What keeps the offense from begin elite

I just think for someone to blame any aspect of coaching, after taking a 6 win team to a 14 win/NFCCG team, is absolutely absurd.

But maybe thats just me.

a) offensive line is below avg
b) best offensive weapon (VD) is inconsistent game to game
c) no good WRs, and definitely no dangerous WRs
d) RB is good, but no longer great
e) lack of elite QB

yeah, i think mostly e), but everything else as well, sums it up. BTW, listing Ginn and Bruce Miller (both great players in their specialty) as offensive weapons, tells you exactly how much our offensive talent is lacking

A Home Run Hitter.

Davis was a home run hitter during the playoff run, but generally we were a dink and dunk team that had trouble in the redzone. But most teams have trouble in the redzone (not as bad as us, but still not great). If we have a home run hitter who can score a 60-70yd touchdown 5 or 6 times a season, that will keep an opposing safety deep, open up the TEs and WRs underneath and relieve some of the 8 and 9 man fronts on running plays.

And honestly, it could be a HB, TE, or WR. I think all three could be possibilities.

I also think Crabtree will be incrementally better next year (still sub-1000yd) but getting very close, and Morgan put up 700ish.

Put it all together, we will be an above average offense with a stellar defense, a combination that will carry us to the playoffs!

Continuity, chemistry & very good WRs'

You can't be an elite Offense in the first year of the offense. Even Vernon Davis said he was lost for the first eight games and started to get it down the stretch and blossomed in the playoffs.

I agree with your statement on the Giants Championship game. I really wish they had stuck to the run. I think Frank was hurt and hunter should have played more, but with their pass rush they wanted frank in there. But I can't fault Roman too much.......we had our chances to win that game. Ted Ginn being hurt really hurt us in that game, his speed opens up so much and Delanie was only 80% of his self.

The team made adjustments after it's losses like the Baltimore game, and got better and better throughout the season.

I think Frank Gore wasn't at full strength later in the year. But he still gave his all.

Give Baalke and Harbaugh a chance to work their magic in the offseason and the offense will get more weapons (1 TE, and 2 WRs) and probably a RB too. Having some more weapons and a full offseason with the same playbook. I think we will move into a top 13 offense (up from 29th).

The line needs to get better but they are young and finally they won't have to learn a whole new playbook.

Originally posted by 80sbaby24:
I just think for someone to blame any aspect of coaching, after taking a 6 win team to a 14 win/NFCCG team, is absolutely absurd.

But maybe thats just me.

Nah. Your conclusion is absurd.

I don't know what Harbaugh could have specifically done to make our 3rd down and red zone offense better. But there is no doubt there is room for improvement in those categories. Players and coaching are both to blame.

To say that any coach who led his new team to a remarkable turnaround has zero blame in that team's few imperfections is absurd. It's just not possible. And I'm confident that Harbaugh would be one of the first to tell you that.

To be clear: I'm not suggesting Harbaugh is what keeps our offense from being elite (as the OP asks). I'm simply debating your logic.

Originally posted by calinig4life:
Continuity, chemistry & very good WRs'

+1

How many of the top 5-10 offenses in the league last year started the year just implementing a new offense?

Seriously, I don't know how you can describe Edwards and Ginn as solid offensive players.

Edwards was just a huge disappointment. Ginn is a great returner. But not a receiver.

So that may be your answer.

Originally posted by Youngb:

Originally posted by calinig4life:
Continuity, chemistry & very good WRs'

+1

How many of the top 5-10 offenses in the league last year started the year just implementing a new offense?

these

Originally posted by okdkid:

Originally posted by 80sbaby24:
I just think for someone to blame any aspect of coaching, after taking a 6 win team to a 14 win/NFCCG team, is absolutely absurd.

But maybe thats just me.

Nah. Your conclusion is absurd.

I don't know what Harbaugh could have specifically done to make our 3rd down and red zone offense better. But there is no doubt there is room for improvement in those categories. Players and coaching are both to blame.

To say that any coach who led his new team to a remarkable turnaround has zero blame in that team's few imperfections is absurd. It's just not possible. And I'm confident that Harbaugh would be one of the first to tell you that.

To be clear: I'm not suggesting Harbaugh is what keeps our offense from being elite (as the OP asks). I'm simply debating your logic.

Our third down and red zone offensive play calling had everything to do with our personnel, not the coaching. And if you arent suggesting that I am wrong in my assessment, why the need for the debate?

There are other things, but I just read the pro-football-talk article about Alex and was thinking about him and the offense and I can't remember the last time the announcers said something like "he has all day" etc, like Tom Brady has about 25% of the time and others often have when they drop back. I don't entirely blame our OL, other teams just jam the middle to cover the run and come after Alex every play, so it's tough.

I think a little success in the passing game will snowball the success of our offense.

Every player on offense

Originally posted by RonMexico:
Every player on offense

Agreed

1) An offense needs all the key positions to perform at a high level consistantly. After a while the confidence gained makes you damn near unbeatable.

2) Great play calling and an incredible amount of luck( few injuries in general and none to key players, also getting the bounce on loose fumbles or catching tipped interceptions can't hurt). Ability to make adjustments during games.

3) Have a great defense to give the offense the ball more often and sometimes on a short field. Great field position makes all the difference.