2022 Season Thread

[CrimsonCrew]

Oh my god. Why did we not start a game thread?!?! No wonder they lost.

This thread was meant for team discussion during the week, it was not meant to house all the game threads. I was out of town and had to watch on tape delay. Will share some thoughts later. But just like the team, let's try to be better in this forum too.

[Jikkle]

Dak Prescott is out for several weeks so a new potential landing spot for Jimmy G might've just emerged. Would be kinda funny if they did end up trading Jimmy G to Dallas and narrowly justifying their decision not to release Trey.

[Pattersonca65]

Offense cost this team the game today. Defense had issues for sure but offense could have put this away early

Both sides contributed to the loss.

With the conditions as they were it wasn't going to be a high-scoring game and the offense was up 2 scores in the 2nd half so they just needed the defense to close the game which they could've/should've but all those penalties added up and cost them dearly. It's not that the Bears offense played great it's just if you keep giving up free 1st downs and chunk yardage with penalties teams are going to eventually make you pay if you keep giving them chances.

Offensively they could've been more aggressive and they just played not to lose until the very end when they were down and by that point it with the rain pouring down it was going to be difficult to mount a comeback.

The defense shut out the Bears early. If the offense doesn't shoot itself in the foot and score more points game over

[CrimsonCrew]

Well that was a rough one. We really needed to beat an inferior team on the road, especially in a game where Lance wasn't really the problem.

Lance wasn't great, but I didn't think he was the problem in this one, or as bad as his stat line indicates. He missed a couple throws, most obviously the gimme TD to Kroft, but he also threw some beautiful balls on deep crossers. Not sure why we didn't keep running those. His pocket presence was pretty good, and on several occasions he climbed the pocket and kept his eyes downfield. He had some nice runs, though he took way too much punishment still. Got to master that last-minute slide that inevitably draws an unnecessary roughness penalty. Tough to fault him too much for bad balls late in the game as that weather was awful.

The OL seemed to struggle basically across the board. I may try to go back and re-watch portions of it to see if it was one guy or all of them, but it felt like pressure was consistent and coming from different spots. Deebo ran the ball well, but did us no favors with what turned out to be a huge fumble in the red zone and two outright drops. He has to be better.

On defense, we again saw struggles once a mobile QB started getting out of the pocket. When we kept Fields in there, he couldn't do anything. But any time we lost contain, it became a problem. It also revealed some of the holes in the secondary. I think it was Hufanga who blew his responsibility on the Pettis TD, but we should have gotten to him and made the tackle before the TD anyway. That was a black mark on what was otherwise a really good showing for Hufanga, who was everywhere. The defense once again collapsed late in the game, looking completely overwhelmed by a Bears team with a bad oline and awful skill players. Not a good look at all.

The biggest thing, probably, was the lack of discipline the team showed. Yes, some of the penalties were absurd (the Aiyuk "push off," Greenlaw basically tripping over a sliding Fields on a soaked field, arguably the facemask on Greenlaw even though he technically did grab it for like a third of a second, the "hold" on Kinlaw), but plenty of them were not, and they reflect a lack of discipline that has been something of a trend under Shanahan. Say what you will about Jim Harbaugh, but his teams executed. They did the little things well, and it allowed them to beat teams that were better on paper.

It's tough not to lay a lot of this one at the feet of the coaching staff. We're 2-4 starting the season under Shanahan, with the wins coming in a road win against TB in 2019 (though that team started 2-6 en route to a 7-9 finish), and a close call against a bad Lions team last year. That's not acceptable for a would-be great coach. Andy Reid is virtually unbeatable when he has extra time to prepare. Kyle is basically the opposite. He's 2-3 coming off bye weeks. That's got to improve.

We've got to get our act together fast. If we lose to the Hawks next week, it will be hard to conceptualize making the playoffs this year. Our schedule gets a lot tougher in the second half. That said, the rest of the division looks vulnerable, the Packers looked awful, the Cowboys lost their QB, and the NFC is pretty wide open, so if they can write the ship, nothing is over. Got to bounce back.

[CrimsonCrew]

So...would people move Garoppolo to the Cowboys for anything less than a first round pick? Interesting how quickly things can change in this league. On his current contract, Garoppolo actually presents a ton of value to the team, especially with Lance getting pretty beat up in week one against what looks like a pretty mediocre defense. I don't know that I'd lose that insurance policy for a second-round pick at this point, and I certainly wouldn't for a third. Pretty amusing, as I would have LEAPT at a third-round pick three weeks ago.

Brissett also looked shaky, and the Browns still seem like a viable trade partner, though they don't have much draft capital to move.

[GS Warriors 1]

Elijah Mitchell is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks with a sprained MCL. Probably means Wilson as the starter, Davis-Price gets a shot, and quite a bit of Deebo Samuel getting carries. Sounds like Mason is a special teams guy, mostly, but he did get some time ahead of TDP in the preseason.

[CrimsonCrew]

I was thinking about this loss, and the history of fourth quarter defensive collapses under Shanahan. I think I've hit on a major reason for them. It's the wide-nine and the ferocious pass rush. It works really well early in the game when other teams are running their scripts and the pass rushers are fresh. But as the games wear on and those guys get tired, and as opposing teams start to adjust, that heedless pass rush opens huge avenues for mobile QBs - or even immobile QBs with good feet in the pocket - to move through to buy the time to make big plays downfield.

We've got to adjust that style of play at some point. Later in the games, we need to play with more contain and gap integrity or we're just going to keep getting picked apart by guys like Fields who can bail out and keep plays alive.

[CrimsonCrew]

Although the offense was a huge issue in this game, because of how this team has been built, I put as much or more responsibility for this loss on a defense that, yet again, simply could not get a stop late in a game.

[wco81]

I was thinking about this loss, and the history of fourth quarter defensive collapses under Shanahan. I think I've hit on a major reason for them. It's the wide-nine and the ferocious pass rush. It works really well early in the game when other teams are running their scripts and the pass rushers are fresh. But as the games wear on and those guys get tired, and as opposing teams start to adjust, that heedless pass rush opens huge avenues for mobile QBs - or even immobile QBs with good feet in the pocket - to move through to buy the time to make big plays downfield.

We've got to adjust that style of play at some point. Later in the games, we need to play with more contain and gap integrity or we're just going to keep getting picked apart by guys like Fields who can bail out and keep plays alive.

It's not just a defensive collapse, the offense i doing nothing, making the defense play more snaps.

Yes this pattern is no coincidence since it keeps happening to Shanahan.

At the start of games his offensive game plan works great, doesn't always result in TDs or enough TDs and then teams adjust and he doesn't have good enough counter adjustments.

I'd be curious what his record is with a lead in the second half, the fourth quarter, a double-digit lead in the second half, etc.

Since his record is under .500, I would gather his record on closing out games isn't as good as it should be.

[CrimsonCrew]

I was thinking about this loss, and the history of fourth quarter defensive collapses under Shanahan. I think I've hit on a major reason for them. It's the wide-nine and the ferocious pass rush. It works really well early in the game when other teams are running their scripts and the pass rushers are fresh. But as the games wear on and those guys get tired, and as opposing teams start to adjust, that heedless pass rush opens huge avenues for mobile QBs - or even immobile QBs with good feet in the pocket - to move through to buy the time to make big plays downfield.

We've got to adjust that style of play at some point. Later in the games, we need to play with more contain and gap integrity or we're just going to keep getting picked apart by guys like Fields who can bail out and keep plays alive.

It's not just a defensive collapse, the offense i doing nothing, making the defense play more snaps.

Yes this pattern is no coincidence since it keeps happening to Shanahan.

At the start of games his offensive game plan works great, doesn't always result in TDs or enough TDs and then teams adjust and he doesn't have good enough counter adjustments.

I'd be curious what his record is with a lead in the second half, the fourth quarter, a double-digit lead in the second half, etc.

Since his record is under .500, I would gather his record on closing out games isn't as good as it should be.

Sure, the offense didn't do enough. But as has been the case repeatedly, including in 2019, we're relying on our defense to do more heavy lifting. If they can't put together a complete game against a bad offense, it's going to be a long season.

[CrimsonCrew]

I was watching this review of the Bears' OL/Niners' DL, and had a comment.

Watch on YouTube

If you go to 9:05, there's a clip of a block by the RT against Ebukam. I noticed at least twice, and maybe more, one of their OTs just burying one of our DEs. The TV view didn't afford a very good view of it, but watching this clip, the reason for the decisive block is clear. The OT is grabbing Ebukam by the jersey/shoulder pads and pulling him to the ground. It's blatant, it's well outside the body, and it resulted in such a decisive "win" that the officials had to have noticed it. One of the officials appears to be staring right at it. How is that not called as a hold?

[Jikkle]

I was watching this review of the Bears' OL/Niners' DL, and had a comment.

Watch on YouTube

If you go to 9:05, there's a clip of a block by the RT against Ebukam. I noticed at least twice, and maybe more, one of their OTs just burying one of our DEs. The TV view didn't afford a very good view of it, but watching this clip, the reason for the decisive block is clear. The OT is grabbing Ebukam by the jersey/shoulder pads and pulling him to the ground. It's blatant, it's well outside the body, and it resulted in such a decisive "win" that the officials had to have noticed it. One of the officials appears to be staring right at it. How is that not called as a hold?

One of my favorite moments in the game is when the commentators were about to comment on one of the Bears players making a good block only for the replay to show he was holding and having them pivot to him doing a good job of not getting caught.

[Jikkle]

I was thinking about this loss, and the history of fourth quarter defensive collapses under Shanahan. I think I've hit on a major reason for them. It's the wide-nine and the ferocious pass rush. It works really well early in the game when other teams are running their scripts and the pass rushers are fresh. But as the games wear on and those guys get tired, and as opposing teams start to adjust, that heedless pass rush opens huge avenues for mobile QBs - or even immobile QBs with good feet in the pocket - to move through to buy the time to make big plays downfield.

We've got to adjust that style of play at some point. Later in the games, we need to play with more contain and gap integrity or we're just going to keep getting picked apart by guys like Fields who can bail out and keep plays alive.

It's not just a defensive collapse, the offense i doing nothing, making the defense play more snaps.

Yes this pattern is no coincidence since it keeps happening to Shanahan.

At the start of games his offensive game plan works great, doesn't always result in TDs or enough TDs and then teams adjust and he doesn't have good enough counter adjustments.

I'd be curious what his record is with a lead in the second half, the fourth quarter, a double-digit lead in the second half, etc.

Since his record is under .500, I would gather his record on closing out games isn't as good as it should be.

Sure, the offense didn't do enough. But as has been the case repeatedly, including in 2019, we're relying on our defense to do more heavy lifting. If they can't put together a complete game against a bad offense, it's going to be a long season.

This is where I lean as well.

I don't excuse the offense in this game but our defense I hold to a higher standard. It's simply more talented and more experienced and when you're traveling on the road in a bad weather game with an offense with inexperienced QB and offensive linemen you're going to lean more on the defense because the offense just isn't going to be realistically firing on all cylinders.

Now the positive thing is the defense was pretty much lights out 95% of the time it's just that 5% they weren't they were brutally bad. So they just need to clean things up those easily fixable mistakes and they'll be in good shape.

As far as Shanahan goes I feel his biggest issue and at least my biggest issue is that if the team is leading and starting to lose momentum he becomes a turtle and tries not to lose rather than just go out there and get that momentum back and get that foot back on their throats. So he just calls a bunch of safe plays that are easily defensible to just chew clock and hold on to the lead for dear life and hope his defense delivers.

Like in this game. Lance's current comfort zone are throws outside the numbers which isn't unusual for young QBs. He's not as good throwing in the middle or throwing quick sideline throws. Outside of the miss to Kroft Lance was hitting those outside the numbers so why did we stop calling them in favor of throws down the middle and those smoke screen passes? And the defense wasn't really biting on those plays either since credit to the Bears they obviously were expecting Kyle to be cautious and were ready for those cautious kind of play calls. Once the Bears got that 1st TD he started to go with what was safe and comfortable for him and was avoiding those riskier plays that could end badly.

[Jikkle]

Watch on YouTube

One of my favorite guys to watch and it's just nice to get the viewpoint from someone that has actually watched the coach's film rather than a bunch of hot takes from people that might have or might not have watched the broadcast.

Kinda confirmed my initial thoughts on the game in that for one it was the quintessential team loss. There were miscues and sloppy execution on both sides of the ball from multiple different players.

Also Lance wasn't great, wasn't bad, but fine. The hot takes and narrative around Lance is and has been out of control.

It's perfectly fine if you feel Lance isn't going to develop into anything special or a bust but declaring that after his 3rd start in a bad weather game is just overboard. If he does develop into anything special his trajectory is going to be more like Allen's and not Mahomes or Herbert. I know Allen comparison is old but it's really the closest one when you look at how the guys weren't highly recruited but had raw talent that just needed some work to refine.

[Pattersonca65]

Watch on YouTube

One of my favorite guys to watch and it's just nice to get the viewpoint from someone that has actually watched the coach's film rather than a bunch of hot takes from people that might have or might not have watched the broadcast.

Kinda confirmed my initial thoughts on the game in that for one it was the quintessential team loss. There were miscues and sloppy execution on both sides of the ball from multiple different players.

Also Lance wasn't great, wasn't bad, but fine. The hot takes and narrative around Lance is and has been out of control.

It's perfectly fine if you feel Lance isn't going to develop into anything special or a bust but declaring that after his 3rd start in a bad weather game is just overboard. If he does develop into anything special his trajectory is going to be more like Allen's and not Mahomes or Herbert. I know Allen comparison is old but it's really the closest one when you look at how the guys weren't highly recruited but had raw talent that just needed some work to refine.

Those takes on Lance have been ridiculous but most people agree he had a bad day Sunday. Some nice throws down the field but he struggled on shorter routes especially when there was some pressure. Understandable but he needs to work on it.

[wco81]

You can't expect the DL to dominate the OL all game long.

Otherwise they'd be getting almost double-digit sacks every game.

That is what when the defense is playing well at first they have to take advantage.

[Pattersonca65]

Greg Cosell on Trey Lance and the 49ers last Sunday

https://player.fm/series/tolbert-copes/ep-9-13-greg-cosell-breaks-down-what-went-wrong-for-the-49ers-in-week-1-against-the-bears-with-tolbert-copes

[arich35]

Looking like Kittle might be out again this Sunday. Plus there will be some more rain on Sunday (nothing like Chicago), this will be another close game

[CrimsonCrew]

Ty Davis-Price with a high ankle sprain. Team is looking about as healthy as usual, basically since the departure of Harbaugh. Good grief. At least Wilson is looking like a solid choice for my fantasy team over the next few weeks....

[Samurai]

Ty Davis-Price with a high ankle sprain. Team is looking about as healthy as usual, basically since the departure of Harbaugh. Good grief. At least Wilson is looking like a solid choice for my fantasy team over the next few weeks....

Tyler Kroft also has a sprained MCL and will miss a few weeks. Now would be a good time for Kittle to return and not get re-injured.

And if Jordan Mason wants to make a good impression on the coaching staff, this would be a good time to prove he belongs.