Originally posted by Marvin49:
Again...work schedule has been a bear. No time to post in any length...but I have of course been watching. :)
1) Garoppolo: So 5 games in and its pretty clear...Jimmy Garoppolo is our guy. He's it. He isn't perfect (more on that later) but he's the best QB we've had here in a long, long time. I know he was a big stand offish when asked about a long term deal yesterday but I have no concerns there. He's now playing a different game...the game you play when you aren't yet under contract. If you profess your undying love for the team, they might just think they can get a discount.
There is absolutely zero reason Jimmy should take a discount contract.
a) He is just getting off the rookie contract of a 2nd round pick...IE, a small contract in NFL terms. He's never gotten his payday.
b) The team has 116 million in cap room (thats what I last read anyway) so there is no appealing to his desire to win so they can go out and get a few more guys.
In actuality, I think they should do the opposite. I think they should pay him 40-50 Million in guaranteed base salary in year one. Why? Several reasons.
a) Eat up salary cap space to meet the NFL salary floor
b) Eat up a huge chunk of the money owed to him in year one leaving smaller chunks in future years (IE giving them more space in future years)
c) Giving all that money as salary means it won't be prorated against the cap over the life of the deal so if for some reason they need to get out of the contract, there is zero dead money.
I actually thought about this several years ago when the Raiders were in a similar spot and it just seemed to make sense to front load contracts in a big way when you have unprecedented salary cap space.
As for his issues...yeah, the long ball is becoming a bit of a problem. I'm sure everyone has seen the below linked video already...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymIOgCfa9pY
I have no doubt that Jimmy will work on these issues, but even if he never becomes a great long ball thrower, he can make a very good living on those short to intermediate throws with that ludicrous release.
2) Kittle: OK. Yeah. This guy is growing on me in a big way. I've liked him all year but I'm really starting to see that he can be a big part of this offense moving forward. Give him this offseason to bulk up a bit and really study this offense and he just might be that safety blanket every great QB needs. I would by lying' tho if I said I didn't see this AM that Jimmy Graham isn't expected back in Seattle this season. The prospect of that guy in the red zone....wow.
Thats for a later conversation though. I'm very happy with Kittle as one of their TEs.
3) Goodwin: Really sucked to see his season end like that. I was pulling for him to get to 1000. I said many weeks ago that I didn't see him as a piece moving forward and I think he's proven me wrong. I was a fan of going after Taylor Gabriel this offseason but his presence along with Trent (more on him later) may have made that unneccesary. Dude has done something many can't...go from pure athlete to functioning NFL WR. I do think tho that his time as a primary receiver is over. I don't think he'll ever get 1000 yards, but thats OK. I think he'll be a very good 3rd option on many plays just as Gabriel was last year.
4) Taylor: The Niners draft in general appears to have been a very good one, but those twin 5th round picks are looking real damn good.
5) Hyde: I think he's played his last game as a 49er. He's a good player, but I don't think he's what Kyle wants. Kyle wants a game breaker. That why Breida has played so much and thats why he drafter Joe Williams. Hyde just isn't that guy. I hate to see him go but I think he's done in SF. Can I interest anyone in Sony Michel in round 2 or 3? I wanted Saquon Barkley but I think he's long gone by 9 or 10.
6) Foster: I love the guy, but man...whats up with him getting hurt in EVERY SINGLE GAME. Is he injury prone? Is he dramatic? Is he breaking down already? Just weird how much time he spends rolling around on the turf after plays. Hopefully this is just a one year thing but color me concerned.
7) Hype Train: I want so badly to jump onto the Hype Train, but I'm still at the train station pondering the ticket. There is so much to see and like but my head is telling me to slow down. There are still a number of holes and a lot of work to be done...but man does it look like a lot of fun.
The problem we will run into next year is that the Train is going full bore into next year and the expectations will be through the roof. The reality is that they will likely not meet those expectations simply because few teams every actually do. It should be a lot of fun though to watch and see where this team goes in the near future.
8) Free Agents: There are a few guys I have my eyes on but I think the reality is that there will be a lot more guys out there one players start getting cut for salary cap purposes. I've already read about Graham and Crabtree and both are intriguing. The guys I wanted were Devonte Adams and Sammy Watkins and one of those guys is already off the market. The other might not reach free agency either. Should be fun though with all that space.
9) Draft: Yeah, It sucks a bit to see that pick drop all the way to possibly #10 pending coin flip, but there is some drama in that coin flip being with the Raiders of all teams. Have 2 teams in the same market ever had twin rollercoaster seasons like this one? Who would have thought even 4 weeks ago that the 6-6 Raiders and the 2-10 49ers would have to flip over who got the 9th pick of the draft?
As for the selection itself? I'm hoping for a miracle with Saquon but that ain't happening. I think Quentin Nelson is the obvious pick, but things change.
10) 2018: Is it March yet?
I agree, I think Hyde is gone. I am a huge Kittle fan, I think he will be Jimmy G's Gronk. I am with you on Foster, he looks like a really good player but he worries me long-term and really short-term to. I think he will have a short career.