Why didn't Baalke draft a QB last year ?

Originally posted by danimal:

it would not have made any sense to draft a QB in any round last year. It did not take much forethought to see that Raye and Sing were on the hot seat...so it was pretty predictable that we would end up in this situation now. New HC, New OC...etc etc ...so now is the time to draft a QB....last draft would have meant that QB would have to switch systems in just his 2nd year

Gosh darn it, danimal... I was trying to get susweel to think of the answer himself. Why do you have to ruin all my fun?

Originally posted by susweel:
If Baalke was calling the shots last year in the draft why didnt he draft a QB at some point in the draft last year. He knew Smith was in his last year and Hill had already been traded. If he was the one calling the shots why didnt he plan ahead, especially since the uncertainty of the CBA was looming.

Right now the way things stand and our 2011 season may be f**ked because nobody planned ahead. Many people were praising Baalke on his draft last year but I screaming for him to draft a QB because number 1 I knew Alex was gonna fail and number 2 even if he had succeeded you still dont want to bare at the most crucial position.

Because they were hoping that Alex being in a second year w/the same OC would do well enough. They emphasized the run and never thought it would be this screwed up. You can't blame Baalke-because he can't control the coaches making bad decisions. As a GM you try to get players to fit your coaches philosophy that you think are good players, however it is important that the coach is one you chose, sing was not Baalke's choice. Besides, even if they did, the QB might not be Harbaugh's type to mold, so you may waste a pick anyway.

Makes me wonder if they ever try to teach Carr the offense they were running or did they just let him learn for himself. More than his 'weird' release, he looks like a guy that didn't know where to throw it to out on the field.

Harbaugh is putting together a shopping list of players he want in the draft. It's up to Baalke to get them at the best possible draft positions.

Originally posted by lamontb:

Originally posted by susweel:

Originally posted by danimal:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Because there weren't any QB's worth drafting. Out of the entire class, there were about 5 in total I would've considered.

Only one was ready to start immediately, and two others needed at least more than half a season to really be ready to go.

It still baffles me why so many people don't take this into consideration. That whole if you need a QB now draft one now mentality drives me nuts. Why not look ahead a bit???

Of course this is coming from someone who in March 2005 wanted us to draft Braylon Edwards and save the QB pick for the next year and draft Jay Cutler. But alas, our leadership fell for the good ol draft a QB now cus you need one now line of thought.

I too think last Aprils' QB class was pretty weak too. I didn't want Alex Smith, but I did not want a QB drafted last year either

At the very least we could have some bodies at the position to potential back ups later. And who knows one those kids could have possibly developed into a stop gap rather then have Carr as the only QB on the roster. Im not saying we needed to draft a QB in the first round.

They did everything possible to boost Alex's confidence last off season. They didn't draft a qb b/c they didn't want him to feel threatened or any competition. They got rid of Shaun hill for a 7th rounder b/c they didn't want Smith to feel pressure and have any competition. They bring in a back up in Carr that they don't even let back Smith up b/c they didn't want Smith to feel any pressure. they really tried hard to set Smith up for success and he still failed. Thus the front office failed the team in the long run. But hey we did draft a safety that can't play safety in the 2nd round. Hope that makes you feel better about his talent evaluation.

It really wouldn't have mattered who started at QB in the Raye offense, they would have failed. The design of that offense alone was a QB killer. Just take a close look at what Johnson did after he took over. Compare the kind of plays that were called and the success of those plays to the Raye offense.

IMO, the only time this team has had any hope of passing success was this past year under Johnson. At every other time for the past 6 years, either the OC was puke or the personnel was subpar. Though the WRs are still nothing special, they are miles better than in the previous years and the combination of that plus Johnson offered some hope. Before that, there were just too many missing pieces for anyone to do well.

Originally posted by Snider8706:
I have a feeling that our two rookie lineman are going to pay off for us.....and I wanted tebow:( he could have motivated our players a lot better than sing.

they're definitely gonna pay off.

2010 QB Draft Class

Bradford, Sam 6'4" 236 Oklahoma Pick 1, Round 1 (1) Rams
Clausen, Jimmy 6'3" 222 Notre Dame Pick 16, Round 2 (48) Panthers
Tebow, Tim 6'3" 236 Florida Pick 25, Round 1 (25) Broncos
McCoy, Colt 6'1" 216 Texas Pick 21, Round 3 (85) Browns
Skelton, John 6'5" 243 Fordham Pick 24, Round 5 (155) Cardinals
Pike, Tony 6'6" 223 Cincinnati Pick 35, Round 6 (204) Panthers
LeFevour, Dan 6'3" 230 Central Michigan Pick 12, Round 6 (181) Bears
Kafka, Mike 6'3" 225 Northwestern Pick 24, Round 4 (122) Eagles
Robinson, Zac 6'2" 214 Oklahoma State Pick 43, Round 7 (250) Patriots
Edwards, Armanti 5'11" 187 Appalachian State Pick 25, Round 3 (89) Panthers
Crompton, Jonathan 6'3" 222 Tennessee Pick 37, Round 5 (168) Chargers
Canfield, Sean 6'4" 223 Oregon State Pick 32, Round 7 (239) Saints
Brown, Levi 6'3" 229 Troy Pick 2, Round 7 (209) Bills
Webb, Joe 6'3" 223 UAB Pick 30, Round 6 (199) Vikings
Smith, Rusty 6'5" 230 Florida Atlantic Pick 7, Round 6 (176) Titans

I guess maybe we could have taken a flier on McCoy, but I don't think it matters. Who ever we drafted last year would be starting over with a new system this year anyway. Our QB cupboard is bare right now, but Baalke will have some excellent help shopping for groceries in 2011.

Quote:
The 49ers learned of pre-draft reports Harbaugh wrote while with the Raiders in 2002 and '03. His reports were "spot on," according to a source. Harbaugh placed a second-round grade on Tony Romo, who went undrafted. He had a higher grade on Jaguars fourth-round draft pick David Garrard, who has been a solid NFL starter the past four seasons. Harbaugh did not have a good grade on Joey Harrington, the third overall pick of the Lions in 2002.

http://www.csnbayarea.com/01/08/11/img-srchttpcsnbayareacomcommonglobal_ima/landing_niners.html?blockID=387402&feedID=5936

Because Singleberry wanted zero competition at the QB spot and gave it wholly to Alex Smith. Besides, the offense did not utilize the QB position so why draft one when anyone can throw the ball out of bounds.

Originally posted by susweel:

Originally posted by Wodwo:

Originally posted by susweel:



At the very least we could have some bodies at the position to potential back ups later. And who knows one those kids could have possibly developed into a stop gap rather then have Carr as the only QB on the roster. Im not saying we needed to draft a QB in the first round.

We had just drafted a quarterback project the year before.

Think about this for a second, susweel.

Maybe Baalke is smarter than you think he is. Maybe he's smarter than you are. Maybe he's smarter than all of us. Maybe he's even smarter than me!

It doesn't matter the reason, but the result is beneficial. Harbaugh is going to want his quarterbacks. Who would you rather have picking our quarterbacks? Baalke or Harbaugh?

Think about it. Just for a second.

I know what you are saying but given the circumstances with the uncertain CBA, it would have made sense to plan ahead.

But I guess the main question is who really was calling the shots Baalke or Sing in the drafting process. From everything I have read it all points to Baalke.

I want to read the info that points out balke being in control.

Originally posted by dj43:

Originally posted by FILTHpigskin:

Originally posted by carlgo:
Singletar evidently had a lot to say about the draft. He wanted and got linemen to run the smashmouth running game. Remember, the QB isn't an important position...

Smith was eager to please and the others weren't going to play. Sing didn't even practice those guys!

Which is why we have Jim Harbaugh here and we're drafting a quarterback now. Not to mention we'll probably pick up at least one veteran QB. Let the guru help decide which QB Baalke will draft.

That is what makes this entire mess even worse. In order to save this next season, we may have to give up a high draft choice for a short-term QB solution instead of using that choice for a player that will be here for 10 years as a solid starter. There just aren't any vets around that are going to win games. It is looking more and more like the choice is David Carr and a rookie. Giving up a 2nd for a totally unproven QB or aging vet is just not good future planning either.

But in order to plan ahead, we'd would've had to know that Alex Smith and Singletary were going to fail miserably AND we would've had to know that Harbagh was going to be our new coach AND we would've had to know that we were going to run the west coast offense.

All very important and impossible things to know in order to draft a quarterback last year for this year.

Now, with Harbaugh in place, HE can help pick the quarterback(s) he will start or groom into a starter. It's a fresh start for the 49ers and a non-issue to me.

Originally posted by susweel:
If Baalke was calling the shots last year in the draft why didnt he draft a QB at some point in the draft last year. He knew Smith was in his last year and Hill had already been traded. If he was the one calling the shots why didnt he plan ahead, especially since the uncertainty of the CBA was looming.

Right now the way things stand and our 2011 season may be f**ked because nobody planned ahead. Many people were praising Baalke on his draft last year but I screaming for him to draft a QB because number 1 I knew Alex was gonna fail and number 2 even if he had succeeded you still dont want to bare at the most crucial position.

Last season was all about Alex and Singletary. If things went well, Smith would have gotten an extension and they would have continued to try to progress together. If they did not, then Smith would be gone and they would be looking for a new QB anyway.

If he they had drafted a QB, It would have been with the belief that he would fit the system they ran under Raye/Johnson and not a WC system. And, Harbaugh would want his own guy anyway.

The potential lockout is a problem but the other NFC West teams have similar issues. Rams will have a new OC and system. Seahawks have a new Oc and may have a new starting QB. Cards almost for sure will have a new QB.

As I posted in another thread, obsession with the QB position is a dangerous two-edged sword.

Looking at the remaining 4 teams in the playoffs, their QBs are ranked 3rd, 5th, 16th and 27th. Looking at offensive yards, these 4 teams are ranked 9th, 11th, 14th and 30th. But looking at defensive yards, the 4 teams are ranked 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 9th.

Fellas, the handwriting is on the wall; if you want a championship quality team, you should first and formost be a dominent defensive team. The teams with the 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 ranked QBs either did not make the playoffs or have been knocked out. Having an "elite, franchise QB" does not ensure success in the playoffs as much as having an elite defense.

The lesson is to not trade away high draft choices for an uncertain QB solution when those same choices can be invested in a potentially dominent defensive player.

This is perhaps the most compelling reason to try to keep Alex. He will not cost us any draft choices, has some experience and with superior coaching, playcalling, OL performance, should become more consistent.

Originally posted by susweel:
If Baalke was calling the shots last year in the draft why didnt he draft a QB at some point in the draft last year. He knew Smith was in his last year and Hill had already been traded. If he was the one calling the shots why didnt he plan ahead, especially since the uncertainty of the CBA was looming.

Right now the way things stand and our 2011 season may be f**ked because nobody planned ahead. Many people were praising Baalke on his draft last year but I screaming for him to draft a QB because number 1 I knew Alex was gonna fail and number 2 even if he had succeeded you still dont want to bare at the most crucial position.

Use your short term memory to try and remember who was making QB decisions last year. It wasn't Baalke. Dingleberry, the QB expert was. His fingerprints are all over the decisions to bring in Smith, the non-competive Carr and the decision to put Davis on the practice squad

Since Baalke has officially taken over, his decisions have been pretty solid. Not Worried

Originally posted by susweel:


I know what you are saying but given the circumstances with the uncertain CBA, it would have made sense to plan ahead.

But I guess the main question is who really was calling the shots Baalke or Sing in the drafting process. From everything I have read it all points to Baalke.

The CBA would have the same effect. No coaching of new players until it is resolved.

We have to implement a new system.

Again, we won't know for sure who called what shots. If you want to know my guess, it would be that Singletary and Baalke worked together. Our draft "war room" didn't exactly appear a peaceful place, either. (Enjoy the irony?)

I think Singletary is a bully. I think he is prone to tantrums. Baalke was not the "General Manager" at the time and Singletary, IIRC, made comments about increasing his role in the draft process after McCloughan made his "mutual" departure.

I can put on a tin foil hat and give you an explanation for the whole scenario, from McCloughan leaving up to Harbaugh being hired if you want, but it will all be conspiracy and speculation. Why bother?

We are where we are. Was it a plan? Who knows. Were all the right decisions made? We'll have to wait and find out.

This is a new era... let's give it a chance, eh?

I was shocked that the team didn't draft a QB last year. There were no proven QBs on the roster, and there was good reason to believe that Alex would again fail to live up to expectations.

I think that in addition to a FA this year, I think the team might actually draft two QBs, which is what Washington has done, Carolina did last year, and what Walsh did in 2000. When a team has such an unsettled QB situation, drafting two players makes sense.

For all of Harbaugh's hype (and I am a believer) the win/loss column won't change much until the QB problem is solved. There can be no more waiting around on bad "project" types if the team is going to change its losing ways.

Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
I think everyone was pretty much set on saying last season was A.Smith's final shot. That and I don't think anyone thought Carr would be as bad as he is.

Why would they think Carr was not going to suck?