49ers Offensive Line

Originally posted by Heroism:
It sure looks like it's going to be Carver Willis at left guard to start the season. There isn't enough time for someone from the outside to come in and learn the system with the trip to Australia.

Laken would be the only option that knows the system.

Quinton Nelson will be a free agent next year. The Colts are rated #20 or worse in the league. It's reported they've hosted G Will Hernandez, late of Az. He's not that good but he was rated the #2 guard in Nelson's draft class. Could Nelson be available now? I'd be a low cap hit and money saved now as well as later. It sounds far fetched but when you look at the Colts and their uncertainty at QB they will need quantity over quality to move ahead in the next year or two. The niners have a extras at DT and LB plus they have QB Rourke who is highly regarded in that state. It would be trading potential for a stud.

The LG position is so weak here they gotta do something even if it's Hernandez. Think Purdy's small frame.

Originally posted by jakedogg:
Quinton Nelson will be a free agent next year. The Colts are rated #20 or worse in the league. It's reported they've hosted G Will Hernandez, late of Az. He's not that good but he was rated the #2 guard in Nelson's draft class. Could Nelson be available now? I'd be a low cap hit and money saved now as well as later. It sounds far fetched but when you look at the Colts and their uncertainty at QB they will need quantity over quality to move ahead in the next year or two. The niners have a extras at DT and LB plus they have QB Rourke who is highly regarded in that state. It would be trading potential for a stud.

The LG position is so weak here they gotta do something even if it's Hernandez. Think Purdy's small frame.

Nelson would cost a lot for a rental, and he probably wants an extension too. This team doesnt really pay guards.

Roster cut-down is nearing - down to 53 by 3pm Sunday, Aug. 30 - next Sunday. I would expect any starter caliber extras are in the trade discussions by Friday. 9ers looking for a LG to either start or have real depth and a safety depending on Mustafa's status.

Originally posted by the_dynasty:

Originally posted by jakedogg:
Quinton Nelson will be a free agent next year. The Colts are rated #20 or worse in the league. It's reported they've hosted G Will Hernandez, late of Az. He's not that good but he was rated the #2 guard in Nelson's draft class. Could Nelson be available now? I'd be a low cap hit and money saved now as well as later. It sounds far fetched but when you look at the Colts and their uncertainty at QB they will need quantity over quality to move ahead in the next year or two. The niners have a extras at DT and LB plus they have QB Rourke who is highly regarded in that state. It would be trading potential for a stud.

The LG position is so weak here they gotta do something even if it's Hernandez. Think Purdy's small frame.

Nelson would cost a lot for a rental, and he probably wants an extension too. This team doesnt really pay guards.

They don't but it would be nice Trent Williams insurance. We likely aren't getting a tackle anywhere near his caliber so for a young tackle to have Nelson near him would help a lot. Also imagine the left side of our line 😳

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
They don't but it would be nice Trent Williams insurance. We likely aren't getting a tackle anywhere near his caliber so for a young tackle to have Nelson near him would help a lot. Also imagine the left side of our line 😳

This!

Looking to the Sunday cutdown.

Still finding it hard to believe this team is rolling into the season with its current LG options. The rookie Carver Willis might be getting an extended look tonight - will be watching him closely.

Once again, Zeitler anyone?

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:
Still finding it hard to believe this team is rolling into the season with its current LG options. The rookie Carver Willis might be getting an extended look tonight - will be watching him closely.

Once again, Zeitler anyone?

They're hopping on a flight to Australia in a few days. I don't think it's realistic to expect anyone from the outside to come in anymore. Barring an injury, they're rolling with what they've got. All we can do is hope that Carver Willis keeps improving.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:
Still finding it hard to believe this team is rolling into the season with its current LG options. The rookie Carver Willis might be getting an extended look tonight - will be watching him closely.

Once again, Zeitler anyone?

They're hopping on a flight to Australia in a few days. I don't think it's realistic to expect anyone from the outside to come in anymore. Barring an injury, they're rolling with what they've got. All we can do is hope that Carver Willis keeps improving.

Sounds that way at this point in the offseason. Trying to keep the faith that some LG option they have (Willis?) will step it up and not get abused Week 1 vs. the Rams and their tough D line. You'd hope they would put the best OL they can in front of such a good QB as Purdy - give him the protection he deserves, and right now LG is looking like a glaring weakness (hoping RG Puni recovers from his concussion in time for Week 1).

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:
Sounds that way at this point in the offseason. Trying to keep the faith that some LG option they have (Willis?) will step it up and not get abused Week 1 vs. the Rams and their tough D line. You'd hope they would put the best OL they can in front of such a good QB as Purdy - give him the protection he deserves, and right now LG is looking like a glaring weakness (hoping RG Puni recovers from his concussion in time for Week 1).

On a positive note: Week one can be weird. Then you factor in Australia, and I wouldn't be surprised if they perform well. I also wouldn't be surprised if they get obliterated.

I'm more concerned about the games late in the year when there's extensive tape on players and offenses, defenses are humming and the games matter most. That's when I fear they're in for a shellacking in the most important games. I hope I'm wrong.

Hoping Carver Willis can overcome the growing pains. Good for him if he does win this job. Doesn't mean the position is settled, but there is at least a chance the LG could improve as the season goes on.

The reality is this team is facing an older elite core and their contractual payments are coming due. In addition the Niners aren't engaging in a trade because of that very reason. They know over the next 2-4 years they need to rebuild and replace their aging core. They are going to have to do that via the draft . . . and that is another thread I guess. So they go with who they have on the roster and at LG, they better hope that someone steps up.

Because they have to go with who they have, I don't expect this team to overcome the Rams or the Seahawks this year. I expect their core elite to miss 2-4 games each at different times throughout the season, with minor soft tissue injuries that the organization will have to manage so it doesn't roll into a season ending injury. I also expect and I haven't seen too many people say this that their reps are going to have to be managed as well so they aren't worn out after 17 games heading into the playoffs, IF this team makes it there. That means some of the other younger players have to step up. The question is are they capable of doing that? We'll see. Bring on the season.

I agree with Matt Maiocco in his vidoe on the game tonight. I'll be watching the left guard position to see how the starter and then subsequent players start. It may be a thing like Matt said where the Niners rotate this position . . . even into the season. Not how I would want to go into the season but that is where the team and organziation are.

They don't value the guard position. This isn't breaking news. It is what it is. Just roll whoever out there and pray for the best. Let's not forget Puni was utter trash last year. And they were platooning Burford and some scrub I can't even remember last year. I hope Willis can ball.

Willis looked solid at LG tonight