Coach Mike Nolan said Monday the 49ers won’t set a target return date for Smith until Thursday, when the swelling subsides in his shoulder.

Though similar injuries sometimes require two to three months of recovery, Nolan expressed hope Smith might even return by Oct. 21, when the 49ers visit the New York Giants in their first game after a bye week.

Smith was hurt on the third play of the 49ers’ 23-3 loss to Seattle on Sunday when 308-pound defensive tackle Rocky Bernard landed on him while sacking him.

Trent Dilfer, who got his first game action since 2005 in relief of Smith, will get the start against the Ravens, the team Dilfer led to its only Super Bowl victory.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

What I’m saying is that the “give it time” argument is hollow and full of shit.

I don’t want to fire Nolan at all, not even close. I’m only making it clear that the patience angle is dead as a conversation piece regarding this subject. Totally dead.

If you want to advocate something to defend Nolan, that’s fine - but it better be something other than “be patient, these things take time”. That is the most useless argument now - 49er fans everywhere (myself included) have been MORE than patient and have given AMPLE chances.

I am simply harping on Nolan for my issues with him in hopes that these things might get addressed.

The fiasco in San Diego is another reminder of how important coaches are in the NFL. It says something about the 49ers, especially their offense. Hostler needs to go. He doesn’t have it. Common sense can spell this one out.

Alex Smiff’s an issue also. He might be OK in this league, but never a great. They should slowly start considering who his replacement will be.

However, this explains to us how come VD wasn’t running many patterns this earlier year. He was needed to block because they KNEW how bad the line was. If they knew this wasn’t working, they should have been making changes before Smith got crushed today. Maybe if they weren’t so conservative with the offense Smith would have been out a couple games ago.

I don’t know much about how blocking schemes work, but it’s clear the one in place isn’t working. That the coach’s job. Specifically, the line coach, and the line coach falls under the offensive coordinator. The penalties show how badly they’ve been coached. They didn’t do this last year except for Kwame and he’s not playing.

So it’s either that the linemen aren’t performing or the scheme sucks, or mostly likely both. If Hostler knew the problem he should have done something. If he didn’t, then why’s he coaching?

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Regarding Dilfer, he is what he is. He’s not going to flourish where there isn’t any protection, just like Smith couldn’t. He’s older and his arm isn’t in great shape anymore, but this is his first real game in two years so I’ll cut him some slack. My main worry about Dilfer right now is his health, that is, if he can maintain it.

+++

The team is in serious trouble right now. The offense ranks with the Raiders’ from last year. Rotating in new linemen will only work if the system is working.

For as bad a game as the offense gave, the defense fought hard and never gave up. But when one side never succeeds the other side begins overplaying to compensate, and then they give up. That’s why things need to be corrected as soon as possible.

And Nolan may want to think about using a 4-3 now that Manny is out. A four-man line could give more pressure on the quarterback, stop the run and get Ray McDonald into the game. Eh?

+++

Coming out of last year our offensive line was supposed to be our strength. What happened? Allen getting old or injured? Okay, move someone in his place. Heitmann not over the broken leg? Start someone else. Smiley is on the small side but he was okay last year. Not great, but okay. Not only is the center of the line looking like I-5 these days, but today Smiley just lost it.

I don’t know how much of this is stubbornness on Nolan’s part or Hostler’s lack of coaching skills, but that line needs to get upgraded in a hurry or next week we’ll look back fondly on the days when we used to score three points.

2-14 teams routinely turn into 12-4 teams in ONE year man.

The “give it time” excuse has completely and totally run its course. Put it to bed, its over.

It wouldn’t require time if he would pull the trigger on some of those decisions he needs to make. Simple as that.

I’m one of the biggest Nolan homers on the planet, but just because I like him doesn’t mean I’m going to give him a pass when he’s not cutting it.