Wait a minute. Let's just back up.
Last week, we discussed the two rational approaches that were available to the Niners in this free-agency period. One was what I'll now call the "outsider's approach," so named because a GM who'd been hired from elsewhere almost certainly would've taken it. He'd have looked at this roster and simply said, "Anyone I can get rid of is gone." I think the way I put it was, he'd have "taken one look at this 6-and-10 team and gutted the roster, importing a new, more talented core."
This, I strongly implied, was the approach I liked best.
Trent Baalke, however, professed his belief in the "insider's approach." With a natural tendency to overrate a roster he'd helped assemble, he vowed to hold on to "the players that have been under [our] tutelage." Jed York affirmed our commitment to "re-sign our own guys," and he went so far as to say, "We think Jim [Harbaugh] can [win] with this roster."
And so evolved the Niners' plan. Instead of cutting bait and installing new talent all over the field, we'd "re-sign our own guys" and then merely dabble, upgrading at just a position or two.
THIS approach, as I said, "wasn't bad." Despite the questions about our roster, any large-scale changes could wait, at least 'til we saw what Harbaugh could do with it.
This was the Niners' vision for 2011. This was what Baalke said he would do. And he indisputably didn't do it.
Despite having plenty of money to spend, he let nearly all of our "Big Six" go, re-signing only a promoted back-up. He took shot after shot at significant upgrades, and came away empty time after time.
In other words, he set out a plan, and he failed to execute it.
In recent days, I've been accused of "jumping the gun," of failing to "wait for the facts to unfold." But my central point was simply this: he didn't do what he said he would do. On THAT point, at least, no gun could be jumped, no facts could unfold.
He set out a plan, and he failed to execute it.
Now I did assume--reasonably, I think--that Baalke's failure would mean we were done. Would mean that our roster would drop to near zero. Would mean we'd rebuild, "no matter which of the remaining free-agent scraps we pick up."
And HERE'S where things got interesting.
Baalke didn't think it was too late to try the outsider's approach, to go for "a new, more talented core." Impossible, right? By the free-agency period's second wave, the true headliners of course were gone. And, indeed, Baalke's first signing didn't look like much, and maybe his second and third didn't either. They seemed like mere patchwork, lipstick on the proverbial pig. But after his fourth, his fifth, and the rest, they all added up to become something more.
Attempting to quantify it, I consulted a respectable list of the top 100 free agents. Take it with a grain of salt, of course, but Baalke signed #24 (the #3 UFA wideout), #28 (the #5 UFA corner), #43 (the #4 UFA safety), #72 (the #1 UFA kicker), and #89 (the #3 UFA center, and no, David Baas was not on the list). He even added #91, the #3 UFA quarterback: yeah, you guessed it--Alex Smith. (Okay, so maybe we shouldn't celebrate THAT one.) It wasn't exactly the Eagles' haul, and it didn't cure our every need. (Indeed, to be fair, these gains were offset by the losses of #20, #46, and maybe #42.) But for an average team due for a healthy injection of new, talented blood, Baalke didn't do badly at all.
In their inevitable I-told-you-so's, my personal lynch-mob insisted that Baalke had acted "exactly according to what appears to be a well-formulated plan." Sounds great, but there's a bit of revisionist history there. It's easy to say, as he actually did, that his plan all along was "patience," that he chose to wait 'til the second wave. Easy, that is, if you merely ignore his pursuit of, say, Nnamdi Asomugha. C'mon, gang. You can't go for the biggest fish in the free-agent sea and then say, when that fish gets away, your plan was patience all along.
So no. This late flurry had a distinctive flavor of Plan B. Nevertheless, at least on paper--more on that below--Baalke did his basic job. He gave this roster a shot in the arm.
I know that many of you are waiting for me to make some admissions. Okay, here goes. I admit that I didn't expect the "remaining free-agent scraps" to include such talent, and I admit that I didn't expect that Baalke would seize it. And I further admit--with tremendous relief--I was just a bit hasty in saying this season was dead on arrival. (I might even say, at least with THAT, I might've jumped the gun.)
But those of you who are declaring Baalke some kind of genius, you YOURSELVES are jumping the gun. All these guys were "scraps" for a reason; none of 'em were the league's most wanted. (Braylon Edwards might be "most wanted," though not in THAT way.) When your "well-formulated plan" is to wait until the desirables are gone, and then to pay bargain rates for guys who, though talented, are wanted by few if anyone else, executing the plan shouldn't be a big deal. And it certainly doesn't guarantee long-term success; indeed, it's just as likely the thing could implode.
I'm still not sure I trust Trent Baalke. But I can't deny it: I'm excited to see what Harbaugh will do. I'm excited for this season again.
Which leads me to one final admission.
Less than a week after I'd mourned the loss of "all the excitement of Harbaugh's arrival," Baalke did just enough to restore it. Enough to restore it, as strong as before.
-
Tempt
That's the thing about life. Stay prepared so you don't have to get prepared. Seemed he was prepared to piece together a team the coaching staff could work with regardless of circumstance.
Aug 25, 2011 at 11:51 AM
-
RichmondPete
Why do you find it necessary to try and make yourself look brilliant no matter what you are criticizing? Baalke said the niners would be patient. This implies that they won't overspend for any free agent even their own that they would like to keep. He then went out and found upgrades and paid them all less than what our departing starters would have made had we resigned them. This was obviously the plan all along. Trent Baalke doesn't owe us fans a blueprint of his FA strategy, nor should anyone want him to make that public information.
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:06 AM
-
BW
I'll reserve judgment until they've played some real games.
Aug 20, 2011 at 7:20 PM
-
domingo360
"In retrospect, it's pretty clear the 49ers were never serious about adding Nnamdi Asomugha, Chad Ochocinco or other big names in free agency. They've given great weight to dynamics within the locker room when deciding which players to pay handsomely." - Sando
Aug 12, 2011 at 8:36 AM
-
Niner4ever
What a crock!!! Baalke did say before free agency that the team wouldn't be big players. just because they went after some big fish doesn't mean that was the plan all along and then go to plan B if that doesn't work. most of us intelligent fans realize that the play for Nnamdi happened because they didn't expect him to be attainable and figured why not try. it didn't work out which is ok because that was never plan A. free agency seemed to go exactly how Baalke said it would go. now the question is, will it work? that remains to be seen. nice try but your reasoning is shoddy at best.
Aug 11, 2011 at 7:44 AM
-
overthemiddle
KC: That's what I have been trying to say - we just don't know till we get some games behind us. I figure at the off week we MIGHT be able to start to love or hate. The fact of the matter is we just don't know what we have. I personally have wiped the slate clean, the past is the past and the front office the coaches and the players will get a fresh start from me (even Alex). Last year we went 4 - 0 in pre-season and then only won 6 games. Just a reminder.
Aug 10, 2011 at 5:09 PM
-
WildBill
I do not believe it is revisionist on my part. I think you are still in denial. All is there for those who see everything. Baalke said they weren't going to be big players in FA. However, when he found that NA might want to stay in the bay, like any competent GM, he gave it a shot, however, he wasn't going to go overboard and overpay. The same can be said with our own players. He had a value they were worth but did not want to overpay. It is a business after all. Then after the dust had settled he decided to make his move. Yes, he may have gotten lucky with some, especially DW and BE with Harbaugh's help. But all GMs need a little luck of some sort. Look at what the eagles did to the cowboys and jets. Like you said in your revisionist article, it is better to get a bunch of good players, than just one great player, who if he goes down all is lost. Whether they will be good, we shouldn't jump the gun either as they will need to gel together. Cause even with all the talent the heat got, they took a while to gel.
Aug 10, 2011 at 3:14 PM
-
KC
I just have one question for everyone bashing Jeff. If the Niners win 7 games and lose the division were Trent's moves the right ones? Was Jeff still wrong? The point is, what makes Trent successful at his job? Is it the playoffs? Is it a one-game improvement? The fact of the matter is this...on this roster there are more questions than answers, which is very rarely a GOOD thing, and that's Baalke's job. The only SURE things on this team are Vernon, Justin Smith, Frank, Staley, and PW. I know, I know, we can never be sure...ok fine, guys we KNOW would start on most teams then...the list might include Whitner, Goodwin, Braylon, Crabs, and maybe Rogers. Spencer didn't play very well last year either and neither did Dashon. It's a mistake to say that Nate was THE issue and that we have solved the problems on D. Manny Lawson was the same guy Aldon Smith was in college, that's not to say Aldon won't be more effective but we just don't know. The front office hasn't really earned the benefit of the doubt in the last 5 years and that is the point and why Jeff is more than free to assume otherwise. Blind faith in Baalke or any decision the FRONT OFFICE makes is foolhardy.
Aug 10, 2011 at 1:05 PM
-
Corey Wong
The only constant going in and out of seasons is Alex Smith. You can surround him with a better cast, and every year we believed we did, but every single year, it changes nothing. As long as Alex Smith is behind the wheel, be prepared for the same old. And with Trent Baalke (brown-noser) and cheapo York Jr (kid with no NFL experience) holding the reins, we ain't going nowhere folks. If we can be .500 this season, I will attribute all that to Jim Harbaugh. Expectantly, I will watch from the sideline with amusement.
Aug 9, 2011 at 8:30 PM
-
José Lages
Strange thing you only answer positive backup comments or to defend yourself, explaining your thoughts. That guy is right. This is BIG EGO attitude. Sorry, dude.
Aug 9, 2011 at 12:24 PM
-
William Justin Stewart
I'm happy to see that someone so impatient can show some humility. Football is a process, not a science experiment. People have egos and their families at interest, as well as money and other things of that nature. Trent is merely trying to take everything in accord, including non-football-minded owners, and create a team that should take the weakest division in the league. Cheers to your loyalty to my life-long team, and i hope to meet you when i make my trek from the east coast to candlestick this year.
Aug 9, 2011 at 11:25 AM
-
NYerturnerninerfan
You know you really sound like a complete jackwagon saying that by merely pursuing Nnamdi Baalke did exactly what he said he wasn't going to do. If Baalke did not at least make an offer to Nnamdi, as a fan I would have been pissed. If you have a need for a position and there is a COMPLETE STUD available you at least ask the stud to the prom, you don't just let him go with someone else. As far as your ranking of some of the FA you did seem to leave out a few, I feel like we got a major upgrade at center and with the D-line looking good and the 49ers LBs looking above average the 49ers do not need superstar studs in the secondary, they just need people who can cover and they def. got that. I mean look at it this way, they play in the NFC west, not exactly a QB-heavy division. There is a QB in the works and a guy who never looked great in Philly but we all heard how amazing he was. You cannot truly start judging Baalke for at least a full season, let's see what he is going to do next offseason and in the draft before we string him up.
Aug 9, 2011 at 10:16 AM
-
STL Niner Fan
Sigh....I'm sorry but these were two of the worst articles/commentaries I have ever read....ever. Please stop already. You're embarrassing yourself and I'm embarrassed for you.
Aug 9, 2011 at 9:03 AM
-
VA49er
Talk about revisionist history. The bottom line is you said that Baalke had outright failed in free agency. He addressed all the needs, he didn't make any big splashes. Which the team said all along would be the approach. There is an argument that he upgraded safety, corner, and center, and no doubt he upgraded the receiver spot. You yourself pointed out that he didn't have much dropoff in positions which walked outright and in the case of Lawson and Spikes we are clearly looking within to fill those needs. We also looked within along the line with the exception of the glaring need at center. What is the point of this piece other than to say that you told us so even when you told us nothing. Put down the haterade for a minute.
Aug 9, 2011 at 8:19 AM
-
TarHeelNiner
Somewhat disingenuous to criticize the failure to follow the "plan" when you don't know what the plan was. Unless the team communicated the "plan" to you privately, this opinion is based upon their failure to execute an assumed plan. It seems to me that the plan was to upgrade several key positions, keeping the core intact, but not to overspend to do so. Seems completely consistent with that plan to attempt to sign big names when it appears they may be available because they want to stay in the area or some other reason. Baalke, in fact, made a play that we all wanted him to make for Nnamdi but didn't overpay. I, for one, am pleased with what I perceive as the plan and the team's execution. Remember that this is not a team that is one shutdown corner away from the Lombardi trophy. The plan has to account for the future. I am also pleased that the details of the plan are not publicly available to pundits or the public. I have not been this encouraged in at least 17 years.
Aug 9, 2011 at 5:23 AM
-
mdoran4
i like that they made a push for a star like Nnamdi because you know he's worth the money that it takes to get him on your team. but remaining patient with guys that aren't worth overpaying for, works with me. seems logical. Time for Harbaugh and his staff to work their magic!
Aug 8, 2011 at 6:52 PM
-
Scott
Nice try Kaplan. I'm still trying to figure out who has the bigger egos, receivers or reporters who get caught writing lousy articles? Just like Cohn when he screws up, he tries to spin it to make out like he didn't make an idiot of himself.
Aug 8, 2011 at 6:08 PM
-
overthemiddle
FourMo - interesting point about the FAs making other teams spend more than they would have.
Aug 8, 2011 at 5:57 PM
-
Mike
Jeff... Go away, already... Nice attempt to redeem yourself. How are we jumping the gun? Nobody expected a super-bowl contender overnight. We may not have made the huge splash, but we have signed 3 former first-round picks who are hungry to 1-year deals. And i love the Whitner signing! In two days we went from a possible 4-win team to right back in the division hunt. Nnamdi wasn't going to fix the defense all by himself. I really can't believe they still let you write your garbage on this website. I have zero respect for your work.
Aug 8, 2011 at 2:25 PM
-
Brian
Jeff, Kind of weak that you hold Baalke solely responsible for us not getting Asomugha. When you're arguably the best corner in the league, all 32 teams want you and inevitably someone will lose out. This time it happened to be us. And Houston. And the Jets. The only mishap I see on his part was not moving on Johnathan Joseph sooner especially when it became obvious that Nnamdi was in no rush to make a decision, but he (somewhat) made up for that with Carlos Rogers. Add in the rest of our free agent haul (including the return of Goldson) and even his staunchest critic has to admit, Baalke did a hell of a job in free agency. We addressed our needs with good players, and didn't overpay for anyone in the process. Now, whether these moves pan out and finally get us back to the playoffs remain to be seen, but for the time being I will give credit where it's due. Baalke and the front office did a great job.
Aug 8, 2011 at 2:17 PM
-
Johnny
Am I missing something here? Now all of a sudden we all think Baalke is doing ok? Getting guys who never played to their potential like Braylon Edwards has turned this offseason into a success? Not even close. Nothing about this offseason was good except the signing of Harbaugh and we really won't be able to see what he can do as a coach until he has a real roster to work with. This quote says it all: "All these guys were "scraps" for a reason; none of ‘em were the league's most wanted." How is "waiting for the 2nd wave" (aka less talented) a good plan? I'm ashamed of your backpedaling Mr. Kaplan. Football isn't a sport where a bunch of misfits can win...You need some elite players at important positions and we have exactly ONE...#52. We will be lucky to sniff 6-10 this season.
Aug 8, 2011 at 12:55 PM
-
DRUSTOPO
aaaaaaaannnndd now that we got one of the "Big 6" back...the youngest and most talented by the way? And that Trent got most of the guys on 1-year deals to stay flexible for next year and beyond? Think he had a plan? With the amount of FA's available and the limited amount of time to swing deals before game one of the preseason, it looks like Baalke's wait and see approach was the way it should have been played for a team that WAS NEVER going to be just one player away from a ring like the Eagles. Your half-hearted admission that you jumped the gun is laughable, you GOT PUNKED! You took your shot, closed your eyes, swung for the fences and LOST. You saw all the headlines with trades and FA pickups in WEEK 1 and got an itchy trigger finger. It's OK, happens to us all, glad to see that you jumped off and back on the train while it was still in the station. GO 9ERS!!!!
Aug 8, 2011 at 12:11 PM
-
FourMoBowls
Another angle with Baalke's public pursuit of the big-name free agents is to drive up the price for the players, with no intention of ever being serious of signing them. Remember, teams do not let players they want make it to free agency. In response to Al's concern about the defensive front three, this year the focus is not about stopping the running game. It's about attacking and disrupting the passing game. So we will see the highly ranked run defense slip a bit this year.
Aug 8, 2011 at 11:40 AM
-
Dan
We upgraded our quarterback by getting a man with an offensive plan. The quarterback is upgraded folks, just by getting rid of Mr. I don't think we even need a quarterback except someone has to hand the ball to Frank. The quarterback position is officially upgraded because Baalke got the most quarterback-savvy coach available as soon as last season's fiasco was officially over. You can bash Baalke all you want people but don't forget - he got us Harbaugh. He's literally a rookie at GM so I can maybe understand people being apprehensive, but bashing the guy is unbecoming after he got us all not only exactly what we wanted, but what we needed in a coach. Jeff, you did jump the gun a little there and I'm surprised to see the half-hearted retraction-like follow up. I didn't think it was a part of your personality but I respect the attempt. I don't think you need to backpedal when you screw up as a columnist or blogger because you are not meant to be an authority, just an opinion. You put yourself out there so people can love or hate your opinion. I only hope you stick to your honest opinion, and let others have their honest opposite and brutal opinion when responding to your commentary.
Aug 8, 2011 at 11:26 AM
-
rob
Nice try at cleaning it up... just admit it... you were way wrong and it made you look like a dummy!
Aug 8, 2011 at 10:58 AM
-
Ryan
Well-written, Jeff. Like you, I also wait on the season to see the full told. I expect us to be competitive and the coaching (note we were NOT being coached before) to push us to respectability. We've been on the brink for a while now.
Aug 8, 2011 at 10:09 AM
-
Gmoney
This is great great news. I actually like what the Niners did this offseason even though it took them a while to find their stride. The best part? Baalke stayed true to his long-term plan of not going nuts in free agency and signing our own guys to good contracts. Baas went for big money and we signed a replacement of equal value for less. Franklin left but I think that was planned due to their belief in Soap as a potentially dominant anchor on defense and the emergence of McDonald. With the addition of Rogers and Whitner, and the signing of Goldson, we now have a far better secondary than we did last year. Factor in Aldon coming off the edge and Edwards giving us a legit #1 on offense and all of a sudden this team looks to have better talent than last year AND superior coaching. I look forward to watching them grow together. The lockout is going to make things hard on us, as is the tough schedule, so our final W/L may not show the improvement, but I have a feeling we are going to be watching far crisper, better, and more well thought out football this season. Here's to hoping.
Aug 8, 2011 at 10:00 AM
-
domingo360
I don't know how anyone can say that Baalke changed his plan when the only thing that they specified about said plan was that it required patience. The author, in this case, is making excuses for his gross misreading of the intentions of the front office when he declared Baalke a failure in his previous article. Quit trying to be a shock merchant and you won't have to apologize so often.
Aug 8, 2011 at 9:28 AM
-
Al Wharton
Don't know what to say, the only area of the team that concerns me is the DL, if Sop don't hold we are in trouble cuz Willis will be blocked all day long. Now the Rook, everyone says he looks good even great so hopefully that will compensate for the loss but i still worry about not addressing the DT in Draft or FAgency. I did the same thing, i jumped the gun like you and many others cuz we were excited about the season. we got players that are trying to prove to themselves and the league that they can play. God help us if we are 0-5, I don't think we have the talent to compete with our division rivals, cuz every team upgraded the qb except us!
Aug 8, 2011 at 9:08 AM
-
Michael
Well played, Mr. Kaplan, well played. I would have to say, even for a regular Kaplan-basher like me, you deserve a considerable amount of respect for writing this article.
Aug 8, 2011 at 8:59 AM
-
overthemiddle
Jeff I totally agree with you on the fact that the ones that are thinking Baalke is some kind of genius are also jumping the gun. It's too early to tell on his job performance as this truly is his first year. I know he was here last year but to me this is really his draft and his hires. You need not eat crow, it doesn't become you. To get better one has to FAIRLY critique oneself. You critiqued Baalke on what he said. Remember, management in all job descriptions need to be critiqued as a lot of times they talk out of both sides of their mouths. Baalke said we would not be major players in FAs. What he did shows that we were a major player but we just didn't go after the big FAs with much passion. Keep up the good work Jeff, right or wrong I will read you as you speak what you believe to be the truth and you can't fault any man for that.
Aug 8, 2011 at 8:38 AM
-
Terry B.
Jeff is right. It's painfully obvious that this was not Baalke's original plan. When you're building for the future, you don't jettison a 25-year-old center for a 32-year-old center. You go in the other direction, like the Giants did when they dumped O'Hara for Baas, or like the Saints did when they dumped Goodwin for Tennant. Sure, Goodwin might be better for a year or two, but now it's just one more unsettled position at which you need to start planning for the future. And don't get me started on Braylon Edwards, who alternates between leading the league in drops and getting into bar fights. There's a reason that we got him for cheaper than the felon Plaxico Burress: no one else wanted him. And what happened to Baalke's plan to only sign "gold star" players? Either you have that plan or you don't. If you do, you don't sign Braylon Edwards. If you don't, then stop saying you do, build a bigger draft board, and draft some decent players. The Edwards signing has a whiff of desperation--a la Mike Shanahan signing Dale Carter and Daryl Gardner. Too bad Crabtree turning out to be a wimp and a diva forced Baalke to be desperate so soon.
Aug 8, 2011 at 8:00 AM
-
CaliDreamin
Just look at the headlines to Jeff's last 4 articles... "Just Like That, Baalke Fails", "Are You Smarter Than A General Manager", "Just Barely, Baalke Delivers", and "To Get Harbaugh's QB, Baalke Must Do Whatever It Takes". Almost all have a negative connotation towards Trent Baalke. It's like Fox News reporting on President Obama, he's never going to win with them. Jeff, what is your deal? I'm truly curious...
Aug 8, 2011 at 7:25 AM
-
Darrell G
Jeff, I think some never got the reporter vs. columnist comparison and likely never will. That said, I disagree with you more often than I agree, but you still have a tremendous amount of credibility with me and this article highlights why. It takes a strong person to evaluate and challenge their thinking, especially in such a public manner. I may disagree with you, but I never have to question your intellectual honesty. Props !!!!
Aug 8, 2011 at 5:15 AM
-
Jeremy
Hello Jeff, just finished this article and it was a good read. I'd say that just because Baalke went after Nmandi doesn't mean he wasn't going for the patience plan though. It would be irresponsible for him not to throw our hat in the ring for anybody with as much skill as Asomugha. I say he was being patient. He did his job and shopped around for the big names, but didn't act like a little kid in a candy store. He waited for the guys he felt we needed that would sign for the right price. Instead of buying the fancy computer that's in the front of the store, he waited for a decent computer on sale. Not that you're going to pass that good-looking one up without giving it a once-over though.
Aug 8, 2011 at 3:52 AM
-
Maui Dave
Nice backpedal but purely speculation. Maybe we offered Nnamdi a better contract and he just went with the better team that has a SB shot. Our "big 6" as you called them were the stars of a 6-win team and guess what, no other GMs were shelling out big bucks or long-term deals with the exception of the G-men overpaying Baas. We upgraded for a much more cap-friendly deal with Goodwin. Aldon Smith is looking like an upgrade over Manny, Rogers has better cover skills than Nate. Nobody wants Goldson at his self-inflated asking price (last S on the FA market). Franklin a one-year wonder got a 1-year tryout, TKO was good but a 3-year deal? Dude is old. We got a couple veteran safeties, a WR, and an all-pro kicker. Regardless of how you want to spin it we have more talent now than before and the new staff is building a team in their image. That is Baalke's biggest accomplishment, getting rid of the idiot Samurai Mike and his stone-age x's & o's and bringing in the top HC available. All in all, Trent has done a commendable job. Not calling him a genius but he hasn't FAILED as you stated.
Aug 8, 2011 at 12:33 AM
-
Matt
You are assuming that Baalke and company were laying out their exact plan up front for everyone to see, which would have been stupid. Also, whining about them not signing any big-name free agents and now criticizing them for making inquiries into those free agents is utter hypocrisy. I contend that Baalke did have a plan in place and they executed it. Part of that plan was doing due diligence on the big-name free agents just in case any of them might be persuaded to come to SF for a good price. Hard to argue with that even though SF didn't land any of them. The next step of the plan was to sign second-tier starting-caliber players to upgrade the roster. Mission accomplished.
Aug 7, 2011 at 11:27 PM
-
The_Real_Randy
Hey Jeff, why are you going so soft on Baalke now? IMO it's because you didn't properly focus your attacks on him in your last column. Lawson wasn't worth crying over; Spikes wanted to go to a contender regardless of money; let somebody else overpay for Franklin and watch his production nosedive like every other contract-yr overachiever at his position (Baalke does deserve criticism for not drafting a DL this yr though). Goldson? Puleez, I doubt he'll even be in the NFL next yr after the egg he laid this season. Where Baalke screwed the pooch was on Baas. He should have had a fat juicy contract for him ready to go the second Heitmann went down (thanks for the yrs of service, Eric) but he got caught napping AGAIN. Facing a lost season (don't kid yourself), his bright idea was to give $5 mil to Alex. Really, the best thing to do here would have been to sign a bunch of scub QBs and let them take the beating that comes with having a new offense, a lack of sufficient time to practice it, and no continuity at center while Colin studies. The more he plays this yr, the less he'll play in the yrs that follow. And Braylon Edwards? Don't make me laugh.
Aug 7, 2011 at 10:54 PM
-
k evans
You are really beginning to grow on me...kinda like a rash but you tickle instead of burn. I was just wondering if you go to that funny church... you know the one that said the world would end and when it didn't they said "oh we made some miscalculations and the world ends 6 months from now." Ratto Jr. LOL that's what you should go by, LITTLE RAY RATTO...
Aug 7, 2011 at 10:37 PM
-
Shane
jeff, i thought that was simple enough, but very nice follow-up article. I have heard of beating a dead horse but i think there have been nine lives beaten out of this cat!!! so moving on, I did wanna touch on something you mentioned earlier in the week and again in this article and that's the coaching!! It just feels like it's different this year. Harbaugh seems so much more hands-on and it's obvious his football IQ is so much higher than the caveman style of Sing. Like you said, the play clock, the 3-hour time periods, the game jersey! it's just attention to detail. I'm really excited about the development of some of the guys we have been grooming now that we have REAL coaching! guys like reggie smith, ICE, Bowman, T Brown, RayMac, the WRs, the O-line. The new FAs and the rookies. I feel like there is so much talent on this roster, so much potential that's getting its first real chance. Only 2 main concerns at this time: injuries. is it just me or are there an unusual amount of injuries (lockout?), and this is the NFL, you have nothing if you have no QB. so can Harbaugh provide enough magic in that position to have us win the west!!? I'm starting to believe.
Aug 7, 2011 at 9:38 PM
-
louie
Jeff, no need to eat crow. Baalke hasn't proven anything yet, except that he makes the boy prince feel more comfortable than, say, hiring a real GM. Personally, as I've stated before, I don't think Harbaugh would have been happy with keeping last year's group. If he could, he'd probably get rid of more of them. What they have now is a defense with more promise than last year's even though they didn't sign any big names. I'm happy about that but it certainly didn't take any great chops on Baalke's part. It means that last year's group wasn't too good even though Baalke had helped assemble that mess. The offense has a little more promise as well, but coaching and playcalling will be the biggest difference, not any great moves from Baalke. He plugged some holes on a team so needy that it didn't take any special GM talent. Bad teams can be improved easily. What's next will be the real test for Baalke.
Aug 7, 2011 at 9:10 PM
-
Mason
I hate to break it to you, but the guys we let go were not "our guys." That's why they don't play for us anymore. Your vision of this team likely differs from the coaches' vision of this team. If you were behind closed doors with TB and JH, and heard the discussions they've had about this team, then maybe this article would have credibility. As it stands, though, you can't swallow your pride and admit you were wrong. Case in point, if Goldson was "our guy," he wouldn't still be on the market and we wouldn't have a replacement.
Aug 7, 2011 at 8:55 PM
-
ChanDahController
I totally disagree with your last article and this current article you called an apology or said uncle on. Seriously?! You didn't just jump the gun? You basically unloaded it like Plaxico shooting himself in his leg. But come on, it's only Baalke's first offseason as the GM and his first week of free agency. HELLO??? Didn't Baalke and Jed tell the media that the 49ers will not be big players in the Free Agent market??? Don't get me wrong, I would have jumped the gun and shot myself in the foot too if he landed Nnamdi. hahaha... Alright let's break down Baalke's acquisitions: Goodwin: a 2-time pro bowler or Baas for 25 mil? Goodwin. Clements, old and can't cover, or Rogers, 4th best free agent CB and cheap? Rogers. Whitner, solid 100+ tackler or Goldson, what did he do for the Niners? I'll take Whitner, a proven, solid DB that was picked in the 1st round. I truly believe Baalke knows what he's doing and has a plan and is sticking to it. And probably upgraded the team with solid starters for other teams and that can start for other teams instead of resigning BIG HEADED backup players that think that they are good a la Goldson and Clements and Spikes and Baas doing a 180 going after the money.
Aug 7, 2011 at 8:51 PM
-
Adrian
The key quote I wanted to read, "I'm excited for football again." Mr. Kaplan you are a fan just like all of us. No need to doom and gloom before a preseason game! Wait till a few games, if we go 0-5 then I look forward to your next article lol. Go niners! Keep up the good work sir.
Aug 7, 2011 at 8:44 PM