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49ers: O-line transformation is their last hope
October 8, 2009 11:53 AM
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Some say it was a bad call, others call it playing "conservative," but regardless of what everyone believes -- it shouldn't have happened. The San Francisco 49ers picked up their first loss of the season Sept. 27 after a hapless decision to run the ball on third-and-six cost them the game. After their poor attempt to run out the clock failed, along came ancient NFL quarterback Brett Favre, who exploded with an 80-yard touchdown drive for the win. The only difference between how the Vikings and the 49ers approached that game was in their offense. Despite their winning record, the lack of offense has been the 49ers' problem all season. Right now, the 49ers are averaging a league-low 1.06 yards per carry on three rushes and running an embarrassing 57.1 percent on second downs. This won't cut it. The 49ers went 0 for 11 conversions against the Vikings -- clearly, there needs to be some altering of plays. But here's a little refresher: during week one after a successful pass on a third-and-five play to Issac Bruce in Arizona, the 49ers were able to come back and capture a stunning 80-yard touchdown drive for victory. So why not another Arizona replay? Even though they proved themselves Oct. 4, returning all three turnovers for touchdowns in their 35-0 mangling of the St. Louis Rams, the 49er offense is still on the ropes. With full-time starter running back Frank Gore sidelined by an ankle injury, the 49ers are in serious heat. Head coach Mike Singletary turned to rookie Glen Coffee for backup, but still refuses to modify his position-style offense. Coffee gained 64 yards on 35 attempts against the Rams, but considering Gore's ranked third among all NFL rushers, he still has some brushing up to do. Things won't be that easy for the 49ers with Gore out until Oct.18, but if the 49ers wish to stay at the top of the NFC rankings they must continue to dictate.
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COMMENTS
Jeremy Balan said October 8, 2009 11:48 PM
Every time I pick up a copy of [X]press, I am disappointed more... Although this article is nowhere near the load of garbage about the Dodgers last week, it is terrible at best... As I've said many times in the past, stop writing opinions about pro sports... No one cares what a college newspaper writer thinks about pro sports... Just because you can make superficial observations, doesn't make you qualified to publish opinions on a team you have no access to... No one cares what you think... Leave the opinions to the people who actually cover the team on a regular basis and have a clue what is going on. On top of that, there are errors and strange strange imagery in this piece... "The 49ers went 0 for 11 conversions..." Makes no sense. "...the 49ers are in serious heat." Apparently the 49ers are menstruating... Considering they are all males, this is a huge breakthrough... and quite a story... good reporting... I know you won't allow this comment to see the light of day, please take it as a suggestion... Stop writing these garbage articles... You are wasting your time and embarrassing yourself.
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| BACK TO TOP | Copyright © 2008 [X]press | Journalism Department - San Francisco State University |
It was pretty negative considering the 49ers lost to the Vikings thanks to probably the most amazing pass this season. Favre really pulled through for the Vikings and the blame shouldn't be put on that run play with Coffee. The 49ers defense had plenty of time to stop the Vikings as they had numerous times earlier in the game.
Like you said, the 49ers offense hasn't been up to snuff this season so of course they wouldn't risk throwing an interception and instead, just ran three times and depended on their defense. You could have at least mentioned some other highlights such as the fact that the 49ers have not allowed 0 rushing touch downs this season, Shaun Hill is currently undefeated at home and they just signed Michael Crabtree, a major offensive force (though this story probably broke after printing).
TL;DR
Your article is too critical.