49ers-Falcons should be ugly

By Mike Young  |   Thursday, November 01, 2007  |  Comments( 9 )

San Francisco 49ers
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
Before looking ahead to San Francisco's showdown in Atlanta this weekend, a cowardly call from the third quarter of the 49ers' loss to New Orleans last Sunday needs to be discussed.

With just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter, the 49ers were down 24-0 facing fourth-and-8 play on the Saints' 11. Considering San Francisco's anemic offense, coach Mike Nolan really had no choice: In order to give his team a chance to win, he had to go for it.

Rather than try to score the 49ers' ninth touchdown of the season and keep what little hope the year had alive, he chose to save face and basically guarantee the team wouldn't get shut out, by kicking a field goal.

How can this call be justified? A fourth-and-8 situation is difficult to convert at any point, especially in the red zone, but kicking was like putting up a white flag. The 49ers haven't amassed 24 points in a game all season, so what made Nolan think their was any chance of it happening if they couldn't score a touchdown on their best drive of the day?

Now the 2-5 Niners limp into Atlanta losers of five straight, with Alex Smith grabbing his shoulder on every play, Frank Gore's ankle a question mark and a defense that looks as if it's lost its passion.

Atlanta, at 1-6, is one of only three teams with a record than San Francisco's. Joey Harrington will get the start under center for the Falcons, and the game will most likely be blacked out in Atlanta for a lack of tickets sold. Put simply, this game will surely be one of the week's worst.

Both teams have shown signs of packing it in, with Nolan calling for field goals when touchdowns are needed and Atlanta cutting veteran players (Grady Jackson, for instance) for no respectable reason at all.

It's anyone's guess who will win this horrid matchup. Harrington could take advantage of a lackadaisical 49ers 'D', or Bryant Young and Nate Clements could wake up to carry San Francisco to its third win.

If you want my advice, steer clear and see if anything good happened on the highlights. Neither team has shown it cares, so why should you?
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (9)

About Mike Young

Sorry, Mike Young's bio is currently not available. Please check back soon!
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report