Since this is my first post back since 8/2011, I figure I'll just go with current events instead of diving head-first into baseball - we'll have enough time for that later. Here goes with my thoughts on Super Bowl XLVII:
Game analysis: What looked like a blowout at 28-6 turned into a nail-biter with some questionable decision-making in the last two minutes by a coach that looked over his head. The big story was the partial blackout - 34 minutes where both teams were inactive and had to keep busy while New Orleans unscrewed itself. Before the blackout, San Fran looked listless and unable to gather itself under center, leaving its defense to get exposed by Joe Flacco and his amazing receiving corps of Smith, Boldin, Dickson, and Pitta. Afterward, Kaepernick and Co. looked to finally get their heads out of their behinds and were in sync, mixing in good passing with a running game that would have normally gotten the job done.
The untold story: third down. Baltimore went 9-16 on third down, while the Niners were a pathetic 2-9. If you didn't look at that one stat but saw other offensive stats - SF led in total yards, first downs, nearly doubled Baltimore in rushing yards - you'd think San Francisco won by 20 points. But seven drives that got to third down got to fourth down (SF went 0-1 on fourth down also, which we'll get to later), which is a killer for a team that relies on ball control with its run game.
Speaking of the Niners' running game, why on earth are they passing inside the 10-yard line four times? You've got Colin Kaepernick, who's averaging over 6 yards per rush on the season, and Frank Gore, who already had 110 yards on a 5.8YPR average for the game. To top it off, you have two timeouts left and you're facing a defense that is MISSING IT'S NOSE TACKLE. Jim Harbaugh should have a bunch of explaining to do regarding his shoddy clock management and his absurd play calling. You've rushed for close to 200 yards on the game and you have three legitimate threats in the backfield...there's no reason to be passing the ball when you have timeouts in your pocket, down by five points.
All in all it was a great game played by two very good teams. I think Jim got outcoached by John, which makes sense considering John has been doing it longer and has been very successful in his own right. But the players on the field decided the game - Kaepernick threw a costly interception, Jones had the amazing kickoff return TD (which I think was closer to 109 than 108), and the Baltimore defense made the plays it needed when it mattered most. I don't anticipate B'more being able to get back next season - their age concerns me - but San Fran has a legitimate shot at making a repeat run.
The Forty-Niners need to keep innovating the pistol offense and developing Kaepernick as a starting QB - his throwing motion takes way too long and he only makes one read before scrambling. Right now he's all power and light on the finesse, which isn't to say he doesn't show flashes (he's had some really great throws during the playoffs and the Super Bowl itself) but it's not all there yet. At this point they need to treat him like a veteran and throw the book at him - see if he sticks, or find a new QB.
Next year the game will be at Met-Life Stadium, home of the Jets (and Giants). Can't wait for a cold-weather Super Bowl - that's the way it should always be played.
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