Offseason Part I: Thoughts on the offseason so far... | Page 3

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 12, 2015 at 10:39 AM

#31

LasVegasWally
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Posts: 24,877

VERY fine post Marv!

Feb 12, 2015 at 4:16 PM

#32

NCommand
Hall of Fame
Posts: 123,365

Originally posted by goldlame2013:

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.

Let's hope so!

Feb 12, 2015 at 6:30 PM

#33

Oakland-Niner
Member
Posts: 24,062

Originally posted by susweel:

Originally posted by sincalfaithful:
Offseason Part 2: Consoling Seahawks fans on their Superbowl loss

http://www.seahawks.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=107886

"I know much that hurts. Sorry guys...it'll be next year before ya know it and you KNOW your boys will be hungry.

See ya next year." - Marvin49

That marv is such a caring individual to the fans of the team we hate.

What is this madness?

Feb 12, 2015 at 6:47 PM

#34

DelCed2486
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Posts: 7,158

Hey, mid-February and nobody arrested or accused of anything yet.

Feb 12, 2015 at 6:50 PM

#35

ayetee
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Posts: 796

Originally posted by DelCed2486:
Hey, mid-February and nobody arrested or accused of anything yet.

You just jinxed us.

Feb 12, 2015 at 7:13 PM

#36

RishikeshA
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Posts: 12,720

Thanks Marvin, time will tell if Tomsula can do the job. Kap is the key, last season put many doubts in the minds of 49er fans. IMO his shortcomings were more on the instinctual level than anything else, either you have it or you don't. This year is make or break for him. I have been a big fan of Frank since his days at Miami. I've been watching games from the 2011 season, man, Frank was so explosive. He's nowhere near that level, maybe it's time to let him go if he wants a full time role.

Feb 12, 2015 at 8:53 PM

#37

TheRickestRick
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Posts: 10,450

Good write up as always.

Crazy my high school football coach was in that video, small world

[ Edited by TheRickestRick on Feb 12, 2015 at 8:56 PM ]

Feb 12, 2015 at 9:12 PM

#38

JustinNiner
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Posts: 6,762

that video of tomsula really sold me on him.

Feb 12, 2015 at 11:37 PM

#39

NinerSickness
Member
Posts: 8,897

This offseason so far:

Feb 13, 2015 at 8:44 AM

#40

crake49
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Posts: 13,201

Originally posted by DelCed2486:
Hey, mid-February and nobody arrested or accused of anything yet.

If this goes on too long, heads will be exploding all around the Bay Area sports news desks.

Feb 13, 2015 at 10:15 AM

#41

NCommand
Hall of Fame
Posts: 123,365

Originally posted by crake49:

Originally posted by DelCed2486:
Hey, mid-February and nobody arrested or accused of anything yet.

If this goes on too long, heads will be exploding all around the Bay Area sports news desks.

They are still trying their best with the unnamed sources though...and unnamed player quotes. They're trying hard!

Feb 13, 2015 at 10:16 AM

#42

NCommand
Hall of Fame
Posts: 123,365

Originally posted by NinerSickness:
This offseason so far:

Pretty much what every divorce looks like. In the end, both parties are usually happier down the road.

Feb 13, 2015 at 5:36 PM

#43

Evilgenius
Veteran
Posts: 1,266

Seems like you and I share a lot of the same thoughts.

I'm very undecided on Tomsula. It's clear the team and players love him though. I don't think he got hired just because no one else wanted the job. I think he was the guy they had in mind from the start. And I'm curious to see if that works out. I think it could very well.

Still a tonne of talent on this team. It will be difficult for us to have a losing season barring major injuries like we had this year.

Feb 17, 2015 at 3:35 PM

#44

JeuSF49
Veteran
Posts: 4,136

What drives me mad is the negativity that is constantly produced.
I will admit that I have not expected anything different form Kawakami and Kaplan ( his article drives me even more mad), Kawakami is a known sensationalist, but Kaplan is a fan of this team, and yet there's absolutely nothing positive at this moment or in the foreseeable future.

I do admit that I too am underwhelmed by the coaching hires, yet I'm willing to give Tomsula and his staff the benefit of the doubt, and I do hope that they will succeed.