Can we give some props to Trent Baalke?

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:
The only concerns I had with the draft was that we didn't draft Fleener over Jenkins (we saw what Graham did against us with the Saints); he is a guy who I felt could come in paired with VD and dominate the middle of the field, be key on 3rd downs and be an ideal target in the RZ. I knew we'd draft a RB high but felt LMJ is almost identical to Hunter and felt we didn't use Hunter enough like a Sproles last year. He was VERY successful every time he touched the ball and had a great skill set (including blitz pick up). But I knew with Gore, we'd get one high and perhaps these two are our future RB's. The other concern was that if we planned to have Boone transition to RG, why not draft a T or pick one up in FA? On this team in particular, injuries are inevitable esp. for Staley. We also didn't draft a two-gapper NT (not as big of an issue) but RJF struggled when Sopoaga was out and Williams is an unknown.

We'll see how it all pans out but the rest of the off season moves and draft were fantastic.

Wanted Fleener for all of those reasons, but oh well. LMJ surprised me as a bit redundant, because as you said, similar skills to Hunter.

Not gonna get into the OL thing again... also disagree about RJF struggling. Most beatwriters stated that RJF filled in very well for Sopo and from my many viewings, I agree with them.

LOL, no worries. And the "plan" for the OL is barely in phase 1, if that. Actually, RJF was getting pushed around a bit and I believe reading he got called out a bit to step up at NT. He worked hard and seemed to get better and he esp. played well at DE for McDonald in the run game. But he's a one-gapper and I don't know if I feel comfortable fully with him starting at NT if Sopoaga goes down. Can Iupati play both ways? LOL

Originally posted by oldninerdude:

Originally posted by NCommand:
The only concerns I had with the draft was that we didn't draft Fleener over Jenkins (we saw what Graham did against us with the Saints); he is a guy who I felt could come in paired with VD and dominate the middle of the field, be key on 3rd downs and be an ideal target in the RZ. I knew we'd draft a RB high but felt LMJ is almost identical to Hunter and felt we didn't use Hunter enough like a Sproles last year. He was VERY successful every time he touched the ball and had a great skill set (including blitz pick up). But I knew with Gore, we'd get one high and perhaps these two are our future RB's. The other concern was that if we planned to have Boone transition to RG, why not draft a T or pick one up in FA? On this team in particular, injuries are inevitable esp. for Staley. We also didn't draft a two-gapper NT (not as big of an issue) but RJF struggled when Sopoaga was out and Williams is an unknown.

We'll see how it all pans out but the rest of the off season moves and draft were fantastic.

I share those concerns as well. I really wanted Fleener for the reasons you suggest and was surprised by the selection of Jenkins. LMJ also was a surprise at first, but his production in college might suggest that he was the BPA.

I disagree about Boone tho. I don't believe they initially considered him for a switch to RG. I believe they had faith, and still have faith, in Kilgore. Boone himself is responsible for his switch to RG, imho. He just wants on the field, and when he came forward the coaches thought, "Why not?" Whether he wins the starter's role is yet to be determined.

Yeah, I still had no issues with drafting LMJ but was, like you, more surprised given we already had a similar back...but re: playmakers, we seem to be looking for smaller, quicker and faster guys and let's face it, the guy i s dynamic so he and Hunter could end up being our immediate future too and be very dynamic together.

I think you are totally correct about this. I think the coaches felt very comfortable knowing Boone was our swing T and could even start, if needed, at LT which is critical to any offense, esp. ours. And then yeah, something happened and they thought to give it a go. I agree, why not. He gets the veteran courtesy tryout (even outside the original plan) and if he wins it AND shows more upside than Kilgore/Looney, more power to him! Truly. It's not a bad problem to have! But like you noted, we may still end up being the swing T and Kilgore/Looney starting at RG. And we still may end up picking up a veteran FA T too for insurance reasons or we already feel comfortable with Person there (unlikely).

Originally posted by 49ersMan420:
Opinions are like a*****es, Everybody has one....

I believe the original saying is: "Opinions are like noses, everyone has one and they all smell."

Then, of course, some brilliant neanderthal changed it to the more crass, but less clever saying to which you refer.

Originally posted by oldninerdude:

Originally posted by 49ersMan420:
Opinions are like a*****es, Everybody has one....

I believe the original saying is: "Opinions are like noses, everyone has one and they all smell."

Then, of course, some brilliant neanderthal changed it to the more crass, but less clever saying to which you refer.

Opinions are like mad dogs. They bark when they're wrong and bark when they're right.

Originally posted by Whomeam:

Originally posted by MadDog49er:
He threw in all his chips on Asomugha, and now is like a deer in headlights. "He didn't sign with us????"

The Niners had the draft and free agency to solve the greatest problem facing this team: covering wide receivers. In the end, the Cardinals get Patrick Peterson, the Eagles, Nnamdi Asomugha, the Texans, Johnathan Joseph, the Ravens, Chris Carr, the Steelers, Ike Taylor, the Jets, Antonio Cromartie, and the 49ers......Chris Culliver, a converted safety.

It sure should be fun to watch Larry Fitzgerald and Braylon Edwards and Todd Heap and Kevin Kolb carve up our secondary in 2011. It's OK. We've got Antwan Applewhite and Larry Grant.

So, what has been our biggest signing: Ray McDonald to a $20 million contract; and he will probably end up sitting on the bench if Franklin returns. Genius!!!!

Goldson is basically begging us to re-sign him, and when we finally do, some board members will scream, "Trent is a success", as if he had to do any heavy lifting.

"Be patient"! We have a "plan".

P.S. Jeff Kaplan's article on the home page, in discussing the epic disaster we are witnessing, was brilliant. Nice work!!

By the way, are we still going to the playoffs, Jed? Looks like we are making a big push to get there.

Oh MadDog

I wish he would own up to these things.

I really appreciate MD's opinions even if I don't agree.

As far as his above comment/predictions go - I see a lot of frustration as many of us have felt over the years. So was he wrong - absolutely! So what!

This is a great example of why we are in the Zone and people like Baalke are GM's.

Originally posted by 49ersMan420:
Opinions are like a*****es, Everybody has one....

And most of them stink....

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
I really appreciate MD's opinions even if I don't agree.

As far as his above comment/predictions go - I see a lot of frustration as many of us have felt over the years. So was he wrong - absolutely! So what!

This is a great example of why we are in the Zone and people like Baalke are GM's.

I just find his whole style entertaining. Its nothing to get upset about. I've know a number of guys with his personality (usually successful), but its funny to me, because I can't believe anyone takes themselves that serious.

Edit: I agree with oldninerdude. MD does make good arguments and at least makes you think.

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
I really appreciate MD's opinions even if I don't agree.

As far as his above comment/predictions go - I see a lot of frustration as many of us have felt over the years. So was he wrong - absolutely! So what!

This is a great example of why we are in the Zone and people like Baalke are GM's.

Yes, even when MD is wrong (and most of us are wrong from time to time), he's usually raising a topic that's worth thinking about.

His early criticism of Baalke, quoted above, is pretty harsh, but if it makes us think about and discuss what Baalke has actually done as GM, then we may begin to appreciate Baalke more.

So MD's criticism could be looked at as a kind of blessing in disguise, even if that's not exactly what was intended to begin with.

Originally posted by Young2Rice:
Opinions are like mad dogs. They bark when they're wrong and bark when they're right.

lol.

An they all smell, too!

Nice piece on Baalke from the NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/sports/football/in-a-short-time-49ers-gm-quietly-made-a-lot-of-noise.html?ref=sports

HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT.

Originally posted by susweel:

Even McClueless was a better recruiter.

LOL

Originally posted by Mookster:
From SI coloumn on ESPN website:

San Francisco 49ers

Key additions: Alex Smith (re-signed), Ray McDonald (re-signed), Carlos Rogers, Madieu Williams, David Akers, Jonathan Goodwin
Key losses: Aubrayo Franklin, Nate Clements, Manny Lawson, Eric Heitmann

Analysis: Overall, this is the most perplexing team to me in free agency -- I really have no idea why the front office did next to nothing to improve the team. Originally, I assumed that the 49ers were handcuffed financially while they heavily pursued Asomugha. But after Asomugha went to Philadelphia, the 49ers remained catatonic. Smith's return to San Francisco was the worst-kept secret in free agency. Although I don't disagree with bringing Smith back under these circumstances, I hardly consider it a great signing. Goodwin is a wide-bodied anchor who could be a stabilizing force in the middle of San Francisco's young line, but he isn't a high end starter. I am very high on McDonald, though. He can get after the quarterback, moves very well for a 3-4 defensive end and is probably only improving. That said, this is a team that has a wealth of needs, especially at wide receiver and in the secondary.

The 49ers could have done worse than adding Rogers as a Plan B (or Plan C) option instead of Asomugha, but I'm not confident that their secondary is even as good as it was last year. With Michael Crabtree out with another injury, it boggles my mind that the 49ers didn't see a need to bring in someone with pedigree at this position as they try to construct a passing game. San Francisco had better be confident that coach Jim Harbaugh is worth all that money it is paying him, because it hasn't given its first-year head coach much to work with.


Grade: D-
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com. Follow Matt Williamson on Twitter @WilliamsonNFL


an interesting perspective from a neutral 3rd party......

[ Edited by Mookster on Aug 4, 2011 at 12:46:50 ]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA


Matt Williamson can eat a...........................................

Originally posted by Young2Rice:

Originally posted by oldninerdude:

Originally posted by 49ersMan420:
Opinions are like a*****es, Everybody has one....

I believe the original saying is: "Opinions are like noses, everyone has one and they all smell."

Then, of course, some brilliant neanderthal changed it to the more crass, but less clever saying to which you refer.

Opinions are like mad dogs. They bark when they're wrong and bark when they're right.

+1

He seems like an intelligent poster, but humility would be nice.