I was doing the exact same thing as 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh when the 49ers clinched victory over the previously 5-0 Detroit Lions. Jumping around my man cave like a mad man, what 49er fan wasn’t? And that’s what Jim Harbaugh is the biggest 49er fan in the world, after all more his time has been invested in this team than anyone. That’s why I am disgusted that I have join this guy, this guy, this guy, and wait can’t forget this gal here  talking about “shake gate”. I understand that it needs to be reported and should be for that matter but the deal we are making about this is about as lame as it gets. There has been twice the amount of coverage on the handshake by the coaches than the game itself.  Seriously this is that much of a big deal? The handshake and ensuing shouting match and chasing down the sidelines of the coaches is outshining the game itself?

Really, think about that the game of the week that was decided in the final 2 minutes of the game was out shadowed by the coach’s midfield handshake. I’ll give you a minute while you think….

This was a big miss for the NFL who chose not to fine the coaches today, a wise decision. The NFL should be looking to highlight how great the GAME was. What I would do is play the game a few times on NFL Network  over the next week and cut out the handshake. This was a big time game; the league should be marketing the return of the 49ers, bringing excitement back to the actual GAME  not the sideshow antics.
(more…)

A crazy seasaw game saw the 49ers defeat the Detroit Lions 25-19  advancing to 5-1 forcing the league to take notice as they now enjoy a commanding lead in the NFC West.   Here are my 10 key observations of the 49ers week 6 victory in the Shodown in Motown.

Chris Culliver is for real and will be a starter by season’s end: Culliver came up huge today for the 49ers defense.  While he didn’t have an interception or any eye-popping stats he held his own vs the very best Calvin Johnson.  Terrell Brown and Culliver shared the responsibility most of the game of covering the Lions potent WR nicknamed Megatron.  While Johnson went over 100 yards receiving he didn’t have any back breaking plays and most importantly zero touchdowns.  Somebody called that today, can’t remember who though oh well. 

Aldon Smith WILL win Defensive Rookie of The Year: I’m sorry if you guys are tired of me gushing of this kid but can you blame me?  If you can sorry because I can’t help it and I don’t anticipate being able to control the urge in the foreseeable future.  This guy is awesome!  He recorded another 2 sacks today bringing his season total to 6, he’s on pace for 16 sacks this year and while he probably won’t get that many he’s doing very well so far.  The coaching staff should be given a lot of credit here, Smith was drafted to play Outsidelinebacker and while he has sparingly he’s mostly played Defensiveend this season.  Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio admitted he didn’t know if he was ready for extended time at OLB yet.  Playing Smith in a role he is comfortable and can contribute rather than trying to force things early in his career has turned out to be a great decision. 

Alex Smith no longer allows himself to be shaken:  Alex didn’t have the best game, his stats make him look worse than he really was.  Smith let a few passes sail on him today with 1 ending up in the hands of a Detriot defender, others fell incomplete while Michael Crabtree did a nice job of halling some in.   In a tight game, a very hostile environment and things not going Smith’s way Alex stayed poised, looked confident and didn’t force things.  The 4th down TD pass to Delaine Walker said it all to me, it demonstrated the confidence Jim Harbaugh has in his QB by not calling timeout and allowing Smith to make the necessary play.  With the game on the line Smith stood in the pocket and delivered a perfect dart to Walker for the score. 

Maybe another WR wouldn’t hurt: I’m going to retract a statement I made earlier today  when news broke that the 49ers were one of 3 teams in play for Denver WR Brandon Lloyd.  I said I’d rather pass, with Braylon Edwards coming back after the bye week and Crabtree playing well no need to add another receiver to sit on the bench.  After all it’s not like this team really uses it’s 3rd wideout that much.  After thinking about it and watching the game today I’ve changed my mind and here’s why.  Crabtree and Vernon Davis were the only big time playmakers on the field (Walker isn’t there yet) and Davis was virtually invisible today.  If one or both of those guys were hurt the 49er offense would be in serious trouble.  After all it’s not like it’s guaranteed Edwards will be at 100% when he returns, another playmaker couldn’t hurt.  Apparently only a mid round pick would be required to obtain Lloyd, if that’s right maybe the 49ers should invest in him. 

The Jim Harbaugh, Jim Schwartz exchange at the end of the game was utterly ridiculous.  I understand sportsmanship and I get that Schwartz probably wasn’t thrilled that Harbaugh was basically jumping around when they met to shake hands.  But comeon people!  Are we really that dull of a society that we can’t celebrate after a win?  We need to walk calmly down and shake the losers hand just to make sure noone could possibly be offended?  After watching and rewatching the exchange it’s obvious Harbaugh was just excited, he saw Schwartz and gave him a handshake and a pat on the back, can we prosecute this man right now please!  Give me a break, if you can’t handle someone being happy after winning then go home Schwartz.  And by the way your stupid chase of him was twice as classless as anything Harbaugh is guilty of.  You really want some of Harbaugh man?  I’d love to see that on pay per view, I got $1,000 on my boy Harbaugh that he crushes you then asks “what’s your deal bro?”

More game reactions on page 2
(more…)

Half Time 49ers 12- Lions 10 

49ers may want to change their previous statement that Seattle has the loudest crowd in the NFL.  This Detroit Lions crowd started out dominating the 49ers offense who could barley get a play off the first 3 series of the game. 

The 49ers defense has looked stout and has kept the team in this game.  That TD by Brandon Pettigrew was an awful call by the referees, how can it be called a TD when he didn’t maintain possession?  I’ve watched the play about 15 times and I still can’t see how it stood.   The pass interference penalty on Carlos Rogers was suspect at best.   I hate to play the referee card but anyone watching this game would have to agree the calls are going for the Lions.  The unnecessary roughing call against Isaac Sopoaga is a sign of the way the NFL is going, one word wimpy. 

Anthony Davis may be getting into N.Suh’s head today, anything the team can do to agitate this guy and take him out of his game is a positive.  Anthony Dixon should be on the bench all game long unless there is an injury to Frank Gore or Kendall Hunter, he’s not the power back he should be and he dances around the line too much.  If he can’t punch it in from the 1 after Gores 47 yard run he has no purpose on the team.  I say re-sign Brian Westbrook and release this chump. 

Rooke CB Chris Culliver and Terrell Brown are matched up 1 on 1 with Calvin Johnson WAY too much.  They are not doing a bad job so far but this will burn the 49ers if they don’t change that up soon.  Megatron only saw 1 pass thrown his way through the first 5 Lions possessions, that defintely will not last into the 2nd half. 
Read More on Page 2
(more…)