[Apologies for the late posting. Technical issues with Lenovo have left me a computer nomad squatting at random keyboards the past few days. I'm finally up and running on my own black box again.]
I'm hoarse and still have a splitting headache. But GOD DAMN that was a hell of an ending.
Listen to the crowd and the prevailing sentiment after Shawntae sealed it with a pick
NinersNation has done the hard work with the link dumps and analysis. Football is the one sport that is better taken in on TV than live. There is too damn much going on during each play to comprehend while there in person. In addition, last night I was up in what GSoM refers to as "The People's Section" and what the rest of us call "the (nose)bleeds".
Another downside of being at the game, is any and all objectivity goes right out the window. Especially with a crowd as rowdy and energized as last night. One of my buddies summed it up best: "Us being shitty for a few years has made the fan base HELLA ghetto." And it has - in a good way. The same element that turned the Oracle Arena into the rowdiest place to watch an NBA game (and was the only entertaining storyline this past season) has descended on Candlestick Point. The crowd noise was solid early and late, with lulls appropriate for such an ugly game. The Faithful have been hungering for something to get excited about the past few years and it finally got a taste of it last night.
Now onto what little objective analysis I can provide from last night:
*The preseason is officially useless. What looked like the big weakness (defense) played lights out. Meanwhile what had looked like the team's strength (O-line) gave easier access to the prize than Britney Spears.
*Patrick Willis (11 tackles and a forced fumble) is clearly a beast. And that helmet-to-jaw hit on Leinart was priceless. Surprised it didn't cost us 15 but hey, if they don't flag it, it don't matter. Vote for him for Rookie of the Week here.
*The secondary locked down airspace better than the boys that flew over after the national anthem. Breaking on balls, defensing passes, picking off two, and just generally bottling up Leinart & Co. (102 yds). And once the front seven can actually get to the Q in under 10 seconds, look out.
*The play-calling was predictable and gutless until the last play of the game. Where was Lelie to stretch the field? Has Hostler never considered launching a ball 50 yards downfield to loosen up the defense and give FG the opportunity to run against less than 9 guys in the box? Bone-headed. The two-yard runs into the pile were Mariucci-esque in their stubbornness in the face of futility. Keep an eye on this throughout the season.
In the end, this was a defensive struggle with some sloppy offensive play. But in a month all we'll remember is the comeback led by Alex. And Coach Nolan's quote summed it up best: "All I can say is our guys won and theirs didn't." Amen to that.
Now on to St. Louis after a short week.
(Look out for a couple videos from the Walsh tribute to come later)
Another downside of being at the game, is any and all objectivity goes right out the window. Especially with a crowd as rowdy and energized as last night. One of my buddies summed it up best: "Us being shitty for a few years has made the fan base HELLA ghetto." And it has - in a good way. The same element that turned the Oracle Arena into the rowdiest place to watch an NBA game (and was the only entertaining storyline this past season) has descended on Candlestick Point. The crowd noise was solid early and late, with lulls appropriate for such an ugly game. The Faithful have been hungering for something to get excited about the past few years and it finally got a taste of it last night.
Now onto what little objective analysis I can provide from last night:
*The preseason is officially useless. What looked like the big weakness (defense) played lights out. Meanwhile what had looked like the team's strength (O-line) gave easier access to the prize than Britney Spears.
*Patrick Willis (11 tackles and a forced fumble) is clearly a beast. And that helmet-to-jaw hit on Leinart was priceless. Surprised it didn't cost us 15 but hey, if they don't flag it, it don't matter. Vote for him for Rookie of the Week here.
*The secondary locked down airspace better than the boys that flew over after the national anthem. Breaking on balls, defensing passes, picking off two, and just generally bottling up Leinart & Co. (102 yds). And once the front seven can actually get to the Q in under 10 seconds, look out.
*The play-calling was predictable and gutless until the last play of the game. Where was Lelie to stretch the field? Has Hostler never considered launching a ball 50 yards downfield to loosen up the defense and give FG the opportunity to run against less than 9 guys in the box? Bone-headed. The two-yard runs into the pile were Mariucci-esque in their stubbornness in the face of futility. Keep an eye on this throughout the season.
In the end, this was a defensive struggle with some sloppy offensive play. But in a month all we'll remember is the comeback led by Alex. And Coach Nolan's quote summed it up best: "All I can say is our guys won and theirs didn't." Amen to that.
Now on to St. Louis after a short week.
(Look out for a couple videos from the Walsh tribute to come later)
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