49ers Preseason Week 1 2016 - Thoughts on the game...

Marvin49 · 2016-08-15T08:42:03-07:00

So...just to start right off the bat, the most important thing to remember is this is just preseason. People always tend to say that after something bad happens but the exact same thing holds true when you put up 300+ yards in a single half of play. It was nice to see, but lets not go overboard. The second half similarly isn't as bad as it looked, particularly when you consider who was on the field. I got to see this one live and then go over it quickly when I got home, so sorry if I miss something glaring that people saw on TV. 1) QB: I was kinda sad to see Kap not suited up. I want to see a real competition there and want to see Kap play in this offense. IMO though, Gabbert didn't do much to separate himself in this competition. the throw to McDonald was a good one, but not a great one. That play was really made by the falling down LB and a good individual play by McDonald. (More on that later). Thad Lewis was interesting at times and at others an example of why he won't be counted on in any serious measure this season. With Kap out it was Driskel I really wanted to see. He's got wheels as we all know but his passes were really scattershot. After watching that game, it really seems to me that if Kap can show anything AT ALL, he might be able to win this thing. Now lets see if he can even got on the field to make it a competition. 2) RBs: Hyde looked like Hyde. Fumble was bad, but it happens. These guys haven't been taking live hits for some time now. Draughn was interesting and it was nice to see some flashes from Mike Davis and DeJuan Harris. Taylor really didn't do much of anything. To be honest, after looking at this group, I'm not sure Hayne would have had a chance to make this roster. 3) Ronald Blair: I don't know how much that guy is gonna play, but when he does he's gonna make some plays. Undersized and not real fast straight ahead, but QUICK, athletic and flat out a good football player. I like that kid a lot. 4) O-Line: This one more than any other really has my attention. Of all the position groups on the roster, this one to me has the greatest chance at big improvement. I really don't know how this is all going to play out and who is going to end up where, but there are guys there now at every spot who can play. The right side of the O-Line last year was horrific. So much of the offensive struggles started there. Now, there are so many potential combinations that intrigue me. For the first time in awhile, there are more players there that I like than positions available. My favorite combo (tho it hasn't actually happened): Staley-Garnett-Kilgore-Davis-Brown. I have no idea if AD would be willing to move inside but Trenton Brown looks pretty good out there. The only real problem I see is that I don't hate Zane and I like Tiller....but those are good problems to have. We'll see what happens, but this looks to be a hugely improved position group this season. 5) WR: This one? Not so much. There are a number of interesting guys running around out there, but nobody IMO really standing out. My guess is that the way the season will play out and next year WR will be a big point of emphesis in the draft and Free Agency. 6) Vance McDonald: Only two catches so not going to go overboard, but I've been fan of his for awhile. His penchant to have the ball bounce off his hands has been aggravating to say the least, but he is just so damn athletic for a guy his size AND he can block. He's got the athletic ability to be a dominant TE in this league, but he's gotta focus and get it going this year. He reminds me a bit of Wesley Walls who was a high pick for the 49ers many years ago and they let him all only to become a pro bowl player elsewhere. I'm hoping a new coaching staff can get hat out of him this year. We'll see. 7) DeForest Buckner: Really hard to make any judgement one way or the other as he didn't do a lot, but he as big as advertised. :) Has to get low as he got pushed back a bit at times, but watching him reminded me a bit of watching Bryant Young in his first preseason. Bryant got pushed around as well. Its a learning curve. He'll be fine. 8) OLBs: I'm concerned here. Brooks did what he does...made a stupid play (offsides) followed by a good one (great spin to get the sack) but he is never going to be THE guy to get to the QB down after down. Lynch looked decent out there late but he's out for 4 games. What I was hoping to see what Eli Harold make a statement...and he didn't. Largely invisible. It'll be a long year if there is little rush from the OLBs. 9) Defense in general: It was really nice to see that defense play as well as they did in the first half. As Kelly has said, if they can get off the field on 3rd downs, that high tempo offense can really exhaust an opposing D. Strange to say it, but the D might be the highlight of a Chip Kelly team. 10) Offensive Scheme: Well, we're all in peoples. 3 WRs, 1 RB, high temp offense. I liked a lot of what I saw and I saw some of what concerned be about his time in Philly. Yeah, the running game has a chance to be special...especially if that line comes together the way I think it can. Concerns are (obviously) at QB and in the way they approach short yardage. This doesn't surprise me BTW because Chip did the same thing in Philly. Short Yardage? Goal Line? Yup....3 WRs, 1 RB, high Tempo. He doesn't adjust his offense to situation. I'll be keeping my eye on that as we move forward, but that was one thing I was worried about. All in all though, the first half was a lot of fun to watch. The second half? Not so much. Either way SOOOOOOOO happy 49er football is back.

Aug 15, 2016 at 8:45 AM

braap49er
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You know the season has begun when Marvin's After The Game posts are back. Yay!!! Looking forward to reading everyone

Aug 15, 2016 at 8:51 AM

SofaKing
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Marv's thoughts after the game = football is back

Aug 15, 2016 at 8:54 AM

SofaKing
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Also dissapointed Kap didn't get to play. I agree, if he can show his playmaking ability, he still has a shot to win the job.

The improved o-line and running game bodes very well for him, especially to open up play-action. In 2012 and 2013 he was lethal throwing intermediate-deep off play action. He's never gonna be a drop-back, pick you apart type of QB. But at his best he can get chunk plays that change a game.

In regards to Gabbert, I don't think he was as bad as people suggest. The misthrows on those gimmes were ugly, but I'm more focused on the decision making which was there. He'll make those gimmes in the future. A couple nice scrambles as well.

[ Edited by SofaKing on Aug 15, 2016 at 8:55 AM ]

Aug 15, 2016 at 8:56 AM

SoCold
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I thought it was meh.

The chick on the radio sucks.

Aug 15, 2016 at 8:57 AM

Marvin49
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Originally posted by SofaKing:
Also dissapointed Kap didn't get to play. I agree, if he can show his playmaking ability, he still has a shot to win the job.

The improved o-line and running game bodes very well for him, especially to open up play-action. In 2012 and 2013 he was lethal throwing intermediate-deep off play action. He's never gonna be a drop-back, pick you apart type of QB. But at his best he can get chunk plays that change a game.

In regards to Gabbert, I don't think he was as bad as people suggest. The misthrows on those gimmes were ugly, but I'm more focused on the decision making which was there. He'll make those gimmes in the future. A couple nice scrambles as well.

No, I don't think Gabbert was horrible either, but I don't think he did anything to secure the job either.

Aug 15, 2016 at 8:58 AM

Marvin49
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Originally posted by SoCold:
I thought it was meh.

The chick on the radio sucks.

Didn't hear any of her until they played some of her highlights in the stadium...was kinda hard to listen to. I don't have any problems with a woman doing the game, but her voice was a bit shrill for my taste.

Aug 15, 2016 at 9:01 AM

SoCold
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Posts: 133,138

Originally posted by Marvin49:

Originally posted by SoCold:
I thought it was meh.

The chick on the radio sucks.

Didn't hear any of her until they played some of her highlights in the stadium...was kinda hard to listen to. I don't have any problems with a woman doing the game, but her voice was a bit shrill for my taste.

Didn't even sound excited for the TD. She was just like uh 49ers have their first touch of downs on the year.

lol really that was your TD call?

TOUCHDOWN 49ERS! is what I want to hear got damn it.

Aug 15, 2016 at 9:04 AM

crabman82
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Lol there's a female play by play radio voice? Interesting

Aug 15, 2016 at 9:04 AM

sdaddy101269
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Nice post Marvin! The only place I disagree with you is concerning the oline and Brown. He seemed to struggle with a couple of the Zone run, getting beat inside (see Hyde fumble play). I think Davis will supplant him at RT. Tiller looked good so it'll be interesting to see how they handle the guard spot with 3 good players vying for 2 spots.

Aug 15, 2016 at 9:05 AM

#10

Marvin49
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Originally posted by crabman82:
Lol there's a female play by play radio voice? Interesting

Just for yesterday and Broncos game. Ted Robinson is doing the Olympics.

Its Kate Scott from KNBR.

Aug 15, 2016 at 9:05 AM

#11

NYniner85
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Posts: 119,126

Originally posted by Marvin49:

Originally posted by SofaKing:
Also dissapointed Kap didn't get to play. I agree, if he can show his playmaking ability, he still has a shot to win the job.

The improved o-line and running game bodes very well for him, especially to open up play-action. In 2012 and 2013 he was lethal throwing intermediate-deep off play action. He's never gonna be a drop-back, pick you apart type of QB. But at his best he can get chunk plays that change a game.

In regards to Gabbert, I don't think he was as bad as people suggest. The misthrows on those gimmes were ugly, but I'm more focused on the decision making which was there. He'll make those gimmes in the future. A couple nice scrambles as well.

No, I don't think Gabbert was horrible either, but I don't think he did anything to secure the job either.

That's where I'm at...didn't really impress to the point of securing the job IMO. Sucks because I'd rather have a answer now. Also I agree with our OLBs Eli was nowhere to be found which is not good. I thought Tank made some plays which is a positive and our WRs are gonna be a real problem this yr IMO.

Aug 15, 2016 at 9:06 AM

#12

Marvin49
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Posts: 16,506

Originally posted by sdaddy101269:
Nice post Marvin! The only place I disagree with you is concerning the oline and Brown. He seemed to struggle with a couple of the Zone run, getting beat inside (see Hyde fumble play). I think Davis will supplant him at RT. Tiller looked good so it'll be interesting to see how they handle the guard spot with 3 good players vying for 2 spots.

Not sure that was all on Brown on the fumble as I don't know what Tillers assignment was, but point taken.

[ Edited by Marvin49 on Aug 15, 2016 at 9:08 AM ]

Aug 15, 2016 at 9:07 AM

#13

PhillyNiner
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Posts: 8,995

Originally posted by sdaddy101269:
Nice post Marvin! The only place I disagree with you is concerning the oline and Brown. He seemed to struggle with a couple of the Zone run, getting beat inside (see Hyde fumble play). I think Davis will supplant him at RT. Tiller looked good so it'll be interesting to see how they handle the guard spot with 3 good players vying for 2 spots.

Everybody on the line had a blown assignment or two...it is to be expected. New scheme, new players around you etc. It will come together when they settle on who is starting.

Aug 15, 2016 at 9:07 AM

#14

sdaddy101269
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Posts: 4,737

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Originally posted by Marvin49:
Originally posted by SofaKing:
Also dissapointed Kap didn't get to play. I agree, if he can show his playmaking ability, he still has a shot to win the job.

The improved o-line and running game bodes very well for him, especially to open up play-action. In 2012 and 2013 he was lethal throwing intermediate-deep off play action. He's never gonna be a drop-back, pick you apart type of QB. But at his best he can get chunk plays that change a game.

In regards to Gabbert, I don't think he was as bad as people suggest. The misthrows on those gimmes were ugly, but I'm more focused on the decision making which was there. He'll make those gimmes in the future. A couple nice scrambles as well.

No, I don't think Gabbert was horrible either, but I don't think he did anything to secure the job either.

That's where I'm at...didn't really impress to the point of securing the job IMO. Sucks because I'd rather have a answer now. Also I agree with our OLBs Eli was nowhere to be found which is not good. I thought Tank made some plays which is a positive and our WRs are gonna be a real problem this yr IMO.

I agree. I think our WRs will be the reason we struggle. I hate to say this but having Crabtree along with Torrey Smith would've been a good tandem.