Time to Retool – 2015 Outlook

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

It wouldn't shock me, but won't change my mind either. The players are talented enough to beat anybody, but this offensive scheme is a handicap. When the 49ers win it is in spite of the offense not because of it. In fact, most of Kaep's big plays are ones that have broken down. Even Jimmy Ray had some highlights during his tenure, but overall couldn't get it done consistently. Same here.

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

We've thought and said this for several years now, but it seems once someone is anchored at T it's too expensive or scary to try flipping. Even if they just moved Boone to RT and A Davis to RG...it would be an interesting change. It would need to happen during the offseason. I like cross training so it could be tried out in camp and if both played well--great, if not they could flip back...or be replaced. I agree about Boone playing LT but if he is whiffing at RG I'm not sure how he'd do at LT.

At any rate, I hope that any change is to a more pass first offense and that pass blocking becomes the priority in any change.

I say let Crabtree walk trade for Gordon he don't want to be in Cleveland and draft O-line restructure some contracts new coach and or oc and were good

NC--using your list I'm going to eliminate all potential cuts and see what the solid players would be for next year. Defense looks relatively solid (a couple of changes) but offense may need major upgrades (at least 5 changes).

Current Offensive Personnel:
QB: Colin Kaepernick; Vet; Rookie/FA
RB: Frank Gore; Carlos Hyde; Rookie/FA
H-Back: Derek Carrier
TE: Vernon Davis; Vance McDonald
FB: Bruce Miller; Trey Millard
X: Anquan Boldin; Bruce Ellington
Y (SLOT): Stevie Johnson; Quinton Patton
Z: ? Rookie; Rookie/FA
LOT (RT?): Joe Staley; Rookie/FA
ROT (RG?): Anthony Davis; Rookie/FA
LG: Brandon Thomas
RG (LT?): Alex Boone; Joe Looney
C: Daniel Kilgore; Marcus Martin


Current Defensive Personnel:
RDE: Justin Smith; Tank Carradine
LDE: Ray McDonald; Tony Jerrod-Eddie
NT: Quinton Dial; Glenn Dorsey (Ian Williams)
WILL: Aldon Smith; Dan Skuta
SAM: Aaron Lynch
MIKE: ; Patrick Willis; Chris Borland
TED: Michael Wilhoite; Navarro Bowman
RCB: Keith Reaser; Rookie/FA
LCB: Tramaine Brock; Dontae Johnson (Chris Cook & Kenneth Acker)
SLOT/NICKLE: Perrish Cox (Jimmie Ward)
FS: Eric Reid; Rookie/FA
SS: Antoine Bethea; L.J. McCray

Current Special Teams:
LS: Kyle Nelson
PK: Phil Dawson
P: Andy Lee
PR/KOR: Bruce Ellington, Perrish Cox & Rookie

Harbaugh was offered a contract extension this last summer. He turned it down thinking he would get more money after this season.

Great idea! See bold below...may need to start updating my Team Needs thread based on this information:

2015 cap info: http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/san-francisco-49ers

Current Offensive Personnel:
QB: Colin Kaepernick; Vet; Rookie/FA - Love this idea. Gabbert will still probably stay here as a backup if we run a WCO and might actually be a good fit here. Nothing wrong with bringing in a rookie hand-picked QB by the new coaching staff as well.
RB: Frank Gore; Carlos Hyde; Rookie/FA - Hunter will be back as well and just signed a LT contract this past off season. I could see Gore moving on but then again, with some new blood in here and offensive philosophy, he could consider staying one more year.
H-Back: Derek Carrier - Carrier should be a very good H-back for us no matter what system we run here (if he can stay healthy).
TE: Vernon Davis; Vance McDonald - VD may recapture some glory again if healthy and is utilized properly. Also, McDonald could be an ideal WCO TE if we hgo that route. We could also use a 6'6" big-bodied pass-catching TE for the RZ as well.
FB: Bruce Miller; Trey Millard - who's got it better than us?
X: Anquan Boldin; Bruce Ellington - This guy could be our John Taylor in a WCO system.
Y (SLOT): Stevie Johnson; Quinton Patton - I think both of these guys would be ideal in the slot here as well.
Z: ?; Rookie; Rookie/FA - This is a big need X2 with speed and probably another with size.
RT: Joe Staley; Luke Marquardt & Rookie/FA - Some changes along the lines to maximize strengths.
LT: Alex Boone; Rookie/FA - Could keep Martin again who is a servicaeable backup and played around the same level as Davis when he was on the field. A better system may help this entire OL out tremendously with a focus on passing under the 2.5 second mark.
LG: Brandon Thomas; Marcus Martin (G/C) - we've got some very young, versatile and talented OG/C's here and Martin now has experience. Year 2 could earn him a FT job at C depending on the system we run.
RG: Anthony Davis; Joe Looney - big move here inside to maximize the strengths of Davis and minimize his weakness and with solid backup support by Looney (an excellent pulling G)
C: Daniel Kilgore; Marcus Martin (G/C) - this will be an extra fun battle to watch next season.

Current Defensive Personnel:
RDE: Justin Smith; Tank Carradine, Lawrence Okoye & Kaleb Ramsey - does Smith stay or go? Look for a new HC/OC to sign quickly to help make these decisions easier for players such as Crabtree, Smith, Gore, etc.
LDE: Ray McDonald; Quinton Dial & Tony Jerrod-Eddie - is it time for Dial to move back to LDE and get some more snaps?
NT: Glenn Dorsey; Ian Williams - no needs here.
WILL: Aldon Smith; Dan Skuta - could look to upgrade the pass rush here.
SAM: Aaron Lynch - Brooks will probably move on but it wouldn't surprise me if he restructures again; could look to upgrade the pass rush here as well.
MIKE: Patrick Willis; Chris Borland - we good!
TED: Navarro Bowman; Michael Wilhoite - we good!
RCB: Chris Culliver; Keith Reaser; Rookie/FA - We signed Brock to a 4 year $16M and Baalke has been VERY loyal to Culliver. He'll probably do the same for us. But it wouldn't surprise me if we went for a dynamic top CB pick as well esp. if he doubles as a great PR.
LCB: Tramaine Brock; Chris Cook - I believe Cook will sign again (awesome ST player) as he was playing well at CB/ST before his injury. He found a home here.
SLOT: Dontae Johnson; Jimmie Ward - I think Johnson is too good to give up the slot spot and his size is very important against bigger TE/WR's such as Bennett. Ward may transition over to the nickle while he continues to train for the FS role under Bethea.
NICKLE: Perrish Cox; Kenneth Acker - I also think Cox has found a home here and will sign a reasonable contract to stay with us.
FS: Eric Reid; Rookie/FA - yay, no more Dahl!
SS: Antoine Bethea; L.J. McCray - love this kid!

Current Special Teams:
LS: Kyle Nelson
PK: Phil Dawson
P: Andy Lee
PR/KOR: Bruce Ellington, Perrish Cox & Rookie - could add a more dynamic returner who doubles as a top-pick WR or CB.

Summary of 2015 Needs:

Team: (Whole Staff)
New HC/OC with a professional offensive system and coaching staff. Many of the offensive picks will be based on players who fit that new system (i.e. WCO).

Offense: (7)
QB: Veteran backup and hand-picked QB by the HC/OC to fit the offensive system
RB: Whether Frank stays or goes, the new HC/OC may still want to go with Hyde and will draft another RB just in case
TE: We could us a tall 6'6" TE who can catch for the RZ and to split out wide
Z: This may be priority #1. We could probably use a speedster as well as a bigger-bodied possession WR who's got top talent to pair with Boldin/Johnson
LT & RT: You can never have too many good T's
LG: Could use a push-player here

Defense: (6)
RDE: Could use a top talent here as well to be safe
SAM: This will be a bigger priority if Brooks is cut
TED: Will need another backup if Wilhoite is gone
LCB & RCB: This could be a top pick if Cox, Culliver & Cook take off esp. if he doubles as a dynamic returner
NICKLE: It couldn't hurt to push the group we have already.

Special Teams: (1)
PR/KOR: We could see a dynamic returner who's also a top CB or WR push Ellington.

Overall: I see 14 "needs" with many being taken care of well before the draft (i.e. resignings and restructuring of players such as Cox, Culiver, Cook, Smith, Gore, Brooks, Wilhoite, etc.). I anticipate much cap space opening up as well for us with the aging players moving on and the continued development of our youth-movement. I figure by the time we get to the draft, 1/2 of these 14 needs will be shored up in FA whether in-house or outside.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:
NC--using your list I'm going to eliminate all potential cuts and see what the solid players would be for next year. Defense looks relatively solid (a couple of changes) but offense may need major upgrades (at least 5 changes).

Current Offensive Personnel:
QB: Colin Kaepernick; Vet; Rookie/FA
RB: Frank Gore; Carlos Hyde; Rookie/FA
H-Back: Derek Carrier
TE: Vernon Davis; Vance McDonald
FB: Bruce Miller; Trey Millard
X: Anquan Boldin; Bruce Ellington
Y (SLOT): Stevie Johnson; Quinton Patton
Z: ? Rookie; Rookie/FA
LOT (RT?): Joe Staley; Rookie/FA
ROT (RG?): Anthony Davis; Rookie/FA
LG: Brandon Thomas
RG (LT?): Alex Boone; Joe Looney
C: Daniel Kilgore; Marcus Martin


Current Defensive Personnel:
RDE: Justin Smith; Tank Carradine
LDE: Ray McDonald; Tony Jerrod-Eddie
NT: Quinton Dial; Glenn Dorsey (Ian Williams)
WILL: Aldon Smith; Dan Skuta
SAM: Aaron Lynch
MIKE: ; Patrick Willis; Chris Borland
TED: Michael Wilhoite; Navarro Bowman
RCB: Keith Reaser; Rookie/FA
LCB: Tramaine Brock; Dontae Johnson (Chris Cook & Kenneth Acker)
SLOT/NICKLE: Perrish Cox (Jimmie Ward)
FS: Eric Reid; Rookie/FA
SS: Antoine Bethea; L.J. McCray

Current Special Teams:
LS: Kyle Nelson
PK: Phil Dawson
P: Andy Lee
PR/KOR: Bruce Ellington, Perrish Cox & Rookie

I want a Randy Moss type size/speed receiver this offense has lacked BAD since TO left. Either trade for Gordon or Draft someone 6'3 6'4 ish with speed to atleast entice defenses in having to defend the deep ball. Right now with Crab & Quan, defenses don't fear the long ball so Kaps arm strength is negated.

Good list NC!

The flexibility at many positions is pretty exciting! M Martin & Kilgore at G/C, Ward at S/CB, Milliard/Miller/Carrier at HB/FB, and Ellington should be more acclimated.

Then there are all the unknown guys coming off IR--Thomas, Reaser, Acker and Ramsey. If these guys can make the team there is so much competition!

Originally posted by dtg_9er:
Good list NC!

The flexibility at many positions is pretty exciting! M Martin & Kilgore at G/C, Ward at S/CB, Milliard/Miller/Carrier at HB/FB, and Ellington should be more acclimated.

Then there are all the unknown guys coming off IR--Thomas, Reaser, Acker and Ramsey. If these guys can make the team there is so much competition!

I "just" finished my 2015 Team Needs list. Check it out and give me some edits!

But absolutely, it's pretty awesome to see after you put it down on paper, we just don't have many needs and with the I.R. pipeline returning to health well before training camp, this will easily, be the most stacked roster in the NFL again (and deepest...WITH experience).

Originally posted by NCommand:
I "just" finished my 2015 Team Needs list. Check it out and give me some edits!

But absolutely, it's pretty awesome to see after you put it down on paper, we just don't have many needs and with the I.R. pipeline returning to health well before training camp, this will easily, be the most stacked roster in the NFL again (and deepest...WITH experience).

Agree and hope they concentrate on bringing the offensive depth up the defense's level. Still some holes in backups and limited talent starting in my opinion.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I "just" finished my 2015 Team Needs list. Check it out and give me some edits!

But absolutely, it's pretty awesome to see after you put it down on paper, we just don't have many needs and with the I.R. pipeline returning to health well before training camp, this will easily, be the most stacked roster in the NFL again (and deepest...WITH experience).

Agree and hope they concentrate on bringing the offensive depth up the defense's level. Still some holes in backups and limited talent starting in my opinion.

That's all true. I have 14 spots currently of "need" with some upgrades obviously, some holes, some for depth/competition, etc. but I anticipate 1/2 of those being locked up before we even GET to the draft. It's the Baalke-way.

Also depth at the lb position...Borland is way overatted..hit can tackle but if you notice against bigger backs he struggles & in coverage..got depth with speed & size

This year reminds me of Singletary's last year. You know the talent is there, it's just the coaching (offensive) is horrible and we're not getting what we should out of this team. Some players should go & I think a few will, but this team's window is far from closed, here's the changes I'd make.

Fire every offensive coach except Tom Rathman whom I'd keep as the RB coach
Either trade/fire Harbaugh or have him agree to the above & sign an extension, if he doesn't agree to both, he's gone
Hire an OC that knows how to utilize a QB like Kap (pretty much the way we did in 2012, rolling the pocket, smart designed QB runs, allowing him to take off when he doesn't see an open WR, basically the way the Seahawks allow Wilson to play)

Cut or trade: Brooks, Boone, J.Mart (might b a FA not sure) and tell VD he has to take a significant pay cut or get cut/traded
Let Crabtree, Iupati, Lloyd, TJE walk

Re-sign both Cox and Culliver to 4 year deals, resign Gore to a 1 year deal if he agrees to a $3-4M deal, otherwise, let him walk 2
Draft a dynamic, speed type WR in the 1st round
Take a RB in round 2, QB in round 3
Beg, plead, get down on your knees and pray to God that Boldin, Cowboy and Dawson return instead of retiring

Welcome back Bowman, Willis, Dorsey, Williams, Brock, A.Davis and field a top 3 defense
Let Kilgore/M.Martin battle for C spot but decide early & have the other compete with Looney, B.Thomas for LG/RG spots.

Watch this talent with competent offensive coaching go 13-3, win the SB in Levi Stadium, cry tears of joy.

Originally posted by 15crabtree:
Also depth at the lb position...Borland is way overatted..hit can tackle but if you notice against bigger backs he struggles & in coverage..got depth with speed & size

As a #3 ILB, Borland is incredible, would start on most teams.

Originally posted by matt49er:
This year reminds me of Singletary's last year. You know the talent is there, it's just the coaching (offensive) is horrible and we're not getting what we should out of this team. Some players should go & I think a few will, but this team's window is far from closed, here's the changes I'd make.

Fire every offensive coach except Tom Rathman whom I'd keep as the RB coach
Either trade/fire Harbaugh or have him agree to the above & sign an extension, if he doesn't agree to both, he's gone
Hire an OC that knows how to utilize a QB like Kap (pretty much the way we did in 2012, rolling the pocket, smart designed QB runs, allowing him to take off when he doesn't see an open WR, basically the way the Seahawks allow Wilson to play)

Cut or trade: Brooks, Boone, J.Mart (might b a FA not sure) and tell VD he has to take a significant pay cut or get cut/traded
Let Crabtree, Iupati, Lloyd, TJE walk

Re-sign both Cox and Culliver to 4 year deals, resign Gore to a 1 year deal if he agrees to a $3-4M deal, otherwise, let him walk 2
Draft a dynamic, speed type WR in the 1st round
Take a RB in round 2, QB in round 3
Beg, plead, get down on your knees and pray to God that Boldin, Cowboy and Dawson return instead of retiring

Welcome back Bowman, Willis, Dorsey, Williams, Brock, A.Davis and field a top 3 defense
Let Kilgore/M.Martin battle for C spot but decide early & have the other compete with Looney, B.Thomas for LG/RG spots.

Watch this talent with competent offensive coaching go 13-3, win the SB in Levi Stadium, cry tears of joy.

Can't argue with much of this...if any at all!