Ranking

I see that many say that OL is #1 priority. The stats prove otherwise. the Niners were 23rd in KIck-off returns with an average of 21.83 yards and 0 touchdowns.

and DEAD LAST IN pr: 4.41 YARDS with the longest return od a wopping 18 yards.


The OL gave up 40 sacks - there were 10 teams who performed worst and actually, the line imporved as the season progressed. With new coaches and blocking schemes and QB play, this can actually improve.

Based on these stats, OL is NOT the biggest need on this team and thus it will be a wasted picks to use in them in the first round to select OL if Spiller is on the board and Mayes (IMHO) who offers the best prospect of adding team speed on a relatively slow DB/S group.

I think a lot of of, myself included just want to see the RT position nailed down. I think we're all tired of seeing the musical chairs at RT. And if we can get our hands on a Trent Williams, Anthony Davis, Bruce Campbell or even Brian Bulaga one of them should solidify that position for years to come. But I do also agree that one can be had in the 2nd round, but I'm hoping Scott goes Safety in the 2nd.

Originally posted by ttime1:
I see that many say that OL is #1 priority. The stats prove otherwise. the Niners were 23rd in KIck-off returns with an average of 21.83 yards and 0 touchdowns.

and DEAD LAST IN pr: 4.41 YARDS with the longest return od a wopping 18 yards.


The OL gave up 40 sacks - there were 10 teams who performed worst and actually, the line imporved as the season progressed. With new coaches and blocking schemes and QB play, this can actually improve.

Based on these stats, OL is NOT the biggest need on this team and thus it will be a wasted picks to use in them in the first round to select OL if Spiller is on the board and Mayes (IMHO) who offers the best prospect of adding team speed on a relatively slow DB/S group.

OLis the more important position because OL will neeed to do good every play and KR only needs to be on the field maybe 3 times a game max

Picking Mays over a solid OL player would be an epic fail.

Originally posted by 49ersalldaway126:

Originally posted by ttime1:
I see that many say that OL is #1 priority. The stats prove otherwise. the Niners were 23rd in KIck-off returns with an average of 21.83 yards and 0 touchdowns.

and DEAD LAST IN pr: 4.41 YARDS with the longest return od a wopping 18 yards.


The OL gave up 40 sacks - there were 10 teams who performed worst and actually, the line imporved as the season progressed. With new coaches and blocking schemes and QB play, this can actually improve.

Based on these stats, OL is NOT the biggest need on this team and thus it will be a wasted picks to use in them in the first round to select OL if Spiller is on the board and Mayes (IMHO) who offers the best prospect of adding team speed on a relatively slow DB/S group.

OLis the more important position because OL will neeed to do good every play and KR only needs to be on the field maybe 3 times a game max

I think that you are not considering punt returns; as well as, the complete head ache that Spiller can cause deffensive coordinators. Moreover, the QBs improved play and better coaching will have more of an impact on the OL's performance than you may realize.

Originally posted by sspiker:
Picking Mays over a solid OL player would be an epic fail.

That is possible. At the same time, it could be the best pick of the decade. Players with Mayes attributes don't come around that often and his potential; which is all that a draftee offers; is greater than his flaws. His flaws are coachable.

Numbers do not tell the whole story. Much of the reason that Smith's sack total was not greater was because he was pretty good at getting rid of the ball before being sacked. But poor pass protection does exact a serious toll in other respects. The QB is forced to run, throw the ball away, or dump it off for relatively unproductive gains.

Originally posted by excelsior:
Numbers do not tell the whole story. Much of the reason that Smith's sack total was not greater was because he was pretty good at getting rid of the ball before being sacked. But poor pass protection does exact a serious toll in other respects. The QB is forced to run, throw the ball away, or dump it off for relatively unproductive gains.

This is very debateable. Smith would ofetn time run when there was no need to and many have complained about his lack of pocket presence.

A right tackle will be on the field probably 10 times more often in a game which makes it just a little bit more important.

Originally posted by 23zack80:
A right tackle will be on the field probably 10 times more often in a game which makes it just a little bit more important.

That´s true! RT has to be the No1 priority!

Originally posted by ttime1:

Originally posted by sspiker:
Picking Mays over a solid OL player would be an epic fail.

That is possible. At the same time, it could be the best pick of the decade. Players with Mayes attributes don't come around that often and his potential; which is all that a draftee offers; is greater than his flaws. His flaws are coachable.

You can't coach instincts. He is the next Gholston, mark it down.

Originally posted by 49ersalldaway126:

Originally posted by ttime1:
I see that many say that OL is #1 priority. The stats prove otherwise. the Niners were 23rd in KIck-off returns with an average of 21.83 yards and 0 touchdowns.

and DEAD LAST IN pr: 4.41 YARDS with the longest return od a wopping 18 yards.


The OL gave up 40 sacks - there were 10 teams who performed worst and actually, the line imporved as the season progressed. With new coaches and blocking schemes and QB play, this can actually improve.

Based on these stats, OL is NOT the biggest need on this team and thus it will be a wasted picks to use in them in the first round to select OL if Spiller is on the board and Mayes (IMHO) who offers the best prospect of adding team speed on a relatively slow DB/S group.

OLis the more important position because OL will neeed to do good every play and KR only needs to be on the field maybe 3 times a game max

Yes, the stats need to be viewed in the context of the bigger picture. You could build an all pro ST unit of epic proportions, but without a good Oline, QB play and pass defense it won't get you very far at all.

Originally posted by Blitz:

Originally posted by 49ersalldaway126:

Originally posted by ttime1:
I see that many say that OL is #1 priority. The stats prove otherwise. the Niners were 23rd in KIck-off returns with an average of 21.83 yards and 0 touchdowns.

and DEAD LAST IN pr: 4.41 YARDS with the longest return od a wopping 18 yards.


The OL gave up 40 sacks - there were 10 teams who performed worst and actually, the line imporved as the season progressed. With new coaches and blocking schemes and QB play, this can actually improve.

Based on these stats, OL is NOT the biggest need on this team and thus it will be a wasted picks to use in them in the first round to select OL if Spiller is on the board and Mayes (IMHO) who offers the best prospect of adding team speed on a relatively slow DB/S group.

OLis the more important position because OL will neeed to do good every play and KR only needs to be on the field maybe 3 times a game max

Yes, the stats need to be viewed in the context of the bigger picture. You could build an all pro ST unit of epic proportions, but without a good Oline, QB play and pass defense it won't get you very far at all.

It got the Bears to the SB. And although I agree that the OL needs to improve, ST needs more improvement and Spiller actually offers the ability to imprve the performance of both. He does not need much room to positively contribute to both the running and passing game. See, I believe that improved schemes and QB play contributes to OL performance and selecting an OL(who offers less of a gaurantee of success) instead of a playmakers who will likely then be picked up by a division foe is very bad strategy.

Originally posted by ttime1:

Originally posted by excelsior:
Numbers do not tell the whole story. Much of the reason that Smith's sack total was not greater was because he was pretty good at getting rid of the ball before being sacked. But poor pass protection does exact a serious toll in other respects. The QB is forced to run, throw the ball away, or dump it off for relatively unproductive gains.

This is very debateable. Smith would ofetn time run when there was no need to and many have complained about his lack of pocket presence.

The point about Smith may be debatable. However, it is true that defenses' will force you to play within a very limited playing field if you don't have good pass protection.

For Smith, who thrives within a spread offense, it is PARTICULARILY important to provide him with an oline that is capable of holding the flanks very well.

So, if you wanted to maximize Smith's strengths, you would adopt a spread offense scheme, and to do so...you would start with solid tackle play. Otherwise, defenses will shorten the field...which negates the whole spread offense scheme. You may as well just stick with power running if you are going to run a spread offense (or whatever Raye wants to call it, lol) without having some solid play at the tackles.

As far as the center of the line goes...well that is just a gimme....you can kiss your ass goodbye (whether it be run or pass) if you can't hold the center. The size of field you get to play on when that happens is essentially your own backfield. Fortunately, it is much easier to hold the center than the flanks because it is not nearly as fluid inside as out on the flanks, so it is not nearly as difficult to find personnel who can do the job adequately.

[ Edited by Blitz on Mar 4, 2010 at 08:36:16 ]

Originally posted by Blitz:

Originally posted by ttime1:

Originally posted by excelsior:
Numbers do not tell the whole story. Much of the reason that Smith's sack total was not greater was because he was pretty good at getting rid of the ball before being sacked. But poor pass protection does exact a serious toll in other respects. The QB is forced to run, throw the ball away, or dump it off for relatively unproductive gains.

This is very debateable. Smith would ofetn time run when there was no need to and many have complained about his lack of pocket presence.

The point about Smith may be debatable. However, it is true that defenses' will force you to play within a very limited playing field if you don't have good pass protection.

For Smith, who thrives within a spread offense, it is PARTICULARILY important to provide him with an oline that is capable of holding the flanks very well.

So, if you wanted to maximize Smith's strengths, you would adopt a spread offense scheme, and to do so...you would start with solid tackle play. Otherwise, defenses will shorten the field...which negates the whole spread offense scheme. You may as well just stick with power running if you are going to run a spread offense (or whatever Raye wants to call it, lol) without having some solid play at the tackles.

As far as the center of the line goes...well that is just a gimme....you can kiss your ass goodbye (whether it be run or pass) if you can't hold the center. The size of field you get to play on when that happens is essentially your own backfield. Fortunately, it is much easier to hold the center than the flanks because it is not nearly as fluid inside as out on the flanks, so it is not nearly as difficult to find personnel who can do the job adequately.

Yes it is very true. I agree with you 100%. My point is that the QB play; ability to read defenses quickly and dtermine when best to step in the pocket vs. rolling out and the blocking schemes makes a significant difference in OL performance. Improved QB play and schemes can go a very ong way in improvingf the OL performance