The 49ers were expected to run away with the NFC West, possibly the worse division in the NFL this year. Apparently, someone forgot to tell the Seahawks about this.
The Seahawks showed up and embarrassed the 49ers. It sure did not look like the 49ers had 11 defensive starters that were in their fourth year of playing together and that Alex Smith was in his second year of the same offensive system. In fact, it looked like Alex Smith was a rookie quarterback and that he was in a new offensive system. Not a system that he was supposed to be comfortable with.
Lately, we all have been told that Smith was finally maturing as a quarterback and felt comfortable with the playbook. Also, we were being told how he had built rapport with his wide receivers in the offseason.
Yesterday's game sure didn't look like that.
Smith was obviously not on the same page with star wideout Michael Crabtree. Twice Smith threw to Crabtree and the results were two interceptions, one for a touchdown. Whether it was Crabtree's or Smith's fault is anybody's guess and the answer depends on who you ask.
Smith threw for 225 yards with a passer rating of 52.5 but just like last year he seems to be only to put up yards when offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye gives up on the run game and puts Alex in the spread offense.
That plan is not going to work if you want to be a smash mouth team like Singletary suggests. Smith is going to have to be under center for Frank Gore to be the runner that they need.
The coaching still seems to be the issue and the question now for 49ers fans is if Mike Singletary is the right guy. It seems he has said all the right things to have the players and the fans believe but can he get the results.
Could Singletary be in over his head?
Successful NFL head coaches do not have to worry about the play 49erscall getting to the quarterback on time.
It is week 1 and even the best teams have trouble and that is why the Monday night game against the Saints is so huge. It is unlikely that the 49ers win but if they can put up a good showing then the fans will likely be back in Singletary and Smith's corner.
If they don't have a good showing it will be hard to see how they can beat what looks like a good Chiefs team on the road. After the Chiefs, then they play the Falcons on the road, the Eagles and Raiders at home. We could be talking about a 1-6 team if Singletary doesn't get this turned around.
That would likely be the end of his tenure as the 49ers head coach and the end of Alex Smith's chances as a starting quarterback.
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