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Nolan says team has confidence for Falcons
By David Zizmor October 31, 2007 |
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After talking with the media on Wednesday, Niners head coach Mike Nolan maybe tried to talk himself into believing the team confidence would be there, and that they can turn this four game loss streak around in Atlanta this coming Sunday at the Georgia Dome. As regarding such gaffes that took place last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Nolan said that despite the 2-5 record they bring into Atlanta the team can believe in themselves and can correct some of the mental mistakes that they made last Sunday and give the Falcons a good show. Quarterback Alex Smith while winding up his throwing arm and trying to wince his way through the shoulder injury recovery wants so badly to make amends for last Sunday's game and go after the Falcons. Smith said that the arm is good and that he's ready to make good on the scoreboard Sunday night after the Saints flattened San Francisco last Sunday 31-10. "I don't construe those actions as quitting. We have too much character on this football team. Our issue is poor performance. And we need to pick that up," said Nolan. Nolan had been questioned at Candlestick after the game why he kept Smith in the ball game when he looked like he could not get the club on the scoreboard in the second half. Smith couldn't hit his targets and was going to Frank Gore on almost every ground play. Smith didn't go to the air. Seems like Nolan's defense of Smith is because the coaches made the calls in the game and criticizing Smith would be like criticizing himself after making the calls. "Was he accurate? No, was it only after he took some hits? No. He threw inaccurate balls early in the game before he got hit," said Nolan. Nolan said that Smith feels up to playing this Sunday and that he has been working out with the first team, and is ready to come out firing again. You can almost count on Frank Gore being called upon but as Gore said two weeks ago while criticizing his offensive coordinator Jim Hostler, the offense needs to pick it up a little and get some balls in the end zone. Falcon woes: The Falcons after the incarcerated Michael Vick is no longer on the team are now 1-6 and have even a tough time saying their names on the offense to get a win. The Falcons also are 1-6 and have not sold out their game in Atlanta this coming Sunday against the Niners, as they have some 3,000 seats left for the ball game. Falcon fans have stayed away in a silent protest of Michael Vick but no more pronounced because the team is going bad. This game will more than likely be blacked out in Atlanta if the team can't sell out by Thursday afternoon. Vick meanwhile is facing a 1 1/2 year prison term for dog fighting and killing dogs. Vick is on an indefinite suspension from the NFL. David Zizmor covers 49ers football and co-hosts Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento. |
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