SANTA CLARA — The 49ers probably don’t have a quarterback on the roster who can succeed this season. Blaine Gabbert’s performance against the Seahawks was unacceptable.
Blame the lack of playmakers, blame Trent Baalke for creating a situation with a lack of playmakers, blame Chip Kelly. Guess what? The 49ers are stuck in the playmaking department. They aren’t stuck with just one quarterback, though.
When asked if the playbook was fully available because of Gabbert’s accuracy issues, offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins confirmed it was.
But the film tells a different story. Not enough route concepts and poor accuracy from Gabbert, equaled an incredibly frustrating day on offense for the 49ers.
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Play 1: 1st and 10
Result: Busted play, Gabbert rushes for a gain of 1 yard.
Analysis: It appears like this is actually Carlos Hyde’s fault, who is split out as a receiver on the bottom of the screen. Torrey Smith and Jeremy Kerley look in Hyde’s direction and point after the play is over. But some of the blame has to fall on Gabbert for not realizing the running back isn’t standing next to him. Totally inexcusable for the first play of the game.
Play 2: 2nd and 9
Result: Vance McDonald catches 2-yard pass in the flat
Analysis: With limited weapons against the Seahawks, a quick flat pass to the tight end is really the only surefire the 49ers can guarantee any type of positive yardage.
Play 3: 3rd and 7
Result: Gabbert pass completed to Kerley for 4 yards.
Analysis: This play would work well on first down, not third. Gabbert releases the pass far too early in the route. Kerley never has a chance to run past the marker, even when left tackle Joe Staley had Gabbert’s blindside protected. Gabbert’s unwillingness to hang in the pocket on third downs = punt festivals for the 49ers.
Play 4: 1st and 10 (On the previous drive, Kelly called three straight runs to Hyde and came up a yard short).
Result: Gabbert pass to Torrey Smith for 11 yards
Analysis: You take any yards you can get against Seattle, but the coaching staff has to get Smith more involved than this little dinky pass — a throw he had to dive for to haul it in. I’ve been saying it for awhile and asked offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins why Gabbert and Smith can’t seem to develop chemistry. This little slant-combo pattern Smith runs might have some potential.
Play 6: 1st and 10
Result: Gabbert 2-yard pass to Vance McDonald.
Analysis: Starting to see a trend here? These two-yard passes to McDonald are a substitute for the running game. Kelly uses them to get a few yards and to try and give Gabbert some confidence. The zone-read element makes the play seem exotic, when it’s really not.
Play 7: 3rd and 4
Result: Gabbert incomplete pass to Kerley
Analysis: Really good protection from the offensive line and Gabbert puts the ball where Kerley can catch it. From the aerial angle, It looked like Bobby Wagner got there a little early. Tough break for the 49ers, and the funniest part is Hyde was wide open on the check-down swing pass. The one time it would’ve worked for Gabbert, he didn’t check-down.
Play 8: 1st and 10
Result: Gabbert pass to Garrett Celek for 18 yards
Analysis: Good play call and execution. Looked like K.J. Wright bit on the zone-read, or tried to jump a short pass for an INT. Celek was left wide open on the seam route. This was arguably the best throw of the day from Gabbert.
Play 9: 3rd and goal
Result: Gabbert throws 2-yard completion to Shaun Draughn.
Analysis: This can’t happen. You can’t throw the ball short of the sticks AND short of the goal line on third downs. That just can’t be your mentality. I get it, every other target is covered and Gabbert wants to secure the three points on the scoreboard. And that’s the problem. Your quarterback has to take risks. He can’t fold every hand. After a turnover sets you up with great field position, kicking a field goal will crush your momentum.
Play 10: 2nd and 3
Result: Gabbert pass to Celek for 5 yards.
Analysis: If you want to know why Anthony Davis retired, look at this block right guard from Andrew Tiller. He creates a window for Gabbert. Meanwhile, Celek is beating Kam Chancellor on a hitch route. Small but effective play.
Play 11: 2nd and 8
Result: Gabbert completed pass to Kerley for 20 yards.
Analysis: Good things happen when you let multiple receivers run deep down the field. Quinton Patton assumes the role of decoy on this play. Cornerback DeShawn Snead gets caught in a guessing game at the bottom of the screen, freeing up Kerley. This play can attack the hell out of a Cover-3, but we barely saw any of this from Kelly.
Play 12: 3rd and 15
Result: Gabbert short pass to Smith for 13 yards.
Analysis: When you are down 21-3, and you are throwing a 3-yard drag route on 3rd and 15, and then not going for it on fourth down, you might as well forfeit on offense. Kelly has absolutely zero trust for Gabbert to make plays on third down. This short pass play to Smith was a designed call and it has such a low success rate. John Lynch even suggested on the broadcast if the 49ers were trying to be competitive and win the game or just get the hang of their offense. It’s hard to disagree. This play looks good in the stat sheet, but in reality it did nothing but end another drive.
Play 13: 1st and 10
Result: Gabbert incompletion to Patton
Analysis: Patton just isn’t open like that hugging the sideline. It’s a flawed route from the get-go. McDonald actually runs a really nice post route and is open for a significant gain. On the bright side, at least Gabbert is attempting to throw the ball down the field.
Play 14: 3rd and 4
Result: Gabbert completes 2-yard pass to Celek
Analysis: Another third down, another Gabbert pass short of the sticks. The play call is going to Celek the whole way (you can see Smith start to pick the cornerback right when Gabbert drops back). What’s worse is Gabbert’s pass is so off target, it lets Chancellor pop Celek right in the hip. He’s shaken up enough to come off the field.
Play 15: 3rd and 4
Result: Gabbert pass nearly intercepted by the Seahawks
Analysis: Frank Clark puts Staley on skates, forcing Gabbert into this throw. The quarterback stepped right into the rush here. If he scooted up in the pocket and waited just a second longer, Draughn was streaking open down the left side. Gabbert’s pocket awareness costs the 49ers another first-down conversion.
Play 16: 2nd and 8
Result: Gabbert incomplete pass to Celek.
Analysis: This play doesn’t have much chance for success with Chancellor all over Celek. Before the tight end makes his cut, Seattle’s safety is already in position. Another Gabbert pass is almost picked off. And again, at the top of the screen, Torrey Smith makes a move on Richard Sherman and appears as if he’ll be open on a fly route.
Play 17: 3rd and 8
Result: Gabbert throws interception to Bobby Wagner
Analysis: The football is thrown a little too far ahead for Patton to handle and (after multiple near INTs) the Seahawks finally pick off a Gabbert pass. That’s it for this film review. If this isn’t enough evidence for you to want to play Colin Kaepernick, I don’t know what else to tell you.