1-on-1 with Matt Miaocco | Faithful1o1 Podcast

On the morning of the NFC Conference Championship 49ers Ty Alston sat down for an interview with long time 49ers sports reporter Matt Maiocco. Matt played a game of 49ers Twilight Zone, talked about his famous touchdown celebration after the Alex Smith run in the 2011 Saints divisional playoff game and hearing a thankful message from another 49ers fan.

ECRG POD: Week 8 (Post LA-Sweep, Recap PLUS Player Fan Discussion)

YODA Week 3 & the Preseason YODA MVP; 2022 Prediction

 Everything was bad Thursday night vs Houston (by design possibly), and this did not exclude the special teams. Although Mitch Wishnowsky had a busy and productive night to seal his preseason YODA MVP (2022), offensive field position and special teams penalties negated any momentum. 

Chicago the weekend after next, will the special teams be better this year or not?

1q 

12:45 Punt, 44 yards, 15 yd line SFP (+5)

7:33 XP Block (Fail, -1 point)

4:20 Punt (53 yards) 24 yd line SFP (-4)

2:43 Punt Return, holding, 12 yd line SFP (-8)

2q

9:29 Punt Return, illegal block, 8 yd line SFP (-12)

3:35 Punt (62 yards), 6 yard return, 28 yd line SFP (-8)

1:05 Punt Return, 0 yards, 37 yd line SFP (+17)

3q

11:27 XP Block (Fail, -1 point)

7:54 Punt (44 yards), touchback 20 yd line SFP (0)

2:02 FG Block (Fail, -3 Points)

4th

12:59 FG Block (Success, miss, +3 points)

12:29 Punt (46 yards), 10 yd return, 36 yd line SFP (-16)

10:21 Punt Return (0 yards, 15 yard penalty accepted), 29 yd line SFP (+9)

4:35 Punt Return (0 yards), 12 yd line SFP (-8)

Totals-

Snaps - 14

YODA: (-25)

Points Scored: 0

Points Allowed: 5

Points Denied: 3 (FG Miss)

Point differential (Scored + Denied - Allowed = -2) 

Punt Yards: 246 (49.2 Average, 62 yard long)

FG: None

XP: None

Preseason YODA Totals:

Net points: +12

YODA: +109 (even with terrible Game 3)

Takeaways: Field position has been ok, and this number could actually be lower if not for Wishnowsky's effort in game 3. Has the special teams productivity/process been improved with the new special teams coach or is it something else? 

2022 Prediction

I do not know what to make of this team. The roster is amazing, outside of some major question marks on the offensive line and a second year FCS quarterback at starter, which, no matter how you slice it, is a question mark. Will they make good on the Super Bowl dreams? Will it be another even number season from hell?

I see 4-4 at the bye, then 6-3, 7-2 down the stretch. 10-7, 11-6 could very well win this division, and success in the division, particularly against College Kliff and Kyler, along with Uncle Pete and whatever QB he shows up with. I don't think they fall back enough to be out of the playoffs, but can they go further than last year and/or win the Super Bowl? I want to hope so, but I don't like the vibe. With that said:

11-6

Win the division, lose in divisional round (while hoping they prove me wrong).  (Official 2022 Prediction, 8/29/2022)

YODA Preseason Week 2; Turf Trepidation

 Improvement in the field position game, but mainly because of Minnesota’s poor special teams play. Still, +98 yards and 8 net points is still positive for a unit building off the opus of last January’s Lambeau Anomaly. Off to the numbers.

SF Special Teams 2022 Game 2 (PS) vs Minnesota

1q: KO defense, Touchback (0)

1q: Punt return, 43 yard line SFP (+23)

1q: Punt, 56 yards, 13 yard line SFP  (+7)

1q: Punt return, 1 yard, 41 yard line SFP (+21)

2q: Punt return, no return, 20 yard line SFP (0)

2q: Field Goal, 49 yards, success (3 points)

2q: Kickoff, Touchback (0)

2q: Punt Return, no return, 11yd line SFP (-9)

2q: Punt, 14 yard return allowed, 40 yd line SFP (-20)

2q: XP block, fail (-1 point)

2q: KO Return, no return, 25 yard line SFP (0)

2q: FG, 46 yards, success (+3 points)

3q: PR, 9 yards, 21 yard line SFP (+1)

4q: KO, 15 yards, 15 yard line SFP (+10)

4q: PR, no return, 28 yard line SFP (+8)

4q: Punt, 1 yard return, 1 yard line SFP (+19)

4q: PR, 13 yard line, Min 37 yard line SFP (+43)

4q: FG, 28 yards, success (+3 points)

4q: KO, Touchback, offsides, 30 yard line SFP (-5)

Total ST Snaps: 23

Total points scored\negated swing: +9

Total Points Allowed: 1

Net Special Team Points: +8 

Total Yards Over Default: +98

Preseason total: 

Net points- +14

Total Yards Over Default- +134

The Saberhagen Philosophy

An old philosophy where even numbered years were cursed. 

Former Major Leaguer Bret Saberhagen went 20-6 in 1985, 18-10 in 87, 23-6 in 89, (he finally got out of this rut in 1994, but as a consequence the entire season was cancelled and the Montreal Expos were sacrificed to the Gods). Combined record for 84, 86, 88, 90, 1992: 39-53. 

Hence, the Saberhagen philosophy. 

Since Kyle joined the 9ers in 2017-

2017: 6-10 (started 0-9)

2018: 4-12

2019: 13-3, NFC Title

2020: 6-10

2021: 10-7, NFC Championship appearance

Even numbered years: 10-22

Odd numbered years: 29-20 (not including playoffs, 33-22 including playoffs)

Ending the preseason in Houston ( Google “NFL Injuries at Houston”) and starting in Chicago (Google “Soldier Field sod”) does not leave me with any sort of warm or fuzzy feeling.

Preseason Game 1: What the hell is YODA?

Preseason week one was exactly what you’d expect: some big plays (RayRay McCloud, Trey Lance to Danny Gray 76 yards later) some not so great plays (Tarvarius Moore’s coverage on Romeo Doubs, Trey Lance overshooting Gray on the sidelines, JaMychal Hasty’s unfortunate sideline kickoff return shenanigan). We here at Niners Northeast will leave the big time film study to the real content creators, but here is last night’s special teams stats, using the debut of something that shall eventually be known as “YODA”.

“What the hell is YODA?”

YODA = Yards Over Default Average (Punt Line of Default is 20 yard line, kickoffs 25)

Default Average is what your starting field position is if you do absolutely nothing. Literally if every punt and or kick was a touchback, that’s where you would start each drive. While we do track plays and yardage, the key is the amount of + or - above/below the Default. (Also points, as tracked below)

PSNS = Points Scored/Negated Swing (Includes Blocks/returns/misses for_against. Example: FG block or miss vs you is +3, block return TD +6, for a total of 9. If that happens against your team, -9)

TPA = Total Points Allowed (Self-explanatory) 

FP = Field Position (Honestly, who throws a shoe? That really hurt!)

With all that being explained…

Special Teams Snaps Tracking: Game 1

1q KO Defense: Touchback (+0)

1q Punt Return:  starting FP 41 yard line (+21)

1q FG Kick: 50 yards success (+3)

1q XP Block Team: fail (-1)

1q KO Return: starting FP 23 yard line (-2) 

1q XP Kick: Success (+1)

1q KO Defense: starting FP SF 47 yard line (-28)

2q XP Kick: Success (+1)

2q Punt Def: 35 yard punt, starting FP 20 (0)

2q KO Return: starting FP 6 yard line (Hasty’s sideline adventure) (-19)

3q KO Return: 28 yards, starting FP 37 (+12)

3q Punt Def: 48 yard punt, starting FP 9 (+11)

3q FG defense: kick missed (+3) starting FP 22 (+2)

3q Punt Defense: 30 yard punt , starting FP 17 (+3)

3q Punt return: 7 yard return, starting FP 39 (+19)

3q Punt defense: 54 yard punt, 7 yard return allowed, starting FP 33 (-13)

4q XP Block Team: fail (-1)

4q KO Return: 15 yard return, starting FP 31 (+6) 

4q KO Defense: 19 yard return allowed, starting FP 20 (-5)

Total Spec Teams Snaps: 19

Total points scored\negated swing: 8

Total Points Allowed: 2

Net Special Team Points: +6

Total Yards Over Default Average: +7

Final Result: Special Teams had a lightly positive impact on this game

Accounted for 6 points and plus 7 yards. Incremental start for the new-look special teams.

Back w/ more after Game 2 vs the Vikings. (#SKOL, which should stand for Skoal but I am sure they can’t sponsor it) 

This Deebo Thing: My Fault

So, Deebo. 

Instagram. 

Drama. 

My fault (as shown above).

Dammit. 

I was listening to a recent edition of 49ers Talk, and I did this because Maiocco, well, he's subtle. He's subtle with the breaking news (go back to the Bobby Turner news and how that broke for the first of a few confirmations that he knows before anyone knows), and when he played the replay from his Super Bowl Interview with Deebo, which states "I ain't going to California" in multitude of ways, along with a blurb about how his college coach Will Muschamp warned John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan that Deebo liked his offseasons, both of which I found "cryptic". I was concerned. 

Today, April 20th, 2022, the 29th anniversary of Joe Montana being traded to the Chiefs, Deebo Samuel told ESPN's Jeff Darlington, who has no affiliation to the racetrack, that he has requested a trade away from the 49ers.

4/20 blues, indeed. 

The draft is in less than a week, and teams have a multitude of options. Deebo, who had more touches last season as he did in the 2019-2020 seasons combined, probably wants more than anyone since he plays 2 positions (Oh hey he does, allegedly). The 49ers were probably looking at the Diggs/Hill deals and looking for ways to be creative, and Deebo decided he was done. The truth will probably pop out at some point, but for now... Where could he go? 

You would think the Jets, being in year 2 of the Douglas/Saleh/LaFleur Monarchy and fresh off not getting a rose from Tyreek Hill, would pony up and pay the man, in this case Lynch (with picks) and Deebo (with cash). Deebo is a little under 5 mill for a cap hit this year, so picks 10, 38, and 69(Nice) for Deebo and Pick 61 or 93 would help the 49ers fill 3 immediate spots with limited funds, including maybe guaranteeing yourself a chance at Christian Watson to help recreate the Burrow to Chase chemistry. Maybe they try to get picks for next year in a much deeper draft. 

As someone who has lived in the northeastern part of the country for a loooooong time, there are teams that think receivers are like running backs in terms of being able to develop and replace. If you are a team who thinks you can develop on the down-low, you go on the cheap in those areas and load-up in others. In this case the load-up is at left tackle with Trent Williams, inside linebacker with Fred Warner, tight end with George Kittle, and fullback with Juice, as those 4 are among the top paid at their respective positions. Nick Bosa will be catching that train very shortly. Looking at the cost for edge rushers, I thought even before this that it was highly likely that in a Bosa vs Deebo scenario, Bosa stays, and Deebo goes. 

There is also one other factor in this. A magic factor, if you will, as seen by the photo above. I bought my son a Deebo jersey (By the way, if you have a spare kidney for that young man above, let me know on the Tweeter). Yes, it's true. My son made a video game character, and he picked a 49ers jersey, complete with 75th anniversary patch, for the character's shirt. It's #19, Deebo. Thought it would be a nice photo to recreate. I am not kidding you when I say as soon as I paid for the order, like 2 days later, Deebo and the 49ers social media breakup was happening. The day after I picked it up, Deebo advised Jeff Darlington he wanted a trade. So this, like the NFC Title Game loss to the Rams that I did not attend because I was snowed in, is my fault. 

I will try to do better.  

In terms of the draft, this is like last year, only we do not know the trade-up ceiling. Would Jacksonville or Detroit entertain offers? Is anyone worth moving up that high for? Last year, the Dolphins were the ceiling. Neither the Jags nor Jets were going to move down, so when SF decided they wanted a new QB and wanted their pick of who was left after Lawrence and Wilson, they got #3 from the Dolphins. I could see Carolina moving up, if only because they have bad memories of not taking Mac last year, and knowing that if Atlanta wants, say Malik Willis, they could jump to 5 and block Carolina at 6. Do the Giants call Carolina and say "Hey, uh, Atlanta wants 5, how about you?" Maybe it does not come to that. Maybe someone decides they need Jimmy after the draft when they can't get who they wanted. Malik Willis might be a guy folks trade up to get, based on recent betting movements at DraftKanggggz, which has seen his action at the 4 or 5 spot pick up quite a bit. Would the Jets or Houston or the Giants trade down with Atlanta or Carolina or New Orleans? New Orleans, who recently picked up the 16th and 19th picks in the draft, seems primed to try and make a move into the late top 10, not the early top 10. I can't imagine Houston or Detroit or either MetLife Stadium tenant would want to drop THAT far. Would New Orleans trade Alvina Kamara or Michael Thomas? That might change things, and they definitely need some cap help. I could see New Orleans maybe looking at that 10 pick. Maybe Willis drops. Or maybe Pickett is there after Carolina and Atlanta. Or maybe they navigate to move up to get Matt Corrall. The Jets could spin the 10 for the 16 and 19, so they get more chips, which gives them options. I wrote most of this last week, and surprise, today he asks to be traded. I would bet my life the 49ers trade him to the Jets. Can't wait for that (heavy sarcasm font) -------

Bad News - Good News

This column is entitled "Bad News, Good News" because, well, bad news (for me I guess and the dreams of like maybe 4 other people) I will be staying home in this snowy hell lovely Maine this weekend while we get battered by winter storm Surtur.

The accuracy of that meme, man. The good news: You get a column. Lucky, lucky you.

Maybe you saw me here:

Or read about me here:

Or you followed me here because I usually have decent video on my Twitter page:

pic.twitter.com/2TkoSLBjwx

— Matty BWell (@MattyB4949) January 23, 2022

Whatever road you traveled here, thanks for dropping by. With the 49ers getting ready to head to LeFi, I decided to go back 40 years to 1982. The final four of San Diego vs Cincinnati and San Francisco vs Dallas. While we know what happened with SF and Dallas, if Twitter existed then...or First Bad Takes or whatever stupid ass shows y'all watch for whatever reason I truly do not know, the popular opinion match-up was Dan Fouts and the Chargers vs Tom Landry's Cowboys. The bright young QB Star vs America's team. Except, it didn't happen. Dwight Clark and Eric Wright got the 49ers to the Super Bowl later in the afternoon. But earlier in the day, the Chargers, coming off of an 84 degree shootout w/ Miami, had to go to Cincy and play in -59 windchill. 25 mph winds. Dan Fouts' passes were only missing quacking sounds and feathers. Ken Anderson would have aged 25 years that day if he didn't already look 25 years older than he was. In spite of a godawful holding call on a fake field goal, the Bengals covered the 4.5 point spread and kept it under the 45 point total. (WHO ON THE PLANET THOUGHT -59 DEGREES WAS GOOD OVER WEATHER???)

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I thought last week in Lambeau was cold, but my goodness I would a wear a golden banana hammock in last weekend's weather before I would go out -59 below in anything other than scubagear and a snowsuit.

Weird-ass connections with this 2021-22 Final Four vs 81-82 Final Four: San Diego had a safety in Glen Edwards starting that they lured out of retirement (Hello Eric Weddle in LA) 3 of the 4 QB's in 81 had been coached by Bill Walsh (Fouts in '76, Anderson from 71-75, Montana 80-that particular present). In 2021-22, all teams have branches of the Walsh-Holmgren-Shanahan vineyard. The Bengals head coach is the former Rams QB coach, the Rams head coach is the 49ers head coach's former quality control expert, and the KC head coach is who got started under Walsh's former OC Mike Holmgren (who prevented Reid from becoming SF OC in 1997, fun fact). Basically, the Walsh variants are everywhere. What would it be like if Joe Montana played for the Bengals and Ken Anderson players for the Niners? Well, I guess we are looking at it. I am not sure if Spider-Man is causing this multiverse season for the Niners, but think about it: Their archrivals throughout the years all show up this year: Cincy (which needed an extra game added and a weird way of deciding the game to even be on the schedule); Dallas, Green Bay, the Rams. The Rams have been their rival since 1950, and of course since the Week 18 Invasion/Takeover/Sea of Red Water Park, this thing has plenty of juice. Oh, and the whole Kyle and Jimmy never losing to McVay thing. Now it's either a Cincy rematch by swapping QB's from 40 years ago, or a chance to vanquish the KC demons. Oh, and slide in a Joe vs Steve dynamic with Jimmy v. Trey (in fan's minds, anyways) to sprinkle that tiny bit of '88 in for good measure. I wonder how much Bill Walsh would have been ripped on Twitter? 9ers over Bengals in the Super Bowl is +1400 on DK, in case you were wondering.

Predictions for the weekend:

Bengals 34 , KC 20 KC should win this game. Steve Spags' defenses have put quarterbacks into the turf who are better than Joe Burrow on many an occasion. Yet...this dude got sacked 900 times last week. Still won. Cincy defense playing well, fairly healthy, has already played KC this year, which helps them understand the speed/Mahomesness a little better than another team. Watch the Cincy running game or 2nd/3rd receiver be the stars of the game. There's all this talk about the world being put back on its axis if the 49ers beat the Chiefs, but do we get a redo of the last 40 years if the Bengals beat the Niners (which is +2000 on DK right now)?

49ers 23 Rams 13 3 Robbie Gould field goals, an Elijah Mitchell touchdown run, and a Kyle Jusczyk touchdown catch for the 9ers. Cooper Kupp with a late TD catch, and whoever kicks for the Rams with 2 field goals. It shouldn't be like this. The Rams should be a better team by a mile. But this 49ers team is running on spite right now. Full spite. Like Stone Cold at the 98 Rumble. A team that has a 40 year stretch of misery with special teams wins a playoff game specifically because of special teams? Sure. Now if you will excuse me, I have to manifest enough good energy to get to Los Angeles in 2 weeks and be able to see the game without binoculars or while watching on a black and white TV in an RV in the parking lot.

PS: If the 49ers lose I promise you it will be because of a garbage-ass call. Circa 1983.