Little Playmakers

Weddle vs. Smith in the 2012 Pro Bowl

Steve Smith dubbed himself "Little Playmaker, University of Utah" in the video introductions for NFL games this season, and the nickname fit. Especially in yesterday's Pro Bowl, where Smith was the leading receiver for the NFC, catching 5 passes for 118 yards and a TD. His teammate Cam Newton didn't fare as well in his first appearance, throwing 3 interceptions - two of them into the hands of Eric Weddle, another little playmaker. Weddle, who was tied for the league lead in interceptions this year, returned the first one 63 yards and pitched the second pick over to Derrick Johnson, who took it 60 yards for an AFC TD. There weren't many opportunities for Paul Soliai to make any notable plays, as the defensive line is stymied by the rules of the game, but his teammate Brandon Marshall strutted his stuff, catching 6 passes for 174 yards and a record 4 TDs on his way to the Pro Bowl MVP.

Bad Luck Buck

Bogut leaving the court in the first quarter.

Andrew Bogut suffered another injury Wednesday, fracturing his left ankle when he landed on another player's foot. Bogut had three points, four rebounds, and three blocks in the first quarter of his 400th career game; it was an attempt to block a 4th shot that brought the big man down. Bogut plays hard around the rim - he just doesn't stick the landings. He is out indefinitely, and may miss the rest of the compressed season. Hopefully the baller is back on his feet soon.

Team Leader

Smith's terrific season ends.

Alex Smith led the 49ers, even in defeat. Rather than pinning the overtime loss on Kyle Williams for his fumble on a punt return, Smith kept the blame squarely on his own shoulder pads. "It's not on him. I look at the one for 13 on third downs. I know he's going to feel bad, but he's still part of our team. We didn't lose the game there. We lost it across the board offensively. We just couldn't get it done." That was the type of leadership I expected from the full-fledged QB of the Niners. It wasn't Alex's best game: 12-26, 196 yards, 2 TDs and a 97.6 rating. Smith spent most of the game scrambling, and he did gain 42 yards on 6 carries. In the end the offense could not sustain a drive when it needed to, with plays like Vernon Davis catching an 11 yard pass on 3rd-and-12. San Francisco needs to discover a receiver like Victor Cruz who can exploit the gaps when Davis is double-covered.

Paul Kruger led the Ravens in sacks with one. Out of context that may not seem too impressive, but consider the situation. The Patriots had a first down at Baltimore's 11 yard line in the first quarter when Kruger came charging around the left end to sack Brady for a 5 yard loss. The Ravens held the Pats to a field goal as a result, keeping the game within reach. The missed field goal at the end decided it, but the defense held New England to 23 points, and it started in the first quarter. Kruger had two tackles in the effort.

A Super Bowl rematch of New England and New York features no ProUte players, as Christian Cox has been on IR since the first game of the preseason.

It's Miller (Over) Time

Andre on the spot.

Andre Miller led one of his former teams (Denver) into the arena of one of his other former teams (Philadelphia) last night, coming off the bench and coming away with the win in overtime. It was Philly's first home loss of the season, and it was apparent that Miller felt comfortable playing in his former venue. He shot 12-20 from the field, 3-4 from behind the arc, and 1-2 at the stripe for a season-high 28 points. Miller also had 10 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals. Andre made the plays when it mattered most, hitting a driving jump shot with 7.9 seconds left in regulation to put Denver up one; after a 76ers free throw tied the score, he missed a 3 at the buzzer (his only missed 3 of the night). In overtime, Miller once again hit the Nuggets' final bucket to put them ahead 106-104, and then made the steal to seal it. Denver got two more free throws for a 108-104 victory, thanks to 'Dre!

Alex Advances

Alex leads his team to a playoff win.

Alex Smith looked every bit the ProUte of the Year against New Orleans on Saturday! Alex was 24-42 for 299 yards and 3 TDs, including the game-winner to Vernon Davis. Smith led two game- winning drives, capping the first with a 28 TD run with 2:11 to play. After Drew Brees connected with Jimmy Graham for a 66 yard TD to retake the lead, Alex did it again. With only 1:37 on the clock, Smith drove the 49ers 85 yards (61 in the hands of Davis) for the win. When everyone expected Alex to manage the game, setting up the league's leading kicker David Akers for a tying field goal, Coach Harbaugh dialed up a play called "Vernon Post" which the team executed perfectly.

Clearly this was a team victory, and the defense played its' part, starting with the hit safety Donte Whitner laid on Pierre Thomas at the two yard line, forcing a fumble and denying the Saints an opportunity to score early. The defense and special teams came up with four turnovers in the first half, yet San Francisco only led 17-14 at the break. Defensive end Justin Smith made one of the most physical plays of the year, driving Pro Bowl tackle Jermon Bushrod back and reaching over him to drag Brees down. Brees continued his record-breaking ways, completing 40 of 63 passes for 462 yards and 4 TDs, but he also threw two interceptions, ending his own record streak of none in the past five years of post-season play. In the first post-season appearance of his career, Alex Smith did not throw an interception. He did fumble twice while being sacked, losing one of the two. Alex's passer rating for the game was 103.2, better than Brees's 93.5, and he now has a signature play to call his own, thirty years after "The Catch." Home field advantage was definitely a factor in this game; the weather in San Fran was fine (it won't be this weekend for the NFC Championship Game), but the Saints are a different team away from their dome. Credit Smith's steady hand all season long for earning that advantage, and for using it to advance as a player and as a team.

In the other playoff match ups, Brice McCain (no stats) and the Texans couldn't overcome the rookie mistakes of their quarterback, falling to the Ravens and Paul Kruger (no stats). Tim Tebow was no match for Tom Brady, as the Patriots overwhelmed the Broncos. Zane Beadles had his name mentioned for a personal foul on a rushing TD early on, and OC Mike McCoy's name has been mentioned as a candidate for the head coach position in Miami.

He's Back, and This Time it's Personal

Buck to the bucket.

Actually it was personal reasons that caused Andrew Bogut to miss four games, but he's back from Aussie land. In his return he scored 14 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists to help the Bucks beat the Spurs, 106-103.

Andre Miller stepped in to the starter role when Ty Lawson wasn't able to go against the Nets and had one of his better games this season. Miller put up a dozen points and a dozen assists against Deron Williams (16 and 13, respectively), as Denver outscored New Jersey, 123-115. The Nuggets are 7-4, good for 5th place in the West, whereas the Bucks are 3-6 (with Bogut missing nearly half of those games), landing them in 11th place in the East.

ProUte of 2011

Following our third year of awarding the ProUte of the Week, we had three standout candidates for the first ProUte of the Year Award:

Alex Smith, QB, 49ers: 3,150 yards passing, 17 TDs, 5 INTs, 90.7 rating.
Smith is having easily the best season of his hit-or-miss career in San Francisco. The 49ers are 13-3 and secured the second seed in the NFC playoffs. That's huge, as it means the game against the Saints will be in the Bay Area, not the Bayou. Smith's numbers don't jump out of the screen, except for his career-low 5 interceptions. With Smith managing the offense for new coach Jim Harbaugh, the 2011 49ers tied the 2010 Patriots for the fewest turnovers (10) in a season since 1941. Smith is no stranger to criticism, but labeling him a "game manager" is not a slam. He won't break 5,000 yards in a season like Tom Brady, but he can limit the interceptions in the face of taking more sacks (44) than any other quarterback in the league. The 49ers wouldn't be in this situation without their defense or their running game, but it was Smith, a free agent, who kept the team together during the lockout. He led the team workouts in lieu of the new coaching staff, and it shows in San Fran's success this season.
 
Eric Weddle, FS, Chargers: 88 tackles, 12 PDefs, 7 INTs.
After the lockout was lifted, Weddle signed a new contract making him the highest-paid safety in the league. The one thing he was asked to add to his arsenal at the time was more interceptions. Weddle earned his new salary, pulling in 7 takeaways to tie for the lead in the NFL. The other two players with 7 interceptions were both cornerbacks; that indicates that Weddle can stuff the run with the best of them and cover the pass with the best of them. His skill set is finally gaining recognition with fans, as he was voted to his first Pro Bowl, and with the league, as he was named to the All Pro team on Friday. Weddle was the only All-ProUte in 2011. He is the highest paid because he is one of the best.

Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: 79 receptions, 1,394 yards, 7 TDs.
Which came first, the emergence of Cam Newton, or the re-emergence of Steve Smith? Smith was the primary receiver once again in Carolina, and he played like it. His drive to catch the ball is undeniable, regardless of coverage. He doesn't have the physical gifts of a Calvin Johnson or a 5,000+ yard passer with multiple options like Wes Welker, the two guys ahead of him on the All Pro list. What he has is the desire to go get the ball, and he turned in one of the best seasons of his career. Smith was voted to the Pro Bowl as a reserve, his fifth selection (and first since 2008). Smith is a viable candidate for Comeback Player of the Year as well as ProUte of the Year.

It's a difficult choice, which is exactly what we want to see from these professional players. Is a QB with the fewest INTs in the league more deserving than a safety with the most INTs in the league? Is one Smith's best season ever better than another Smith's great season in a great career? Should it go to the only player to be named All Pro or the player who won more ProUte of the Week Awards?

Alex Smith plunges in for a rushing TD and greatness.

Ultimately the honor goes to the former #1 pick, Alex Smith. As his coach continues to point out, Smith's composure under fire (sometimes from his own team's fan base) has been incredible. After losing another head coach and going into the lockout as a free agent, with the 49ers drafting a quarterback in the second round, Smith could have split, but he didn't. He got a copy of Coach Harbaugh's playbook, studied it quickly, gave it back, and ran the team's off-season preparations. His comeback victory at Philadelphia was a showcase of his ability and his character. In his seventh season in the league he worked with his seventh offensive coordinator, and the system finally fits his style of play. Smith now has more TDs than INTs for his career, and he has the 49ers back in the post-season for the first time in nearly a decade. Alex Smith had an amazing 2011, and he's still playing into 2012. For that impressive performance Alex Smith is our ProUte of the Year.

68 Wildcard Pickup

Three ProUtes who wear #68 were in action during Wildcard Weekend: Chris Kemoeatu, Jonathan Fanene, and Zane Beadles. But they weren't the only ProUtes in the first round of the playoffs: Brice McCain, Stevenson Sylvester, and Denver OC Mike McCoy were also battling to get their respective teams to the next round. McCain didn't record any stats, but he played slot coverage for the Texans in their 31-10 dismantling of the Bengals; Fanene registered 6 tackles for Cincinnati, although he couldn't quite complete the one seen here. McCain and the Texans move on to face Paul Kruger and the Ravens (David Reed is on injured reserve) in the second round.

The Broncos prevailed in an overtime thriller against the Steelers, as McCoy's offense racked up 447 yards on the vaunted Steelers D, which was held without a sack by Beadles and the boys. Pittsburgh's o-line couldn't say the same thing, as Roethlisberger's limited mobility opened the door for five sacks. Sly didn't record any stats for the injury-depleted Steelers. Denver moves on to face New England next. Beadles will be the only 68 to advance, while Alex Smith will see his first playoff action when the Saints march into San Francisco.

ProUte of the Week Wrap Up

We have just completed our third year of awarding the ProUte of the Week. Here is a recap of each week's winners in 2011:

Week 1: Steve Smith, WR, Panthers. Honorable mention: Alex Smith, Jonathan Fanene.
Week 2: David Reed, KR, Ravens. HM: Alex Smith, Eric Weddle, Sean Smith, Steve Smith.
Week 3: Jonathan Fanene, DE, Bengals. HM: Alex Smith, Eric Weddle, Sean Smith.
Week 4: Alex Smith, QB, 49ers. HM: Eric Weddle, Sione Pouha, Steve Smith.
Week 5: Alex Smith, QB, 49ers. HM: Caleb Schlauderaff, Jordan Gross, Steve Smith, Zane Beadles.
Week 6: Koa Misi, LB, Dolphins. HM: Paul Soliai, Sean Smith.
Week 7: Brice McCain, DB, Texans. HM: Eric Weddle, Sean Smith, Steve Smith.
Week 8: Eric Weddle, FS, Chargers. HM: Alex Smith, Paul Kruger, Steve Smith.
Week 9: Sione Pouha, DT, Jets. HM: Alex Smith, David Reed, Paul Kruger.
Week 10: Zane Beadles, OG, Broncos. HM: Alex Smith, Brice McCain, Eric Weddle.
Week 11: Steve Smith, WR, Panthers. HM: Alex Smith, Eric Weddle, Sione Pouha.
Week 12: Sean Smith, DB, Dolphins. HM: Eric Weddle.
Week 13: Stevenson Sylvester, LB, Steelers. HM: Alex Smith, Eric Weddle.
Week 14: Sione Pouha, DT, Jets. HM: Eric Weddle, Sean Smith, Steve Smith.
Week 15: Steve Smith, WR, Panthers. HM: Alex Smith, Eric Weddle, Jonathan Fanene.
Week 16: Jordan Gross, OT, Panthers. HM: Brice McCain, Eric Weddle, Jonathan Fanene. 
Week 17: R.J. Stanford, DB, Panthers. HM: Alex Smith, Brice McCain, Steve Smith.

Most awards this season: Steve Smith, 3.
Most Honorable Mentions this season: Eric Weddle, 11.

Carolina Closes It Out

R.J. trying to slow down the record-setting Saints offense.

Carolina closed out the season with its third ProUte of the Week Award recipient - in Week 17 it was R.J. Stanford's turn to make a big play. The Saints led 14-7 when Drew Brees threw this red zone interception to Stanford, who took it back 53 yards in the other direction. This turnover offset a fumble by Steve Smith, but the Panthers ultimately succumbed to the Saints, 45-17. Stanford had two tackles and a PDef in addition to the INT. Smith also had a decent game (minus the fumble), with 6 receptions for 86 yards and a TD. With that performance Smith broke the franchise-record for receptions, previously held by Muhsin Muhammad.

Alex Smith had another nice day, completing 21 of 31 passes for 219 yards and a TD; he also ran for a TD as the 49ers wrapped up the #2 seed in the NFC playoffs. Brice McCain had another nice outing against the Titans, accumulating 2 tackles and 3 PDefs. Tennessee edged Houston by a point, but the Texans had already clinched the #3 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Practice squad notes: Brett Ratliff finished the season on Tampa Bay's practice squad.