Time to Retool – 2015 Outlook

Originally posted by tondiman:
If we beat Seattle on Sunday....everyone is going to be so unbelievably confused.

Especially Seattle.

Originally posted by Paul_Hofer:
I think A. Davis would take the move to guard as a demotion, which it is. If he sulks with the guy promoted over him to his right, the OL might suck regardless. Trading Davis seems the wiser way to go.

He may and you may be right in trading him.

We'd save some money AND since his health is a bit of a concern, it may be a solid idea.

Originally posted by NinerGM:
Very good player playing alone for most of the season WITHOUT Aldon on the other side...... I like great as a prospect for next season. And FYI Kevan Barlow lost his spot because another great rook took it from him.... Gore.

No. Barlow was terrible. Remember his first full season as a starter in 2004, BEFORE Gore there? I remember Kevan Barlow said "jokingly" when a reporter asked who should the 49ers draft the following season (2005) and he said 5 offensive lineman, as if they were to blame for his pitiful performance that season.

On the subject of this thread, this season has been as emotionally draining as any. Right up there with the 2007 and 2010 seasons. Too many high expectations that were not met. Too much media talking. And we've added fuel to the fire with our offensive collapse. I feel bad for the older veterans who have lose valuable years of their career with this mess. This was a championship caliber team and we fumbled the opportunity away. I do not believe the window has closed. We have many talented backups and other guys that are still in the prime of their career. But for guys like Frank Gore and Justin Smith we are at or near the end of the line, the reality of the salary cap is looming.

With that said, this team is stacked with enough talent to compete with any team in the NFL. With a few shrewd front office moves, we can lock in our young/prime players for the long haul and should continue to add talent through the draft. It's just a shame thinking about what could have been with this team. Too many what ifs, going back to 2012. And sadly, those what ifs have only grown with time. There are three games left in this nightmare of a season (funny thing is some teams would kill to be 7-6 now, including the Raiders) and should we not make the playoffs, I hope whatever needs to be done is done quickly so we can move on and start preparing for 2015.

Originally posted by Paul_Hofer:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by dompernick53:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by dompernick53:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by NCommand:
It depends on what direction the new HC/OC wants to go. Davis hasn't been healthy all year, is still way out of shape and continues to struggle against speed rushers. Typically as LT's get older (this was Staley's worst year yet), it's easier to move them over to RT to face the 2nd best pass rushers. Boone is young and he's always wanted to play T and LT is his natural spot. I'd expect some tweaks like this for next year. And I agree, you've got some young guards including potentially moving Davis inside to pull and block out which may play better to his strengths. But you have a potential interior already Thomas, Martin, Davis/Boone, Dillion/Kilgore, etc. Will the new HC/OC go power or zone blocking or both?

I absolutely your last paragraph!

Call me nuts but I think that Davis could probably do so much better at guard....that's the position he originally played in college and doing so would largely negate his issues with speed rushers.

I've always thought that as well...and that Boone would be best served at LT and Saley at RT but does this coaching staff EVER make a change...it's like their game plans. j/k

Same here. Davis loves to get after it in the run game and would look real nice at a guard spot. If I was the line coach, my starting line next year would be Staley (I think he is just having an off year), M. Martin, Kilgore, Davis, Boone.

It's not bad at all right there. You now have experienced backups too in Looney, Dillon, etc. to START. We may be drafting a high G or T this year as well. We need high picks here b/c I don't know if we have anyone who can coach them (at the moment).

We shouldn't forget about Brandon Thomas either. I remember during the draft all the analysts were raving how he did such a tremendous job against Clowney. Definitely might have something in him as well.

Definetely...I listed that we have a lot of young (or very young) up-and-coming talent for sure to work with in Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert, Carlos Hyde, Derek Carrier,Vance McDonald, Bruce Miller, Trey Millard, Bruce Ellington, Stevie Johnson, Quinton Patton, Luke Marquardt, Brandon Thomas, Joe Looney, Dillon Farrell, Marcus Martin,Daniel Kilgore, etc.

Luke is another intriguing guy with ideal size and strength at T. He was going to be the Jonathan Martin before we acquired him but he's had some really bad luck wiping out his season the past 2 years now.

I think A. Davis would take the move to guard as a demotion, which it is. If he sulks with the guy promoted over him to his right, the OL might suck regardless. Trading Davis seems the wiser way to go.

I'm not sure if this is the same situation, but did Bruce Matthews take it that way when he was moved all over the line or Jesse Sapolu? A demotion in my opinion is a move to the bench. There are positives in making the move. Many have cited his abilities as a run blocker and the fact that Boone can play tackle. I'm not so sure why he would take it as a demotion.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by dompernick53:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by dompernick53:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by NCommand:
It depends on what direction the new HC/OC wants to go. Davis hasn't been healthy all year, is still way out of shape and continues to struggle against speed rushers. Typically as LT's get older (this was Staley's worst year yet), it's easier to move them over to RT to face the 2nd best pass rushers. Boone is young and he's always wanted to play T and LT is his natural spot. I'd expect some tweaks like this for next year. And I agree, you've got some young guards including potentially moving Davis inside to pull and block out which may play better to his strengths. But you have a potential interior already Thomas, Martin, Davis/Boone, Dillion/Kilgore, etc. Will the new HC/OC go power or zone blocking or both?

I absolutely your last paragraph!

Call me nuts but I think that Davis could probably do so much better at guard....that's the position he originally played in college and doing so would largely negate his issues with speed rushers.

I've always thought that as well...and that Boone would be best served at LT and Saley at RT but does this coaching staff EVER make a change...it's like their game plans. j/k

Same here. Davis loves to get after it in the run game and would look real nice at a guard spot. If I was the line coach, my starting line next year would be Staley (I think he is just having an off year), M. Martin, Kilgore, Davis, Boone.

It's not bad at all right there. You now have experienced backups too in Looney, Dillon, etc. to START. We may be drafting a high G or T this year as well. We need high picks here b/c I don't know if we have anyone who can coach them (at the moment).

We shouldn't forget about Brandon Thomas either. I remember during the draft all the analysts were raving how he did such a tremendous job against Clowney. Definitely might have something in him as well.

Definetely...I listed that we have a lot of young (or very young) up-and-coming talent for sure to work with in Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert, Carlos Hyde, Derek Carrier,Vance McDonald, Bruce Miller, Trey Millard, Bruce Ellington, Stevie Johnson, Quinton Patton, Luke Marquardt, Brandon Thomas, Joe Looney, Dillon Farrell, Marcus Martin,Daniel Kilgore, etc.

Luke is another intriguing guy with ideal size and strength at T. He was going to be the Jonathan Martin before we acquired him but he's had some really bad luck wiping out his season the past 2 years now.

I think even what you've suggested might be too radical a change for a team to contemplate year over year. Consider factors such as Staley's desire to move to the right, A.Davis' contract and all the proposed positional changes. That would classify as pretty dramatic a change. Even if you take a lot of the same guys the pieces really are there, what has been lacking - i think - is continuity and motivation. Continuity in that there have been swarms of injuries up front and guys are struggling to meet the demand. This is an offense that really seems to lack any juice, and get up and go, they are simply lethargic out there. I think a change on offense and potentially at HC might rejuvenate this bunch for next season.

Holmgren

Originally posted by dompernick53:
We shouldn't forget about Brandon Thomas either. I remember during the draft all the analysts were raving how he did such a tremendous job against Clowney. Definitely might have something in him as well.

Here is my post within his thead if you wanna take a closer look at his skill set.


http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/niners/178432-round-100th-overall-49ers-selects-brandon-thomas-clemson/page1/#post11

Originally posted by tondiman:
If we beat Seattle on Sunday....everyone is going to be so unbelievably confused.

Everyone's going to be pissed!

Don't we have enough tools on offense / staff?

Originally posted by LVJay:
Don't we have enough tools on offense / staff?

LVJay wins the internets for today.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by LVJay:
Don't we have enough tools on offense / staff?

LVJay wins the internets for today.

Winahhhhh!

Baalke will be ready to make the changes needed...let's say he works a deal to trade Harbaugh to the Raiders for picks...that only strengthens his hand for the draft and/or other trades. If we finish 7-9 as I think we will, we'll be likely be drafting somewhere near the middle of the pack. Armed with potentially double-digit picks, Baalke could really make some serious headway given his penchant for wheeling & dealing. Off the top, I'd think he'd be looking for OL, WR, DL, DB's, TE, RB, pass rusher(s), QB. To that end, here are some players I think won't or may not be on the roster next year:

- Brooks. Think his fate is pretty well sealed, especially w/emergence of Lynch.
- Lemonier. Big disappointment.
- Crabtree. He's looking for big money...it won't happen in SF.
- Iupati. Another disappointment. Big Mike's had a dismal season.
- Jonathan Martin. A little tough to fairly evaluate him, given he was forced into more starting roles than anyone anticipated. Still, Baalke can do better.
- Boone. Not an impressive partial season...I think Marcus Martin & Brandon Thomas are better options.
- Celek. Baalke needs to revamp the TE position...Celek hasn't done enough to warrant keeping. Trey Millard/Cleveland should provide an upgrade.
- Dahl. Good ST's guy, but not a player you'd want to rely on at S.
- Lloyd. Grossly underused...but his age = release.
- Ian Williams. Dorsey will be back, along w/Dial.
- Cook. Another guy hardly used. With Reaser & Acker coming back, don't see where Cook would fit.
- Boldin. By his standards, definitely a disappointing season. Could stay one more year, particularly w/Crabtree likely leaving.
- Gore. Possible he could stay with a team-friendly contract, but Hyde should become the #1 guy. Hope to see Gaskins get a shot, as well.
- Alfonso Smith. Not much activity to go on...experience and ST value, but probably a goner.
- Ray Mac. Believe his cap numbers accelerate...a restructure might keep him around, especially if Justin decides to pack it in.
- Josh Johnson. I'd like to see him get some action...we really haven't seen what he can do. I'd keep him over Gabbert.

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
- Cook. Another guy hardly used. With Reaser & Acker coming back, don't see where Cook would fit.

Total beast on ST.

Even though he is on IR for a couple of weeks now, statistically he is still our best special teamer.

I hope Baalke re-signs him to a one year deal to compete for a spot on the 53 next season.

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
Baalke will be ready to make the changes needed...let's say he works a deal to trade Harbaugh to the Raiders for picks...that only strengthens his hand for the draft and/or other trades. If we finish 7-9 as I think we will, we'll be likely be drafting somewhere near the middle of the pack. Armed with potentially double-digit picks, Baalke could really make some serious headway given his penchant for wheeling & dealing. Off the top, I'd think he'd be looking for OL, WR, DL, DB's, TE, RB, pass rusher(s), QB. To that end, here are some players I think won't or may not be on the roster next year:

- Brooks. Think his fate is pretty well sealed, especially w/emergence of Lynch.
- Lemonier. Big disappointment.
- Crabtree. He's looking for big money...it won't happen in SF.
- Iupati. Another disappointment. Big Mike's had a dismal season.
- Jonathan Martin. A little tough to fairly evaluate him, given he was forced into more starting roles than anyone anticipated. Still, Baalke can do better.
- Boone. Not an impressive partial season...I think Marcus Martin & Brandon Thomas are better options.
- Celek. Baalke needs to revamp the TE position...Celek hasn't done enough to warrant keeping. Trey Millard/Cleveland should provide an upgrade.
- Dahl. Good ST's guy, but not a player you'd want to rely on at S.
- Lloyd. Grossly underused...but his age = release.
- Ian Williams. Dorsey will be back, along w/Dial.
- Cook. Another guy hardly used. With Reaser & Acker coming back, don't see where Cook would fit.
- Boldin. By his standards, definitely a disappointing season. Could stay one more year, particularly w/Crabtree likely leaving.
- Gore. Possible he could stay with a team-friendly contract, but Hyde should become the #1 guy. Hope to see Gaskins get a shot, as well.
- Alfonso Smith. Not much activity to go on...experience and ST value, but probably a goner.
- Ray Mac. Believe his cap numbers accelerate...a restructure might keep him around, especially if Justin decides to pack it in.
- Josh Johnson. I'd like to see him get some action...we really haven't seen what he can do. I'd keep him over Gabbert.

Good post!

Great opening post as usual NC. For my money howver, and assuming jed does the right thing and fires harbaugh, and roman, then I think the new OC/HC should have his pick on who he wants his qb to be. Frankly for the money, we are getting a bad deal. Unlike you, I see just potential in kap, but don't think he will ever make it. Oh, he can be a hanger on, but never anything to write home about. With that kind of feeling, I think we are getting taken, if we pay kap his due. I would love to see him anywhere...but here. If it were just a few games, no problem . But it is 2 yrs of backsliding, his running has been figured out by Ds, and with out that kap has nothing. He is el floppo at pocket passing. Wish would have taken note on Carr's performance, but honestly, I just don't think he has his heart in it. The kid is an ideal model and he should pursue what he is good at. QBing in the pros is not one of the things is excels at. Matter of fact he has been on downhill trajectory for 2 yrs. And recently, it really accelerated. Hard for me to believe you want to see more of that again. I don't believe he is coachable, in that he isn't all football all the time. All potential, no performance. We would be lucky to have someone else want him and I would hope he leaves with jH. To have jH, roman and kap all back would put me off the 9rs until all 3 are gone. That is how bad I think they all are. And kaps football knowledge? I am not impressed. Can't read Ds, can't throw short consistently, can't hit 20-30 yarders and the joke is his heave of 60 yds and a prayer.

NC, much as I repect your football knowledge, here we have to part ways. I just dont' see it in kap, and paying him any kind of big money is a double waste. We'll see how this all shakes out, but jH and romn have to go and a new HC/OC isn't going to put up with a juvenile like kap. Sorry amigo. Prob;lem wth kap is he is still stuck at age 17-18 and will never be a leader of men. Maybe a follower, but never a leader. You have to love the game to the exclusion of all else, and kap's heart lies in looking good, being a child on inteviews, wearing good looking BOSE headphones and some kind of fancy dark glasses...at an interview no less. Nope NC, there is no there, there. Adios kap and it wasn't fun. It was painful. Hope you find your niche in life. It obviously isn't football. You ever see kap and the qB coach or HC looking at film on the sideline. BUt you can find kap easy enough with his hat at a stupid 17 old's angle. What a lite weight. ...but lots of potential. Super, let someone else have him.