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49ers Blog and Q&A: Film review: 49ers coaches deserve game ball
This may have been the most well-coached game I've ever covered. From a preparation standpoint, the 49ers coaches were on fire. The question is not whether they outcoached the Packers (they did). But rather it's, who was more masterful, the offensive or defensive coaches? The offensive game plan was to bury the Packers under a mountain of different personnel groups and formations. Let's just take the 49ers' third offensive series, the one that ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to Randy Moss. Here are the skill players on each of the 11 plays (I'm including two penalties).
Brock and Salk Blue 42 - Podcasts - MyNorthwest.com
What grade does Brock give Russell Wilson's performance?
Monday metatarsal musings
"We were so close to it, being able to score points on special teams. We didn’t exactly put it in the end zone, but we got points for the offense," Washington said in the locker room at University of Phoenix Stadium. "That’s our goal going into the game, to get points for the offense. But we didn’t score a touchdown. So we’re getting close. We’re working really hard. It will eventually come if you keep preparing yourself the right way."
Seahawks review: Three likes and dislikes about the 20-16 loss to Arizona | The Brewery | The Seattle Times
Dislikes 1. The offensive line's pass protection. In his first real game, rookie quarterback Russell Wilson didn't resemble the electric player who won the starting job with stellar preseason play. But truth be told, he often didn't have a chance to show anything. The Seahawks never solved Arizona's pass rush. Wilson, who completed only 18 of 34 passes for 153 yards and was sacked three times, often couldn't finish a seven-step drop before defenders were lunging at him. It was a poor effort for a Seahawks offensive line that improved greatly at the end of last season. Poor play-calling contributed, too, and certainly Wilson made mistakes as well. But the Seahawks' O-line is better than this, and it must perform up to a higher standard. Right tackle Breno Giacomini struggled mightily on pass plays. Left tackle Russell Okung looked rusty coming off a season-ending injury in 2011, and he limped off the field late in the game with a knee injury. Rookie guard J.R. Sweezy looked shaky, too, at times. Overall, the O-line performance was eerily reminiscent of the way San Francisco's pass rush overwhelmed the Seahawks in the 2011 season opener.
Matt Barkley tape vs Syracuse and why Seattle needs a go-to-guy " Seahawks Draft Blog
For most of the off-season we’ve talked about Seattle’s need at receiver. When you’re bringing in guys like Antonio Bryant, Terrell Owens and Braylon Edwards knowing one of them will have to contribute, it’s safe to say that’s a position of need. Edwards started against the Cardinals and was mostly OK, but missed a chance to win the game with the final serious play of the game. The Seahawks asked the question and Edwards couldn’t answer.
Instant reaction: Seahawks vs Cardinals " Seahawks Draft Blog
Russell Okung left the game with a twisted knee, although it’s unknown at this stage how long he’s going to be missing. This is becoming a familiar story with Okung unfortunately. Since being drafted with the 6th overall pick in 2010 he’s injured both ankles, torn a pec and now suffered a twisted knee. He had a long streak of starts at Oklahoma State but was injured (knee) just before his final college appearance – a bowl defeat to Ole Miss where he struggled badly in the second half. Tonight was probably his worst individual performance since that game.
Leon Washington regains 2010 form with long returns | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
After failing to record a return longer than 54 yards last season, Washington had an 83-yard kickoff return and a 52-yard punt return in the Seahawks' opener.
Wilson still optimistic despite defeat | Seattle Seahawks - The News Tribune
"I’m definitely focused and excited to move on to the next game," said Wilson, the third rookie to start at quarterback for a season opener in franchise history. (After Jim Zorn in 1976 and Rick Mirer in ’93) "That’s the way I’ve always been whether win or lose. That’s the way you have to stay. I think the main thing for me is to stay focused on what we can control, how we can get better and just keep fighting."
Give up on Russell Wilson? Heck no | Seattle Seahawks - The News Tribune
The deflating conclusion to the final drive already has stirred up the inevitable "We-Want-Flynn" faction of Seahawks fans. The Wilson-Flynn debate is a topic that figures to dominate the sports-talk radio stations this week, just as it dominated the sports-talk radio stations during the exhibition season.
San Francisco 49ers top Green Bay Packers: Biggest takeaway? - NFL.com
Some called it a Week 1 preview of the NFC Championship Game, and Sunday's much-anticipated showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers didn't disappoint in the entertainment capacity. The result, however, stunned most observers. Which begs the question: Were you more impressed by the 49ers and their 30-22 road win or disappointed by the Packers, who lost their home opener coming off a 15-1 season?
Whose draft stock is moving? | National Football Post
As I evaluate film each week and talk to NFL scouts that are traveling across the country there are always a handful of players whose NFL Draft stock is either rising or falling. It could be as simple as a player having a great game against a top opponent or more concerning when a player’s level of play has gone down compared to last season. The NFL Draft is still nearly eight months away, but here I take a look at some players whose stock is already moving. The measureables listed are either verified, which means taken by an NFL scout, or estimated.
Sunday Six: Already handicapped, rookie QBs hurt by lack of prep time - NFL -
4. No Huddle is no joke More teams have built an attack offense that doesn't require huddle time. Consequently, defenses are scrambling to stay up with them. The Patriots have led the way with the 12 personnel package, but the Broncos are taking things even higher. The Mile High altitude combined with the genius of Peyton Manning and his 12 personnel package was on full display against the Steelers -- the NFL's No. 1 last season. It really couldn't be stopped. The second quarter, a 12-play, no-huddle drive (five running plays, seven passing plays to five different receivers) covered 80 yards for a touchdown with only two third-down -- both third and 1. In the fourth quarter came another no-huddle drive, again for 80 yards and a touchdown -- this time with no third-down situations. Over those two no-huddle drives, Manning went 11 of 13.
Peyton Manning, Robert Griffin III lead Denver, Washington to wins as 2012 NFL season opens - Peter King - SI.com
The 49ers look frighteningly efficient, physical and hard to beat. Stat of the Weekend: San Francisco has not turned the ball over in the last 26 regular season quarters. That's six and a half games without a turnover. Newcomer of the Weekend: Randy Moss caught the Niners' first touchdown of the season. He played about a third of the snaps, getting good separation from corners when he was in. And he blocked. That's right. Randy Moss blocked. This could be a ridiculously good pickup for Jim Harbaugh's offense, particularly if Moss doesn't have to play too much and can stay healthy for 16 games. Or more. The Niners return the conference's best defense intact -- 11 starters and pass rusher Aldon Smith -- and after 45 minutes led one of the best offenses to take the field in years, Green Bay, by 23-7. The Pack made it close down the stretch, but you got the feeling this was San Francisco's game all the way. The Niners' motto is "The team, the team, and the team.'' They have a good one -- the one that looked the best in football in Week 1.
ProFootballWeekly.com - Leaguewide decline at OT position taking its toll
In case you haven’t noticed, there’s something seriously out of line in the sport of pro football entering Week Two of the regular season. Specifically, the state of the offensive tackle position is unquestionably shaky.
NFL Run & Shootaround: Robert Griffin, the First - The Triangle Blog - Grantland
There's a one-pill-makes-you-smarter joke here, but this isn't about Joe Haden. Ask any savior and they will tell you, "You've got to spend some time in the wilderness before you get to the mountain. And then you've got to climb the mountain, but that's a whole other thing." That's in the Bible, right? Anywho, Russell Wilson, the greatest athlete of the 21st century and the man who figured out the scientific process to make Cheddar cheese as well as the unofficial discoverer of the Pacific Ocean, played his first real NFL game on Sunday, and ... well ... yeah.