Good year, so far - how do we become better?

VANiner · 2011-12-17T21:33:05-08:00

Looking at the current starters on the team and some of the impending FAs for next year, where do we stand as far as improving upon this year? I mean, I'm happy with almost all of our players, but what do we need to do to be better next year? NOTE: I am not 100% sure if there are other FAs in our starting lineups, but I think I got most of them. Feel free to note anyone I missed... Offense: QB - A. Smith (FA) -SHOULD be back on a new contract. It's not an AS thread, so no discussion. I am just assuming, at this point, he will be back. (No upgrade needed - yet) RB - F. Gore - Let's hope he remains injury free. (No upgrade needed - we have a solid K. Hunter on standby) FB - B. Miller - Big surprise. I like him a lot for the next few years. (No upgrade needed) WR - M. Crabtree -Making progress and I think might be in for a big year next year if he can stay healthy for a training camp. (No upgrade needed) WR - B. Edwards (FA) -Injuries have killed his year. (Upgrade needed - and the answer might be on the roster with K. Williams) TE - V. Davis -Step back from last year - still borderline elite (No upgrade needed) C - J. Goodwin -Good year, under contract - but drafting a potential future C might be a good idea (No upgrade needed - yet) G - A. Snyder -Fantastic utility player, but is he a starter? (Upgrade needed) G - M. Iupati -Running mauler, still learning pass blocking. Will be a beast. (No upgrade needed) T - J. Staley - Injuries are a concern, but one of the better LTs in the game. (No upgrade needed) T. A. Davis - Learning and made big strides in his sophomore year. (No upgrade needed) Defense: DE - J. Smith - Stud. (No upgrade needed) NT - I. Sopoaga - Doing a good job. (No upgrade needed, especially with I. Williams in the backup) DE - R. McDonald - Showing he was worth the money. (No upgrade needed) OLB - P. Haralson - Likely will lose his job to A. Smith next year (Upgrade needed - but already on the team) OLB - A. Brooks (FA) - SHOULD be resigned. He is having a good year. (No upgrade needed) ILB - P. Willis - Stud (No upgrade needed) ILB - N. Bowman - Stud in the making (No upgrade needed) CB - C. Rogers (FA) - Great year to date. This guy SHOULD be resigned. (No upgrade needed) CB - T. Brown - IMO, not what we need. C. Culliver might take his spot, but this is an area of concern (Upgrade needed) SS - D. Whitner - Hasn't been great, but very good. (No upgrade needed) FS - D. Goldson (FA) - IMO, must resign. I love his play, though R. Smith is starting caliber. (No upgrade needed - if Goldson is resigned) Special Teams: PK - D. Akers - Stud (No upgrade needed) P - A. Lee - Stud (No upgrade needed) KR - T. Ginn (FA) - Good return guy and I welcome him back, unless someone more dynamic is available. (No upgrade needed) Thoughts?

Dec 17, 2011 at 9:35 PM

cubanb
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Kick ass and take no prisoners

Dec 17, 2011 at 9:46 PM

KowboyKiller
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Originally posted by cubanb:
Kick ass and take no prisoners

This, plus ROIDS

Dec 17, 2011 at 9:49 PM

VANiner
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So, you agree with me?????

Dec 17, 2011 at 9:50 PM

ElDannMann
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I say Goodwin needs to be replaced. I'm not sure what FA looks like though, but center has been a problem this year with pass protection.

Also, I'd like more DEPTH everywhere. I starters are good, but once they go down, the depth behind them is really shaky.

I still might like to see another vet QB to come in. I don't like the seeing our QB depth chart being Smith, rookie, rookie. I'm hoping that Kaep can be our QB of the Future... but we've barely seen him in action.

Dec 17, 2011 at 9:59 PM

phatbutskinny
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Posts: 27,247

CB Depth is huge. We need to draft 2 CB's this draft imo (1 in the first round)
Safety Depth also needed. I think Reggie Smith is overrated and Madieu Williams is a nice piece of trash.

Dec 17, 2011 at 10:24 PM

NinerNation
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Posts: 341

we need a wr to compliment crabs kind of like how the cards had with boldin and fitz couple yrs back williams is good 3rd wr but nothing more cb is must and a nt maybe the lb core is set the only one i see replacing is parys the qb postion will be alex as long as harbaugh doesnt do a dikta and draft luck

Dec 17, 2011 at 11:37 PM

ace49ers
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Execution, execution, execution!!

Dec 17, 2011 at 11:42 PM

zillabeast
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MORE

Dec 18, 2011 at 12:54 AM

SanDiego49er
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Get a better offense....

Dec 18, 2011 at 1:31 AM

#10

sincalfaithful
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Put points on the board

Dec 18, 2011 at 2:27 AM

#11

RonMexico
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we can't get better with alex smith at qb

Dec 18, 2011 at 4:54 AM

#12

Engleburger
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Posts: 160

Nice read. I think the upgrade at QB is already on our roster lol.

I really do think we need an upgrade at WR, even with Kyle Williams. Crabtree, Williams, and Morgan is a nice trio. It's just really nice to have another guy that steps in when the others get hurt, or even push one of those 3 down the depth chart. I'm really not feeling Braylon Edwards or Ginn as WR's.

Dec 18, 2011 at 5:34 AM

#13

kemp_j
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Posts: 1,733

Originally posted by NinerNation:
we need a wr to compliment crabs kind of like how the cards had with boldin and fitz couple yrs back williams is good 3rd wr but nothing more cb is must and a nt maybe the lb core is set the only one i see replacing is parys the qb postion will be alex as long as harbaugh doesnt do a dikta and draft luck

Not saying that Morgan is Boldin or Fitz, but, losing him really hurt the passing this year.........

Dec 18, 2011 at 7:49 AM

#14

bwalsh
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Posts: 49

Think about it...Harbaugh and company have done all this on a short timetable. I've read that it takes about two years to really install the West Coast Offense. Imagine what the Niners will look like in two years. Imagine a true west coast offense quarterback in the mix-not a statue like Smith. Someone with a quick release, quick feet, poise in the pocket, and someone that can throw to their third or fourth receiver.