Alex Smith replaces Hill, throws for 3 TDs!

[smoochpooch]

Still losing to Houston, but what a turnaround! I'm really speechless. If they could pull this out.........

[JonLP24]

1. Yeah. He's mounting a comeback

They were down 21-0. Shaun Hill does have a winning record as a starter but he has been rather ineffective and I thought he played much better this year than last year.

:applause: Good job Alex Smith.

[JonLP24]

2. My ticker says 24-21

I see you edited that. That's why you never write off quarterbacks early in their career.

[smoochpooch]

3. The thing I'm impressed with is that Houston is actually a good team.

It's not like he's doing it against the Rams.

[JonLP24]

4. Houston defense isn't great but good

The offense is spectacular though. When I was making my picks I was question whether the 49ers would play 49ers defense or play the way they did against the Falcons. I wasn't worried too much about the offense but was concerned how Shaun Hill or Crabtree would play. I think that answers my questions about Shaun Hill but since I don't get that game I have no idea what Crabtree's impact was.

Edit/I'm not trying to diminish what Alex Smith did. Anytime you throw 3 touchdowns in the National Football League is always impressive.

[smoochpooch]

5. Crabtree has 56 yards. Also had a 20-something yard rec. called back.

Not bad for a first game!

[JonLP24]

6. Unfortunate break for the Vikings

Down by 3 inside the 20 with a minute left and Favre throws it to Chester Taylor and Chester Taylor lets the ball bounce off his hands and Keyaron Fox the linebacker for the Steelers grabs it and returns it for a touchdown. Bad, bad break. They were in easy field goal range to tie.

[Auggie]

7. 49ers made other personnel changes at half besides Smith

And they changed their offensive game plan, putting emphasis on a spread passing formation instead of power running. It's not a perfect scenario in which to compare to Smith and Hill. And even while Smith brought them back, he threw a horrible pass that was intercepted to end the game.

Besides the upcoming Smith/Hill decision, Singletary and OC Jimmy Raye must address just what kind of offensive game plan works best with the talent they have. It ain't power running, that's for sure. Remember that Gore's best rushing came behind guard Larry Allen in 2006. Since then the 49ers luck with up-the-middle running has been sporadic at best. With Crabtree on the roster and Vernon Davis emerging as a go-to TE the 49ers should look at an offense that establishes the passing game first. It's worked before to the tune of five Super Bowls and can work again, IMO.

[smoochpooch]

9. It almost looked like Raye had an "Alex Smith" offense ready,

like the Urban Meyer spread he ran at Utah. I don't think Hill would be as successful with that kind of package.

If defenses have to actually defend the pass, it will open things up for Gore, who has really only been successful in that game where he broke off 2 huge runs.

But Smith's int. at the end was tough b/c it was 4th down and he had to throw it.

[Auggie]

12. It did, didn't it?

I wonder if they had been practicing that specifically the last two weeks.

Gore: :thumbsup:

[thatsrightimirish]

8. Thank God!

I always thought Alex Smith had a lot of talent but he never really had much of a chance. I couldn't even watch Hill anymore. Hopefully the Niners can focus on their passing game and not their awful running game.

[thatsrightimirish]

10. I think Crabtree has already caught up to....

Darius Hayward Bay

[JonLP24]

11. LOL

Given that Crabtree was looking for the contract Hayward-Bey got. I'm no scout but Darrius would be like the 5th receiver I'd draft. He was a combine star which is why Oakland took him that early.

[Auggie]

13. Al Davis loves stats like that