AP photo: San Francisco 49ers left tackle Joe Staley chews on his mouth piece from the 49ers bench during the second half against the Carolina Panthers on Sep 18th at Carolina is the subject of trade rumors with wide receiver Torrey Smith
There is skepticism amongst the San Francisco 49ers’ brass who deny such rumors that their shopping left tackle John Staley and wider receiver Torrey Smith. Here’s the thing with the 49ers in the Jed York and Trent Baalke era they have this habit of leaking information through whoever their designated media person is and kind of denying it when it comes back and the rumors come back that their true because their the ones who leaked it.
Sometimes you can test and see what the public will think once the rumor is out there to see if everybody is going to back it or not. They were leaking information about former head coach Jim Harbaugh for a year before firing him or letting him go. This is not news, when quarterback Colin Kaepernick got benched last year there was a whisper campaign in the media about how the coaches were unhappy with him. That Kaepernick was the fall guy for everything that was wrong with the offense last year.
NFL TV Ratings: Down 29%, they blame protest of players
by Amaury Pi Gonzalez
AP photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick stands on the sidelines during the second half of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara
SANTA CLARA–When it comes to sports and television ratings, the National Football League is “Numero Uno” for many years now, among all the main sports. But this year the story has abruptly changed.
Is there discrimination? sure, is there social injustice? Yes, are there unpopular wars? Sure. But people that watch sports in this crazy violent world we are living today do it to escape for a couple of hours of all the stuff that is going on. The NFL is no exception and that is why a recent poll showed a 29% drop in their ratings, 40% blame protests like those started by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
As a man that is 100X100 FOR Free Speech(otherwise I would have moved back to Cuba, where for the past half over century there is none)I agree with anybody that wants to demonstrate about a certain issue they feel passionate about it. But, we all know that Kaepernick could have called a press conference anytime he wanted, before of after a game, during the season, or in the off-season and explained his point of view regardless blacks and minorities and the abuse they receive by law enforcement. I have absolutely no problem with Mr Quarterback if he wanted to do that.
However, I totally disagree with not standing up for the National Anthem, and I know he has the right and the freedom to do it and thank the millions of people that have fought and defended the right he enjoys. In a country as diverse as ours I believe there are two things that should be respected all the time, the flag and the national anthem. I have never questioned what is in Kaepernick heart. I do not think I am asking for much, it is only common sense to me. Maybe I can appreciate this much more because of my background and where I come from a place that if you go on the streets and burn the flag, your head will probably be broken in pieces.
This is what the Yahoo Sports/Yougov Polls, taken October 12-13 of 2016 shows why 29% of fans are watching less football. Election: 17%. Lost Interest 28%. Lack of opportunity 31%. Kaepernick protests 40%.
San Francisco 49ers fans are probably watching less of their team anyway, this is the Bay Area after all, we are famous for flying our teams colors(when they win)but today the 49ers flags we used to see in the cars around the bay are few, and a 1 -6 start to a season will fold anybody’s flag.
It will be very interesting to see how the ratings show the rest of this NFL season. The NFL is a very rich league and their blood-line comes from huge audiences who generate huge advertising revenue.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jude Adjei-Barimah during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. The Buccaneers recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
By Morris Phillips
The 49ers haven’t won since opening night, they’ve given up the most points in the NFL, and every running back in the league is checking their remaining schedule to see if they’ll get a shot at the league’s worst run defense in 26 seasons.
The last time the 49ers lost six straight in 2008, Coach Mike Nolan didn’t survive the fifth, and was fired after the team fell to 2-6, after a 2-1 start. Interim coach Mike Singletary and offensive coordinator Mike Martz were in charge that following week when the 49ers appeared poised to break the skid, only to fail on the game’s last play from the two-yard line where fullback Michael Robinson got the call and was stuffed, instead of Frank Gore, who would go on to become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.
Like these, those were low times. But under Singletary, and 28-year old Shaun Hill, the 49ers rallied, winning five of seven to close that season. In 2008, things got better, and hope was retained heading into 2009.
This time, without Hill and Singletary of all people, things could get worse.
During the 49ers’ loss Sunday to the visiting Buccaneers, the 49ers squandered a 14-0, first quarter lead only to trail at halftime, 17-14, and after three quarters, 27-14. The Bucs struggled early, unable to run against the 49ers’ defensive front seven, who briefly rallied after being run over by LeSean McCoy and the Bills the previous week.
Tampa Bay didn’t abandon the run down two touchdowns, instead they redoubled their efforts and finished with 513 yards in total offense, including 249 yards on the ground. The previous week in Buffalo, the 49ers gave up 312 yards on the ground, but this may have been a lesser showing with Jaquizz Rogers (154 yards) and Paul Barber (12 carries, 84 yards) benefitting from numerous, missed tackles.
“We just got to limit the mistakes we’ve been having. We’ve been doing the same things too consistently, with the turnovers and stuff, the missed tackles, allowing big runs to happen on defense,” safety Eric Reid said.
The 49ers appeared to be in better shape with Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmy Ward returning to bolster the secondary. But neither started on Sunday, then defensive lineman Arik Armstead, linebacker Aaron Lynch, and corner Rashad Robinson were lost to injury during the game. Armstead’s injury looked to be the most painful, and most troubling since the 2015 first round pick has dealt with a nagging shoulder issue since training camp, and appeared to reinjure the shoulder against Tampa Bay.
Meanwhile, for Tampa, big, productive receiver Mike Evans was injured on a play early in the game in which he was blocked in the stomach and chest on Gerald Hodges interception that set up the 49ers second touchdown. But Evans returned, finishing with eight receptions and two touchdowns, while Armstead, Lynch and Robinson did not.
Such is the 49ers’ fortunes these days, so poor they rival the teams porous play. While the defense has been abnormally poor, it must be noted that injuries have been mounting on that side of the ball starting with lineman Ian Williams in training camp, and starting linebackers Ray Ray Armstrong and NaVorro Bowman after the season began.
Offensively, Colin Kaepernick had another uneven performance, completing less than half of his passes and being sacked four times. While the veteran quarterback kept plays alive with his fast feet, those plays didn’t amount to much as Kaepernick threw for just 143 yards in a game that the 49ers were in catchup mode for the entire, second half.
In the absence of the injured Carlos Hyde, Kaepernick was the team’s leading rusher, with 84 yards on nine carries. But Kap’s rushing total wasn’t the recipe to success.
“It comes down to execution, not shooting ourselves in the foot, and making plays,” Kaepernick said. “On our two, touchdown drives, we had players making plays on the field. And we have to be able to continually do that throughout the game because defenses are talented, things are going to be close, and we have to be able to make those plays, and ultimately that’s what’s going to be the difference in these games.”
With the 49ers mired in last place in the NFC West, reports surfaced that veteran tackle Joe Staley may be traded during the season. The team’s remaining schedule looks tough with games at Chicago, and at home against the Jets looking like the only two in which the team could be favored, or have a chance to win.
A rally like the one in 2008 appears unlikely, and the appearance of a franchise quarterback may not happen anytime soon, even if the team draws a top-3 pick as their current record would suggest.
Coach Chip Kelly appears safe if for no reason other than he just got here. But things must be improve, and the team’s attitude will be close monitored.
“I think anger doesn’t help you,” Kelly said. “You have to find a solution. If you continue to get mad, get angry, it’s not going to help you.”
The 49ers will enjoy a bye week before returning to the field at home against the New Orleans Saints and prolific passer Drew Brees on November 6.
AP file photo: San Francisco running back Carlos Hyde looking to get some yards carries against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday at Orchard Park NY is suffering shoulder injury
This game going into Sunday with the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be interesting the defense for the 49ers had struggled and it struggled in the second half of last Sunday’s game in Buffalo. It makes you want to think that a high tempo offense is wearing out the defense in the second half and everything just falls apart. The 49ers have played in a lot of close first halves this year and they’ve kept it really close.
Its that second half that the offense really begins to struggle and the second half adjustments are made on the 49ers and all of a sudden they get down really big. The 49ers do have Tampa Bay coming into Levis this Sunday and they have been struggling with their record at 2-3 and it seems like Carlos Hyde has been like the only player on the 49ers offense that’s been able to do anything so far this season.
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.
AP photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick prepares to let one fly under pressure against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday at Orchard Park NY
Lets first talk about the performance against Buffalo that was a the tale of two halves in the first half of the game 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick looked pretty decent he was 8-13 his running ability looked as good as it ever had. He was making plays with his speed and he was moving around and he was reading the defense. The Niners scored 13 points in the first half, that’s not fantastic but for the 49ers offense that’s not bad.
In the second half things just went completely went south where Kaepernick was throwing in the neighborhood of 5-16, his yardage was bad, his rushing wasn’t particularly good. Also part of the problem was Carlos Hyde was injured and didn’t play a lot of the second half. Generally speaking Kaepernick wasn’t hitting his receivers. In essence Kaepernick just wasn’t making plays.
Kap—or no Kap—the 49ers have significant work to do.
The addition of the team’s best-known player into the starting lineup on Sunday in Buffalo did little to change this stark reality: after getting throttled 45-16 by the Bills, the 49ers have dropped five consecutive games for the first time in more than a decade.
With Kaepernick, the 49ers aren’t any closer to being a playoff contender, or a significant player on the lesser landscape of the NFC West. In fact, with Kaepernick or the benched Blaine Gabbert, the 49ers maybe greater impacted by the loss of defensive leader NaVorro Bowman.
On Sunday, it sure appeared that was the case. Overshadowing what Kaepernick did or didn’t do was the 312 yards rushing the 49ers’ defense surrendered to the Bills, including 140 yards and three touchdowns to LeSean McCoy, who seemed to be mystery in cleats to a number of lunging San Francisco defenders.
“To get the ball run on you like that, when you know they’re going to run, we just have to stop making the same mistakes, stay in our gaps, make the tackle,” safety Eric Reid said.
“There were a lot of missed tackles today just from my vantage point on the sideline,” Coach Chip Kelly said.
Here’s some historical perspective on all the juking and dashing the Bills did on Sunday: the 312 yards was the biggest total the Bills had enjoyed in a game since 1992. The 49ers had allowed more than 312 yards only once in their franchise history, in 1958.
The 49ers found themselves in a competitive game at the half, trailing 17-13. Kaepernick had a hand in that, hooking up with Torrey Smith on a 53-yard pass play that gave the 49ers a brief 10-7 lead in the second quarter. Kaepernick also had some success running the ball, but in the end his impact as starter was miniscule. The 49ers failed to convert 12 of their 15 third and fourth-down opportunities, and Kaepernick failed to complete half of his passes (13 of 29).
Defensively, things started respectably as well. The 49ers had some success with their pass rush against one of the league’s least productive pass offenses. But after Bills’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor was sacked and stripped of the ball by Arik Armstead, the Bills stuck to the run for the remainder of the first half. Among the bright spots, Armstead and rookie DeForest Buckner combined for three sacks and two tackles for losses.
McCoy rushed for more than 100 yards in the first half for the second consecutive week. The Pro Bowl back suffered an injury scare before halftime, bumping knees with the 49ers’ Nick Bellore and taking several minutes to return to the Bills’ bench. But McCoy continued his onslaught in the second half, and got ample support from Taylor and backup Mike Gillislee, who scored the games’ final points on a 44-yard run with 5:40 remaining.
The 49ers played without Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmy Ward, thinning their secondary. They also lost corner Rashard Robinson to injury during the game. In Ward’s absence, rookie Keith Reaser made his first NFL start.
The 49ers return home on Sunday to host the Buccaneers, and will face the Saints a week later, also at Levi’s Stadium.
AP photo: The last time Colin Kaepernick saw action was in this Sep 1st photo when he faced San Diego Chargers in pre season play he’ll get a full game out of the Buffalo Bills on Sunday
On the podcast with Joe:
This is it the San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepenick gets the call for this Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills there’s a lot of anticipation going into this one to see how well Kaepenick will perform in his first start of the season. The 49ers have struggled since opening day and dropping four straight is a huge concern now for head coach Chip Kelly and Joe takes a look at some of those concerns.
Last week the Arizona Cardinals picked off 49er quarterback Blaine Gabbert twice and he was sacked seven times Joe takes a look at the what kind of protection the offensive line will offer up to protect Kaepernick. Also Joe matches up the Buffalo Bills and 49ers for Sunday’s picks
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.
AP photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepenick tunes up before Oct 6th’s game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levis stadium will start this Sunday in Buffalo
On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David:
The 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepenick should have been starter for months now and a lot of people have had it in the back of their heads. The fact of the matter is that former starter Blain Gabbert being starter didn’t make a whole lot of sense to be starter. Gabbert even back during camp in August and July when head coach Chip Kelly was first going over the roster and dealing with training camp issues.
It was surprising that Kelly went with Gabbert for starter. Kelly came over he has this particular style the system that he’s been running ever since he’s been in Oregon he brought with him to Philadelphia. You need an accurate quarterback but it also requires an athletic quarterback. The read option is part of his game and when you look at the 49ers and you try to match up players with Kelly’s system you would certainly be curious to see what Kaepernick could do at the quarterback position.
David Zizmor does the 49ers podcast once a week and Joe Lami does the Niners podcasts on Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
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