I would like to start a discussion on where our holes are on this team AND how we can improve those areas.
We have a lot of talent but there is something missing....
I think its the secondary (Williams & Brown are back ups at best). We need Spencer and Goldston back ASAP! I like Brock but that play when he fell down and Austin scored was just horrible. "_"
I know there are a lot of knowledgeable NFL fans out there reading this so please share your insight!!!!
There are 216 users in the forums
Where are the holes on this team?
Sep 21, 2011 at 7:09 AM
- NinerFanForever
- Veteran
- Posts: 43
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:09 AM
- MX_ninner
- Veteran
- Posts: 42
I agree with the secondary.
The O Line is the other big area we need to get better, if we improve on both areas, this team will contend strong for the west.
The O Line is the other big area we need to get better, if we improve on both areas, this team will contend strong for the west.
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:23 AM
- SybErkRimInAL
- Veteran
- Posts: 59,184
i didn't think out secondary was THAT bad, but apparently it is.
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:25 AM
- valrod33
- Hall of Small
- Posts: 137,970
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:25 AM
- SybErkRimInAL
- Veteran
- Posts: 59,184
i miss spencer, clements and goldson.
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:27 AM
- A-R-S
- Veteran
- Posts: 8,185
O-line and Secondary.
Both are pretty much as bad as can possibly be.
Both are pretty much as bad as can possibly be.
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:29 AM
- Mr.Mcgibblets
- Veteran
- Posts: 15,079
Short answer below:
DL is very solid, no issues there.
ILBs also solid, no issues there.
OLBs are... decent... sometimes good, but not consistent in getting pressure. Getting better at run stoppage ( even Haralson ).
Whitner's been inconsistent, but I don't regard him as a big "hole". Needs to play more disciplined, but so far, not hating his play.
Williams has been disappointing in coverage... looked good in pre-season, but not so much in regular season action.
Reggie Smith is a liability until 100%, and even then, is questionable on talent. Who knows for sure about Goldson yet.
CB play has really not been that bad, but again, I think scheme has been hurting their cause. Lots of soft coverage and zone has not brought out the best in them.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OL is a mess... no strength from Staley or Goodwin for the run game. Staley still gets beat too frequently on edge rushes. Goodwin has been dreadful at keeping his DT in front of him, and often gets pushed backwards in the pocket. Rachal and Davis often do their jobs in the run game, but it's a mixed bag there. The two have been pass protecting better, but Rachal is not quite keeping up with his good pre-season pass pro. Iupati has been overall good, but suffers from poor OL play on each side of him. Stacked boxes and heavy blitzes haven't helped any of them, but our play-calling isn't where it needs to be yet.
QB play has been good, but not perfect. A few errant throws here and there, but all QBs do this. Conservative play-calls attribute much here.
Gore runs hard, but occasionally misses his holes or run direction. On rare occasions, he goes his own way... as if he doesn't trust his blockers.
FB play sucks as usual with Norris. he occasionally gets a good lead block, but more often fails completely to be anything more than another impediment for Gore.
Receiver play has been... spotty... injuries haven't helped. Still waiting for more great plays like the one Kyle W made. Other teams constantly have receivers making fantastic catches. Our guys? Seem to need perfect passes.
Mostly, the conservative play-calling and the OL blocking is our issue here. Probably one because of the other.
The holes right now?
1. OL (particularly LT and C)
2. Our FS situation is lacking.
3. Definitely could use Spencer back as # 2 CB.
4. FB suckage.
5. Without Braylon and Crabtree, we don't have real quality at WR.
DL is very solid, no issues there.
ILBs also solid, no issues there.
OLBs are... decent... sometimes good, but not consistent in getting pressure. Getting better at run stoppage ( even Haralson ).
Whitner's been inconsistent, but I don't regard him as a big "hole". Needs to play more disciplined, but so far, not hating his play.
Williams has been disappointing in coverage... looked good in pre-season, but not so much in regular season action.
Reggie Smith is a liability until 100%, and even then, is questionable on talent. Who knows for sure about Goldson yet.
CB play has really not been that bad, but again, I think scheme has been hurting their cause. Lots of soft coverage and zone has not brought out the best in them.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OL is a mess... no strength from Staley or Goodwin for the run game. Staley still gets beat too frequently on edge rushes. Goodwin has been dreadful at keeping his DT in front of him, and often gets pushed backwards in the pocket. Rachal and Davis often do their jobs in the run game, but it's a mixed bag there. The two have been pass protecting better, but Rachal is not quite keeping up with his good pre-season pass pro. Iupati has been overall good, but suffers from poor OL play on each side of him. Stacked boxes and heavy blitzes haven't helped any of them, but our play-calling isn't where it needs to be yet.
QB play has been good, but not perfect. A few errant throws here and there, but all QBs do this. Conservative play-calls attribute much here.
Gore runs hard, but occasionally misses his holes or run direction. On rare occasions, he goes his own way... as if he doesn't trust his blockers.
FB play sucks as usual with Norris. he occasionally gets a good lead block, but more often fails completely to be anything more than another impediment for Gore.
Receiver play has been... spotty... injuries haven't helped. Still waiting for more great plays like the one Kyle W made. Other teams constantly have receivers making fantastic catches. Our guys? Seem to need perfect passes.
Mostly, the conservative play-calling and the OL blocking is our issue here. Probably one because of the other.
The holes right now?
1. OL (particularly LT and C)
2. Our FS situation is lacking.
3. Definitely could use Spencer back as # 2 CB.
4. FB suckage.
5. Without Braylon and Crabtree, we don't have real quality at WR.
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:30 AM
- valrod33
- Hall of Small
- Posts: 137,970
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
i miss spencer, clements and goldson.
Rogers
Spencer
Goldson
Whitner
is better than
Clements
Spencer
Goldson
Smith
Make it happen Harbaugh
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:34 AM
- NinerFanForever
- Veteran
- Posts: 43
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
i didn't think out secondary was THAT bad, but apparently it is.
I don't think we are horrible but we need our starters to get healthy. My biggest issue with the secondary is Williams. He took bad angles to the Cowboys receivers last Sunday costing us two touchdowns.
I like Brown but he missed an easy tackle last week after the receiver caught the ball.
Rogers and Whitner are good! I think Rogers was a great pickup! He was tied for first place in defended passes last year!!! He has been impressive so far.
Whitner got burned after biting on the play action but he has made some great plays so far. I think he will pay dividends all year.
What is the deal with Spencer! He was solid for us as a number 2 corner! We need him on the field performing! He must have lost speed or something when he got injured...
Where did Brock come from??
Thought: Darren Sharper is out there... I think we should take a look at him to play safety for us! What do you guys think? I know he just worked out for the Broncos...
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:37 AM
- SybErkRimInAL
- Veteran
- Posts: 59,184
I think Rogers had a horrible game this past week. A lot of standing around. Then that ball hit him right in the face. IDK, jury's still out. But he did have some nice plays against Seattle.
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:42 AM
- FILTHpigskin
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,530
Obviously not on the offensive line... otherwise, Gore would have running room.
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:45 AM
- 9erred
- Veteran
- Posts: 4,152
I think the biggest hole is the team does not have a franchise qb who is starting. Kaepernick or Tolzien might be the franchise qb in a couple of years, but as of now, we do not have a qb who makes other players elevate their game.
The team was up by 10 points in the 4th quarter and the team could not sustain drives to keep the D off the field, biggest issue.
The team was up by 10 points in the 4th quarter and the team could not sustain drives to keep the D off the field, biggest issue.
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:48 AM
- Joecool
- Veteran
- Posts: 70,984
SS
FS
Backup SS
Backup FS
So far, all but 1 of the oppositions' big plays have been on the safeties.
FS
Backup SS
Backup FS
So far, all but 1 of the oppositions' big plays have been on the safeties.
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:49 AM
- LottDMontanaO
- Veteran
- Posts: 5,979
Yes, the secondary (particularly cornerback) is a weak area as of now. Rogers has looked really good so far and hopefully he doesn't get hurt. The other side and our overall depth at CB is a concern. Hopefully, Spencer will be healthy and perform well. Will Culliver get a chance before long despite being a rookie? So far, Brown and Brock have shown they're only good enough to be backups. To improve this area, hopefully they'll improve as they continue to learn Fangio's D or we may need to add someone eventually, though I'm not sure who's available that would really help. I keep wondering about that CB Philly recently dropped, Trevard Lindley, when they re-signed Hanson - he was a 4th-round pick last year. At Safety, we're pretty strong with a healthy Goldson (who's just o.k., I know, but the best starter we have opposite Whitner - maybe Whitner brings out the best in Goldson?). Williams is a good backup and occasional spot starter compared to what we've had in the past. Brown has been the big disappointment, though he's still getting back into form after his injury. He always shows a lot of promise in the preseason and practice, but in real games he's just been average to sometimes poor.
Outside LB depth could be a hole. We just have one backup there in our top rookie Smith. That could be an issue down the road if injuries hit.
WR is a hole with the uncertainty surrounding Crabtree's reoccurring foot injury, Edwards' knee, Ginns' hands/route running, etc. This area is an area of strength for almost all of the most talented teams...they all have at least 1-2 playmakers/game changers at WR. Crabtree and Edwards have the potential to do this for us when they're healthy and assuming QB Smith can continue to improve in learning Harbaugh's offense.
Outside LB depth could be a hole. We just have one backup there in our top rookie Smith. That could be an issue down the road if injuries hit.
WR is a hole with the uncertainty surrounding Crabtree's reoccurring foot injury, Edwards' knee, Ginns' hands/route running, etc. This area is an area of strength for almost all of the most talented teams...they all have at least 1-2 playmakers/game changers at WR. Crabtree and Edwards have the potential to do this for us when they're healthy and assuming QB Smith can continue to improve in learning Harbaugh's offense.
Sep 21, 2011 at 8:50 AM
- dj43
- Moderator
- Posts: 35,654
Originally posted by oldman9er:
Short answer below:
DL is very solid, no issues there.
ILBs also solid, no issues there.
OLBs are... decent... sometimes good, but not consistent in getting pressure. Getting better at run stoppage ( even Haralson ).
Whitner's been inconsistent, but I don't regard him as a big "hole". Needs to play more disciplined, but so far, not hating his play.
Williams has been disappointing in coverage... looked good in pre-season, but not so much in regular season action.
Reggie Smith is a liability until 100%, and even then, is questionable on talent. Who knows for sure about Goldson yet.
CB play has really not been that bad, but again, I think scheme has been hurting their cause. Lots of soft coverage and zone has not brought out the best in them.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OL is a mess... no strength from Staley or Goodwin for the run game. Staley still gets beat too frequently on edge rushes. Goodwin has been dreadful at keeping his DT in front of him, and often gets pushed backwards in the pocket. Rachal and Davis often do their jobs in the run game, but it's a mixed bag there. The two have been pass protecting better, but Rachal is not quite keeping up with his good pre-season pass pro. Iupati has been overall good, but suffers from poor OL play on each side of him. Stacked boxes and heavy blitzes haven't helped any of them, but our play-calling isn't where it needs to be yet.
QB play has been good, but not perfect. A few errant throws here and there, but all QBs do this. Conservative play-calls attribute much here.
Gore runs hard, but occasionally misses his holes or run direction. On rare occasions, he goes his own way... as if he doesn't trust his blockers.
FB play sucks as usual with Norris. he occasionally gets a good lead block, but more often fails completely to be anything more than another impediment for Gore.
Receiver play has been... spotty... injuries haven't helped. Still waiting for more great plays like the one Kyle W made. Other teams constantly have receivers making fantastic catches. Our guys? Seem to need perfect passes.
Mostly, the conservative play-calling and the OL blocking is our issue here. Probably one because of the other.
The holes right now?
1. OL (particularly LT and C)
2. Our FS situation is lacking.
3. Definitely could use Spencer back as # 2 CB.
4. FB suckage.
5. Without Braylon and Crabtree, we don't have real quality at WR.
Nice summary.
The big issues are unchanged from last season:
Still lack speed in the secondary and WR.
OL is, as you say, a mess.
The secondary will be improved when Spencer and Goldson get healthy although Goldson will still be Goldson - big hits but lots of misses as well - slow reaction to play development.
The WR improvement in vital to the offense. Edwards getting healthy is the best hope. Crabtree is a dream until he actually gets healthy enough and stay healthy long enough to learn how to play in the NFL. BOTH of the those two must reach expectations if this team is to hit the .500 level. In this passing league, you cannot win with just one good WR. It is too easy for a good defense to double team you only good receiver and take him away. Edwards and MC both must reach expectations if this team is to pass the ball well.
Morgan is really a #4 and can be useful in blocking situations but he is no threat as a pass receiver.
Ginn is best kept on the bench for ST duty. When he is in the game the temptation to throw him the ball is too great. As we have seen, he does not run patterns correctly and cannot be relied on to catch it when he does.
Kyle Williams is worth investing some time. He certainly can't be any worse that Ginn and though he can't block like Morgan, he is quicker out of his breaks and shows promise.
I'll leave it there as you covered the rest of it well.