Can I just say how ridiculous it was that Flacco got MVP, haha? I know the QBs always get them... But come on. How he gets it ahead of Jones and Boldin is beyond me. It's all political/a conspiracy/bullshit! Delete as appropriate.
Don't get me wrong, I thought he had a great game, but for me Jones and Boldin did more to win than Flacco did and were more individually outstanding.
Flacco as MVP is proof, as if any were needed, that the media are lazy, spineless morons. I could make an argument for Flacco not even being the best QB on the night (barring one complete miss, his offensive line did a great job), but I'll settle for saying that it SF's defence losing it, rather than Flacco's greatness winning it. If we're going to be positive and credit an individual player on the Ravens' offence, surely it's got to be Jacoby Jones? Personally I'd go for Paul Kruger (21-14 at half time and a majority of people would still have tipped us) but I can see why in Ray Lewis's final game that didn't happen.
I'd give it to Flacco, he got himself out of some really tight spots at times. They never really struggled to get keep the ball moving through his passing and he was the one who picked these players mentioned out. I thought he was excellent.
Was fan voted, but yeah blame the media why not? I understand Boldin and Jones arguments (Boldin mainly because he made consistent big plays, Jacoby had two massive ones but only two) but Flacco was certainly better than Kaepernick.
The fan vote counts for very little, it's 80% media. I probably overreacted with the "best QB on the night" remark, but I just don't go for the whole "World exclusive: Super Bowl QB throws some decent passes". The entire Ravens offence put in a good performance, Flacco included but the offensive line in particular, whereas our line was hit-miss and Kaepernick routinely had to run himself out of trouble. Regardless of that, I always look for people whose actions were unexpected and turned the course of the game. A QB throwing well with the benefit of time and space, vs two third down sacks against someone renown for running himself out of trouble? No picks in a game, vs the two touchdowns Jones made (let's not forget how good the other one was)?
For a defensive lineman to win the MVP, he'd have had to play astonishingly. Did Kruger? Not really, no. He played very well by all accounts, but the best player in the game? There are several drives - particularly in the second half - where Baltimore had next to no pass rush, mainly because of Ngata being out. Therefore if we're gonna discredit Flacco on account of his o-line, then let's discredit Kruger on account of Ngata. I must say it seems like you're doing Flacco a disservice. Every time at the end of the game when they were trying to resist the Niners comeback, they struggled to get the ball moving unless Caldwell put it in Flacco's hands. Sure, Boldin helped out a whole load, but so many of Flacco's passes were money. Jacoby Jones had two huge plays. One of them in large part due to amazing blocking on special teams giving him great lanes to go through. The other because of a great Flacco pass, blown coverage and mindnumbingly stupid play from Culliver. You're getting too hung up on individual plays (Jones' two TDs and Kruger's two sacks), and admit yourself that you prefer to look for people unexpected - that's not the criteria. As far as I'm concerned, it was for the best player all game long, the one who did the most spread over the whole game. That, for me, and clearly most other people, has to be Flacco.
WHat a fix! Roger Goodell really really really wanted that roid using murderer to get his second ring. Blatant foul on crabtree. Whether you choose to ignore it is up to you. It doesn't change that it was a PI.
Because the DB was holding him! He was trying to get away and run the route. He was literally one step off from catching that. At the end of the day the Niners didn't lose because of that. I've narrowed it down to 5 big plays that caused the Niners to lose. 1) On their first possession they had a big throw to Vernon Davis called back for illegal formation. That play would have given them some momentum had it stood. 2) On the Ravens first drive the Niners forced an incomplete pass on a 3rd down only to be called back for offsides which gave the Ravens another shot in the end zone which they took. 3) Jacoby Jones long TD reception. You'd imagine the Niners would have watched tape on the Ravens Broncos game and have anticipated the deep threat, but Jones got beyond the safety and defensive back and was home free. 4) The kick off return, just wow. He ran through a group of Niners untouched. 5) Wasting that time out in the 3rd quarter to avoid a delay of game penalty. That really came back to bite them. Had they had that extra time out they would have time for a few more plays. At the very end of the game. Luckily for the Niners the core of their team is young and will only be better next year. I can only imagine what Kaepernick can do when he has more than 10 starts under his belt and a full preseason as the main man.
It wasn't PI, just because it wasn't, but it was definitely a hold. Had the ball been lower and actually playable (let's be fair, whether the two were grabbing each other or not, that ball was flying out the endzone) then there'd have been a flag.
Can I just say how great it is to see this forum up and running with lots of people getting involved and having a really great time. Special mention and MVP (Most Valuable Poster) must surely go to Cove, for his excellent weekly matchday threads. They have been a great success and very professionally done to boot. Who's going to win next year?
Holding would have been a 1st and goal on the goal line, and I think Crabtree would have had it had he taken one more step. Ball was thrown in the back corner of the end zone, where Crabtree was attempting to run.
The ball was catchable it only went a couple feet out of the zone. They were robbed. On the same drive on the 3rd down there was a helmet to helmet no call and a blatant holding no call while the kicker went for the safety. Lots of mistake for the niners.. They wpould have had it in the bag had culliver played a proper game and had they not caused so many mistakes. They were the better team. Ravens were nothing special and Flacco getting MVP was an absolute joke. I expect the niners to be in the final 4 next season. Seattle will be tough competition but I don't think they'll overcome SF. It depends on the draft as well. Redskins are going to be the ones to watch.
Agree about the penalties, but I still can't understand why the 49ers, arguably the best running team in the NFL, didn't try and run it in on their last series. 5 yards to go to the end zone, just give it to Frank Gore, he'll get you the 5 yards. Instead they opt to keep passing it.
