game 10 - Cardinals vs. 49ers

Prior to yesterday's game, I had read that field-goal kicker David Akers was on pace to break Jerry Rice's 49er single season record for points scored, to which my immediate reaction was: "I hope not!!!" It's not because I have anything against David Akers, nor is it because I never want to see one of Jerry Rice's records broken by another 49er. It's because the 49ers shouldn't be settling for so many field goals. Ideally, he should be kicking PATs instead of field goals every time. Which would amount to a single point attributed to the field-goal kicker, not three. I'd say four or five (at least) PATs per game would be just about right. I'm all for comfortable three score victories.

This past game might be a poor example to use to bring that up being that Akers was only 3 for 6 in field goal attempts; however it is as much the entire field goal kicking unit that should be held accountable for the bad showing as it is the kicker. Akers missed one wide-right, but that was on a 49-yard attempt, pretty long and not exactly a chip shot, and the other two were blocked. Although special teams play has been exemplary in previous games, yesterday let the team know that there are still many things to be ironed out if they want to be the best in the league. Fortunately, they won the game in spite of the missed field goals and lack of touchdown drives that would have been much better than field goal attempts in the first place.

Another thing that came to light was the productivity of wide receiver Kyle Williams. He's about the same size as New England Patriots slot receiver Wesley Welker, and many people were comparing Williams to Welker when the Niners drafted Williams last year. I certainly was envisioning Williams becoming the 49ers version of Welker: quick, fast, elusive, great hands, tough. And before yesterday's game, I was wondering what the Niners needed to do to make that part of their arsenal. Was it the game-planning? Did Alex Smith and Williams need to develop more chemistry together? Was it just a matter of getting the opportunity, such as more three receiver sets? Before the terrible loss of Joshua Morgan for the rest of the season in the game against Tampa Bay, I wondered if Williams would even have much opportunity to show what he can do. But he's the next man up now, so let's start developing our own Brady-to-Welker connection! The more weapons the 49ers have for opponents to account for, the better off we'll be!

Oh yeah... yesterday's best play? In my opinion, it was when Vernon Davis scored his touchdown and afterwards hurdled a photographer so as not to hurt anybody. Excellent athleticism and great move! I've seen other players before hit an innocent bystander and immediately pass it off and forget about it as they played to the crowd. What Vernon did was much appreciated not just by the photographer, but by fans like me.