Loss to Eagles created a new low for Nolan's Niners
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Posted by MadRussky on 2008-10-14 07:07:19
Loss to Eagles created a new low for Nolan's Niners
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The San Francisco 49ers reached the nadir of the Nolan administration Sunday, according to San Francisco Chronicle columnist Gwen Knapp. They dominated the Philadelphia Eagles for long stretches, held a nine-point lead, then thoroughly collapsed in the fourth quarter for a 40-26 loss.
It was worse than the 42-3 loss to the Eagles in 2005, Mike Nolan's first season as head coach. It was worse than the 52-17 loss to Washington, and worse than the 41-3 loss to Seattle that season.
And worse than the 41-0 defeat in Kansas City the following year. And the 48-19 loss against the Chargers after that. And the 41-10 bruising in Chicago after that. Worse than watching the Giants treat Trent Dilfer like a bowling pin last year. Worse than realizing, about four games into the '07 season, that Jim Hostler had absolutely no idea how to be an offensive coordinator in the NFL.
In a tenure full of disastrous moments, this game tunneled underground, creating a new low. A talent deficit that leads to blowout after blowout is demoralizing â€" but understandable, even tolerable, in comparison with a team that fades at the end.
The Eagles, at least the version that came to Candlestick on Sunday, are not inherently stronger than the 49ers. Like the Saints and Patriots before them, they were missing critical players and plugging gaps any way they could. Philadelphia had to move a defensive tackle, Dan Klecko, into the fullback's job.
By the end, the vanilla defense and the absentee running game had put a huge burden on O'Sullivan. With decent defensive support and a diversified offense, he has a chance to be a winner. Left on his own and expected to carry the team like a John Elway, he is out of his depth. He lacks both the experience and the raw talent to make anything happen, except mistakes. His fumble and interception in the last 3½ minutes of the game were as predictable as a sunrise.
The quarterback should not have been put in that position. His coaches didn't help with their play-calling, and Nolan managed the clock as if he had learned nothing over the last four years. He might even be regressing. He treats the red challenge flag like a cheap toy, tossing it as if someone can run down to Kmart and pick up a few more any time he needs them.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
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"If the Bucaneers are the Bucs and the Jaguars are the Jags, what are the Titans?"
- MadRussky 2008-10-14 07:07:19 (202 views)