Film Room: The great Justin Smiley

Justin Smiley is a marked man. Over the past four weeks, the 49ers' right guard has mysteriously regressed, and fans have been clamoring for his replacement: G/C David Baas. Actually, people have been clamoring for his replacement a lot longer than four weeks – it’s just that now is the first time Smiley really seems to be proving those people right beyond a shadow of a doubt.

We heard all sorts of complaints about Justin before, ranging from “he’s not a good fit for the offense” to “he gets blown up by safeties” and, especially, “he’s not big or strong enough.” I don’t know if Baas has ever been blown up by a safety, but I do know that the man is huge and could probably bench my car.

Can Baas pick up blitzes? Who knows. Can he explode off the ball and create gigantic holes for Frank Gore to run through? Uh, yes. Can he pull as well as Smiley? No. But at this point, I think the Niners might be better served by getting the biggest, strongest guys on the field to keep opposing defenses from hospitalizing the statue-like Trent Dilfer.

In any case, here’s this week’s rundown:

*1st Drive

1st and 10 SF25: Gore runs up the middle for 2 yards.

Smiley matches up against Seahawks DT Ellis Wyms (6-3 290) and gets about a yard worth of push (not very good).

To be honest, I’m not sure how this play didn’t go for more yards. The Niners were in the I-formation, with TE Delanie Walker motioning from the wideout spot to behind Smiley. The Seahawks had DE Patrick Kerney (6-5 272) and Wyms both angled at the gap between RG and RT. Smiley blocked Wyms, and Staley took Kerney out of the play. Norris came through and knocked MLB Tatupu out of the hole. Walker blocked OLB Peterson about 3 yards downfield. The CBs didn’t come up to help, and there was no pressure from the left side of the line. The middle was pretty clogged, but there was a red shirt accounting for every white shirt. Instead of bouncing the run outside, Gore plowed right into Norris’s back and went nowhere.

2nd and 8 SF27: Alex Smith throws incomplete deep left (for Jackson).

Smiley does a good job keeping DT Rocky Bernard (6-3 308) out of the play.

3rd and 8 SF27: Alex Smith is sacked by DT Bernard for -8 yards.

Smiley gives Tatupu a shove, then moves right to block DE/OLB Tapp.

By now this play has been analyzed to death. Everyone knows Bernard waltzed between C Heitmann and LG Allen, leaped up onto Smith, and drove the young quarterback’s throwing shoulder into the turf. Heitmann’s problem was, he hesitated, seemingly undecided between blocking Tatupu or Bernard, the latter of which lined up at nose tackle. Allen backpedaled, watching for Peterson coming on the blitz (he dropped into coverage), then moved to his right when he realized Bernard was coming through. Both Heitmann and Allen were equally at fault.

After the punt, we see a shot of Warhop lecturing Heitmann and Allen. Warhop looks more focused than furious. From his body language, he seems to be saying, “We all know you screwed up. Do you know what to do next time?” Then we see a shot of Alex Smith trying to throw a pass to Dilfer on the sideline. After he throws the pass, he hangs his head in obvious pain.

*2nd Series

1st and 10 SF49: Dilfer throws short right to Jackson for 6 yards.

Smiley has no one to block on this play. He hustles out to try to block downfield after Jackson makes the catch. Staley and Heitmann follow him. Actually a pretty quick group, those three.

2nd and 5 SEA45: Gore runs right for 4 yards, then FUMBLES. Seahawks recover.

Smiley runs out and gives Peterson a pretty good shot, removing him from the play. At this point he was actually doing all right.

On the other side of the play, Jennings pancaked rookie DT Brandon Mebane (6-1 314).

*3rd Series

1st and 10 SF10: Gore runs right for no gain.

Matched up against Bernard, Smiley gets knocked back about a yard on the snap. He ends up somewhere behind Staley and to the right.

2nd and 10 SF10: "... false start, offense, number 65 (Smiley)."

2nd and 15 SF5: Gore runs right for 3 yards, and FUMBLES. 49ers recover (SF7).

Smiley pushes Bernard toward Staley, stumbles a little, then goes out to get a linebacker – in this case, Peterson.

This fumble must have changed hands about 8 or 9 times. The ball bounced forward to the 10 yard line and disappeared into a scrum. A Niner somehow surfaced with the ball at the 8 yard line. Not sure how that works.

3rd and 12 SF8: Hicks runs up the middle for 4 yards.

Smiley actually picked up a stunt brilliantly on this play. Bernard angled toward Staley from the DT spot, so Justin just shoved him in that direction and picked up Tapp coming around on the twist. Neither were in on the tackle.

*4th Series

1st and 10 SF11: Dilfer throws incomplete left for Battle (drop).

Smiley helps Heitmann block DT Craig Terrill (6-2 295) out of the play.

Kerney beat Staley on this play and laid a brutal hit on Dilfer, who fell on Larry Allen’s ankle. Fortunately the pass was already away. Notably, Norris was wide open underneath. Not that it mattered, since Battle was also fairly open and should have made the catch.

2nd and 10 SF11: Gore runs right for 3 yards.

Smiley, up against Terrill again, gets no push. Obviously, straight ahead run blocking is not the guy’s forte.

3rd and 6 SF14: Dilfer is sacked for -8 yards by OLB Peterson.

While Staley is busy with Darryl Tapp, Terrill stunts around them. Instead of backpedaling and picking him up on the other side, Smiley gives chase from behind. Terrill arrives at Dilfer a step behind Peterson, who came unblocked.

*5th Series

1st and 10 SF42: Dilfer throws middle to Jackson for 15 yards.

This one was called back. Smiley was overpowered by Bernard on this play and resorted to holding. In retrospect, holding is far better than letting your quarterback get smashed to pieces. Of course, Dilfer still took a hit because Tapp beat Jennings around the corner.

1st and 20 SF32: Dilfer throws short left to Battle for 7 yards.

Smiley doesn’t have anyone to block. He helps Heitmann out by giving Bernard a shove.

2nd and 13 SF39: Gore runs outside right for 5 yards.

Smiley doesn’t get past Bernard (blocked by Staley) fast enough to reach Tatupu, who flies in and makes the tackle.

3rd and 8 SF44: Dilfer is sacked for -8 yards by Kerney.

Kerney beats Smiley like a drum with a swim move.

Leroy Hill was also in on the tackle, having made it past Gore.

*6th Series (following the blocked punt)

1st and 10 SEA48: Dilfer throws incomplete left.

Smiley picks up Terrill on a delayed rush, but doesn’t block ‘til the whistle. As a result, Terrill sees Dilfer outside the pocket and gives chase, forcing Dilfer to get rid of the ball.

2nd and 10 SEA48: Dilfer throws incomplete middle.

Smiley helps Heitmann out by giving Terrill a shove, but that’s about it.

3rd and 10 SEA48: Dilfer is sacked for -6 yards by Peterson.

Smiley, again, helps Heitmann with Terrill (Heitmann was being overpowered on this play), leaving Leroy Hill unblocked. Luckily, Hill tripped and fell on his face. Unfortunately, Peterson came unblocked for the sack. All told, the Seahawks rushed 7.

After this play, Peterson pointed to his name about 10 times in a row while walking off the field. Apparently he thought the fans in San Francisco can’t remember anything prior to 2006. Sorry, Julian, you’re still not worth Ray Lewis money.

*7th Series

1st and 10 SF21: Dilfer throws short middle to Gore for 22 yards.

Rocky Bernard runs right through Smiley and grabs Dilfer’s jersey. Breakdown on Smiley's part.

Luckily, Dilfer shrugs off the hit and dumps the ball to Gore, who casually picks the ball out of the air with one hand, fakes Leroy Hill out of his shoes, then bounces off SS Deion Grant and MLB Lofa Tatupu in succession. Frank breaks free and sprints 15 yards further downfield, leaving Tatupu saying “Huh? What?” with his body language. FS Brian Russell is getting run over as Peterson runs in and finally makes the tackle.

After the play, Bernard limps off the field, shoeless, with the help of the Seattle trainers, barely able to put any weight on his ankle. There is justice in the world! Unfortunately, he went back in the game later with his ankle taped and kept abusing Smiley.

1st and 10 SF43: Dilfer is sacked for -5 yards by Darryl Tapp.

Smiley again doesn’t have anyone to block. He helps Heitmann a little, then slides over to help Staley a little, even though Staley had Kerney neutralized and didn’t need help.

This was interesting. Dilfer, with all the time in the world, decides he hasn’t had enough pain already and walks right into Tapp’s arms, even though Jennings has him under control. This wasn’t a coverage sack; it was a gift sack.
2nd and 15 SF38: Dilfer throws right sideline to Battle for 13 yards (great catch).
Smiley gets beat by Terrill, and again resorts to holding to keep Dilfer from being eaten alive. Naturally, the refs call him on it, and the Niners march another 10 yards backwards. This was Smiley’s third penalty of the day. He had more negative yards on the day due to penalties (25) than Arnaz Battle had positive yards due to catches (19).

2nd and 25 SF28: Gore runs up the middle for 13 yards.

Smiley gives Terrill a shove toward Heitmann, then tries to get after Peterson but stumbles over Terrill’s back foot.

This run looked designed to go inside, but Gore bounced it outside Staley’s shoulder and got upfield in a hurry. Staley had taken Kerney out of the play. Gore is definitely looking faster this year.

3rd and 12 SF41: Dilfer throws incomplete middle.

Smiley doesn’t really have anything to do on this play either. Heitmann has Terrill handled and Smiley helps out with a shove.

Dilfer was angry that there was no pass interference called on this play, even though it was cleanly defended by CB Marcus Trufant. Russell came over to talk trash and Dilfer obliged (Trent just isn’t wired to back down).

*8th Series

1st and 10 SF21: Dilfer throws middle to Jacobs for 14 yards.

Smiley keeps Bernard out of the play. Of course, Bernard is only playing with one foot.

1st and 10 SF35: Dilfer throws short right to Walker for 7 yards.

Smiley teams up with Heitmann to neutralize Bernard. Actually, neutralize is a relative term. Bernard still gets about a 3 yard push. It’s just the pass was a quick out, so big Rocky didn’t have time to get any further.

2nd and 3 SF 42: Dilfer is sacked by Peterson for -12 yards.

Smiley doesn’t do much on this play. He gives Bernard a lovetap, but Bernard is going nowhere against Staley. He goes over and bumps Kerney too, but Heitmann has Kerney bottled up.

Peterson runs right past Allen for the sack and strips the ball too, but Dilfer falls on it. After the play JP points at his name about 15 times. Still not worth Ray Lewis money, Julian.

3rd and 15 SF30: Dilfer throws left to Jackson for 20 yards.

Smiley gives Bernard a shove, but doesn’t have much to do this play either. He seems to spend a lot of time out there doing nothing.

1st and 10 SF50: Dilfer throws short right to Walker for 4 yards.

Tatupu bluffs like he’s going to blitz in Smiley’s direction, but runs off into coverage. So Smiley almost had something to do, but not quite.

Larry Allen was called for tripping on this play. Moose comments, “If you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t tryin’, right Larry?” The Niners go backwards.

1st and 20 SF40: Dilfer throws incomplete right.

Smiley does a good job picking up a stunt on this play. Kerney, from the DT spot angles for Staley, so Smiley helps him along and then picks up Tapp coming around afterward.

2nd and 20 SF40: Dilfer is sacked for -8 yards by Kerney.

Technically, Kerney was Smiley’s man, but Kerney ran the long way around to get to Dilfer (outside Tapp and Staley) and should have been picked up by Robinson.

This play didn’t count because the Seahawks jumped offsides. +5 yards. On the next play, Staley jumped. -5 yards. And we’re back to 2nd and 20.

2nd and 20 SF40: Robinson runs left for 28 yards.

Smiley runs up and blocks Tatupu, but apparently not long enough because Tatupu spins around, runs Robinson down, and makes the tackle.

(2nd Half)

*1st Series

1st and 10 SF46: Dilfer throws long right, INTERCEPTION.

Smiley helps Staley out by putting his right hand into Bernard’s chest, and keeps a wary eye for Peterson who bluffed on the blitz.

This wasn’t as dumb a pass as it looked. Jackson had a shot, but Dilfer overthrew him. Gore came up to make a nice form-tackle on Trufant. On second thought, yeah, it was pretty dumb. Bad Trent!

*2nd Series

1st and 10 SF20: Gore runs up the middle for 2 yards.

Smiley’s job is to wall off Patrick Kerney on this play. The execution is lacking. Kerney pushes past and makes the first hit on Gore.

2nd and 8 SF22: Gore runs up the middle for 1 yard.

Smiley pulls left, but doesn’t get far because he immediately runs into Tapp and Norris. Hill is unblocked and makes the tackle.

3rd and 7 SF23: Dilfer throws incomplete short left.

Smiley helps Staley block Bernard, then goes to block downfield.

This might have been a long gain, except Heitmann fell over trying to block Tatupu, so it’s another 3 and out (the 6th of the game to that point).

*3rd Series

1st and 10 SF37: Dilfer throws short right to Battle for 6 yards.
Smiley is matched up against Terrill, and stonewalls him.

2nd and 4 SF41: Gore runs right for 4 yards.

Smiley is up against Terrill again, and the result is a stalemate. The only problem is, it’s a running play.

Gore disappeared into a pile at the line of scrimmage and emerged four yards later. Not sure how that works. Of course, it’s called back for holding (on Jennings).

2nd and 9 SF36: Gore runs left for 16 yards.

Smiley stalemates Terrill a second time, except this time Heitmann helps. Luckily, the run is to the other side of the field. You know – in the direction of the people who can run block.

1st and 10 SEA48: Gore runs right for 3 yards.

Smiley gives Mebane a shove in Heitmann’s direction and goes to look for a linebacker. Unfortunately, all the linebackers are in the backfield already.

2nd and 7 SEA45: Dilfer throws incomplete short right.

Smiley bites on a fake blitz and lets Hill run through unblocked. Luckily, Hicks keeps Dilfer alive with a well timed block.

3rd and 7 SEA45: (false start on Walker)

3rd and 12 SEA50: (false start on Jennings)

After this play, Siragusa comments, “Mike Nolan ... there’s smoke coming out of his ears.”

3rd and 17 SF45: Dilfer throws incomplete deep left.

The Seahawks don’t rush enough for Smiley to have anyone to block, so he stands there and tries look busy.

*4th Series

1st and 10 SF49: Dilfer throws short middle to Gore for 9 yards.

Smiley gets bull rushed by Terrill on this play, but luckily he’s not close enough to Dilfer to get pressure.

2nd and 1 SEA42: Gore runs outside left for 17 yards.

Smiley actually blows Terrill off the ball, then runs downfield looking for someone to block. Good play.

1st and 10 SEA25: Dilfer throws incomplete deep right.

Smiley pulls on a play-action fake, but doesn’t block anyone.

This was a nice throw and should have been a touchdown. Walker beat Peterson, but the ball bounced off his hands. Watching this play it was obvious that Peterson is pretty fast, but Walker is faster. Now if he could just catch, we might have something.

2nd and 10 SEA25: Dilfer throws incomplete short left.

Smiley helps Heitmann against Bernard, but Bernard bull rushes the two of them right into Dilfer’s face, spins and comes free. Dilfer throws the ball at Gore’s feet.

3rd and 10 SEA25: Dilfer throws incomplete short left.

Seattle brings 7. Smiley blocks Peterson and actually doesn’t get blown off the ball, even though all the Seahawks got running starts (the play clock must have been expiring). Dilfer ends the play on his back, hit by both Tatupu and Trufant.

*5th Series

1st and 10 SF43: Gore runs right for no gain.

Smiley gives Bernard a shove into Staley, then goes to block Tatupu and whiffs. Not that it matters, because Kerney, Grant, and DT Chuck Darby (6-0 297) are all in the backfield belly-flopping on Gore, who somehow makes it back to the line of scrimmage.

2nd and 10 SF43: Dilfer throws right INTERCEPTION.

Smiley helps Heitmann by shoving Bernard, then turns to see if Staley’s doing all right (and he is).

Trufant easily jumped Jackson’s route and brought the interception back about 20 yards. As Dilfer was closing in to hit him on the sideline, Trufant put up an open hand and ducked out of bounds. Guess he was fearing the fury of the Dilfer.

*6th Series

1st and 10 SF20: Dilfer throws short left to Jackson for 12 yards.

Smiley helps Staley out with Kerney, who had made a quick spin move (actually much quicker than Banta-Cain’s spin).

1st and 10 SF32: Gore runs right for -4 yards.

Smiley helps Heitmann with Terrill in the middle. The breakdown happens the left side of the line, and Gore gets chased down from the backside.

2nd and 14 SF28: Gore runs up the middle for 10 yards.

Smiley shoves Terrill into Staley and runs out to block Kerney, who had dropped into coverage.

Gore broke 3 tackles on this play and was ultimately tackled by a gang of 3 Seahawks. So it took 6 players to get him down. I think it’s pretty clear that Frank is not part of the problem.

3rd and 4 SF38: Dilfer throws short middle to Battle for 6 yards.

Smiley picks up Tatupu nicely on the blitz.

1st and 10 SF44: Dilfer throws incomplete middle.

Smiley takes Bernard out of this play.

Jennings’ guy, Tapp, hits Dilfer as he throws. The ball was intended for Jackson, who ran a stop-and-go route but wasn’t really open.

2nd and 10 SF44: Gore runs outside left for -2 yards.

Smiley is lined up against Bernard. Bernard makes the tackle. Enough said.

3rd and 12 SF42: Dilfer throws incomplete short right.

This was supposed to be a screen, but Bernard got past Smiley so fast and into Dilfer’s face that the play had no chance. In Smiley’s defense, I think he was supposed to release and go block downfield.

*7th Series

1st and 10 SF20: Dilfer throws short left to Gore for 11 yards.

Smiley helps Heitmann block Terrill on this play.

1st and 10 SF31: Dilfer throws incomplete short left.

Smiley helps Staley with DE Baraka Atkins (6-4 268), then takes over the block by himself as Atkins angles toward Heitmann.

2nd and 10 SF31: Dilfer throws incomplete short right.

Smiley pushes Terrill into Staley and picks up Atkins.

Dilfer has all day, but threw what should have been an interception (intended for Jackson, but led him too far). Babineaux just dropped the ball.

3rd and 10 SF31: Dilfer throws incomplete left.

Smiley forces Kerney to reroute around Heitmann and his man, but that’s about it.

This pass hit Jacobs in the hands, and still no catchy. Probably part of why he's gone.

*8th Series

1st and 10 SF24: Dilfer throws short middle to Hicks for 7 yards.

Smiley does a good job taking Kerney out of this play.

2nd and 3 SF31: Dilfer throws incomplete short left.

I have no idea who Smiley blocked on this play because FOX was too busy showing pictures of sad Niners fans to show the play. Whoever it was, Smiley kept him out of the play.

3rd and 3 SF31: Dilfer throws incomplete left.

Smiley blocks Terrill out of this play, and mercifully leaves the field for day.

Closing Comments

So, obviously Smiley didn’t have a great day. Did he play poorly enough to be benched? I think so, but it remains to be seen if the Niners' coaching staff agrees. Baas would probably give the running game an immediate boost because he can actually get a push on opposing linemen. Smiley seems incapable of doing so.

In any case, writing this article is much more fun when the Niners actually show up on game day.