49ers Review: Troy Smith Airs it Out
Matt Maiocco
CSNBayArea.com
Offensive coordinator Mike Johnson called a good game Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, as the 49ers averaged 7.1 yards per offensive play.
There were several new wrinkles. There was a misdirection pitch to Frank Gore in overtime that helped them get some big yards at the beginning of overtime. And there was ample use of the Delanie Walker in two-TE sets, as he played half of the 49ers' offensive snaps.
Many will also came away from the game saying, "The 49ers finally called some deep passes." After all, the 49ers completed eight passes of 21 yards or more -- with five of those plays exceeding 30 yards.
Johnson deserves credit for that, but I'm not so sure it was because he called a different type of game. The credit for that goes to quarterback Troy Smith, who seems much more willing to let the ball fly down the field.
There were several pass plays -- including two plays on which defensive pass-interference penalties gained the 49ers 38 and 22 yards -- that Alex Smith has always seemed reluctant to throw.
The biggest difference between Alex and Troy Smith is that Alex seeks order and structure, while Troy seems to relish chaos and improvisation.