Matt Maiocco Oct. 3 Pregame Chat Transcript

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OCTOBER 3, 2010MAIOCCO ARCHIVE49ERS PAGE49ERS VIDEOMatt MaioccoCSNBayArea.comMatt Maiocco:Welcome to today's pregame chat live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.The 49ers inactives for today's game are Troy Smith (third QB), Ted Ginn, Tramaine Brock, Will James, Michael Lewis, Barry Sims, Eric Heitmann, Alex Boone. Here are the 49ers-Falcons Matchups To Watch. http:www.csnbayarea.com100210Matt-Maioccos-Matchups-to-Watchlanding_maio... From Jay:
Matt, what will the first series for the Niners? Mix of run and pass? What's your take?
Matt Maiocco:
I can't believe Mike Johnson's first play call will be an inside running play to Frank Gore with Moran Norris as the lead-blocker. That was almost always Jimmy Raye's first play. Johnson has to show more variation.From Adam, Santa Cruz:
Hey Matt, always good to hear your opinions and thoughts about the 49ers. Ok so the offense today.. Will they stop doing the same plays over and over? I listened to Brent Jones earlier and said thats a HUGE problem.. whats the thoughts? Thanks, AdamMatt Maiocco:
Yes, I think the offense under Mike Johnson will show a lot more variation, as it applies to personnel groups and formations.From Confusion:
What happened with Michael Lewis? Do you think Taylor Mays is ready?Matt Maiocco:
Lewis took a paycut in July -- two weeks before the opening of training camp. He's a proud man, of course, so that was difficult. Then when the report surfaced that he would be benched, he was assured by a 49ers assistant coach that he was fine -- that nothing would change. But on Friday, Mike Singletary told him that he would see a reduction in playing time. There were a lot of other things that happened, his agent says, that made Lewis feel a lack of trust in the 49ers. So he left.Is Taylor Mays ready? It's unique that he has not played a snap of defense thus far. He has not played defense in a month. It's an odd move to not work him into the mix in the first three games. From K49G:
Hey Matt, thanks for the Chat. If the 49ers are in the market for a new coach in the offseason, will Mike Martz be on that list if he continues to have success in Chicago?Matt Maiocco:
Absolutely not. Mike Martz will not be on that list. I can assure you that. It's funny, though, when the 49ers fired Mike Nolan, I started looking into potential permanent coaches. The one guy I really liked was Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.From Tommy:
Is Barry Sims injured? Seems weird to have him inactive instead of Boone. Youth movement???Matt Maiocco:
No, he's not injured. Teams generally suit up two backup offensive linemen. Adam Snyder is the backup at both tackle spots (and, it seems, both guard spots), while Tony Wragge is the backup center.From Brandon:
Has singletary lost the lockerroom?Matt Maiocco:
I asked a veteran player that question on Friday. His answer: "The only thing that matters is what happens on the field. You'll be able to answer that question after Sunday's game."From Jay:
Also, how come the Niners' D isn't getting attention? They have been disappointing as well as the Offense.Matt Maiocco:
The 49ers owned the No. 4-ranked defense in the league prior to the Chiefs game. They were horrible in Kansas City, but the problems with offense have been a constant theme for years.From Damien:
Hey Matt , any rumor behind what Adam Schefter said about the clock ticking on Singletary?Matt Maiocco:
The clock is ticking on every coach in the NFL ... especially one who just fired his offensive coordinator. Here's what I wrote on that subject a couple days ago.
From Neder:
Do you think our secondary can handle the Falcons passing attack? Especially with SmithMays on GonzalezMatt Maiocco:
I think it will be very difficult, obviously. The Falcons had their way with the 49ers last season at Candlestick Park.From goniners757:
Will it be Taylor Mays or Reggie Smith starting in place of Lewis?Matt Maiocco:
The 49ers have not made an official announcement, but I sure got the indication from Reggie Smith that Taylor Mays will be the starting safety. Smith said that he knows he has to contribute on special teams. A starting safety will not be on all the special teams.From Matt P:
Is there a sense of panic, should the Niners go 0-4?Matt Maiocco:
Of course. There is already a sense of panic unlike what I've witnessed in 15 years of covering the 49ers at this point in the season.From Old Skool:
What's the mood of the team?Matt Maiocco:
Not good at all. That's why I'm so curious to see how they play. The practices this week were awful. The mood is not good. The 49ers have to come out and play with passion and energy -- elements that were missing in the disaster last week in Arrowhead Stadium.From John:
How much of it was an actual lack of trust and how much of it a desire to raise his stock among other teams to get a starting job elsewhere? In other words was it a situation of someone quitting before they could get fired?Matt Maiocco:
I think the 49ers wanted to keep Michael Lewis around, but he did not like the direction the team was heading. Frankly, it will be very difficult for Lewis to find any kind of role with another team in the NFL. He was clearly nearing the end (or at the end) of his career. He decided he'd rather forfeit 100K a week to leave the 49ers.From Matt P:
Have you seen a change in Singletary's personality, since the team is doing what it's doing (0-3)?Matt Maiocco:
Yes. I've seen a significant change in his body language and behavior. He really seems defeated. He does not speak with the same confidence. It's as if he is realizing that he does not have the answers, that his way of doing things simply is not working.From Mike Alexander:
Matt do you think the 49ers will fire Mike Singletary in the middle of the season if this team continues it downward spiral and if the do how will they then address the headcoach position?Matt Maiocco:
If this continues and the 49ers continue to fall apart, the team will have to do something dramatic. Nobody wants that to happen. Jed York is not looking for reasons to fire Mike Singletary. After all, Singletary was York's first significant move. He's going to give him every opportunity, but it's pretty clear that things have to turn around.From Eric:
In all of your years covering the Niners, have you ever seen as many crazy things happen with coaches fired & players leaving?Matt Maiocco:
No. I thought it was bizarre back in 2004 when Dennis Erickson interviewed for the Ole Miss coaching job -- during the 49ers' season. That was very odd. But this season has already been much more strange. Balmer, Coffee and Lewis. Jimmy Raye. Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. The Rat. There's never a dull moment.FAN POLL - What's been the most bizarre thing that's happened thus far?The Rat - 12
Singletary firing Raye after vote of confidence - 25
Balmer leaving team - 0
Coffee retirement - 43
Lewis leaving team - 19
Vernon Davis-Crabtree altercation - 1 From Bryan:
Matt, why is Chilo starting over Synder, does Singletary not watch the games?Matt Maiocco:
I do not know. Chilo Rachal has not been good. I think Rachal is one of Singletary's pet projects. He has more "upside," as they like to say. But he has not earned his keep in the starting lineup, that's for sure.From Matt:
Have the niners tried to get Jeff Garcia as a QB?Matt Maiocco:
No. It wouldn't have taken a whole lot of trying. He's playing in the UFL.From Matt P:
Have you seen any players this morning? Are they up, or flat?Matt Maiocco:
I'm watching them stretch right now. You can't tell if they're up or flat until the game begins. And, even then, it's about how up or flat they look when they experience their first adversity during the course of the game.From Scott:
How many touches does Westbrook get today?Matt Maiocco:
Six.From Matt:
More disappointing; niners not making the playoffs or the giants not making the playoffs?Matt Maiocco:
The Giants would have to finish the season on a five-game losing streak to NOT make the playoffs. The Giants would be more of a disappointment because they were in charge late in the season. The 49ers have done a good job of squashing the expectations early.From err76:
Matt, If the 9ers go 0 and 5 or 6, Do you see the Yorks taking action?Matt Maiocco:
If the turmoil continues and the team is clearly falling part, they'd have to do something sooner than later.From Neil:
Do you think the all the off season hype has led to this "sense of panic" with in the organization?Yes. I think when expectations are great, the reaction to a slow start becomes more pronounced.By the way, I can reveal now that during practice QBs coach Jason Michael was the person in charge of calling in the plays to QB Alex Smith. That means that Mike Johnson will be in the booth, and sending the plays to the sideline to Michael.From LA Niner:
Did Sing get the coaching job in the first place because of wins with mirrors?Matt Maiocco:
Mike Singletary was named head coach because of the way the 49ers finished the 2008 season under his leadership. No question.From Heath:
It seems like a lot of players get benched but they don't quit the team afterward. What else is there to it? A coach changed his mind (or the front office changed it for him) and all of a sudden he can't play for them?Matt Maiocco:
Apparently, Michael Lewis feels as if the 49ers were not honest with him. But, I agree, this is very strange.From Damian:
Will Alex Smith be our QB at the start of the 2nd half?Matt Maiocco:
There are no indications that Alex Smith's job is in jeopardy. Mike Singletary stated toward the end of training camp that he did not have a whole lot of confidence in David Carr.From Dave Owens:
Has Jed York communicated his feelings about the first three weeks of the season to anyone yet? Any idea what he's thinking?Matt Maiocco:
Not publicly. I've asked to speak with him, but I've gotten no response. I'll keep working on that.From err76:
With hindsight being 2020, Do you think it was a mistake to fire Martz, where do you think we would be if we retained him?Matt Maiocco:
I don't think it's hindsight. I believed at the time that Singletary was good for Martz and Martz was good for Singletary. It was a huge mistake because after Singletary fired Martz, he could not find anyone who had any options willing to come to work as 49ers offensive coordinator.From LA Niner:
Is correct to say that there was no way possible Jed could have passed on Sing as the HC?Matt Maiocco:
It would've been very difficult to go in a different direction. The players loved Singletary then. The public, by and large, loved Singletary then. It would've been very difficult to pass on him.From Daniel:
this chat is incredibly depressing... appreciate the great job u do matt... how bout u call some plays todayFrom Charly:
What are the silver linings for the Niners? What are we doing good during this 0-3 slide?Matt Maiocco:
Oh, boy. . . . The run defense was very good in the first two games. But last week's game was an out-and-out disaster. Even Patrick Willis did not play well in that game. Let's just wait and see what today holds for the 49ers.From Johanen:
who do you think the rat is?From LA Niner:
The Rat=Johnson?Matt Maiocco:
It would be very unprofessional for me to speculate on who's an unnamed source of another reporter in my business. But I feel 100-percent confident in saying Mike Johnson was NOT the rat.From Neder:
I've heard that Jason Hill has been activated in place of Lewis. Does this mean we see 5 WR sets?Matt Maiocco:
No, not a chance. The 49ers' best receiver is tight end Vernon Davis. He'll be on the field all the time, I'd think. And the 49ers like the flexibility Frank Gore gives them. So I think you'd see Gore (or Brian Westbrook) on the field for every play, too.From Ryan:
Matt, are there ANY rumblings at all about Jim Harbaugh and the Niners? I think he'd be perfect and Bill Walsh loved the guy as a head coach candidate.Matt Maiocco:
There are no rumblings, but I think it's logical to view him as a solid NFL coaching candidate. From WT:
last week i didnt wear any shirt and it didnt work at all, i think this week i go back to the Sorta lucky one from the Saints game. But i think 49ers need more than my luck today.From Matt P:
I'm getting ready for the game. You've been a good therapist this morning ;)From Gerd:
If the Niners continue to implode this season, do you see Jed York hiring a respected general manager (ie Bruce Allen Redskins) next year?Matt Maiocco:
Good question, but I doubt it. He likes the composition of the 49ers' front office.From Andrew:
If Alex gets benched will it mark the end of his days as a 49er.Matt Maiocco:
He is entering the final year of his contract. When a QB on his final year gets benched, it's a pretty clear indication that he has no future with the club. That said, the 49ers have not shown any indication that they're considering that as a legitimate option.From Johanen:
i cant remember being more disappointed by my 49ers, you?Matt Maiocco:
I don't recall a stretch like this, either.From K49G:
You think will see a strong dose of Bowman today?Matt Maiocco:
Yes, I do. As Takeo Spikes said, "Where there's smoke there's fire." Bowman had a pretty bad day last week against the Chiefs. But I expect him to begin to take over for Spikes.
From Joshua:
Is Johnson on the field or in the booth today? Matt Maiocco:
Booth. He'll be calling plays down to Jason Michael on the sideline, who will relay them to Alex Smith.From Heath:
do you think the media is fueling this turmoil?Matt Maiocco:
No, this stuff would be happening whether it's reported or not.From Neil:
Whats your prediction for today?From Andrew:
Hi Matt, Do you sense a train wreck?From Guest:
What do the 49ers have to do to win today? Technically speaking.From Deployed:
What do you think our chances of pulling out a win today?FAN POLL - Who wins today's game?49ers by 7 points or less - 28
49ers by more than 8 points - 8
Falcons by 7 points or less - 15
Falcons by more than 8 points - 50Matt Maiocco:
Based on everything I've witnessed, I don't see how the 49ers can keep this one close. The only element that plays to their advantage is the "trap game" for the Falcons, coming off a big win against the Saints. But the 49ers' turmoil on offense and defense makes this extremely difficult for them.Also, based on how they played on the road against mediocre teams makes me believe this will be an easy Falcons victory. I'm calling it 31-10.Thank you to everyone for participating in this morning's chat. I have to get settled in for what should be an interesting day of football.Enjoy your day.

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