The Bears have long supported quarterback Rex Grossman and that was never more evident than by the way the Bears played on Saturday night. The Bears looked motivated and were performing at a regular-season pace through the first half. Grossman led the Chicago offense with 211 yards and 2 touchdown passes. The 49ers did score 15 cosmetic points in the fourth quarter, (Who cares! Do it when it counts, boys), but never really threatened and fell 31 - 28 in Chicago.
Alex Smith went just 4-8 for 48 yards, fumbled a snap, and looked like a rookie as the 49ers never put up any fight against a quality attack by the Bears on both offense and defense. Aside from one lone bright spot when Pro-Bowl corner Walt Harris picked off a Grossman pass and took it back 52 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter, the 49ers starters simply did not show up. Running backs Michael Robinson and Maurice Hicks, who are sharing the rushing load while Frank Gore recovers from a broken hand, were non-factors. Robinson ran for 25 yards, while Hicks had 19. San Francisco (1-2) could not contain Bernard Berrian, who caught three passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.Against a quality opponent, the Niners looked average. They looked like an 8-8 team. Not horrible, but not good enough. I stick to my guns on my prediction at the start of camp. They will be anywhere from 6-10 to 8-8. This is not a playoff team. Sorry folks, not just yet. I realize that key players like Frank Gore on offense and Bryant Young and Aubrayo Franklin on defense did not dress, which only sheds light on the lack of depth. The same "depth" that Nolan was complimenting after the first two preseason games. I truly believe that they are a good draft and free-agent signing period away from being at the talent level required to make a push to the playoffs. They'll get it done this year against the other have-nots on their schedule, sure, but when the Baltimores, Pittsburghs, and New Orleans' games appear on the schedule this year, is this the effort we can look forward to? When 4 out of 5 are on the road in late November and early December, will this group step it up?
I'd like to say I'm confident they can and will. I really would.
1 comment:
As much as I was hoping for more this season, I think you are right on in your assesment. This was the preseason game I was looking at to see how they stacked up against a good team.
31 - 13 at the half tells the story.
This team is definately not ready for primetime.
Charley
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