49ers Offensive Line

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

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.

Spot on!

We are definitely NOT a place many FA would want to come to.

After the JT debacle the team has to reestablish Niner traditions.

Getting Kelly, IMO, was a good step.

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
Spot on!

We are definitely NOT a place many FA would want to come to.

After the JT debacle the team has to reestablish Niner traditions.

Getting Kelly, IMO, was a good step.

Yeah, that insight from Sean Smith pretty much told me all I needed to know...his stance, paraphrased, was that we no longer had a franchise QB, recognized we were rebuilding and the idea around the extra snaps on defense was also a turnoff. Translation: while we may have been 1A or 2 in many of these FA races, we might as well been in last place compared to the teams we were up against. Like you said, we need to be a "draft and development" team and have Chip and staff restore credibility back in SF before we can be a realistic landing spot for prospective FA's in the future.

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
Spot on!

We are definitely NOT a place many FA would want to come to.

After the JT debacle the team has to reestablish Niner traditions.

Getting Kelly, IMO, was a good step.

I'm optimistic about Kelly turning the team around but he does have potential to whiff as well. It will be an interesting and exciting year either way. Just hope they aren't looking for another coach in a year or two!

Originally posted by WRATHman44:
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.

I hear you, but I still think it means next to nothing compared to playing in pads, in a game -- even a preseason game where he'll be up against hungry opponents desperate to grab the brass ring by earning spots on their teams' rosters. Though in Balducci's case, and to his benefit, that'll probably be in the 3rd or 4th quarter of those games playing against third- and fourth-string defensive linemen and linebackers. Even then we'll see if he has the innate instincts of a C making his line cohesive and effective, as well as playing with smarts and the proper leverage.

Regardless, I still think it's more important for the team for Martin to shine in TC and preseason than Balducci, given the investment the Niners have in him. Not unlike Alex Smith with his merry rotating band of offensive coordinators and head coaches his first few years in the league, I can't help but think that Martin was malcoached and put into a no-win situation by the staff of morons -- what was Jimmy's IQ, 73? -- the Niners hired that turned the team into the buttcracks of the league (Cleveland would have been, but then the Niners found a way to make the Browns look like a team of All Pros).

Of course Balducci will almost certainly get on the 53 if Kilgore and/or Martin get injured before the season begins. I sure hope that doesn't happen, since the Niners have no depth at C or either T spot (and arguably no competent RT at present).

a whole lot of depth, but not enough starters

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
Spot on!

We are definitely NOT a place many FA would want to come to.

After the JT debacle the team has to reestablish Niner traditions.

Getting Kelly, IMO, was a good step.

I'm optimistic about Kelly turning the team around but he does have potential to whiff as well. It will be an interesting and exciting year either way. Just hope they aren't looking for another coach in a year or two!

Agree

We will lose games, almost nobody goes w/out losses.

IMO, it's how we lose those games that makes a difference.

Getting blown out or losing because of disorganization, poor coaching decisions doesn't bode well for a new coach.

We'll see how he makes adjustments and how the OLine develops will be indicators of his perfromance as HC.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Yeah, that insight from Sean Smith pretty much told me all I needed to know...his stance, paraphrased, was that we no longer had a franchise QB, recognized we were rebuilding and the idea around the extra snaps on defense was also a turnoff. Translation: while we may have been 1A or 2 in many of these FA races, we might as well been in last place compared to the teams we were up against. Like you said, we need to be a "draft and development" team and have Chip and staff restore credibility back in SF before we can be a realistic landing spot for prospective FA's in the future.

Its a sad day when OAK is more attractive for FAs

Originally posted by LVJay:

a whole lot of depth, but not enough starters

Not yet, anyway. Remember, and sports writers are guilty of this, THIS is NOT last yr's team, not LAST yrs coaches. And we had what I believe will be an excellent draft to boot.
Last yrs OL...stunk. This yr's won't look anything like last yrs. Last yrs DL...had AA and a rotating NT duo or trio. This yr we got two studs at DE and still have talent at NT....and I look for Purcell to get lots of snaps this yr also. RBs...were good as long as Hyde was playing for 6 games or thereabouts. Then Trent brot in off the shelf Shaun and DuJuan, both of which did well. This yr....we got a healthy Hyde plus those two guys. And two others in the mix. WRs? Lousy last yr, but with no OL and poor QB performance first half of yr, so hard to say about WRs....Torrey will revert to what he did before coming here. And we got the CFL's best WR. Plus we got Burbridge who is still untested...along with 3 other guys who basically just sat the bench. DBs....really hard to say, depending on what our 3 draftees do...all with some chinks in their history. But we got 9 of 'em so hopefully this works out.

Overall, comparing this team to last yrs is silly. They are totally , completely different. The O won't look like any we have seen. The D has been substantially upgraded, but until these guys all play, who is to say if we have all depth and not enough starters? Granted it may work out that way, which I doubt, but assuming this team is the same disaster that hit the field last yr? Unh Unh.

Originally posted by DonnieDarko:

Originally posted by NCommand:
Yeah, that insight from Sean Smith pretty much told me all I needed to know...his stance, paraphrased, was that we no longer had a franchise QB, recognized we were rebuilding and the idea around the extra snaps on defense was also a turnoff. Translation: while we may have been 1A or 2 in many of these FA races, we might as well been in last place compared to the teams we were up against. Like you said, we need to be a "draft and development" team and have Chip and staff restore credibility back in SF before we can be a realistic landing spot for prospective FA's in the future.

Its a sad day when OAK is more attractive for FAs

This

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
Not yet, anyway. Remember, and sports writers are guilty of this, THIS is NOT last yr's team, not LAST yrs coaches. And we had what I believe will be an excellent draft to boot.
Last yrs OL...stunk. This yr's won't look anything like last yrs. Last yrs DL...had AA and a rotating NT duo or trio. This yr we got two studs at DE and still have talent at NT....and I look for Purcell to get lots of snaps this yr also. RBs...were good as long as Hyde was playing for 6 games or thereabouts. Then Trent brot in off the shelf Shaun and DuJuan, both of which did well. This yr....we got a healthy Hyde plus those two guys. And two others in the mix. WRs? Lousy last yr, but with no OL and poor QB performance first half of yr, so hard to say about WRs....Torrey will revert to what he did before coming here. And we got the CFL's best WR. Plus we got Burbridge who is still untested...along with 3 other guys who basically just sat the bench. DBs....really hard to say, depending on what our 3 draftees do...all with some chinks in their history. But we got 9 of 'em so hopefully this works out.

Overall, comparing this team to last yrs is silly. They are totally , completely different. The O won't look like any we have seen. The D has been substantially upgraded, but until these guys all play, who is to say if we have all depth and not enough starters? Granted it may work out that way, which I doubt, but assuming this team is the same disaster that hit the field last yr? Unh Unh.

Good post!

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:

Originally posted by DonnieDarko:

Originally posted by NCommand:
Yeah, that insight from Sean Smith pretty much told me all I needed to know...his stance, paraphrased, was that we no longer had a franchise QB, recognized we were rebuilding and the idea around the extra snaps on defense was also a turnoff. Translation: while we may have been 1A or 2 in many of these FA races, we might as well have been in last place compared to the teams we were up against. Like you said, we need to be a "draft and development" team and have Chip and staff restore credibility back in SF before we can be a realistic landing spot for prospective FA's in the future.

Its a sad day when OAK is more attractive for FAs

This

True

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:

Originally posted by DonnieDarko:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Yeah, that insight from Sean Smith pretty much told me all I needed to know...his stance, paraphrased, was that we no longer had a franchise QB, recognized we were rebuilding and the idea around the extra snaps on defense was also a turnoff. Translation: while we may have been 1A or 2 in many of these FA races, we might as well have been in last place compared to the teams we were up against. Like you said, we need to be a "draft and development" team and have Chip and staff restore credibility back in SF before we can be a realistic landing spot for prospective FA's in the future.

Its a sad day when OAK is more attractive for FAs

This

True

I don't know this, but think this yr with an excellent draft (ok I think our best draft in the last 10-15 yrs), and was better than the draft where we not only got Staley but his counterpart on the O also in round 1.Overall, I think this draft was better...IMO. Coaching wise, I expect a much better coaching job than we got from anyone and I definitely include harbaw in that. Yes, chip will have to PROVE it, but I think he will. Again, the talent is still UNTRIED from draft, so no way of knowing....YET. But I think the talent is there, I know we have our best coach in over 17 yrs, but again he is going to have to PROVE it. That said, with the above comments noted, one good solid yr, going from 5 Ws to double that, would be enough to once again let FA stars know we are once again in the game. I don't think this blight caused by tomsul, and therefore Jed, and somewhat by harbaw is going to last any longer than after a yr of our resurrgence..

So if we truly come thru and play way better than my 6-10 prediction, a 10 W season would get the attn of the FA stars and we could once again be players in the FA market. If we win 6 but are in the other 10 games, it MAY make FAs consider coming here. If we end up 6-10, and are NOT in the other 10 loses, then it will have to be 2 more yrs before we once again are a place where FA winners want to come. Remember, the NFL is not "what did you do", but rather "what did you do for me lately?" And if we go balz to the walls this yr and play way better than most of us suspect, then in 2017 we re-emerge as a landing spot for the top FAs. Also by that time, I believe we will have our big holes filled and after this yr will truly know what exactly do we need?

With harbaw, playing his vets over and over, he never developed most of the young guys, a criminal neglect for a HC. Makes the GM look crappy too. So, if chip lites up the team this yr and our young talent plus bench talent comes thru, next yr, 2017, we will be a legit spot for FAs to want to come here. It all depends on Chip...and the young guys plus guys who never have gotten their shot. Now is the time for both. If not, then we see the Sean Smith story repeated again.

There is a lot more riding on this season than meets the eye....and this is one of them.

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
I don't know this, but think this yr with an excellent draft (ok I think our best draft in the last 10-15 yrs), and was better than the draft where we not only got Staley but his counterpart on the O also in round 1.Overall, I think this draft was better...IMO. Coaching wise, I expect a much better coaching job than we got from anyone and I definitely include harbaw in that. Yes, chip will have to PROVE it, but I think he will. Again, the talent is still UNTRIED from draft, so no way of knowing....YET. But I think the talent is there, I know we have our best coach in over 17 yrs, but again he is going to have to PROVE it. That said, with the above comments noted, one good solid yr, going from 5 Ws to double that, would be enough to once again let FA stars know we are once again in the game. I don't think this blight caused by tomsul, and therefore Jed, and somewhat by harbaw is going to last any longer than after a yr of our resurrgence..

So if we truly come thru and play way better than my 6-10 prediction, a 10 W season would get the attn of the FA stars and we could once again be players in the FA market. If we win 6 but are in the other 10 games, it MAY make FAs consider coming here. If we end up 6-10, and are NOT in the other 10 loses, then it will have to be 2 more yrs before we once again are a place where FA winners want to come. Remember, the NFL is not "what did you do", but rather "what did you do for me lately?" And if we go balz to the walls this yr and play way better than most of us suspect, then in 2017 we re-emerge as a landing spot for the top FAs. Also by that time, I believe we will have our big holes filled and after this yr will truly know what exactly do we need?

With harbaw, playing his vets over and over, he never developed most of the young guys, a criminal neglect for a HC. Makes the GM look crappy too. So, if chip lites up the team this yr and our young talent plus bench talent comes thru, next yr, 2017, we will be a legit spot for FAs to want to come here. It all depends on Chip...and the young guys plus guys who never have gotten their shot. Now is the time for both. If not, then we see the Sean Smith story repeated again.

There is a lot more riding on this season than meets the eye....and this is one of them.

Better than Staley AND Willis in the first? Man, I hope so.

Nah, gotta give that #1, and by a county mile. I hope the overall depth of draft, i.e. Blair at btm of draft actually getting rotations on D. Both late OLs getting rotations on OL. And I hope that of our 3 DBs, that 2 of them are healthy and able to play. If all 3 can, fantastic. As for the candy of the draft, DeFO and Garnett, both rooks, but will start sometime this yr, playing as they go along. So if as many guys hit as I think this could be one draft for the ages. Right now we got bupkis as nobody has played one snap...but I sure can't wait to see all of them playing..

So is Fahn Cooper only getting reps at G? Or he is splitting with T too.