From: mzimmers@netcom.com (Michael Zimmers)
Subject: Re: 49ers/Bucs
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Sun, 20 Dec 1992 02:37:43 GMT

In article <1992Dec20.002529.4024@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com> marshall@NEBULA.SSD.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM writes:

>It wasn't as easy as it should have been, but the 49ers prevailed over
>the Bucs by a final score of 21-14. The 49ers had been favored to win
>by nearly three touchdowns, but the Bucs played them tough; the game
>was every bit as close as the final score indicates. In fact, with four
>minutes to go the Bucs had first and goal on the seven and were
>threatening to tie the game. But the 49ers held.

This was the first I'd seen of the Bucs (except for that fiasco against
the Lambs) all year.  Greenhead and Co. didn't look too shabby, and
Wyche's game plan was great.

>Tampa Bay scored first on a beautfilly designed and beautifully executed
>play. From their own 49-yard line, the ball was given to Gary Anderson
>on a sweep to the right. As he reached the right side of the line, he
>reversed his field, as if he were hemmed in. As he ran back the other
>way he turned and pitched the ball back to Testaverde. By then Dana Hall
>had bitten all the way down on the fake, and the tight end Anthony McDowell
>was wide open with no one within 20 yards of him. Easy touchdown. I *love*
>to see innovation like this; how come the 49ers never come up with this
>kind of stuff? Maybe they just don't need it; who knows. But I like it.

They do come up with gadget plays.  McIntyre at RB, Rice on naked reverses,
running plays from the wishbone (remember '87 vs. the Giants?), Roger
Craig throwing a pass in a playoff game, etc.  JUST enough to keep from
becoming too predictable.

>The 49ers took the lead early in the second half on a beautifully thrown
>TD pass to Rice. Later in the third quarter Rice worked himself wide open
>for another potential touchdown catch, but he lost the ball in the sun;
>I've rarely seen that happen. 

Agreed, but that was very understandable.  Rice was looking *directly*
into the sun, that had to be about an inch above the rim of the stadium
at that time.  No chance at all.

>The Bucs came back with a very nice drive
>to tie the score at 14, scoring on 4th and goal from the one early in
>the fourth quarter. The 49ers then came back and scored the eventual
>winning touchdown on a 31-yard TD to Rice on which the coverage was very
>good, but the pass was just too perfectly thrown to defend.

Reynolds looked like a helluva CB; I'd like to see him in a red jersey.

>Good game by Tampa Bay; one break here or there and they could have won
>the thing. 

Well, the Bucs got/made some breaks, too.  The ball that Rice lost in
the sun looked to be a sure six.  And Young doesn't fumble the ball 
away on the goal line very often.  The breaks evened out.

>Thus Tampa Bay got the ball back with about 70 seconds left, but the best
>they could manage was to get the ball to the 49ers' 36, where a Hail Mary
>pass fell harmlessly to the ground as time ran out.

It didn't look that harmless to me when Dana Hall swatted it back into
the end zone; I was cringing and imagining the worst.  Fortunately, 
that only happens against the Failcons, and once a decade at that.

>fully healed. On the injury front, Don Griffin went out late in the game,
>and so did Bill Romanowski. There were no reports on the extent of
>their injuries, but they did not appear to be serious.

When they said that Griffin was hurt, I told myself I'd rather they lose
the game than lose Don.  Without him, the so-so Niners' secondary becomes
profoundly cruddy.  Fortunately, he was back in and looking good in 
minutes.

>So, not an impressive win, but a win nonetheless. At 13-2, the 49ers
>have won the NFC West and have assured themselves of not having to
>leave California for the rest of the season (their longest trip would
>be to Pasadena!).

A trip we're all willing to see them take.
-- 
Michael Zimmers                                    |  Home:  408 996 1984
SoftHelp                                           |  Work:  408 996 1965
Software Solutions for Open Systems                |  Data:  408 996 1974
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro