Originally posted by Rascal:
It is not just about separation. Baldwin has the size to bang the DBs and linebackers even when covered. We saw it in the preseason, he has the ability to make catches even when he is covered especially when the ball is thrown high.
The way I look at it is this, he might not be a burner, but he can play the intermediate routes with Anquan. Once the opposing D realizes the kid has the physicality to make plays even when covered, they will have to allocate appropriate resources to cover him which in the overall scheme of things will dilute the overall coverage on both Anquan and himself. If we can get the intermediate passing plays going, then we can utilize our speed guys such as Marlon and Quinton to stretch the D by making some deep plays. That will spread out the D a bit and will help to ease the run game as well.
I will not deny that with Baldwin the potential is there. My major concern with him remains his attitude or his head.
First, since he has arrived in SF, he seems to be demonstrating that he in the progress of resolving the head problems that haunted him in college and with the KC.
But, truth be told we really have not seen very much, so it is hard to know exactly how he is progressing.
Given the fact that Andy Reid, who is a patient man with divas, was willing to trade Baldwin with his potential straight up for AJ Jenkins worries me.
In real football games, regular season games, Baldwin had shown much more than Jenkins. Baldwin has clearly demonstrated some talent.
My hope is that Baldwin is activated and gets to play. I do think he could be an improvement, talent wise, over Moore and Williams.
If he is activated, it would be, at least to me, a clear indication that he has made substantial strides in confronting the problems that got him run out of KC.
Eric Wright had two DUI in two years. The team signed him and he literally disappeared for about a month, maybe a bit more.
When he showed up, he was put on one of those lists.
Aldon Smith had two DUIs and other and potentially more serious problems.
The team put him on indefinite leave of absence. I believe that he is on the same list as Wright.
Cox was out of the league for a year because of legal problems. The team signed him, but his role was small last year. This year his role has expanded.
My sense is the team is willing to take chances on players who have problems, but they are cautious in their approach, you could even say they are timid.
In my gut, I want Baldwin on the field, but I want him to make the corrections that need to be made. In the long run, those corrections are critical.
[ Edited by buck on Sep 24, 2013 at 11:49 PM ]