Peter King's MMQB take on the Niners | Page 5

m_brockalexander · 2011-08-29T09:32:45-07:00

From this morning's SI.com: 7. I think it's hard to imagine why the Niners, who will engage in contract-extension talks with the agent for running back Frank Gore today, will offer Gore more than just token guaranteed money. Gore's a warrior, to be sure, but he's also had a career's worth of surgeries since his Miami days; both knees have been cut on. He's 28. Love the guy, and you want to show him loyalty, and you don't want to show the locker room you're cold as ice, but you also have to sign guys you're sure will help you well into the future. 8. I think, from what I've seen in the preseason so far, the 2010 Stanford coach has a pretty decent chance to coach the 2011 Stanford quarterback on the 2012 San Francisco 49ers. No matter what you think about Peter King, I think he hit the nail on the head on both these points. Gore is our best player, but he is on the down side of a typical RB career. Signing him to a long term contract with big money is probably not going to happen. In regards to the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, I think the Niners and the Seahawks will both be in the running for the #1 pick based on their Offensive line performance and their QB's. Scary but true.

Aug 30, 2011 at 6:36 AM

#61

49erThrowback
Veteran
Posts: 1,194

While Peter King isn't my favorite writer by a long shot -- a REALLY LONG shot -- I'm afraid his underlying premises are correct.

First, Frank Gore *is* on the downside of his career, despite the wishes of fervent Niners fans. Anyone watching his play over the past two years can't deny it. He's lost a step or two and injuries are taking their toll (most players don't recover completely from a serious injury, much less several). I would be sad but not surprised if he's not retired after two more years. I hope he invested his millions wisely.

I don't think the Niners will lose enough games to get the first pick in the draft (I'm still predicting 5-11), but they're not going to do well this season...a new system (well, two, offense and defense), suspect special teams (despite the best ST coach in the league), and too many gaps with too little depth will make it very hard for them to win many games, even in the NFC West. Even if they get the first pick, I'm not convinced they should spend it on Andrew Luck or any other QB, depending on how much Kaep learns this season. If he progresses as much as Josh Johnson (or Andrew Luck) under Harbaugh's tutelage, he'll be the heir apparent next season. If Baalke is smart, he trades that pick to a hapless and desperate team for multiple picks over several years and builds some depth and quality.

[ Edited by 49erThrowback on Aug 30, 2011 at 6:37 AM ]

Aug 30, 2011 at 7:47 AM

#62

niners9
Veteran
Posts: 1,286

i dont think we're in the Luck sweepstakes. we might draft in the top 10 again, but not #1 overall.

Aug 30, 2011 at 7:53 AM

#63

RedWaltz24
Veteran
Posts: 4,121

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:

Originally posted by AthensGaNiner:

Originally posted by dj43:
King is sometimes the "king" of hyperbole. The 49ers will win 5, perhaps 6 games this season, and that will certainly take them out of the Luck lottery. The only way Luck winds up on the 49ers is if he utterly falls on his face this upcoming season while other college guys shine. There are several college QBs this year who should have very good season and be called early the first day of the draft.

As to Gore, he should get a nice contract that is front-loaded so if his career goes the way most 28 year old NFL RBs go, the team can release him if he has another major injury and/or his performance drops off. If he does well, then he gets the money.

This kind of alludes to a more interesting discussion. While I agree that Luck is the pick if the Niners end up with the #1 overall, what happens if we pick in the 5-6 range? Do we take a guy like Landry Jones(I'm not as familiar with his game as some, so maybe he wouldn't go there, feel free to correct me)?

Going by his soph year - Landry Jones has the highest ceiling for all the QBs who will be eligible for 2012 draft - including Luck. I'd love to have him on this team, after he puts a huge season for Oklahoma. He is 10 times better than Bradford ever was at Okla.

If Luck, Jones and Barkley continue to show that they are top flight QB's, I see no reason why the Niners wouldn't take one of them if they could next year. They may have taken Kaep this year, but if Carolina taught us anything, 2nd rnd QB's are disposable if you have a shot at a stud.

Aug 30, 2011 at 8:26 AM

#64

smashmouth51
Veteran
Posts: 1,254

We could always trade up to get Luck, especially if Carolina gets the 1st pick. We would just have to fight off the Bengals