I will preface my post by saying that I am generally an optimist when it comes to the 9ers. Sometimes, I probably can be grouped into the "homer" category. Usually, I have a fairly logical explanation for my "half is glass full" stance" I have to admit...today at about 12:00 EDT, I really had a feeling of dejection and overwhelming dread for the upcoming season. I'm not making this an Aldon Smith thread, but F***, that dude's mistake really made me take a step back and look now at what we have lost since last season and what we have in place to try to rectify what has been a basic dynamiting of the team we have come to know over the past few seasons.
Willis - Cannot replace his leadership, but Wilhoite and Moody can certainly replace his production over the past two years. If Bowman is 90% of what he was in 2013, then our ILB position will be as strong, if not stronger, than last year. Sit back if he is 100%.
J. Smith/R. Mac- The days of J. Smith and R. MacDonald working 90% of the snaps are over. We'll now go to a more logical rotation of Docket, Dorsey, Dial, Carradine, Armstead and TJE to fill the void. I always thought more rotation was needed and we will see it big time this year.
Gore - I will never say anything bad about Frank. I wish him luck and hope he prospers in IND. That said, I have absolutely no problem with the three-headed attack of Hyde/Bush/Hunter. That is a solid group that would match up with 85-90% of the backfields in the league.
Crabtree - I loved him while he was here because of his hands, but he never made that step to become a receiver that could take over a game. Crabtree and Boldin together were like having two left hands. Boldin and T. Smith make a dynamic group that should be much more productive.
Iupati/A. Davis - First, let's get over Iupati. He was a great road mauler and poor pass protector that was never going to be signed long term. Interior run blocking (Martin/Thomas) is much easier to replace than pass protection and both of the new guys are at least as good as Iupati in passprotection. Now, A. Davis' unexpected retirement does leave a legitimate question mark as I know nothing about Pears beyond what Webzoner's posts say about him sucking. I have read that his days as a RT were much more successful than his days as a G (for which he was so demonized for last year).
Cox/Culliver - Ok, let's stop acting like we lost our two starting corners. Cox was replacing Brock (still starting on the team) and Culliver entered his first year as a starter last year. Would any of you paid Culliver 40M like the Redskins did? Between Brock and the draftees from last year (Johnson, Acker, Reaser), this position should not take any step backward at all. In fact, I project stronger CB play this year.
Finally, A. Smith - I will say that the Aldon Smith news of today was like a punch to the gut. Have we not already dealt with enough personnel angst for one off-season? However, after digesting this latest 9ers joke of the week, I realized something. I have been spinning my brain how we could possibly utilize the talent we have at the OLB position without leaving someone on the sideline for the sake of doing so. Smith, Brooks, Lynch, Herold...where do you get them all in? I admit losing the most accomplished and talented of the bunch today does not make the group better as a whole, but our remaining players at the position are walking in with tons of potential.
I'm not saying that we are without flaws or question marks, but in all honesty, after looking at the turnover in which basically every talking head and media outlet have anointed us to be the bottom of the barrel in the NFC West, are we really in that bad of shape?
Here'es where the eternal optimist and periodic "homer" says hellz no. One month before the season starts is not a time for the fans and faithful to bail and pull the "woe is me" card. Slap your friends in the face and tell them that this season is not lost (yet). Go Niners.
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State of the Team...Good?
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:34 PM
- VANiner
- Veteran
- Posts: 348
Aug 7, 2015 at 8:45 PM
- SofaKing
- Veteran
- Posts: 27,442
Good post, man. I had a similar reaction to you when I heard the news. I've been very optimistic about this season, but out of all the departures, Aldon getting released was the biggest gut punch. Reason being he's 25 and an elite pass-rusher when focused. All indications were that he was dominating in camp and ready to have a monster year, and then it all goes to hell overnight.
I'm highly intrigued by many of our recent draft choices. Hyde, Ellington, Lynch, Dial, Carradine, Harold, White, Reaser. Some good veteran FA pickups like T. Smith, Dockett, Simpson, and Wright. Wright has been having a great camp, btw. Brock is rounding back into 2013 form. Vernon looks like his old self. D-line is as deep as it's been in years. Kap has improved.
We started camp with a lot of positive vibes. Media attending camp could feel that there was a quiet confidence with this team. Like they knew they were being underestimated and were dying for a shot to prove people wrong. Today killed those vibes, but hopefully just for a day, because there's still some good young talent on this team and veteran leadership in Staley, Boldin, Bowman, Bethea. We're not going down without a fight.
I'm highly intrigued by many of our recent draft choices. Hyde, Ellington, Lynch, Dial, Carradine, Harold, White, Reaser. Some good veteran FA pickups like T. Smith, Dockett, Simpson, and Wright. Wright has been having a great camp, btw. Brock is rounding back into 2013 form. Vernon looks like his old self. D-line is as deep as it's been in years. Kap has improved.
We started camp with a lot of positive vibes. Media attending camp could feel that there was a quiet confidence with this team. Like they knew they were being underestimated and were dying for a shot to prove people wrong. Today killed those vibes, but hopefully just for a day, because there's still some good young talent on this team and veteran leadership in Staley, Boldin, Bowman, Bethea. We're not going down without a fight.
Aug 7, 2015 at 9:13 PM
- LottDMontanaO
- Veteran
- Posts: 6,008
Very good post. In addition to Brock starting and the others you mentioned at CB, we also have Wright having a strong camp - he might just fit in well with the Niners' scheme and overall D personnel as a starter opposite Brock. We're going to find out soon a lot about this team and the talent throughout the roster. I'm in the corner of thinking (from what I've seen and heard in following football very closely) there's still so much talent on this roster, young and old, ready to produce this year and fill in the gaps left by some or most of the departures. I do have a "glass is half full" outlook this year because of that talent and because I believe in our GM and this entire coaching staff. We'll see how it plays out - I hope my outlook is correct but regardless, I'm keeping the faith.
Aug 7, 2015 at 9:24 PM
- SanDiego49er
- Veteran
- Posts: 47,961
Ha.
Aug 8, 2015 at 12:01 AM
- English
- Moderator
- Posts: 40,222
Originally posted by SanDiego49er:Ha.
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Aug 8, 2015 at 12:06 AM
- AB81Rules
- Veteran
- Posts: 32,811
I feel ok with a rotation of Brooks/Lynch/Harold/Lemonier/Rush at OLB, I could see them keeping Wheeler as insurance at LB, both ILB and OLB.
As for RB, I prefer Hyde/Bush/Davis three headed monster to be honest, huge Davis fan here.
Davis hurts, not high on Pears, hope he proves me wrong.
CB isn't worse, or better IMO, they are even, Cully got overpaid, Cox got paid well, I would have went there if I was Baalke, but he didn't see it, so idk. I like Wright for a 1yr deal, not the $3.2M we gave him, but he has looked good so far, so I'm hopeful he does good. A change of scenery may be what he needed. DJ is my favorite CB.
As for RB, I prefer Hyde/Bush/Davis three headed monster to be honest, huge Davis fan here.
Davis hurts, not high on Pears, hope he proves me wrong.
CB isn't worse, or better IMO, they are even, Cully got overpaid, Cox got paid well, I would have went there if I was Baalke, but he didn't see it, so idk. I like Wright for a 1yr deal, not the $3.2M we gave him, but he has looked good so far, so I'm hopeful he does good. A change of scenery may be what he needed. DJ is my favorite CB.
Aug 8, 2015 at 12:29 AM
- BodhiPaddlesOut
- Veteran
- Posts: 9,850
Good points. We're going to miss Ray Mac and Cowboy though, without a doubt. TJE sucks. Dial is alright. Ray Mac was pretty good. And Cowboy wasn't declining much and went out as a full time starter like he said he would. PFF had them rated 11 and 10 respectively.
Carradine still has a lot to prove also. I'm a fan of Dorsey and Williams though.
Carradine still has a lot to prove also. I'm a fan of Dorsey and Williams though.
Aug 8, 2015 at 12:33 AM
- bzborow1
- Veteran
- Posts: 3,261
Originally posted by VANiner:
I will preface my post by saying that I am generally an optimist when it comes to the 9ers. Sometimes, I probably can be grouped into the "homer" category. Usually, I have a fairly logical explanation for my "half is glass full" stance" I have to admit...today at about 12:00 EDT, I really had a feeling of dejection and overwhelming dread for the upcoming season. I'm not making this an Aldon Smith thread, but F***, that dude's mistake really made me take a step back and look now at what we have lost since last season and what we have in place to try to rectify what has been a basic dynamiting of the team we have come to know over the past few seasons.
Willis - Cannot replace his leadership, but Wilhoite and Moody can certainly replace his production over the past two years. If Bowman is 90% of what he was in 2013, then our ILB position will be as strong, if not stronger, than last year. Sit back if he is 100%.
J. Smith/R. Mac- The days of J. Smith and R. MacDonald working 90% of the snaps are over. We'll now go to a more logical rotation of Docket, Dorsey, Dial, Carradine, Armstead and TJE to fill the void. I always thought more rotation was needed and we will see it big time this year.
Gore - I will never say anything bad about Frank. I wish him luck and hope he prospers in IND. That said, I have absolutely no problem with the three-headed attack of Hyde/Bush/Hunter. That is a solid group that would match up with 85-90% of the backfields in the league.
Crabtree - I loved him while he was here because of his hands, but he never made that step to become a receiver that could take over a game. Crabtree and Boldin together were like having two left hands. Boldin and T. Smith make a dynamic group that should be much more productive.
Iupati/A. Davis - First, let's get over Iupati. He was a great road mauler and poor pass protector that was never going to be signed long term. Interior run blocking (Martin/Thomas) is much easier to replace than pass protection and both of the new guys are at least as good as Iupati in passprotection. Now, A. Davis' unexpected retirement does leave a legitimate question mark as I know nothing about Pears beyond what Webzoner's posts say about him sucking. I have read that his days as a RT were much more successful than his days as a G (for which he was so demonized for last year).
Cox/Culliver - Ok, let's stop acting like we lost our two starting corners. Cox was replacing Brock (still starting on the team) and Culliver entered his first year as a starter last year. Would any of you paid Culliver 40M like the Redskins did? Between Brock and the draftees from last year (Johnson, Acker, Reaser), this position should not take any step backward at all. In fact, I project stronger CB play this year.
Finally, A. Smith - I will say that the Aldon Smith news of today was like a punch to the gut. Have we not already dealt with enough personnel angst for one off-season? However, after digesting this latest 9ers joke of the week, I realized something. I have been spinning my brain how we could possibly utilize the talent we have at the OLB position without leaving someone on the sideline for the sake of doing so. Smith, Brooks, Lynch, Herold...where do you get them all in? I admit losing the most accomplished and talented of the bunch today does not make the group better as a whole, but our remaining players at the position are walking in with tons of potential.
I'm not saying that we are without flaws or question marks, but in all honesty, after looking at the turnover in which basically every talking head and media outlet have anointed us to be the bottom of the barrel in the NFC West, are we really in that bad of shape?
Here'es where the eternal optimist and periodic "homer" says hellz no. One month before the season starts is not a time for the fans and faithful to bail and pull the "woe is me" card. Slap your friends in the face and tell them that this season is not lost (yet). Go Niners.
Your post reminds me of this guy:
[ Edited by bzborow1 on Aug 8, 2015 at 12:34 AM ]
Aug 8, 2015 at 12:41 AM
- xcfan
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,873
Mostly new o-line doing it a new way.
Rough waters ahead. We will need points. We wont get points. Defense wont carry team. Few wins. Realistically, few wins.
Might brighten up a bit in second half of season but no opponents are push-overs.
To be a winner, kaep will need to carry team; that wont happen.
Rough waters ahead. We will need points. We wont get points. Defense wont carry team. Few wins. Realistically, few wins.
Might brighten up a bit in second half of season but no opponents are push-overs.
To be a winner, kaep will need to carry team; that wont happen.
Aug 8, 2015 at 1:51 AM
- judodono
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,164
Originally posted by BodhiPaddlesOut:Good points. We're going to miss Ray Mac and Cowboy though, without a doubt. TJE sucks. Dial is alright. Ray Mac was pretty good. And Cowboy wasn't declining much and went out as a full time starter like he said he would. PFF had them rated 11 and 10 respectively.
Carradine still has a lot to prove also. I'm a fan of Dorsey and Williams though.
Darnell Dockett!!
Aug 8, 2015 at 1:53 AM
- captveg
- Veteran
- Posts: 25,758
Next man up. Happens every off-season for every team. The doom and gloom hyperbole is eat overplayed at this point.
[ Edited by captveg on Aug 8, 2015 at 1:53 AM ]
Aug 8, 2015 at 2:36 AM
- Antix
- Veteran
- Posts: 9,840
Smith hurts the worst to me because he ws a young great player. A possible HOFer if he didnt have rocks for brains. Our pass rush was looking to be nasty. Its still prob gonna be pretty good, but this just sucks. Thank God we drafted Harold and hopefully somebody can step up.
Aug 8, 2015 at 6:49 AM
- JTsBiggestFan
- Veteran
- Posts: 7,700
If outright sacks is what matters, then last year Buffalo I think led the league.
Mario Williams is very good but wasn't Aldon/Von/Demarcus level IMHO, so they've gotten it done on that squad somehow some way.
The Lynch/Smith combo I'm sure most of us were looking forward maybe more than anything......naturally we cannot have too many good things.
Mario Williams is very good but wasn't Aldon/Von/Demarcus level IMHO, so they've gotten it done on that squad somehow some way.
The Lynch/Smith combo I'm sure most of us were looking forward maybe more than anything......naturally we cannot have too many good things.
Aug 8, 2015 at 6:53 AM
- socalfan21
- Veteran
- Posts: 20,233
I'll never f**king forget the year we went to the super bowl, Ross Tucker saying something like "the Ravens are winning this... The 49ers can let them have it since they are stacked for years to come. They will be fine." My oh my.
Aug 8, 2015 at 7:01 AM
- 15crabtree
- Member
- Posts: 723
appreciate this post ..for all you harbaugh worshiper...you are welcome to get off the 49er train ...it is a new era ...let jt bring us number 6 ...and one more thing cause of him & his bone head decision we had our first sb loss .......