Turner Bolts And So Does The Niners Offense
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by JasonComack
Who knew losing Norv Turner would really hurt this 49ers team so badly. Fans have been calling for Offensive Coordinator Jim Hostler’s head for weeks, but now the players are joining in. Frank Gore, who’s about as hard working of a player you’ll find in this league, called out Hostlers play calling this week.
Watching the games you can’t blame Frank for his skepticism. The offense is bland and lot of that has do the with the play calling. Gone is the power running game that a year ago lead this team to a surprising 7-9 record and a breakout season from Gore. Hostler, even with backup Trent Dilfer at the helm, only ran Gore 14 times. Don't worry Hoss, with the team playing so poorly theres plenty of blame to go around.
Gore fumbled away a hand off, squandering a rare Niners lead. Dilfer, at the helm for the third straight week, made many terrible decisions. He threw an interception into coverage so tight it was painfully obvious to even the casual observer the pass had no chance of being completed. While Dilfer still might be a great mentor he has proven he is unworthy of a backup quarterback job. Don’t believe me? Look at what ancient Vinny T was able to do off the street for the Panthers. Of course, if it wasn’t for the suddenly porous offensive line Alex Smith still might be playing. Don’t think that the defense is getting away clean in this one. It was a total debacle. The Giants were moving the ball at will, and if weren’t for a gimme Eli Manning interception, the first half could have been much worse than it was. Making matters worse is how much money the team plunked into key free agents this off-season. The likes of, Tully Banta-Cain, Michael Lewis, and Nate Clements, were suppose to shore up a defense that was terrible last year. Nolan, billed as a defensive coach, needs to get better production out of his squad.
The whole team played poorly Sunday and like many coaches in the NFL Mike Nolan may soon find himself on the hot seat. Nolan almost had an impossible job when took over as head coach. He was taking over a marquee franchise with great expectations, but, with expansion talent. He has done a remarkable job of assembling young talent, however, three years into rebuilding fans and ownership might start asking for more.
