By Scooter_McG
The 49ers handled business against the Texans, taking the game 23-7 with dominant second half performance. As expected during the week, Trey Lance made his second career start with a predictably up and down outing.
Here's what stood out to me.
Tale of two halves. This has been the case many times this season for the 49ers. They have far too often let themselves down by giving Jekyll and Hyde performances over two halves of football. Sometimes they will start out hot only to fade away in the second half. Other times, like today, they start off out of sync but find their groove in the second stanza.
And like today, it is often more the offense that is the culprit.
The offense really struggled throughout the first half in this game. They moved the ball a few times but some critical mistakes would end drives that looked promising. There was a turnover on downs on a series where Lance kept the ball twice on plays that at first glance looked like they were developing for the RB if he had given the ball, which led to a 4th and short that was stuffed (on a very dubious play call). There was a key sack on a 3rd down where Lance had Juice wide open down the right sideline, which looked to be where he was also meant to go with the ball. And then there was an INT on a throw to a well covered Kittle. The intercept would lead to the Texans only points of the game.
They managed a late FG on a drive at the end of the half, but overall it was an underwhelming first half by the offense.
It looked like it might be more of the same at the start of the second half, with another turnover on downs in Texans territory. But then an INT by Harris (and a very favourable forward progress call) gave the 49ers the ball in the Texans half, which was followed by a dubious PI call in the 49ers favour to give them the ball near the Texans goal line. Those two calls turned the game around for the 49ers. It led to a TD to give the 49ers a slender lead, and some good defensive stops led to a quick strike TD on a deep crossing play action pass to Deebo a couple of drives later for a 17-7 lead. The 49ers then controlled the game nicely the rest of the way.
Defense leads the way. While the pregame hype was all around Trey Lance, it was the 49ers defense that stood up in this one. They held the Texans to 222 total yards and a 3.6 yards per play average, while only giving up one scoring drive (though there was also a missed FG). The defense also got the critical INT mentioned above that led to the 49ers first TD that gave them the lead in the second half.
Davis Mills was under pressure for much of the game, in particular in the second half, which made life difficult for the rookie. The running game was also held relatively well in check, giving up just 86 rushing yards on 27 rushing attempts (3.2 yards per carry).
The only real blemishes for the defense were the lone TD drive they gave up, where they allowed some key conversions and impressive plays by Mills, as well as the drive that led to the missed FG which was keyed by back-to-back defensive PI calls down the left sideline. Of note, Josh Norman was hooked after that first PI call, replaced by Dontae Johnson (who promptly gave up a PI of his own).
Trey Lance improved as the game went on. As alluded to above, Trey Lance had a pretty rough first half. To my eyes it looked like he incorrectly kept the ball on back-to-back runs which set up a 4th and short that would result in a turnover on downs. He missed a wide open Juice on a 3rd down sack. And he had that bad INT to Kittle. Unsurprisingly, in addition to those errors he generally just looked shaky throughout the first half, and was very quick to look to leave the pocket.
On the intercept, some will say Lance missed a wide open Deebo on that play, but the backside was never where he was meant to be looking. Lance's error on that play was locking onto Kittle and trying to thread the needle into a window that wasn't there.
However, Lance did lead a nice FG drive to end the first half where he made a couple of nice completions. He carried that into the second half, though the first drive would end on a missed fourth down that was well covered by the Texans. Lance would make a number of key throws in the second half, including a beautiful dart to Aiyuk over the middle for a 40+ yard catch and run, the play action pass to Deebo for a TD (which came after an important 3rd down conversion to Jennings on the sideline), and a pass over the middle to Kittle for 29 yards (which was a great play by Kittle).
He would finish the day 16 of 23, for 249 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT and 1 sack. Lance also rushed 8 times for 31 yards (and had a TD run called back for a holding penalty).
Overall, we got to see the natural talent Lance has, but also how raw he is and how much he struggles seeing the field and getting the ball out on time. Much like in his previous playing time, we also saw that it can take some time for Lance to get comfortable in a game.
Eli Mitchell keeps on keeping on. He's been banged up pretty much all season, but he's been excellent pretty much any time he's been available since the first couple of weeks of the season. Today was no different.
Unlike in Lance's first start, the 49ers rode Mitchell this game despite his injuries. He responded with 119 yards on 21 carries, as well as a receiving TD. Mitchell continues to show he can be relied on to pick up yards throughout a game, even when defenses are keying on the run. What also impresses me is that despite how hard he runs, and how much he fights for yards, he is also very sure handed. He is yet to fumble the ball this season.
Playoff picture
The win takes the 49ers to 9-7 on the season and they retain their position in the playoff race. However, other results did not go their way so they still remain in doubt for a playoff spot.
The 49ers need to either win against the Rams next week, or rely on the Falcons beating the Saints. Making things more difficult, the Rams are still fighting off a challenge from the Cardinals for the NFC West crown, while the Falcons no longer have anything to play for. The 49ers can't expect any favours from either side.
We'll now have a week long circus around the QB position for a second straight week as we head into a must win season finale.
It's hard to believe that a team as talented as the 49ers, with a young QB with as much potential as Trey, and a defense with a front seven like the Niners front seven, may be on the outside looking in when the postseason begins!
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that this will be Trey's team next year.
ReplyDeleteThe bad news is that the 49ers may get off to another slow start because, despite beating a very bad Texans team today, it's clear that Trey Lance NEEDS TO PLAY, before he starts to scratch his potential!
And we get at least one more week's worth of "Thumb-Gate"
ReplyDeleteOh, joy!
"We'll now have a week long circus around the QB position for a second straight week as we head into a must win season finale."
ReplyDeleteAnd that concerns me more than anything else! The last thing Lance and the 9ers need, is a distraction that keeps them from focusing on beating the Rams.
While the first half was NOT a good look for Lance we
did get a glimpses of his talent and once he settled down in the second half, it was obvious he only needs more reps to realize his potential. And that question leaves me to wonder where Lance's development would be, had he received more playing time during the regular season!
If the 9ers beat the Rams next week, no one will care, but should they lose and miss the playoffs, a lot of fans will be asking that question and blaming KS!
You are probably right that that is what the talking point would be, but after seeing Lance earlier in the year, and again today, I am not so sure the 49ers would be a potential playoff team had Lance started all year.
DeleteI would say no, they wouldn't be in the playoffs w Lance and I don't see any reason why Jimmy wouldn't start next week. I think it is fitting, due to the mistakes made, that they have to play their way in.
DeleteI cannot imagine why anyone knowledgeable about NFL football would think that a 20-year old rookie who has thrown just 300 passes at FCS level for one year can step into the league and take a team to the playoffs ...
DeleteNiners would likely be 7-9 or worse instead of 9-7 had Lance started in Week 1.
@Mood. Yes, for sure. Next week I'd like to see him be more comfortable and settle into the game more quickly.
DeleteScooter
DeleteI've never said Lance should have started! In fact, I agree with you. What I've said, is Lance should have been given plays in regular season games, that he had run with the first string offense and both he and the plays had been effective in practice.
All the coach speak and player PR speak, telling us how Lance had improved since the Arizona game is just that, coach speak and player PR speak! Nothing can replace game reps and we seen that in the game. In the
first half he played like a rookie, in the second half he settled down and we seen how he improved, how the offense looked in synch and scored points.
Haha, Kyle already made the playoffs with a raw, rookie QB, only with a less talented team around him. The idea that the 49ers couldn't have started the season 2-5 with Treey Lance is laughable. Trey Lance's skill set "unlocks" Kyle offense. Kyle only needed to have the guts to make it work.
DeleteThe problem with riding Garopoppolo, is two fold.
1) Jimmy has already hit his ceiling as a QB, and that ceiling isn't good enough.to win a Super Bowl
2) He simply can't stay healthy, which has unfortunately put yet another 49ers season in jeopardy!
Kyle understood this after last season. That's why he flirted with signing or trading for so many other QB's this offseason, and eventually drafted Lance. Unfortunately Kyle makes decisions like a scared little girl, just like he coaches scared, which is why he didn't have the guts to do what he did with RG3 in 2012.
Now, the 49ers might end up missing the playoffs, while ALSO entering 2022 with an inexperienced QB who still needs developing. If that happens, Kyle is a complete failure of a head coach, IMO, and he needs to be stripped of personnel decision making!
You guys do realize that the 49ers are on the verge of missing the playoffs, right?
DeleteOnce Kyle took the training wheels off Lance in the 2nd half, the 49ers offense took off, didn't it?
I mean, when was the last time the 49ers were actually the beneficiary of a PI call on a deep pass, like we saw today?
When was the last time a 49ers QB completed a play-action pass deep downfield, like Trey did today? It's pitch and run with Jimmy. Every long pass play depends on RAC when Jimmy is behind center, therefore teams can stack the box.
The Texans couldn't stick with an 8 man box today, but apparently this went under your radar. SMH!
The 49ers offense has the potentially to actually be scary, with Trey Lance, while it's like running against a brick wall while Jimmy is behind center. With Jimmy behind center, the 49ers downfield passing attack is like pulling teeth, which is why it usually only takes ONE offensive penalty to derail an entire offensive possession!
I find it amazing that there are still so many Jimmy apologists on THIS blog, despite Jimmy's struggles this season, and the fact that he has put the 49ers season in jeopardy yet again, with yet another injury.
Mind-blowing!
Thankfully, those of you who continue to support Kyle's decision to roll with Jimmy this season, are becoming a smaller and smaller minority, and you will be an even smaller minority if they end up missing the postseason altogether, which could very well happen, despite trey's impressive performance for it being only his 2nd career start.
Here's is a NBC Sports Bay Area headline: "TREY LANCE comes on strong in 49ers crucial win vs Texans"
DeleteBut on this blog the headline seems to be: "Thank god the 49ers decided to hold onto Jimmy this year, even though the 49ers were ONE game over .500 and in jeopardy of missing the postseason, with Jimmy G at QB!"
SMH!
Mood
Delete"I cannot imagine why anyone knowledgeable about NFL football would think that a 20-year old rookie who has thrown just 300 passes at FCS level for one year can step into the league and take a team to the playoffs."
Just out of curiosity, do you know anyone that has said that? And if you do, could you please remind me who said it? Thank you
I see 49reasons is back to the straw man arguments. Cool cool cool cool.
DeletePer Next Gen Stats, the 49ers posted their highest air yards per attempt and yards gained on throws beyond 10 yards in the last three years.
Delete'It’s promising that in only his second start Lance is confident enough to let throws fly 10-plus yards beyond the line of scrimmage. There’s plenty of growth to come, but the 49ers passing offense is noticeably different with him under center.'
Delete"It wasn’t perfect Sunday, but it was clear how high the ceiling for this passing attack can be once Lance takes the reins."
DeleteSo you guys obviously have no confidence in Trey to make noise if they make the postseason?
DeleteGood to know. Thanks for reinforcing my original point.
FYI, the 49ers postseason ceiling just got a lot higher without Garoppolo behind center.
DeleteWill Trey Lance be able to take the 49ers deep into the playoffs? Probably not, but that has more to do with their bad seeding than anything related to Trey.
In fact, the 49ers just might not get eliminated in the wildcard round, like they almost certainly would have behind Jimmy.
Why? The 49ers opponents can no longer afford to stack the box like they have been VS Jimmy.
DeleteThat in itself is a gamechanger!
I think they would have been in the playoff hunt with Trey as well. Though it has less to do with Trey and more to do with who the team could have picked up with Jimmy's salary off the books. I think the secondary would have been much better and that would have added a few wins. This is especially relevant when you look at the early games SF won. Lions, Eagles, Bears, Jags... I think those are wins regardless of the qb. The questions would be more related to the Rams and Cincinnati. That said SF likely beats Tenn and the Colts with Trey Imo, so those games swap out.
DeleteLiterally 80% of this discussion is 49lesions talking to himself.
Delete49Reasons is just a passionate fan that gets himself too worked up. I'd rather have him vent on here. If he keeps it all inside he's liable to explode and throw his Kyle Shanahan action figure through the OLED TV. Lmao!
DeleteIs this a newer, more passionate version of Seb (about as "reasonable" as the latter, tho')?
DeleteFOR THOSE WHO CARE TO READ IT, HERE IS THE ARTICLE 49REASONS IS REFERRING TO...
DeleteTrey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo 49ers passing charts say everything
https://sports.yahoo.com/trey-lance-jimmy-garoppolo-49ers-013258264.html
Jimmy's injury may have both saved the 49ers season, but also saved Kyle from himself! No joke!
DeleteTrey Lance is a gamechanger heading into the postseason, because I'd love for a playoff opponents defense to stack the box against the 49ers, with Trey behind center!
Kyle just needs to take the training wheels off of the kid, and let Trey run the same offense as Jimmy, only with more play-action and designed roll outs. If Kyle would just do this, the 49ers run game now has a chance to be as dominant as we saw in 2019! No joke.
Not only does Trey unlock the passing game, he also unlocks the running game!
Does this mean the 49ers roll through the playoffs with the rookie QB? Well, the only thing that can hold Trey back is the rookie mistakes, but Jimmy still makes rookie mistakes EIGHT years into his career, so what's the downside?
Let's get trey Lance some playoff experience that he can BUILD ON during the offseason.
Garoppolo's injury saved Kyle from himself! Whew! Hallelujah!
Trey has a chance to springboard the birth of his career! Talk about exciting! He has a chance to lay a foundation now, heading into the offseason.
DeleteThat's a much better place to be for a 2nd year QB, it really couldn't have worked out any better for Trey.
And the 49ers defense is healthy, and not coincidentally, they are peaking at just the right time. Let me remind you guys of the old adage "defenses win championships!" The 49ERS front seven is entering ELITE territory, IMO!
I woke up this morning and it hit me .... I realized this is actually the best case scenario, as far as the QB situation, IMO, and the season suddenly finally got interesting for me, and I am grinning from ear to ear!
I no longer feel like I am wasting my time watching Jimmy, and waiting for Jimmy to have a bad game, scattershot, with a couple back-breaking picks, plus a fumble after standing stone-footed in the pocket and taking an UNNECESARY sack!!
Kyle simply needs to embrace the situation, open up the playbook for Trey, like he did in the second half vs the Texans, and THROWOUT the first half play-sheet, that looked a lot like the Arizona game nonsense! Kyle tried to keep the training wheels on Trey in the first half, and then he looked up and realized his team was LOSING at halftime! Suddenly Kyle had no choice but to open iup the offense, and Trey delivered beautifully in the 2nd half.
I'm telling you guys right now, Trey has an unflappable quality that will only get stronger and stronger as he gains confidence.
I remember the way Jim Harbaugh would always say things that inspired Kaepernick, in a very calculated way because Jim Harbaugh was once a QB, and he understood how important confidence was for him, and why you always have to try to build up rookie QB's from a confidence standpoint! I wish Kyle would do this!
But he won't! Kyle never really embraced Trey in terms of giving him a legitimate chance to win the job in the summer, but I found it awfully convenient that just as Trey Lance was outplaying Jimmy in camp, and the Trey Lance hype train was at it's highpoint about 2.3 weeks into camp, when the local beat reporters were absolutely RAVING about Trey Lance, and how he looked far superior than any other 49ers rookie QB going back 15 years, by A LOT ... and then suddenly Trey disappeared, and with the word later being that Trey Lance suddenly "lost his confidence"? WTF!! Seriously?
Kyle needs to stop being so RIGID. He's so emotional he's become a very rigid coach, and like Colin Cowherd says, "the 49ers have a tendency to coach scared," like we saw VS the COLTS, and again in the first half VS the Texans. If Kyle would act a little more like Jim Harbaugh, who always made sure he pumped Kap up in the media, and made Kap believe in himself?
DeleteThat's on Kyle guys. Kyle was coaching scared again this Sunday, but luckily at half time he realized that he need to open things up for Trey, and PRESTO, he opened up the playbook and Trey took off!
I can read Kyle like a back of a book. He's always most interested in how HE ends up looking in the eyes of others (IMO), more than anything, and it effects his decision making.
You could just see the way things clicked for Trey in the 2nd half, and Trey's floor probably still works out better for Kyle in terms of the play-calling, because now he has good answers for when teams, like the Packers - cough cough, stack the box and sell out against the run!
But Kyle just won't get behind his rookie, no matter what! Kyle's still holding out hope for an INJURED JIMMY GAROPPOLO with a TORN LIGAMENT, to play ahead of a healthy Trey Lance, LOL. What is that all about?
Trade value maybe? Oh yah, that's it. No matter what, Jimmy's "trade value" gets calculated into the PR spin, and critical decision making.
And apparently Kyle still doesn't realize that "thumb gate" is a distraction, as he's playing the same stupid card again this week, as if Jimmy Garoppolo really has a chance to play.
HE DOESN'T! JIMMY WILL NOT PLAY vs THE RAMS!
It's such an unnecessary distraction, which means it's just STUPID at this point! Come on Kyle!
I don't think Kyle made the right decision by keeping an injury prone, inconsistent QB who opposing teams don't fear at all in terms of attacking downfield through the air, so it allows defenses to stack the box without consequence. You just can't win a Super bowl like that! People keep bringing up how close Jimmy was, but that was a case where the 49ers had the best TEAM in the NFC in 2019, but a healthy margin. The 49ers actually made it to the super Bowl in spite of Jimmy's inability to threaten opposing defenses.
Delete2019 was all about the running game and the defense, and 2021 is now shaping up to be very similar, only the 49ers now have a QB in Lance who can stretch the field, with the duel threat, and this should GREATLY ENHANCE the 49ers run game!
It's EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE that the 49ers are a 6th or 7th seed, IF they even make the playoffs, thanks to poor and inconstant quarterbacking!
Jimmy Garoppolo is NEVER going to win a Super Bowl, and I can say that with absolute confidence! It's a quarterback driven league in 2021/22. All the rules are in the favor opf the passing game.
But Jimmy is definitely a cut below, because of his inability to stretch the filed, and in today's NFL, that's probably the most important thing!
Dude, Seb...err 49lesions, your rambling is a waste of e-space.
DeleteGlad to see you give Mitchell some love Scooter. Shanny sure showed his affection for the guy at his presser.
ReplyDeleteI thought Lance and the offense looked out of sync in the first half, which is to be expected. In the second half I think Lance and the offense started to find a groove.
I see Mitchell as the MVP of the team.
DeleteI can't go past Deebo as team MVP, but Mitchell has been excellent.
DeleteI can see Deebo along with Bosa.
DeleteRazor
DeleteI believe KS is well aware of the fact that the 9ers wouldn't be in contention for a playoff spot without Mitchell. So I'd have to agree, he "sure showed his affection for the guy" that's as responsible for getting the 9ers there as any player on the team.
We won that's the most important thing.
ReplyDeleteLets say the first half except for the final drive wasnt good.
2nd half a lot of positives for our futures.
Live reps are more beneficial (for Trey) than sitting on the bench.
Kyle made the veteran or experience nuances that Jimmy G does better than Trey bigger than they are and that's a fact.
For those interested in a breakdown of Lance.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVcmwuqRhWA
Thanks for that Shoup!
DeleteI thought this game, albeit frustrating for a spell, left me very encouraged for the future of this team. You could literally see Lance improving as the game progressed, and Ambry Thomas has been trending up for the past 2 weeks. I'd like to see Mosely and Thomas as the starters against the Rams.
ReplyDeleteLancelot did okay, nothing to jump up and down about, but certainly better than his first start. I agree that Thomas has been getting better. I think KS called a better game for Lance or maybe it's more that Lance was better prepared for the complexities of KS offense.
DeleteYes, Thomas actually has been playing pretty well in the last two games. Even in the Titans' game, he gave up only one long completion (to Brown).
DeleteIn the Titans' game, I wonder if one should be questioning the scheme -- playing zone instead of man when Titans went into max protect and Niners had 7 players in the backfield defending against 3 Titans' receivers! Even if they used zone, maybe they should have used more pattern match concepts rather than (what seemed to me) to be spot drop where the two LBs quickly settled in their spots and stared at the QB. Then when the receiver settled into a spot between the two and caught the ball, the LBs were staring at each other. Sigh!
I think when the Shaair and/or Greenlaw returns, Ryans may go back to a more wide version of cover 2 split safety look. However, for next Sunday, they probably have to go with their Kuppernator special (Ward as the in the slot on Cooper Kupp), and Tartt helping out whoever is on OBJ. If one or neither of the two LBs return, they are effectively nickel with Harris or DFF.
"Lancelot did okay, nothing to jump up and down about,..."
DeleteSorry to disagree respectfully. I went back and re-watched all the offensive snaps after dinner last night, and I was very pleased with Lance's progress. Lots of inefficient play from early jitters in first half. Also, too much unnecessary running around in second half but big strides since his last start.
I'm very pleased with his progress. But I'd still want Jimmy to start if possible next week and if the Niners make it to the play-offs.
Agreed Mood.
DeleteI was using the emergence of kaep as a measuring stick.
Delete"Quarterback Trey Lance earned an overall grade of 59.3, lower than the overall grade of his last start in week 5 (66.3). Lance earned his first career win, completing 16 of 23 pass attempts for 249 yards, two touchdowns, an interception, and a passer rating of 116.0."
ReplyDeleteHis grade is lower then his first start? My eyes told me he was a much better QB in his second start then his first. This is why I pay little to no credence on PFF's grade.
PFF is not for fans who want to understand the game, IMO.
DeleteIt was a tale of two halves. His PFF rating for the first half was likely abysmal, and unlike in his first start, he didn't really have any "plus" runs to boost his rating.
DeleteI was about to post the Berra-esque "it's looks like we are in for a long year next season" right around halftime. I'm glad I cooled off that very hot take. Lance found his footing, albeit against a dregs team. I'm expecting he'll play next weekend, that'll be a more accurate Lance GPS game. Unfortunately it's also a must win.
ReplyDeletePasser Ratings for 2nd NFL career start among 2021 Rookie QB's:
DeleteLawrence 37.2
Wilson 37.0
Fields 82.7
Jones 89.0
Mills 23.4
Lance 116.0
That high of a passer rating sure didn't make itself apparent during the game.
Delete"Trey Lance makes 49ers’ offense more dangerous than Jimmy Garoppolo" - Rohan Chakravarthi, 49ERS Webzone
ReplyDeleteMitchel has 878 yards in 10 games that's good enough NFL's 10th best so far this year. In fact, with his 186 carries he has not lost a fumble. I will take it even further, he hasn't fumbled yet this year. Hopefully he gets 122 yards next game to punch him over 1000 yards. For a sixth-round pick who was not even the starter at the beginning of the season its quite remarkable. As far as rookie backs only Harris has more yard's but he has played in 15 games. He also has not fumbled this year.
ReplyDeletePound the rock with Mitchel next week and Niners win.
Amen!
DeleteNo team in the NFL has more passing plays over 20 yards than the Niners since Week 10.
ReplyDeleteI haven't looked it up, but I will bet that many of the pass plays over 20 yards for the Niners happened because of YAC, not because the pass was actually in the air more than 20 yards. Or does the statistic you quote take that into account?
DeleteCubus, your assumption is correct.
DeleteCubus - it's also true for all the other teams. I believe just recently the Niners were leading the league in yards per attempt, and I believe they are second in yards per completion. That's off the top of my head so...
DeleteI don't care about air yards. It's all about explosive plays.
DeleteThe Shark goes on the Covid list.
ReplyDeleteThat's my greatest fear. Missing the playoffs due to a covid outbreak in the team.
DeleteWard can come down and man up the slot. I've seen him erase Kupp too, but yea it's a real fear.
DeleteWard on covid list too.
DeleteJust seen that Under. If he can't go we're fucked!
DeleteMitchell can carry this team on his back. Long sustained scoring drives is all that is required.
DeleteFingers crossed this the extent of it, and those guys can clear protocols in time to play.
DeleteDieter Kurtenbach: "We’ve already learned one thing about young Trey Lance - he’s no Jimmy Garoppolo"
ReplyDeleteKurtenbach: "one thing we can say with certainty at this early juncture is that the 49ers’ starting quarterback throughout the entire season, Jimmy Garoppolo, and his backup who will likely carry the Niners the rest of the way, Lance, could not be more different."
ReplyDelete"In fact, it’s downright jarring how disparate these two quarterbacks are!"
"The tape tells one story, and it’s nearly comical. These two might be playing the same sport, but they’re not playing the same game."
"Trey Lance isn’t polished, but he changes the ceiling for the 49ers offense" - Jacob Hutchinson
ReplyDelete“Should Trey Lance Have Started from Week 1?”
ReplyDelete“Trey Lance looked better and improved as the game went on, so why couldn’t he have done that from Week 1?” – Ben Meyerson / Sports Illustrated
Good question, Ben. It's hard to imagine the 49ers starting the season any worse than 2-4, with Lance at the helm. And what a difference it would have made going into this critical week 18 matchup, with Trey Lance making his 17th NFL start!
LANCE'S SEVENTEENTH START!
One thing is for sure - the time spent sitting and learning couldn't possibly have helped him, right?
DeleteI hope you guys have had a chance to compare Lance's & Garoppolo's Passing Charts, and have had an opportunity to really ponder the implications for the 49ers offense moving forward, and how Trey completely changes the 49ers offensive potential? This isn't even taking into account Trey's off-schedule ability to use his legs to extend plays, and pick up critical yards on the ground.
ReplyDeleteIt's basically the same kind of difference you'd see between a Junior Varsity and Varsity HS Quarterback!
Jimmy has been holding Kyle's offense back for nearly 5 full years! And now that Jimmy is done, and Lance has taken over, I feel completely LIBERATED as a fan, no matter how far they get now this season!
A few observations regarding Trey.
ReplyDeleteThe good,
1. He appears to be growing in confidence. One thing he didn't like trying in college were layered throws or window throws between the numbers. He tried and made a few of those throws against Houston.
2. You have to love how he keeps his eyes down the field when scrambling. This should open up some more big play opportunity.
The bad.
1. His accuracy is still suspect. He has a lot of off target throws.
2. He isn't a great runner. He has the tools of a great runner... size, speed, agility, but he lacks the instincts of a good runner. There were several plays where he could have easily picked up more yards but he was indecisive and I think it cost the team at least 2 first downs. This isn't a big deal, and might help him in the long run as I think the team and he will focus more on his development as a passer. And yes, before someone tries to compare his running ability vs Jimmy's I know he is a much better runner than Jimmy.
WRT his running, I think that will improve as his confidence as a passer improves. He showed nice running instincts in college. Atm I suspect he is a bit indecisive in everything he does while learning the system.
DeleteIt's possible. I just think its more about his instincts. There were a few plays where I think he had the corner but looked like he slowed down, trying to decide if he should cut back or run over the defender over. I also think there was easy first down, but he chose to run out of bounds. The last one I think is correctable, the other one makes me wonder about his instincts.
Delete