49ers experiencing some issues on offense

[zulater]

49ers experiencing some issues on offense

The San Francisco 49ers don't seem to have much momentum heading into the stretch run after losing two of their last three.

What they do have is a growing list of concerns, most of them on offense.

Running back Frank Gore is hurting, quarterback Alex Smith had his worst performance of the season in Sunday's loss to division rival Arizona and the offensive line has surrendered 18 sacks over the past three games.

There are also the team's season-long struggles in the red zone, which proved to be the difference against the Cardinals as San Francisco drove inside the 10 three times only to settle for field goals.

On top of that, the NFC West champs have a tough Monday night game against Pittsburgh coming up next.

Suddenly, the 49ers' grip on the conference's No. 2 playoff seed isn't as strong as it once was, though coach Jim Harbaugh doesn't seem overly concerned.

"Hey look, we know there's going to be criticism," Harbaugh said Monday. "We know there's going to be why's for what happened, for what took place. ... and we're not going to talk about it. We're going to talk about it to our players, to our team, and make a real effort as we always do to try to address (them) and get them fixed. We'll take on those problems."

At 10-3, San Francisco is tied with New Orleans for the second-best record in the NFC behind unbeaten Green Bay. The 49ers have the edge over the Saints in tiebreakers based on conference record.

Any chance they have of securing a first-round bye, however, could dwindle if their red zone issues persist. San Francisco has scored touchdowns a league-worst 35.6 percent of the time (16 of 45) from inside the opposing 20. The NFL average is 52 percent.

The problem has gotten worse as the season has gone along, too.

In their last 19 trips inside the red zone, the 49ers have only three touchdowns with 15 field goals and one interception. That includes Sunday's 0-for-3 effort.

Harbaugh acknowledged he's involved in the red zone play-calling but doesn't plan to take on a bigger role despite the problems.



Read more: 49ers experiencing some issues on offense - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt...#ixzz1gPmu7fub

[salamander]

Just because this article was written, watch them have an epiphany against us and miraculously find their offense. It always happens against the Steelers.

[SteelerEmpire]

Just because this article was written, watch them have an epiphany against us and miraculously find their offense. It always happens against the Steelers.

I was just about to say that... you beat me to it.

[86WARD]

Most under rated team in the league. Niners are no joke...

[The Duke]

And the issue is called Alex Smith

No seriously. That and inexperience. They are finding out you can't scrape by with a below average QB in december football. Their runningback is hurting, the leader of their D is out, Smith is simply not up to the challenge

That said, this is still not a bad team. Gore is the kind of small runningback we have issues with so I expect all efforts to be on stopping him. With Ben's injury I think this is another game that comes down to the wire....

[tube517]

Just because this article was written, watch them have an epiphany against us and miraculously find their offense. It always happens against the Steelers.

They will need just enough to win, 10-9. Steelers get to red zone 5 times and get 0 TD's and 3 FGs. Steelers have the ball late but can't get a first down. Smith gets the ball in the last minute at midfield and get a quick TD after being down 9-3 for most of the game.

[steelreserve]

I've seen pretty much every 49ers game out here, and to say they have "issues" is putting it mildly. Their offense still sucks, and it's really all because Alex Smith still sucks. They're doing a lot better this year because 1) they're getting a lot of turnovers; 2) the defense and special teams are giving them GREAT field position, and 3) Smith is making fewer of the really monumentally stupid mistakes that cost you the game.

But he's not suddenly turned into a good quarterback, just a less bad quarterback. Basically what you'd expect from a below-average QB surrounded by incredible talent and finally a decent offensive line. He's just "improved" to the point where doesn't get in the way of the guys with skill as much as he used to. If the 49ers actually had a decent QB, their offense would be scary. But they don't, and we ought to be able to ROCK THE SHIT out of this incompetent fool.

I'll be at the game wearing my Ward road jersey, by the way. Total score.

[mortgageman]

From what I've noticed, the niners win most of their games doing all of the little things right. If you can play great special teams and win the turnover battle, along with running well and stopping the run, you have a great chance to win against bad, average and good teams. It's just hard to beat excellent teams unless you can throw the ball. It's sort of similar to what the Broncos are doing now or what the Dolphins did a couple of years ago when they won their division only to get rocked in the playoffs by the Ravens. The niners wouldn't beat us in a 7 game series, but if we turn the ball over and give them a big edge in special teams, they can definitely beat us on Monday.

[Animal Mother]

They will need just enough to win, 10-9. Steelers get to red zone 5 times and get 0 TD's and 3 FGs. Steelers have the ball late but can't get a first down. Smith gets the ball in the last minute at midfield and get a quick TD after being down 9-3 for most of the game.

This might happen if we face Tebow in the playoffs.

[polamalubeast]

If Roethlisberger does not play, the Steelers will probably not win, unless the defense of the steelers have a game like they did against the Titans in 2010.


The defense against the run of the 49ers is incredible.

The defense of the 49ers have a lot of turnovers.

And without Harrison, Alex Smith could have had a good game because the pass rush of the Steelers will not be very good without Harrison and without Woodley for 50% of the time.

[Count Steeler]

Reverse on the kick off and see Brown or Sanders take it to the house. Get an early lead and we will win.

[7willBheaven]

I've seen pretty much every 49ers game out here, and to say they have "issues" is putting it mildly. Their offense still sucks, and it's really all because Alex Smith still sucks. They're doing a lot better this year because 1) they're getting a lot of turnovers; 2) the defense and special teams are giving them GREAT field position, and 3) Smith is making fewer of the really monumentally stupid mistakes that cost you the game.

But he's not suddenly turned into a good quarterback, just a less bad quarterback. Basically what you'd expect from a below-average QB surrounded by incredible talent and finally a decent offensive line. He's just "improved" to the point where doesn't get in the way of the guys with skill as much as he used to. If the 49ers actually had a decent QB, their offense would be scary. But they don't, and we ought to be able to ROCK THE SHIT out of this incompetent fool.

I'll be at the game wearing my Ward road jersey, by the way. Total score.

Well said!

[steelerdude15]

Let's hope we capitalize on their issues!

[BlastFurnace]

The Steelers rarely dominate anyone or blow out anyone.

This game will be no different...regardless of the Niners issues.

[fansince'76]

This might happen if we face Tebow in the playoffs.

Yeah, especially since you can't hit the f*cking QB anymore (with the exception of Roethlisberger, of course). Never know when he might cock his arm back and throw it, after all! Kinda dangerous when facing one that runs like a RB.

[The Duke]

If Roethlisberger does not play, the Steelers will probably not win, unless the defense of the steelers have a game like they did against the Titans in 2010.


The defense against the run of the 49ers is incredible.

The defense of the 49ers have a lot of turnovers.

And without Harrison, Alex Smith could have had a good game because the pass rush of the Steelers will not be very good without Harrison and without Woodley for 50% of the time.

Completely agree, except about missing Harrison.

You don't need James to make Alex Smith crap his pants. Iupati and Staley will be a hard combo for Worilds to go against, but a little tweaking on blitzes by LeBeau and they should keep him Smith in check

No Ben, no win though

[SteelGhost]

If the 9'ers have issues on offense, I don't want to imagine OUR issues if Big Ben doesn't play

[steelreserve]

And without Harrison, Alex Smith could have had a good game because the pass rush of the Steelers will not be very good without Harrison and without Woodley for 50% of the time.

Doesn't matter. Alex Smith rarely has a good game, pass rush or no pass rush. His strength is throwing 10-15 yards down the field; if you take that away, they are toast. He's not accurate enough to throw the deep ball consistently, and if you keep him throwing the really short dink-and-dunks, he fucks up often enough that they'll get one or two first downs and then three incompletions in a row.

I've also noticed that at the first hint of pressure, Smith steps up as if he's trying to buy time by scrambling ... except he doesn't actually scramble and he doesn't step up and throw either - he does this fucked up little maneuver where he's only running at half speed but he also isn't ready to throw the ball. So it basically amounts to pulling the ball down and stepping up INTO the pressure. This almost always happens when an outside rusher goes behind him, even if he's well blocked. It triggers the panic response and he steps up directly to where the defensive linemen have him surrounded. If there's a game where Casey Hampton gets a sack, this is going to be it.

[tube517]

This might happen if we face Tebow in the playoffs.

This happens almost every week.

[tube517]

Yeah, especially since you can't hit the f*cking QB anymore (with the exception of Roethlisberger, of course). Never know when he might cock his arm back and throw it, after all! Kinda dangerous when facing one that runs like a RB.

Tebow is the new golden boy. If he gets sneezed at by harrison, harrison will be suspended for 2012. If he pats Tebow on the butt for a good play, he will be sent to Alcatraz.

[steelreserve]

Tebow is the new golden boy. If he gets sneezed at by harrison, harrison will be suspended for 2012. If he pats Tebow on the butt for a good play, he will be sent to Alcatraz.

Tebow is not the new golden boy. He's the story of the moment, and there's a huge difference. Long-term, once the uplifting underdog angle is played out, I think Goodell and the media want him to fail unless he develops into a more exciting passer.