Originally posted by itlynstalyn:
Originally posted by NCommand:
Originally posted by itlynstalyn:
Originally posted by NCommand:
Originally posted by Marvin49:
OBTW....
Another thought I forgot to add...
The drafting of Tartt makes me wonder if Wards move to CB may be a permanent one...so add that to Johnson, Acker, and Reaser drafted last year.
Most likely, yes...another play maker in the middle of the field (i.e. "Strong down the middle of the field"). You nailed this draft plan very well.
Just look at the players we drafted. Most will be package players this year which is the perfect way to work rookies into starters for the NEXT year while still making us stronger THIS year:
DE Arik Armstead for Justin Smith
SS/ILB Jaquiski Tartt for Antoine Bethea
OLB Eli Harold for Ahmad Brooks
RB Mike Davis for whichever RB gets hurt this year (like every year)
WR DeAndre Smelter for Anquan Boldin
P/PK Bradley Pinion for Any Lee (hell, maybe Phil Dawson)
T Ian Silberman for Eric Pears
G Trenton Brown for Joe Looney
X WR Rory 'Busta' Anderson for Boldin's backup
This isn't hard to see, right?
This is assuming each and every one of the players that were drafted to replace starters down the line will pan out to be solid pros. Which is pretty obviously very rarely the case.
It's actually the BEST way to ensure success. Why? B/c they aren't being thrown in to the wolves. These players are young and need to develop slowly (diet, muscle, playbook, film work, refinement, technique, etc.) and properly behind quality coaching while being taken under wing by their very successful mentors.
You're still making a gross assumption that 100% of these draft picks will in fact pan out. The 2012 draft is a good indication otherwise.
I don't think he's saying that. I just look at it as the 49ers are prepared in the event of _____. It could be anything. Retirement, injury, high salary cap number, or declining play are all reasons players have gotten replaced in the past. I am not going to say Tartt is taking over for Bethea just yet. Not even in 2016. But I do feel that should he develop properly, the 49ers will feel they will have some options going forward at safety. Two years may seem too long for many people, but if there isn't any noticeable drop off in Antoine Bethea's game, I don't mind it. All I want from the 2015 class at the moment is that they can fulfill whatever role that they have assigned to them and offer great special teams value so we don't have to go out and get special team's vets this year.
The pressure is more so on the 2013 and 2014 classes this year. We are going to find out if Tank Carradine can hold down a starting position. He already has the advantage. We are going to find out if McDonald can make a suitable TE. Bruce Ellington and Quinton Patton will finally get some significant playing time. Quinton Dial will get to show if he has some starter ability or is a career backup. BTW, if Dial doesn't win the starting job, it doesn't mean he's a career backup. There's a difference between being beat out for a job because of better play by the other player as opposed to losing a job because of your own poor performance. If the latter takes place, then he's probably a career backup. Will Nick Moody show any growth as an ILB? And can Eric Reid have a healthy season? All of these are questions and that's just for the 2013 class, with the exception of Bruce Ellington.
The 2014 class in some respects has already outperformed the 2013 class if you don't count Eric Reid and I think when is all said and done, will really be the shining stars of this season. It's likely that there will be three starters from this group (Carlos Hyde, Dontae Johnson, and Brandon Thomas/Marcus Martin), so they already will have more opportunities. Then the guys likely to be backups (Aaron Lynch and the CBs) could push their competition. In my opinion if the 2013 and 2014 draft classes come through, everyone will have to get off of Baalke's back.