They have one of the most lethal receiving tandems in the NFL. “HOLD JED ACCOUNTABLE”, read Sunday’s banner, some two hours before kickoff. If they see this, tell them I really appreciate everything – from the people back in Mobile, all the praise I’ve been getting. The 49ers, with respect, appeared ready to leave midway through the first. Kaepernick instead watched from home. Gabbert has completed over 63 percent of his passes and helped the 49ers to a couple wins in recent weeks. Whether injured players are allowed to watch from the sideline is determined on a case-by-case basis, a team spokesman added.
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There is scant National Football League film on McCarron, but several members of the 49ers defense won’t require an introduction.
The Cincinnati Bengals have some work ahead of them.
Gabbertcompleted third-down passes short of the first-down marker on threeconsecutive series in the first half. He was making his sixth straight start, following injuries to Carlos Hyde and Reggie Bush. The 49ers lost RB Shaun Draughn to a knee injury in the second quarter. The 49ers hosted a reunion of their 1981 and ’88 championship teams, both of which beat the Bengals in the Super Bowl, during a halftime ceremony. Among the guests of honor: Eddie DeBartolo, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, John Taylor, Harris Barton, Jesse Sapolou, Bubba Parris and Tom Rathman, their current running backs coach who stayed on the field for the ceremony.
– GALLING GABBERT: With Joe Montana in attendance, Blaine Gabbert s passing display is drawing no comparisons to the 49ers legend. “No. I saw him from a distance before the game”, Gabbert said. Gabbert placed much of the blame for the Cleveland peformance on himself. Marcus Martin replaced Tiller at right guard until Martin exited at the start of the fourth quarter with a concussion, forcing Erik Pears to move there and rookie Trent Brown to come in at right tackle.
“Our offensive line is doing a tremendous job”.
“I feel like I’ve been in a lot of pressured moments”, McCarron said. “That’s an extremely talented defensive front we faced”. “When you got some guys down, you’re missing Tyler Eifert, and playing with a backup quarterback you’ve got to get the run game going”. “It’s frustrating. That one’s on me”.
Plus, the 25-year-old passer produced a 115.6 passer rating, the highest of his two-year career. He passed for 295 yards with a touchdown (to Anquan Boldin with 2:17 remaining) and three interceptions (matching his combined total from five previous starts).
Things then went from bad to worse for the 49ers when a Gabbert pass bounced off the hands of tight end Vance McDonald and into the arms of Burfict for Cincinnati’s second interception of the game.
Eight of McCarron’s passes went toward Green, who caught five of them for 115 yards.
The 49ers were 0-for-12 on third down until converting their final two opportunities. And each of them has three.
Before anyone knew it, the Bengals outscored the 49ers 21-0 in the second quarter.
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Corey Lemonier drew a late-hit penalty in the third quarter, which subsequently earned him a verbal scolding from Bowman. McCarron has been burning the midnight oil this week refining his knowledge of the offense with Dalton out indefinitely with a fractured right thumb. Their best bet is with one of their safeties, and Eric Reid is the best they have. I wish I had taken that back, but that’s the way I’ve always played the game before.
