Playoff Hopes Dashed by Allen Rossum's Release: A Timeline | Page 3

Psinex · 2010-01-02T13:19:44-08:00

This is my theory as to why the release of Allen Rossum cost the Niners a chance at the playoffs. October 12, 2009 One day after the Niners got destroyed by the Atlanta Falcons, in a most puzzling move, the Niners released Allen Rossum (and not Michael Spurlock?), who didn't even play in that game due to a minor injury. San Francisco 49ers Release Allen Rossum "Top return man Allen Rossum was released by the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, creating roster room for newly signed rookie receiver Michael Crabtree. Rossum was surprised by the move when summoned to a meeting with coach Mike Singletary. He also spoke with general manager Scot McCloughan." WEEK 7 - October 25th Arnaz Battle fumbles away a punt return deep in San Francisco territory, resulting in an easy touchdown for Houston. The final score was decided by 3 points. Houston Texans - 24 vs SF Niners - 21 WEEK 8 - November 1st Nate Clements is put in to return punts after Battle potentially cost the Niners the previous week. He promptly breaks his shoulder, essentially ending his season. There was another big fumble by Battle in a subsequent week, and then the momentum-changing botched reverse exchange by Battle and Brandon Jones. Anyhow, my theory is that cutting Allen Rossum cost the Niners the playoffs in '09. In multiple games determined by 7 points or less, our punt return game, or lack thereof, cost the Niners valuable field position and in worst of all, points off turnovers. And losing Nate Clements while fielding punt returns was utter stupidity from a roster standpoint. While he had a couple pretty bad games, he was still one of our best cover men and was very good against the run. He might have affected the outcome of the game against Chris Johnson and the Titans and probably the Seahawks game as well. The solution: draft CJ Spiller or sign/trade for Reggie Bush.

Jan 2, 2010 at 8:55 PM

#31

ninersrule4
Veteran
Posts: 22,959

Originally posted by BobS:
Originally posted by Ronnie49Lott:
This is a great example of why a good GM makes all the difference. It's not just the major or easy personnel moves early in the season but the seemingly minor ones too that separate the winners from the losers later.

Your saying Scottie is not a good GM? I wonder if he was fired tomorrow how many teams would be courting him, answer,.............NONE, he is a miserable joke, but I am sure he came cheap.

Hes not a good GM

Jan 2, 2010 at 9:02 PM

#32

unst4bl3
Member
Posts: 7,568

Originally posted by susweel:
Rossum would have gotten injured even if we kept him. He was just too old.

The biggest mistake was not having a back up plan because you can't depend on a 35 year old return man.

this, i thought kory sheets would at least have made the team to learn the kick return duties.. but they didnt even want him for that.

Jan 2, 2010 at 9:57 PM

#33

Ceadderman
Member
Posts: 8,271

Originally posted by LeadFarmer:
Originally posted by Ceadderman:
Can't fault the reaasoning. Rossum also gave this team solid starting position on his returns. What he was averaging 10-15 yards a return?

WTF did Spurlock do?

Oh that's right he tried to run the Tazer. If we EVER run that stupid play ever again I'm gonna march down to team HQ and be arrested for assaulting a Senior.

As much as I don't blame Raye for the poor Offense we had to endure most of the season, I do blame him for keeping a man that had absolutely no vallue to the Offense and had PROVEN it in the 1st couple weeks.

Hate to use a Madden Reference but that's like keeping someone on the roster because they're a name and then not using them at all. Only in this case Spurlock was a nobody to begin with, which makes it even worse.

~Ceadder

What did spulock do? Only return a punt to help beat the saints last week.

On THIS team Genius. On this team.

I don't give a flock what anyone does on another team. I only care what they do or DON'T do on this one.

~Ceadder

Jan 2, 2010 at 10:03 PM

#34

Ceadderman
Member
Posts: 8,271

Originally posted by GolittaCamper:
Rossum got injured and cut after a few games in Dallas, I love your energy here man but you are just dead wrong, Rossum was done.

Ummmm I think that we're forgetting something here.

Dallas has turf.

We have grass.

Grass is much more forgiving. I'm thinking that new turf in Dallas probably exacerbated whatever problem he had.

But let's not forget that Dallas picked him RIGHT up. So he probably didn't see much of a rest between games as well. Which meant no bye week for Rossum. Which ALSO could have led to the injury. Correct?

So you can suggest that he was going to be injured all along, but there is no way of knowing this for sure unless you're A.R.'s medical practitioner.

~Ceadder

Jan 2, 2010 at 10:10 PM

#35

OnTheClock
Hall of Fame
Posts: 38,664

Our problem is not playing Spurlock on PR. A guy who had RECENT experience and didn't have to "get used" to be a PR again.

A completely foolish and dumbfounding move by the coaching staff. I won't blame them entirely, but coaches and players combined to help us miss the playoffs.

Jan 2, 2010 at 10:10 PM

#36

Ceadderman
Member
Posts: 8,271

Originally posted by TT49ers:
Originally posted by bret:
Originally posted by TT49ers:
I like the idea of trading for Reggie Bush, he proves he can return punts and kick offs for TDs. He would be an asset in the offense as well when we go spread, plus he is familiar with catching passes and handoffs from Alex Smith.

We're not going to trade for Reggie Bush. The rumors are, that because he's due a big contract increase, he'll likely be cut. I suspect they'll restructure his contract. But we can always dream!

Yeah its a long shot, but wouldn't it be sweet. I would settle for someone who understands the fundamentals of being a PR though. You know if you stand on your own 10 yard line and it goes over your head you let it go. Instead of back peddaling and fair catching it inside the 5. Or if the punt is short you run up as fast as you can to fair catch. I know I am asking a lot from a return guy, but can they also not muff it and return the ball towards the opposing teams goal line!

Actually it's getting so you can't let it go anymore. If you do you have a good chance of being pinned at the one yard line.

So one fundamental that has to be learned and accepted is that you must know who you're up against. The Cards will pin you at the 1. The Retreads won't.

~Ceadder

Jan 2, 2010 at 11:00 PM

#37

TT49ers
Veteran
Posts: 86

Originally posted by Ceadderman:
Originally posted by TT49ers:
Originally posted by bret:
Originally posted by TT49ers:
I like the idea of trading for Reggie Bush, he proves he can return punts and kick offs for TDs. He would be an asset in the offense as well when we go spread, plus he is familiar with catching passes and handoffs from Alex Smith.

We're not going to trade for Reggie Bush. The rumors are, that because he's due a big contract increase, he'll likely be cut. I suspect they'll restructure his contract. But we can always dream!

Yeah its a long shot, but wouldn't it be sweet. I would settle for someone who understands the fundamentals of being a PR though. You know if you stand on your own 10 yard line and it goes over your head you let it go. Instead of back peddaling and fair catching it inside the 5. Or if the punt is short you run up as fast as you can to fair catch. I know I am asking a lot from a return guy, but can they also not muff it and return the ball towards the opposing teams goal line!

Actually it's getting so you can't let it go anymore. If you do you have a good chance of being pinned at the one yard line.

So one fundamental that has to be learned and accepted is that you must know who you're up against. The Cards will pin you at the 1. The Retreads won't.

~Ceadder

LoL yeah forgot I mentioned that earlier. I am glad someone is pay attention, hopefully Scotty Mac. pays attention too.

Jan 3, 2010 at 12:22 AM

#38

caliman4life
Veteran
Posts: 928

the niners offensive execution was a bigger problem than loosing rossum.

Jan 3, 2010 at 12:30 AM

#39

SanDiego49er
Veteran
Posts: 52,442

Originally posted by calinig4life:
the niners offensive execution was a bigger problem than loosing rossum.

Not really. Losing Rossum cost us 2 games outright. We could be looking at 10 - 6 and playoffs instead of 8 - 8 and nothing.

Jan 3, 2010 at 5:37 AM

#40

rob28
Veteran
Posts: 561

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=x4qdy5Nb5EI&client=mv-google

Jan 3, 2010 at 6:31 AM

#41

taney71
Veteran
Posts: 18,482

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
Originally posted by calinig4life:
the niners offensive execution was a bigger problem than loosing rossum.

Not really. Losing Rossum cost us 2 games outright. We could be looking at 10 - 6 and playoffs instead of 8 - 8 and nothing.

Yeah, that Battle fumbling on the punt return was killer.

Jan 3, 2010 at 7:11 AM

#42

tohara3
Veteran
Posts: 31,107

Originally posted by susweel:
Rossum would have gotten injured even if we kept him. He was just too old.

The biggest mistake was not having a back up plan because you can't depend on a 35 year old return man.

Agree. The 49ers should have had a plan to replace him & didn't!

Jan 3, 2010 at 8:34 AM

#43

SJniner7
Veteran
Posts: 5,749

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
Originally posted by calinig4life:
the niners offensive execution was a bigger problem than loosing rossum.

Not really. Losing Rossum cost us 2 games outright. We could be looking at 10 - 6 and playoffs instead of 8 - 8 and nothing.

That's a bit of a stretch! There is no telling how the Houston game would have went, had the game been closer. Their defense would have played differently had they only been up by 2 touchdowns. Rossum might have fumbled a ball as well. Would our return game be better with Rossum? Definitely. Would it have put us in the playoffs? probably not.

Jan 3, 2010 at 8:41 AM

#44

SybErkRimInAL
Veteran
Posts: 59,185

I called this s**t the second they benched rossum for his performance in Minnesota, then let him go.

Jan 3, 2010 at 8:50 AM

#45

GolittaCamper
Veteran
Posts: 7,284

Originally posted by Ceadderman:
Originally posted by GolittaCamper:
Rossum got injured and cut after a few games in Dallas, I love your energy here man but you are just dead wrong, Rossum was done.

Ummmm I think that we're forgetting something here.

Dallas has turf.

We have grass.

Grass is much more forgiving. I'm thinking that new turf in Dallas probably exacerbated whatever problem he had.

But let's not forget that Dallas picked him RIGHT up. So he probably didn't see much of a rest between games as well. Which meant no bye week for Rossum. Which ALSO could have led to the injury. Correct?

So you can suggest that he was going to be injured all along, but there is no way of knowing this for sure unless you're A.R.'s medical practitioner.

~Ceadder

As much as I like to bag on Scotty M and Sings approach to the roster this season, one of the worst I can remember, I gotta say Rossum was not playing well and according to reports at the time he was released, he was plagued by little injuries.

So yea, I gotta say Rossum was done, he was stepping out of bounds, he was fair catching the ball all to often, If you are going to burn a roster spot on a return man he had better be a sure handed fearless mutha-f**ka!

Rossom was done, the mistake was rotating return men, Sing couldn't decide and never let anyone get in a grove, I would have liked to seen Sheets, or Spurlock get a chance early in camp so we could have cut Rossum before the season started.