49ers on PFF Top Players of 2012 | Page 3

buck · 2013-06-19T08:00:42-07:00

Fourteen current members of the 49ers made the list. I thought the write-ups were interesting so I included them even though it makes the post a bit long. 10. Patrick Willis, LB, (20th) The gap between where Willis was taken and when the last inside linebacker went should give you a pretty clear indication as to how much better he was than the rest. Still the benchmark at his position, he's a true do-it-all type of defender who can handle any role the 49ers ask of him. Exceptional against the run and with the physical talent to make the kind of plays in coverage you don't expect from a linebacker. Key Stat: Missed just four tackles all year. 16. Joe Staley, LT, (Unranked) Staley is a little bit different compared to all the left tackles that have come before him. He's not quite the pass protector of some, but his impact in the running game is so much greater that he cruised to our highest overall grade of any tackle in 2012. A real nasty streak in the run game isn't something that often stands out about left tackles, but Staley has it and then some. Key Stat: Run blocking grade was 10.9 points better than any other tackle. 37. Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers (Unranked) Before the season Crabtree was looking like something of a disappointment relative to what he cost the 49ers. It turns out that was less about him, and more about his quarterback, with Crabtree taking his game to another level when Colin Kaepernick came into the lineup. Cutting back on the drops, Crabtree continued to look like one of the most impressive after-the-catch receivers in the league, forcing 19 missed tackles (including the postseason) while also adding 12 touchdowns. Key Stat: His 2.66 Yards Per Route Run (including playoffs) were the fourth-most of any receiver. 39. Vernon Davis, (Unranked) It was something of an up-and-down year for Davis in 2012. He started off the year playing as well as anyone, even if he wasn't seeing the targets he would perhaps expect. Then he became something of an afterthought in the offense, and it was only really a fantastic slate of postseason play that propelled him up the rankings. A player you feel would benefit even more if he was a more profiled part of the offense. Key Stat: Averaged 1.3 Yards Per Route Run during the regular season, and 2.9 during the postseason. 50. Alex Boone, RG, San Francisco 49ers (Unranked) Boone just about takes the honors in the battle between the 49ers guards, thanks in large part to a stronger finish to the year. An impactful run blocker, Boone did give up some pressure, but when you are as consistent in the run game as he is you can live with it. Key Stat: Had the highest run blocking rating of any right guard. 53. Mike Iupati (Unranked) Would likely have finished higher but for being hampered by an injury he picked up during the playoffs. Never to be confused with the best pass protecting guards, Iupati is an agile linemen who can manhandle you head on or wipe you out as he pulls to the second level. A punishing blocker. Key Stat: Earned a positive run blocking grade in 14 of his 16 regular season appearances. 57. Aldon Smith (64th) Some will think Smith should be higher based on his sack numbers alone. However, for that to be the case there needed to be some quicker developing pressure. That doesn't mean Smith didn't have a great year, just that there's room for him to do more. Coped reasonably well with an expanded role. Key Stat: His 70 quarterback disruptions were the most of any 3-4 outside linebacker. 59. NaVorro Bowman (14th) While there are those who want to crown Bowman the best linebacker in football, he's not even the best on his own team quite yet. Nonetheless, he's still a pretty special player and if you weren't buying into that you need only have watched him get back to his best in the playoffs. A fine every-down defender, Bowman has already proved well worth his big extension. Key Stat: Allowed 0.59 yards per snap in coverage, lowest of all inside linebackers. 63. Anquan Boldin (Unranked) There's a lot of talk about Boldin being a guy that can't get open. Be that as it may, he's still a guy who (with defenders all over him) makes tough catches that move the chains. And it was that ability that was one of the key differences in why it was the Ravens, and no other team, that won the Super Bowl last year. Really stepped it up in the postseason and that's why he makes the list. Key Stat: Including the playoffs, dropped only three passes all year long. Key Stat: Graded negatively in just three of 19 games all season long. 71. Frank Gore (Unranked) The 49ers bell cow was expected to see his role diminished as San Francisco brought in a powerful veteran (Brandon Jacobs) and explosive rookie (LaMichael James). It didn't. Instead, Gore walked away with a healthy 1,214 yards at 4.7 per carry, responding exceptionally well to the blocking ahead of him. What's more, he saved his best football for the postseason where his three games saw him return with a +7.3 grade. Nice work all round. 75. Tarrell Brown (Unranked) Much has been made of the performance of the 49ers' cornerbacks as they struggled in the playoffs, but bemoaning the defensive backs doesn't do justice to the year Brown had. Three picks were never going to grab the attention of the masses, but here's a player who was targeted a massive 113 times and yet gave up only 69 receptions and just one touchdown. The former fifth-round pick really came good this year. Key Stat: The 17 combined interceptions and pass deflections were seventh most of all defensive backs. 80. Anthony Davis, RT, San Francisco 49ers (Unranked) If we're completely honest, we didn't see this coming from Davis. He had some big problems his first two years in the league, but it all came together for him in Year 3 as he played his part in the 49ers' dominant offensive line. There are the occasional meltdowns (such as against the Giants), but for the most part you rarely noticed Davis in the passing game, and couldn't help but be impressed by his punishing blocks in the run game. 81. Colin Kaepernick (Unranked) It's not often you see a sophomore quarterback come in during the middle of a season and replace a quarterback who is not only winning, but playing well. But Kaepernick did, as he electrified the masses when he stepped it in for a concussed Alex Smith and made it impossible for the team to go back. The only reason he didn't feature more highly is because of a lack of playing time, with the athletic quarterback proving extremely effective and handling the pressures of the postseason like a tried and tested veteran. Only injury can prevent him finishing higher next year. Key Stat: His 55.1% Adjusted Accuracy percentage on deep balls was the highest of all quarterbacks in the league. Key Stat: His 16 runs over 15 yards were sixth-most in the league. 87. Justin Smith (2nd) As good as Justin Smith has been, he couldn't reproduce his brilliance in 2011 this season. Injury certainly impacted him, but it was evident that he wasn't anywhere near the productive pass rusher he was a year ago. Still, you need to play really well to make this list and the impact of Smith in the run game was still something to behold, even with him drawing increased attention. Key Stat: Finished second in our 3-4 defensive end Run Stop Percentage Signature Stat with a defensive stop on 11.8% of his running plays. https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/05/06/pffs-top-101-of-2012-the-full-list/

Jun 19, 2013 at 9:24 PM

#31

49erRider
Veteran
Posts: 7,508

Originally posted by buck:
The offensive line is not bad. Boone, Iupati, Davis, and Staley made the list.

edit: A bit of a surprise but Goodwin was ranked as the 10th best center by them.

These rankings are pretty much a joke. Bowman, Justin and Aldon are all ranked WAY too low - to the point where credibility is lost. There was only one guy with more sacks than Aldon, yet they don't give him his due respect. Justin Smith should be ahead of every 49er on this list. Need proof? Watch our defense after he was hurt. Bowman is just as good as Willis, but even if you insist that Willis is superior, you must admit it isn't by much, yet somehow Bowman is ranked almost 50 slots lower.

I would also argue that Staley is ranked too high. No way is he a better player than guys like Aldon, Justin or Bowman. I am a Staley fan, but nonetheless...

Jun 19, 2013 at 9:50 PM

#32

xtm059
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Posts: 1,979

I think you are underestimating the impact that staley has, and also his athleticism

Jun 19, 2013 at 9:54 PM

#33

Leathaface
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Posts: 16,710

Crazy that Gore is 71. Still not getting the respect he deserves. If he gets a SB ring and puts up another 2-3 good years, he could be headed to the HOF.

Jun 19, 2013 at 10:00 PM

#34

LoneWolf
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Posts: 7,064

Originally posted by Leathaface:
Crazy that Gore is 71. Still not getting the respect he deserves. If he gets a SB ring and puts up another 2-3 good years, he could be headed to the HOF.

Good Gore needs those doubters he said himself that the doubters are what fuels him every single season.

Jun 19, 2013 at 10:00 PM

#35

buck
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Posts: 13,137

Here are the 49ers that ranked so far in the NFL Top 100

Their PFF ranking is in parentheses.

29. Justin Smith (89)

32. Frank Gore (71)

37. NaVorro Bowman (59)

39. Vernon Davis (39)

78. Joe Staley (16)

http://top100.nfl.com/tracker

By the way, I am not claiming that any of the rankings are correct or incorrect.

I just happen to think that it good to see our players are being recognized.

Jun 19, 2013 at 10:02 PM

#36

LoneWolf
Veteran
Posts: 7,064

Originally posted by buck:
Here are the 49ers that ranked so far in the NFL Top 100

Their PFF ranking is in parentheses.

29. Justin Smith (89)

32. Frank Gore (71)

37. NaVorro Bowman (59)

39. Vernon Davis (39)

78. Joe Staley (16)

http://top100.nfl.com/tracker

By the way, I am not claiming that any of the rankings are correct or incorrect.

I just happen to think that it good to see our players are being recognized.

I agree it still seems like a few of our players are being unrecognized when they deserve the recognization, but maybe thats the homer in me.

Jun 19, 2013 at 10:02 PM

#37

49erRider
Veteran
Posts: 7,508

Originally posted by buck:
Here are the 49ers that ranked so far in the NFL Top 100

Their PFF ranking is in parentheses.

29. Justin Smith (89)

32. Frank Gore (71)

37. NaVorro Bowman (59)

39. Vernon Davis (39)

78. Joe Staley (16)

http://top100.nfl.com/tracker

By the way, I am not claiming that any of the rankings are correct or incorrect.

I just happen to think that it good to see our players are being recognized.

The NFL's Top 100 rankings seem far more accurate, though Justin and Bowman are still ranked lower than they should be.

Jun 19, 2013 at 10:17 PM

#38

49erRider
Veteran
Posts: 7,508

Originally posted by xtm059:
I think you are underestimating the impact that staley has, and also his athleticism

I'm not underestimating anything about Joe Staley.

Do you think he is a better FOOTBALL PLAYER than Justin Smith? How about Aldon Smith? Bowman? Frank Gore? Vernon Davis? Do you feel he is on Patrick Willis' level? Because 6 slots behind Willis is pretty much on the same level.

As I said, I am a Staley fan. I liked the pick from day 1. Just because I don't think he is the 16th best football player in the NFL doesn't mean I'm underestimating him. Look at some of the guys ranked below him, besides the 49ers listed above: Tom Brady (21), Brandon Marshall (30), Marshawn Lynch (40), Rob Gronkowski (42), Drew Brees (79), Eli Manning (90), Dez Bryant (96). Is he better than some of them? Possibly, but no way the gap between someone like Drew Brees and Joe Staley is that wide. No way.

Jun 19, 2013 at 10:36 PM

#39

MichaelHuffTexas
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Posts: 106

I have no beef with where they are rated. But we should have one of our guards should have made the list

Jun 19, 2013 at 10:50 PM

#40

buck
Veteran
Posts: 13,137

Originally posted by MichaelHuffTexas:
I have no beef with where they are rated. But we should have one of our guards should have made the list

Two of our guards made the PFF list.

50. Alex Boone (Unranked)

53. Mike Iupati (Unranked)

see post #1

Jun 19, 2013 at 10:55 PM

#41

pdizo916
Member
Posts: 38,241

some1currs but it aint me

Jun 19, 2013 at 10:55 PM

#42

MichaelHuffTexas
Veteran
Posts: 106

Originally posted by buck:
Two of our guards made the PFF list.

50. Alex Boone (Unranked)

53. Mike Iupati (Unranked)

see post #1

Yeah but it wouldve been cool to see a segment of them on NFL Network with other players gushing over their abilities

Jun 20, 2013 at 6:30 AM

#43

NCommand
Hall of Fame
Posts: 123,365

Originally posted by LoneWolf:

Originally posted by buck:
Off the top of my head, I do not remember. I guess one of us could check.

2010 ranking Pts 16th Yards 13th
2011 ranking Pts 2nd Yards 4th
2012 ranking Pts 2nd Yards 3rd

Only things that changed between 2010 and 2011 was 2 starters and a DC, to jump up 14 ranks in points and 9 in yards takes more then 2 starters, Fangios not the issue, just an easy target as a scapegoat for fans.

To chime in here, yards mean very little and a poor indicator of defense. What matters is points given up and we've seen an alarming trend between regular season and post season play by the defense the past two years; granted you are playing better teams with more time to prepare for you (typically):

2011 Regular Season = 229 (14) / 2011 Post Season = 52 (26)
2012 Regular Season = 273 (17) / 2012 Post Season = 86 (29)

Fangio has his issues as I highlighted here in post #45 but overall, he's a good coach: http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/niners/173544-our-defensive-coordinator-vic-fangio/page3/

[ Edited by NCommand on Jun 20, 2013 at 6:34 AM ]

Jun 20, 2013 at 6:48 AM

#44

DVDA
Veteran
Posts: 2,367

Justin Smith was responsible for a ton of Aldon Smith's sacks with stunts yet he gets no credit for it. These lists are nice and all but they leave out a lot of important little things that guys like Justin Smith do all day long.

Jun 20, 2013 at 6:57 AM

#45

TheXFactor
Veteran
Posts: 25,990

have they revealed who is #1 yet? (cause Brian Jennings hasn't been mentioned yet)