Offseason Part I: Thoughts on the offseason so far... | Page 2

Marvin49 · 2015-02-11T13:11:59-08:00

1) Kap: I always start with Kap so what the hell. Glad to hear he's working as much on the mental side of the game this offseason than he's worked in the past on the physical side. That's not to say that he hasn't always worked on the mental aspects of the game in the offseason, but he certainly hasn't spent time with a pocket passer with as much to share as Kurt Warner. While some didn't like the move and thought that Jeff Garcia would have been a better choice (and I kinda see why too...Kap is a bigger, stronger, faster version of Garcia in a number of ways), I really like that he chose someone who played the position in a completely different way than he does. I like that he chose a guy who didn't have the physical gifts he does do work on the aspect of the game where he's the most lacking. Who knows how much good it will do and we won't know the answer to that for some time, but I like that move for Kap. While I have to admit I knew very little about him when his name was first mentioned, I like Steve Logan. I like what I've heard from him in radio interviews. I like that he coached 2 physically limited players at ECU and made them NFL players (Blake and Gerrard). I like that he helped develop Matt Ryan who is a true pocket QB. Again, we need to see how this all plays out, but I'm encouraged. 2) Tomsula: I wasn't shocked nor was I greatly disappointed in the choice of Tomsula. Its been clear for many years how he's thought of in the organization. If anyone was truly shocked by it then they weren't really paying attention or were ignoring the obvious because they didn't want to believe it. I'm not calling it a great hire though. Not by a long shot. I'm also not condemning it. As I keep hearing over and over from players, coaches and from Jed himself, from outside the building it makes no sense, but from INSIDE the building it makes a ton of sense. The words of Justin Smith really ring in my ears on this one... Starting at 5:18 with Mike Silver... Maybe this job is too much for him. Maybe he flames out in a big way. Those chapters have yet to be written. Bottom line to me though is that Jed and Trent have liked Tomsula for a LONG time. This wasn't a case of just going cheap as so many have said. That idea just makes no sense to me for many reasons which I won't go into here but can if anyone is curious. Jed and Trent are convinced they got their guy. Lets hope they are right. I think Tomsula is an exceptional coach. Is he a Head Coach tho? We'll see. Maybe he's the next John Madden. Maybe he's the next Dave Campo. Were are gonna find out in the next 12 months. 3) Chryst: I'm usually try to stay as level headed as I can and not sway too far one way or the other...but I was really disappointed with the hiring of Chryst. It isn't because I think he's completely unable, it's because I thought the hiring of Tomsula made the hiring of an experienced OC all the more important. Maybe Chryst has picked up a lot since his last stint as an OC (and not having Ryan Leaf under center is a huge plus). I know they tried to get a bigger name there. And tried. Chud would have been great. They just couldn't get the guys they wanted. All I can do at this point is hope I'm wrong about Chryst. At least they can use the same terminology under Chryst so it'll take less time for the team to get up to speed. Here's hoping good ol' Geep has a trick or 2 up his sleave and surprises us all. 4) Mangini: I'm not as down on Mangini as many are. To me, defense is a lot more about players than about scheme. If you're scheme needs to be complex, that's usually because you don't have the talent. The best defenses in the NFL (Seattle, SF) have been so largely by being SIMPLE and then just being better than everyone physically. With all those players coming back, I'd expect more of the same. The only thing that can hurt them is if Mangini decides he needs to tinker too much. I don't think so though...not with so much experience beneath him at the position coach level (more on that later). 5) Position Coaches: Call me an optimist, because I love the hires of all those experienced position coaches. These are well respected me within the game who are one-on-one and face to face with the players every single day. This SCREAMS to me a double down on what Jed said when asked what he wanted in a coach. He said he wanted a teacher. That's what I see on every level of the 49ers team. Experienced NFL men with a wealth of knowledge to impart to a new generation of players. Maybe they don't stay long. Maybe they are angling for bigger jobs in the future. I don't care. They are here now and that's fantastic. My only issue is it seems most of those ex-coordinators are on defense while the offensive coaches have decidedly less experience. 6) Justin Smith: I dunno....I kinda think that if he were going to retire he'd have announced it already. Maybe he wants to see if he can go one more year for Tomsula? Who knows...just seems like there would already be an announcement by now if he were hanging them up. 7) Frank Gore: I'd love him to stay...but not sure having him back as a full-time starter is the best move. For certain, his carries are going to have to go down. Hyde meeds more carries. Hunter will be back and I'm pretty sure they'll take a RB for the 7th consecutive draft. Frank is my all-time favorite 49er...but for the good of the team I think they need to start moving on. Whether that's letting him walk or bringing him back in a more limited capacity...whatever. 8) Free Agency: Am I the only one who wonders if Percy Harvin might like to get revenge twice a year on a team up north? Ya...injury concern and a headcase, but it wouldn't require 1st and 3rd round picks and 10 mil per season. Also might fix those pesky punt and kickoff return problems. Not really even a fully baked idea...just a thought when I read that the Jets may release him. I don't see him as a full-time starter either. Package guy. Slot Receiver. Returner. Just food for thought. 9) Draft: One silver lining of this crappy year is the best draft position we've seen in years. WR? CB? DL? I already have a few of my own draft crushes...which pretty much means they will by no means possibly take one of those guys. Right now I like Kevin White...and later on if the Harvin thing doesn't happen...I actually kinda like Phillip Dorsett. It is early tho. I'm sure my draft crush will change before it's all said and done. 10) Return from injury: Man I can't wait to get all these guys back healthy again and see what we have. Willis, Navorro, Borland, Kilgore, Anthony Davis, Tramaine Brock....so many guys. That doesn't even account for the red-shirt rookies....Brandon Thomas, Keith Reaser, Trey Millard, Kaleb Ramsey...and a host of others. At this point, for the first time in several years, I really have no idea what the team is going to look like. There is a part of me that is worried about that and the line from Waterboy keeps running through my head... ...but at the same time, next year will bring a lot more youth to the lineup. If they can have a good draft and a few of the younger guys on the roster improve...who knows what can happen. Lookin' forward to it.

Feb 11, 2015 at 2:13 PM

#16

Marvin49
Hall of Fame
Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by sincalfaithful:

Originally posted by crake49:
Evidently, some Niner fans around here think we should all act like Seahawk fans.

Or just not post anything at all

Why do you care?

I'll never really understand this. This isn't the first time it's come up.

In my nucleus of friends, one of my best friends in the world and the best man at my wedding is a Dallas Cowboys fan. Wore his blue Starter jacket to school every single day in their 1-15 season. Another of my best friends is a Chicago Bears fan. Another loves the Saints and another follows the Dolphins. Of my close friends only two of them are Niner fans.

We talk football all the time and because we are all fans of different teams, we all have a different perspective of those teams.

On the internet I'm no different. I spend a lot of time on .net because they are a rival and I've gotten to know a number of the posters over there. I also have been on Ravens, Giants, and Packers boards.

Does this somehow make me any less a Niners fan? If you think so, that's sad.

If not....

...then why do you care?

[ Edited by Marvin49 on Feb 11, 2015 at 2:21 PM ]

Feb 11, 2015 at 2:15 PM

#17

49AllTheTime
Veteran
Posts: 72,396

Originally posted by Marvin49:

Originally posted by sincalfaithful:

Originally posted by crake49:
Evidently, some Niner fans around here think we should all act like Seahawk fans.

Or just not post anything at all

Why do you care?

you will be infected by being over there too much..then turn into Marvin12..thats why

Feb 11, 2015 at 2:15 PM

#18

mattster03
Veteran
Posts: 4,899

*Marvin1-2

Feb 11, 2015 at 2:18 PM

#19

NCommand
Hall of Fame
Posts: 123,365

Great to see this thread.

defenderDX just gave us this nice info on Steve Logan: https://twitter.com/BetterRivals He's going to be a HUGE hire for us. He'll not only get CK prep'd within our WCO system, but possible, ensuring it's run with WCO principles which is very different from the HaRoman era. He'll also draw up our passing game while Foerster draws up the running game. Let's not also forget about Tom Gamble and the rest of the supporting staff placed around JT now too. From the FO down, if you were to list out all our issues, almost every one of them now has a specialist tied to them including one for Baalke. The only real questions we have is regarding the "new" HC, OC and DC to be fair. That said, how different was the NFLE from the NFL? If you can be a head coach, you can be a head coach. Had the NFLE continued, at the rate JT was heading, he may have been a hot commodity as a HC in the NFL anyway (above first-time college coaches like Harbaugh). As to Geep and Mangini? Obviously, both had runs at those roles in the NFL and have had several years to grow and develop and 2+ of those years were right here in SF and they are familiar with our players and have had an opportunity to see all our strengths and weaknesses under Harbaugh...now, can they "execute?" I see the farm system of coaches built in very similar to how Baalke garners personnel. Collectively, this could be the best staff we've had in ages. But they have a ton to prove individually and collectively. I keep saying this but probability alone, we should should increase from 25th in points to around 12th-19th+. That doesn't sound like much but if the defense holds around top 5 again, that's 2-3 more wins on an 8-win season. The talent and depth on this team (even before the draft and FA) is off the charts. I say that with caution though...as I feel as a fan of the team, we need to be fair and set realistic expectations for this coaching staff. I set mine at 9-10 wins out of the gates but progressively getting better esp. at the end of the season where I hope they hit a stride.

Feb 11, 2015 at 2:19 PM

#20

Marvin49
Hall of Fame
Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:

Originally posted by Marvin49:

Originally posted by sincalfaithful:

Originally posted by crake49:
Evidently, some Niner fans around here think we should all act like Seahawk fans.

Or just not post anything at all

Why do you care?
you will be infected by being over there too much..then turn into Marvin12..thats why

.................riiiiiiiight.

(hoping that was a funny).

Feb 11, 2015 at 2:27 PM

#21

tohara3
Veteran
Posts: 30,677

Great post Marvin49! So ready for positive things to happen for the 49ers!

Feb 11, 2015 at 2:40 PM

#22

Hoovtrain
Veteran
Posts: 34,817

i've often said you live a world of unicorns and rainbows, but i enjoyed your positive right up, it was uplifting

.
i agree on justin smith, if he was going to retire i think he would have already announced it. Would be nice to get 1 more year out of him, i think he has more than enough in the tank and they can rotate a little more with the young talent to keep him fresh. I know Fangio rotated more last year, but that was never something he liked to do, he really rode his horses into the ground especially on the d line.

Feb 11, 2015 at 3:14 PM

#23

49AllTheTime
Veteran
Posts: 72,396

Originally posted by Marvin49:

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:

Originally posted by Marvin49:

Originally posted by sincalfaithful:

Originally posted by crake49:
Evidently, some Niner fans around here think we should all act like Seahawk fans.

Or just not post anything at all

Why do you care?
you will be infected by being over there too much..then turn into Marvin12..thats why

.................riiiiiiiight.

(hoping that was a funny).

Feb 11, 2015 at 3:37 PM

#24

Morgy
Hey bud, what’s your problem?
Posts: 30,368

Good points. It makes my feels feel better.

Love reading your posts.

Side note: Hopefully we get our tight ends back up and running. Your thoughts???

[ Edited by Morgan49 on Feb 11, 2015 at 3:50 PM ]

Feb 11, 2015 at 3:47 PM

#25

Ninefan56
Member
Posts: 5,106

Thanks Marvin it is a joy to read your posts, and it stimulates other thoughts.
I, for one, am excited about the new staff. I like Harbaugh a lot but he was so stubborn with the offense and would not adapt to his players. However, he could get them to play. Now we get to see how Tomsula addresses the same issues. Can his people adapt to the needs and strengths of the team. No telling until it is time to play.

I think free agency will be exciting for we will get to verify our beliefs about the different players coming and going. I don't hold out much hope for Crabtree or Iupati but it will be interesting seeing the FO machinations regarding our players.

Regarding the draft - I am hoping for a WR that is tough, can catch, and will go get the ball rather than waiting for it to arrive, and have some speed to challenge the defense. We will now get to see if Baalke can learn and change. His system for finding WRs is suspect but he sure can conduct a nice draft on the other points. Then I believe we need CB, DL and continued building of the OLine.

Can't wait for part two of your thoughts on the offseason so far.

Feb 11, 2015 at 3:51 PM

#26

dompernick53
Veteran
Posts: 278

I like your idea in regards to Percy Harvin. He hasn't been the same player since he left Minnesota but he would fit in perfectly over here. Can you imagine Sherman trying to cover Harvin and his speed or imagine having Kap and Percy on a read option?!?! We need someone other than Kap that strikes fear into opposing D's, Harvin is one of those guys!

Feb 11, 2015 at 4:00 PM

#27

Marvin49
Hall of Fame
Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by Morgan49:
Good points. It makes my feels feel better.
Love reading your posts.

Side note: Hopefully we get our tight ends back up and running. Your thoughts???

Really think he issues at TE stemmed mostly from Vernons back injury.

It seemed like when McDonald struggled a bit early he just never really even got a shot. Then it was all about three and 4 receiver sets and such and they got away from who they were.

Feb 11, 2015 at 5:33 PM

#28

Big_Daddy
Veteran
Posts: 1,808

I agree, I was underwhelmed by the attention paid to the offensive staff. Chryst was definitely a fall back option but that doesn't make it a bad one.

I think there's a lot to be happy about with our positional coaches, and agree it will hinge a lot on how the OC, DC and HC do.

Feb 11, 2015 at 6:20 PM

#29

ClassicNiner
Veteran
Posts: 827

Marvin, thank you for posting during the off-season. It's a bit different. There isn't a game that everyone just watched, so you are not forced as much to be grounded in reality. I am more pessimistic about the coaches than you are, but I have great respect for your opinion, and hope you turn out to be right. One point you made is very true - we have no idea what the team will look like next year. Anyone who thinks they do will almost certainly be wrong.

Feb 11, 2015 at 6:41 PM

#30

goldlame2013
Veteran
Posts: 1,224

Originally posted by NCommand:
Great to see this thread.

defenderDX just gave us this nice info on Steve Logan: https://twitter.com/BetterRivals He's going to be a HUGE hire for us. He'll not only get CK prep'd within our WCO system, but possible, ensuring it's run with WCO principles which is very different from the HaRoman era. He'll also draw up our passing game while Foerster draws up the running game. Let's not also forget about Tom Gamble and the rest of the supporting staff placed around JT now too. From the FO down, if you were to list out all our issues, almost every one of them now has a specialist tied to them including one for Baalke. The only real questions we have is regarding the "new" HC, OC and DC to be fair. That said, how different was the NFLE from the NFL? If you can be a head coach, you can be a head coach. Had the NFLE continued, at the rate JT was heading, he may have been a hot commodity as a HC in the NFL anyway (above first-time college coaches like Harbaugh). As to Geep and Mangini? Obviously, both had runs at those roles in the NFL and have had several years to grow and develop and 2+ of those years were right here in SF and they are familiar with our players and have had an opportunity to see all our strengths and weaknesses under Harbaugh...now, can they "execute?" I see the farm system of coaches built in very similar to how Baalke garners personnel. Collectively, this could be the best staff we've had in ages. But they have a ton to prove individually and collectively. I keep saying this but probability alone, we should should increase from 25th in points to around 12th-19th+. That doesn't sound like much but if the defense holds around top 5 again, that's 2-3 more wins on an 8-win season. The talent and depth on this team (even before the draft and FA) is off the charts. I say that with caution though...as I feel as a fan of the team, we need to be fair and set realistic expectations for this coaching staff. I set mine at 9-10 wins out of the gates but progressively getting better esp. at the end of the season where I hope they hit a stride.

Hmmm.......sounds pretty good.