Originally posted by Beeker:
Originally posted by oldninerdude:
Originally posted by NCommand:
OK OND, it's aafe to say we have the EXACT same thought-process here...literally. The only thing I can add is that I expect Dahl to play SS and back up Whitner (or start). Whitner could end up being a salary cut as well. Goldson's departure and Whitner's lack of coverage ability (esp. in the RZ/EZ) may force us to become more of a "coverage" secondary like you say...versus a physically intimidating secondary except on the outside where our bigger, stronger CB's will play more press coverage...forcing the WR's inside to better coverage and more TO's. And thank God for that! Goldson had only 3 INT's and 2 FF and Whitner had 1 INT and 2 FF's in 19 games! That's downright pathetic. They were destroyed in the playoffs. And we all know Whitner gave up 14 TD's by himself. I wouldn't be surprised if Goldson wasn't too far behind him in this category as well. But hey, at least they had SportsCenter Highlights! So to your point, we'll be looking at taller, faster, quicker S's with more range and speed to actually help out the CB's deep, cover deep and free up Willis/Bowman is absolutely ideal and essential if we are to take the next step. The other peace is stopping the run as we play a TON of bigger, power running teams this year.
So, let's go FS & SS, true 3-4 NT & DE and 6'5"+ TE. Everything else is bonus...
Press coverage by bigger, taller CBs would force WRs into making double moves and running deep sideline routes, so a FS would have to have the speed to go sideline to sideline, the ability to read a QB's eyes to figure out where the throw's gonna go, and the ability to play the ball in the air.
It would be nice to have not one but two safety's who could be virtually interchangeable and thus cause a QB some concern about who's got deep cover responsibility and who's gonna play run support. The more I think about it, the more it seems to me that Whitner is a liability, unfortunately.
One thing seems clear, the coaching staff was VERY unhappy with the secondary play in the playoffs and especially in the SuperBowl. That play where Culliver got beat deep and there was NO help over the top, then the Baltimore WR fell down and Goldson ran past him without touching him down, that play gave up a td and was as much the cause of the loss as any play in the game. I don't think they want to see anything like that again. I know I don't. lol.
Just want to jump in here and add my 2 cents.
I agree with a lot of what you both are saying here, with one exception. I think, and this is strictly a W.A.G., the ENTIRE secondary is an open competition. The 4 best players will start regardless of "position". I know, it's crazy, but, it's a gut feeling for me. Then again, with this coaching staff, maybe it's not TOO far fetched?
LMAO! I'd say I agree with that. The point OND brought up just now about the S positions being interchangeable, Baalke alluded to that on his own yesterday.
And it's legit...he's said this before. I'll repost here for everyone:
Interesting quotes from Baalke from the Home page articles.
"
The teams that have been successful are drafting for need a year or two ahead of time," Baalke explained. ~ This could allude to drafting WR & CB's high.
"
I wouldn't say we went out way to look for a corner that's 6-(foot)-1, 6-2," Baalke said. "
It's a situation where stars aligned." ~ More proof (and all through FA) Baalke wants to get bigger, more physical at the CB position. OND and others have alluded to perhaps, Culliver and Nnamdi as the starting CB's with Brown/Rogers in the slot. I noted that against taller TE's, you could even match Nnamdi up on these guys in the RZ/EZ and move Brown/Rogers outside.
–
Glenn Dorsey was the first player the 49ers signed in free agency last month, and his "
versatility" along the defensive line is what Baalke praised most. "
In our system he's going to be asked to do some similar things, and yet some different things. When we go into our 40 package, he'll be down inside. When we go into our 30 package he might be playing nose or might be playing some end. The good thing about him is his versatility. He can multi-align in our system. He can play 3 technique, he can play 1 technique, he can play the 0 and he can play the 5. And he can play the 4. So his ability to multi-align is advantageous to us." ~ Is this evidence we'll be looking for smaller DT's who can play both positions rather than a prototypical NT or 3-4 DE? Maybe a smaller guy like Carradine (276)?
–
Charles Woodson, one of the first free agents the 49ers hosted, remains both unsigned and on the 49ers' radar. "
We feel he can still play game. We'll continue to look at that and see how the draft goes. Charles is certainly somebody we're still interested in." ~ I have been saying all along, I would not be surprised if we signed him but that they may be waiting to see if they get their FS. Heck, even if they DO get their FS, they may want him to learn behind Woodson.
On the two S's ideally being interchangeable, "
Would you like to have mirror-image guys so you can disguise maybe a little bit more creatively? Yeah, I think so…"
On this year's large pool, "
Could you get the same player at 39 or 45 that you're going to get at 20? That's certainly a possibility."
Something to consider in this draft especially. "
And that's the job of the coaches and that's also the job of the evaluators to make sure we're getting guys that are fitting our system. We talk about it all the time–you can't stick a square peg in a round hole, it doesn't fit (ahem, Manny Lawson, ahem)."
– The 49ers have 53 local prospects working out Wednesday, including Nate Montana
Four players attending the workout but not participating are:
Stanford's Zach Ertz (TE) ~ it's safe to say TE will be a top pick IMHO
Levine Toilolo (TE)
Chase Thomas (LB)
Oregon's Kiko Alonso (LB)
