Kentwan Balmer: You Better Get Your S**t Together! | Page 10

PTulini · 2009-07-04T15:24:59-07:00

I honestly think this could be the breakout year for 2008 1st round pick, DE Kentwan Balmer. It is well known that most defensive Linemen take time to develop into productive NFL players. A majority of that reason is due to needing to learn proper technique as the game is much faster than in college. Professional players can not succeed solely on brute strength. Balmer has now had one full off-season to develop his game. He has participated in nearly every off-season workout, OTA, and mini camps. (Even when he was not required to attend!) Kentwan has also spent this off-season working out with fellow DE, Justin Smith. Smith is a consummate professional and the ideal person for KB to learn from! It has been written that Balmer has improved greatly and our coaches (mainly DC Greg Manusky and HC Mike Singletary) are really impressed by him. Singletary's Notebook: June 5 Lineman Works to Fulfill 1st Round Promise In closing, I would not be suprised if we do see a drastic improvement in KB. In fact, I have a feeling that by mid-season, Kentwan Balmer will be the starting Defensive End opposite Justin Smith. I wish him the best in hopes that he can justify his 1st round draft status. Here's to you, KB! UPDATE: I had high hopes for you in 2009. Now, I'm not sure what will happen? You better step your s**t up, KB! It's now or never.

Sep 22, 2009 at 2:09 PM

#136

reasonable1
Veteran
Posts: 1,894

Originally posted by pd24:
Originally posted by reasonable1:
I wonder how many people think I'm nuts now...

KB has had an excellent start to the season as a rotational DE that gets a lot of snaps. He has played the run very well and allowed the pass rushers to play one on one. Which is all you can ask from your 3-4 DE's.

I don't, he still doesn't get good push on his guy and doesn't drive him back.

Since when?? Maybe you didnt see who pretty much created Justin Smith's sack to end the Cards game...

Maybe you didnt see how well he played the run in the Seahawks game...

Thats his job...not to get 10+ sacks...to hold blocks and apply decent pressure...but mainly to free up the other defenders.

Sep 24, 2009 at 2:03 AM

#137

kujon11
Veteran
Posts: 6,065

Originally posted by Leathaface:
Originally posted by PTulini:
Originally posted by Leathaface:
The thing about Kentwan is that physically, he's a freak. He looks like he's added the necessary weight to his frame and I honestly think this guy can be a force if he continues to work hard...nobody has ever questioned that part of him either.

Actually, he reportedly cut 9 POUNDS (went from 315, down to 306 lbs.) before the beginning of Training Camp. Although I'm not sure what his playing weight will be?

Damn, I honestly thought he needed to GAIN weight to be a good DE in the 3-4...oh well, lets hope he helps out.

We're good against the run so the d-linemen are doing their job...we just can't get any pressure from our LBs.

justin smith is about 20 pounds lighter and he does ok

Sep 24, 2009 at 4:50 AM

#138

TlSSER
Veteran
Posts: 1,750

Originally posted by kujon11:
Originally posted by Leathaface:
Originally posted by PTulini:
Originally posted by Leathaface:
The thing about Kentwan is that physically, he's a freak. He looks like he's added the necessary weight to his frame and I honestly think this guy can be a force if he continues to work hard...nobody has ever questioned that part of him either.

Actually, he reportedly cut 9 POUNDS (went from 315, down to 306 lbs.) before the beginning of Training Camp. Although I'm not sure what his playing weight will be?

Damn, I honestly thought he needed to GAIN weight to be a good DE in the 3-4...oh well, lets hope he helps out.

We're good against the run so the d-linemen are doing their job...we just can't get any pressure from our LBs.

justin smith is about 20 pounds lighter and he does ok

does balmer even start?

Sep 24, 2009 at 6:55 AM

#139

GoreGoreGore
10HourChicken
Posts: 61,367

I'm glad RayMac is stepping up, hopefully by next season Sopoaga will be gone (or take a paycut) and rotate of the bench. Balmer is getting better by the game.

Sep 24, 2009 at 7:45 AM

#140

tohara3
Veteran
Posts: 30,664

As good as Balmer is playing, I think he will be starting by mid-season.

Sep 24, 2009 at 7:51 AM

#141

Gelder
Veteran
Posts: 2,509

Originally posted by tohara3:
As good as Balmer is playing, I think he will be starting by mid-season.

Over who? Aubrayo? Because he has been playing solid so far. I agree with some other posts, Sopoaga may need to take a paycut, or step up in order to stay with the team. I like Soap though.

Sep 24, 2009 at 8:07 AM

#142

DesiDez
Veteran
Posts: 1,678

Originally posted by tohara3:
As good as Balmer is playing, I think he will be starting by mid-season.

I don't know about starting, but I definitely think he'll be splitting time with McDonald.

Balmer just needed some time to develop, which is exactly what the scouting report said when he was drafted. He had great size and athleticism but was raw. Good thing we had Justin Smith, McDonald, and even Sopoaga- players who were better than a rookie Balmer at that time, while the 49ers could be patient with him and let him develop.

Here's Maiocco's analysis through the first 2 games:

Quote:
(Seahawks game) Kentwan Balmer: He is showing signs of developing into a pretty good player. He saw a lot of action in the rotation and did not disappoint with four tackles including one for a loss.

Quote:
(Cardinals game) Kentwan Balmer: Saw limited action on defense, recording one tackle. He also played on special teams.

Sep 25, 2009 at 11:27 PM

#143

PTulini
Veteran
Posts: 12,401

Kentwan Balmer was the guy who took on the double team at the end of the Cardinals game. That allowed Justin Smith to get the sack on Kurt Warner. KB is doing his job and getting better every week. Give him a chance.

[ Edited by PTulini on Sep 25, 2009 at 11:31 PM ]

Sep 25, 2009 at 11:56 PM

#144

brandonjg
Info N/A

Originally posted by Gelder:
Originally posted by tohara3:
As good as Balmer is playing, I think he will be starting by mid-season.

Over who? Aubrayo? Because he has been playing solid so far. I agree with some other posts, Sopoaga may need to take a paycut, or step up in order to stay with the team. I like Soap though.

Balmer is not a NT....he is a DE

Sep 26, 2009 at 12:27 AM

#145

toeknee
Veteran
Posts: 54,571

I have not noticed Balmer on the field but if you guys say he's looking good then I'm happy

Sep 26, 2009 at 11:36 AM

#146

Memphis9er
Veteran
Posts: 12,476

He is far from the bust that some of the smarter posters have claimed him to be.

Sep 26, 2009 at 11:41 AM

#147

HoneyBadger49er
Veteran
Posts: 19,054

Originally posted by teeohh:
I have not noticed Balmer on the field but if you guys say he's looking good then I'm happy

because he's doing the little things that don't get noticed, I've watched the first 2 games over and over and he's improving, hopefully it continues

Sep 26, 2009 at 11:42 AM

#148

HoneyBadger49er
Veteran
Posts: 19,054

Originally posted by Memphis9er:
He is far from the bust that some of the smarter posters have claimed him to be.

exactly

Sep 26, 2009 at 12:19 PM

#149

YungAce
Veteran
Posts: 46,919

everytime i see this thread, i keep thinking that balmer was quoted saying the title

Sep 26, 2009 at 12:20 PM

#150

HoneyBadger49er
Veteran
Posts: 19,054

Originally posted by YuNGaCE:
everytime i see this thread, i keep thinking that balmer was quoted saying the title

yep me too, everytime haha