Steal from the Rich, Give it to the Gore (49ers thoughts entering Week 8)

Sorry about the slacking to all of our loyal readers. The Giants game sapped some energy out of me and the Seahawks game showed Niner Nation a continuation of the ugly NYG loss with the inconsistent play of Alex Smith. I wasn't really inspired to write after that game - I was just elated San Fran held onto that win despite looking piss poor in the passing game. Our defense was stellar, and the Seahawks dropped every good Russell Wilson pass thrown that night.

What Niners fans last week saw was their coach making sure he didn't lose his starting quarterback mentally. By having him on the field for every offensive sequence (save one play), Harbaugh made sure that Smith wouldn't lose his confidence. Unlike previous games where we saw Colin Kaepernick get a decent share of snaps, the backup QB from Nevada sat on the bench for all but one play (a one-yard loss) as he watched the game with the rest of America.

The last two games have shown a regression in Alex from what we saw in 2011 and the start of 2012. I am still in the camp that Kaep will get his chance to start sooner rather than later - maybe towards the end of the season, more likely to start 2013. In the business of NFL, you don't just draft a guy with a high pick (Kaep was a 2nd rounder in 2011) and not give him a chance to play right away, at least not normally (Aaron Rodgers an exception). Main difference though - Rodgers was behind a Hall-of-Fame QB on the depth chart (Favre) whereas Kaep is behind Smith, a better QB in the past year and a half, but overall, somewhat of a disappointment as a #1 pick years ago.


Steal from the rich, and give it to the Gore. Frank Gore that is. Those who doubted whether his best days were behind him (i.e. me) are looking like complete fools. Sure, some of that has to do with the amazing run blocking displayed by the offensive line. But gotta give credit where credit is due. Gore is running like he did in the earlier stages of his career. And here I thought Kendall Hunter would take the proverbial passing of the running back torch from him this year. Might have to wait a year or two for that at this pace. Hunter may get his chance to start next Monday Night though if Gore's rib injury keeps him sidelined.


A View from Vegas shows that the Niners are still among the top 5 most likely teams to win the Super Bowl. Their 8/1 odds place them fourth behind Houston (21/4), New England (13/2) & Green Bay (29/4). And for the first time all year, San Fran has the division lead all to themselves - thanks to the combination of their win against Seattle and Arizona's demise against the Vikings. When everything is settled in Week 8, the Niners could possibly be in a three-way tie for the division lead again, or they could possibly be up two games on the rest of the division. Speaking of which...

A Big Divisional Showdown Next Monday Night when the 5-2 Niners face the 4-3 Cardinals, who have lost their last three after starting the year off on a little tear. It's easy to look at their last three games and say the Cardinals likely peaked at the beginning of the year - never a good thing for a football team to do. However, I've watched football long enough to know that many times, just when you start doubting a team, just when you think you'll be able to beat the crap out of your next opponent who looked like shit the previous couple weeks, you'll see a spirited effort. Especially on a prime-time stage. Many football fans will remember one of the last times the Cardinals were large underdogs on a Monday Night game, they destroyed the Chicago Bears in the first half of play only to blow their lead in miraculous fashion, prompting the infamous Dennis Green "Crown Their Ass" tirade.

Never count out a dog when he's down. I believe the Cardinals, despite their offensive woes, will find a way to keep this week competitive. Remember, this is the same team that has made strong offensive teams like New England and Philadelphia look like Division III programs earlier this season. If I bet the game next week (I likely will, let's not kid ourselves), I'd likely lean on taking Arizona +6.5. I'm expecting this game to be like a 23-20 score one way or the other.

Enjoy the next week of games. My name is Brian Bolek, and I approve this message.