1) Offensive line play and coaching - probably the biggest disappointment of the season and the most fatal. There was really no bright spots in this area, blocking scheme's were simplistic and predictable everyone but Staley and Heitman played like dog dookie - it is a sad day when you pick a guy up off waivers and it is considered an upgrade.
2) QB play - it got better after Shaun Hill was removed however Alex was up and down and just not consistent enough to drive the offense. This is a QB driven league to be a playoff team the QB spot IE Alex Smith has to play better.
3) Offensive Play Calling - Was some of this limited by personnel at times? Sure but personnel was just as limited by the play calling. Tim K got it right in today's article Jimmy Raye is just not that good at scripting an opening drive, changing the plays up on the fly based on Def's. Base Offesnive personnel are in place it is up to him to be better next year he was not Jeff Hostler bad - the only thing that did save him and us for that matter from being that bad was the talent on the offensive side of the ball.
4) Game Management - for the most part pretty horrid all year. Sing and his staff was just bad - from getting the plays into the QB to getting the right personnel on the field to using TO's like candy to give mini prep rallies just not good. Sing seems like he is smart and adaptable - At this point feeling pretty good he is going to be much better next year.
5) Kicking/Punt Return game. Ugh is all I can manage here.
Things that went right and frankly folks there was a lot that did go right:
1) Vernon Davis / Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore and truly offensive stars. these guys are going to make plays for us there is so much potential on offense - which is good we are ranked 29th but with some OL improvements we will grow by leaps and bounds.
2) Alex Smith has shown improvement in every statistical category this year from previous year - is it good enough? Maybe not, next year is critical but while he may never be a HOF QB he does have the ability to get us to the playoffs - the question is can he make the changes and adjustments after a full season starting. Let's all hope this happens.
3) Defense - Led by P Willis they were pretty good even when they were being left out on the field way to long by at times an inept offense that was addicted to 3 and outs.
4) 6 losses by 7 points and under - for the first time in 6 years were truly were competitive for the large portion of the season - see above for the reasons we could finish the job BUT those are fixable we are not in total rebuilding mode anymore we can take the Cardinals next year they ARE in reach.
5) The biggest and truly best gift - Mike Nolan AND Josh Mcdaniels are not anywhere near our team. Sing has had some frustrating moments but take a step back and look at that meltdown - To start you had a rookie HC get caught lying about trying to trade the Star QB then a few games later he is benching his 2 best players for no clear reason - and Mike Nolan is well Mike Nolan schemes fine to start the year then people figure out what he is doing and he proceeds to get crushed - everyone should be THANKFUL that man is far far away.
I am hopeful the off season is very productive, the offensive guys (Gore,Smith, Hill, Crabtree, Davis) should take a play out of McNabb's and Troy Aikman's playbook take the first month of the season off then everyone find a good place to train and go there together no coaches no camera's take to really get to know each other and just run plays together - That kind of work will be the difference between 8-8 and 10-6 MAYBE 11-5.
Disappointing season but all is not lost kids!!
[ Edited by Sugatis on Jan 3, 2010 at 7:11 PM ]