NFL Preseason Wk 3: 49ers' Frank Gore, David Carr, and Others Teach Football 101

With the advent of the last preseason game upon us, I know that there are still some players out there with something to prove to the coaching staff. They have one last chance to prove that they’re ready and deserving to make the 53 man roster.

In the last game against the Raiders, I thought our rookies and younger players played admirably—although they made a few mistakes characteristic of developing players.

I think the key is really who learned from their mistakes and who can overcome them?

Also, what players are watching the veterans and paying attention?

The words may not have always been actually spoken, but if you watched and listened closely the lessons were there.

Frank Gore to Anthony Dixon on his 49 yard run: "Be patient."

Dixon is big, strong, and has some nifty moves, but too many times he tried to bring it outside instead of staying behind his linemen and waiting for a hole to open.

This is what Gore had to say about that play:

"It was wide open," Gore said of the space provided by Iupati, a first-round draft pick whose primary job is to be a run-game force. "He's a big guy, a wide space, so they can't see you behind him. I was there, waiting for the hole to open. I was patient and I exploded through."—from David White SF Chronicle

Are you listening Anthony?

David Carr to Nate Davis after his head first dive for a first down: "If you lead, they will follow."

"I'm trying to inspire my team. That's all I'm trying to do. They did a great job on the first 12 plays of that drive."—David Carr

Did it inspire the team?

“We were fighting, and when our quarterback took that leap of faith he took—that was awesome,”.That pumped us up. I was getting tired, but when I saw him do that, something came over me. I was going to keep on pushing.”—Anthony Dixon (from Taylor Price 49ers.com)

It might be a good idea to know where the first down marker is too Nate.

Dominque Ziegler to Nate Byham: "Forget about getting hit and catch the damn ball!"

Ziegler got tattooed by Raider’s safety Michael Huff on the 49ers' second offensive series while trying to catch a pass from Alex Smith over the middle.

But Ziegler came up with a big catch over the middle on the team's fourth quarter touchdown drive prompting this response from color commentator (and former 49er corner-back) Eric Davis:

“This is what a ball player has to do, show the courage to come back in and make that play”.

Byham had consecutive drops stalling a 49ers’ drive and causing them to settle for a field goal. There was excellent defensive coverage on the first, but the second pass hit him right in the hands on the five-yard line.

Was he still thinking about the hit laid on him in the Vikings game?

BTW: Byham is 6’4”, 268lbs. Ziegler is 6’3” and 185lbs.

Barry Simms to Anthony Davis, Mike Iupati, Chilo Rachal and Alex Boone : "This is how to extend a play."

On the 49ers’ touchdown drive late in the second quarter, Simms held off his man long enough to allow Smith to extend the play and find Josh Morgan in the end zone.

Too many times last year pass protection broke down and plays ended in sacks. That is one of the reasons (the other coming up in the following lesson) the team used two first down draft picks on the offensive line this year.

Protection has been pretty decent so far, but these youngsters need to prove it in the regular season when it matters.

Eric Davis to Mike Iupati and Chilo Rachal: "Play with leverage!"

Early in the second quarter, on second and one, the 49ers handed the ball to Dixon who was stuffed at the line of scrimmage.

“Offensive linemen of the 49ers are just too high. Iupati has to learn to play lower and Chilo Rachal was doing the same thing. They simply didn’t get enough surge right there and they were pushed back. You don’t win at the point of attack in a short yardage situation like that you stand no chance and that’s what happened.”—Eric Davis

Just to prove Davis’ point, on third and one, the offensive line again failed to get a push on the Raider’s defensive line.

In his defense, Iupati looked good opening some holes on other plays when the defense didn’t stack the box. But one of the things that drove fans and coaches crazy last year was the inability to convert on short yardage plays.

Hopefully Offensive Line Coach Mike Solari and Assistant Offensive Line Coach Ray Brown, can instill this lesson quickly.

Eric Davis (and Mike Singletary and Secondary Coach Vance Joseph) to Reggie Smith: "Don’t let the receiver get behind you even if you do have the flat!"

On the heels of the 49ers touchdown and with only 49 seconds left in the fist half, Smith let Raider Receiver Louis Murphy get behind him for a 74 yard touchdown reception.

I couldn't hear what Joseph or Singletary had to say to Smith, but here is what Davis said about the play:

“When you get in a zero blitz like that, you know you don’t have any help, you just have to make the tackle. You can’t get yourself in a situation to where he (your coverage) gets behind you.”

I would imagine Davis' lesson was much "kinder and gentler" than Singletary's.

Smith has been a star in camp, and he has made some big plays in the preseason, but I think it is safe to say he got schooled on that play. Let’s hope he learned his lesson.

You know, Davis was really starting to annoy me with his relentless praising of Peyton Manning during the Colts game. However, he came up with some priceless information during this game…I wonder if the team is looking of another assistant coach?

Michael Lewis to Taylor Mays: "Don’t let this happen to you."

Since coming over from Philadelphia three years ago, Lewis has performed admirably as the 49ers starting strong safety. However, the one knock on his game has been his lack of coverage skills.

On the Raider’s touchdown play in the third quarter, Lewis showed us why the Eagles benched him in favor of Sean Considine.

With a first and ten on the 49ers’ 27 yard-line, Raider’s quarterback Bruce Gradkowski hit TE Zach Miller on about the 8-yard line. Miller not only made the catch with Lewis draping him, he dragged Lewis the rest of the way into the end zone.

Mays dropped into the second round because of his questionable coverage skills. However, the team knew what they were getting when they drafted Mays and the coaches and Mays have been working hard to improve this part of his game.

With his speed and athleticism, hopefully Mays can avoid being part of these kinds of plays.

There are other lessons to be learned as well. Avoiding penalties is one that comes to mind. However, that is a team effort.

Those who learn their lessons may find themselves on the team for years to come and those who don’t…well let’s just say that they may not have to worry about team play in the near future.