TONIGHT'S GAME A MICROCOSM OF FRISCO'S SEASON & TAVARIS ON I.R.
As I watched the Thursday night game unfold, I knew I was watching a microcosm of Frisco's season. They had a chance to put some pressure on the division leading Rams, but it wasn't to be because once again, they allowed the game to get away from them. Now it should be pointed out, their last 3 wins came against divisional opponents & we all know how terrible this division has been all season. But, nevertheless, there were those who expected Mike Singletary's team to play a very competitive game tonight, I was in that group.
After the Chargers went up 7-0, the Niners drove downfield into the redzone. They were held on downs & kicked a field goal. But San Diego's Antonio Garay was penalized for leverage, he jumped on the backs of two Niner lineman & Frisco was awarded a first down. QB Alex Smith was stopped about a foot from the goal line on 3rd down & Singletary decided to go for it. Anthony Dixon was dropped for a 2-yard loss, Charger ball. After a failed third down play, 49er DE Justin Smith got into a shoving match a two Charger linemen, the umpire got between them & Smith shoved him. Fifteen-yard penalty & a 1st down plus Smith was ejected from the game. Two plays later, a Phillip Rivers' pass was batted & it fluttered to LB Ahmad Brooks. Catch it & it's six-points, but of course he dropped it. Next play goes for 47-yards plus a bogus roughness penalty was tacked on for a hit on the sideline that was ruled a late hit out of bounds, terrible call. The Chargers went on to kick a field goal for a 10-0 lead. Vincent Jackson snagged his second of three touchdown catches just before half to lead 17-0.
Ted Ginn Jr. took the second half kickoff back for a touchdown, maybe the Niners were going to get back in the game. Wrong, they were penalized for a face mask on the return, now they have the ball at their own 14. Three & out, then Jackson caught another touchdown & it was all over. Then we were subjected to the Anthony Davis ole' blocking demonstration. He gave up 3 sacks himself & helped out on two others, allowing Luis Castillo to push Smith up into the pocket where Garay had overwhelmed Niner center David Bass. It was really ugly, Smith had no chance at all. The Niners have a great linebacking corps, but Takeo Spikes & Patrick Willis both have broken right hands & play with what are essentially a large club, tough to wrap people up with a large round club. They led their team with 12 & 9 stops respectively. Justin Smith was kicked out of the game & fellow DE Manny Lawson was injured in the third quarter. I can't see a way Singletary survives this season, just too many expectations & few positive results.
Viking quarterback Tavaris Jackson was placed on injured reserve Thursday afternoon with a turf toe injury. Brett Favre won't be able to go, so Minnesota signed veteran Patrick Ramsey & it looks like he will start Monday night on the frozen tundra of TCF Bank Stadium. They have rookie Joe Webb, but with only 11 pro snaps on his resume, he really isn't an option. For the Vikings first outdoor home game in 29-years, the weather should be absolutely balmy by the 8:30 ET kickoff, 16 degrees with a 60% chance of snow.
I told you last night my season total in the Office Pool Picks is 130-78. That puts me ahead of ESPN's Eric Allen, Adam Schefter, Chris Mortenson, Mike Ditka, Chris Carter & Ron Jaworski. I'm tied with Merrill Hoge & Keyshawn Johnson. One down, 15 to go after winning with the Chargers tonight.
After the Chargers went up 7-0, the Niners drove downfield into the redzone. They were held on downs & kicked a field goal. But San Diego's Antonio Garay was penalized for leverage, he jumped on the backs of two Niner lineman & Frisco was awarded a first down. QB Alex Smith was stopped about a foot from the goal line on 3rd down & Singletary decided to go for it. Anthony Dixon was dropped for a 2-yard loss, Charger ball. After a failed third down play, 49er DE Justin Smith got into a shoving match a two Charger linemen, the umpire got between them & Smith shoved him. Fifteen-yard penalty & a 1st down plus Smith was ejected from the game. Two plays later, a Phillip Rivers' pass was batted & it fluttered to LB Ahmad Brooks. Catch it & it's six-points, but of course he dropped it. Next play goes for 47-yards plus a bogus roughness penalty was tacked on for a hit on the sideline that was ruled a late hit out of bounds, terrible call. The Chargers went on to kick a field goal for a 10-0 lead. Vincent Jackson snagged his second of three touchdown catches just before half to lead 17-0.
Ted Ginn Jr. took the second half kickoff back for a touchdown, maybe the Niners were going to get back in the game. Wrong, they were penalized for a face mask on the return, now they have the ball at their own 14. Three & out, then Jackson caught another touchdown & it was all over. Then we were subjected to the Anthony Davis ole' blocking demonstration. He gave up 3 sacks himself & helped out on two others, allowing Luis Castillo to push Smith up into the pocket where Garay had overwhelmed Niner center David Bass. It was really ugly, Smith had no chance at all. The Niners have a great linebacking corps, but Takeo Spikes & Patrick Willis both have broken right hands & play with what are essentially a large club, tough to wrap people up with a large round club. They led their team with 12 & 9 stops respectively. Justin Smith was kicked out of the game & fellow DE Manny Lawson was injured in the third quarter. I can't see a way Singletary survives this season, just too many expectations & few positive results.
Viking quarterback Tavaris Jackson was placed on injured reserve Thursday afternoon with a turf toe injury. Brett Favre won't be able to go, so Minnesota signed veteran Patrick Ramsey & it looks like he will start Monday night on the frozen tundra of TCF Bank Stadium. They have rookie Joe Webb, but with only 11 pro snaps on his resume, he really isn't an option. For the Vikings first outdoor home game in 29-years, the weather should be absolutely balmy by the 8:30 ET kickoff, 16 degrees with a 60% chance of snow.
I told you last night my season total in the Office Pool Picks is 130-78. That puts me ahead of ESPN's Eric Allen, Adam Schefter, Chris Mortenson, Mike Ditka, Chris Carter & Ron Jaworski. I'm tied with Merrill Hoge & Keyshawn Johnson. One down, 15 to go after winning with the Chargers tonight.
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