Praise for Baalke

Originally posted by SF69ers:
I do like Baalke's approach. The Culliver pick bothered me a bit, but the Bruce Miller pick all but made up for it. I just hope Culliver turns out decent and Johnny Patrick doesn't become an all star.

I think many of you are not recognizing what the Niners were thinking with the Culliver pick.

First, Culliver was considered by many to be the second ranked FS in the entire draft. That alone would warrant the 80th pick. Maddog had him rated exactly at 80th on his draft board (good call, MD!). Plus, with D Goldson a FA and coming off a poor season and little depth behind him, FS is a strong need on this team.

Now, that being said, the Niners believe that Culliver has the raw skills and speed to play CB. Culliver only played CB for half of a college season so he has very little experience at that position. The Niners think that, with proper coaching, he can play on the corner. If that turns out to be the case, then great. If it turns out that he can't play CB for whatever reason, he can probably be a very solid starter at FS. Win/win...IMHO.

For those of you who think Culliver is another Reggie Smith.....that is an understandable sentiment. Here is the difference. Culliver is a much better athlete. This guy is 6', 200 lbs. and can run a 4.4 40! How many FSs can run a 4.4? Not many. The Niners realized that they needed to upgrade the speed in their secondary and they truly did that. Colin Jones ran a 4.36 40 and he is a SS!! At the very least, the Niners have 2 safety prospects who can absolutely fly.

Lastly, many think that secondary coach Ed Donatell lobbied for the Culliver pick. Point being that Baalke respects and listens to his coaching staff......which spent months researching these picks. Just saying.

[ Edited by nw9erfan on May 10, 2011 at 10:18:43 ]

Originally posted by nw9erfan:

Originally posted by SF69ers:
I do like Baalke's approach. The Culliver pick bothered me a bit, but the Bruce Miller pick all but made up for it. I just hope Culliver turns out decent and Johnny Patrick doesn't become an all star.

I think many of you are not recognizing what the Niners were thinking with the Culliver pick.

First, Culliver was considered by many to be the second ranked FS in the entire draft. That alone would warrant the 80th pick. Maddog had him rated exactly at 80th on his draft board (good call, MD!). Plus, with D Goldson a FA and coming off a poor season and little depth behind him, FS is a strong need on this team.

Now, that being said, the Niners believe that Culliver has the raw skills and speed to play CB. Culliver only played CB for half of a college season so he has very little experience at that position. The Niners think that, with proper coaching, he can play on the corner. If that turns out to be the case, then great. If it turns out that he can't play CB for whatever reason, he can probably be a very solid starter at FS. Win/win...IMHO.

For those of you who think Culliver is another Reggie Smith.....that is an understandable sentiment. Here is the difference. Culliver is a much better athlete. This guy is 6', 200 lbs. and can run a 4.4 40! How many FSs can run a 4.4? Not many. The Niners realized that the needed to upgrade the speed in their secondary and they truly did that. Colin Jones ran a 4.36 40 and he is a SS!! At the very least, the Niners have 2 safety prospects who can absolutely fly.

Lastly, many think that secondary coach Ed Donatell lobbied for the Culliver pick. Point being that Baalke respects and listens to his coaching staff......which spent months researching these picks. Just saying.

I'm not saying that Culliver can't become a good player. He definitely has the tools and with proper coaching, he can be a pretty good player. I just had Johnny Patrick rated above him as a player.

Originally posted by RichmondPete:

Originally posted by 9erguy:

Originally posted by RichmondPete:
Don't you guys know that God has a big board? Baalke definitely reached for Culliver...

If he turns out to be a decent pro, we should be satisfied. 3rd round picks rarely become superstars. Honestly, as a multi-tool player, if he contributes as a returner and/or nickel back, I'm satisfied.

i was being sarcastic. Baalke/Harbaugh/Fangio picked who they liked so I am on board

sweet..wasnt hating, just saying what I thought about him

Originally posted by SF69ers:

Originally posted by nw9erfan:

Originally posted by SF69ers:
I do like Baalke's approach. The Culliver pick bothered me a bit, but the Bruce Miller pick all but made up for it. I just hope Culliver turns out decent and Johnny Patrick doesn't become an all star.

I think many of you are not recognizing what the Niners were thinking with the Culliver pick.

First, Culliver was considered by many to be the second ranked FS in the entire draft. That alone would warrant the 80th pick. Maddog had him rated exactly at 80th on his draft board (good call, MD!). Plus, with D Goldson a FA and coming off a poor season and little depth behind him, FS is a strong need on this team.

Now, that being said, the Niners believe that Culliver has the raw skills and speed to play CB. Culliver only played CB for half of a college season so he has very little experience at that position. The Niners think that, with proper coaching, he can play on the corner. If that turns out to be the case, then great. If it turns out that he can't play CB for whatever reason, he can probably be a very solid starter at FS. Win/win...IMHO.

For those of you who think Culliver is another Reggie Smith.....that is an understandable sentiment. Here is the difference. Culliver is a much better athlete. This guy is 6', 200 lbs. and can run a 4.4 40! How many FSs can run a 4.4? Not many. The Niners realized that the needed to upgrade the speed in their secondary and they truly did that. Colin Jones ran a 4.36 40 and he is a SS!! At the very least, the Niners have 2 safety prospects who can absolutely fly.

Lastly, many think that secondary coach Ed Donatell lobbied for the Culliver pick. Point being that Baalke respects and listens to his coaching staff......which spent months researching these picks. Just saying.

I'm not saying that Culliver can't become a good player. He definitely has the tools and with proper coaching, he can be a pretty good player. I just had Johnny Patrick rated above him as a player.

The Culliver pick had me boggled too, but that's only because I was thinking NT and wanted Sione Fua. But also wanted Johnny Patrick too, we needed more of a true CB at the position.

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by SF69ers:

Originally posted by nw9erfan:

Originally posted by SF69ers:
I do like Baalke's approach. The Culliver pick bothered me a bit, but the Bruce Miller pick all but made up for it. I just hope Culliver turns out decent and Johnny Patrick doesn't become an all star.

I think many of you are not recognizing what the Niners were thinking with the Culliver pick.

First, Culliver was considered by many to be the second ranked FS in the entire draft. That alone would warrant the 80th pick. Maddog had him rated exactly at 80th on his draft board (good call, MD!). Plus, with D Goldson a FA and coming off a poor season and little depth behind him, FS is a strong need on this team.

Now, that being said, the Niners believe that Culliver has the raw skills and speed to play CB. Culliver only played CB for half of a college season so he has very little experience at that position. The Niners think that, with proper coaching, he can play on the corner. If that turns out to be the case, then great. If it turns out that he can't play CB for whatever reason, he can probably be a very solid starter at FS. Win/win...IMHO.

For those of you who think Culliver is another Reggie Smith.....that is an understandable sentiment. Here is the difference. Culliver is a much better athlete. This guy is 6', 200 lbs. and can run a 4.4 40! How many FSs can run a 4.4? Not many. The Niners realized that the needed to upgrade the speed in their secondary and they truly did that. Colin Jones ran a 4.36 40 and he is a SS!! At the very least, the Niners have 2 safety prospects who can absolutely fly.

Lastly, many think that secondary coach Ed Donatell lobbied for the Culliver pick. Point being that Baalke respects and listens to his coaching staff......which spent months researching these picks. Just saying.

I'm not saying that Culliver can't become a good player. He definitely has the tools and with proper coaching, he can be a pretty good player. I just had Johnny Patrick rated above him as a player.

The Culliver pick had me boggled too, but that's only because I was thinking NT and wanted Sione Fua. But also wanted Johnny Patrick too, we needed more of a true CB at the position.

My hopes tend to be higher when the team is willing to gamble on a player, at least it shows they know what they are looking for. Exactly why I loved the Aldon Smith pick.

Originally posted by RichmondPete:

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by SF69ers:

Originally posted by nw9erfan:

Originally posted by SF69ers:
I do like Baalke's approach. The Culliver pick bothered me a bit, but the Bruce Miller pick all but made up for it. I just hope Culliver turns out decent and Johnny Patrick doesn't become an all star.

I think many of you are not recognizing what the Niners were thinking with the Culliver pick.

First, Culliver was considered by many to be the second ranked FS in the entire draft. That alone would warrant the 80th pick. Maddog had him rated exactly at 80th on his draft board (good call, MD!). Plus, with D Goldson a FA and coming off a poor season and little depth behind him, FS is a strong need on this team.

Now, that being said, the Niners believe that Culliver has the raw skills and speed to play CB. Culliver only played CB for half of a college season so he has very little experience at that position. The Niners think that, with proper coaching, he can play on the corner. If that turns out to be the case, then great. If it turns out that he can't play CB for whatever reason, he can probably be a very solid starter at FS. Win/win...IMHO.

For those of you who think Culliver is another Reggie Smith.....that is an understandable sentiment. Here is the difference. Culliver is a much better athlete. This guy is 6', 200 lbs. and can run a 4.4 40! How many FSs can run a 4.4? Not many. The Niners realized that the needed to upgrade the speed in their secondary and they truly did that. Colin Jones ran a 4.36 40 and he is a SS!! At the very least, the Niners have 2 safety prospects who can absolutely fly.

Lastly, many think that secondary coach Ed Donatell lobbied for the Culliver pick. Point being that Baalke respects and listens to his coaching staff......which spent months researching these picks. Just saying.

I'm not saying that Culliver can't become a good player. He definitely has the tools and with proper coaching, he can be a pretty good player. I just had Johnny Patrick rated above him as a player.

The Culliver pick had me boggled too, but that's only because I was thinking NT and wanted Sione Fua. But also wanted Johnny Patrick too, we needed more of a true CB at the position.

My hopes tend to be higher when the team is willing to gamble on a player, at least it shows they know what they are looking for. Exactly why I loved the Aldon Smith pick.

Good points all, guys. I guess the last thing I would reiterate is that Baalke, Harbaugh and his staff had 3 full months to focus almost entirely on the draft....and these guys are football junkies. They watched literally weeks of film. They were tireless in their research. What may seem a reach to us may seem like a bargain to them. I heard that Culliver, for example, was rising on most teams' draft boards at the time of the draft.

I'm sure the Niners were quite aware of Patrick and how he would fit in with the team they envision going forward. If Culliver turns out to be a bust and Patrick is a Pro Bowler, by all means let the criticisms fly!!

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by SF69ers:

Originally posted by nw9erfan:

Originally posted by SF69ers:
I do like Baalke's approach. The Culliver pick bothered me a bit, but the Bruce Miller pick all but made up for it. I just hope Culliver turns out decent and Johnny Patrick doesn't become an all star.

I think many of you are not recognizing what the Niners were thinking with the Culliver pick.

First, Culliver was considered by many to be the second ranked FS in the entire draft. That alone would warrant the 80th pick. Maddog had him rated exactly at 80th on his draft board (good call, MD!). Plus, with D Goldson a FA and coming off a poor season and little depth behind him, FS is a strong need on this team.

Now, that being said, the Niners believe that Culliver has the raw skills and speed to play CB. Culliver only played CB for half of a college season so he has very little experience at that position. The Niners think that, with proper coaching, he can play on the corner. If that turns out to be the case, then great. If it turns out that he can't play CB for whatever reason, he can probably be a very solid starter at FS. Win/win...IMHO.

For those of you who think Culliver is another Reggie Smith.....that is an understandable sentiment. Here is the difference. Culliver is a much better athlete. This guy is 6', 200 lbs. and can run a 4.4 40! How many FSs can run a 4.4? Not many. The Niners realized that the needed to upgrade the speed in their secondary and they truly did that. Colin Jones ran a 4.36 40 and he is a SS!! At the very least, the Niners have 2 safety prospects who can absolutely fly.

Lastly, many think that secondary coach Ed Donatell lobbied for the Culliver pick. Point being that Baalke respects and listens to his coaching staff......which spent months researching these picks. Just saying.

I'm not saying that Culliver can't become a good player. He definitely has the tools and with proper coaching, he can be a pretty good player. I just had Johnny Patrick rated above him as a player.

The Culliver pick had me boggled too, but that's only because I was thinking NT and wanted Sione Fua. But also wanted Johnny Patrick too, we needed more of a true CB at the position.

I think its his height and physicality that fits in with what Fangio wants to do. We will be a pass rush team first and what good is a pass rush if you have a short corner who gets out-jumped for balls...cough...Clements.

A CB doesn't need elite speed if the plan is to hit the receiver off his route and compete for jump balls a pressured QB will quickly throw up.

Originally posted by RichmondPete:
Don't you guys know that God has a big board? Baalke definitely reached for Culliver...

Just a question. What the hell constitutes a "reach"?? Is it going off of what Mel Kiper or Todd McShay say?? Or have you actually watched these guys in person?

Because personally I've seen Culliver 4 times against Georgia, Alabama and Florida in his college career. Believe me when I say the kid more than held his own.

Sometimes we look at picks and think they should just slide right into place, when in truth, they actually make your offense or defense more versatile and gives a coach options on how to confuse the offense or defense. Imagine putting Culliver in the nickel slot with 2 other safeties. The offense probably wouldnt know whether its blitz, zone or man because of the versatility he brings to the field.

Sn: Do not rule out Culliver moving to FS and Goldson moving in the box at SS.

Originally posted by reasonable1:

Originally posted by RichmondPete:
Don't you guys know that God has a big board? Baalke definitely reached for Culliver...

Just a question. What the hell constitutes a "reach"?? Is it going off of what Mel Kiper or Todd McShay say?? Or have you actually watched these guys in person?

Because personally I've seen Culliver 4 times against Georgia, Alabama and Florida in his college career. Believe me when I say the kid more than held his own.

Sometimes we look at picks and think they should just slide right into place, when in truth, they actually make your offense or defense more versatile and gives a coach options on how to confuse the offense or defense. Imagine putting Culliver in the nickel slot with 2 other safeties. The offense probably wouldnt know whether its blitz, zone or man because of the versatility he brings to the field.

Sn: Do not rule out Culliver moving to FS and Goldson moving in the box at SS.

I was being sarcastic. The term "reach" is just another way for someone to say they may be wrong about the player without admitting they were wrong.

Originally posted by susweel:
Yah let praise him for continuously reaching throughout the entire draft.

Like everything else on paper it may seem like a reach, but they don't play on paper. Plus coaches have a great say how the players develope. As Chris Berman likes to say....and thats why they play the game.

You won't know till after three years.

Originally posted by SF69ers:
I'm not saying that Culliver can't become a good player. He definitely has the tools and with proper coaching, he can be a pretty good player. I just had Johnny Patrick rated above him as a player.

How fast was Patrick? Maybe he was too slow for what Fangio wants to do just as I am too lazy to look up Patricks 40.

Originally posted by SF69ers:

Originally posted by susweel:
Yah let praise him for continuously reaching throughout the entire draft.

Every team reaches during the draft. A team's draft board could be completely different from what we see from the guys at NFLN or ESPN.

No don't speak intelligently. This is the WZ, we overreact and exaggerate everything!

[ Edited by DonnieDarko on May 10, 2011 at 17:02:04 ]

I don't hate or love Baalke, but I believe in giving him a chance. His picks aren't all bad, but have proven a little unpopular to those who develope a love fest for particular players.

I believe in giving him a chance you can't truly judge him till after 5 years when his first three drafts will show what kind of players he was choosen.

I will say this to those who thought Baalke would not get the coaching staff what they wanted and would be a dictator and choose only players he likes, look at the draft he got them players singletary and harbaugh the players they wanted to develope. At the same time he pull the trigger and Baalked (pun intended) to move up in getting the player he wanted, he did what it takes, but won't be suckered into overpaying.

Harbuagh shook his hand and congratulated him and had big grin after the draft.

I sure hope Baalke was not pounding the table for Mays, Rachal and Balmer.

His fingerprints on this draft will pretty much come down to these two players: Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick. If Gabbert ends up the better pro, and a solid franchise QB, as I expect, then Baalke will be known as the guy who passed on him for a redshirt sophomore OLB.

Gonna pass on praising him now. The Niners' fans were elated with new head coach Mike Singletary about two years ago.

P.S. I graded this draft class below average compared to the other teams in the draft, but will be pleased to eat crow if wrong.

[ Edited by MadDog49er on May 10, 2011 at 18:52:22 ]

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
For those that are uncomfortable with the Baalke draft, esp concerning the status of our OL, two things:

1) Remember, we have not had a anything other than league's worst HC and GMs here
(yeah, that includes nervous norv), since Mooch... and he was good, not great. JH has proven himself to be one helluva coach at college level , is a former Qb, and has done wonders not just with QBs but also his teams as a whole. In other words, I would make the case that the 9ers have virtually been UN-coached for the last 8 yrs. Worse, guys like lilmikeynoln, and the amazing BM(bigmike) were actually worse than no coach, they were negative influences on coaching, and hence the team.

Further I would suggest that due to inferior/ awful HC/GMs for last 8 yrs, we really have no idea what our current talent REALLY can do. It may be that our team is actually capable of playing twice as good as they have shown, but due to crappy coaches and GMs, we have not seen what these guys really are capable of. My guess is our OL actually looks like an OL this yr instead of its well deserved 30th ranking referred to above. Good coaching can take a bunch of guys who look like dog doodoo, and actually make them look like a real pro football team(I'm excluding exceptions like p-52, and maybe 1 or 2 others here).

We may very well have a much better nucleus than anyone thinks, and it is no secret our weakest link has been at GM and HC. Okay, that has changed, starting with Baalke taking 2 OLs in first rd last yr. So, altho we might have gotten an OL earlier in draft this yr, isn't it possible with great coaching, we just might have plenty of talent already, and JH and Baalke recognize this? With BM as coach, no one would stand up and say, "Hey, BM did a great job with our Offense" . He didn't . Matter of fact, other than bringing p-52 around, he didn't do squat on D either. Sure we could stop the run(except on 3rd down) but we sure as hell couldn't stop the pass. I just believe that excellent coaching and GMing is going to make this team way better than anyone believes.

2) Say what you want about baalke's 2011 first two picks, but based on his first two
picks in 2010, he is already a star...and a gutsy one at that. I believe our OL is going to look 3 times better this yr than last with improved coaching techniques, and vastly different O schemes, be they blocking, play calling, game planning, etc.
Furthermore, re: Kap, if JH wanted him, then besides his impressive stats, he has the
"it" factor that JH knows it takes to make an all pro Qb. Not taking Gabbert at #7 was a good move by a team that needed a qb. There were 4 other teams that took qBs, who needed them also, but we all know they were taken way, way above where they should have been, based on need alone, not quality. I feel baalke not only got quality, he got it where it should have been taken.

Until proven otherwise, Baalke is THE man.

I'm still skeptical about him. I need to him to prove to me he is good, not the other way around.

Besides Iupati, a guard, the jury is still out on his drafts. He has produced one solid starter thus far and a bunch of question marks (A. Davis.Bowman, Mays, etc..).

Many experts, and solid experts on this board agree that Baalke reached for a lot of players and picked a lot of project players as he did last year.