Originally posted by dtg_9er:
Kelly Fit--in bold, guys who are most likely to contribute right away and are under contract.
QB: Kaepernick--many believe he's the perfect fit. Will see, but Kelly likes him and that's half the battle.
QB: Gabbert--accuracy issues but is better in the pocket and makes faster decisions than CK...and he's a better runner than people think.
RB: Hyde--spread should be good for Hyde and he may not take the pounding that would wear him down.
RB: Bush--if he can stay healthy he'd be a real asset...but will they take a chance?
RB: Hayne--his skills are idea for a spread where they could get him the ball in space. Will they wait for him to develop?
RB: Draughn--really nice receiver out of the backfield but can he beat out Davis and Harris?
RB: Harris--3 inches shorter but the same weight as Draughn give him more power inside.
RB: Davis--doubt they cut their young draftee and he played better at the end of the year. He has to earn a spot though.
FB: Miller--not a traditional Kelly piece but I believe Kelly will find a use for him. Good receiver out of the backfield and a good blocker.
TE: Celek--became the #1 TE last year and did well until injured. Very good traditional TE who can find the soft spot and settle down, giving the QB a target.
TE: McDonald--improved last year but he has to make a jump this year. A lot of talent and Chip likes TEs.
TE: Bell--looked good for a rookie, natural receiver and smart ex-QB. He could be the #1 by the end of the year.
TE: Anderson--very verstile and Kelly might really like this aspect...or not. Hard to figure but they could keep four TEs.
OT: Staley--can play in any system. As a vet, would he balk at Kelly's system? I don't think so, solid team guy.
OT: Davis--is he going to live up to his tweets and come to camp in shape? If so the OL could take a huge leap forward.
OT: Brown--may need to be in better shape, lighter. But if he's ready the niners could be set at OT.
OT/OG: Pears--probably gone but he has another year on his contract.
OG: Boone--FA, will he leave or embrace the Kelly system? Might take the challenge.
OG: Tiller--guy is a survivor! I see him earning a spot and being willing to lose weight and come to camp in shape.
OG: Martin--disappointing so far. Will he take this serioiusly and get in shape and add strength? Kelly's system might really improve his career.
OG: Thomas--no idea.
OG: Silberman--seems like the kind of body style suited for Kelly's system...6'5" 300.
OG: Devey--as badly as he played last year I can't imagine keeping him.
OC: Kilgore--another survivor who will likely embrace the Kelly system.
WR: Boldin--he may resign with the team and I could see him doing well in a Kelly system...smart, tough.
WR: T Smith--Speed is important in any system. Lock to get more targets next year.
WR: Ellington--quick stocky reciever and return specialist. Underachieved so far but I could see him exploding in Kelly's system.
WR: Patton--hasn't blossomed yet, but he might become a decent receiver. No real elite skill area, not really strong enough for the NFL and not fast enough to beat the best CBs.
WR: Smelter--hasn't had a chance yet but much like a more athletic Boldin in college. Can he do it in the NFL?
Though I have my doubts about Kelly there are some things I like about his system.
- players have to be in shape. Some of these guys won't make it and will be cut or traded...or sit.
- emphasis on health and healing injuries using advanced medical and training methods will help keep people off IR.
- love the up-tempo offense. It keeps the athletes revved up and synced. Slow play tends to lead to laziness and less urgency. Young team should be able to handle the uptempo physically...mentally?
- the spread style seems to fit many of the niner skill players better.
Nice post dtg...I'll give it a go as to who might be great fits for the Kelly offense:
Veterans (Seasoned):
Z WR: Anquan Boldin (URFA) - Gone. Way too slow in a "fast offense."
LT: Joe Staley - He's going to be a critical piece to this offense and is going to love how quickly the ball gets out.
PK: Phil Dawson (URFA) - PK Corey Acosta will most likely win this one finally.
Veterans (Cornerstones):
FB: Bruce Miller - Sounds like he may be perfect trade bait. Kelly doesn't use a FB is my understanding.
X WR: Torrey Smith - If any player just got a new lease on life, it's this guy (not CK).
QB's:
QB: Blaine Gabbert - Probably the best fit Kelly has ever had for his offense. I have no doubt he'll beat out CK but will politics win out for CK?
QB: Colin Kaepernick - "Scheme the receiver open..." Does anyone really want to go down this Anointed Receiver (AR)-road again?
Free Agents (Keepers):
LG: Alex Boone (URFA) - Pretty athletic G so he might actually be a decent fit here now. Last year, in his contract year, he was a below-average G who if he tests the market, will still probably get $6M in FA.
TE: Garrett Celek (URFA) - Could be a perfect resign and big-time player in Chip's offense.
Young Core (High-Ceiling Starters or Key Role-Players:
RB1: Carlos Hyde - CH has the biggest boner right now.
RB2: DuJuan Harris - Here is another with a raging boner with Chip on board.
RB2: Shaun Draughn - Need to evaluate him more.
RB2/ST: Jarryd Hayne - Might get some catches out in space in this offense but has to make it first on ST.
TE: Blake Bell - Keep an eye on this one in Kelly's offense!
TE: Vance McDonald - Finished strong catching the ball. Now doubt this will be emphasized in Chip's practices and he's a monster in space (blocking or YAC)
LG: Andrew Tiller - Once Chip threw his two G's away, they basically tanked. With conditioning, Tiller has the chance to become special now.
C: Daniel Kilgore - My biggest concern about Kilgore is his strength and power. But IQ and athleticism will be highlighted in a C in Chips offense. That bodes well for Kilgore's future.
RT: Trenton Brown - It's safe to say, he and Anthony Davis are already hitting the treadmill (literally).
LS: Kyle Nelson - Lock.
P: Bradley Pinion - Lock. Hopefully far less punts next year but Chips offense CAN rack up the 3-and-outs too. So be ready.
Young (Need Further Evaluation/Potential Starters):
QB: Dylan Thompson - Doubt he's a fit.
QB: McLeod Bethel-Thompson - Buh-bye.
RB2: Mike Davis - After Hyde, Davis probably is the most excited about this move. This system fits him perfectly. Don't be surprised to see him leap big time this off season.
H-Back: Busta Anderson - If Chip doesn't use a FB, I doubt we have a place for him now.
Z WR (SLOT) : Quinton Patton - Every single WR has a chance to make a name for themselves in this offense. Every one! The question is, who will learn it quickest?
Y WR (SLOT): Bruce Ellington - See Quinton Patton.
Y WR (SLOT): DeAndrew White - See Quinton Patton.
Z WR: DeAndre Smelter - See Quinton Patton.
Z WR: Dres Anderson - See Quinton Patton.
C: Ian Silberman - With the return of the ZBS, Ian has another chance here.
RG: Marcus Martin - Fat boy is probably done now in this system.
RG: Brandon Thomas - Big boy too will have to get into big time shape. G's are critical to Kelly's system. Is he healthy enough? Smart enough? Athletic and mobile enough?
Future in Question:
RB: Reggie Bush (URFA) - Buh-bye.
RB: Kendall Gaskins (ERFA) - Buh-bye.
X WR: Jerome Simpson - Buh-bye.
LG: Jordan Devey (ERFA) - Buh-bye.
RT: Erik Pears - Most likely Buh-bye. But he is signed through next year and has played decent at G, which, apparently, was why he was brought in (backup G with some T experience).
Practice Squad:
QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson - Buh-bye.
OL Colin Kelly - No clue.
WR DiAndre Campbell - See Quinton Patton.
TE Jamie Childers - No clue.