Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
Looking at the # of routes run and # of times targeted, it is impossible to note how few times Vernon was actually targeted. That has to change. Also, in looking at #routes and # of times targeted in last 25% of season, LMJ is not even mentioned....and that has to change also. In the end, if we had gone thru this season(say 13 games) with Crbs being the overwhelming target, and then he ruptured his achilles, we would have been double-bat-screwed. This way, Kap is forced to work with other guys and my hope would be he can make more...a lot more... targets that he feels comfortable with. In that, I agree there is a silver lining here, despite the fact that we will miss Crabs a ton. Still, if Patton, Lockette, LMJ et al are targeted and used routinely along with Vernon and Anquan, (and don't forget Vance), then it may just work out very well for us. That said, the aforementioned are all going to have to really suck up their guts and play like madmen. No harm in that, only very potential benefits. That doesn't even bring into account Kyle and Mario.
Admittedly, that is a lot of targets to learn "how to" run routes where both QB and receiver are on the same page. Heck maybe we have Okoye running routes....who knows? I think we not only will be alright, we will be the better for it. And if Crbs magically comes back at week 13, hey, more targets for Kap. No question if Ds know who Kaps favorite target is, that guy(Crbs) gets doubled. It would be fantastic if Kap could somehow, magically, get on the same page with all our remaining WRs plus Vernon and Vance, who I think ends up being the 3rd down possession receiver, across the middle, who then just sits down for the first down. Maybe all wishful thinking, but I can actually see it happen.
I still remember going into NFCC game against NYG, with only ONE WR. And that sucked. No mas, and Coach H plus Trent have seen to that. Now it is up to those chosen guys to lay it all out on the line and show what they can do.
Agreed, well said. I actually think we will be better for it. It could actually make this team more dangerous offensively for it. A.J, is hungry to prove he's no bust. Regardless of what he says publicly he's feeling the pressure, and I think he'll respond. Call me silly but I think A.J is gonna step up and earn that #2 role, he'll be pushed by Patton and Lockette for sure, but I think A.J pulls it out. He's put in a lot of off-season work, gained some weight (with 200lbs as his goal) and seeks to go up the middle more, and with the bigger CBs we've brought in I have to think he's gonna be a bit more physical at the LOS. Ricardo Lockette is gonna really see some playing time and seriously push for the #3 spot, and I thought that before the injury to Crabs. Now he's in the mix for the #2 as well (but, again, I think A.J is gonna claim that spot). I'm very excited about Quinton Patton, and still shocked he even feel to us. I was sure he'd be gone by mid 2nd. I think it's gonna be a real competition battle between he and Lockette for that #3 spot and think Patton just might get it. Williams and Manningham are both coming off major injuries so I'm not all that confident if we can expect much out of them, especially Manningham. If we get anything out of either of them I think JH & Co. will view it as a bonus.
I know we lost Walker, but I honestly don't think we drop much ground with his loss. I see Vance McDonald fitting Walkers H-back role quite well. In this multifaceted offense an athletic 267lbs H-back with soft hands is a murderous match-up problem and a scheme killer for defensive co-coordinators. With a weapon like that lining up in the backfield our whams and traps are gonna be even more crushing and devastating.
We have Boldin and Vernon Davis, both will still command double teams, chemistry or not. And I'm not buying that C. Kaep. will have chemistry issues. His WR's have to get on
his page, which seems to me that they are doing, and have been doing all off-season. He's doing all the right things, will play with a major chip on his shoulders from the SB loss and all the questions if he'll keep up the production or not, and he's completely cemented his leadership role and others are responding. I have all the confidence C. Kaep will spread the ball around.
Bottom line, we have a wealth of young talent at the WR position, even with the injury to Crabs. We will be fine, we'll still win 11 or 12 games, win the division and get back to the SB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I just wish we get a break from the injuries at the WR position
