49ers Offensive Line

I am also worried about Kilgore holding up thru the season. Many times tackles move to guard, guards move to center. The niners of old did not several times, after successful stints at guard they moved inside.

If the niners want the best product tiller should be the next man up on the interior at guard or center. The only question is at RT. Hopefully Brown gets his conditioning together.

Originally posted by WildBill:
I am also worried about Kilgore holding up thru the season. Many times tackles move to guard, guards move to center. The niners of old did not several times, after successful stints at guard they moved inside.

If the niners want the best product tiller should be the next man up on the interior at guard or center. The only question is at RT. Hopefully Brown gets his conditioning together.

I wouldn't mind seeing Thomas get a Shot at RT, either. He has the length and feet for it, and we have better depth at OG. I hope he's 100% healthy and asks for a shot there.

Originally posted by SoCold:

Alex Mack would have looked good in red. Can't be throwing away extra millions doe.

I wanted Mack as well...$10 million a year for a 30 yr old center is pretty steep doe.

Originally posted by WRATHman44:

I wouldn't mind seeing Thomas get a Shot at RT, either. He has the length and feet for it, and we have better depth at OG. I hope he's 100% healthy and asks for a shot there.

That's what I've been saying...we have a cluster f**k at OG with not much going on at OT. Why he's not getting snaps out there makes me

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
He is on the OL, not DL.

My mistake Phoenix, but has played both somewhere in high school or college. Impossible to play both O and D in pros, but it is an interesting thot...obviously needed more at OC than NT, but ...who knows. Usually, even tho our GM/HC has had a penchant for moving guys from one position they play well to another, it seems to work out they should have stayed at the position they started with....Tank, in particular. Our need is a lot more at OC than NT, so hope he stays there.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by WRATHman44:
I wouldn't mind seeing Thomas get a Shot at RT, either. He has the length and feet for it, and we have better depth at OG. I hope he's 100% healthy and asks for a shot there.

That's what I've been saying...we have a cluster f**k at OG with not much going on at OT. Why he's not getting snaps out there makes me

Truth!

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
He is on the OL, not

My mistake Phoenix, but has played both somewhere in high school or college. Impossible to play both O and D in pros, but it is an interesting thot...obviously needed more at OC than NT, but ...who knows. Usually, even tho our GM/HC has had a penchant for moving guys from one position they play well to another, it seems to work out they should have stayed at the position they started with....Tank, in particular. Our need is a lot more at OC than NT, so hope he stays there.

He played NT at oregon (btwn AA and DEfo) but played center in high school. Now moves back to OL--center and guard. Early reports were encouraging.

Thanks, Oldninerdude, I was in process of looking it up. Interesting when you think about it tho. Both positions need big strong Bulls. At NT, you need to develop that forearm shiver to the upper pads,(Used to be to helmet but no longer), while at OC, bent over, not really doing anything nasty like forearm shiver, you have to learn to delicately and repeatedly deliver the ball EXACTLY like the QB wants it, where he wants it,(high, low,) and do it exactly the same time after time. Then, if he gones shotgun, you need to change your thinking and muscle memory to that. And in addtion , while at it, you have to keep the NT from ending up in the QBs lap....or worse, the OC ending up in QBs lap, like we had with Martin last yr. When you consider all that, it is remarkable one guy was able to do both, tho not at the same time. Someone like that you have to like if for nothing else than this versatility and athleticism. Also, you wouldn't want a dumb guy doing this. So points for that too.

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:

Originally posted by SoCold:

Alex Mack would have looked good in red. Can't be throwing away extra millions doe.

He sure woulf have and getting Wisniewski would have also been a solid signing at center.

IMO, getting Mitchell Schwartz would have been an excellent pick-up at RT and he's just hitting his prime.

Problem is...as a well respected vet would you sign with SF? Or a true playoff contender? They have to re-earn respect this year to augment through free agency.

Originally posted by oldninerdude:
He played NT at oregon (btwn AA and DEfo) but played center in high school. Now moves back to OL--center and guard. Early reports were encouraging.

"Early reports" minus pads are as valuable and meaningful as used toilet paper.

Originally posted by 49erThrowback:

Originally posted by oldninerdude:

He played NT at oregon (btwn AA and DEfo) but played center in high school. Now moves back to OL--center and guard. Early reports were encouraging.

"Early reports" minus pads are as valuable and meaningful as used toilet paper.

I can blow my nose a couple of times with a good wad of tp

Originally posted by 49erThrowback:

Originally posted by oldninerdude:
He played NT at oregon (btwn AA and DEfo) but played center in high school. Now moves back to OL--center and guard. Early reports were encouraging.

"Early reports" minus pads are as valuable and meaningful as used toilet paper.

Not really, in Balducci's case. That means he isn't blowing assignments, he's using the right footwork to get to his assignment on time, he's making proper line calls (protection is the center's job in Kelly's offense), he's securing proper leverage, and he's playing rather than thinking his way through the learning curve. All of that is very positive for a gut who hasn't played on that side of the ball since high school. That doesn't mean he'll be a stud, but knowing what he's doing is a big deal for him. Physicality shouldn't be too big of an issue for him. He was a NT in a 3-4 for a major college program. He finally gets to have the numbers advantage on double teams.

Originally posted by WRATHman44:

Originally posted by 49erThrowback:

Originally posted by oldninerdude:
He played NT at oregon (btwn AA and DEfo) but played center in high school. Now moves back to OL--center and guard. Early reports were encouraging.

"Early reports" minus pads are as valuable and meaningful as used toilet paper.

Not really, in Balducci's case. That means he isn't blowing assignments, he's using the right footwork to get to his assignment on time, he's making proper line calls (protection is the center's job in Kelly's offense), he's securing proper leverage, and he's playing rather than thinking his way through the learning curve. All of that is very positive for a gut who hasn't played on that side of the ball since high school. That doesn't mean he'll be a stud, but knowing what he's doing is a big deal for him. Physicality shouldn't be too big of an issue for him. He was a NT in a 3-4 for a major college program. He finally gets to have the numbers advantage on double teams.

Agreed. Good start to this experiment. And Lord knows we need someone to push Kilgore or at least, Martin at backup C.

Originally posted by WRATHman44:

Originally posted by 49erThrowback:

Originally posted by oldninerdude:
He played NT at oregon (btwn AA and DEfo) but played center in high school. Now moves back to OL--center and guard. Early reports were encouraging.

"Early reports" minus pads are as valuable and meaningful as used toilet paper.

Not really, in Balducci's case. That means he isn't blowing assignments, he's using the right footwork to get to his assignment on time, he's making proper line calls (protection is the center's job in Kelly's offense), he's securing proper leverage, and he's playing rather than thinking his way through the learning curve. All of that is very positive for a gut who hasn't played on that side of the ball since high school. That doesn't mean he'll be a stud, but knowing what he's doing is a big deal for him. Physicality shouldn't be too big of an issue for him. He was a NT in a 3-4 for a major college program. He finally gets to have the numbers advantage on double teams.

Well said. Thanks.

Nice post, Wrath. Well done, and the T.P. Comment just got used for its true purpose.