Which two players on O and D are poised to make the biggest improvement?

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by KknighthawkK_9er:

Originally posted by Kalen49ers:

Originally posted by jesserdumas2:

Originally posted by Kalen49ers:
I like Crabtree to make huge strides this year. Assuming we can fix some of the OL woes, I like Smith being able to get Crabtree the ball. I mean the dude as a rookie had ZERO offseason work with the team, ZERO pre-season game experience and ZERO work with the QB's to get the timing down and still had a good year.

I expect Crabtree to have a 1100+ yard season with 10+ TD's.

On the defense I like Ahmad Brooks. I think he can effectively be a starting OLB and can have a good 10+ sack season and also make other plays with FF's and maybe add an INT or two.

Do we have any knowledge about his pass-coverage ability?

Probably something he can work on for sure, however in his role he would be blitzing the majority of the time.

We know that Sing saying he "wasn't ready" probably refers the most to his inability to cover. This is something that will be a top priority this offseason; transforming Brooks into a complete OLB, instead of just a pass rusher.

His past role was blitzing the majority of the time. If he ever becomes a starter @ OLB, depending on who he supplants, he probably will not be blitzing all of the time.

Nah, that reference from Sing was in re: to him setting the edge. With the additon of a FS who can cover, even like last year, the OLB's will RARELY drop back in coverage. They will be rushing the passer almost exclusively while playing the run at the same time. Dropping back in coverge is really a non-issue (even for Manny last year - his worst year to date in coverage).

Dropping back in coverage is really a non-issue? Wow, that's not the case at all. Manny was man up vs. the other teams TE quite often. He was asked to cover as much as or more than he blitzed. OLB's, even if they are "setting the edge" (the new favorite line on the zone), are asked to cover frequently, specifically when we are playing more zone D -- like we were towards the end of the season.

Without having a CB on an island, like we were hoping Nate would be, aside from occasions of a zone blitz, one of the OLB's is covering a flat, or a man if we are in man.

Glen Coffee

Reggie Smith

Originally posted by KknighthawkK_9er:
Dropping back in coverage is really a non-issue? Wow, that's not the case at all. Manny was man up vs. the other teams TE quite often. He was asked to cover as much as or more than he blitzed. OLB's, even if they are "setting the edge" (the new favorite line on the zone), are asked to cover frequently, specifically when we are playing more zone D -- like we were towards the end of the season.

Without having a CB on an island, like we were hoping Nate would be, aside from occasions of a zone blitz, one of the OLB's is covering a flat, or a man if we are in man.

Not sure where you are getting your info (or what games you watched) but Manny was only in on 156 of his 852 plays last year. To put that into perspective, Haralson was in coverage about the same amount.

OLB's in the 3-4 don't "cover." They "occupy" an area for a short time period and release. And if you watched Manny this past year, by FAR it was his worst year in coverage; most of that was b/c he was asked to rush the passer much more (369) and set the edge against the run (329).

You make it sound like he's vital to covering TE's for 30 yards by himself which just isn't the case. That's a very old stigma he got back in the day covering against TE's such as Gonzalez when we were still learning how to use him and the OLB's in the 3-4.

In coverage, next year he'll need to learn how to recognize screen passes better, set the edge quicker against speedy backs and cover the RB out of the flat when he releases better.

That is, if he'll even be starting next year.

Crabtree on O
Brooks on D

Originally posted by 9erfanAUS:
I agree with the above. Crabtree and Brooks will most likely make the biggest improvement.

If Crabtree does in fact make the biggest improvement, then that will go hand in hand with how Smith must have performed as well.

-9fA

You might have committed a logical fallacy there. Just because Crabs has a big year does not necessarily entail Smith having a big/great year. However, with all things being equal (no injuries or benching), if Smith has a Great year then Crabs must as well.

I put Smith/Crabs and Goldston.

I'm not completely sold on Brooks yet. So far he did what Haralson did in 08. Beasted for a while then the next year he fell off. If Brooks had played more games I'd be more convinced but he's gonna have to play well next season to conivince me,

Goldie locks played the whole season, and though he catches a lot of crap on here sometimes, I feel he played pretty well and will only get better. I would rather have him at SS and get a more true FS but I think he'll get even better next year.

Logical fallacy or not, I think if Crabs has a big year then Smith has to as well and vice versa. We have a lot of weapons on this team and if Crabs catches 10 TDs imagine how many VD will have and the others. And if we can get a decent oline we should be pretty set on O.

Snyder and Roman


they suck so bad you can't suck anymore than them, the only way they can go is up then right?

Originally posted by ptinerocket:
Snyder and Roman


they suck so bad you can't suck anymore than them, the only way they can go is up then right?

not roman.

Well i will have to start with D cause thats were it goes down.....

D. Goldson- Why? because..... First year starter and had to take over signal calling duties and weather through a few injuries to fellow teamates last year....
This year- More knowledgeable about getting the calls quick... and making reads.... THe D will be upgraded, so naturally he will be more free to play centerrfield...

And here is the #1 reason why look at the new Agent........Give him 1 year of flawless performance and he will sell ice in Alaska for millions!!!

On the other side of the ball i will have to go with Crabs- Hold out for quite a few games, so no rythem with A. Smith till late. THey will get a speedy slot man which will allow him more 1-1 which is where he shines got a great hands when the corner jams him

Originally posted by ptinerocket:
Snyder and Roman


they suck so bad you can't suck anymore than them, the only way they can go is up then right?

Snyder doesn't suck. He just isn't great at any one position. But he does serve a valuable purpose on this team. He can back up any OL position. Just don't ask him to start long term. However, I wouldn't mind replacing him for someone with more upside.

Originally posted by Kalen49ers:

Originally posted by global_nomad:
Crabtree and Brooks

the smith brothers, alex and reggie. Alex - enough has already been said. Reggie- came out of college and was looked at as having great potential. now if he can just stay healthy for one whole season he might just live up to that potential.

Originally posted by global_nomad:
Crabtree and Brooks

Money

Alex Smith will make a huge improvement...

But the guy who still has much to prove is Chilo Rachal. I think the offensive line coaching additions will do wonders for his mechanics and footwork b/c his nastiness is already apparent in his game.

On defense I think the biggest stride needed is from Shawntae Spencer. Yeah he played well last season. But this is the year players coming off ACL injuries usually return to form. I believe he has true shutdown corner ability and this coming season will be his chance to prove that.

I would have to say Morgan and Brooks. I would like to say Brown, Crabtree or Smith but I have reasons to believe different. For one you prbably will see Alex performing better but I think he'll perform better with better protection. Crabtree, well he was already showing signs of greatness without even knowing the play book. As for Terrell
Brown, between Spencer, Clements and Bly I doubt he'll see much playing time.

Josh Morgan- Over the past couple years has shown big play capability but I don't think up until this point he has put it all together. Last year they were moving him around all over the place. I believe once he gets settled in at one position, look out.

Ahmad Brooks- Last year shown that he can be disruptive in the back field on running plays also. During the beginning of the 2009 season he was wreaking havoc on running backs but it wasn't until toward the end of the season did they start throwing him in there on passing downs. Mark my words, he will be a monster next year.