Originally posted by overthemiddle:
Fans have forgotton that we are a WCO. Speed is nice but it is not important in the WCO. Sure handed, runs good routes, elusive, YAC, not afraid to go over the middle are a must for the WCO. Power running, short passes with YAC, ball control are the bread and butter of the WCO. The best receiver in football history Jerry Rice was not at all fast but he had all the other qualities needed in a WCO. We need to draft players that fit the WCO and speed doesnt equate. Draft a player or get a FA that can fix the two glaring problems we had last year - third down and red zone. Also remember we have Alex Smith as our QB (I think we do anyhow) get him the tools that fits his strengths. Drafting Fleener would give us an immediate starter as he knows the system. He is big, has some speed, good hands, guess his major problem is he doesnt block very well. Blocking is a skill that can be taught the only question I have does Fleener want to block.
While I generally agree with your post I disagree about speed in the sense that football speed is different than track speed. J Rice was in such good shape that his speed never was an issue throughout the game and he beat fast corners time and time again. So I agree that the 9ers do not need speed as much as they need route running, sure hands and the ability to run after the catch.
Sure hands are under rated by many on this board. The WCO is predicated on high percentage completion average to move the chains. A dropped ball puts the brakes on the offense as we saw this past season. Walsh saw the short passing game like a handoff to a halfback and believed it should be completed almost as surely.
Totally agree about Fleener and believe Harbaugh will be a great judge of his worth.
