Originally posted by Pick6:Originally posted by Mookster:
I had written a few posts comparing the pre to post Mccloughan rosters a couple of years ago as well as seeing a couple of articles written on the subject. At the time I wouldn't have said we were hands down better, now I believe we are but by no means have we progressed as far as we should have over the past 6 years.
Personally I don't think McCloughan is a good judge of draft talent at all. Yes we got Willis, Gore, Staley and Vernon Davis. These are by far the best draft choices we've made in the past 7 years. Throw in Crabtree, who we got because Al Davis is Al Davis and we've had 5 prowbowl or potential probowl picks. 5. Over 7 years. To me that's scary.
Then look at what we did draft with high picks: Balmer- 1st round with no need, Rachal - 2nd round Guard with limited upside, Reggie Smith - 3rd round back up with 7 tackles over 2 seasons, Cody Wallace - 4th round barely played in 2 years, Jason Hill 3rd round barely played in 3 years, Manny Lawson 1st round never lived up to hype, Brandon Williams 3rd round - gone, Michael Robinson, 4th round good special teams but little other contribution and a project player at best, David Baas, 2nd round Guard, limited playing time and questionable results, Adam Snyder 3rd round..... it's a pretty big list!
I am not saying that I expect every 1st to 3rd round pick has to go to the pro bowl, far from it. What I am saying is that when comperd to other teams we have not fared as well with our high draft picks. We've wasted opportunity by drafting projects, players with limited upside, injury history or in positions without need. Not good for a team with little talent to begin with!
Of course player development plays a huge part in this process and this in an area where Nolan was particularly disasterous! We have probably done less to develop talent than any other team. As examples take a look at Davis, Haralson, Goldson and even Franklin who blossomed once Nolan was gone. At least that nightmare is over! I even hold out hope for Alex Smith now that the worst coach in 9er history is out the door.
Now look at this years QB move..... why the crap would McCloughan go after David Carr? At best he's a failed journeyman at worst he's a poor insurance policy against Alex Smith. To me, above all else, this is why McCloughan was fired. One more stupid FA move that wasn't well thought out, cost to much and limited our ability to grab talent that would help the team.
Originally posted by kem99:
The entire premise of the article is flawed. In support of the premise, they point to Smiley, Kosier and Dahl. Its not a question of falling in love with their draft picks as to those 3, its a question of the position they play, Guard, which, for better or worse, the 49ers have not valued highly. Certainly in Smiley's case, it wasn't that the 49ers did not want to keep him, they just did not want to pay what he could get on the open market, which as I recall was pretty much the sentiment of the majority of the fan base as well. I also don't recall too many people shedding any tears about Kosier or Dahl leaving. Both have become good solid NFL players but their loss is hardly why the 49ers have struggled. Moreover, the 49ers have spent money and gone into free agency -- Clements, Lewis, J. Smith, L. Allen, Bruce, etc. They also made a run at A. Thomas when he was a free agent but he decided to go to NE for what was reported as less money.
The teams in this league that are good year in and year out do it through the draft and then supplement with free agency and/or the occasional trade. How often to the Colts sign a big name free agent? Its pretty rare. They develop and keep their own players and if/when one goes into free agency, they usually replace from within if the price is going to be too high.
The real reason the 49ers have struggled in recent years is because of (1) having to build from the worst roster in the league when Nolan took over; and (2) poor or inconsistent play at QB. The roster is in better shape now and seems to be heading in the right direction because of the past 49er drafts and FA signings. QB remains a question but some answers will come in 2010 with Alex Smith's last (and best) chance to show whether he can be "the man" or whether the 49ers need to look elsewhere, whether that's Nate Davis, Carr, possibly Clausen if he falls into their laps or a FA or drafted QB in 2011.
5 Pro Bowl players in 7 years is scary GOOD. Seriously... I may be way off, but I'm guessing that very few if any teams have drafted 5 pb's in a seven year span. Did Justin Smiley make a pb with the Dolphins? that would be 6 pro bowlers in 7 years drafted by the 9ers. I just did a quick scan of Patriot draft picks... 5, maybe 6 pro bowlers in the last 7 years. Same thing for the Colts. According to that PFW report the average is 2 pro bowlers in 5 years.
It amazes that people expect drafts to result in multiple great players. Look at some of the other teams drafts... last year the Pats had 4 second round picks, and 2 third round picks... 0 starters, and only 2 players show up on their two deep.
Team building goal isn't to have individuals who go to the pro bowl. It should be about building a balanced roster of players that compliment each other within a specific style of play in order to win games.
The 49ers have lacked vision on what kind of roster they are trying to build, and what kind of offense & defense they want to run that determine what players to select. That is why they haven't won, despite selecting a number of pro bowl caliber players.