Some thoughts on Niners-Chiefs game...
-Phil Dawson won us the game. 5 fg's - 2 of them at 50+ yards. He gets top billing
-2 Penalties for 10yds? I'll take it. Thanks refs. I wonder if Anquan Boldin ever got fined for criticizing officials a couple of weeks back.
-Perrish Cox has been such a pleasant surprise. From borderline roster player to solid starter. I can't stress how important his solid play has been in stabilizing the secondary. I feel like Ed Donatell needs to get some props for his work with the DB's. Seems like every year we have one backup DB step up and just make plays (from Rogers-> Brock and now to Perrish Cox). We don't have a top tier secondary but the value we generate from that position has been very solid.
- Defense continues to look solid. Being gashed by Murray and the Cowboys week 1 now doesn't look so bad. Lynch continues to impress. Our future at OLB spots look bright with him and Aldon.
-Gore is the man. Around this time last season was when he started asserting his will on the offense. I'm hoping this time around, he doesn't run out of gas. Hopefully Hyde can keep Gore fresh for the stretch run
-Offensive line looked great running the ball today. I like how they generated push for the most part. On the other hand, pass protection is still absolute garbage. There was a point in the 2nd half where Kap just straight would get sacked/pressured right after he dropped back for consecutive plays spanning multiple possessions. I forget who the Chiefs player was but that one sack where the lineman just straight up clubbed through Boone was one helluva football move.
There was an interesting stat that popped up during the game which has mirrored my thoughts about Colin vs Alex. In looking at their career, with equal number of games (from Harbaugh on), both pretty much have the same exact stats. By eye test, it's something I've noticed as well. Kap makes those wow plays that Alex couldn't even dream of making while small hands strings together more short completions with better accuracy on short throws. For all of Kap's athletic ability, the end offensive results are the same as when Alex as under center : 2TD's/a handful of field goals/lots of busted drives and stalling in the red zone. Given that we have a really deep receiving core this year, a solid 1-2 rushing attack, I wonder if this is as far as we're going to get out of Kap. I mean the only thing left to really change at this point is G-Ro (which I'm all for) but if Harbaugh sticks around, I just don't see him getting dumped. Speaking of G-Ro, I hate how incompatible our pass offense is with our run offense. It's just so weird not being able to see both aspects work together on game day. It's one thing to attack the opposing team's defensive weaknesses but establishing offensive identity is just as important. Lastly, can we get a different playcaller on offense? G-Ro sucks at it so bad. Just lock him in a room with Madden play creator so he can diagram all the bullshit plays that he wants. Naked bootleg with Kap isn't fooling anybody.
