Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Originally posted by Joecool:
We can acquire a true FB who can block better than Walker and still get that FB to produce 200 yards receiving. Walker isn't even a great blocker. Most of his blocks are misdirection blocks that gives him leverage. His greatest asset is understanding the offense, which can easily be filled by Fleener.
If this team had 2 great WR's and Harbaugh's offensive system focused on WR's not TE's, Walker would be a heck of backup to have, but in this offense he's less of a backup and more of a starter and you can't be a starter and go 8 games without making a single reception, that's just nuts.
"Because he was in there to block."
b******t, yeah he did block a lot, but go back and look at the previous games and how many times he went out on a route and got bottled up in coverage by a safety or nickelback, he had a few plays where he broke free and made some nice catches downfield, he also had some drops downfield but a lot of the time, he wasn't able to create separation.
The blocking is nice, is it good enough to make up for the lack of production offensively, I don't think so. This is why guys who are true TE's go much earlier in the draft than an h-back, no matter how talented.
You understand that blocking allows us to BE productive offensively, right? Unless you want Smith sacked every play...
If Byham wasn't injured, we'd see Walker making more catches because he wouldn't be focusing on blocking. The same thing happened with Davis under Martz. Martz kept him in to block, then when his number was called, he dropped the ball...
Does the zone really have that short of a memory span?
Most of his blocks are misdirection blocks that gives him leverage
You do realize these blocks take finesse, footwork, quickness and a whole heap of other talents alot of players do not have, right? You can't just stick someone in there and expect him to take the right angles on these blocks...
I played RB for a couple years, shared the job with a real good RB. We needed an offensive lineman quick enough to pull from the guard or opposite side tackle. Pure linemen (Not Pro) have trouble with the quickness and footwork it takes to cut across the LOS before the RB gets there. I stepped in and took over. The biggest thing I noticed was that because I had stopped focused on carrying and catching the ball, and instead focused on hitting the blocks correctly, even just playing catch, I noticed my hands weren't what they used to be...
But was I any less valuable to the team? No.
In fact, I was more valuable to the team in the way they utilized me because I was able to get the job done. You need utility players around. Especially ones that pull through in the clutch and catch winning touchdowns when the game is on the line.
[ Edited by mkmasn on Apr 19, 2012 at 1:07 PM ]
But I hear ya! Walker may want his big pay day, but I really doubt he will get Davis, Clark, Gonzo, or Gates type mula so why go? Anyway, I still think Fleener at #30 would be BPA.