Bleacher Report - Articles by Andy Bensch

San Francisco 49ers Facing Make or Break Game vs Seattle Seahawks

Andy Bensch — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:28:20 -0500

If there was ever a game to define the future of the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday's week 13 matchup in Seattle against the Seahawks is that game.

A victory and the 49ers continue to move forward and the remainder of the season (whether they win enough games to make the playoffs or not) will be a preview of why the current core of 49er personnel can lead this team in the near future.

Beating Seattle moves San Francisco to 6-6 and if everything goes to plan, the 49ers will be just one game behind division leading Arizona heading into the Monday night contest against the Cardinals next week.

Kurt Warner or no Kurt Warner, the Cardinals are still the defending NFC champions and lead the division for a reason. They are without a doubt a solid football team from top to bottom.

Even if the 49ers play their best football against the Cardinals and in Philadelphia later in the season against the Eagles, these two games may simply end up as losses.

The other remaining opponents on the schedule are the Lions and Rams which are essentially automatic wins and if the 49ers win this week against the Seahawks, these three victories will give them an solid 8-8 record, but would mean missing the playoffs.

However, if the season shakes out in this fashion with the 49ers winning the games they are supposed to win and coming up short in the two big-time contests against quality opponents, San Francisco will still have a positive outlook going into next season.

But if the 49ers fail to beat the 4-7 injury-plagued Seahawks this week, a team they ought to beat, all the questions surrounding this team will continue.

Why did they hire Jimmy Raye as offensive coordinator?

Is Alex Smith ever going to pan out?

Where is the pass rush?

Does Mike Singletary really understand the x's and o's of football from a coaching perspective? Not all great players make great coaches.

Why can't the offensive line block for longer than two seconds in the I-formation?

Can we trust Scott Mcloughan to make smart personnel moves?

If the 49ers lose in Seattle on Sunday, all these questions will remain and the search for a franchise quarterback will continue.

Alex Smith will be back next year but are the 49ers going to give Nate Davis an opportunity to compete for the job? Or will they try and use one of their early draft picks on a quarterback? Or perhaps a free-agent to compete for the job?

And there is also the situation with offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye who has been much maligned by the 49er fan base this season. Will the 49ers have an eight different offensive coordinator in eight straight seasons?

The feeling amongst the fan base going into the Seahawks game is that the 49ers are turning a corner out of mediocrity and becoming a true balanced playoff team.

But if San Francisco loses to the Seahawks, the team, the fans and the media will once again start to have doubts.

Good teams make sure they win the games they are suppose to win. Losing this game means the 49ers are not yet a good team.

This is a situation where Alex Smith and the 49ers cannot afford to lose if they want to be taken seriously by the rest of the league. Since it is a divisional game, either team could win but the circumstances are such that the better team's quarterback has to lead his team to victory.

With Seattle's 25th ranked pass defense, Smith must win this game and show how he can be a difference maker.

Without this victory not only do the playoff hopes for this season come to and end but next season's outlook starts to look just as bleak.

It is a make or break game for the 49ers because a lot of key personnel could be changed by next year if they don't win on Sunday.

San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval Can't Do It By Himself

Andy Bensch — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:44:08 -0500

If you follow the San Francisco Giants, you're probably hoping that budding super-star Pablo Sandoval won't be the only threat in the Giants lineup next season.

However, if you're Giants GM Brian Sabean, you are currently shedding no ray of light on that happening. Actually, he is doing the exact opposite.

While taking in various reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News , it is clear that Sabean is up to his normal self, not wanting to pay established young veterans who have proven to be productive performers and not wanting to re-sign his team's free-agents who are coming off solid seasons; yup that sounds like the typical Brian Sabean.

The same old Sabean who signed Armando Benitez, Dave Roberts, Barry Zito, Aaron Rowand, and Edgar Renteria to big contracts, doesn't want to sign either Matt Holliday or Jason Bay because doing so would cost the Giants their first round draft pick.

Unfortunately for Giants fans, their GM doesn't realize that business transactions have trade-offs and as the saying goes "you have to give to get" especially in the world of sports.

Now regardless of the fact that the Giants may not be able to compete financially with the rest of Bay and Holliday's potential suitors, the Giants should without a doubt be looking to ink one of these hitters.

San Francisco needs an impact hitter and unlike the aforementioned signings of guys like Rowand, Renteria and Roberts, both Bay and Holliday are still big time performers.

The writing was on the wall for guys like Renteria and Zito, who were clearly declining in their performance before coming to San Francisco, which is the main reason fans complain about their acquisitions.

However, if either Bay or Holliday were to struggle with San Francisco, fans wouldn't blame Sabean for bringing them to the team. Both these guys are premier hitters in this league and have shown no signs of slowing down.

The Giants need an impact player to insert into their lineup and going after a player like Bay should be given a certain amount of value.

Free agency as the Giants well know is essentially an auction when it comes to big time players. Therefore a team with more money will probably be willing to outbid the Giants in the long run.

But that doesn't mean San Francisco shouldn't put up an offer. Reports are that Bay has rejected $60 million offers to stay in Boston.

Two years ago, the Giants paid Rowand $60 million. Bay, however, is a much more of an impact hitter the Giants need. Perhaps offering a $65-75 million deal would make Bay inclined to give San Francisco a thought.

Considering he used to play with current Giants second baseman Freddy Sanchez while in Pittsburgh, Bay might enjoy a return to the National League and a change of time zone.

Unfortunately, according to the Andrew Baggarly's column in the Mercury News , the Giants have claimed they aren't going after any free-agents that would cost them their first round draft choice.

San Francisco s starved for an impact hitter, yet has a GM that won't bother trying to sign one because of the cost of losing a draft pick?

What is this nonsense? The Giants already have one of the top minor league systems in all of baseball with prospects galore.

Wouldn't one late first round draft pick be worth it if you could have Jason Bay hitting in the middle of your lineup?

Currently, the Giants have one impact hitter in their entire lineup with 23-year-old Pablo Sandoval.

And although mega-prospect Buster Posey and infielder Juan Uribe could provide Sandoval with some extra pop in the order, neither one appears likely to be in the Giants' opening day lineup next season.

According to Giants executives, catcher Posey isn't ready for the full-time job and may begin the year back at Triple-A Fresno. Plus, infielder Uribe rejected the Giants latest offer to remain in San Francisco.

Posey who projects to be a solid 15-20 homer guy with a high average and high on-base percentage may truly not be ready for the full-time job. And if the Giants don't want him to be the everyday catcher next season, then re-signing Bengie Molina should be more of a priority.

If Molina wants a two-year deal with an option for a third then give it too him. No other free-agent catcher out there can match Molina's production who spent most of the last two years as San Francisco's cleanup hitter.

Therefore, whenever Posey is ready, let him take over Molina's spot.

But playing a major portion of the year without Posey or Molina as the starting catcher will only be a set-back to the Giants' offense.

Furthermore, if the Giants can't come up with an offer that reaches Uribe's demands then they are nearly slapping their fanbase in the face.

Without Uribe last season the Giants would probably have been dead last in every offensive category instead of amongst the worst.

While receiving just 398 at-bats last year Uribe hit 16 homers and drove in 55 RBI. The Giants are in desperate need of run-producers but they seem to be letting one of their best from last season walk away.

The Giants need offense but yet they seem to want neither their proven performers from last season back nor do they want to let their top prospect take over.

Furthermore they don't want to pay for the top free-agents because of the cost of losing a draft pick.

So in order to compensate for not wanting to do those things, the Giants are going to pursue second-rate players who will the provide second-rate production and San Francisco will once again miss out on the postseason.

Jermaine Dye? Nick Swisher? Xavier Nady? Adrian Beltre?

The second-rate free-agents are not going to be the impact hitter the Giants need in their lineup. Dye is getting old quick and as Giants Featured Columnist Danny Penza points out in his latest article Dye's offensive production wouldn't outweigh his deficiencies in the field.

These "second-tier" free-agents are not the answer.

Too bad they are exactly Brian Sabean's type.

However if the Giants want to win, they need to refrain from making another mistake like a Zito, Rowand, Renteria signing and make an impactful one or at-least retain their proven producers like Molina and Uribe.

Sandoval can't carry the offense by himself; he's going to need some help.

But if Sabean continues to sign second-tier options that aren't difference makers, 2010 will be the seventh year in a row without postseason baseball in San Francisco.

San Francisco Giants: Why GM Brian Sabean Should Re-Sign Brad Penny

Andy Bensch — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:13:09 -0500

Intimidation can be utilized in any sport and when it comes to baseball, there is no player that brings the intimidation factor better than starting pitcher Brad Penny.

At 6' 4" and 230 pounds, "The Bull", as fans like to call him, is the guy who, when you pass him walking down the street, you'd expect him to be able to chuck a baseball 98 MPH.

His size and personality are fit for an NFL tight-end. (In fact, I would be surprised if he isn't already friends with colorful Jeremy Shockey of the New Orleans Saints.)

Regardless of an attitude that can sometimes rub certain people the wrong way, Penny's style is extremely important for the 2010 Giants staff. His large frame and intensity make him the absolute perfect veteran leader for a starting rotation.

With the Giants' top two pitchers, as well as most of their staff, still considered by many to be just young pups, Penny's experience and savvy would allow some of the pressure to be taken off the rest of the rotation.

In his short stint with the Giants last season, Penny dominated his opponents going 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a .205 BAA including eight shutout innings against the then defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies (at Citizen's Bank Park no less).

By making such an impressive showing late in the year and with both Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum struggling down the stretch (Timmy to a much lesser extent), Penny was the starter a significant amount of fans were most excited to watch.

The only other pitcher on the Giants staff that showed as much emotion as Penny last year was set-up man Jeremy Affeldt.

Bringing in a starter with that type of emotion on his sleeves made for the most anticipated every fifth day to be not when Lincecum was due to pitch but rather when it was Penny's turn in the rotation.

As a ten year MLB veteran, Penny has spent nine-and-a-half of those seasons in the National League, including four-and-a-half inside the NL West.

His experience in the division in which the Giants reside and his similar over-powering style to San Francisco's two aces would be a perfect match of veteran and youth mix.

Unlike Lincecum and Cain who have yet to experience post-season baseball, Penny has been there and done that.

Winning a World Series with the Florida Marlins and making numerous playoff appearances has enabled Penny to know what it takes to get to the highest point of baseball glory.

With Randy Johnson almost assuredly not returning, Penny gives the Giants staff that championship pedigree and knowledge.

A possible Giants rotation of Lincecum, Zito, Cain, Bumgarner and Penny would have a much better all around then a rotation of Lincecum, Zito, Cain, Sanchez, and Bumgarner.

The second group would be relying on four young starters, including two lefties and the only long tenured veteran with playoff experience would be the hit and miss Barry Zito.

Plus with Penny in the rotation, the Giants could put him at the back end, giving Lincecum some natural competition between himself and Penny who became good friends last season.

Lincecum already has two Cy Young Awards but imagine how much better he could be down the stretch with Penny pushing him over the entire season? Taking starts in front of "the freak" would allow Penny to set the bar for the young stud.

Instead of Lincecum being known as the "stopper" (one who stops losing streaks) as typically a mediocre starter preceded him in San Francisco's rotation over the last two-and-a-half seasons, Lincecum could start extending winning streaks.

But where Penny's value truly lies is in allowing the Giants to trade Jonathan Sanchez. Now Sanchez did have a bounce back year last season with the no-hitter and subsequent improved pitching down the stretch, but the Giants have enough pitching without him.

Considering Bumgarner is due to take over the back end of the rotation as a hard throwing lefty, the more experienced Sanchez can be used as trade bait.

Sanchez, who went 8-12 with a 4.24 ERA in 29 starts last season has some impressive numbers for a left-handed starter. He averaged more than a strikeout per inning with 177K's in just 163 1/3 innings, posted a 1.37 WHIP and a .221 BAA.

The solid performance last season and with the no-hitter on his resume, Sanchez as a center piece of deal ought to bring back the impact power bat the Giants so desperately need.

Multiple teams are always in the market for starting pitching and would be willing to give up a hitter in return.

By going through the trade market, Giants GM Brian Sabean would save the money he would have to spend on the various free-agent hitters available.

Not overspending on big-name free-agents would allow for smaller deals also to be made like perhaps re-signing Juan Uribe and bringing in Ivan Rodriguez to mentor the up and coming Buster Posey.

However, none of this would make sense without re-signing Penny. Trading Sanchez without Penny on the roster would mean the Giants would have Bumgarner as the fourth starter and a new need to fill in the fifth slot in the rotation.

Of course the Giants could hold onto Sanchez and go after a big-name free-agent but that is typically not how the Giants handle their business in free agency when it comes to hitters.

If Sabean lets Penny walk and subsequently plans to go with the younger rotation then he will most likely try to address the offense with second tier free agents like Adrian Beltre/Joe Crede/Jermaine Dye etc.

Unfortunately the Giants need a difference maker, not a solid veteran hitter who may or may not produce at his usual levels.

Plus, since the Giants have money tied up in players like Zito, Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria, signing another second-tier free-agent might not be the wisest move financially.

Yet going through the trade market to acquire an impact hitter would allow more flexibility money wise and by re-signing Penny, the Giants would have an expendable and impressive bargaining chip with Sanchez.

The free-agency period is still young, but hopefully the Giants can re-sign Penny to an inexpensive deal.

If they can, San Francisco will be better for it as their rotation will be deeper and more experienced. Not to mention it will give Sabean much more flexibility in the trade market.

The Not So Top 10 San Jose Sharks of All Time

Andy Bensch — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:21:57 -0500

About a month ago, I delved into the 18 year history of the San Jose Sharks and came up with a Top 25 performers to don the various teal colored sweaters. But after watching Sportscenter's "Not so Top 10 plays" the other day, I decided to take a look at the Sharks that aren't remembered highly for their time in San Jose. Whether they never lived up to the hype, ditched for money elsewhere, didn't like playing in San Jose, or failed to return the value via trade, there's a bunch of Sharks that just didn't quite look right in a teal jersey. Some of the players missed empty net wrap arounds, some ate too much food, and some just plain stunk on the ice while with the Sharks. Without further ado, here is the "Not So Top 10 San Jose Sharks."

Begin Slideshow

Rolling Four Lines: Why the San Jose Sharks are Scarier Than Ever

Andy Bensch — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:39:43 -0500

The San Jose Sharks have always been talented over the last decade, making the playoffs in 10 of the past 11 seasons including five straight. However, there has always been a clear system to beat them in the postseason.

When Joe Thornton arrived in 2005, the game-plan for San Jose's opponents was pretty darn simple. Stop Thornton, and the Sharks will be shut-down. After losing four straight games to the Oilers in the 05-06 playoffs the Sharks knew a change would be needed.

The following season the Sharks added veteran power forward Bill Guerin at the trade-deadline. And before getting hurt in game four of the semi-finals against the Wings, Guerin had helped the Sharks to a 2-1 series lead that was almost 3-1 until Detroit managed to pull out a shocking victory to tie up the series. Due to his injury Guerin missed games five and six, which ended up as the worst two games San Jose played all playoffs.

In 2007-2008 Guerin ran for the money which resided in New York with the bottom feeding New York Islanders. The Sharks were now back to square one, trying to add one more supreme talent to help Thornton get the Sharks over the playoff hump.

Mid-way through the year the Sharks traded for then Buffalo Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell. "Soupy" would make a big splash in his short-time with San Jose, scoring a highlight reel spin-o-rama goal during the regular season but his playoff performance was far from spectacular.

Despite putting up a respectable seven points in 13 games, Campbell's lackluster defensive effort against Calgary and Dallas' top scoring threats left much to be desired.

Campbell would choose not to re-sign with San Jose and signed a multi-year deal with his current squad the Chicago Blackhawks.

Once again, the Sharks were left without their key acquisition from the previous season. But this time around, almost all Sharks fans feel their GM Doug Wilson traded for a better defenseman.

Prior to the 2008-09 campaign, the Sharks received Dan Boyle in an offseason trade and he only went on to score 16 goals and 57 points.

Unfortunately for the Sharks, Boyle was the only player on the team who showed up to play this past playoffs and subsequently San Jose was knocked out in the first round despite having the top record in the regular season.

These Sharks teams had some of the most talented players in the game and fans wondered why they couldn't seem to get back to the conference finals after reaching the third round for the first time prior to the lockout.

What was the problem exactly?

The problem wasn't rocket-science. The opponents the Sharks faced in the playoffs had no problem playing against them. San Jose was soft and relied on their skill instead of their will.

Each postseason had a simple game-plan for any team that drew the Sharks. Keep San Jose's top players off the scoreboard and let your role players out-work the their role players.

However, the Sharks are no longer soft and there is no out-working the role players on this year's squad.

If you shut-down the Thornton's, the Heatley's, the Marleau's, the Boyle's etc., then you have to deal with a new group of energy and checking forwards.

No longer do the bottom forwards consist of an aging Jeremy Roenick, a listless Marcel Goc, a washed up Mike Grier and the worst "enforcer" in the league in Jody Shelley.

Even if a team can managed to shut-down the Sharks' big names, they now have to try and defend Scott Nichol, Jed Ortmeyer, Jamie McGinn, Torrey Mitchell, and Devin Setoguchi.

Wait, what did I just say?

Setoguchi is a checking forward? San Jose has their former top-line right wing who scored 31 goals last year playing on the fourth line?

Yes, Setoguchi is currently a checking forward. And no, this isn't Jonathan Cheechoo 2.0. San Jose's speedy right-handed sniper isn't on the fourth line because of lousy play, he is playing their because of great play.

Great play by the team around him that is. Setoguchi recently came back from a leg injury and head coach Todd McLellan had essentially no place to put him except on the fourth line.

The top-line of Heatley-Thornton-Marleau is clicking, the second-line of Malhotra-Pavelski-Clowe is dominating along the boards and the McGinn-Nichol-Ortmeyer line is arguably the best third line in the NHL.

Therefore, the Sharks' fourth line is now a combination of a tough gritty minor league call-up in Frazer McLaren, the tenacious and lightning quick Torrey Mitchell at center, and Setoguchi.

No longer do the Sharks have to limit their fourth line players to five or six minutes a game. They can, and will, throw all four lines at you throughout the entire contest.

At the rate they are playing, only three possible teams appear to have enough to stop the Sharks this year and two of them reside in the Eastern Conference

Like Guerin provided San Jose in 06-07, Heatley is that proven all-star to play alongside Thornton, and the Sharks now have the depth to make a long playoff run.

Only the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Chicago Blackhawks seem up to the task talent and depth wise to beat San Jose.

Of course the Blackhawks already dominated the Sharks in San Jose by a 7-2 final, leading 7-0 at one point.

However, the Sharks were missing both Rob Blake and Setoguchi that game and although that is no excuse, San Jose is likely to have a more balanced attack in the next contest between the two clubs.

And the 7-2 shellacking they took on their home ice against the Blackhawks is only gonna add fuel to the fire when the teams meet up again this year whether that is in the remaining regular season games or in the playoffs.

The core group of Sharks are sick of losing, sick of the "regular season darlings" label, and sick of the "playoff chokers" label. Their top players finally have role players that can chip in and be a factor come playoffs and their will to win ought to finally eclipse their skill.

If their will doesn't surface greater than their skill this postseason, then the Sharks as we know them might be gone forever.

Patrick Marleau, Rob Blake, and Evgeni Nabokov will all be unrestricted free-agents as well as Joe Pavelski and Setoguchi becoming restricted free-agents this offseason.

Not only do the Sharks have the elite scorer and depth they were missing, but they also realize that there is no "next year." No more "oh we'll get 'em next year" because there is none. They know they won't have any better shot than they have this season.

And that mentality with the talent and work ethic of this year's Shark team, that my friends, is scary.

San Francisco 49ers: One Win Doesn't Get Alex Smith Off the Hook

Andy Bensch — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:15:09 -0500

As apart of the San Francisco "faithful", watching the 49ers win on Sunday makes my day. Even though I may not be the biggest fan of their current quarterback Alex Smith, he did lead the team to victory. And like former 49er corner-back Toi Cook says during the 1994 Super Bowl video, "a W's a W, in the National Football League."

However, just because the 49er offense looked solidified against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday doesn't mean it will perform in the same manner week after week.

Alex Smith still has a lot to prove despite what some people may think. For example, Mark Purdy of the Mercury News glorifies Smith's play in his latest column.

Purdy starts his article out with the following:

"Apologies to Alex Smith. Really. Sincerely.

Last week in Green Bay, the 49ers quarterback was awful in the first half, threw a crucial interception in the second half and raised serious doubts (especially in this column space) about whether he could ever be an effective NFL starting quarterback.

Nevermind.

Sunday afternoon at Candlestick Park, Smith reversed the equation. He reversed it so severely, some of us suffered whiplash. Smith had his best game as an NFL starter in a 20-3 victory over Jacksonville. He had zero interceptions, two touchdown passes and a sweet 96.8 passer rating."

If I'm reading this correctly, Purdy is changing his mind from doubting Smith ever being an effective NFL starting quarterback to claiming him to already be an effective NFL starter?

After just one game?

Smith did complete 65.8 percent of his passes (27-41) against the Jaguars for 232 yards and two touchdowns without being sacked or throwing a single interception.

But are we supposed to just forget about the quarterback who had thrown just 28 touchdowns against 38 interceptions and fumbled 21 times in 38 career games?

Furhtermore, that zero interception stat for Sunday's game is quite misleading. Two different drives should have ended in interceptions if it weren't for the porous Jacksonville secondary forgetting how to catch the football.

Plus there were numerous throws on Sunday that were just a tad-high or too far in front of his receivers.

And on one-play in particular during the first touchdown drive, Smith had Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan both wide open on route to the end-zone and Smith attempted to fit the ball into a triple covered Vernon Davis.

Davis ended up taking a big hit from the Jacksonville safety and wasn't able to hang onto the ball. But don't fault the tight-end, he drew three defenders to him allowing his teammates to be wide open.

The ball should have been thrown to one of the two outside targets, not down the middle of the field.

There were two options on that play which were better targets than the 49er tight-end and it's not surprising why they were so wide open. Jacksonville is ranked 26th in the league defending the pass, allowing an average of 242.9 yards per game.

Therefore, despite not being sacked, barely even touched and attempting 41 passes, Smith threw for just 232 yards—a total that is less than Jaguars have averaged giving up this season.

In the second-half alone Smith was 9-12 passing for just 63 yards. Only five of those nine receptions gained yards. Four of them managed no gain or worse, two passes to Gore went for a loss, one to Crabtree for a loss and one to Delanie Walker for no gain.

Coming out of the locker-room the 49ers should have been able to put this game away. However, they managed just three points in the entire half, and held the ball for just 4:53 in the third quarter compared to 9:59 for Jacksonville.

The Jaguars out-gained the 49ers 183 to 90 in the final 30 minutes, as only a couple of unfortunate David Garrard fumbles and a missed 21-yard field-goal by Josh Scobee kept Jacksonville from getting back in the game.

Jacksonville's offense was actually moving the ball better the majority of the time. San Francisco's offense on the other hand stalled on two solid drives settling for field goals, and on five other drives had to punt the ball away. Their 20 points was slightly below their season average.

Take away one of the touchdown drives that should have ended in a interception and the 49ers' offensive "out-burst" that fans are raving about would have netted them just 13 points.

Many will say I'm simply taking the "glass half empty" approach opposed to the "glass half full" outlook, but going into a divisional game on the road next week, I'm simply holding back my optimism.

Smith had one solid game and looked good with the more spread out offense. But can we bank on this to continue? Playing in Seattle next week he will have to deal with the infamous "12th man," the nick-name of the incredibly loud Qwest Field.

Later on in the season Smith will have to play away at the Eagles, who own the tenth best pas defense in the league. Can we really take what we saw against Jacksonville and be confident it will continue?

The "faithful" is hopeful that Smith's impressive play from Sunday will continue but further evidence is needed before one can make a call to whether Smith truly is the quarterback of the future.

As for now, the jury is still out on one Alex Smith.

San Jose Sharks: Defense in Need of an Upgrade

Andy Bensch — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:21:18 -0500

Despite squeaking out a 5-4 shootout victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, the San Jose Sharks experienced many of the same problems that enabled the Chicago Blackhawks to embarrass them on their home ice just two days prior.

Poor defensive coverage and lack of hustle allowed the injury-plagued and bottom-feeding Oilers to take two different leads in the contest.

After the Sharks opened the scoring in the first period on Patrick Marleau's goal, San Jose once again got complacent.

While seemingly running through the motions, the Sharks saw their 1-0 lead evaporate in the middle of the second period when Dan Boyle's dump in attempt was blocked at the blue line.

Oilers center Ryan Potulny was then off to the races but it seemed as if Sharks center Joe Thornton could have caught up on the back check. However, Thornton stabbed at the puck and missed, then simply seemed to give up on the play. Potulny then beat Nabokov through five hole on a nice deke to the backhand.

Although there would be no more scoring for the rest of the period, the lack of hustle from San Jose on Edmonton's tying goal set the tone for a poor start to the third period.

Just over two minutes into the final period, Sharks rookie defenseman Jason Demers turned the puck over as his errant pass from his own zone was intercepted in the neutral zone.

Instead of playing the oncoming rush properly, Demers stabbed at the puck, lost an edge and went skidding into the boards. Meanwhile, the puck carrier Gilbert Brule got into the high slot and ripped a wrist shot that Nabokov was able to kick out.

Unfortunately Demers' defense partner Kent Huskins was watching the puck instead of picking up Dustin Penner who chipped the rebound into the open net for a 2-1 Oiler lead.

Another two minutes later and the Oilers would score again. This time Marc-Edouard Vlasic was in front of the net attempting to defend Brule who was positioned in front of Nabokov but Vlasic was mesmerized watching Penner's centering pass. By failing to tie up Brule's stick, Vlasic allowed an easy tap-in goal that should never of happened.

Fortunately for San Jose, their top guns would get them back in the game by scoring two quick goals of their own, one by Patrick Marleau and the other by Ryane Clowe.

But once again, the Sharks got complacent and allowed the Oilers to gain some momentum and Edmonton retook the lead 4-3 with just more than five minutes left. Both Joe Pavelski and Dan Boyle attacked the puck carrier down low, allowing Potulny to be open in the slot and able to fire a loose puck past Nabokov for his second of the game.

To San Jose's credit, they were able to bounce back once again tying up the score at four a piece. Marleau's third goal of the game with under two minutes remaining put the Sharks back in the game.

However, the goal came as San Jose was short-handed thanks to a holding the stick penalty at the 18:20 mark.

When the call occurred, the Sharks were down a goal and were now down a skater for the remainder of regulation.

Simply said, the Sharks had no business winning this game.

A lucky bounce allowed Marleau an open net from in close and the all-star forward slammed it home for a short-handed goal and his third career regular season hat trick.

But we all know the Sharks can score. With guys like Thornton, Dany Heatley, Ryane Clowe, Devin Setoguchi to go along with Marleau, San Jose has plenty of offensive weapons.

The problem is that team teal has allowed 11 goals in the past two games while allowing an unusually high 74 shots on goal.

In particular, the play of the third-defense pairing has been quite poor. Both Demers and Huskins have been turning the puck over and not picking up the open man in their own zone.

Although not everything can be blamed on those two as Vlasic has seemed to become allergic to defensive zone coverage, being caught watching the puck in back-to-back games leading to goals by the opposition.

Granted, team captain Rob Blake should be back in the lineup soon but the Sharks defense seems to be really thin. Despite the impressive play of Derek Joslin in Blake's absence, the rest of the defense corps seems to be struggling.

Even though the Sharks are 10th in the league allowing just 2.56 goals per game, they have allowed an average of 29.45 shots per game through Nabokov's first 24 games compared to an average of just 26.9 shots per game through Nabokov's first 24 starts last season.

Nabokov's .921 save percentage so far this season is 11 points higher than his final season percentage from the last two years.

Clearly the goal-tending has been played at a much higher clip to start this season. Last year Nabokov allowed 60 goals in his first 24 games while facing 646 shots, good for a .907 save percentage.

So far this season, fewer goals have been allowed in his first 24 shots (54) but the team in front of him gives up an average of three more shots per game.

Thinking Nabokov can keep up his impressive performance the whole season is asking a lot of the 34-year-old goal-tender.

If the Sharks want to make this the year where they finally get over that second round hump and preferably all the way to the Stanley Cup, their defense in front of Nabokov is going to have to get much better.

Blake returning to the lineup is not going to be enough as the 20-year vet can no longer hold up on the injury front and has difficulty keeping up with the younger forwards in today's NHL.

Vlasic should break out of this mini slump and his talents combined with Boyle and Douglas Murray make for a solid top-three defenseman core. However the next four defenseman on the roster are Blake, Huskins, Demers and Joslin. A future hall of famer, a mediocre three-year veteran and two rookies.

These four provide very little comfort for Sharks fans and unless the play from that group improves vastly before the trade deadline, expect Sharks GM Doug Wilson to make a move to bring in a veteran blue-liner like a Keith Ballard of Florida or an Aaron Ward from Carolina.

San Jose Sharks: 7-2 Loss Reminds Fans of April Showers

Andy Bensch — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:55:13 -0500

When a club scores three short-handed goals in a single game, the opposing team isn't going to win.

But when the three "shorties" build a 3-0 lead and the second two come on the same power-play, the morale of the opposing team can sink no lower.

However, in any sport, overcoming adversity is a must if a team has dreams of winning a league championship.

In Wednesday night's 7-2 loss, the San Jose Sharks stopped playing for a period of nearly 30 minutes.

For exactly 29:35, from the 5:25 mark of the second period to the 15:00 minute mark of the third period the Sharks gave up, packed it in, and just started going through the motions.

Despite being out-shot by at least a 2:1 ratio by the time Chicago winger Patrick Sharp made the score 3-0 at little over five minutes into the second period, the Sharks weren't playing as bad as it seemed.

Neither of the three short-handed goals were due to overall poor performance by the entire power play unit.

As Dan Boyle said in the post-game interviews, the first goal of the game is a shot Nabokov stops "99 times out of 100."

When Joe Thornton accidentally slowed down a Chicago clearing attempt and therefore allowed the puck to slide perfectly towards a full-speed Troy Brouwer, the Sharks looked to be in trouble.

However, johnny on the spot Dan Boyle forced Brouwer to shoot from an angle and from well-outside the face-off circle. Unfortunately, Nabokov just fanned on the glove save and the puck beat him into the top corner of the net.

The second short-handed goal was solely the fault of Kent Huskins, who has no business being on the power play in the first-place.

With complete control of the puck, Huskins somehow didn't realize how close the penalty-killer was, and instead of getting rid of the puck quickly via wrist shot or pass, he inexplicably wound up for a slap shot.

Marian Hossa then essentially took candy from a baby by deflecting the puck away, and teammate Jonathan Toews picked up the loose puck and fed Hossa for a breakaway pass.

The superstar did no wrong by burying the puck past Nabokov for a 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately the Sharks would give up another short-handed tally just 28 seconds later.

Similarly to the first goal, the Sharks had a step on the onrushing Chicago forward, but this time rookie Jason Demers completely falls for no apparent reason. According to Demers he "hit a rut in the ice," but regardless of the surface, a play like that cannot happen.

Not only did Demers look like a Jonathan Cheechoo trying to play defense but all game long he failed to keep pucks inside the offensive zone on the power play.

The love affair from coaches to broadcasters to fans with this rookie defenseman needs to end. San Jose will not succeed in the playoffs without picking up some defensive help at the trade deadline.

By falling to the ice, Demers allowed Blackhawk forward Patrick Sharp to walk in all alone on Nabokov and increase the score to 3-0.

Despite their being still nearly 35 minutes remaining in the game, the Sharks gave up. Even after their head coach called a timeout after the third goal, San Jose didn't respond.

They weren't necessarily playing horribly yet, as the three goals allowed were fluke mistakes by individual players. However after the third goal, they began to play some of the worst hockey ever seen at the HP Pavilion.

The Sharks would go onto allow a fourth goal in the second period on a play where defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic looked dazed and confused, failing to tie up the only Chicago player near the front of the net. That player, Dustin Byfuglien, had all day to tap in a rebound that was lying in the crease.

For the second period, the Sharks were out-shot 21-6 and simply appeared to give up, showing a mentality that their fan base cannot stand to witness.

San Jose's fan base was finally starting to put last season's playoff demise behind them, but Wednesday's game against Chicago reminded them why their team fails to perform during April and May.

Whenever anything gets tough, or things don't go their way, the Sharks seem to fold and pack it in.

Last playoffs against the Ducks, games four and six were games San Jose absolutely had to have after going down two games to none and then facing elimination in game six.

But when momentum was on the other side, the Sharks couldn't manage to get anything going.

On Wednesday against Chicago, it was only until after the game was completely out of reach at 7-0 before the Sharks woke up and started playing.

Energy man and third line center Scott Nichol's line got some power play time and even drew another penalty, which led to the Sharks ruining Chicago net-minder Cristobal Huet's attempt at a shutout.

In the last four minutes, the Sharks scored twice on goals by Dan Boyle and Joe Paveski.

By going 100 percent at all times, players like Nichol, Boyle, and Ryane Clowe managed to get the game back in their momentum and created a couple of goals because of it.

The fact that the Sharks didn't start playing again till the last five minutes is embarrassing as a fan and confusing as a student of the game.

It appears head coach Todd McLellan needs to take a page out of Coach Orion's book. The third movie of Disney's The Mighty Ducks series has a change in coaches, and after a game their new coach rips the team by yelling "how long does it take to score a goal!!!!???!!!!" He then proceeds to chuck a puck across the locker room making a dent into a cork board hanging on the wall. After doing so, he answers his own question, responding with "less than a second!!!!"

Simply said, you are never out of a game no matter what the score. Multiple goals can come in succession even before certain slow fans have reached their seats after refilling on beer.

When there is still over half the game to play, even if the score is 7-0 at that point, the game isn't over.

If this is how the Sharks show up for games against the top teams in the league, the same story will be written come April.

The Sharks will be extinct from the playoff waters and be hitting the golf courses in mid-to-late April like they do every year.

San Francisco 49er Quarterbacks Are Exactly Who We Thought They Were

Andy Bensch — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:55:29 -0500

The San Francisco 49ers 2009 season has been the tale of two quarterbacks. Through the first six games, Shaun Hill was the starter. Although Alex Smith nearly brought San Francisco back in the second half of Hill's most recent start, let's put the loss against the Texans on Hill's record.

Therefore, the dink and dunk, "no-arm" game-manager quarterback led the 49ers to a 3-3 record. Was he Joe Montana? No, but he wasn't exactly Ken Dorsey out there either.

But since the 49ers made the change to Alex Smith, the 49ers have subsequently gone 1-3.

Smith, the strong arm, big-play, no pocket awareness, interception prone quarterback may putting up "better" numbers compared to what his current back-up produced but he has two-less wins to show for it.

Putting the quarterbacks side by side, you'll see the following numbers:

Hill :

Completions (87) Attempts (155) Percentage (56.1) Yards (943) YPG (157.2) TD/INT (5/2) Rating (79.6)

Smith :

Completions (95) Attempts (155) Percentage (61.3) Yards (1035) YPG (207.0) TD/INT (9/7) Rating (81.5)

By taking a look at the raw numbers, the assumptions 49er fans had about the two quarterbacks have been proven true on the field.

Alex Smith may have the bigger arm and can make more plays down field and throw for more touchdowns. However, Shaun Hill makes better decisions with the football, limits the turnovers and keeps his team in ball games.

What does this mean you ask? That neither quarterback is the player to lead the 49ers back to the promise land.

What can all the top NFL quarterbacks accomplish? They can be both the big-arm quarterback who makes big plays down field and the quarterback who makes good decisions with the football that keep their team in games.

If only the 49ers could combine Smith and Hill into one person, then maybe they would finally have a good quarterback.

But since that is unfortunately not possible, the 49ers need to realize that since both have proven they will never be difference makers in the NFL, it is time to move on.

Alex Smith supporters can say all they want about the difficulty of five coordinators in five seasons but the truth cannot be denied that Smith does not have the necessary skills required to succeed at the NFL level.

You cannot teach pocket awareness and instincts and despite his athletic build, Smith clearly doesn't have the natural feel for the position.

He may be able to perform an excellent Tom Brady impersonation while in the shotgun formation and down 20 points, but there is no quarterback in the league that performs solely out of the spread formation.

Every offense in the NFL needs a quarterback to be able to take snaps from under center and make plays from inside the pocket. How many times does Smith have to prove his inability to accomplish this before his advocators realize his inability to play quarterback?

For the sake of the 49ers, making the switch at quarterback in the Houston game has actually decreased their chances at making the playoffs.

With the more athletic quarterback on the field, San Francisco has gone away from their bread and butter of running the football. Frank Gore is one of the top runners in all of football and the 49ers have neglected to utilize him as their best weapon.

When the Niners have handed the ball off to their best weapon more than 20 times this season they are 2-0. When they fail to get him 20 or more carries, they fall to 1-4.

In the most recent contest against Green Bay, Gore wasn't even given double-digit carries much less 20 or more and just barely reached double-digit touches with ten.

Yet the one game they have won since making the switch at quarterback, Gore ran the ball 25 times for 104 yards and a touchdown. And despite running 22 fewer offensive plays, the 49ers controlled the ball for 31:33 compared to Chicago's 28:27.

The offense may have not been pretty but just like they say in hockey, they don't ask how pretty, they ask how many.

Against Green Bay last week, Alex Smith may have had a prettier game. He threw for 227 yards, three touchdowns and just one interception compared to throwing for just 118 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception against Chicago. But his team beat the Bears and lost to the Packers. Part of the reason for the Green Bay loss was that the Packers held onto the ball for 41:39 to just 18:21 for the 49ers.

Losing the time of possession is not the formula for winning with the current crop of 49ers.

In all but one game this season, the team who won the time of possession battle went on to win the game. But even when the 49ers won the time of possession statistic against the Titans, they still lost that game because of Alex Smith's three interceptions.

But that is what makes the NFL great, wins are what matters, not statistics.

However, certain statistics like TOP and amount of Frank Gore carries typically prelude to whether the 49ers win or lose.

Now for the sake of this season, leaving Hill at quarterback would have given the 49ers a better shot at the playoffs. Fans would much rather watch a performance like San Francisco gave against the Vikings where they played solid football the entire game and would have won if not for a miracle play, then have to pray for a late fourth quarter comeback to be completed after witnessing horrendous football for the entire first-half.

With Hill running the show, winning the TOP battle and utilizing Frank Gore early and often was a staple of the offense. Therefore it is no surprise why three of San Francisco's four victories came with Hill at quarterback and why all four victories have come with either Hill/Gore or both as key contributors.

But either way, 49er fans and hopefully the 49er coaching staff has realized that neither quarterback is "the guy".

If Hill had led the 49ers to the playoffs it would have been a great underdog story, a team without a true quarterback managed to play well enough to defy the odds and make the post-season.

However, it also may have given fans and coaches false hope that Hill could actually lead the squad to a Super Bowl.

Considering that there are just six games remaining and the 49ers are three games behind the division leading Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco needs to see what they have with rookie quarterback Nate Davis.

The fifth round pick out of Ball State is listed at 6' 2" 217 pounds, a very similar stature to Philadelphia Eagles star Donovan McNabb.

Am I saying that the rookie can play at McNabb's level? No, of course not. But as the phrase goes from many NFL coaches, "he gives our team the best chance to win".

Alex Smith clearly doesn't give the 49ers the best chance to win, he is 1-3 since taking over as a starter and his constant mistakes hinder his team's chances to win.

Shaun Hill allows the 49ers a better chance to win but with Michael Crabtee added to Vernon Davis, San Francisco now has multiple down the field weapons. Hill doesn't have the arm strength to get these guys the ball when the 49ers need a big throw.

Nate Davis on the other hand looked extremely poised during his extended look during the pre-season, and if inserted into the lineup, he would have do little more but hand off to Frank Gore.

However, when a pass is needed, a play action pass down the field to Crabtree or Vernon will be well well in the capability of Davis who has incredible arm strength.

Being new to the league, Davis will be able to pick and choose his throws and won't put his team in a bad situation.

The issue that currently kills San Francisco is that Smith is over-confident. He thinks he can fit throws into windows that don't exist and it leads San Francisco into a whole heap of troubles.

If Davis were put on the field, San Francisco would finally be able to put together the balance of run and pass they were looking for at the beginning of the season.

Now perhaps the rookie quarterback will struggle since he has yet to take a regular season snap but even if he does, at-least he offers something new, something refreshing, something different from the other two quarterbacks.

Smith and Hill are exactly who we thought they were. But Nate Davis could be a diamond in the rough.

He has the raw skills and physical prowess to be a play maker and putting him on the field could jump start this 49er offense.

Remember, the division title isn't necessarily out of the question. Despite being three games back, the 49ers have the Jaguars at home and the Seahawks on the road the next two weeks.

The Cardinals have at the red-hot Titans next week, and home against the Vikings in two weeks.

There is a good chance that the 49ers could be sitting at 6-6 three weeks from now and the Cardinals could be sitting at 7-5.

What happens three weeks from now? The 49ers get the Cardinals in San Francisco on Monday Night Football.

If everything goes according to plan, a victory on Monday Night could give the 49ers sole possession of first-place via the head-to-head tie breaker over Arizona.

However, so far this season nothing ever goes according to plan with the 49ers.

Assuming the 49ers continue with with Alex Smith at quarterback, their woeful offensive performances will continue and they won't be able to win their next two very winnable games causing the Monday Night contest against Arizona to be a wash of a football game.

The only way leaving the 49ers win the next two games with Smith at quarterback is if they get back to running the ball with Gore.

Unfortunately, with Smith in the lineup, offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye is unbelievably pass-happy. I can just see it now how Smith goes leads the 49ers to numerous three-n-out possessions and Jaguars stud running back Maurice Jones-Drew controls the clock and eats up the 49er defense for multiple scores.

Putting Nate Davis in the game will shift back the focus to Gore, and allow the 49ers defense rest on the sidelines because these continual three-n-outs with Smith are causing the 49er defense to spend way to much time on the field.

The 49ers still have a chance at the post-season, hopefully they will figure out that chance runs through Gore, not Alex Smith.

But as we know, the 49ers are going need to pass in certain situations even with Gore as the focus, and Smith cannot throw from under center to save his life.

That's where Davis comes in and allows the passing game to flourish when called upon.

It's worth a shot but it has to happen now. The 49ers cannot afford to lose any more winnable football games.

San Jose Sharks: No Rob Blake? No Problem. Derek Joslin is Stepping Up

Andy Bensch — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:18:38 -0500

If there is one weakness on the league leading San Jose Sharks roster, most people would say it's their depth on defense.

After trading away veteran defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich over the offseason, San Jose fans in particular were worried about the inexperience on the defensive end.

Starting out this season, the top-six defensive corps included an unknown rookie in Jason Demers and an almost as equally unknown Kent Huskins.

Huskins, the former Anaheim Duck was acquired by the Sharks mid-season last year along with left-wing Travis Moen but due to injury never suited up for team teal. An NHL veteran of just 142 games over three years before the start of the 2009-10 season, Huskins had done little on the ice as a Duck to impress Sharks fans.

Even playing the entirety of his career with a division rival, injuries and much more talented defensemen around him made him go unnoticed by most of the Bay Area hockey followers.

But so far this season, Demers and Huskins have combined for 21 points and a plus-10 between them.

Despite some early season struggles, the top-six has played quite well as a cohesive unit.

However, unlike the Sharks forward lines which have demonstrated impressive depth throughout the season, their defensive depth was unknown up until early November.

When first-year Sharks captain and 20-year NHL defenseman Rob Blake went down with injury on November fourth against the Columbus Blue-Jackets, the Sharks were about to find out just how much depth they had on the blue-line.

Nine games later, the answer is clear. Derek Joslin, the seventh defenseman on the depth chart can play solid hockey at the NHL level.

The 22-year-old Ontario native was drafted in the fifth round by the Sharks (149th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

After spending most of the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons with the famous Ottawa-67s of the Ontario Hockey League, Joslin played the entirety of the 2007-08 season with the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League. In the middle of previous season Joslin had signed an entry level deal with San Jose and making the transition to the AHL was a natural step.

However, in just his second full season with San Jose's minor league affiliate, Joslin was called up to the NHL for his first career game last January.

In total Joslin played in 12 games with the big club last year. During those 12 games he registered zero points, owned a minus-three plus/minus rating, committed three minor penalties and recorded nine shots on goal.

With hardly any mention of his name on the score-sheet, it was difficult for even the coaches to get a read on his level of play, much less us fans.

But so far this season, Joslin has played in almost as many games as he did last year (11), has a plus-two plus/minus rating, posted his first career point and now has three assists on the year.

Although he may seem like a defensive defenseman, Joslin led the Ottawa 67 defenseman in scoring in his final year with the club, posting 11 goals and 49 points.

Clearly the offensive ability is there and will come in due time at the NHL level but as he continues to get his feet wet the play in his own zone is what will be of more importance and so far he has been quite impressive in that area.

Despite looking like the rookie that he is in his first game replacing Blake on November fifth against the Red Wings, Joslin has rarely been noticed on the ice by both broadcasters and fans.

Even the most die-hard of die hards would find it odd that I'm praising Joslin, a guy who hardly shows up in the highlights.

But having experience playing the game and having respect for guys who can play defense (I myself, cannot) it is easy to give credit to a young defenseman performing at the highest level despite little experience.

The biggest evidence of Joslin's impressive play has been the fact that local fans watching the games on TV will rarely hear commentators Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda call Joslin's name.

As a defenseman focused on nothing but playing well in his own end, going unnoticed is exactly what you want. Joslin's quiet but superb performance is even showing that he may be deserving of a top-six spot on the Sharks defense.

Unfortunately, since Blake is the captain this year, the Sharks may not have the wherewithal to use him sparingly. But in reality, letting Blake play split time with Joslin upon his return is a viable option.

Last season Blake clearly declined during the post-season and fatigue seemed to be an issue.

Splitting time between Joslin and Blake down the stretch would offer two advantages. Come playoff time Blake will be much more fresh than he was last season and Joslin will have gained much more experience, allowing the coaching staff and fan base more confidence in him if they need him during the post-season.

During the playoffs, Blake's leadership and bomb of a point shot are going to be incredibly important, especially on the power-play. But if he shows the same inability to keep up with younger forwards like he did last post-season, the Sharks will be in trouble.

Allowing Joslin to be at the very least rotated into the lineup on a regular basis, instead of returning to Worcester upon Blake's is return, should be how the Sharks handle their current defensive set-up.

A Loss in Green Bay: Why the 49ers Didn't Beat the Packers

Andy Bensch — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:07:44 -0500

Everyone involved in football—the players, coaches, management personnel, and owners—knows what the San Francisco 49ers want to be. They want to be a team that wins in the trenches.

According to head coach Mike Singletary, the 49ers win with a tough physical defense, and an offense that relies on a smash mouth running style of football.

If this is the case, then why are the 49ers second-to-last in the league in three-and-out possessions?

Why do they continuously lose the time of possession battle?

Why do they continue to put the ball in the hands of their mediocre quarterback, Alex Smith?

San Francisco's 30-24 loss at the hands of the Green Bay Packers on Sunday exemplifies all that is wrong with the 49ers.

The 49ers' offense fails time and time again to utilize its best assets. Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree were held to just one catch each in the first half, as their quarterback completed just three passes for five total yards before halftime.

But that wasn't the worst part. The abandonment of the running game was absolutely inexcusable.

In the first half, Frank Gore gained 56 yards but was given the ball just five times on the ground and only six total touches. He lost five yards on his lone reception because of a terrible screen setup and an equally horrendous decision from Smith, who should have thrown the ball away instead.

San Francisco's top three offensive threats made just eight plays during the first half, so it should come as no shock that they possessed the ball for a minuscule 7:20 compared to Green Bay's 22:19.

By running just 17 offensive plays, the 49ers left their supposedly "physical, hit you in the mouth" defense out to dry.

Without cornerback Nate Clements and linebacker Takeo Spikes, the 49ers' defense was short-handed coming into the game, and the 49ers's offense needed to keep them off the field, which it was never able to do.

Although the 49ers outscored Green Bay 21-7 in the second half, they ran just 29 offensive plays, only two of which were Frank Gore runs.

Coincidentally, the 49ers held onto the ball for just over 11 minutes in the last two quarters, compared to Green Bay's 19 minutes and 10 seconds.

Quarterback Alex Smith's lone interception came on a first-down play from his own one-yard line. He overthrew because of miscommunication with Davis, but it is offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye who needs a talking to.

Nine out of 10 times in that situation, an NFL team runs the football. Throwing down field in that situation was a horrid mistake.

At the time, the 49ers' defense had held up and given the ball back to their offense, trailing just 23-10 with plenty of time left in the fourth quarter.

As San Francisco fans have seen all year, teams—whether good or bad—can put up points in very short amount of time.

Down just two scores with over 13 minutes remaining and possession of the ball, there was no need to hurry.

But as it turns out, Raye put too much of the game in Smith's hands and didn't allow Gore to get the running game going in the second half.

At the very least, the 49ers needed to run the ball a couple of times to get out of their own end-zone, but instead the only play of the drive was an interception.

Gore would finish the game with only 10 touches. That's right, the 49ers' best weapon had his number called just 10 times out of their 46 offensive plays.

If that is not a sign of poor play calling, I don't know what is.

Remember, since Gore became the starter, the 49ers are 15-3 when he gets over 20 carries. When he doesn't, San Francisco's record drops to 7-28.

At this rate, the 49ers are going to have their eighth different offensive coordinator in eight seasons next year, because there is no way Jimmy Raye returns.

The game against Green Bay solidified his ineptitude as a play caller.

Though the 49er defense didn't fare any better, they were much less to blame for Sunday's loss. Granted, they failed to bring pressure on Aaron Rodgers, but the defense did everything they could to give their team a chance.

Without two vital starters and a defensive coordinator in Greg Manusky, who limited his unit's chance at success by neglecting to blitz, it's easy to understand why the Packers were able to move the ball up and down the field.

But despite the lack of blitzing, the players on defense executed to the best of their ability and, in the second half, held Green Bay to just seven points.

A Ryan Grant one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, which replenished Green Bay's three-score lead, should be put on Alex Smith, whose interception gave the Packers a short field on that drive.

Other than that one score, the tired, beat-up, and worn-out defense kept San Francisco in the game by keeping Green Bay off the scoreboard.

If the offense had stuck to their run-first-and-run-often identity in the first half, perhaps the defense would have been fresh enough to execute better.

But with an incompetent coaching staff, highlighted by an awful offensive coordinator, the 49ers came into Sunday's game with the worst possible game-plan.

This team is suppose to play a smash mouth style on offense and a hard-hitting, punishing style of defense.

They are suppose to win games by keeping the opposing offense off the field. They cannot and will not win games when their opponent holds on to the ball for more than twice as long.

While watching the game on Sunday, it appeared as if the 49ers coaching staff thought throwing the football on offense and sending just four rushers on defense was their gameplan to beat the Packers.

But the 49ers played exactly opposite of the way they should have.

Since the 49ers typically don't blitz and don't have a strong pass rush with just their front four—21st in sacks heading into Sunday's game—the defensive gameplan should have called for bringing blitzers from multiple angles to try and throw off Rodgers.

Offensively, the plan should have been to pound the rock time and time again. Frank Gore had just seven carries in this game, despite breaking lose for a 42-yard gain in the first half.

The running game was working, and, yet, the 49ers abandoned it.

If the coaching staff doesn't start putting their players in the best situations to succeed, the 49ers will continue to disappoint.

This was another winnable game. But poor play calling and worse execution lost it for them.

The fact they are so close to success but yet so far is what makes the 49er faithful want pull their hair out.

San Jose Sharks: Does a Stanley Cup Make Doug Wilson the Best GM Ever?

Andy Bensch — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:00:37 -0500

The San Jose Sharks are currently known as playoff "chokers" by the majority of NHL fans.

Every year for the past four seasons the Sharks are picked as a Stanley Cup favorite, but each year they fail to get past the second round.

However, you cannot fault their General Manager Doug Wilson. The guy has done everything in his power to create a winning formula and each year he makes a change or two, or three or four, in order to improve his team.

As fans, what more can we ask for?

Wilson has put together one of the most star-studded rosters the game has ever seen, but he hasn't neglected the importance of role players either.

If the Sharks go onto win the Stanley Cup this year, it just might cement Wilson's legacy as the best GM in the history of the NHL.

Perhaps some history buffs out there will throw out the names of GM's who put together the dynasties of the Montreal Canadiens and the Gretzky-led Edmonton Oilers but nobody has made the type of trades Wilson has made over the last few seasons.

Joe Thornton, Dan Boyle and Dany Heatley; as members of the Sharks, the trio has combined for 514 points.

The seven players Wilson traded away to receive them: Marco Sturm, Wayne Primeau, Brad Stuart, Matt Carle, Ty Wishart, Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo have combined for just 368 points.

Essentially, Wilson traded for the league's best set-up man, the league's best offensive defenseman and the league's second-best goal scorer while giving up next to nothing.

Not a single other GM in the history of the sport has made three steals of this magnitude in just a four year span.

But it's not just the trades that would make Wilson the best GM of all-time but his drafts and free-agent signings that are just as productive.

In fact, despite taking over the Sharks GM position just six years ago in 2003, all but four Sharks on the current roster were either drafted, signed or traded for by Wilson.

Only Patrick Marleau, Ryane Clowe, Evgeni Nabokov and Douglas Murray became Sharks due to the work of Wilson's predecessor Dean Lombardi.

Plus all four of those have since been given contract extensions by Wilson to stay in San Jose.

But the rest of the Sharks became Sharks for the very first time via Wilson's maneuvering.

While Wilson has made his most significant additions via trade, he has added gems to his lineup in a whole multitude of different ways.

The list of current Sharks acquired via trade by Wilson are as follows:

Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, Dan Boyle, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, (received as a Calgary Flames draft choice in the Miika Kiprusoff trade) Kent Huskins, and Jody Shelley

However, the majority of Wilson's roster has been put together through everything but trades.

Players Wilson has drafted using the team's original picks:

Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi, Logan Couture, Jamie McGinn, Derek Joslin, Frazer Mclaren, Steven Zalewski

Players Wilson picked up after they went undrafted: Jason Demers, Brad Staubitz, and Ryan Vesce.

And finally Wilson's free-agent signings: Rob Blake, Scott Nichol, Manny Malhotra, Jed Ortmeyer, and Benn Ferriero.

The Sharks currently have a major contributor on their roster from each of these groups.

Wilson's undrafted signings are making an impact, his veteran free-agent signings are making an impact, his draft picks are making an impact and his trade acquisitions are making an impact.

As a GM, Wilson does not take anything for granted. He analyzes every aspect of his team as thoroughly as possible and looks to add elements to his team in every fashion imaginable.

He even made the correct move in firing Ron Wilson as head coach after the 2007-08 season.

The move wasn't necessary, the onus is on the players for not getting the job done. But with the way the Sharks were evolving after that season, a shake-up was needed as Ron Wilson had clearly worn out his welcome.

A year after Wilson made the coaching change, he faced arguably his toughest offseason as GM.

The Sharks had been upset in the first round of the playoffs after finishing the regular season as the top team in the NHL.

Sharks fans were calling for either Patrick Marleau or Evgeni Nabokov to be traded, and a big free-agent splash to be made.

Wilson could have very easily made a rash decision and made an unnecessary trade or throw excess money at a free-agent.

However, San Jose's GM let things come to him. He thoroughly completed the "autopsy" of his team and waited out the offseason for the best moves to identify themselves.

Instead of signing a big-time scorer like a Marian Gaborik, Martin Havlat or Marian Hossa, Wilson waited for the trade market to develop.

With the Ottawa Senators in a bind to trade the then disgruntled Dany Heatley, Wilson was able to seal the deal just before training camp started because Ottawa wanted him out.

The Senators were in the position where they needed a change more than the Sharks did and all Wilson had to do was reap the benefits.

After making his big move through the trade market, Wilson still wasn't done.

By taking the wait and see approach, Wilson was able to absolutely steal a Manny Malhotra as a free-agent in late September. Malhotra signed a one-year deal worth 700K.

Combined with veteran center Scott Nichol, who Wilson signed earlier in the offseason, the Sharks now had two premier face-off men to play primarily on their bottom two forward lines.

With these three primary additions, along with bringing in a few other free agent forwards like Benn Ferriero and Jed Ortmeyer, Wilson has created a Sharks team that has many thinking this year will finally be the year for San Jose.

If this current crop of Sharks can get over the hump and win the Stanley Cup, it would be hard to argue against Wilson as the best GM ever.

If this current crop of Sharks can win multiple Stanley Cups, then Wilson will become hands down the best GM ever.

His savvy, his patience, and his pure ability to do everything it takes to create a winner has made Sharks fans thankful for having such a wise hockey mind running the ship.

All that is left is for the players to solidify Wilson's genius by winning hockey's holy grail.

Earth to Bill Belichick: It's Okay to Think Inside the Box

Andy Bensch — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:29 -0500

In Sunday's game against the Indianpolis Colts, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick decided to go for the win on fourth and two from his own 28-yard-line with a little over two minutes remaining even though his team was up six points at the time.

The conversion failed, the Patriots would lose the game and the controversy began. Just on this site alone there have been probably over 25 different articles covering this subject since the game ended.

But before you flip over to your facebook page or your fantasy football on ESPN, take some time to read one more substantive review of the now infamous play call and the subsequent post-game reactions.

First and foremost, your ESPN and NFL Network analysts would make you think the world was coming to an end with their reactions.

Former Patriot defensive stars and current television analysts Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi ripped their former coach for not having faith in his defense.

Plus former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer criticized the decision as did almost every paid sports anchor around the country.

However, these reactions didn't seem to have much thought put into them before they were delivered.

It wasn't that Belichick didn't have faith in his defense it was that he felt that having more faith in his offense gave his team "the best chance to win."

If the fourth down play had been longer, say four or more yards then Belichick would have definitely punted the ball away. Saying he didn't have faith in his defense means Belichick would have gone for the win no matter how many yards they needed.

With the short distance to go, Belichick had too much faith in his offense, not too little in his defense. He simply put the game in the hands of his prolific offense. Not a terrible idea. But an unnecessary one.

Now for those writers on Bleacher Report trying to think "outside the box" by arguing Belichick made the right call, I simply am going to tell all of you and Belichick that sometimes it is okay to think "inside the box."

For those writers claiming the statistics of making the fourth and two was more likely than stopping Peyton Manning from going 70 yards, I must ask, "where did you get that information?"

Can you predict the future?

Let's just say the Patriots punted the ball away and the Colts started on their own 30. What if Indianpolis' receiver Reggie Wayne tore his ACL on the first play of the drive?

What if a couple false start penalties back the Colts up further into their part of the field? Or better yet, what if there is a block in the back on the punt return and Indianapolis has to go 85 yards instead of the presumed 70?

Writers claiming the odds were in favor of Belichick's decision can give me all the saber metrics they wish, but what it all boils down to are the "what-if's."

What if the Patriots had converted on fourth down? Then the Patriots would have won the game.

What if the Patriots had punted?

Well, the Colts could have returned the kick for a touchdown. But then again the punt could have been fumbled, and if New England recovered the game would be over.

If the Colts got the ball back, they could go four and out.

Or they could have gotten a couple first downs and then turned the ball over.

Or they could have marched all the way down the field and turned the ball over in the red-zone since they needed a touchdown.

Essentially, at any point on the drive they could have turned the ball over on downs and the game would have been a win for the Patriots. Just one big play from a defensive player would have been all it took for a New England victory.

The fact is that if New England punts the ball away instead of going for it, there are so many more scenarios to be played out where the Patriots end up victorious.

However, there would be only one scenario where the Colts come away victorious. Everything goes right for the Colts, no penalties, no injuries, every play works, they manage the clock to perfection and they win the game with a last second touchdown.

But the Patriots didn't punt.

They went for the fourth down conversion and failed, giving the ball back to Manning with just under 30 yards to go for a winning score.

Belichick turned a 60 minute football game where a punt would have given his team numerous chances to win, into a do-or-die play.

Patriots get that first down, they win. If they don't, the Colts win. Simple as that.

It is eerily similar to a team going for a two-point conversion with no time on the clock to win the game. Score and you win, miss and you lose.

But this game shouldn't have come down to just a single play. Belichick didn't need to make the game into a do-or-die situation.

Now punting the ball away wouldn't have meant a certain victory for New England. Manning could have drove down, however long a field needed, to score a touchdown and win the game.

But regardless of the quarterback, if you have the opportunity to make the opponent drive the length of the field with just two minutes left to score a touchdown, you take your chances.

More often than not, a defense will have the ability to hold on for the win. The percentages are in favor of the defense coming up with a stop.

If the percentages were in favor of the offense scoring in that situation then fans wouldn't fuss over all these great fourth quarter comebacks because they would be a common occurrence.

But they aren't.

As great as all the current hall of fame and future hall of fame quarterbacks are, quality defense will beat them more often than not in these types of situations.

However, a fourth and two conversion is simply a 50-50. Flip a coin. Don't tell me the percentage of fourth and short conversions this year is 60-40 or whatever the actual numbers may be.

Going for it on fourth down is like flipping a penny. Even though it may land on heads seven out of 10 flips, that doesn't mean heads has a 70 percent chance on every flip.

It still has a 50-50 shot.

As for the Patriots, they couldn't gain a meager two yards on their third down play, so what made them so confident they could get the necessary yardage on fourth down?

Belichick didn't give his team the best chance to win with his play call, he took the entire team's performance throughout the game and bet it on a single play.

Punting in that situation would have given his team the best chance to win because they would then have had multiple opportunities to make a game-winning play, not just one.

Furthermore, when was the last time anyone has seen a team go for a fourth down so deep in their own territory when they were winning the game?

Belichick's decision to go for it is a move most of us make when were playing Madden on PlayStation, but nowhere close to what we would do in an actual game.

Granted I've only been an avid NFL follower for the past 7-10 years or so, but I can't recall any coach making a similar decision in that span. Nor can I think of any big-name coach in the history of the NFL make a call like Belichick made.

Sometimes thinking outside the box can be quite beneficial but this time around, thinking inside the box would have given the Patriots the best chance to win.

When it comes to a team with the lead late in a football game and they are facing a fourth down deep in their own territory, it should be an automatic punt, no questions asked.

2010 Olympics: Canada vs. Russia for Hockey Gold?

Andy Bensch — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:51:12 -0500

Every four years hockey fans get to enjoy their favorite game played on an international level.

If anything can match a hockey player's dream of winning the Stanley Cup, it would be the dream of winning gold at the Olympics.

This season, the NHL will take a break come mid-February for the XXI Winter Olympic games in Vancouver, British Columbia.

It is only fitting that the upcoming Olympic games are being hosted in Canada, and the 2014 games are taking place in Sochi, Russia. Is it possible that the men's hockey finals will match up Canada and Russia in back-to-back Olympics? As of now, that looks to be a major possibility.

Although neither country reached the finals at Turin, Italy in 2006, both countries lay claim to the world's best players. Plus, with the Olympics in Vancouver, it would take a colossal meltdown for Team Canada not to reach the final.

The Canadian team is essentially take your pick:

Forwards: Joe Thornton, Jarome Iginla, Sidney Crosby, Shane Doan, Vinny Lecavalier, Ryan Getzlaf, Dany Heatley, Rick Nash, Jonathan Toews, Martin St. Louis, Patrick Marleau, Brenden Morrow, Mike Richards.

Defense: Dan Boyle, Chris Pronger, Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, Scott Niedermayer, Mike Green, Shea Weber, Duncan Keith.

Goaltenders: Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury.

Even though Team Russia will have difficulty matching Canada's depth, they can boast about having two of the best three players in the world in Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin.

Rounding out the rest of the Russian forward group are the following:

Alexander Semin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk, Nikolai Zherdev, Alexander Radulov, Alexander Frolov, and Alexei Kovalev

Defensively the Russians can throw out a couple of big names as well, including Sergei Gonchar and Andrei Markov.

Both defenseman are currently on the shelf with injuries, but both have a significant chance at returning by the Olympics. Gonchar will almost definitely be available unless he suffers another injury before that time, and Markov could start skating on that injured ankle come beginning of February. It will be a wait and see approach for Markov though.

The rest of the Russian defense includes Fedor Tyutin of Columbus, Anton Volchenkov of Ottawa, and Edmonton's Denis Grebeshov.

When it comes to goaltenders, its not too far-fetched to think Russia may actually have an advantage.

Considering both Luongo and Fleury haven't been playing at the top of their games so far this season, Canada might not have the depth after Brodeur.

However, Russia has arguably two of the hottest goalies in the NHL with the Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov and the Coyotes' Ilya Bryzgalov. Add in the savvy veteran Nikolai Khabibulin, and Russia is three deep in net.

With the 2006 Olympic finalists Sweden and Finland aging quickly, it wouldn't be a surprise if both Canada and Russia met in the Vancouver final. And if it happened, it would probably be the most anticipated hockey game in the history of the sport.

Canada, the birthplace of hockey, and Russia, the largest country in the world going mano-a-mano for the gold?

Instead of Crosby and Malkin going against Ovechkin like we see in the NHL, it's going to be Malkin and Ovechkin against Crosby.

Instead of Thornton and Nabokov against Doan and Bryzgalov like we see in the NHL, it's going to be Thornton and Doan against Nabokov and Bryzgalov.

We could essentially see a line of Heatley-Thornton-Marleau trying to score on Nabokov.

And no, I'm not talking about a Sharks practice, were talking about the Olympics. Sharks against Sharks will be the setting of some of the most competitive hockey you will ever see.

While some fans who aren't familiar with Olympic hockey may be confused with all the different players playing against their NHL teammates, country against country hockey actually makes for an entertaining game no matter the outcome.

Unless you're Canadian or Russian, you probably don't have a particular team to root for which will make the game itself more entertaining to watch.

If you're an Penguins fan from the States, you will naturally hope both Crosby and Malkin make some plays. Similarly for Sharks fans who will want Heatley and Thornton to score, but they'll also want Nabokov to make some saves.

Therefore, no matter the score, those fans without a bias will watch from beginning to end because it is essentially an NHL All-Star game with one exception: the players will be performing like the Stanley Cup is on the line.

With a chance at winning a gold medal being just as big, if not bigger, of a dream for certain players then winning a Stanley Cup, Olympic hockey is an incredible showcase of the skill and precision of the world's best players.

Plus, with these two teams there are just so many intriguing story lines.

Remember when Nabokov absolutely robbed Kovalchuk twice during the All-Star game two years ago? Now instead of going against each other, Kovalchuk and Nabokov have the opportunity to play on the same side.

Furthermore, Ovechkin scored his first career goals against the Sharks, but Nabokov stoned him numerous times in the same game.

Those watching that game will tell you how entertaining it was to see Ovechkin skate by Nabokov and mutter something in Russian, probably along the lines of "Darn you, Nabby!"

With the Olympics, we will get to see the two play for the same squad. Nabokov plus Ovechkin? Talk about a dynamic duo of scorer and goalie.

Now on the Canadian side, the story lines are just as plentiful.

Guys like Crosby, Richards, and Lecavalier will now be helping Brodeur keep the puck out of the net instead of trying to get it past him like they have done their whole careers.

Shark-killer Chris Pronger will be playing alongside Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. Although Sharks fans may have a hatred towards the big bruising Pronger, they can't help but wonder about how awesome a combination that trio would be on the Sharks.

Capitals defenseman Mike Green will be passing to Lightning forwards Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis instead of defending the talented duo like he does six times a year.

Depending on the line combinations, an Anaheim Duck in Ryan Getzlaf could be setting up a Dallas Star like Brenden Morrow. A Chicago Blackhawk like Jonathan Toews could be setting up a Columbus Blue Jacket like Rich Nash.

We see combinations like these in NHL All-Star games, but as we all know, nobody plays defense in the All-Star game.

However, these superstars playing in the Olympics are going to make the games in Vancouver some of the most entertaining hockey ever. With the offensive talent, defensive specialists and top tier goal-tending on both teams, there is good chance we could see them meet in the final.

As a hockey fan, watching these two nations go up against one another for the gold would easily be the highlight of the Olympics.

San Jose Sharks: Adapting to Adversity Is Increasing Chemistry

Andy Bensch — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:09:41 -0500

When the San Jose Sharks take on the Nashville Predators tonight, they will be without forwards Devin Setoguchi and Brad Staubitz.

Setoguchi is day-to-day after tweaking the same lower body injury that kept him out of the lineup for about two weeks from Oct. 24 to Nov. 10, and Staubitz will be monitored carefully after taking a puck to the face in Monday's optional practice.

What does this mean for the league-leading Sharks? It means three forwards from Worcester have been recalled to play on the fourth line in tonight's game against the Preds.

Along with Logan Couture, who was sent down and called back up between Sunday's game in Chicago and tonight's game in Nashville, forwards Frazer McLaren and Benn Ferriero have also been recalled.

Now, if similar injuries had caused an entire line to be called up from the AHL last season, Sharks fans would have had a right to worry. Forwards like Tomas Plihal, Lukas Kaspar, and Tom Cavanagh didn't exactly put Sharks fans at ease when they got their shot a year ago.

However, fans have already seen quality play at the NHL level from all three of the forwards called up for tonight's game.

Ferriero performed admirably in 17 games before being sent back to Worcester, showing the flexibility to play on the second, third, and fourth lines. McLaren has played in just four games with the Sharks so far this season, but he had an impressive fight in the home opener against Columbus and his physical play along the boards was remarkable.

And Couture, a former first-round pick, scored his first NHL career goal that put the team up 1-0 against Detroit.

Sharks fans should look for this line to cause the Nashville defense some trouble down low with their size and speed.

But the injuries sustained over the last few days have given the Sharks much more than just a brand new fourth line combination.

With Setoguchi out of the lineup, three players in particular are moving up to a line where they have already demonstrated chemistry this season.

Ryane Clowe jumps back up to the first line with Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley, a combination that proved to be quite successful for a short stretch of games during Setoguchi's absence.

Taking Clowe's spot on the second line is Manny Malhotra, who once again joins up with Patrick Marleau. When Pavelski was hurt for 15 of the Sharks' 22 games, Malhotra and Marleau proved to be a dynamic duo no matter who was on the right side of their line.

Setoguchi and Ferriero both saw time alongside Marleau and Malhotra, so Joe Pavelski being in the mix shouldn't mean anything different.

Since Malhotra is bumped up to second line duty, the third line that had become a superb trio of veterans including Scott Nichol and Jed Ortmeyer has been broken up.

However, taking over Malhotra's spot on the left wing of that line will be none other than Jamie McGinn, whose majority of success this season has come from that spot.

When Malhotra was playing up on the second line earlier in the year, the combination of McGinn-Nichol-Ortmeyer was performing just as well, if not better, than the Malhotra-Nichol-Ortmeyer trio.

Granted no team wants to see any of their players hurt, but having to adapt and change up the lines has allowed Sharks head coach Todd McLellan to see what different combinations work well together.

In order to understand the benefit of multiple combinations that already have proven chemistry, it is important to look at a healthy Sharks lineup and how it can adapt to various injuries.

If healthy, (minus Torrey Mitchell who hasn't played in a regular season game in over a year) the Sharks forward lines look as follows:

Heatley-Thornton-Setoguchi

Clowe-Marleau-Pavelski

Malhotra-Nichol-Ortmeyer

McGinn-Couture-Staubitz

But what if, say, Pavelski suffers an injury? The Sharks don't have to fret. The alteration has two simple scenarios.

Scenario One: Top line remains the same, and the following changes occur:

Malhotra-Marleau-Clowe becomes the second line, McGinn-Nichol-Ortmeyer becomes the third line, and McLaren-Couture-Staubitz becomes the fourth line. Now whether Shelley, Vesce, Ferriero, or McLaren take over the left-wing on the fourth line isn't vital.

The important thing for the Sharks is that the second and third lines still have chemistry out on the ice.

Scenario Two: With Pavelski out, McLellan may decide to flip-flop Setoguchi and Clowe.

This move would create lines of Heatley-Thornton-Clowe, Malhotra-Marleau-Setoguchi, McGinn-Nichol-Ortmeyer, McLaren-Couture-Staubitz.

Now what if Setoguchi and Staubitz are out with injury? Well, since tonight's game will have both right-wingers out of action, the following adaptations will take place:

Heatley-Thornton-Clowe

Malhotra-Marleau-Pavelski

McGinn-Nichol-Ortmeyer

McLaren-Couture-Ferriero.

With this lineup, the top three lines still have a clear chemistry despite not being the normal groupings.

Plus, if the Sharks come out slow, McLellan could always bump Ferriero up to the second-line alongside Marleau and Pavelski. He would then drop Malhotra back down to his familiar spot on the third line with Nichol and Ortmeyer and subsequently put the more experienced McGinn down on the fourth line to give the group some extra physicality.

The benefit of multiple players having chemistry with various linemates will allow McLellan extra flexibility which will be especially valuable come playoff time.

Unlike last season where the top two lines of Marleau-Thornton-Setoguchi and Michalek-Pavelski-Clowe were almost entirely set in stone for the majority of the season, the Sharks now don't have to worry as much about injuries.

If anyone of the top-six were to have gone down with an injury last year or if the lines got stale, there wasn't a clear Plan B to get the scoring lines going.

Since the top-six from last season were relatively healthy, the lines hardly ever changed.

But when it came to the end of the regular season and playoffs last year, injuries and poor play saw the top two lines have a huge drop-off in production.

The problem was that McLellan didn't have any other options. Was Mike Grier, Travis Moen, or a 39-year-old Jeremy Roenick going to jump up to top line duty and change anything?

Neither Grier nor Moen had the skill level to play on the top two scoring lines, and although Roenick had the skill, he was simply just too beat up to play a full game as part of a scoring trio.

Fortunately for McLellan and the Sharks, the injury bug has hit in the beginning of the year this season as opposed to right before the playoffs.

Consequently, even though the season is less than two months old, the Sharks already have numerous line combinations that work well together.

This ability to adapt without some of their top-tier players has given San Jose an advantage most teams don't have. Most teams with significant injuries have struggled to start the season but the Sharks continue to look like they never miss a beat despite missing someone from their lineup.

Granted no coach will say injuries help their team in the short run, but coaches will always say it allows them to try different combinations and get extended looks at younger players.

In the case of the Sharks, those different combinations and younger players are allowing them to flourish in the face of adversity.

A Win in Green Bay: How the 49ers Can Beat the Packers

Andy Bensch — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:22:50 -0500

After the San Francisco 49ers broke their four game losing streak by narrowly beating the Chicago Bears last week, the team had a couple days to relish in the victory.

However, three days after pulling out their first win since week four, the division leading Arizona Cardinals matched the 49ers with another win of their own.

Unfortunately for San Francisco, the Seattle Seahawks couldn't hold onto a seven point half-time lead and the Cardinals now remain two full games ahead of the 49ers.

If the red & gold have any hope of making the playoffs this year, it will have to come by winning the division.

And in order for that to happen, the 49ers are going to need to win a game in which they have no business winning.

The only two games remaining on their schedule that fit this profile are at the Philadelphia Eagles later in the year and at the Green Bay Packers this weekend.

If you aren't a follower of either the Niners or the Pack, you might not be aware of just how little success San Francisco has had against Green Bay.

The 49ers have not beaten the Packers in the regular season in almost 20 years. You have to go back to the 1990 regular season to find the last time the 49ers won a regular season contest against the Pack.

San Francisco won that game by a 24-20 final at Lambeau and in order for them to break their current 0-4 streak in the state of Wisconsin, they are going to have to put up over 20 points once again.

However, if the 49ers attempt to play the same offensive style that limited them to just 10 points in their win against the Bears last week, they might just get shut out.

Even though it may not be cold enough to snow in Green Bay, the temperature is bound to be below 40 on Sunday with the windchill near freezing and a possibility of rain.

Combine the weather with a Packers secondary featuring Charles Woodson, Al Harris, and Nick Colllins, saying Alex Smith is going to face an uphill battle throwing the football would be an understatement.

So how can the 49ers put up 20+ points? The answer is simple, put the ball on the ground and keep Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers off the field.

Rodgers, the quarterback the 49ers passed on during the 2005 draft, is currently on pace to throw for over 4300 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions.

Much like games against the Texans and Colts, the 49ers can ill afford to get into an offensive shootout against the Packers.

San Francisco will not win this game 38-35; it's just not going to happen.

In order for them to win, they have to get Frank Gore at least 25 carries, if not 30 if they want to come away with a victory.

With the offensive line being as inconsistent as it has been thus far, simplifying the game will allow the 49ers to limit the mistakes.

Pounding the rock will also help benefit the potential passing game with Smith at quarterback.

Despite the fact the winning formula includes a heavy douse of Gore running the ball, Smith is going to have to make some big throws in certain situations to keep the Packers defense honest.

But over the last few weeks, Smith has essentially been dropping back and throwing out of the pocket. On numerous occasions he has attempted to fit the ball into windows that only Peyton Manning and Tom Brady can fit balls into.

Now this isn't Smith's fault, he can only run the plays called by offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye.

However, if Raye has any wits about him at all, he will start to put Smith in situations that allow him to succeed.

Smith, whose best asset is clearly his mobility, needs to be rolled out of the pocket and allowed to throw on the run or in space.

How many times have we seen similar quarterbacks make big plays down field while outside of the pocket? Guys like Ben Roethlisberger, Tony Romo, and Donovan McNabb are always seen making throws outside the hash marks up by the line of scrimmage.

The best chance Smith is going to have to make that clutch throw for a big first down is when he has the ability to read the defense away from the pocket and away from pressure.

However, if the 49ers continue to call plays that simply have him drop back in the pocket and throw down field, the interceptions are bound to continue and if San Fran starts turning the ball over, there going to have little to no chance of beating the Packers.

But if the offense can follow the aforementioned parameters and execute, it will allow their defense to stay fresh enough to perform their game plan for a full 60 minutes.

Defensively, the 49ers need to bring every single blitz package in their play book and bring it hard on Rodgers.

If Green Bay has any problems, it is with their pass blocking. Despite being a game above .500 at 5-4, the Packers have allowed an NFL worst 41 sacks this season. Nine more than the next worst team, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Granted, the 49ers are tied for 21st in the league when it comes to sacking the quarterback, they have the ability to give opposing offenses fits if they can stay fresh enough for the entire game.

Just three weeks ago, the 49ers sacked Peyton Manning three times even though the Colts had allowed just allowed two sacks all season long before that game.

The pass rushing ability is clearly evident on the 49ers defense, they just need to start letting their pass rushers do what they do best and let them take advantage of Green Bay's poor pass protection.

Linebackers Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson need to be bringing pressure on the majority of snaps on Sunday and when you add in middle linebacker Patrick Willis and defensive end Justin Smith, these four players in particular are going to have to step up their game and attack Green Bay's offensive line.

Assuming the 49ers coaching staff has the wherewithal to create a game plan in this fashion, then San Francisco has a significant chance of coming away with a victory.

But if they continue to fail at putting pressure on the quarterback like they did against Atlanta and Houston, the defense will be shredded apart by Green Bay's passing attack.

However, that won't even matter if the 49er coaches continue to put more faith in Smith as a pocket passer than they put in Gore as a tailback.

For the sake of 49ers fans, let's just hope Mike Singletary puts together an adequate game plan for beating Green Bay.

Why the San Jose Sharks Are Finally More Than Just Joe Thornton

Andy Bensch — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:48:55 -0500

In just about two weeks the anniversary of the blockbuster trade that brought the then Boston Bruin Joe Thornton to San Jose will pass us by.

It will mark the fourth full year in which Thornton has been a member of team teal. Now despite his knack for staying healthy, (hasn't missed a game as a Shark) Thornton suffering an injury has been what the San Jose faithful have dreaded for the majority of those four years.

Prior to this season, it was quite common to hear fans in the Bay Area claim "the Sharks are good but they are screwed if Thornton gets hurt."

And those fans spoke the truth. If the seemingly unbreakable Joe Thornton were to have suffered a lengthy injury, San Jose would have been a playoff bubble team at best.

However, you won't hear a single Sharks fan making that claim this season. Losing Joe Thornton would be a significant loss if the former Hart Trophy winner went down with injury, but it wouldn't be catastrophic.

In fact, even without "Jumbo Joe," the Sharks probably end up fighting for a top-five playoff spot in the West.

The Sharks finally have a well-rounded team that can easily adapt on the fly.

First and foremost for the new team aspect of the Sharks is the addition of superstar Dany Heatley.

The two-time 50 goal scorer averages more than a point per game for his career and has been everything as advertised when the Sharks acquired him this past offseason.

In 22 games this season, Heatley has tallied 14 goals and 23 points, helping lead San Jose to the best record in the NHL.

However, Heatley's acquisition isn't even half of the reason why this year's Sharks team doesn't have to rely on Thornton.

What actually makes the Sharks so much more of an all-around hockey club is their depth throughout the lineup. And that depth begins with the emergence of Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi.

It was only just two years ago during the 2007-08 season where Pavelski and Setoguchi were both new kids on the block. Pavelski was in his second year, (first full season) and Setoguchi was a rookie.

Both forwards combined for just 57 points that year and the Sharks were bounced from the playoffs in the Western Conference semifinals by the Dallas Stars.

Last season Pavelski and Setoguchi combined for 124 points. Now injuries are going to limit both players to less than a full season this year, but adjusting their current paces to a full season of play, the now veteran forwards are once again on fire.

Pavelski is on pace for a 95 point season over 82 games, and Setoguchi is on pace for 58 points. Simply doing the adding, the duo is on pace for 153 points (again, if they could play in 82 games).

The performance of these forwards begs the following question: If you're the opposing team, who are you going to stop?

Take away Joe Thornton, and you have to deal with Dany Heatley, take away Heatley, deal with Patrick Marleau, take away Marleau, deal with Ryane Clowe etc.

However, along with the aforementioned Pavelski and Setoguchi, those forwards are merely the top-six for San Jose. Unlike years past, they don't account for all the Sharks' scoring.

Energy guys on the third and fourth lines like Manny Malhotra, Jed Ortmeyer, and Jamie McGinn have chipped in more than enough offense considering their main jobs involve simply bringing energy and playing solid defensively.

When an opponent's top defensemen are busy defending the Sharks' powerful scoring threats, the energy lines for San Jose typically have lots of room to grind out shifts along the boards in the offensive zone.

Each line the Sharks throw out this season can bring the intensity, and they all usually hold the puck in the offensive zone much longer than they have to spend defending it in their own zone.

Unfortunately, it wasn't always that way. During recent seasons the Sharks were primarily a three-line team, especially in the playoffs.

Jody Shelley and his mix and match group on the fourth line was seldom used over the past few years, but San Jose finally has the depth to roll all four lines much more fluidly.

But not only do the Sharks have depth in their starting lineup, they have talented players waiting to crack the lineup. Along with the injured Torrey Mitchell, there are a bunch of other talented forwards who have made significant contributions even though they currently aren't in the lineup.

Depth-wise, Sharks forwards 13-18 have chipped in with 14 points this season. Ryan Vesce, Benn Ferriero, Jody Shelley, Logan Couture, and Frazer McLaren have combined for 14 points, almost three each on average. Fourteen points from that group speaks volumes about the contributions throughout the entire roster.

In terms of players stepping up due to injury, it has been none other than Vesce making the biggest impact. With Pavelski hurt and Setoguchi dropped down to the second line, Vesce scored in three straight games playing on the top line.

No matter who goes down with injury, the Sharks have been well-suited to take the blow in stride and keep putting forth quality effort after quality effort.

Therefore, even if the "Big Cup of Joe" were to miss a stretch of games, this Sharks team could actually fare well without him if needed.

The most telling sign of this is that Thornton has only had the primary assist on two of Heatley's 14 goals so far this season, and just on six total.

Dan Boyle on the other hand has had the primary assist on four Heatley tallies and seven in total.

Healtey's ability to find the open spot on the ice has even made rookie defenseman Jason Demers look like a Dan Boyle clone when he tipped in a sweet pass from Demers in the game against Colorado.

Simply put, it doesn't matter who is passing to the Shark sniper, he is going to score his goals.

But to be fair, it is the regular season and we have seen this type of domination from the Sharks before. However, the ability to spread the wealth this season has not been seen since Thornton's arrival.

So far this year a stronger team vibe has been evident on the ice. Whether that is truly the case or not, well, we as outsiders can only speculate.

But with contributions coming from every single player reporters can find in the Sharks locker room, and even some down at the Sharks AHL affiliate in Worcester, this San Jose team feels different.

That new vibe is why a significant portion of both fans and experts believe this might finally be the year where the Sharks break through for extended playoff success.

AB & KA: Why the Sharks-Stars Rivalry Will Return in Full Force

Andy Bensch — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:17:09 -0500

With the San Jose Sharks and the Dallas Stars going head-to-head for the first time this season on Thursday, Ken Armer (the Stars featured columnist) and myself decided to preview the season series. But first, a trip down memory lane.

Can the rivalry from the 1990's return in full force?

Throughout the mid-to-late 90’s, there was no other team that Sharks fans hated more than the Dallas Stars. Whether it was their hatred towards goaltender Ed Belfour, defenseman Derian Hatcher or superstars Brett Hull and Mike Modano, the San Jose faithful could not stand the team from the lone star state.

When the Sharks were eliminated from the playoffs at the hands of the Stars in two of three seasons from 1997-2000, the animosity of the fan-base towards Dallas reached its highest point.

It also didn’t help that the Stars won Lord Stanley’s Cup in the one season between ‘97-00 in which the Sharks weren’t able to match-up against their rivals during the post-season. Some fans are still bitter about the Stars’ success during those years, so much so that they continue to mention that the hated Brett Hull’s skate is still in the crease!

However, it is now ten years later, the “in the crease” rule is no longer and three of the four most hated Stars are no longer with the organization. No more Ed Belfour, no more Derian Hatcher and no more Brett “Fudging” Hull.

Nowadays, the Stars have a new group of tough, hard-nosed players that Sharks players and fans hate to see on the opposing bench. First and foremost of that group is Stars’ captain Brenden Morrow.

Despite his nearly season long injury last season, and the fact Sharks fans gained a new hatred for Anaheim Ducks star Ryan Getzlaf, Morrow is still the number one forward that Sharks fans absolutely loath. After his series winning OT goal two seasons ago in the playoffs, you still hear San Jose faithful mouthing the words “Brenden [expletive] Morrow”.

Along with Morrow, agitators such as Steve Ott, Kyle Barch and goaltender Marty Turco (aka: Ed Belfour part two), give the Stars a group of players that no team wants to play against, nonetheless a team that has to play them six times every season.

Now prior to the 2007-08 Western Conference semi-final between the two teams, the rivalry had cooled off as they had not met in the post-season since 2000. However, the Sharks are just as talented as they were two seasons ago, and the Stars return essentially the same lineup as two years ago with a healthy Morrow.

Considering that both teams are prime and ready for deep playoff runs and that the Anaheim Ducks lost two of their top three defensemen from last season in Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin, the Stars and Sharks look prime to finish 1-2 atop the division.

And when that happens, chaos is going to start flying in the head-to-head match-ups between these two clubs.

Who has the advantage going into the season-series? Ken Armer and myself will break down the rosters and compare the players:

Goaltenders: Marty Turco Vs Evgeni Nabokov

Ken:

With the way the Sharks have been of late I think the advantage goes to Nabby, but the entire thing hinges on the play of the defense.

Andy:

When it comes to stopping the puck, both goalies have an uncanny ability to perform at an elite level, especially even when the team in front of them is having an off night. But it is Turco’s incredible talent to handle the puck outside of his crease and start breakouts that is years better than Nabokov. Even though Nabby is currently at the top of his game, he is more likely to make that one mistake that causes his team the loss in a highly contested match-up. Slight advantage: Stars

Top-Flight Wingers: Brenden Morrow vs. Dany Heatley

Ken:

Morrow, he's always been a bit of a Shark killer, and I think the play of Morrow and the Dallas fore-check will cause hell for Heatley.

Andy:

This is an interesting comparison to make considering Morrow is coming of an injury and Heatley is joining a new team. Heatley is by far the more productive offensive threat as he has produced four seasons with higher point totals then Morrow’s career marks. However, the compete factor of Morrow is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. I’ll give a slight edge to Heatley in this argument because of his endless amount of offensive skill but both should mean about the exact same to their respective clubs this season.

Top-Tier Centers: Thornton, Pavelski vs Richards, Ribeiro

Ken:

Looking forward to seeing the play of Richards and Pavelski in particular, id say for now this is an even match-up.

Andy:

One might assume that Thornton and Pavelski outscored Richards and Ribeiro by a large margin last season. However, the Sharks duo posted just 145 points to the Stars duo’s 126. When you add in the post-season success of a player like Richards, these match-ups of centers will be extremely interesting to watch. Neither team has a clear advantage.

Young-stud Wingers: Devin Setoguchi & Ryane Clowe Vs Loui Eriksson and James Neal

Ken:

Advantage Neal and Eriksson, both have been hot of late.

Andy:

When Devin Setoguchi received all the love for his breakout second season, many fans around the NHL weren’t aware that a young Stars forward scored five more goals than Setoguchi. Loui Eriksson posted 36 goals to Setoguchi’s 31. Furthermore, James Neal was quite impressive as a rookie last season, scoring 24 goals and totaling 37 points for the Stars. With Clowe struggling and Setoguchi coming off injury, advantage Stars.

Scoring Depth: Mike Modano & Jere Lehtinen Vs Patrick Marleau & Torrey Mitchell

Ken:

After nursing injuries for so long in Dallas, I go advantage SJ

Andy:

Both teams are dealing with injuries when it comes to these players, but with Marleau on pace for a career year, the Sharks clearly have an advantage.

Offense from the defense: Dan Boyle, Rob Blake & Marc-Edouard Vlasic Vs Stephane Robidas, Matt Niskanan & Trevor Daley

Ken:

The SJ defense is more capable of offense, Boyle alone is one scary dude on the man advantage. Advantage: SJ

Andy:

This one isn’t close, the Sharks have much more firepower from the blue-line. Last season Boyle, Blake and Vlasic combined for 138 points. The top three current Stars defensemen posted 86 points last season. Advantage: Sharks

Defense from the defense: Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Douglass Murray and Kent Huskins Vs. Stephane Robidas, Nicklas Grossman, & Karlis Skrastins.

Ken:

Dallas, Skrastins is a shot-blocking machine and Robidas is a true warrior. I think advantage Dallas

Andy:

Although defense is more difficult to assess if you can’t follow a team play game in and game out, I have to give the edge to the Stars. So far this season the Sharks have experienced major struggles on their back-end and with two new defenseman with starting roles. Consequently, San Jose is extremely thin depth wise and and unfortunately they really miss Brad Lukowich who was shipped to Vancouver in an off-season trade. Advantage: Stars

Pests and Enforcers: Steve Ott, Krystopher Barch & Brian Sutherby Vs Jody Shelley, Brad Staubitz and Scott Nichol.

Ken:

Advantage Dallas, I think Ott and Sutherby especially are big game guys and will be more influential in Thursdays game. Advantage: Dallas

Andy:

Shelley is extremely overrated as en enforcer and his heir apparent in San Jose, youngster Brad Staubitz is still learning how to play at the NHL level. Scott Nichol gives the Sharks a boost, but the Stars can bring the tenacity with the best of them. Steve Ott just knows how to get under the skin of skill players like Joe Thornton and Ryane Clowe in particular. Plus with Barch and Sutherby helping him out, the Stars have a trio of guys that can annoy the opposition and get them off their game. Advantage: Stars

Recap:

Ken:

I think the offense from defense will be the most fun to watch. The only thing I can comment on regarding the series is a bold prediction—whomever wins the series will win the division.

Andy:

Although I may give the Stars a slight advantage in evaluating the rosters, the Sharks are hungry to put their critics to rest and they match-up well against the Stars in certain areas. The numerous offensive weapons the Sharks possess should lead to success against the Stars defense if they can avoid being drawn into penalty trouble by the tenacious group of Dallas forwards.

However, Dallas’ offensive weapons should also give the Sharks defense fits because San Jose’s back end is much weaker than that of two seasons ago. Combine these match-ups with the fact that each team’s goalie could steal their team a victory, this year’s season series should be extremely exciting to watch.

Since I agree with Ken that whomever wins the season series will win the division, I truly expect the rivalry from the late 90's to return this season.

Will the Real San Francisco 49ers Please Stand Up?

Andy Bensch — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:56:58 -0500

The San Francisco 49ers came into the 2009 season as a run-first, run-second, pass-if-necessary type of football team.

Why did they start the season that way? Because their best player wears a jersey with No. 21 on the back.

Everyone who claims to be part of the San Francisco "faithful" knows that the 49ers offense is centered around tailback Frank Gore.

Wait, check that. Everyone who claims to be an NFL fan knows that the 49ers offense is led by Frank Gore.

Over the last few seasons, Gore has given the 49ers a running game equal to a Grade A steak.

However, over the last few seasons, the 49ers have had a quarterback equal to Grandma's over-cooked turkey on Thanksgiving.

Now to begin the season, the 49ers marched out to a 3-1 record with the combination of over-cooked Turkey and Grade A steak.

Of course, the larger portion of the meal was Grade A steak, and the over-cooked turkey did just enough to keep the total meal positive in the minds of the consumers.

However, when the over-cooked turkey started to fail to get the job done, the team turned to Uncle Alex's turkey, which is significantly better than Grandma's, but still nowhere as tasty as Papa's Grade A steak.

Instead of keeping the ratio of steak and turkey relatively the same, the 49ers over-estimated the quality of Uncle Alex's turkey and began to cook more of it than Papa's steak.

Why would they make such an idiotic change in ratio? Perhaps Aunt Crabtree's impressive gravy made the family feel more like turkey, but that still doesn't negate the fact that the steak is still the tastiest food available on the table.

For those of you who can't follow my food analogies, let me explain in football terms.

When a team's running back is their best weapon on offense, it doesn't matter how much the passing game improves mid-season, the running game should still be the focal point.

In the last two games, the Grade A steak (Frank Gore) has been just as scrumptious as ever. With touchdowns in back-to-back games and yards per carry averages of 7.0 and 5.5 against the Colts and Titans respectively, how come the family has decided to cook such a small amount of the steak?

Over the last two weeks, Gore has run the ball just 28 times, 13 carries against Indianapolis and 15 carries against the Titans.

Mike Singletary stated that his 49ers team would win games with a strong running game and solid defense.

If that is the case, then why has the 49ers offense gone away from the running game?

For his career, when Gore receives 20 carries or more, the 49ers are 14-3.

Simply put, giving Gore the football equals success.

What does giving Alex Smith the football equal? Well, it equals some impressive passing plays and many, many mistakes.

However, Smith currently gives the 49ers the best chance to win. If the 49ers are forced into a situation where they need to pass and pass often, Smith is the best-suited quarterback they have.

But on the same note, just because Smith is a better quarterback than Shaun Hill, it doesn't mean the 49ers have to become a pass-first team.

Smith in the lineup allows for a much better all-around offense. With the former No. 1 pick under center, the 49ers have a passing game that can actually make big plays.

And Smith's passing ability is important for the 49ers to have on the field. In order to succeed offensively, every NFL team needs a balance of run and pass. When Hill was at quarterback, the passing attack was ineffective. With a more athletic quarterback now on the field, the passing game has been much more productive.

Yet the ratio of run/pass should only be adjusted slightly with the improved passing attack.

When Hill was at quarterback, the 49ers were a run-first, run-second, pass-if-necessary team.

With the change to Smith, the 49ers should be a run-first, pass-second, run-third type of team.

San Francisco still has the same group of players they had at the beginning of the season and their running game is still the best part of their offense.

Now that the passing game is improved, it makes sense to throw the ball more often than they did earlier in the season, but the running game still has to be the epitome of the offense.

Until the 49ers return to the true identity of their offense, the losses will continue to stack up.

For the sake of Thursday's contest with the Chicago Bears, let's hope Gore goes beyond the 20-carry mark.

After all, that equals success in 49er land.

San Jose Sharks: Jamie McGinn is "Mr. Hustle"

Andy Bensch — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:31:00 -0500

On Oct. 30, 2008, an extremely unknown rookie winger was playing in just his second career game.

After receiving just 5:35 in ice time two days earlier in his first career game, it wasn't likely that Jamie McGinn would see much more time on the rink against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings.

But while playing just a little over seven minutes, McGinn scored his first career goal to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead about half-way through the second period.

The young forward would later add an assist, but it was his hard-working goal that made almost all Sharks fans cheer while asking the same thing: Who the heck is Jamie McGinn?

In total, McGinn appeared in just 35 games last season, contributing a pedestrian six points (four goals, two assists) and a minus-six plus/minus rating.

However, his work ethic and tenacity on the fore-check in limited time with the Sharks allowed for fans to have some heightened expectations for McGinn coming into this season.

But early on this year, the McGinn who came out of nowhere to score that clutch goal against the Red Wings was nowhere to be found.

McGinn started out tentatively the first few games which caused him to bounce back and forth from the Sharks minor league affiliate in Worcester.

Time spent in the minors has meant that McGinn, 21, has played in just 13 of the Sharks' 19 games so far this season.

Fortunately for McGinn, his performance of late is going to make it much harder for the Sharks to send him back to the minors any time soon.

Before some of the injured Sharks started returning to action, McGinn had found some chemistry on the third line alongside Scott Nichol and Jed Ortmeyer.

His play was picking up as he notched his second goal of the season on Saturday in the Sharks' 5-0 win over the Penguins.

The goal was eerily similar to that of his first career tally against Detroit. McGinn simply went hard to the net, picked up a loose puck and somehow found away to sneak the puck in from beside the net.

After his overall performance against Pittsburgh, head coach Todd McLellan stated that he finally saw the McGinn he was expecting coming out of training camp, "Mr. Hustle."

Unfortunately for McGinn, despite his improved play, the return of injured Sharks on Tuesday night would bump him down to the fourth line.

A poor performance with new line-mates could possibly earn McGinn another trip back to Worcester, especially considering Jody Shelley is due to comeback to the lineup in the near future.

However, in Tuesday night's 4-3 win over the Predators, McGinn's impressive play from the last few games continued.

Early on in the second period, McGinn was in perfect position to pick up the puck off his skate and quickly snap a shot over the glove of a sliding Dan Ellis to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead.

The tally, McGinn's second in as many games was the second of his three goals this season which also demonstrated the quality of shot the young winger possesses.

Not only can the 21-year-old skate and play the role of agitator but he also has that second-line offensive potential that is valuable if the Sharks need to pull a player up to a scoring line in case of injury.

With the current role McGinn is on, it wouldn't be surprising to see Brad Staubitz, Ryan Vesce sent back to the minors or Shelley continuing to ride the pine.

McGinn is simply playing at too high of a level to be sent down to the minors and the other young Sharks may be much more closer to having their bags packed for the AHL.

If McGinn continues to perform and the constant flux of bringing players up and down from Worcester continues without the Fergus, Ontario, native, talk about a turnaround.

At the beginning of the year, McGinn was one of the first players to be jettisoned back and forth from the minors but now his coach has named him "Mr. Hustle," possibly earning him a set spot in the lineup.

Hopefully for the Sharks, McGinn can continue his impressive ways and continue to be that energizer bunny that has helped San Jose wear down their opponents.

For the former second-round pick, his current stretch of impressive play may be the start of a very successful NHL career.

The 200th Article: Why My Love for Hockey Has Surpassed My Love for Baseball

Andy Bensch — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:41:28 -0500

Ever since my Bleacher Report profile started creeping up towards the 200th article, I started wondering about what topic to cover for the milestone piece.

I ended up going back and forth between just writing another standard article about either one of my three favorite teams, or acknowledging the 200th blog with a special, thought-provoking story.

Well, in a last ditch effort to try and receive the coveted "article of the day" award, I have decided to write a thought-provoking story on why my love of hockey has surpassed my love for baseball.

However, by actually stating the fact I'm going for the "article of the day" it pretty much ruins any chance of that happening.

People aren't gonna choose this blog as a favorite article if I'm straight up asking for your votes.

But I don't mind; I'm not actually writing this article for recognition. I'm merely writing this piece as an intriguing story for my close friends and family to enjoy.

So why has my love of the NHL surpassed my love of MLB?

I love hockey more than baseball because just as San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan says, hockey is about "the process."

Hockey players and coaches don't focus on 300 goals or 500 assists or 50 shutouts or 60 wins.

NHL teams care about one thing and one thing only. They care about playing their best hockey come April, May, and June. They care about one number, a team number, and that is 16 wins.

Although the first sport I ever loved was baseball, I currently love hockey more than any other sport.

Despite playing T-ball and Little League long before I learned how to play hockey, I now love hockey and the NHL more than baseball and the MLB.

In baseball, there is too much emphasis on milestones and individuals. Who will hit the most home runs this year? Which pitcher will have the lowest ERA? Who will have the most strikeouts?

Apparently in baseball setting a league record in strikeouts and hitting for just a .260 average is okay as long as you hit 40 home runs. Unfortunately for Mark Reynolds of the Diamondbacks, his 40 home runs didn't help his team much, as Arizona finished dead last in its division.

However, can you imagine an NHL team being okay with one of its player setting a league record for the worst plus/minus over an entire season? Even if said player scored 40 goals, team management and fans alike would be all over the guy for his sub-par performance. Especially if the team finished last in its division.

This is why hockey is the better sport: Players have to be accountable for their poor play. Individual numbers don't matter; team success is the goal. All players have to be well-rounded and buy into the team goal.

Unfortunately, it's not the same in baseball. Growing up a Giants fan, I witnessed the second half of the great career of Barry Bonds.

No doubt Bonds was a talented baseball player, but there are two issues I have with Bonds and baseball fans in general.

First, in his record-breaking 73 home run season, his team didn't even make the playoffs. The 2001 Giants fell two games short of the postseason. Perhaps if Bonds wasn't the self-centered star whose locker took up a fourth of the clubhouse, then maybe the Giants would have actually won a championship in the Bonds era.

Yet, they never did. Chemistry amongst the players and winning games took a backseat to No. 25. Especially late in Bonds' career, the numbers 600, 660, 661, 700, 714, 715, 755, and 756 appeared more important than winning.

Secondly, everyone in baseball focuses on the presumed fact that Bonds took steroids and broke all these "sacred" records.

The question I ask baseball fans is: Who cares?

The majority of fans are too engulfed in these milestones. They are too consumed with the steroid scandal and putting asterisks on records.

Instead of focusing on "756", why can't fans just appreciate that steroids or no steroids, Barry Bonds was a great baseball player? Sure he was an "all about me" player and most teammates would probably say he was a "total pr**K" but the process Bonds went through to get to No. 756 was a tremendous feat.

Before bulking up (presumably on steroids), Bonds was an eight-time Gold Glove outfielder, and a premier base stealer to go along with his power stroke. He was an all-around great player.

Let me once again repeat the words of Sharks head coach Todd McLellan, "it's all about the process."

The final result is that Bonds was a selfish player who probably took steroids, but that doesn't negate the fact that he was a Hall of Fame-worthy baseball player. The process he underwent in his career is worthy of recognition.

Despite the fact that Bonds took over the all-time home run record, his potential induction into the Hall of Fame won't affect the legacy of Henry Aaron; the longtime Milwaukee Brave will always be one of baseball's all-time greats.

But if baseball decides to leave all the great players of this generation out of the Hall of Fame because of steroids, then the institution is going to lose credibility.

The current era of baseball has almost all of its greats caught with steroids, but just because their numbers may be a tad inflated, that doesn't make the careers of players in past generations any less significant. Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Nolan Ryan will always be household names.

Plus, steroids weren't always banned in baseball and the great players of this generation should be recognized for their pure baseball talent, not punished for eternity due to their mistakes.

But it seems as if players like Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Alex Rodriguez won't ever see the Hall of Fame because the league and its fans are too fixed on milestones and end results.

Why do I love hockey and the NHL more than baseball and the MLB?

Because the typical hockey fan doesn't know the exact numbers of Wayne Gretzky's scoring records. They all know that he is the record holder for goals, assists, and points, but the exact numbers aren't significant.

However, almost the entirety of baseball fans know what the numbers 61, 714, 755, and 762 mean.

NHL teams and fans are focused on more important things. They are focused on the process of winning hockey games, and individual milestones aren't a big deal.

That's why I love it. Winning is and always will be the only thing that matters in the NHL.

Therefore, since winning is about a process, and milestones like 100 goals, 200 steals, 500 homers, etc. are less important, then I ask all my readers to go through some of my older articles.

Please go through my archives and read/comment on some of the pieces that gave me the chance to reach the 200 article milestone.

This piece in itself may be the 200th, but it's not any more important than any of my previous articles.

It's about the process, and I hope my readers can appreciate the process I went through to reach 200 articles.

Dan Boyle: San Jose Sharks Defenseman is Just Danny Being Danny

Andy Bensch — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:04:20 -0500

If there is any Shark who hates losing more or works harder than Dan Boyle, I haven't heard of him.

Boyle, who came to the Sharks in an offseason trade prior to last season, made his first ever all-star appearance in his first year in teal.

However, for the former Stanley Cup champion, a wasted chance at another ring during last year's playoffs was simply inexcusable in Boyle's mind.

At the "State of the Sharks" event last May, Boyle was the only one of four Sharks who looked vividly pissed off that he was sitting on a platform at HP Pavilion instead of skating on its ice.

Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, and Patrick Marleau were also in attendance but Boyle seemed to be the only one giving honest, straight-forward answers. Thornton and Marleau were in their typical nonchalant attitudes and the soft spoken Pavelski was hidden from the spot-light with the three big dogs taking the brunt of the questions.

But of the four, it was only Boyle who straight up said the team's performance was inexcusable and that he would work that much harder to make sure next year would be different.

And although Boyle was speaking primarily of the playoffs being different, he has been true to his word so far this season, as his play in particular has been different.

"Danny Boy" as some fans like to call him is on pace for a career season. Despite last year being his first All-Star game, Boyle's best statistical season came in 2006-07 with Tampa Bay when he posted 20 goals and 43 assists for 63 points.

This season Boyle is currently on pace for 73 points as he already has 16 through the first 18 games and the most impressive part about his start is that he is only going to get better.

Just recently has it come out that Boyle was playing the first month of the season with a broken thumb. But despite the injury which makes it extremely hard to shoot the puck, Boyle still managed 13 points in 14 October games.

Now that he is admittedly healthy for the first time this season, look for Boyle's goal totals to rise and rise quickly.

Even with last night's one goal, one assist performance in his team's 5-0 win over the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins, Boyle only has three goals on the season.

There is no doubt that the injury to Boyle's thumb had limited his ability to make the individual plays like he made on his goal against the Penguins on Saturday.

With his thumb healed, and the rest of the injured Sharks starting to return, it wouldn't be out of the question for Boyle to score 25-plus goals and finish with over 80 points.

His ability to carry the puck and throw defenders off with slick skating moves and puck handling maneuvers, has made Boyle the best offensive defenseman in the Western Conference.

Adding Boyle's ability to by far the most offensively gifted group of forwards the Sharks have ever had, and Boyle is almost a lock for a career year.

Imagine when the Sharks' power-play (which was just 1-19 at home prior to the Penguins contest) finally gets going inside the HP Pavilion.

San Jose's man-advantage is currently fourth in the league at 25.3 percent but is still producing at just a 12 percent clip at home after their two-for-six performance against Pittsburgh.

Once the Sharks get the power-play on track at home, they are almost assuredly going to finish the season No. 1 in the league and probably by a large margin. With all the weapons the Sharks have on the power-play, Boyle's assists are going to start tallying up even on his off nights.

But the great thing about Boyle is that he doesn't need the man-advantage to score goals or put up points. Even when nothing is going on during a game, Boyle can come out of nowhere and make things happen all by himself like he has done on two of his three goals this season.

Simply said, no matter the situation in the game, Boyle has the capability of putting up points and putting them up in bunches.

If it weren't for Dany Heatley stealing credit for Joe Pavelski's second goal of the game on Saturday, Boyle would have had his second assist and third point of the game.

With his team on a roll (winning nine of their last 11 games) and his thumb no longer bothering him, Boyle may just start to take off and begin wowing Sharks fans all over again like he did last season.

Once he gets on that roll, some fans will be surprised just how much better he'll seem than last season.

I, on the other hand, will just chalk it up to Danny being Danny.

Top 25 San Jose Sharks of All Time

Andy Bensch — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:46:22 -0500

Even though the San Jose Sharks have yet to win a Stanley Cup in the 17 seasons since their inception, their have still been a multitude of players who mean the world to the San Jose faithful. Multiple playoff appearances, including major upsets in the team's first five seasons, and a current string of five straight playoff births have made for an extremely long list of fan favorites. Whether its the team's first ever captain and current General Manager Doug Wilson, long time captains Owen Nolan and Patrick Marleau, or clutch goaltenders like Arturs Irbe and Mike Vernon, the list of productive and beloved Sharks is a long one. I've done my best to narrow the list to the best 25 in Sharks history.

Begin Slideshow

San Francisco Giants Can Offer Jason Bay a Nice Spot in the Bay Area

Andy Bensch — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:46:06 -0500

Word around the streets of MLB is that free-agent hitter's don't put the San Francisco Giants anywhere near the top of their list because AT&T Park isn't a "hitter's" park.

Well, if it isn't a "hitters" park, then how come Pablo "Kung Fu Panda" Sandoval hit a blistering .361 at AT&T, and just .301 on the road?

How come the entire Giants offense fared much better at home then on the road this past season?

AT&T Park is a great place to hit, just not for home runs. However, the aforementioned Sandoval did hit 13 of his 25 home runs in San Francisco, one more than he hit on the road.

Therefore, AT&T park as nothing but a mere "pitcher's park" is far from the truth. In all honesty, if you've attended more than a handful of games at the most gorgeous stadium in baseball, you would know that AT&T park is a pretty fair yard.

The only spot in which true home runs don't go out of the ball park is right-center field. From center field to the left field foul pole, the outfield wall at AT&T park is pretty average in distance and right-handed hitters can knock out home-runs at a pretty decent clip.

Just see Pedro Feliz who had four straight 20-plus home run seasons with the Giants and has averaged just 13 homers in his first two years with the Phillies in what is considered a much more "hitter-friendly" ballpark.

Furthermore, right-handed batters, who are strong gap-to-gap hitters, benefit quite well from "triple's alley" in San Francisco, where balls that would be doubles in most parks' right-center field gaps usually go as triples.

In fact, there is so much room in right-center field that right fielders often have to cheat way off the right-field line, leaving more room for doubles down in the right-field corner and bloop hits that would be cans of corn in most yards.

In any case, free-agent hitters who aren't familiar with the surroundings in San Francisco shouldn't be as worried about their offensive numbers as it appears they have been in the past.

Furthermore, this year's crop of free-agent hitters should want to sign in San Francisco.

Why you may ask?

Well let's put the Giants in perspective if we're Jason Bay.

If I sign with San Francisco, I have immediate protection in the lineup with superstar Pablo Sandoval.

I have arguably the best starting rotation in baseball with a projected rotation of Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, and Madison Bumgarner, and a bullpen that is also arguably the best in baseball with the likes of Jeremy Affeldt, Sergio Romo, Brian Wilson, and Dan Runzler.

If I sign with the Giants, I have an easier route to the World Series, and with an easier route, a better chance to win.

And I almost forgot, it doesn't hurt that my old Pirates buddy Freddy Sanchez has just inked an extension with the Giants. It'd be nice to reunite with a former teammate in a new atmosphere.

How bout a recap? As a member of the Giants, I would be playing on a team with arguably the best pitching staff in baseball (both rotation and bullpen), I would have a 23-year-old superstar protecting me in the lineup, I would be able to follow my old buddy Freddy Sanchez in the lineup, and I would have a better chance at a World Series.

Sounds good to me.

However, as good as San Francisco sounds to Jason Bay, Bay means much more to San Francisco.

The Giants' lineup needs a premiere hitter as badly as the Minnesota Vikings needed Brett Favre this season.

There are some options out there other than Bay, but talent-wise and money-wise, Bay is the best option.

Matt Holliday is also an option, but as a free agent with a representative named Scott Boras, the Giants won't want to throw out the money necessary to sign him, even if they could match an offer a team like the Mets, Yankees, or Red Sox would be offering.

Considering Holliday is bound to be overpaid by whoever signs him, the Giants are better off staying away.

Therefore, of the top two free agents available, the only one that makes sense is Bay.

Granted, there is always the trade route. But then again, who are we kidding? Brian Sabean is no Doug Wilson (GM of the San Jose Sharks).

Even Sabean's greatest trades, the Jason Schmidt trade, and the Jeff Kent trade weren't moves that acquired premiere talent already in their prime. These moves worked out as both players went on to have their best years with the Giants.

However, what Sabean would need to pull off in the trade market in order to acquire a hitter as talented as Bay is to trade for a hitter who is already in his prime.

Can you imagine what San Francisco would have to give up in order make a move for that type of player? Like I said, Sabean is no Wilson. He can't trade for premiere players by giving up mediocre players like Wilson did by acquiring players like Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, and Dan Boyle and giving up guys like Jonathan Cheechoo, Wayne Primeau, and Brad Stuart.

Sabean would have to part ways with at least a top starter and a top reliever. In a sense, that means Sabean would have to give up Matt Cain and perhaps Jeremy Affeldt. Is any hitter not named Albert Pujols or Alex Rodriguez worth it? Without Cain and Affeldt, the pitching staff (the team's strength) would go from top-notch to mediocre.

Affeldt was the best reliever in baseball last season and Cain was an All-Star. The Giants aren't in a position of power (pun intended) when it comes to a trade. Everyone and their mother knows the Giants need a middle-of-the-order bat, and teams would require a hefty amount in return.

Solution: Sign Jason Bay as a free agent.

If the Giants fail to sign All-Star outfielder, the Orange & Black faithful can forget about the playoffs as the offense will once again cause them to fall out of the race in September.

Why Dany Heatley Was the Missing Piece for San Jose

Andy Bensch — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:39:44 -0500

After winning five straight games, the San Jose Sharks find themselves with a 10-4-1 record and the second overall spot in the western conference.

Lost in the midst of their domination over the past couple of weeks is that the Sharks are battling serious injury issues. Three of their top seven forwards are out with injuries. Devin Setoguchi, Joe Pavelski, and Torrey Mitchell are all battling various ailments.

Without these three forwards, the Sharks are essentially missing a forward from each of their top three lines. Setoguchi is penciled in as the top right-wing alongside Joe Thornton, Pavelski is the team's undoubted second-line center, and Mitchell is a speedy and versatile third line forward.

But despite these injuries, Joe Thornton still leads the league in assists with 16, Patrick Marleau is still flourishing on the second-line as the team leader in points with 21, and Ryane Clowe's scoring drought to begin the season wasn't ever that big of an issue.

Considering all these injuries, one might assume that the Sharks would be struggling at this point in the season.

Yet, the Sharks are still chalking up victories like there is no tomorrow.

So why are the Sharks on such a roll?

The Sharks are starting to fire on all cylinders because of the presence of one-man, Dany Heatley.

Heatley, or the "Heater" as both fans and teammates like to call him hasn't exactly been overwhelming so far this season.

In 15 games with the Sharks, Heatley has nine goals and eight assists for 17 points. His latest helper in the 5-1 win at Carolina has boosted him into the top-10 point getter's in the NHL.

Okay, clearly Heatley is playing at a high level. Anyone in the top-10 in NHL scoring must be doing something right but in reality he hasn't been relied on as heavily as Thornton and Marleau were last season.

In fact, Heatley's presence has simply boosted the team around him. Much like how Thornton made Jonathan Cheechoo and Nils Ekman better with is arrival in 2005, Heatley is making his teammates better as well.

But unlike Joe, Heatley is making more than just his line-mates better, he's making the second-line better.

Imagine if the Sharks still had Milan Michalek and Cheechoo instead of Heatley.

With Pavelski and Setoguchi injured, Marleau would almost have to be bumped up to the first-line with Thornton, and the top two lines would probably look as follows:

Marleau-Thornton-Clowe

Michalek-Malhotra-Cheechoo

Without Dany Heatley, opposing teams could very easily just game-plan to shut down the Sharks' top-line, and wouldn't have to worry about any other line being much of a scoring threat.

However, with Heatley in the lineup, the Sharks haven't missed a beat despite their injury issues.

The current top two lines with the "Heater" in the mix look as follows:

Heatley-Thornton-Clowe/Vesce

Clowe/Marleau-Malhotra/Marleau-Ferriero

What is the difference? With Heatley on the team, Marleau can play on the second unit. This simply gives the Sharks two potent scoring lines. Opponents have to game-plan to stop both the Thornton line and the Marleau line.

But not only does Heatley allow Marleau to flourish away from top-line duty, he also will take any potential blame away from guys like Marleau, Clowe, Setoguchi, and even Thornton.

Just like how Clowe's early season slump wasn't much of an issue, if Thornton, Setoguchi, and most importantly Marleau fall into a cold streak, Heatley will be the one looked at to carry the team.

Now if Heatley isn't playing well then Thornton might not be putting up his normal assist totals causing the media to blame "Jumbo". But having a true sniper like Heatley on the top-line will allow at-least some of the blame to be taken off players like Thornton who don't need that baggage.

If the Sharks have questions to answer about poor-play at any point in the season or playoffs, a guy like Marleau isn't going to be the main player fans and media bombard with questions.

Heatley will be the one garnering a larger percentage of those questions because he is the off-season acquisition that's suppose to take this team over the hump.

But Heatley will have no problems at all handling the San Jose media.

With everything he's been through in his career, a few bay-area media members getting on his case isn't going to be a burden on Heatley's mind.

However they can be a burden on the minds of guys like Clowe and especially Marleau who have spent their entire careers in the San Jose market.

By taking blame away from other players, Heatley is allowing his teammates to just play their games and not worry about results.

His confidence in his game and his person has provided a calmness about this Sharks team and that no matter how a game is going, they still can figure out a way to win.

With Heatley's arrival, the Sharks finally have everything an NHL club needs to win the cup.

But it wasn't just his scoring touch that the Sharks were missing, it was his confidence and accountability that has given this year's Sharks team a different feel, a winning feel, no matter what the circumstances.

San Francisco 49ers: What in the World is Mike Singletary Doing?

Andy Bensch — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:51:46 -0500

When 49ers head coach Mike Singletary took over as interim head coach midway through last season, he wasted no time getting the 49ers faithful on his side. In just his first game, he switched from an awful quarterback in J.T. O'Sullivan to fan-favorite Shaun Hill, whipped Vernon Davis into shape, and gave a powerful postgame press conference.

The demeanor, intensity, and winning attitude of the Hall-of-Fame linebacker-turned-head coach was a drastic difference from the regime led by Mike Nolan, who seemed to have zero ability to create chemistry among his players.

Under Singletary, the 49ers finished last season 5-4, including 5-2 in their final seven games, and overall could have finished even better—as games in Arizona and Miami were very winnable games.

Going into this season, expectations were high for Singletary when he was given the full-time head coaching position. Fans expected this team to continue their winning ways.

However, after a promising 3-1 start to begin the season that was very nearly 4-0, the 49ers have dropped three games in a row and currently find themselves a game back of the Arizona Cardinals for first place in the NFC West.

Granted, injuries, poor performances on the field, and an unlucky tough portion of the schedule have contributed for the current losing streak, but the head coach hasn't done much to help his team, either.

There are two specific instances that have been eerily frustrating the past couple of weeks in particular. Both the return game and clock management have been major concerns that haven't been run properly.

First of all, ignoring his current injury with the Dallas Cowboys, former 49ers return man Allen Rossum should never have been cut.

GM Scot Mcloughan handles player management, but Singletary benched Rossum for two straight games before his release. It sounds like "Samuri Mike" had the issue with Rossum, not Mcloughan.

Furthermore, the 49ers don't have a quality replacement for Rossum in the return game. Unless Singletary convinced Mcloughan Rossum should be cut, why would the 9ers GM let his best return man walk?

To be fair, Rossum did have a bad game in his last contest with the 49ers. He muffed a couple of balls against the Rams in week four, but that hardly put his team at a disadvantage. San Francisco still won the game, 35-0.

Since being benched, his replacements have been excruciatingly terrible. Both backup tight end Delanie Walker and Arnaz Battle have given up costly turnovers, not just muffed punts—which Rossum got back for his team in his one sub-par performance.

However, the fumbles aren't even the full story. Without Rossum, the kick return game is now extremely slow. Michael Robinson is best known for his special teams in blocking and making tackles, not returning kicks.

Even if he catches a kickoff outsid the end zone, he can still barely make it beyond the 20-yard line. There is no explosiveness whatsoever with Robinson returning kicks. But that can be expected when the only other option to return kicks is the aforementioned Walker, who is just as slow if not slower than Robinson. But at least the backup running back can secure the football.

All of these miscues were developed in the past two games prior to Sunday's matchup against the Colts. But the biggest miscue of them all came against Indianapolis when Singletary elected to put his No. 1 corner on special teams as his punt returner.

Even though Clements has superb return skills, putting an $80 million defensive player on special teams is the most idiotic coaching decision I have seen in years.

Why would a coach subject his top cornerback to injury? It only takes one play for a season-ending collision, and it appears that may have been what happened on Sunday. Reports are not official, but word is Clements might be gone for the season with a fractured shoulder blade.

Can you say, "Good-bye, playoffs," for the 49ers?

All because the 49ers cut their top return man for no other known reason but to make a roster spot for Michael Crabtree? Surely a backup linebacker or defensive lineman could have been an easier pill to swallow.

Instead, the 49ers outright released a returner who had one of his best seasons last year, and is still easily a top-five return man in the NFL.

What could he possibly have done to irritate "Samuri Mike" to warrant his release?

Things just don't add up, and the 49ers are suffering because of that.

However, the return game is not the only issue that is starting to get fans scratching their heads. The second complaint is what in the world is Singletary saving his timeouts for?

Two games in a row, first at Houston and second today at Indianapolis, the 49ers were down to their last 10 yards. One more first down by their opponent and the game would be over.

With under three minutes left in both games, Singletary let the time run down to the two-minute mark and used the two-minute warning as his first timeout instead of his last.

Remember, his team is losing the game by one score. He is letting time dwindle away with timeouts in his pockets?

The 49ers offense needs all the time it can get, and if the defense gives them a stop, it would be much more beneficial to use the two-minute warning as the last timeout instead of the first.

Getting the ball back with 1:55 and no timeouts is much more beneficial then getting the ball back with 1:35-1:40 and no timeouts. That 15-20 seconds that you lose by calling your timeouts after the two-minute warning is what could cost your team the game.

Poor return game and poor timeout usage are both troubling, but at least one of them can be fixed. Although the 49ers can't magically get Rossum back onto their roster, they can start to improve their time management.

However, with issues like these—which clearly should not be problems—perhaps Singletary isn't the mastermind coach we all hoped he would be after last season.

Will he be able to realize his clock management failures? Considering he is a coach who benches his best return man, perhaps the best moves aren't clear. Calling your timeouts at the right time may seem easy, but when the coach shows he may not have the brightest wits about him, maybe it's not that easy—for him.

I mean, why was Singletary benching his best return man?

Why does he continue to hand cuff his own offense with poor timeout usage?

Just what in the world is he doing?

Hopefully he is just making rookie coaching mistakes, but they appear to be simple issues that shouldn't be complicated.

Don"t bench/cut your immensely talented return man, and use your timeouts before the two-minute warning, it shouldn't be that difficult.

San Jose Sharks: First Goal of the Year Was Vintage Ryane Clowe

Andy Bensch — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:11:53 -0400

When Ryane Clowe gave the San Jose Sharks a 1-0 lead with six seconds remaining in the second period on Friday, it was only fitting that he scored on his back-hand, on a rebound and from right beside the net.

That type of score is exactly what fans have come to expect from No. 29, and his first marker of the season was simply Clowe doing what Clowe does best, attacking the net.

And where was Clowe all game long? Consistently around the crease, searching for rebounds, wreaking havoc in front of Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson and being a physical menace for Colorado defenders.

But when I speak of this type of play being "vintage" Ryane Clowe, I'm not talking about his "breakout" season from last year which saw the Sharks forward reach career highs with 22 goals and 30 assists.

Last year's apparent "breakout" was what faithful Sharks followers were expecting a season earlier where Clowe was coming off his real "breakout" season.

In 2006-07, Clowe posted 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points in 58 games, including four goals and two assists in 11 playoff games that season.

Unfortunately for Clowe, his 2007-2008 season saw him manage just three goals and five assists because a knee injury limited him to 15 regular season games.

But playing in such few games during the season didn't bother Clowe, who once again stepped up big time in the playoffs, recording five goals and nine points in 13 games.

With the determination and sheer willpower to get back to the ice after a catastrophic knee injury cost him six months of his season, Clowe proved to fans his work ethic and his talent level during the playoffs.

It was only a matter of health before Clowe would put together the type of season he did last year.

Finally healed and with a set roster spot, Clowe dominated in the 71 games he played last season, putting up the career marks mentioned above.

However, it is not the results that make Clowe the player he is but by the way he scores his goals.

Even in his early-season slump, the 27-year-old was making things happen with his physical presence along the boards and his ability to always get to the net and provide a screen.

If Clowe is doing these little things night in and night out, any slump he may be going through is soon to end. Playing the way he does, it is only a matter of time before the puck starts to go in the net.

But Clowe provides much more than just scoring. His size, strength and tenacity also make the winger a tough guy to drop the gloves against and when he wants to go, he's hard to beat.

More often than not, Clowe will clearly get the decision in his fights, which adds to the pile of reasons why Sharks fans wish Jody Shelley would be cut. But let's just leave that story for another day.

Essentially, Ryane Clowe provides everything Patrick Marleau can't. He can fight, make room for himself along the boards, and can withstand immense punishment in front of the net.

That isn't saying Patrick Marleau is bad. Far from it, the former Sharks captain is arguably the fastest player in the NHL and his ability to score on the rush and score simply based on his cannon of a shot are things Clowe simply can't do.

When the team gets fully healthy again, don't be surprised to see these two back on the same line together alongside Joe Pavelski. The combined skills of Clowe and Marleau is a combination that will give opposing defenses fits.

Now that Clowe is officially off the schneid, look for goals to start to come in bunches. And look for most of those goals to come in similar fashion to the way he scored his first against Colorado on Friday night.

Rebound goals from right in front of the net are just what Clowe does; they are vintage Ryane Clowe.

Patrick Marleau: Flying On Ice

Andy Bensch — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:03:57 -0400

In the span of his 11-plus years at the NHL level, there hasn't been much that Sharks forward Patrick Marleau hasn't gone through.

All-Star games, division championships, Conference Final appearance, a rift with a head coach, injuries, minus-19 plus/minus for a full season, captaincy, captaincy taken away, trade rumors, home-town fans blaming him for the team failures—being the hero and being the goat are just some of the ups and downs Patrick Marleau has experienced during his career.

The undoubted face of the Sharks over the last decade was the hero during the 2003-04 season, when they won their first Western Conference Final appearance in their history. Marleau posted a solid eight goals and four assists in the 17 playoff games that year, including a hat trick in each of the first two rounds.

However, in the 2006-07 season, Marleau became the goat. In the Western Conference Semi-final match-up against the Detroit Red Wings, the Sharks captain failed to register a single point and finished a minus-five for the series. Furthermore, it was his poor defensive positioning towards the end of Game Four that allowed the Red Wings to tie the score in the last minute of the third period. Had the Sharks won the game, they would have taken a 3-1 lead in the series.

The defensive lapse in particular increased the rift between Marleau and then head coach Ron Wilson, who essentially called out his captain to the media for playing poorly.

A year later, the Sharks captain had the worst regular season of his career. Marleau finished with just 48 points, his fewest since 2001-02, and a career-low minus-19 plus/minus rating.

Although Marleau bounced back in the playoffs with eight points in 13 games—including two short-handed goals—the Sharks were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs for the third year in a row.

Luckily for Marleau, the team's poor performance caused management to fire coach Ron Wilson and replace him with former Red Wing assistant Todd McLellan.

Despite the fresh start, fans were still ripping the team's center for an absolutely abysmal regular season the previous year.

With doubters questioning his abilities, Marleau proved them wrong by delivering a career-high in goals, bouncing back with 38 last season. Playing most of the year alongside Joe Thornton and Devin Setoguchi, Marleau totaled 71 points, an increase of 23, and a plus-16 rating, an improvement of 35 in the that category.

Unfortunately for the Sharks, last year's tremendous regular season ended with a stream of injuries, causing the team to stumble to the finish line. Marleau, as well as Rob Blake and Mike Grier, were not 100 percent healthy when the postseason began and the eighth-seeded Ducks dominated the six-game Quarter-final series, beating the Sharks four games to two.

Flash-forward to this season, and two more offseason gifts were awarded to Marleau.

First, he simply lost his role as captain. After the coaching staff removed the "C" from his jersey, Marleau naturally became free of responsibility. No longer did he have to explain the team failures to the media.

The second offseason gift was the arrival of Dany Heatley. With the all-star sniper to play on Thornton's left-side, Marleau can now play on the second line and face the opposing team's second-best defensive pairing.

Unlike last season, when the Marleau-Thornton-Setoguchi line was ridiculed by some fans who felt the team was "putting all their top eggs in one basket," this year's group of forwards has so many top eggs that they can't all fit in one.

Having Marleau as the center-piece of the second line creates two top lines that are equally as dangerous.

Not only is playing on the second line allowing Marleau to flourish, but the burden of leading the team as a captain is no longer a concern, allowing him to focus more on his game and less on media issues.

With these changes, Marleau seems to be skating faster than he has in his entire career.

At 30, could Marleau really be faster than he was at 25? If you ask him, he may not say yes, but his performance on the ice says otherwise.

With his tenth goal of the season in Wednesday's shootout win over the Kings, Marleau is now on pace for 63 goals and has set the franchise record for the fastest player to the ten-goal mark.

Owen Nolan, the former record holder, is now slowly running out of franchise marks thanks to Marleau, who continues to amaze with his powerful skating stride and tremendous jump from stand-still to full speed.

Five of his 10 goals this season have come because Marleau was just flat-out faster than the opposition.

The speed at which he is playing is reminiscent of that 2003-04 season—the best in Sharks history.

Granted, Marleau did have a great regular season this past year, yet there still seemed to be something blocking his mind from focusing solely on hockey.

But this year, nothing seems to be able to stop Marleau, as he is finally just letting things happen. Not trying to do too much or be somebody he's not, he is simply using his best skill sets and attacking with them like never before.

Being able to play that way is a tremendous improvement over seasons past. In recent years, there were numerous occasions where fans thought to themselves "if only Marleau had just used his speed in that situation," or, "why is he cutting too the inside??? He could have burned him on the outside!"

However, this season I have yet to hear any fan make such a complaint, because Marleau is moving at a blistering pace out on the ice.

The longest tenured Shark is doing what he does best: attacking with speed.

If he can stay healthy, Marleau's speed may just allow him to do the one thing he has yet to experience in hockey—hoist Lord Stanley's Cup.

San Jose Sharks: Back to Back Wins Complete Road Trip on a High Note

Andy Bensch — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:21:49 -0400

When the San Jose Sharks left for their most recent road trip they found themselves in the middle of the Pacific division standings, off to a mediocre 3-2-1 start.

Six games later, San Jose returns home with a mark of 7-4-1, temporarily giving themselves sole possession of first-place in the division.

Posting victories on back-to-back days, first in Atlanta on Saturday and second in Philadelphia on Sunday, the Sharks turned what was becoming another inconsistent stretch of games into an impressive road trip.

Considering the Sharks failed to show up to play in both Washington and Tampa Bay, coming away with eight out of a possible 12 points on the road trip was mightily impressive.

Even with their top right-wing Devin Setoguchi out of the lineup for the majority of the last two contests, the Sharks were able outscore their opponents by a 2:1 ratio, combining for eight goals while allowing just four.

Without Setoguchi and the recently called up Ryan Vesce in the lineup against the Flyers, Jamie McGinn was recalled and former first round pick (9th overall) Logan Couture made his Sharks debut.

Although both players played admirably in limited ice time, it was Manny Malhotra who did his best Setoguchi impression by pacing the offense with his first two goals in a Sharks uniform.

Ironically, it was Malhotra who took Setoguchi's spot on the second-line alongside Patrick Marleau and Ryane Clowe.

The former Columbus Blue-Jacket has been primarily known as a quality third-line center whose main attributes include his work in the face-off circle. However, in his last season with Columbus, Maholtra posted career marks in assists with 24, and points with 35.

Malhotra's 35 points were more than what former Sharks Mike Grier and Marcel Goc's combined for as Sharks last season.

So far this season, San Jose's new "bottom-six" forwards are getting the job done. Eleven of San Jose's 42 goals this season have come from forwards not originally penciled in as top-six forwards. The Sharks are currently on pace for 75 goals to be tallied from their bottom tier forwards. Compare that to last season where the Sharks managed just 46 goals from the same group of players.

Sharks GM Doug Wilson wasn't happy with the club's scoring depth last season and twelve games into this year, it appears that the San Jose mastermind has fixed that problem.

However, the focus on making offensive changes this offseason has led the Sharks to start the season with a mix and match group of defensemen who have struggled out of the gate.

Rookie defenseman Jason Demers and veteran Kent Huskins both played in their first games in teal to start this season and the growing pains were evident. But the last couple games have seen the two newcomers limit their mistakes and the positive results are coming through.

The Sharks are now winners in four of their last five, and a chemistry throughout the entire club is becoming evident on the ice. Even backup netminder Thomas Greiss made his first start of the season and showed no rust at all by stopping 37 of 38 Flyers shots for his first career NHL victory.

Now not only has team chemistry been important to the Sharks' on ice success but the ability to win games in a multitude of different ways shows growth for a team that had managed to score the first goal in just one of their first six games prior to their Eastern Conference road trip.

Early on during the trip, San Jose continued to demonstrate an innate ability to climb out of first-period deficits. The Sharks came from behind against both the Islanders and Rangers, eventually winning both games handily.

But in the most recent two games, the Sharks were able to pounce on their opposition early, scoring first both times.

Although, each game of the back-to-backs displayed the Sharks ability to close out games in different ways. Granted one might claim that barely holding onto a one-goal lead isn't "closing out" a hockey game but the Sharks showed quality defensive positioning late in the Atlanta contest despite not being able to get the puck out of their own zone.

Nursing the slimmest of leads, the Sharks were on their heels but managed to find a way to keep the high-powered Thrashers from tying the game in the final moments.

However, when a team has a comfortable lead, letting the opponent hang around in the majority of those games is not the preferred form of closing out a game.

Case in point, the Sharks learned that Saturday night's three goal lead turned nail-biter is not the most comfortable feeling and on Sunday they kept attacking all game long.

By keeping their feet moving and not sitting back on the lead, Sharks right-wing Jed Ortmeyer was able to ice the game in the final four minutes, extending the two goal cushion into a three goal lead.

If the Sharks can keep this current momentum going on the upcoming home-stand, San Jose may just start to take off.

Considering they convincingly beat one of the Eastern Conference's top teams without three of their top-seven forwards and with their backup net-minder in goal, the Sharks seem to be headed on an almost unstoppable streak similar to the fashion that led them to a 23-3-2 start last season.

The San Jose Sharks Have Weapons—Todd McLellan Needs to Use Them

Andy Bensch — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:15:52 -0400

The San Jose Sharks are not going to repeat as President's Trophy Champions and if you asked any one of their 23 players, not a single one would mention that they're bothered by that fact.

After cruising to a 23-3-2 start last season, a much better all-around Sharks team essentially backed into winning the trophy awarded to the club with the best record in the regular season. In fact, on the night they clinched the award, the Sharks lost. A losing effort by the "runner-up" Boston Bruins gave the Sharks home-ice throughout the playoffs.

Too bad San Jose lasted just a single round in last year's playoff.

Not only did they lose in the first round, but the sought after home-ice "advantage" didn't fare them very well as they lost two of out the three playoff games inside HP Pavilion.

Now so far this season, the Sharks have already lost four regulation games through their first ten games, something San Jose prevented from happening last season until January sixth.

If I check the calendar correctly, the NHL season is not even out of October.

Does that mean that this year's Sharks team has less of a chance at post-season success than last year?

No, absolutely not. Since the calendar has yet to even flip over to November, making projections on any teams playoff prospects is not only difficult, its darn near impossible.

The Sharks have two productive forwards out with injury right now in Joe Pavelski and Torrey Mitchell, and the Boston Bruins are without Marc Savard and Milan Lucic.

Not to mention the Detroit Red Wings are without Johan Franzen, and the Chicago Blackhawks are without Marian Hossa.

Nobody can predict how many more injuries are in store for the season and nobody can predict how much of a boost injured players will be able to give their respective clubs when they get back on the ice.

However, with a Sharks team that is noticeably weaker defensively this season, there is something fans can predict taking place.

If the Sharks' potentially potent offense doesn't start carrying the team, the mediocre defense will end up becoming more and more of a problem.

Currently neither Rob Blake, Kent Huskins, Douglas Murray nor rookie Jason Demers are playing up to their capabilities.

Blake is a year older and it has been showing big time this season as the first-year Sharks captain has registered just three points and a negative-6 plus/minus rating.

Douglas Murray has been having to handle a larger role with the absence of Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich and so far there has been a learning curve with the extra responsibility.

Murray has seen a lot more of the top players from the opposition and his negative-two plus/minus rating doesn't put fans at ease. Murray is anything but an offensive force from the blue-line and his main efforts are shutting down the opposition with a physical presence.

Kent Huskins and Jason Demers ironically have the best plus/minus marks of the entire Sharks defensive corps, posting a ridiculously high plus-10 between them. But both players leave much to be desired with their defensive play so far this season.

Huskins is often caught out of position and Demers routinely looks exactly like what rookie defenders typically look like in the NHL, dazed and confused.

If this current group of defenders is going to be the main group come playoff time, then the Sharks have a lot of work to do on their back end. If the current performance of the defense showed up during the playoffs, the Sharks would be lucky to win a game in the postseason.

Therefore, in order to start turning things around in the present, the Sharks offense needs to start carrying the team while the new mix of defenders works on fixing the kinks in their play.

But in order for that to happen, head coach Todd McLellan needs to stop messing around with his power-play and put out his best weapons.

Throughout this first month of the season, McLellan has been experimenting with Demers playing point opposite Dan Boyle on the top unit.

The power-play time has benefited Demers who already has picked up eight assists on the season but in hind-sight his offensive abilities have been meek at best. Four of his assists were secondary helpers, and two of his primary assists were goals scored on incredible individual plays by Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley.

Why the rookie defenseman (who should be focusing on his defensive skills) started out on the number one power play unit on a Sharks team with weapons galore is a question many fans have trouble answering.

But not only has Demers been on the top power-play unit but so has the slumping Ryane Clowe and rookie forward Ryan Vesce at times.

Granted Pavelski is out of the lineup but the Sharks still have plenty of weapons to use on the power-play including Heatley who had been taken off the top unit for a couple games. With Marleau in his place, the Sharks had a bit more success. However, Heatley's skill set needs time to create chemistry and the Sharks need him on the top unit as much as possible or the Sharks will lose some of the production he provides.

In about the last game-and-a-half, McLellan has finally come to his senses and taken Demers off the power-play and replaced him with Marc-Edouard Vlasic. With the left-handed Vlasic and right-handed Boyle manning the points, the passing on the man-advantage has seemed much more crisp.

If McLellan wants to keep the power-play working, he has to start letting his big guns be his big guns and Vlasic has developed into one of those guns. "Pickles" has been known as primarily a defensive defenseman since his rookie year, but the Brian Campbell-esque offensive skills have clearly started to develop.

With Boyle and Vlasic at the point, the top power-play unit ought to be the following five: Heatley, Thornton, Setoguchi, Boyle, Vlasic.

Therefore a secondary power-play unit (when healthy) could develop into the following five: Mitchell, Pavelski, Clowe, Marleau, Blake.

To be fair, McLellan doesn't have the ability to go with this proposed secondary unit since Pavelski and Mitchell are still out. However, the top unit should be the top unit all season long.

When Pavelski is healthy, the top line of Heatley-Thornton-Setoguchi will reunite and allowing them to play as a trio on the power-play will allow them to build their chemistry much quicker. Not to mention having Setoguchi on the top power-play unit instead of Marleau allows for an extra right-handed shot to be on the ice instead of three left-handed shooting forwards.

If McLellan starts to let his skill players do what they do best, the offense will start to click but continually juggling the power-play unit with players who don't belong and players who do belong sitting on the bench, the offensive production has been inconsistent at best.

With the defense struggling to find the cohesiveness they had last season, the offense needs to carry the load in the first couple months of the season.

But the offense can't do that when the lines haven't been given time to gel. The Sharks have plenty of offensive weapons and it is time McLellan starts letting them do what they do best: dominate on the man-advantage.