Too much talent to lose like that!

I was looking forward to the mach up against our old division rival the Saints. After the past couple of meetings where the Niners were demolished 31-10 in 2007 and 34-10 in 2008, I assumed that Martz and Nolan would come out swinging. Well I was wrong. The outcome was the same and the Niners played like a team looking for a new coach and lost 31-17.

For a team that is on the rise it seems like there would have been a much better game plan. For most of the game the 49er's looked tired. Drew Brees torched the expensive secondary for 363 yards and he completed 23-35 passes with three touchdowns and one int. Compare that to JTO who went 18-36 for 257 yards with one TD and 2 interceptions. I have seen worse numbers than that, especially from a recent number one draft pick but JTO also took six sacks which led to two field goals.

San Fran only converted 30% of their third down attempts. The offense looked like a version of last years. Constantly booting field goals instead of scoring touchdowns. What happen to the shoot out we were all supposed to see?

Frank Gore had a solid game with 113 total yards including 82 on the ground. Bruce caught another touchdown and Battle had a buck twenty on seven receptions. But when your offense gives up 6 sacks and the QB turns the ball over three times it is hard to win.

The Niners have a two game home stand coming up and this is really going to define their season and maybe even decide if Nolan will be coaching them next season. New England with two weeks to prepare is the only game at the beginning of the season that I did not think we had a chance in. I still really don't. But after Miami put it to them I have a little bit of hope.

If the Niners are going to win next week they have to do it like they did in Seattle. By aggressively blitzing Cassel and moving the ball vertically down the field. Hammer Gore up the gut and use quick three step drops to keep New England off of JTO. Use the run and short passes to set up play action and burn loud mouth Rodney Harrison.

In my heart I know the Niners are a good team. But as I said in my previous post, they just lack the killer instinct and swagger. Lets see if they can show New England who the next dynasty is this week. Go NINERS