So how do we fix the O-line?

Find some in the draft & bring in some vets.....What O-linemen will be available in free agency this coming off-season?

This offensive line is terrible. In passing situations it has only looked decent out of the gun. For the exception of the 3 to 4 breakaway runs Gore has had, the run protection has sucked too.

Originally posted by jays9ers:
Do you all remember when we use to go for the smaller more athletic linemen? when and why did we change our philosophy from the one that worked?? Bill walsh would grab O-line men off the scrap heap and turn them into gold. We really need to change our philosophy back the one that worked.

It isn't that simple. When you had a coach called Bobb, we could do exactly that and it did work. But when we lost Bobb, things were not that simple. And if I remember correctly there was a rule change to do with cut blocking which made things more difficult.

So we looked at Dallas' massive O line which gave Aikman all day and gave Emmitt all the help he needed, and we said, we want one.

I don't know that a small fast O line is definitelyy better. I recall Denver's having some really hard times. I don't think it matters which you go for, as long as they are good at their job, and you plan your plays around them. Right now, planning our plays around their strengths is not that easy. Only two of them, sometimes three, are any good.

You need five. You need good depth. You need good coaching. Oh, and by the way, it takes around two years, usually, to develop an NFL lineman. Can be done quicker, but such prospects are usually taken early in the draft.

A new coach, a little FA, some early draft picks, a lot of work during the offseason and some patience.That is how we will fix the O line. And nothing will work properly on the O until we do.

Well, you start by hiring a head coach who understands offense...and a GM who can draft some good OL and acquire a key vet or two. What's lacking with Singletary and McCloughan is any kind of realistic vision of what the team is or should be. We're definitely not a smash-mouth bunch...the best offense shown is from the spread formations, yet Singletary's only begrudingly incorporating some of it in his offense. I keep saying it, but the strength of the offense is in the receiving corps. Alex can get the ball to them if he has protection, so that would seem to be the logical priority. I have little confidence Singletary and McCloughan will see the logic.

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
Well, you start by hiring a head coach who understands offense...and a GM who can draft some good OL and acquire a key vet or two. What's lacking with Singletary and McCloughan is any kind of realistic vision of what the team is or should be. We're definitely not a smash-mouth bunch...the best offense shown is from the spread formations, yet Singletary's only begrudingly incorporating some of it in his offense. I keep saying it, but the strength of the offense is in the receiving corps. Alex can get the ball to them if he has protection, so that would seem to be the logical priority. I have little confidence Singletary and McCloughan will see the logic.

McCloughan's O-line performs better in the spread so he gets some brownie points BUT this year we gotta look for O-linemen.

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by jays9ers:
Do you all remember when we use to go for the smaller more athletic linemen? when and why did we change our philosophy from the one that worked?? Bill walsh would grab O-line men off the scrap heap and turn them into gold. We really need to change our philosophy back the one that worked.

It isn't that simple. When you had a coach called Bobb, we could do exactly that and it did work. But when we lost Bobb, things were not that simple. And if I remember correctly there was a rule change to do with cut blocking which made things more difficult.

So we looked at Dallas' massive O line which gave Aikman all day and gave Emmitt all the help he needed, and we said, we want one.

I don't know that a small fast O line is definitelyy better. I recall Denver's having some really hard times. I don't think it matters which you go for, as long as they are good at their job, and you plan your plays around them. Right now, planning our plays around their strengths is not that easy. Only two of them, sometimes three, are any good.

You need five. You need good depth. You need good coaching. Oh, and by the way, it takes around two years, usually, to develop an NFL lineman. Can be done quicker, but such prospects are usually taken early in the draft.

A new coach, a little FA, some early draft picks, a lot of work during the offseason and some patience.That is how we will fix the O line. And nothing will work properly on the O until we do.

True true...we did use to cut block the hell outta some teams I just find it very hard to believe that we have whiffed on basically every O-linemen we have selected. Bass.... not very good. Snyder.........ok at best. Rachaal.......still young but has degressed this season. We have Staley who is good, not great and Heitman who is pretty solid. We need help ASAP

There are some very good OL in the next draft...plus a number of underclassmen who haven't committed yet. With two 1st rounders, it's a great chance to grab two of the best and jump-start things. Prior to that, there'll be opportunities to sign a FA or two, as well. The key is the kind of OL that'll make our offense work...guys @ 300 lbs or so who can move...that is, protect the passer, but be agile enough to pull and lead RB's downfield. We don't need any behemoths...we need guys who can do multiple things and do them well.

There are some very good OL in the next draft...plus a number of underclassmen who haven't committed yet. With two 1st rounders, it's a great chance to grab two of the best and jump-start things. Prior to that, there'll be opportunities to sign a FA or two, as well. The key is the kind of OL that'll make our offense work...guys @ 300 lbs or so who can move...that is, protect the passer, but be agile enough to pull and lead RB's downfield. We don't need any behemoths...we need guys who can do multiple things and do them well.

Originally posted by jays9ers:

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by jays9ers:
Do you all remember when we use to go for the smaller more athletic linemen? when and why did we change our philosophy from the one that worked?? Bill walsh would grab O-line men off the scrap heap and turn them into gold. We really need to change our philosophy back the one that worked.

It isn't that simple. When you had a coach called Bobb, we could do exactly that and it did work. But when we lost Bobb, things were not that simple. And if I remember correctly there was a rule change to do with cut blocking which made things more difficult.

So we looked at Dallas' massive O line which gave Aikman all day and gave Emmitt all the help he needed, and we said, we want one.

I don't know that a small fast O line is definitelyy better. I recall Denver's having some really hard times. I don't think it matters which you go for, as long as they are good at their job, and you plan your plays around them. Right now, planning our plays around their strengths is not that easy. Only two of them, sometimes three, are any good.

You need five. You need good depth. You need good coaching. Oh, and by the way, it takes around two years, usually, to develop an NFL lineman. Can be done quicker, but such prospects are usually taken early in the draft.

A new coach, a little FA, some early draft picks, a lot of work during the offseason and some patience.That is how we will fix the O line. And nothing will work properly on the O until we do.

True true...we did use to cut block the hell outta some teams I just find it very hard to believe that we have whiffed on basically every O-linemen we have selected. Bass.... not very good. Snyder.........ok at best. Rachaal.......still young but has degressed this season. We have Staley who is good, not great and Heitman who is pretty solid. We need help ASAP

I haven't given up on Rachal yet. Yet! But yeah, we need help. A lot of help.

we can trade one of our 1st rnd picks for a good player and draft another one.

First and foremost we need a RT. Either through draft, FA, or moving Staley back to RT if a franchise LT becomes available (Simms is a stopgap thats playing well). Second we need to solidify the guard spots. Im still not sure about Baas at LG and Rachal needs to step up his game at RG. In the draft or FA we need a couple young star guards that can grow and develop with the team. Heitmann has been playing well but is in his 7th season?, so the Center spot will also need to be addressed sooner than later. Is Cody Wallace the future at Center, Im not sure, time will tell. Basically, the only players on the current OL that will probably be with the team in five years and are worth keeping are Heitmann, Rachal, and Staley. IMO the jury is out on the rest of the players.

Originally posted by NinerGM:
Start with firing Mike Forester.

That might very well be where it all starts. Obviously, Baltimore didn't cry about losing him to the Niners, so maybe says something others already knew?

Originally posted by bret:
Change the philosophy!

1. Scotty put an emphasis on size. He's said it over an over: "I want big players".
2. Sing put an emphasis on beating your opponent "mano-a-mano".

The linemen who seem to have the biggest problems are Snyder, Rachal, and Baas. They are also our biggest, strongest, SLOWEST linemen.

Speed kills! Get quick linemen.

Guile beats strength! Bill Walsh won because he had a better plan than his opponents! Pass when your opponent expects you to run. Run when they expect you to pass, etc.

So:
1. Draft a first round tackle -- the quickest you can. (We still have a first rounder left for a speed rusher or a safety.)
2. Draft a second round guard -- the quickest you can.
3. Add a free agent guard -- Logan Mankins would be nice!
4. Replace Foerster if he can't coach according to this philosophy.

You write about PLANNING for opponents. Singletary does not do that and he said so.
It's painfully obvious that he and Raye think it doesn't matter who they are facing, it's always the same smashmouth BS.
Singletary is not a good head coach and probably never will be.

How to fix the OL?



Better coaching and strategy and a QB who can make reads at an average time.

Better play calling and being a bit less predictable would certainly help the O-line right now. Stubborn coaching .......