It's Do or Die Time for McCloughan

Originally posted by NinerGM:
Take it from someone you knows; this topic is DOA in NinerTalk. Too many apologists in my opinion. No one is going to debate facts with you, but just insinuate. History and context will be rewritten. There will not be a fair reckoning of this topic until after this off-season. I agree with your assessments, but you're going to be stuck with the "negative" moniker by all those who don't agree with you on this topic.

I've decided to just let time prove this (again).

BTW - I wrote this article nearly a year ago.

http://www.49erswebzone.com/content/commentary/view.php?id=720

PS -- GEEK good analysis. Well thought out and well said. I agree with your work here.

Originally posted by GEEK:

Originally posted by Nyner:
With an improved OC we would win more games and u wouldn't be after McCloughans scalp. We are really weak in that area and should (but probably won't) do anything about it this off season, because " Sing likes the way Raye is willing to change". Sure why not, what he's doing isn't working. It's going to be slim pick'ns on Offense for some time boys.

Complete bulls**t.

McCloughan supported the decision to hire Raye, and gave Singletary the power to hire his own coaching staff.

The OC problem is equally attributed to the head coaches decision to hire as its to the GM decision to allow the hire.

BTW - I love how we are trying to run Turner's offense when we have a GM that has most of his experience recruiting for WCO talent (Seattle, Green Bay).[/quote]

Great point on Scot picking players for another system. The lack of direction from Scot makes it clear why we are a rudderless ship. A good GM that believed in Smith would never have signed Hill. He would have found a backup QB with a similar skillset to Smith so the same offense could be run no matter who was in there with out such drastic changes having to be made for two QB's on the same team.

This upcoming year is it for me. I've been more patient than most when it comes to McCloughan.

He had better shore up the o-line in a big way this offseason, and so far he's been a little lacking finding o-line talent.

There are imo much fewer pieces needed this year than in recent years, which is a sign of improvement. One draft should help tremendously, especially with the two first rounders.

The margin for error is shrinking for Scot, so he better hit on virtually every upcoming move, whether it be draft, FA, or both.

McCloughan had no say in the Aubrayo Franklin signing. In my opinion, I believe that was 100% Nolan.

I understand how it was for fans from other teams back in the day because now I have to watch other teams make great trades with teams and deals with free agents like we used to in the days of Walsh and McVay.

Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:
This upcoming year is it for me. I've been more patient than most when it comes to McCloughan.

He had better shore up the o-line in a big way this offseason, and so far he's been a little lacking finding o-line talent.

There are imo much fewer pieces needed this year than in recent years, which is a sign of improvement. One draft should help tremendously, especially with the two first rounders.

The margin for error is shrinking for Scot, so he better hit on virtually every upcoming move, whether it be draft, FA, or both.

My views exactly.

-9fA

Originally posted by GEEK:
2007 Free Agent Pick-Ups -

Aubrayo Franklin - NT
*This has been the best free agent pickup during the Nolan/McCloughan regime, and I credit Nolan more than McCloughan. Developed late, Franklin is one of the best NTs in the game.

Grade: A+

Tully Banta-Cain - DE/LB
*An absolute bust signing by Nolan/McCloughan. Again, I attribute this signing to Nolan. It had potential, but TBC has shown that he can only contribute in the Patriots defensive system.

Grade: D

Darrell Jackson - WR (via trade)
*This one is purely McCloughan, and this was one of the worst trades this year. Jackson only played for one season, and looked lazy and unmotivated while running routes. Ryan McBean and La'Ron McClain were available with that 4th round draft pick. To be fair, the 49ers had multiple 4th round picks after the traded pick.

Grade: F

Nate Clements - CB

Nate is a good NFL player, but he isn't worth his contract. He doesn't follow the coaches orders, and he gives up way too many big plays. He brought energy to the secondary, and leadership, but he's failed to bring any playoff aspirations. And there's talk about him not being with the team in 2010...ouch.

Grade: B-

Michael Lewis - S

One of the better Nolan/McCloughan signings in 2007. Lewis is a solid starting safety in the league. Makes sound tackles, and effective in run support. Doesn't really make too many big plays, but a solid upgrade to a Mark Roman type. I won't blame Nolan or McCloughan for the injury woes.

Grade: A-

Ashley Lelie - WR

Another reactive attempt by McCloughan to address the WR corps. Lelie failed to make any noteworthy contributions during his tenure with the 49ers.

Grade: D

2008 Free Agent Pick Ups - McCloughan's first year as GM

Justin Smith - DT/DE

Best signing for McCloughan in his term of GM. Need I explain?

Grade: A+

J.T. O'Sullivan - QB

Obviously, this signing was due to Mike Martz preference to bring someone in with experience in his system. While O'Sullivan showed flashes, he gave up way too many turnovers. For the price we signed him though, we got a decent deal in terms of production. But how he beat the likes of Shaun Hill and Alex Smith? Damn...

Grade: C

DeShaun Foster - RB

While in theory Foster was a good signing, he failed to make any significant contributions in Hostler's offense. He started two games, and his longest recorded run for the entire season was 18 yards. Blame the OL or OC if you want, but Gore got over 1k on the same team and coaching...

Grade: D

Isaac Bruce - WR

I liked this signing a lot. Bruce was knowledgeable in Martz system, and has always been a savvy mentor to the younger WRs. He had solid production in his first year, and it's noteworthy because of his age. While he hasn't produced anything this season, it was still a good signing IMO. But I attribute this to Martz more than McCloughan.

Grade: B

Bryant Johnson - WR

While Johnson had his share of injury woes, I liked the size and speed combo that he possessed. Not a great fit in the Martz offense, Johnson performed fairly well when he had the opportunity. His performance dramatically improved when Singletary took over the team. To this day, it still boggles my mind why we didn't resign him and opted to go after Brandon Jones.

Grade: C (B for signing, D for failing to resign)

Allen Rossum - CB/ST

I know a lot of people didn't like this move in NT, but it paid off immensely in 2008. Rossum provided stability at a weak position for us that year. Although I understand he had injury problems in 2009, given him age, McCloughan should have had an Option B all long to Rossum.

Grade: B

Takeo Spikes - ILB

Great signing. No brainer though - similar to Crabtree.

Grade: A (for actually doing it)

2009 Free Agent Pick Ups -

Marvel Smith - OT (retired)

Low risk, high reward signing that blew up in our faces. Why McCloughan didn't have a backup plan at RT is beyond me.

Grade: F

Tony Pashos - OT

Solid early-season signing, but didn't dramatically separate himself from Adam Snyder...which makes you wonder about his talent level. Depending if he comes back in 2010, he didn't really do much in 2009.

Grade: C

Demetric Evans - DT/DE

If you wanted a replacement for Marques Douglas, why the f**k didn't you just resign Marques Douglas. Douglas has started about 10 games for the Jets, compiled 60 tackles, and has done a better job at 3-4 DE compared to Isaac Sopoaga according to Pro Football Reference. Plus, if you were planning on drafting a 3-4 DE/NT, why would you sign Evans to a 2 year contract?

Grade: F

Brandon Jones - WR

Jones was supposed to replace Bryant Johnson on the roster. While it's unfortunate that Jones suffered an injury in training camp, he provides little value or utility on offense or special teams. He's the new Brandon Lloyd for the 49ers, excepts he doesn't produce as much. Sullivan was right when he complained about the signing to the media - although he didn't identify himself in the process. :-). Sneaky b*****d.

Grade: F

Keith Smith - DB

Obviously, Smith was a replacement for Clements on the depth chart. But there were better players on the market, yet you chose Smith? Fail.

Grade: F

Matt Wilhem - LB

The connection with Manusky made sense. Serviceable player.

Grade: B

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I admit my "analysis" may be biased and simplistic. But you can not deny the fact that McCloughan has been horrible in his free agent additions since earning the GM title. Not only has he ignored for the most part going after players that would fill huge holes on our team, he has failed to even address these holes in the draft. For the ones he has addressed, they were no brainers.

2 years ago, we identify the key weaknesses on our team to be QB, #2 RB, #1 WR, RT, OG, OLB for pass rush, NT, and DE to replace Bryant Young.

Now, our needs are the following: #2 RB, RT, OG, OLB for pass rush, prospect at NT, and Justin Smith clone for the other DE position (yes, MM has stated this repeatedly). We could also use a #2 WR as well...

I ask you this webzone: Is this really progress? With such passive drafting and free agency signings, it's do or die time for McCloughan in 2010.

- Geek

I would change Nate Clements to a B+ and Brandon Jones to an Incomplete (because he got injured)

TBC and Lelie are F's allday. No way can I give Franklin and A= for one good year. Nate shold get a higher grade Micheal Lewis grade should be a bit lower. Everything else was on point

It appears after a wee bit of discourse and analysis that McC is below average. Ergo, our team will remain average to below Average under McC's personnel choices. No Walsh-like era on the horizon then, I guess.

Maybe scot didn't have as much to say the first 3.5 yrs, altho talent acquisition and scouting were his jobs. We all know he DID make all decisions once he officially became GM(and noln was fired at GM). Okay, let's make this easy. Offense only, forget the deficiencies on D and ST(no KR , no PR), and especially coaches, which is...scot's responsibility.

Offense: #1 pick in the draft, QB, 5 yrs ago. Scot in chg of talent and scouting, then 1.5 yrs GM. One would think it would be fairly obvious that #1 pick, esp a qB needs to be protected. Protect your investment if nothing else, but you cannot draft a qB #1 in draft and NOT protect him. Kid plays with no protection, shoulder gets screwed up, noln denies it, calls him out, and 2 surgeries later, and 2 seasons later, he is back...but , again, with NO protection. Guys, that is just plain old stupidity, and scot forfeits any and all claim on holding onto his job, just based on this one , stupendous, classical bonehead move. You build a team thru its lines , and OL first, if you have #1 pick in draft. Bad news? scot does not believe this.

Scot has said so and so isn't worth the money, we can get someone else cheaper
(Smiley---now helping miami to leading nfl in rushing). Well, we didn't, and scot insisted we could pick up OGs on the cheap("they aren't worth big bucks"). "Also, a 2nd or 3rd rd you can "always" pick up an OT" . Really? because we sure as hell haven't done that yet. Scot failed this team on talent evaluation, talent needs, qB protection, saving OTs that had to be re-signed(smiley). Scot did none of these things. I reserve the name mcCLOWN for good reason for our inept, out of his league, petered out principle GM because he is the one that should have his aZZ fired, or at least be in the fire, if we don't play well next two games...not alex.

Clown literally ruined the career of our #1 pick, along with noln, and he deserves to be fired accordingly. Just because jedi jed has clown as his mentor, and has said clown would be here next yr...doesn't mean that he can't change his mind. I am hacked because he is keeping clown on another yr because he is being mentored by clown and is his friend. WEll , this isn't a sewing circle, it is a football business. And all else aside, clown has failed miserably...and that is just on the O side of the ball. As an aside, clown signed off on hiring bigmike as HC...who obviously brot a lot of heart (well, some heart, maybe) to a shrinking violet team. But bigMike is the single most unqualified HC in the game, and we and the team have to suffer for it, while he "learns" how to be a HC. Being promoted to DC would sure have made more sense(okay, asst DC)

Jed needs to hand out jobs based on performance, based on business, based on level of skill, based on experience. In bigmike and Clown, we got none of the above. It is called "merit based hires" and until that happens, 7-9 IS the 49errors.
As they say, "We have met the enemy, and he is us". Go bigMIke, go Clown, go jed...go far, far, away...and please, let us have our team...and our dignity back. As for grades, Yorks, jed, Clown, bigmike, Foerster, WR coach...have made us into laughingstocks. HOnestly, it IS time for a change.

Don't you just love pasodoc's passion? I do, and I completely agree with his analysis.

Originally posted by lamontb:
TBC and Lelie are F's allday. No way can I give Franklin and A= for one good year. Nate shold get a higher grade Micheal Lewis grade should be a bit lower. Everything else was on point

Franklin has been good for about 2.5 years.

Explain why Nate should be higher and Lewis should be lower please? For the sake of civil discussion in NT - we've been doing so well!

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
Maybe scot didn't have as much to say the first 3.5 yrs, altho talent acquisition and scouting were his jobs. We all know he DID make all decisions once he officially became GM(and noln was fired at GM). Okay, let's make this easy. Offense only, forget the deficiencies on D and ST(no KR , no PR), and especially coaches, which is...scot's responsibility.

Offense: #1 pick in the draft, QB, 5 yrs ago. Scot in chg of talent and scouting, then 1.5 yrs GM. One would think it would be fairly obvious that #1 pick, esp a qB needs to be protected. Protect your investment if nothing else, but you cannot draft a qB #1 in draft and NOT protect him. Kid plays with no protection, shoulder gets screwed up, noln denies it, calls him out, and 2 surgeries later, and 2 seasons later, he is back...but , again, with NO protection. Guys, that is just plain old stupidity, and scot forfeits any and all claim on holding onto his job, just based on this one , stupendous, classical bonehead move. You build a team thru its lines , and OL first, if you have #1 pick in draft. Bad news? scot does not believe this.

Scot has said so and so isn't worth the money, we can get someone else cheaper
(Smiley---now helping miami to leading nfl in rushing). Well, we didn't, and scot insisted we could pick up OGs on the cheap("they aren't worth big bucks"). "Also, a 2nd or 3rd rd you can "always" pick up an OT" . Really? because we sure as hell haven't done that yet. Scot failed this team on talent evaluation, talent needs, qB protection, saving OTs that had to be re-signed(smiley). Scot did none of these things. I reserve the name mcCLOWN for good reason for our inept, out of his league, petered out principle GM because he is the one that should have his aZZ fired, or at least be in the fire, if we don't play well next two games...not alex.

Clown literally ruined the career of our #1 pick, along with noln, and he deserves to be fired accordingly. Just because jedi jed has clown as his mentor, and has said clown would be here next yr...doesn't mean that he can't change his mind. I am hacked because he is keeping clown on another yr because he is being mentored by clown and is his friend. WEll , this isn't a sewing circle, it is a football business. And all else aside, clown has failed miserably...and that is just on the O side of the ball. As an aside, clown signed off on hiring bigmike as HC...who obviously brot a lot of heart (well, some heart, maybe) to a shrinking violet team. But bigMike is the single most unqualified HC in the game, and we and the team have to suffer for it, while he "learns" how to be a HC. Being promoted to DC would sure have made more sense(okay, asst DC)

Jed needs to hand out jobs based on performance, based on business, based on level of skill, based on experience. In bigmike and Clown, we got none of the above. It is called "merit based hires" and until that happens, 7-9 IS the 49errors.
As they say, "We have met the enemy, and he is us". Go bigMIke, go Clown, go jed...go far, far, away...and please, let us have our team...and our dignity back. As for grades, Yorks, jed, Clown, bigmike, Foerster, WR coach...have made us into laughingstocks. HOnestly, it IS time for a change.

Pasodoc for GM! Honestly we might want to think about getting a billboard fund going to let Jed know how the fans feel about MehCloughan.

Is it me or did he give the signing of jt o'sullivan a c grade? If so this is beyond me! that should have been a big red F-. We need someone who has a track record of picking legitmate hofers. Get the youngest brightest guy who has been in the colts management under their gm. That would spring board us to the top!