Our Plan B if we miss the playoffs again?

Wubbie · 2010-04-17T21:42:21-07:00

Alright, the last few seasons, it seems like every year is supposed to be our year. Then something seems to come up. For instance, we lose Norv Turner, Alex Smith's shoulder gets destroyed, and the offense regresses. Then we hire Martz, fire Nolan, and promote Singletary. Last season was competitive, but we lacked an offensive identity, and that hurt us. With the weakened division, retention of most of our core players, continuity on offense, etc. etc., we are EXPECTED to make the playoffs this year. But.. what if we don't? I really do believe that this year is our year to make the playoffs and have a shot at making it to the Super Bowl, but I do see some issues with our team if we fail again. It really depends on how the team fails, but if there's one weakness that seems to be highlighted this offseason, it's that the team's infrastructure (the coaching staff and front office) is relatively unproven. I think the theme the team has been trying to follow the last few years has been a stable approach that builds through the draft and always has young talent in both the roster and the front office. It has some merit, I think. When McCloughan left, we still had Baalke and Gamble, two guys who seem competent. We have Raye as our OC, but it looks like Mike Johnson is going to be his successor. So I think they're trying to build a stable franchise in the LONG-RUN. The thing many people have pointed out is that we don't have a proven football mind in the building. Even Mike Singletary is weak in terms of X's and O's, and evaluating talent. His major skill mostly is to be a motivational coach (which isn't a bad thing.). I'm just saying things might not always fit as well as we'd like. So if we fail and miss the playoffs this season, I imagine things will get shaken up. I believe York is going to give Baalke a try-out through the draft, and if things go well, he might serve as the temporary GM, just as Singletary served as an interim coach a few years ago. If it all fails, I see that "proven" football mind coming in here and letting him shake things up. It worked when we were rebuilding in the late '90s when Bill Walsh returned, but unfortunately, "The Genius" is no longer with us. So we'll see. I see that as the "next step" though. What do you guys think?

Apr 17, 2010 at 9:45 PM

darkknight49
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Posts: 10,878

dunno bout the team but niner talk will...

[ Edited by darkknight49 on Apr 18, 2010 at 12:09 AM ]

Apr 17, 2010 at 9:50 PM

CornellU49er
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Posts: 354

Originally posted by darkknight49:

this

Apr 17, 2010 at 9:54 PM

E-49er
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Posts: 5,027

Plan B? ahhh The Niners are still working on Plan B. Hell, I don't even know if there is a Plan A at this point. Carr and Ginn are good situational players (Carr as a backup and Ginn as KR/PR) but I still feel we need to do more and have a really good draft class to push us over the edge and make the playoffs, especially with the way free agency was approached this year.

Apr 17, 2010 at 9:56 PM

StOnEy333
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We're already doing If's, And's, or But's for 2011?

Apr 17, 2010 at 10:05 PM

Wubbie
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Originally posted by StOnEy333:
We're already doing If's, And's, or But's for 2011?

Why not? Long off-season...

Apr 17, 2010 at 10:19 PM

a24hrdad
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Posts: 468

My Dad knows some of the front office and hears things are a mess. Apparently Andy Dolich (the exec that was let go) is still hanging around complaining and giving his opinion to anyone who will listen. I hope York Jr. has been calling his uncle for tips.

I know they are in the process of a complete Front Office restructuring, so it will be interesting to see how the dust settles. From what I have heard, the recent changes are not the only ones coming.

I would just love to see an old ball coach step in a role a la Parcells in Miami. I think that is exactly what our team needs.

If this season fails I see a full coaching change come in. Someone more experienced like a Denny Green or Bill Cowher. I also see the team going all out on it too. I will give little York one thing...He seems determined to turn this around.

I am excited about the potential but scared about next season.

Apr 17, 2010 at 10:23 PM

mug0mug
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Posts: 16,724

I pretty much only see Alex Smith as being on the hotseat. Unless things get really ugly somehow, I don't Singletary being given up on yet. If they like what Baalke does enough to give him the GM job officially, then he'll be GM for at least another offseason (barring him doing something rediculous).

The only other one that I feel might become at risk is Jimmy Raye. If we do address the o-line and Alex plays well, but we still manage to have a floundering offense, he could very well be discarded. There will no longer be the "at least 2 seasons w/ the same OC" issue to be made (which I do agree with), and he could certainly be dumped. I didn't love him at first, and had some issues w/ playcalling at times, but I have to say that I was impressed with his flexibility and effectiveness in scheming.

It's really only Alex, and possibly Raye, that are really on the hot seat this year (of the notable people in the organization).

Apr 17, 2010 at 10:53 PM

GEEK
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Posts: 19,429

Originally posted by mug0mug:
I pretty much only see Alex Smith as being on the hotseat. Unless things get really ugly somehow, I don't Singletary being given up on yet. If they like what Baalke does enough to give him the GM job officially, then he'll be GM for at least another offseason (barring him doing something rediculous).

The only other one that I feel might become at risk is Jimmy Raye. If we do address the o-line and Alex plays well, but we still manage to have a floundering offense, he could very well be discarded. There will no longer be the "at least 2 seasons w/ the same OC" issue to be made (which I do agree with), and he could certainly be dumped. I didn't love him at first, and had some issues w/ playcalling at times, but I have to say that I was impressed with his flexibility and effectiveness in scheming.

It's really only Alex, and possibly Raye, that are really on the hot seat this year (of the notable people in the organization).

For some reason, I just have a feeling that Jed York won't want to bring someone that will overshadow his role in the organization. York seems like a power hungry guy who hasn't done jack s**t to deserve that power.

The reason why York must be in love with Singletary and Baalke is because they have no established NFL track record at coaching and front office level, respectively. Bringing in a Cowher or Gruden will shift the power of the organization away from York towards the head coach.

I hope I am wrong, but the resignation/firing of Dolich along with the removal of McCloughan are key two front office moves that have shifted more power towards York.

Apr 17, 2010 at 10:54 PM