Singletary: Heitman's job in jeopardy

Originally posted by Gelder:

Originally posted by dj43:

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
I think another factor that favors Baas is his age...not just his years old, but in terms of relative time on the OL. He hasn't been banged up over multiple seasons like Heitmann has. I don't really care who starts...both are capable. But, I do see Singletary plugging in either Snyder or Heitmann at RG if Rachal doesn't step up his game considerably.

I understand your point but center is a position that does not put as much stress on a player as does guard or tackle. Centers commonly have longer productive careers than guards. Also the responsibility of adjusting blocking assignments favors a more experienced player over someone with less experience. Both of those factors puts Heitmann in position at center.

If Rachal comes back and plays as he did in the last half of last season, then there is no place for either Baas or Heitmann at guard. The fact Singletary had little hesitation in installing Iupati as the starting guard over Baas and leaving Rachal at RG should tell everyone that the staff clearly sees Rachal as both the short and long-term answer at guard. That option should not be in discussion.

All of that leaves us with the original question of whether or not Heitmann re-gains the starter role when he is again healthy or if Baas stays. From my observation, I have not seen Baas do enough to consider him starting ahead of Heitmann. I have watched Baas very carefully through these first two games and he is not the clear choice.

I disagree. The only reason he beat out Baas and not Chilo, was because Singletary didn't want two rookies starting at RG and RT, side by side.

we drafted Iupati to play LG not RG because the team sees chilo as the RG

Originally posted by Gelder:

Originally posted by dj43:

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
I think another factor that favors Baas is his age...not just his years old, but in terms of relative time on the OL. He hasn't been banged up over multiple seasons like Heitmann has. I don't really care who starts...both are capable. But, I do see Singletary plugging in either Snyder or Heitmann at RG if Rachal doesn't step up his game considerably.

I understand your point but center is a position that does not put as much stress on a player as does guard or tackle. Centers commonly have longer productive careers than guards. Also the responsibility of adjusting blocking assignments favors a more experienced player over someone with less experience. Both of those factors puts Heitmann in position at center.

If Rachal comes back and plays as he did in the last half of last season, then there is no place for either Baas or Heitmann at guard. The fact Singletary had little hesitation in installing Iupati as the starting guard over Baas and leaving Rachal at RG should tell everyone that the staff clearly sees Rachal as both the short and long-term answer at guard. That option should not be in discussion.

All of that leaves us with the original question of whether or not Heitmann re-gains the starter role when he is again healthy or if Baas stays. From my observation, I have not seen Baas do enough to consider him starting ahead of Heitmann. I have watched Baas very carefully through these first two games and he is not the clear choice.

I disagree. The only reason he beat out Baas and not Chilo, was because Singletary didn't want two rookies starting at RG and RT, side by side.

On what do you base that judgement? I have not heard that before other than speculation here in the 'zone.

Originally posted by DrofThuganomics:

Originally posted by Ceadderman:

Originally posted by DrofThuganomics:
Heitmann is probably the most consistent big guy on our line.

Consistently pushed around you mean.

Look, I like Heitmann, but there is a reason that Defensive players were able to submarine the ball carriers in the Backfield.

If Baas continues to play well then Heitmann is the odd man out and the backup to Baas.

If this Line continues to be stingy with the Sacks FOGEDDABOUDIT.

Yaay he's the most cereberal Center in the league. Big whoop if he can't get Push and gets stood up on every Run play. And he does. I still think that he could be a factor for us at Guard.

But Rachal doesn't perform too bad(the Opposing D got around Davis because the inexperience of Chilo) and Snyder was a wall for most of the Saints game. It's going to be uphill for Eric. And really, shouldn't it be? We want the best guys out there. He'll get his chances to prove that he's at least worthy of getting back onto the field at the RG position. We should be happy that our Line is starting to gel. Instead people are trashing players because "they aren't as good". Well excuse me for saying this but ZERO F@KIN SACKS says a lot. Especially when they do it against the Saints opportunistic Defense. Anybody remember the last time the Line gave up ZERO Sacks? I don't.

~Ceadder

I just don't understand all the Heitmann hate, he brings extremely valuable experience to an O-line that desperately lacks it.

Hate? Where in that Post does it say I hate Heitmann?

I just don't see him being the Center anymore. Regardless of what happens this Sunday, I think that Baas has shown that he can do the job that he was DRAFTED for. Heitmann was only a stopgap @ Center. But it went on for 6 years because he did it pretty well. At least it looked like he did. Honestly I think that some of our outside issues on the Line were because of Heitmann's proctetion calls. One in particular that had him and Larry Allen in a clinch and allowed Rocky Bernard to pancake Smith.

That CANNOT happen. He was a solid Guard to start and he did as well as could reasonably be expected but let's face it, Baas doesn't give up ground and allow Defenders to submarine our Backs.

One play that was not brought up was Dixon's TD on his first carry ever.On the Line of Scrimmage in short yardage, traditionally what would happen over the last 3 to 4 years is that the Opposing D knew they could get low and push underneath the pile to get our Runner. Dixon would never have made it if we didn't have good push LT to C.


As has been pointed out this could be a timing issue with painfully slow playcalling, but we've had this happen at home where the Playcalling was not slow. I dislike Jennings but he wanted to take someone's head off in one Home game. Probably Nolan's due to Nolan ripping him a new one. In any case how many 4th and 1 plays has this team been successful on? This will be the telling point for me. I hope we get to carve out a notch in the other team's heart by going for it and being successful. Hell I thought we should have done that on two drives, but after coming up short with a young Line Sing probably didn't want to take the chance and leave the Saints with short field.

I don't hate Heitmann. He just limits what we can do on Offense when it matters. How many 2 point conversions has this team had over the last 6 years? Answer? Not many. I think Smith would have once again been running for his life trying to extend a busted play. But so long as Baas is playing well I do not see Heitmann coming back as our Center.

~Ceadder

Now that Heitman is healthy does anybody think he will get his job back? Seems like the 9ers will stick w/Baas.

The best thing for the line might be moving Baas to RG for the awful Rachal and give Heitmann back his job. Takes a s**t OL out and puts someone at least comptetent on the field.

wtf singletary

Why can't we just put the best 5 OL out there? I hate this staff.

Please just bench Rachal, please.

f**k this coaching staff
heitman at C
baas at RG

its common sense

Originally posted by CrAnKD4TCRabTree:
Please just bench Rachal, please.

Originally posted by 49ersalldaway126:
f**k this coaching staff
heitman at C
baas at RG

its common sense

that's how i see it 2 man. Heitmann is fine at C and Baas has shown he has ability this season yes and maybe he is our C of the future. However we have one of our 5 best OL on the bench right now. Stupid Sing

Originally posted by 49ersalldaway126:
f**k this coaching staff
heitman at C
baas at RG

its common sense

we don't believe in common sense

Originally posted by WillistheWall:

Originally posted by CrAnKD4TCRabTree:
Please just bench Rachal, please.

And consider sitting down Anthony Davis, and or Staley If they keep being revolving doors.

im sure its more so because of consistancy and gel. the whole line, especially with two rookies, got adjusted while he was out with an injury. swapping out centers this late would really f everything up. its nothing against heightmen

Originally posted by NinerGM:
NOT RACHAL!!! PLEASE NOT RACHAL!!!

Anyone notice how WELL the line played WITHOUT RACHAL????

the line played well?

The reason a lot of people wanted Baas at center instead of Heitmann was because they thought Baas would get more "push" in short yardage situation. Well, that has not happened. In fact, statistically, running up the middle is the LEAST effective area for the 49ers to run. They are best on the right, next is the left, and LAST is up through the middle where Baas is supposed to be a beast.

I believe Heitmann should be at center because of his experience in calling blocking assignments, and because he won't be any less effective than Baas.

Move Baas to RG in place of Rachal if the team has truly given up on Rachal. I don't think so but I don't know.

However, another thing to remember, Baas is out of contract and the team has already as much as told him he will not be re-signed. Therefore, try Baas at RG, and if he succeeds better than Rachal, then try to re-sign him. If not, then Rachal is the RG.