Lucy: Okay, Charlie Brown…I’ll hold the ball, and you come running up and kick it...And that, in a nutshell, sums up my feelings about yesterday's 49ers loss to the Seahawks by a score of 20-17. Me, Charlie Brown. 49ers, Lucy. Me, drinking 49ers Kool-Aid all week in anticipation of a 49ers win to set up a showdown with the Cardinals for first place in the Division. 49ers (and Cardinals), pulling away the football, the former by losing to a pathetic, old team; the latter by WINNING against a superior team.
Charlie Brown: I can’t believe it! I can’t believe that anyone would think I was so completely stupid!
Lucy: I won’t pull it away like I usually do, Charlie Brown…I promise!
Charlie Brown: Ha! I know your promises!
Lucy: Look…we’ll shake on it, okay? Let’s shake on it…this proves my sincerity...
Charlie Brown: What could I do? If someone is willing to shake on something, you have to trust her...[he runs...Lucy yanks away ball...] AAUGH! [he lands flat on back.]
Lucy: A woman’s handshake is not legally binding!
This loss was a team effort. The coaches couldn't get out of their own way. The 49ers had to burn a time out on the first play of the game because the defense didn't have the right package out on the field. Coach Singletary then proceded to burn the other two first half time outs before 10 minutes had elapsed in the first quarter.
The special teams coach decided that this would be the ideal game to put a gadget play in to have one punt returner hand off to the other on a reverse. Result: fumble, setting up a Seahawks TD.
The game announcers stated that it is commonly known around the league that the 49ers are susceptible to screen passes - right before Hasselbeck throws a screen pass that results in a huge gain. Hey [Defensive Coordinator Greg] Manusky! If the fricking ANNOUNCERS have figured out that your defense has a problem with screens, why haven't YOU?
The officiating was putrid as well. On a first quarter pass to Delany Walker in the end zone, DB Lawyer Milloy committed an act that, if it wasn't pass interference, it was certainly a Class 4 sexual assault. No call. Later in the game, 49ers WR Brandon Jones was flagged for offensive pass interference for having his left arm extended and barely touching the DB just before the pass arrived. Awful officiating, just dreadful.
There were some bright spots. Patrick Willis had a monster game, with 16 tackles (2 for a loss). Manny Lawson had his best game since he tore up his knee, registering 7 tackles and a sack in addition to pounding Hasselbeck numerous times.
On offense, Alex Smith has one of the best passing days of his career: 27-45 for a career high 310 yards and 2 touchdowns (both things of beauty) and no picks. He's now thrown 7 TDs and 1 INT in his last 3 games. I think it's safe to say that he has arrived.
Also having a great game offensively (if you'll forgive the 2 drops) was Vernon Davis: 6 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. He is fast becoming a premier tight end.
Players deserving of brickbats include headcase DB Dre Bly (called for a stupid pass interference penalty), RB Frank Gore (fumbled during a drive deep into Seattle territory), Michael Crabtree (dropped 4 passes and appeared to have run the wrong route at least twice), and Arnaz Battle (the villian on the punt fumble).
I think it's safe to say that you can put a fork in the Niners; they're done.
Damn it! I'm lying flat on my back again and Lucy is laughing in my face. Good grief!
