Author: joelami

Drew Brees Set To Go Off On Tanking Niners

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By: Joe Lami

AP file photo: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks from their Sun Oct 30th game as Brees and the Saints prepare for their meeting with the San Francisco 49ers Sunday at Levis Stadium

The San Francisco 49ers look to turn their 1-6 season around this Sunday, as they host the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are coming off a big victory over the Seattle Seahawks 25-20, in a game that bled down to the very end.

Coming off their bye, San Francisco got healthier on the defensive side of the ball, but will still most likely be without their star running back Carlos Hyde, who is listed as questionable.

San Francisco’s struggling defensive faces a huge challenge on Sunday against the top passing attack in the league. Led by Drew Brees, the Saints are averaging nearly 327 yards per game through the air. The 49ers pass defense hasn’t been their downfall, as they are doing okay, giving up 222 yards per game, good enough for seventh in the NFL.

It has been the rushing defence that has been atrocious for the 49ers, which ranks dead last. The Saints could go with backup Tim Hightower as their running back for the second straight week after Mark Ingram was benched after fumbling too much this season.

Either way, New Orleans’ running backs should be salivating at their matchup against a 49ers defense that has given up a 100-yard rusher in every game since week two.

A win would be a huge pick-me-up for the tanking 49ers and could be the thing that turns around the 49ers season. Unfortunately, that will not be the case, as San Francisco should expect another loss added to their column. The talent level of the 49ers is no match for one of the best quarterbacks in the league, who is lined up for one of his best games of the season.

San Francisco 49ers Bye Week Notes; 49ers problems surmounting Baalke at the forefront

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By: Joe Lami

ninernoise.com photo: When it comes to the problems of the San Francisco 49ers in handling personnel and staffing critics point to 49ers general manager Trent Baalke for being responsible

SANTA CLARA–It’s week eight in the NFL season, and good news for 49ers’ fans, the team won’t adding another loss to their record due to their bye week. 2016 has been a nightmare season for the team in Santa Clara and just when you think the team has hit rock bottom, they find another way to sink even lower.

Week eight has the potential of being a big turnaround week for San Francisco. It will allow banged up players to get their health back and a mental rest from a six-game losing streak. Week nine will be the most important game of the Niners season. It can allow the team to regain confidence and get back to winning or it can tank them the rest of the season with a loss. If San Francisco can’t defeat the Saints on home turf, I don’t expect them to win another game this season.

The biggest problem is San Francisco hasn’t been the  players or coaching, it has been the talent of players, and the blame needs to be pointed at GM Trent Baalke, who will be seeing his final half season of his 49ers’ tenure and possibly his football career. What owner or GM would want to give him another chance after his implosion of a once great team.

The personnel problem for San Francisco is an absolute joke. There are only five players that should return to the 53-man next year and the rest could be let go. NaVorro Bowman, Carlos Hyde, Josh Garnett, Joe Staley, and Eric Reid are the types of players that the team needs to be built around. When there are only five players that should be kept, you know it’s time for a complete rebuild.

San Francisco 49ers preview: Second-Half Will Decide 49ers Game

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By: Joe Lami

AP file photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick gets set to launch one against the Buffalo Bills will get his second call to start this Sunday at Levis Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–On Friday, ESPN released it’s annual rank of the 122 professional sports franchises in North America. Ranked 122nd, the San Francisco 49ers. Who would have thought that the franchise would ever fall so low?

This is rock bottom for the once great 49ers. This season, it’s been all struggles for 1-5 team. On Sunday, they hope that newly named quarterback Colin Kaepernick can have consistency at the position to lead to some success. During practice, his reps have tripled with the first team, which can lead to more success with finding some chemistry with his receivers.

The first half hasn’t been the issue for San Francisco. They have been able to keep it close in most of their games. It’s been the second half where things have really fallen apart for the red and gold. The key indicator of this could be the defense is just gassed by the second half, due to Chip Kelly’s high-tempo offense.

If this continues to happen, it may be time for Kelly to abandon his patented system and go to one that actually works for one of the weakest rosters in the NFL.

In town is the 2-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are coming off a big win over the Carolina Panthers 17-14. Bucs QB, Jameis Winston has mediocre numbers at best this season throwing nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. The 49ers secondary may have a chance to shut down the sophomore.

Sunday provides another great chance for the 49ers to get out of the cellar, but if they continue to play poor in the second half, it will be another long day for fans in Santa Clara.

Changes for the 49ers Won’t Change Anything

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By: Joe Lami

After five weeks with Blaine Gabbert in shotgun for the San Francisco 49ers and a 1-4 record, head coach Chip Kelly thinks it’s time for a change. The change is much needed, as averaging just 178 passing yards per game won’t cut it in the NFL. Add more interceptions than touchdowns into the equation just strengthens the case.

The change comes as predicted, following the Thursday night game, adding a few extra days for Colin Kaepernick to prepare for the starting role.

Kelly acknowledged the lack of talent San Francisco has when making the announcement, “when you look at the depth on the offensive side of the ball, it was the one maneuver we could make.” Is this a shot at general manager, Trent Baalke? Quite possibly, as the talent of the San Francisco roster has imploded.

However, even with Kaepernick, San Francisco’s chances of winning on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills remains slim because of lack of talent at other positions. ESPN’s 31st power-rated team has gone ice cold since their week one blowout of the LA Rams, and even the defense has struggled.

In the last four losses, the Niners have given up a 100-yard plus game to the opposing running back. Hence why LeSean “Shady” McCoy is salivating at his matchup. With 447 yards on the season already, McCoy is set to explode against San Francisco.

Buffalo is on the uptick as well, since the firing of offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, the Bills have won three straight. Bills head coach, Rex Ryan is fired up about the success and promises not to overlook San Francisco to prevent a four-game winning streak.

Even with the changes that San Francisco is attempting to make, it won’t be enough to take out the Bills, who look unstoppable. At this rate, San Francisco is lining up to take a top pick in the 2017 draft, and maybe they’ll take a skilled position player and quite possibly a quarterback.

Stanford Cardinal-Washington State Cougars game wrap: Cougars Completed Apple State Sweep of Stanford with Blow Out Win

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By: Joe Lami

AP photo Jose Sanchez: It’s a zoo at Wahzoo as Washington State Cougar players assemble after a convincing win 42-16 over the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium Saturday night

STANFORD, Calif.—After a demoralizing 44-6 loss to the Washington Huskies last week in Seattle, the Stanford Cardinal wanted to return to home cooking on Saturday against the other team from the apple state. Unfortunately for them, it was exactly the opposite, as the Washington State Cougars owned the Cardinal in every aspect of the game, defeating Stanford 42-16.

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Stanford, starting up front with an awful performance from the offensive line. For the first time since 2008, Stanford managed not to achieve over 300 total yards, finishing with 296 on the day. “We are a work in progress up front right now. I didn’t think at this point in the season I would be saying that, but that’s just where we are,” said Stanford coach, David Shaw.

The run was completely shut down by the Cougars, forcing Stanford to finish with only 61 yards on 26 carries, good enough for a 2.3 per attempt. With the inability to run the ball, David Shaw was forced to attempt to pass.

Starting quarterback, Ryan Burns threw 20 of 30 for 233 yards and one interception. Burns also threw one touchdown on the very last play of the game. At one point; he was pulled for Keller Chryst, who only threw four passes before being taking out for Burns’ return. Burns felt the pressure all night, being sacked four times, and ten in the last two games.

At the end of the first half, Stanford trailed 14-3, after two missed field goals from kicker Conrad Ukropina, who has only missed two in each of his last two seasons. Both field goals hit the left upright, something that was happening during his pre-game warm-up.

On the defensive side of the ball, Stanford got torched, giving up 458 yards. Luke Falk threw for 357 of them on his way to finding the endzone four times. His main target was River Cracraft, who brought down seven catches for 130 yards. He also went to Tav Martin Jr. twice, both of which ended with touchdowns.

When Stanford was defending the pass with a nickel formation, that’s when Washington State ran the ball. Three different running backs saw at least seven carries apiece, for a combined total of 120 yards.

Christian McCaffrey was a non-factor in this game, with only 83 all-purpose yards. 35 of them came on the ground on eight carries. McCaffrey was seen going to the locker room in the third quarter with an apparent injury. He wouldn’t return to the game after that. Shaw assured the media that McCaffrey should be fine and that he was left out for precautionary reasons, “McCaffrey did get banged up, but there was no reason to put him in late in the game. We just left hi out. We’ll see how he is during the course of the week”. 

If one bright spot can be taken from the game, it was Frank Buncom picking off a Falk pass and returning it to the house. Many on the team thought that it would’ve been the turning point in the third quarter, making it 21-10, but Washington State regained their composure, going on an 11-play 75-yard touchdown drive to put the nail in the coffin.

Stanford has a lot to work on in the upcoming week, before they travel to South Bend, Indiana with their seasonal matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

San Francisco 49ers preview: Deja Vu For 49ers Due to Lack of Talent

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By: Joe Lami

AP photo: San Francisco 49ers NaVarro Bowman is assisted off the field after suffering a season ending achilles injury on Sunday in the first half against the Dallas Cowboys

SANTA CLARA–One month into the NFL schedule and it’s deja vu for the San Francisco 49ers. After a week one Monday night blowout, the Niners have gone into a slump, dropping their past three games.

Sunday night’s 24-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys added injury to insult as star linebacker NaVarro Bowman suffered a season-ending achilles injury. The 49ers season is in the balance, as they will need to be able to bounce back from losing their best defensive player.

San Francisco may be getting a break on Thursday night against the 1-3 Arizona Cardinals, as their starting quarterback, Carson Palmer, is expected to miss the game after suffering a concussion to the LA Rams. Expected to get the start for Arizona is Drew Stanton, which should heavily disappoint the NFL and their TV ratings with Stanton facing off against Blaine Gabbert in primetime.

The Niners need to take advantage of facing Stanton, who has a 66 career QB rating. Not only does the 49ers’ defense need to step up, but the offense needs to show up. The 49ers offense has been the biggest issue in Santa Clara for the past two seasons. It doesn’t just end at the quarterback position with Gabbert being a questionable NFL starter, but it extends to the wide receiver positions as well.

Jeremy Kerley, a player the Niners traded for during the pre-season, is their leading receiver with 18 catches for 202 yards and shows how big of a joke San Francisco’s offense is. San Francisco is a team that heavily leans on their defense, and even with one of the better defenses in the league, their offense can’t do enough to win a game.

It’s clear that Chip Kelly has improved San Francisco’s offense, but it’s evident the talent isn’t there to excel in the NFL. If the deja vu from last season continues, San Francisco will lose on Thursday night and slide into last place in the NFC West.

It’s clear that Chip Kelly has improved San Francisco’s offense, but it’s evident the talent isn’t there to excel in the NFL. If the deja vu from last season continues, San Francisco will lose on Thursday night and slide into last place in the NFC West.

Rookie, Ty Blach, Pitches a Game To Remember With Playoff Spot on the Line

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By: Joe Lami

AP photo: San Francisco Giant pitcher Ty Blach in his second start of his career pitched eight scoreless innings while striking out six in picking up a victory for San Fanicsco 3-0 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.–After the St. Louis Cardinals won earlier Saturday afternoon, the San Francisco Giants needed to take care of business to keep their lead in the NL Wild Card race. So in true October Giants fashion, Bruce Bochy sent rookie Ty Blach to the mound for his second career start.

Blach was phenomenal, outdueling Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, for his first career win. Giants fans will remember his outing, especially if San Francisco can clinch the second wild card spot on Sunday and use some even year magic to make another crazy playoff run.

The first time Blach stepped on the rubber at AT&T Park, he finished the day with eight scoreless innings, while striking out six. What may be most impressive about his outing, besides pitching in such an important game, was having 1,2,3 innings in the first, third, fifth, and sixth.

Though Kershaw gave up six hits on the day, he was perfect through the first 3.2 IP before Buster Posey broke it with a single to left. This helped the Giants bats get going, as Angel Pagan smacked his 12th home run to left field to start the fifth inning. The ball just went far enough to bounce on top of the wall and be called a home run.

San Francisco was able to add two more runs in the seventh inning thanks to an error by third baseman Justin Turner who zipped an easy out down the right field line, allowing Pagan to score and Brandon Crawford to get to third on the play.

There was an opportunity for Giants’ manager Brue Bochy to take Blach out in the sixth and seventh innings, but instead, he kept his rookie pitcher in and it paid off, as Blach got his first and second career hits off of Kershaw. On Saturday, he became the second pitcher to get two hits off of the Dodgers ace, as Craig Stammen did so in 2010.

Bochy, knowing that Blach does have a decent bat, helped with the decision to keep the rookie going. Bochy added that he didn’t want to get in the way of one of the best pitching performances he’s ever seen.

Blach mentioned that it was one of the most important starts of his career, “anytime you get the chance to get out there in a playoff race and give your team a chance, it’s a lot of fun. I appreciated the opportunity and tried to make the most of it”.

That, he did, as San Francisco is now on the cusp of clinching the second NL Wild Card spot, as they will do so with a win against the Dodgers, or if the Cardinals fail to beat Pittsburg on Sunday.

49ers Need to Take Advantage of Cowboys’ Rookies on Sunday

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By: Joe Lami

AP photo: Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) talk with NBC reporter Michele Tafoya after week 3 Sep 25th vs. the Chicago Bears

SANTA CLARA–After an amazing shutout victory at home to start the season. The San Francisco 49ers find themselves with a 1-2 record after two blowout losses on the road to two of the NFC’s best. This week San Francisco will be hosting the Dallas Cowboys and their two stud rookies in Dak Prescott and Zeke Elliot. Both Prescott and Elliot have been phenomenal in their first three games, as they have led Dallas to a 2-1 record.

San Francisco desperately needs a win on Sunday against these two rookies, who will be making their first visit to Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys will also be without star Wide Receiver, Dez Bryant, who was ruled out earlier in the week with a hairline fracture in his knee.

Not having Bryant could lead to a huge advantage for the 49ers, as they can target in on Elliot and force Prescott to beat them with his arm, which he has only thrown one touchdown on the season.

On the offensive side of the ball, San Francisco is way too one-dimensional and has depended all on the running game. This has allowed opposing defenses to stop Carlos Hyde and force the 49ers’ poor aerial attack to do most of the work. Blaine Gabbert has not been the answer at all, as he has been terrible with both his passing and keeping the ball during the read option.

It’s a great opportunity on Sunday for the 49ers to get back to a .500 record, but they need to start games better, as the first halves in both Carolina and Seattle will not be enough to earn wins in the NFL.

Quakes Post-Season Looks Bleak After 2-1 Loss at Home

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By: Joe Lami

photo by sjearthquakes.com: They battled they tussled but the San Jose Earthquakes came up a goal and three points short in their loss to Sporting KC at Avaya Stadium on Saturday

SAN JOSE, Calif.–On the same night three MLS team stamped their ticket to the playoffs, the San Jose Earthquakes stubs were torn to shreds by Sporting KC in a 2-1 loss. Dropping three important points for San Jose makes their playoffs dreams extremely bleak with just five games remaining in the season.

The Quakes nightmare started early, as star striker Quincy Amarikwa went down in the opening minute after a mid-air collision with KC keeper, Tim Melia. After reviewing the replay, it appeared that Amarikwa sustained a brutal knee injury that will likely put him out until next summer. Quakes’ head coach, Dominic Kinnear confirmed that Quincy will undergo the proper scans on Sunday.

After Amarkiwa was finally stretchered off the pitch, Sporting added insult to injury burring a goal in the seventh minute. Dom Dwyer found the back of the net heading home a set piece after he spilt between three different Quakes defenders that failed to pick up the assignment.

Kansas City’s second goal also came on a set piece, as Kevin Ellis backheeled a corner kick for the game-winner. Kinnear mentioned the importance of the set piece and how they have not been up to Earthquakes’ standards.

San Jose’s lone goal came from Simon Dawkins, who hit a near empty net after beautiful footwork from Henok Goitom, who picked up his first assist in an Earthquakes kit. Goitom mentioned that the team has to take it one match at a time, “and if you’re thinking about the playoffs, you’re looking too far ahead”.

San Jose has two games remaining at Avaya Stadium, and it is unknown at this time whether or not the Ultras will be making a return this season, as the protested the game on Saturday night due to sanctions placed on them after incidents involving smoke bombs at the September 10th home game.

If the Ultras decide not to support their local team, Avaya Stadium definitely has the potential of being dead silent for the final two games of the 2016 campaign after Saturday night’s near elimination.

San Francisco 49ers-Seattle Seahawks preview–Struggling Seahawks Look to Get Back on Track

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By: Joe Lami

AP file photo: Versatile quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson seen here against the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday Sep 18th, will be throwing against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday at Century Link Field in week three of the NFL season

The (1-1) San Francisco 49ers are coming off one of their worst losses in 15 years after they were destroyed by the Carolina Panthers 47-26 in week two. This after they played a great first half against the NFC Champions, going into the break trailing 17-10, but Cam Newton was too explosive in the second half for the defense to contain.

This week the 49ers look to get back on track against the Slumping Seattle Seahawks. Despite a 1-1 record, the Seahawks have been arguably one of the worst teams in the NFL, scoring just 13 points in their first two games. More surprisingly, Seattle struggled against the same Rams team the San Francisco shut out in week one, with a 9-3 loss.

The biggest problem for Seattle has been the offensive line. After trading their star center last year for Jimmy Graham, the Seahawks line has been one of the worst in the league. Mobile quarterback, Russell Wilson has struggled because of it, throwing for 479 yards in the first two games.

Now San Francisco’s defensive has been phenomenal for six quarters this year. Minus the second half against the Panthers, the 49ers defense has been one of the league’s best. With a defensive line that has been dominating and a secondary that has been blocking up passes, San Francisco has a chance to do something that most would’ve thought to be impossible at the beginning of the season and getting a win in Seattle.

If the defense it up to the task of holding a pissed off Seahawks offense to nothing, San Francisco should be able to do enough to steal a win and stay tied for the top spot in the NFC West.