Originally posted by WRATHman44:
Post like this are why trafic is down in Niner Talk.
Ozzie Newsome is widely regarded as the best GM in football, and his dumbass fans want him fired because the team is down THIS YEAR. Teams have bad years. Ozzie isn't going anywhere.
This team is having a down year. Some of it is because of talent. Some of it is because of coaching. Some of it is because of the unprecedented and unpredictable exodus of the most talented and revered players on the team. Losing Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, and Aldon Smith in the same offense gutted the defense, while the one year sabbatical of Anthony Davis and the rehab setback of Daniel Kilgore doomed the offense.
While Cowboy's departure was considered a likelihood (which greatly influenced the selection of Arik Armstead, who is doing fantastically well as a rookie DL), all the rest were surprises which occured after FA and the draft. So yeah, the defense looks pretty good with Willis and Aldon back in there, and I'm pretty sure the offense would run a lot better if the center position was locked down by Kilgore, Tiller continues to displace Devey, and Pears never starts a gmae with A Davis locking down RT. So, ignore the crazy circumstances of this season and hide behind basic statistics all you want to. It's the common refuge of those who don't know the game. If you can't fathom the effects of these unforseen and late departures, you are who I thought you were, and that's perfectly fine.
To me the biggest factor on the defense has been coaching. Mangini is trying to fit his personnel to a scheme rather than the other way. Meanwhile look at what Fangio is doing with the Bears defense that isnt exactly abundant with star talent.
This team has talent on defense, more talent than the stats reflect. Bowman isnt back to his old self but still one of the better ILBs in the NFL, Lynch has done a good job as an outside pass rusher, Ian Williams is one of the best NT's in the league, Tartt and Armstead both have shown promise, Dorsey was solid until his injury...many of these guys were here last year and didnt just suddenly forget how to play or tackle.
Whoever the next coach is, they need to make sure that his philosophy and that of his coordinators will match the personnel on the roster.
[ Edited by Phoenix49ers on Nov 25, 2015 at 7:59 PM ]