Originally posted by NinerSince82:
Originally posted by Carhanu21:
When Kaepernick was declared the official full-time starter, the Niners began their gradual transformation from a defense-focused team into more of an offensive team. Dont get me wrong. The Niners biggest strength RIGHT NOW is still their defense by far just based on the current personnel (mostly left over from prior regime). But you watch over the next few seasons Harbaugh (who is an offensive guy, former quarterback) will focus most of the top draft picks on the offensive side of the football. He will make a priority to surround Kaepernick (assuming he become the Franchise QB) with lots of weapons and good O-line.
One of the consquences of focusing on offense is that the defense will probably get a bit worse and not be nearly as dominant as the last couple years. I think it will still be solid but not great as time goes on under Harbaugh.
In the long run, I think this will be a good thing for the Niners and their fans. The last time a defensive team won the Super Bowl was 2002 I think. The Jon Gruden Bucs. Unfortunately, the NFL has made it unfairly tilted towards the offense with its new rules.
I was just wondering how other fans feel about this coming transformation and whether they prefer a defensive or offensive focused team.
The current Niners are starting to look a lot like the Dynasty Niners. Quick strike offense and bend don't break defense with bone rattling tacklers. As for scraping the option might not be a good idea. The NFL is becoming a dual threat QB league. In the past the option was not viable because the running QBs could not throw, or at least throw at an elite level. Maybe Steve Young being the exception, but even Steve could not run like today's dual threat QBs. But now you have guys who can run like Barry Sanders and throw like Joe Montana. So the option is the next step in the NFL.
Good point about the rules favoring the offense and pass offense. We already do the hard stuff no one else either wants or can do--Defense and rushing. Passing SHOULD be the easy part.
I agree with you about the read option. At first I hated it, but it forces the defense into situations that HAVE to be accounted for. Think you have prepared? Think you have it bottled up? Ask the Dolphins what happens when the D misreads it in the 4th qtr, easy TD. Roman even said, that its "not going anywhere." The point is true about dual threat QBs. Newton, RGIII, even Luck can run. This is the next step in the NFLs offensive evolution.
With guys like that think about what DCs have to account for now.......you almost have to dedicate someone to the QB, which is going to cost you either in coverage or in the running game. A MLB has to worry about the FB coming through the hole AND Kaep. Add to all this these new kids aren't morons playing QB (like Vick). These guys can read the D, buy time, make smart decisions. They can stay disciplined.
To the poster wanting straight "WCO"---welcome to 2012, there is no more WCO. There are variations in PHI, GB, SEA, HOU, CLE. My dad says the same thing about "bring back the WCO, pass it to HBs."
Consider this article:
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/story/2012/09/21/west-coast-offense-past-its-time/57816080/1
Defenses started adapting to the WCO in the early 90s. Between the "Zone Blitz", "Tampa 2" and small, faster LBs, offenses were forced to contunie the innovate. Passing it to HBs and FBs no longer result in chunks of 5-10 yards because LBs got smaller and A LOT FASTER. Most offenses now use "principles." Almost everyone has Slants, Sweeps, and Screens in their playbooks. Its simply Osmosis. Now all the rage are TEs, but there is always an ebb and flow in the NFL. Soon there will be 6'4'' 230lb safeties that can check the VDs, Grahams, and Gronks out there.
Its almost like Martial Arts or MMA. IF a fighter is strictly a "karate" guy, he wiill be suseptible to "Ground and Pound" or Wrestlers. The best fighters are guys that aren't one trick ponys and have a motely of ways to beat you, think Bruce Lee. Being a Karate expert actually LIMITS you.
Our O is taking on the personna of its new QB. I admit I was cryin and pissed when it ddin't happen over night, but things like that CANT happen over night.
It will be real interesting to see what Seatle will do against Kaep. If there was any thoughts of him "getting fooled"by coverages, well, you can put that to bed, cuz Belicheck through it all at him, and if anyone could disquise things and make a rooks head swim, it would be Belicheck. Kaep TORCHED THEM.