When will Tank &amp; Dial play?

When will Tank & Dial play?

matt49er · 2014-09-09T08:16:56-07:00

Tank and Dial being inactive for the week 1 game against the Cowboys is a hot topic. IMO, the front 7 w/o Bowman and Aldon suffers a bit in both the run support and pass rush areas. I do believe they played much better as a unit in the 2nd half and that we won't see that bad of a game from Ahmad Brooks again (also believe he'll be the same player we're used to seeing before too long). I like both TJE and Dobbs, they have some value as DL, ST guys and Dobbs as an emergency TE. But no matter how much you like these 2, the fact is, they aren't much more than avg DL. And I think the combination of Tank and Dial would do a better job than them if activated. Now I'm not necessarily saying we need to de-activate both Dobbs and TJE in favor of Dial/Tank. Neither of the young guys play STs (at least to my knowledge) but I think we need to find a way to get them some PT. Osgood being resigned means he can take on the ST responsibilities of either Dobbs or TJE if they are in fact benched. I also think we could bench Farrill now that A.Davis and Boone will be playing. These are just a cpl scenarios to get the young DL on the field. I understand that Fangio said that Tank is behind a bit mentally, ideally, maybe a little more practice time would be most beneficial, maybe the same is true for Dial. Still, both guys, especially Dial looked like animals in the preseason. These 2 are a big part of our future plans on the DL & given the uncertainty of Ray Mac's future, Cowboy being in the last year of his contract (along w/Ian Williams) and Dorsey being hurt, we need to at least see what we got. Despite maybe not being up to speed as much as the vets, these 2 can provide value & help us plug some of our deficiencies up front w/Aldon, Bowman and Dorsey out of the lineup. I'd love to see Tank used just like Aldon was his rookie year, bring him in on 3rd downs and have him rush the passer. As for Dial, let him give Cowboy and Ray Mac some rest, maybe sprinkle him in at NT from time to time & use him on goalline/short yardage situations. Some have suggested that potentially they were not active because of our opponent week 1 & that could very well be true. I for one, still firmly believe we get more out of the young guys than we would the vets and it's time to unleash them and let them play. Thoughts?

Sep 9, 2014 at 8:19 AM

ElephantHaley
Member
Posts: 7,020

I agree, I wish both these guys were activated. You cannot tell me Dobbs and TJE are better than Dial & Tank. Let these guys play. I bet Tank could push the pocket if he was allowed to play. I gotta say as much as I wasn't crazy about the Carradine pick last year, he did impress me some in the preseason. He needs to be used instead of Ray MacDonald who looked slow & weak.

Sep 9, 2014 at 8:21 AM

matt49er
Veteran
Posts: 7,676

Originally posted by ElephantHaley:
I agree, I wish both these guys were activated. You cannot tell me Dobbs and TJE are better than Dial & Tank. Let these guys play. I bet Tank could push the pocket if he was allowed to play. I gotta say as much as I wasn't crazy about the Carradine pick last year, he did impress me some in the preseason. He needs to be used instead of Ray MacDonald who looked slow & weak.

Well I don't agree that he should play ahead of Ray Mac. I trust that he is behind mentally as Fangio said so playing him every down wouldn't make sense. That's why I suggested simplifying his role to being a 3rd down pass rusher like Aldon was his rookie year.

Sep 9, 2014 at 8:21 AM

Joecool
Veteran
Posts: 70,984

Man, our depth is good. However, sooner or later, we will need to get a serious beast to replace Justin Smith.

Sep 9, 2014 at 8:23 AM

matt49er
Veteran
Posts: 7,676

Originally posted by Joecool:
Man, our depth is good. However, sooner or later, we will need to get a serious beast to replace Justin Smith.

I completely agree, the thing is, I think we actually more than likely have our replacements for both Cowboy and Ray Mac already on the roster in Dial and Tank. We just need to get them on the field. Both only have 3 years left on their deals including this one, would be a huge disappointment if we didn't play them at all or barley and went into next year still not knowing if they are in fact the eventual replacements for those guys.

Sep 9, 2014 at 8:23 AM

49AllTheTime
Veteran
Posts: 73,716

They will play against more run heavy teams

Sep 9, 2014 at 8:24 AM

KyleShanahan
Veteran
Posts: 3,779

I think the coaching staff is trying to keep these guys fresh. Its a long season, reinforcements will be needed down the road. I voted around the time we have our BYE is when these two will be more involved in the rotation.

Sep 9, 2014 at 8:25 AM

matt49er
Veteran
Posts: 7,676

Originally posted by JimHarbaugh:
I think the coaching staff is trying to keep these guys fresh. Its a long season, reinforcements will be needed down the road. I voted around the time we have our BYE is when these two will be more involved in the rotation.

You maybe right but that plan wouldn't make much sense to me. Tank didn't play at all last year, Dial barley played so what would be the point of sitting them out nearly 1/2 the year?

Sep 9, 2014 at 9:26 AM

LasVegasWally
Veteran
Posts: 24,913

Originally posted by Joecool:
Man, our depth is good. However, sooner or later, we will need to get a serious beast to replace Justin Smith.

ABSOLUTELY!

He is still THE difference maker.

I hope they activate at least one of them [Dial or Tank]

With our corners banged up we'll need more pressure on Cutler.

Sep 9, 2014 at 9:38 AM

znk916
Veteran
Posts: 4,285

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
They will play against more run heavy teams

Dial yes, but Tank is more of a pass rush specialist at this point

Sep 9, 2014 at 9:41 AM

#10

Joecool
Veteran
Posts: 70,984

Originally posted by znk916:

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
They will play against more run heavy teams

Dial yes, but Tank is more of a pass rush specialist at this point

That's how Ray Mac was, but I think Tank is a much more explosive rusher than Ray Mac.

In today's league, Tank is what we need, but to beat SEA, Dorsey is who we need.

Sep 9, 2014 at 9:54 AM

#11

KyleShanahan
Veteran
Posts: 3,779

Originally posted by matt49er:

Originally posted by JimHarbaugh:
I think the coaching staff is trying to keep these guys fresh. Its a long season, reinforcements will be needed down the road. I voted around the time we have our BYE is when these two will be more involved in the rotation.

You maybe right but that plan wouldn't make much sense to me. Tank didn't play at all last year, Dial barley played so what would be the point of sitting them out nearly 1/2 the year?

Fangio has said that Tank still is behind in the mental aspect of the game and that he needs to get his assignments down better. I think sitting out half a year will give him more time to get straight with that as well.

Sep 9, 2014 at 10:02 AM

#12

matt49er
Veteran
Posts: 7,676

Originally posted by JimHarbaugh:

Originally posted by matt49er:

Originally posted by JimHarbaugh:
I think the coaching staff is trying to keep these guys fresh. Its a long season, reinforcements will be needed down the road. I voted around the time we have our BYE is when these two will be more involved in the rotation.

You maybe right but that plan wouldn't make much sense to me. Tank didn't play at all last year, Dial barley played so what would be the point of sitting them out nearly 1/2 the year?

Fangio has said that Tank still is behind in the mental aspect of the game and that he needs to get his assignments down better. I think sitting out half a year will give him more time to get straight with that as well.

Yeah I acknowledged this in the OP, I understand that he's not ready to start or anything. Still, he can play that role that Aldon played his rookie year of 3rd down pass rusher. He need more pass rush w/Aldon and Bowman out, Tank can provide that WAY more than TJE or Dobbs ever will.

Sep 9, 2014 at 10:04 AM

#13

KyleShanahan
Veteran
Posts: 3,779

Originally posted by matt49er:

Originally posted by JimHarbaugh:

Originally posted by matt49er:

Originally posted by JimHarbaugh:
I think the coaching staff is trying to keep these guys fresh. Its a long season, reinforcements will be needed down the road. I voted around the time we have our BYE is when these two will be more involved in the rotation.

You maybe right but that plan wouldn't make much sense to me. Tank didn't play at all last year, Dial barley played so what would be the point of sitting them out nearly 1/2 the year?

Fangio has said that Tank still is behind in the mental aspect of the game and that he needs to get his assignments down better. I think sitting out half a year will give him more time to get straight with that as well.

Yeah I acknowledged this in the OP, I understand that he's not ready to start or anything. Still, he can play that role that Aldon played his rookie year of 3rd down pass rusher. He need more pass rush w/Aldon and Bowman out, Tank can provide that WAY more than TJE or Dobbs ever will.

Absolutely agree.

Sep 9, 2014 at 10:08 AM

#14

matt49er
Veteran
Posts: 7,676

Originally posted by JimHarbaugh:

Originally posted by matt49er:

Originally posted by JimHarbaugh:

Originally posted by matt49er:

Originally posted by JimHarbaugh:
I think the coaching staff is trying to keep these guys fresh. Its a long season, reinforcements will be needed down the road. I voted around the time we have our BYE is when these two will be more involved in the rotation.

You maybe right but that plan wouldn't make much sense to me. Tank didn't play at all last year, Dial barley played so what would be the point of sitting them out nearly 1/2 the year?

Fangio has said that Tank still is behind in the mental aspect of the game and that he needs to get his assignments down better. I think sitting out half a year will give him more time to get straight with that as well.

Yeah I acknowledged this in the OP, I understand that he's not ready to start or anything. Still, he can play that role that Aldon played his rookie year of 3rd down pass rusher. He need more pass rush w/Aldon and Bowman out, Tank can provide that WAY more than TJE or Dobbs ever will.

Absolutely agree.

well then get in there and make the change coach!