25% of the season is in the books and the 49ers are 2-2 — two dominant wins and two dominant losses. Who the heck are these guys? Contenders or pretenders?
The next five games should answer the question. HOU, AZ, at TEN, at JAC, BYE, CAR. They’ll be favored to win them all and they should. 7-2 after nine games would just about guarantee a playoff spot and keep the heat on Seattle for the division crown. At that point, they’d be getting Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham back and the offense could kick into another gear and be primed for a postseason run.
It was good to see the 49er running game return to action against the Rams. A good run is a thing of beauty to observe. You get to see every step of it, watch all the intricate blocks that made it happen, the juke moves and opposing players steamrolled. Fun stuff. The pass isn’t nearly as entertaining. There’s the QB, there’s the ball spiraling through the air, there’s a guy catching it. Yawn.
Even the Patriots went with the ground game Sunday. They’re in a similar predicament as the Niners, with all their WRs hurt or in jail. The Falcons should have blown them off the field, but they didn’t and look poised for a big decline this year. The Patriots prevailed in the game, but long time fat guy in the middle Vince Wilfork shredded his Achilles in the second quarter and is done for the year, making the Patriot defense seriously compromised. 350 pounds of meat on tiny little feet finally takes its toll.
Same story in Houston, with Matt Schaub throwing away a victory over Seattle in truly ridiculous fashion. Schaub is never going to lead that team anywhere. HC Gary Kubiak probably wishes he’d have gotten into the Alex Smith sweepstakes last offseason. Smith has led Kansas City to a 4-0 record, and the Chiefs only need to go 4-8 the rest of the way to bump that third round pick the 49ers got from them into a second rounder. Trent Baalke will then use it on an injured college star and red-shirt him for a year, like he has with Tank Carradine.
Tony Romo has turned into a humming .500 machine. In his last 46 games, he’s won 23 and lost 23. 5-5 in his last 10 games of 2010, 8-8 in 2011, 8-8 in 2012, and 2-2 this year. A well-oiled, extemely expensive mediocrity. You can count on Tony to bring home half the bacon.
The Denver Mannings are wowing the world so far this year. But they did that last year, too. But a blowout W don’t count any more than a squeaker W. With Denver and Peyton Manning, it’s how they do when the weather turns cold. Manning historically performs poorly in temperatures below 40°. And the Super Bowl will be held in New York in February. Good luck with that one, creaky old guy.
The Giants and Steelers are a combined 0-8, each contributing 4 losses to the total. These two long time powers are competing with Tampa and Jacksonville, the other 0-4 clubs, for worst team in the league honors. It’s a brand new world.
Butt Fumble Part 2
Geno Smith thinks he’s trying out for the Globetrotters but he seriously needs to learn to value the ball.
This happened near his goal line and he’s making Mark Sanchez look palpable if that were possible.
http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/return-of-the-buttfumble-1423679925
It’s a strange game: Bills were missing their top 4 DBs and still managed to intercept Flacco 5 times.
Funny you should say that, Bullit. Just after Geno Smith fumbled I commented on Twitter that he’s no Meadowlark Lemon. He’s Washington Generals material.
And I just love how Skeebers is poo pooing Manning’s 16 TD 0 INT and 179 pts scored thru four games. On Peyton’s last four scoring drives yesterday (36 plays) not once did he even face a 3rd down. Manning was 12-12 on 2nd dn conversions. Manning is playing by CFL rules and still kicking the league’s ass.
Anywho who still thinks this team wouldn’t be better off with Peyton Manning at QB should have Spit come over and kick their dog in the nuts.
Denny
You must be conflicted.
Does Tom Brady know you’re fawning over Peyton?
Is Tony Romo now yesterday’s news at Dennys?
Funny how Buffalo with DBs just signed off the street can pick off Flacco five times yet we somehow managed that worthless POS to complete 67% of his passes for 287 yds and 3 scores with nary a pick in the Super Bowl.
How the hell did we lose to Joe Flacco in the Super Bowl? If I were a reporter, that would be the first and only question that I would ask Jim Harbaugh repeatedly on a daily basis.
Jake Locker is out 4-8 weeks with a hip injury.
When Niners face Titans it looks like Fitzpatrick will be their QB.
The future president of the U.S. is still #1 among non-Niner QBs in my heart. But we weren’t this close to signing Tom Brady like we were with Peyton Manning.
Just evaluating him my ass. Not only is Harbaugh a Big Game loser, he’s a flat-out fibber.
If Peyton Manning were here would he be allowed to call his own plays like he does in Denver, or would Roman be dialing up 22 packages and calling the plays for him? If one can answer that question I can answer if we’d be better off with Peyton.
Personally, I think Roman would be calling the plays and therefore we are better off with an athletic QB who can escape the pocket when the deep and intermediate patterns don’t open up.
I would rather run spread formations an go ball control like Peyton does but RoBaugh would not succumb to that kind of “gimmick” football.
Everyone likes to say how our WRs are uninspiring and underwhelming to say the least. Well? Look what the hell Tom Brady has to throw to each week. Tom’s making lemonade out of lemons. That’s what future presidents do.
Tom Brady also has an OC that can design plays to get WRs open. I’m tired of hearing how bad our WRs are. Get me an OC who understands the passing game and then I’ll rate our WRs. Our coaches talk about winning the battles for the ball. In Denver and New England they don’t talk about that, they just design plays to get receivers open. What a weird concept?
What struck me most about living in LA and seeing a Bill Walsh offense for the 1st time was how open his receivers always were. I had never seen anything like that. Here was this big slow white guy, Dwight Clark, catching the ball and nobody was near. It took a while to believe it was possible. Today, that is how to play football, get play makers open in space and let them make plays. Except now the 49ers have coaches designing plays from 1981 and the Sardine Can Offense with a shot gun twist. Things that make one go hmmmm! At least we mixed in some spread formations early this last game. Usually we don’t do that until the other team gets ahead by a couple of scores. Maybe RoBaugh is starting to see the light. I just hope they don’t get blinded by what they see when they finally pull their heads out of their butts!
I said above, “Our coaches talk about winning the battles for the ball.” I should have said Our ‘fans’ instead of ‘coaches’.
Here is the weekly film analysis
of the Ram game from QuestFor6 and Niners Nation. Good stuff!
http://www.ninersnation.com/2013/9/30/4785732/49ers-vs-rams-all-22-coaches-film-offensive-identity
bullit- Just as I was commenting on earlier in the week. When we were running 22 packages and going off tackle it worked. Against the Colts we were moving the ball just off and just inside tackle and we abandoned it after trying a few unsuccessful ‘A’ gap runs. With Iupati’s ability to pull and pulverize the off tackle play works very well vs many teams. I don’t know that I would try that going at JJ Watt.
I like the 22 package, I just don’t like to use it as base. We did vs the Rams and the Rams are terrible vs the run. So it worked. But we also worked in some spread formations throughout, from early on instead mnof waiting until we were down by a couple of scores.
Yeah. I noticed that after the shitty 1st quarter in the Ram game, they set the formation with 5 WRs and ran Gore up the middle for 18 I think. They did that a couple more times in that drive. Only took 3.5 games to try it . . .
Speaking of Manning, he owns 21 Papa Johns franchises in the Denver area. So how about some free advertising? He has his center yelling out Papa Johns before the snap! Genius!
You know you’re getting desperate when: “Titans to work out David Carr Tuesday.”
Nice read skeebs. Will the real 49ers please stand up. My heart wants to believe but my mind says wait a minute. We not only have to win the next 7 games but we need to kick some real butt in a few of em. I wouldn’t discount the Titans, they have a real good D this year and so far when we’ve played a good D we suck.
Yeah, 5-0 for the next bunch would be great, but I don’t see this team ever playing that consistently.
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This next game is huge. Common opponents and all.
Dennis, I think last year’s version of the Ravens is a little different than this year’s version.
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Really? Get a grip, skippy. How ’bout that Alex Smith?
I first found myself rooting for the Chiefs and Alex so we could get the 2nd round pick. I now find myself rooting for the Chiefs because I’m actually rooting for Alex! I shouldn’t be surprised.
Hey. If the Indians and Pirates can make the playoff so can the Niners and the Chiefs.
Spitty must’ve been booted?
I’d think. He rarely leaves voluntarily. He trolls on the Merc blog. He gets ridiculed there as well.
A couple of seasons ago when Crabtree was dropping passes I mentioned that Jerry Rice had the same issues.
I was told by the “blog experts” that I was full of crap and Rice was the NFL Rookie of the Year.
I came across this article that talks about Rice’s struggles and you can connect this to Niner receiver challenges this year.
Gives you some insight to Montana
and what he was dealing with (rumors which I clearly remember).
It’s an interesting read and shows you have to give players time to develop and show some patience before declaring them a bust.
In KW’s case he’s been given those chances and needs a change of teams.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/walkthrough/2006/too-deep-zone-jerry-rice-rookie-bust
The one distinct thing I remember about Rice were those gloves.
He wore them one week and then went gloveless and dropped more passes.
The local writers made it a big deal.
Speaking of JR…
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2013/09/30/jerry-rice-says-consulting-with-49ers-young-receivers-would-be-fantastic/
Bullitt, when you write shit like this, expect to get ripped. Those first 2 sentences are disingenuous at best. Ludicrous at worst. Crabtree missed every training camp for 3 seasons, and has had decent years until his 4th year, which was his best. Rice was producing at a top level in his 2nd year. By his 4th year he had close to 5,000 yards and 50 TDs. Crabs? 3,300 and 21. Yeah. HOF material.
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But yeah, compare at your leisure. I guess with Spitty gone, you have to post some nonsensical BS to rile us experts. Montana was ‘dealing with’ a top-notch team with high-caliber talent. Not sure what that point was.
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Plus, Eddie Brown was ROY in 1985, not Jerry Rice.
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All I had said then was that Crabs had better take his shit more seriously and get with the program after missing camps and dogging his QB through his first 3 years. You didn’t get it then, and you still don’t. Me and about 5 others here had the same opinion. What’s your point? Crabs is HOF bound? You are justified in bringing shit up 3 years later? We hurt your feewlings? I don’t get it.
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Rice’s struggles were dropping passes he should have caught. He didn’t have problems getting open. The problem with the WRs this year is they are shitty. They can’t get open. They don’t block out well enough to catch passes. Besides, the passing game design sucks as well. The routes are very simplistic and don’t allow for any ad-libbing. At least as far as I can see. The routes usually consist of folks running to the nearest DB and stopping there. No hat reads at the line to any breaking of routes when Kappy is in trouble.
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Besides, KW may be not very good, but he’s better than his backups. who do we replace him with? Osgood? Please.
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Try to post without such a condescending attitude. I know you can.
Guess we’ll soon see if Miami is for real this year, though missing Cameron Wake is a big blow for them.
Niners have the 4th highest 3 and out ratio in the league at 43.1%. Nearly half our possessions have been 3 and out.
Miami is running the pistol as designed by Ault, so far. They get inside the 10, have 3rd and inches and go WCO which is SCO. They lose ground and have to kick a FG. Why did they get out of the Pistol when it was working so well.
Whatever Chuck.
Still can’t admit to Crabtree’s value to the team?
“Try to post without such a condescending attitude” Try to take your own advice.
Berger
Did you see the Miami defensive alignment on 3rd down?
3 down lineman and six LBs in s straight line across.
Would have been a great time for a classic Pistol. With all of those LBs trying to cover the WRs it would have been a great match-up for the offense.
Ryan Tannehill must be a relative, albeit distant, of Wendell Tyler. He has a bad case of fumblitis.
Miami might want to think about covering Sproles in the 2nd half.
New Orleans might want to think about never running the ball again. 8 rushes for 10 yds. Brees: 15/21 for 210 and 2 TDs.
Seriously. If I were the Saints, I’d throw the ball on every goddamn down. No exceptions.
Seriously. If I were the Niners, I’d throw the ball on every goddamn down. No exceptions.
Seriously. If I were the Blind Sisters of the Poor, I’d throw the ball on every goddamn down. No exceptions.
Skeebs-
The Meadowlands is in NJ.
Nothing personal, just correcting the record.
Not quite sure why NY got the billing in the first place, but…
Whatever.
Also, to your point about Peyton and the cold, what’s the reason for piling on points through the air with that idiot anyway?
It’s almost as if the League is all about selling Peanut Head as the second coming.
Eli has 2 Rings? Peyton should also?
Quite a slap in the face, to be playing the College game of running up the score by throwing, when you’re already comfortably ahead, don’t you think?
If Denver doesn’t develop a running game, he won’t have much else to go on, even if he does play football in February.
NJ doing some quality trash talking! I’m glad I didn’t miss it!! I’ve got my lighter lit!
Not that it was great trash talking, it was OK, I’ve just never seen NJ do it!
More!!!!
The Meadowlands is considered the NY metro area. The same reason the Big 10 wanted Rutgers. They wanted in the NY market, even though it is deep into NJ it is still the NY market.
Eli has two rings because he had two great D-lines. Peyton never really had a great D-line but he did have one that got hot as a firecracker for the play-offs one year. The year he won the SB. If you’ll notice, Brady does not have a SB since his DL was broken up.
NJ- I’ll be sending you a couple of CDs soon. I have to go buy some padded envelopes this week or next.
Berger, with everything else being equal, would you rather have Kap running the Roman/Harbaugh offense, or Alex running the Andy Reid offense?
Sounds good Berger.
It’s not trash talking, it’s just one of those stupid associations NY gets credit for, when in fact, it’s on the NJ side of the map.
No doubt it’s about the real estate availability and tax benefits but, NJ gets no respect otherwise.
College football is one thing, they’re typically multi state associations and, revenue benefits the Universities.
All good for Scholarships and giving kids an education opportunity.
No offense to Skeebs, just wanted to set the record straight accordingly.
Speaking of Brady and DLines, losing Wilfork will be a big blow to their run defense going forward.
You and I often echo the sentiments of having the dominant Big Man in the middle.
He is one of the best.
Wish we had one like him.
If our 9ers make the venue in February, I will do whatever I can to get my butt into that game and represent for my Team.
Del- You know I would rather have Kap over Alex, but I would take Alex running Andy Reid’s offense over Kap running a RoBaugh offense.
Looking ahead to SNF, I sure hope we get after Schaub early, before he has a chance to settle into any sort of rhythm.
You know JJ Watt is going to be loaded for bear too.
Our OLine better have the Big Boy Pants on for this matchup.
They have a very formidable WR/TE/RB trio to deal with.
Their Rookie WR DeAndre Hopkins is getting off to a hot start as well.
The Niner Defense has it’s challenges but if you’ve been paying attention you can attribute
a lot of it to the ineptitude of the offense with the disparity in time of possession.
“But San Francisco’s defense has forced three-and-outs 39.6 percent of the time — tied with Dallas for the fifth most in the league. That is strong work and it is another indication that the 49ers’ defense has not been the problem as they sit at 2-2.
The defense has sagged at times, but it has happened late in games because of the offensive issues. If San Francisco can start sustaining some drives, it should help both sides of the ball.”
I don’t expect to be able to run on the Texans the way we did against the Rams, especially to the left where JJ Watt is hanging out. If we could develop a better passing game it should really help the run game.
Watching the Saints last night was enlightening. They go power and pass happy and they run out of all formations. They run every formation but rely mostly on spread when they really need to get down and dirty.
NO has solid WRs that they can throw out there, bergs. Putting Osgood and Moore out there may not work so well. Not that their blocking in necessary to spring the runs, but it would help.
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I’m wondering about LMJ. Why aren’t we using him more? Maybe it’s the blocking as well. He’s great in the flat and behind the line. We need to use his speed.
I don’t know. There are so many guys on the team that simply don’t seem to ever get a shot to play.
From Maiocco (don’t kill the messenger):
“Not intended to stir emotions, but I know it will…Alex Smith has more yards passing (957-856) and rushing (151-140) than Colin Kaepernick.”
Intended to stir emotions: according to PFF, at 6.2, Alex Smith has the lowest aDOT (avg. Depth of Target) in the NFL among all starters. This on top of last year’s stat of being 39th and dead last among QBs that attempted passes > 15 yds.
Alex Smith cannot throw the deep ball, so he doesn’t. Not only that, he’s afraid to throw it. Keep rooting for that cowardly pussy.
Seriously. All DCs have to do is load all 11 defenders within 7 yds of the LOS to stop Alex. Dare him to go deep. It’s not that difficult.
4-0.
If you’ve been watching football for a long time so you should know the one thing that kills teams is turnovers.
In the 2 games the Niners lost this year it’s been the damn turnovers that tilted the game.
Kap turned the ball over 6 times in those 2 losses.
What can’t be denied is Alex Smith is 4-0 now.
So much for the prediction that there was no way in hell that
Alex Smith could win 8 games for the Chefs and give the Niners a 2nd rd pick.
4 wins and they haven’t played the Raiduhs yet.
Alex Smith has more yards passing (957-856) and rushing (151-140) than Colin Kaepernick. Throw in 5 TDs, 4 picks, and 3 lost fumbles compared to 7 TDs, 2 picks, 0 lost fumbles.
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Don’t think this’ll trend for the year, but curious, eh?
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Reed said he’d stretch Smith out more and have him throw a lot. He’s averaging 36.5 throws a game. Way up from his numbers with the Niners.
Who said that, BTW?
Alex averaged 26.2 attempts per game as a Niner.
Suggs has gone one better than Ray Ray in claiming that the Super Bowl power failure was not only deliberate, but ordered by Goodell.
Suggs doesn’t realize that his paycheck would shrink considerably
if people knew the fix was in and what we are watching is WWE.
Suggs has no proof and bases his claim that the commish was talking to John Elway before the
AFC Championship.
Watching too many Buffalo Wild Wings commercials there Terrell.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/23946781/terrell-suggs-roger-goodell-had-a-hand-in-super-bowl-blackout
Maiocco said the following on the Niner WRs
“Anquan Boldin and Jon Baldwin are now the starters. Kyle Williams will be the No. 3 guy from the slot. In three weeks or so, Mario Manningham will be added to the mix. In about six weeks, rookie Quinton Patton will be available. And, then, in December, Michael Crabtree is expected to be added to the active roster.”
Sounds like Marlon Moore might not want to sign a long term lease here in SF.
Dennis, yard/attempt.
25. Alex Smith – 6.56
28. Tom Brady – 6.42
Checkdown Charlie, meet Checkdown Skippy.
Grumpy- What do you mean long term lease, Marlon Moore should not even buy any green bananas.
I don’t get it Grump. Moore is at least serviceable. When we line up 5 WRs with TEs and FBs it makes me queasy.
“49ers plan to release fullback Owen Marecic.”
He came, he saw, he sat, he left.
Barrows says they’ll release another player, too, and add two. Stay tuned for this edge of the seat thriller.
He was probably down on his luck and needed a quick paycheck. And, his good buddy Jimbo helped him out.
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Hey bullit- The Chiefs should gather two more wins at the Raiders expense, unless pig’s start flying.
Go Alex.
Chuck, I hope you are well aware of the fact that yds/attempt, can be very misleading. If Brady throws the ball 20 yds downfield to Gronk and he gets immediately tackled, his YPA is 20. If Alex throws a pass to J. Charles in the backfield who then runs for 20 yds and then gets tackled, his YPA is also 20.
Alex’s passes travel less yds in distance then any other QB in the NFL. That is a fact.
Alex Smith is King Checkdown Charlie. Of this, there can be no argument.
“49ers announce they’ve signed LB Jermaine Cunningham and waived FB Owen Marecic and QB B.J. Daniels. Plan to sign QB John Skelton.”
Huh?
“49ers hope to add B.J. Daniels to the practice squad tomorrow.”
And if Skeebers thinks the Chiefs are 4-0 because of Alex, I have a mule named, “Gus” who is primed to win next year’s Kentucky Derby for sale. Cheap. As a special bonus if you say the word, “Oich!,” he’ll kick a football as well.
Huh #2
Del- Did I tell you that Alex Smith is 4-0?
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free
Wow. Thanks, Dennis. We all know length of pass attempt is the standard by which dynasties are made. So, yer saying Tom Brady regularly throws 15 yard passes that are then run backwards?
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And I hope you are well aware that Alex Smith is 4-0, and Tony Romo is 2-2.
Brady checks down nearly as much as Smith, Dennis. Just understand that fact and you are on your way to acceptance. You should be rooting for Alex anyway. For the draft pick.
Alex Smith is afraid to throw the ball deep and Berger roots for that pussy. A 300 lb grown man rooting for a guy who doesn’t have the guts to throw it downfield. For shame.
Denny
Apparently you’ve become intellectually challenged when it comes to Alex Smith.
Chief’s total offense 1389 yds
Alex Smith total offense 1108 yds
Alex Smith is 80% of the Chiefs total offense.
Care to recant your statement?
If we traded Alex to the Cowboys, would you guys still be rooting for him? Just wondering.
I recant NOTHING when it comes to Alex Smith.
He’s a first-class pussy with no guts. I hope he chokes.
Denny
Are you channeling your inner Darryl Lamonica?
Since when did you become a disciple of the Al Davis vertical offense?
You weren’t kidding when you said you were a Raiduh.
Denny
Why do you ask if we’d root for the Cowgurls?
You openly root for Tony Romo.
So your sheet doesn’t stink?
I also openly root for Brady, Manning, Brees and Rodgers. Doesn’t mean I root for their team.
Just wait until Nov. 17. Beginning then within a three week span and sandwiched around Thanksgiving, the Chiefs and Broncos will have their home-and-home games.
There will emerge only one QB from those two meetings who will be truly thankful, and his name is not Checkdown Charlie. Did we sign Peyton Manning yet?
We didn’t sign Peyton Manning, but we just nabbed John Skelton.
That about sums up my life’s luck in a nutshell.
Peyton has lost more playoff games than anyone not named Brett Favre.
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Talk about choke city.
Peyton can make the playoffs, but he doesn’t win the big one. Not without a ton of help from his defense.
Looks like Denny idolizes QBs
that put up big numbers.
Unlike Denny I wish bad things on
all NFC QBs because they’re the competiton.
Denny just likes to hear this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js4oKgXlfHk
Total headscratcher with the Jermaine Cunningham signing.
Underachiever comes to mind.
This from Wikipedia –
Cunningham, along with U.S. Olympic track hopeful Xavier Carter and former Gator Jonathan Demps, was arrested in 2007 after an altercation with a Jimmy John’s employee.
The group became “verbally abusive, struck the employee with empty soda cans and a sandwich, and fled the store” after the clerk asked them to pay for a bag of chips.
Don’t know that I’ve ever seen a sandwich and soda cans used in hold up.
Bj was released? That’s a shock.
Hoping maybe the Skelton move could mean a Trade coming for McCoy.
Noodle arm with a small Contract.
Maybe TB or TN would surrender a Pick?
New post is up.
Jaworski’s comments on the resurgence of Phillip Rivers
can be applied to Kap
“A lot of that stems from letting the game come to him and using his mind to do the heavy lifting pre-snap, instead of letting his frustrations get the better of him and relying on his physical skills with the ball in his hand. Quarterbacks can make the game so much easier on themselves when they can recognize what a defense is giving them in coverage — yes, that can mean allowing the defense to dictate some things — and then taking it, rather than trying to force the big play. Take what is given, don’t attempt to take what the defense is trying to limit, because they have to give something. This is precisely what Peyton Manning has done throughout his career, and it manifests itself in the time between the snap of the ball and the pass.”
“In 2012, Rivers held the ball far too long, averaging 3.68 seconds on each passing play. Only six QBs held the ball longer (see if you can detect a theme): Cam Newton (3.68), Andrew Luck (3.71), Nick Foles (3.77), Michael Vick (3.79), Colin Kaepernick (3.90) and Russell Wilson (4.08).”
“Contrast that 3.68-second average to this season, when Rivers is releasing the ball 2.99 seconds after he gets it. That’s the fifth-fastest time to pass in the league, and just over a tenth of a second slower than Peyton. That change is the product of Rivers doing the hard work before the ball reaches his hands. And it’s helping him stay upright, too.”
Houston restaurant has a new burger on it’s menu.
It’s called the Matt Schaub burger. You have a choice of toppings, you pick six and then pay dearly for it.
Well, some of us blog experts have been hoping that the coaching staff designs plays that get the ball out of Kappy’s hands faster than currently provided for.
Like me, for instance. Since week 2.