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Smith still struggling getting out of the gate
By David Zizmor August 30, 2007 |
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It really does not matter much in pre season it is said, but don't say that in front of 49ers head coach Mike Nolan as he watched his starting quarterback Alex Smith struggle in the first quarter of Thursday night's final pre season game at Qualcomm in San Diego in a 16-13 loss. Smith who did not land a single first down last Saturday night in Chicago did not fair much better in San Diego on Thursday as Smith completed only three passes in eight tries for only 23 yards. Smith threw for one interception. Coach Nolan wants to rest Smith for the regular season, as Smith saw limited action in just that one quarter of play tonight. But his first quarter performance was something that Nolan has to question in his handling of the offense. Smith even dropped a couple of snaps. Smith had some tough outings in his last two ball games will have to come up with a better alibi than the last two-pre season games he threw in. He will be facing a first string defense from Arizona and will have to come out on all cylinders. He looked sharp against the Broncos and Raiders in the first two pre-season games but is sputtering now. His back up Shaun Hill is making the grade although he threw three interceptions Hill got the 49ers close with 12 completions and 22 attempts for 112 yards and one touchdown. Hill's picks really didn't hurt the out come of the game and the 49ers and Hill got within three points in the fourth quarter. It was shades of Trent Dilfer when Dilfer got the 49ers close in the second half from last Saturday. But it's Smith who the Niners are depending on and he's looked soft, with two turnovers, and the offense gave up six turnovers total for the game. The 49ers running game and receiving game was questioned and Smith did not get the ball to his wide outs like he should have and his calls on the running game was not there at all. Hill did face second and third stringers in the second half but still made things interesting. The 49ers finish the pre season 1-3 and want to come out against the Cardinals on Monday night that they can show all they're best stuff and that the pre season was a aberration. The scoring: In the first quarter San Diego's Nate Keading kicked a 29 yard at 0:40 to give the Chargers a 3-0 lead. Second quarter: At 12:42, Nate Keading hit his second field goal, 25 yards to make it 6-0. San Francisco was on the scoreboard at 5:00 when Joe Nedney hit a 31 yard to cut the Charger lead 6-3. Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst found Craig Davis for a 40 yard toss to get the Chargers first touchdown and only one of the game for the Chargers at the 2:00 warning just before the half to give San Diego a 13-3 lead. Neither team scored in the third quarter. Shaun Hill came out in the fourth quarter to help San Francisco get close and kicker Joe Nedney hit a whopping 51-yard field goal to cut San Diego's lead down to seven to make it 13-6. San Diego's Nate Keading then kicked his third of the night, a 32 yard through the uprights at 10:33 as the Chargers improved their lead to 16-6. The 49ers Hill then found Zachary Hilton at 6:34 for the 49ers only touchdown of the ball game as Hill threw for the final 49er touchdown in pre season. The Niners fell short by a field goal. Fair rating for 49ers in final pre season: The 49ers showed signs of passing needs from Smith but Smith's back ups in the pre-season, Trent Dilfer and Shaun Hill looked like they can find the receiver and make things happen at least in these last two games. Smith has had trouble holding onto the football in the last two games, dropped the ball twice on Thursday from the snap, and had to scramble out of the pocket several times. Smith also threw one for an interception, and still has yet to convert a first down, which is not only frustrating Nolan, but also frustrating Dilfer, who is helping Smith get on track the last two previous seasons. Nolan said he was pleased by the defense which stopped the Chargers much of the second half and did a decent job in the first half as well. Nolan credited certain players on defense who isolated some of the Chargers to prevent more scoring and yard gains. Nolan is looking for the offense to get more yards starting with opening night. Nolan is looking for a lot of improvement and good things from Smith on opening night next week. The Niners host the Arizona Cardinals on Monday September 10th at 7:00PM at Candlestick join Pearl Lo for game coverage and Tony the Tiger Hayes with radio analysis. Dave Zizmor covers and previews each 49ers game and can be heard on Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento. |
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