the Nolan talk to start. 6 firings, and Rex Ryan isn’t one of them? Baffling.
Nolan would actually do some good in Philly. They have talent. But Nolan would get paranoid and freak out under the intense scrutiny of the Philly press. For all the shit he caught here, Philly’s environment is about 50x more hostile.
December 31st, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Cross your fingers, Berger. Roman is also a candidate with Eagles.
December 31st, 2012 at 5:58 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
December 31st, 2012 at 6:03 pm
OMG omg
mike nolan
omg ‘
ahahahahahahahahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
December 31st, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Nolan needs Ann Killion to blame for his woes. Is she moving to Philly?
December 31st, 2012 at 7:01 pm
A coach that interests me for our OC job is Pat Shurmer. I don’t know a lot about him but I really liked what he did with Sam Bradford when he was a rookie. He spread it out and allowed Bradford to play to his strengths.
December 31st, 2012 at 7:04 pm
I wonder if Harbaugh would allow that, Bergs.
December 31st, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Not possible, he has the dead body of Bo Schembechler stuck up his butt.
December 31st, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Berger
U$C could only manage 7 points and 205 yds total offense and 107 yds passing against a 7-7 Georgia Tech team.
With the talent they have at WR and the OL that is total failure.
Kiffen already got rid of his Dad.
Future looks hazy.
December 31st, 2012 at 11:00 pm
bullit- Teams without defensive lines are worthless. Until USC recruits stud D-linemen again they suck. If Lane Kiffen doesn’t get that equation he needs to go. Nolan could not put together a D-line, Kiffen is worse than Nolan.
December 31st, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Anybody who doubts the importance of a D-line, look how the loss of Justin Smith has affected the 49ers points against. Defensive lines win championships.
December 31st, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Did I ever tell you guys that I think D lines win championships?
December 31st, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Here is the formula for being competitive every year. D-line, QB and play caller. Fill in a team around that and be a perennial contender.
December 31st, 2012 at 11:31 pm
Since Peyton Manning is not only a good QB but also a good play caller, would you rather have Manning or a good O-line? Would Harbaugh allow Manning to call plays? I say the answer is no. Give me Manning and a Spread offense to go along with a really good pass rush on defense and what do you get, a Super bowl favorite. Denver is using my formula I’ve been espousing here forever. Don’t tell NoFear, he is still stuck up Schottenheimer’s SCO butt.
December 31st, 2012 at 11:40 pm
Speaking of NoFear’s SCO, every play that meant anything last game was out of at least 3 WRs wide, the Spread, except 3 plays. The 3 plays were 3rd and goal from the two, we scored a TD. We had a big run by LMJ on a sweep, we had a 20 yd pass to Crabs on a cannon throw by Kaep. All other mover and shaker plays were out of the Spread. Somebody pull Bo Schembechler’s dead body out of Harbaugh’s butt.
December 31st, 2012 at 11:48 pm
Berger, it was just a couple years ago I was explaining to you what two-gapping was (and that there was no three-gapping) and today you think your knowledge is superior to a guy who has coached in the NFL for a lifetime. That’s amazing. Amazingly delusional that is.
You can spout your stupidity to folks that have their opinions fed to them and get their football IQ from the Ann Killions of the media but to anyone who knows anything about football you just sound like an imbecile.
Happy New Year you sorry mother-effer.
December 31st, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Thinking of the formula (D-line, QB and play caller) makes me have peaceful thoughts of getting the work done:
January 1st, 2013 at 12:02 am
NoFear- It is all in how you see something. You never explained anything I did not already know except that the 3-4 was not invented by Walsh. I’ll still argue that one. Walsh did not invent the 3-4, he invented the way it is played today. That was always my contention but since it was my early days of blogging I did not articulate that to the standard of the Central Scrutinizer.
I played DT in high school. You taught me 2 gapping? That is the funniest thing this, or any, blog has ever heard.
Your 2-3 gap analogy is nothing but typical NoFear obfuscation. I said 2 gapping is actually 3 gapping because you are taking the man in front of you and the two gaps on each side. You never quite understood that. I see you still don’t. Would you like a seminar?
January 1st, 2013 at 12:04 am
NoFear- Since we are going lovey dovey, did you try Samuel Adams New World?
January 1st, 2013 at 12:21 am
NoFear-Since I taught you what the Spread offense is do you have any opinions about it? I remember well that you used to get Shot Gun and Spread mixed up all the time. Have you figured that out yet?
January 1st, 2013 at 12:28 am
I will five you credit for one thing, you never gave me shit, years ago, when I kept predicting that the Pistol Offense would be a standard formation in the pros and college. I took a lot of me being a folly for that one. That statement is close to actually being true. Almost every team, college and pro, has the Pistol in their offense these days.
January 1st, 2013 at 12:33 am
BERGER
i might not be the central scrutinizer , but i am quite the scrutinizer of beers …
sam adams new world is an excellent beer , i like it a lot !
January 1st, 2013 at 12:45 am
Rob- It is the cleanest 10% beer I ever tasted.
January 1st, 2013 at 12:46 am
Happy New Year all! I must lay me down to rest.
January 1st, 2013 at 6:01 am
FLORIDA GATORS ranked #3 right now ! not too shabby ! imho we could whup dotre dames’ butt if we got to play em’ !
January 1st, 2013 at 7:52 am
HERE’S one
http://www.49ers.com/
watch the video !!!
January 1st, 2013 at 10:18 am
Happy New Year all! I broke it in with collard green and black eyed pea soup! Delicious!
January 1st, 2013 at 1:12 pm
We get to skip the exordium of the play-offs with a bye week!
January 1st, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Kicker Billy Cundiff is signing with the 49ers.
January 1st, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Looks like Andy Reid will be Cardinals next HC. Division has some serious coaching talent now.
January 1st, 2013 at 1:52 pm
omg SKEEBS! WHERE’S AKERS !
IMO A SLUMPING AKERS IS WORTH 15 CUNDIFFS
January 1st, 2013 at 1:57 pm
SKEEBS
aw crap ! oh well i guess we really might be the best division in football now !
January 1st, 2013 at 2:12 pm
They didn’t cut Akers, ROB. Keeping both for now.
January 1st, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Having a second PK on your roster is akin to having a third nipple — it serves no purpose.
Happy New Year you boobs!
January 1st, 2013 at 6:27 pm
Hey dennis- How about them Indians/Trees/Cardinal. That’s a fine feather in the cap. Couldn’t be happier
January 1st, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Happy New Year Gents.
If Roman goes bye-bye, I see Geep or Ault stepping into the OC role.
So glad that we’re not one of the Teams in this Post Season Coaching turmoil for a change.
Nice to be the object of affection for those seeking improvement however.
We’ve paid plenty in terms of Fan stress and angst for sure.
As for Rex surviving and Tannenbaum being shown the door, I’d have to agree.
Rex didn’t ‘buy’ the groceries, nor did he guarantee Contracts to misfits.
Any stable Organization builds with Personnel that fits a scheme. Tannenbaum played Fantasy Football like Jerry does in Dallas.
January 1st, 2013 at 11:37 pm
Skeebs I glanced through some of your encounter.
Have you considered any media exposure beyond the Web?
Feel free to email me, unless of course it isn’t a topic of discussion for you any longer.
Eff the System.
January 2nd, 2013 at 5:46 am
New post is up.