The Niners have signed 265-pound running back Brandon Jacobs, according to an ESPN report.
Jacobs is 29 years old and he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry last season as the Giants’ backup RB. During the season Jacobs made it clear he wanted to go to a team in 2012 where he could start. For him to sign with the Niners he must feel he has a good chance to take Frank Gore’s job if he gets injured.
But first he’ll have to beat out Anthony Dixon for the short-yardage job in training camp, and that’s no guarantee. Jacobs is surprisingly soft for a big running back, routinely going down on first contact. Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders have talked about this on television.
What’s more, Jacobs does not play special teams and Dixon does. If Jacobs can’t prove in training camp that he’s definitively a better short-yardage running back, the Niners may stick with the younger, more versatile Dixon.
Either way, it looks the Niners will wait until 2013 to draft Gore’s replacement. Smart move. Brandon Jacobs will be good competition for the running backs and he will not upset the locker room hierarchy and offend Gore like a first round pick RB would.
Now the Niners have the luxury of filling out their roster in the draft. If they decide there’s a player they want to trade up for in the first round, they can do that. If they want to sit tight and draft for depth, they can do that, too. What a good spot to be in.
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Here’s the more interesting article, if you’ll allow me, Grant: with Jacobs, Moss, and our beloved incumbent Crabs, are the Niners accumulating divas?
for my money, i trust Baalke and Harbaugh until there are clear signs i should not. but its interesting, to me at least.
At least Moss and Jacobs aren’t making diva money. Still, a diva’s a diva.
Grant – You have been around him more than any of us. Is Crabtree really a diva? I recall the Matt’s both saying “no”. Would love your opinion…
I don’t think he’s a Diva. I wrote a blog about it. Search for “Michael Crabtree is not a diva.”
Thanks, I actually recall that now. I look forward to more of your “locker room dynamics” posts. Always provides great insight into these guys.
I can’t wait to write more of them. OTAs can’t come soon enough.
Grant,
love your articles.
you keep it real like no one else
keep up the good work
Grant, if Jacobs is soft and Dixon is a dancer, where did we excel with this signing? Obviously, the coaching staff was not happy with Dixon’s ‘juke first’ then attack style. His limited play last year seems to affirm my notion.
I felt that the team would be better served to sign a F/A or draft a stud Fullback. B.Miller is improving as a blocker, but his strength seems to be receiving out of the backfield. M.Norris just keeps surprising me with his longevity especially on this team. He and Dixon may be gone this summer.
To AES- I don’t think Norris is coming back…. That seems to be conventional wisdom anyway. Miller is not only apparently better but younger and cheaper, too.
I do not like this move. Jacobs production has declined steadily over the last three years with the steepest fall being last season. Jerry Rice called him a dancer and he’s a 265lb guy that goes down with the first hit. And he talks too much. Wouldn’t be a shock if he doesn’t make it out of camp. Another take is that they may draft a RB in the draft, the theory being that it brings more competition.
I agree Andrew with the part about Jacobs possibly not making it past TC. That is why the Niners are not on the hook (I imagine) for paying him all that much guarantee money.
So, it is like the RM contract more than likely. If they guy sucks in TC, cut him. No loss, no harm to the teams present or future salary cap. If the guy can still produce, then we get a good player for pennies.
The Brandon Jacobs move is great in theory… just like the theory of a 265 lb running back blasting through defenders at the line of scrimmage and wearing down the defense. However, it has been apparent that his production has been declining. The week prior to the nfc championship game I told all of my friends that Brandon Jacobs is a 265 pound (cough cough) “pansy” and I stick by that. I think he is here to light a fire under dixon or at most to replace his 1-2 carries per game.
The fire has been lit if you judge by Dxon’s recent tweets.
Dumb move not dumping Gore and drafting a stud…
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if Gore’s $6M salary is not guaranteed
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if it is guaranteed, I retract
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Gore is finished
Who’s the stud RB you’d prefer Baalke to draft?
Is Gore’s 2012 salary guaranteed?
@PBL:
Is Gore’s 2012 salary guaranteed?
Only for injury. The 49ers can cut him for skill reasons without having to pay it.
http://blogs.nfl.com/2011/09/02/gores-contract-with-49ers-lack-guarantees/
What were you drinking with your pork bun luncheon? Dump Gore for a draft choice. I want some of whatever you were drinking at lunch.
Gore was the RB equivalent of Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2011
4 good games and the rest just abysmal.
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@ Grant
It’s obvious, isn’t it? Just take the next Cane. Simple as that.
I agree TatHeelNiner thats got to be some good or bad stuff for a post like that
Do you rember the yardage that Gore had this year or maybe you were watching the Faiders, sorry i meant Raiders.
didn’t he run for 1200 yards last year? that is a lot for only 4 games
How is Gore finished when he ran for 1211 yards? I don’t think they will use him as much with Hunter and now Jacobs. Yes they like to use Gore but we have to keep him fresh.
1211 yards looks good until you dig a little deeper. Gore had 5 great games in which he gained 634 yards on 100 carries for a 6.34 yard avg. The rest of the season he gained 577 yards on 182 carries for a 3.17 yard avg. The lowest average among the top 50 NFL running backs was Peyton Hillis @ 3.6. So for most of the season he was well below average for a good NFL running back. He’s not Nolan’s “bell cow” anymore.
M2- He was working through something!
He’s always “working through something”
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For as talented, tough, and great Gore is as a teammate, if the Niners don’t stop pounding him inside, his very special pass-catching skills will never be fully realized by the team. That would be a shame. I see Gore’s career continuing productively, but only if the coaching staff stops letting him destroy himself. Can he preserve himself? Does he have the capacity to moderate himself like that?
Gore is not finished. He’s a running back. They get nicked up from time to time. Gore had a good year and he looked good in the playoffs. He’ll be fine this year. Just hope the passing game is better so we can get 10 out of the box and give fore some sPace.
Yeah that would be great for the locker room
Pork your stupid comments never cease to amaze me
Thanks Adam 707
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It’s fun to step outside of reality and play moron on this board with you guys sometimes.
Let us know when you have something football related to offer.
Grant,
What has Jacobs health history been the last 3 years? You can almost 100% count on Gore getting injured so I was just curious as to how Jacobs body has held up.
Thanks!!!
Jacobs started 15 games in ’09, missed one, averaged 3.7 yards per carry.
He started five games in ’10, backed up Bradshaw for 11 games and averaged a whopping 5.6 yards per carry.
Last season he started six games, came off the bench in eight and misses two. He averaged 3.8 yards per carry.
How does the Giants Offensive line compare to the 49ers? Its seems the Giants thrived on the quick pass in their super bowl run.
Grant, so this should be a good year for Jacobs then. He is the 49ers version ofvAubrey Huff, good one year, bad the next…
Thanks Grant,
This could be interesting with Gore, Hunter and Jacobs in the mix. I’m still rooting for Dixon to turn the corner… he seems like a great team player and is very enthusiastic!!!
The question should not be about Jacob’s health, but rather his attitude. People remember Jacobs of old (circa 2005-2008), but he’s no longer the bruising physical runner he was back then. He runs outside the numbers too much instead of north-south. I think he’ll have a tough competition againts Dixon and I’m not sure if who’ll come out on top.
Yea,I don’t think Jacobs will make the team, I think he will get cut by the end of training camp
Harbaugh will tell BJ & AD that whoever can hit the hole hardest, run down hill and stop dancing and bouncing outside will get the job. Introduce them to Freddy P Soft.
Depends on how much of his money was guaranteed
Signs point to a low amount guaranteed if his $2M+ deal includes incentives, like Maicco is reporting. It may not be NO guaranteed, like Moss, but it sounds like Baalke is structuring deals that are easy to cut.
Aquiring B. Jacobs makes sense ! Just in case Gore gets injured we have another every down back. We all know Dixon hasn’t prove anything close to his potentials. Hunter on the hand is to small not like jacobs is a big back, who can get yards for the running game if needed..
Jacobs had a bad year last year, but 2 years ago he averaged 5.6 yards per carry. I have a feeling he didn’t get that by going down on first contact. It seems like injuries and possibly effort contribute to him being up and down, but there’s nothing I’ve seen from Dixon that makes me think he’ll ever come close to 5 yards per carry. Jacobs is likely to be an upgrade.
How do you explain Jacobs’ 2011 season? He couldn’t give max effort on a Super Bowl team?
Both lack of effort and injuries are more likely explanations for his down 2011 than “He’s soft” because Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders said so. Trust me, he wasn’t soft when he was averaging 5.6 yard a carry. He was running over people and putting them on YouTube highlights. So why didn’t he do that last year? I don’t know for sure, but he did have nagging knee injuries, and apparently he was unhappy with a reduced role. Maybe he just got old in a hurry.
But saying that he goes down routinely on first contact is not in my opinion accurate over the course of his career, and it seems like a low risk move to see if whatever the reason for his drop off last year maybe the coaching staff can get him to be more effective this year.
I have a lot more confidence in that proposition than the possibility that Dixon can ever be a good back.
Exactly, I remember Jacobs saying we were scared after the onside kick in our first meeting with new york, Jacobs been known to run his mouth, and last year didn’t come close to matching it with production. I dislike some of the recent low character signings, this isn’t Cincinnati.
The Niners are supposed to “win with class.”
“He’s soft” because his coach said so
RB coach Rathman will get to work with brusing back for 1st time since k Barlow. It will work this time cause the 9rs are winning and BJ will have to play for the team and not just collect paychecks in order to be a part of this team.
Grant, What’s your take on Anthony Dixon?
Clearly, he is a hoot and has great attitude. He almost seems like the class clown of the team–keeping things loose and light. It’s hard not to like him. His versatility on special teams is a plus. But, the question remains: Can he be a big, tough, consistent, short-yardage NFL running back??
I think Dixon can be, yes. It will be a fascinating training camp battle.
I like Dixon as well!!
Dixon must know now, if he didn’t before, that his job is on the line. I’ve never been enamored with Dixon. Not sure if Jacobs can win this battle, but I agree it will be very interesting to watch. Jacobs needs to keep his head down and his mouth shut. How much did “softy” cost the Niners? Not too much I hope.
It remains tobe seen, just like with Moss ! Will find out when the season starts.
I like the Jacobs signing as long as there is no guaranteed money in case he doesnt beat out dixon. At 265 i trust him to convert a 3rd and short more than i trust AD. As for having only 3.7 ypc its not a huge issue as long as we use him as a short yardage/ goal line back we dont need him to break long runs we have KH for that. What im really hopin for is that KH gains 10 lbs and becomes the next every down back with Jacobs filling the Goal line role. Either way save the draft picks for some other position
Crabs is actually just a shy guy who works hard and is a good team mate and a wr who blocks etc . He doesnt even like talking to the press all that much…the opposit of what a Diva is. Just because he knows Deion doesnt mean he is like Deion.He got a bad rep for the holdout and one ignorant comment by the former Cleveland HC (I think it was him),who said he came to their headquarters with his posse, when in reality he was just bringing a couple realitives and a friend on his trips to teams across the Country for their enjoyment,to see the sights etc.
There’s another word for Crabtree that most people haven’t considered. It’s no dig against him as a person, but it would certainly explain why he always looks so uncomfortable around all those big, burly, athletic, macho men who just don’t see him for who he really is.
Let’s just say… “sensitive”
What are you trying to say Skip Bayless?
won’t say. i prefer the other bayless. skip’s not my cup o tea.
…And I just posted yesterday that imho they dont believe in Dixon. Jacobs proves that imho.
He should be a very good back, but he doesn’t look to punish people. At his size, he should. I’m a firm believer that you can’t teach that mindset to someone. It’s either part of their personality or it isn’t.
Big P
Agree with u 100% thats its a mind set that u either have it or u dont cant teach it. case in point Reggie bush vs m. jones-drew both came out the same year out of college bush is actually bigger 6′ 210 to mjd 5-8 195 but mjd ran between the tackles and bush bounced everything to the outside. With NO bush tried to be a tough inside runner only to fail repeatedly and fall out of favor while MJD is thriving.
Yeah and Dixon was in Harbaugh’s “dog house” most of last season so not a real shock, eh? I thought they would look for Dixon’ s replacement in the draft, and still may. I’ll be surprised if Dixon makes the final roster this year.
I like that Dixon will have a challenge in training camp. He hasn’t had that the last 2 years. He might be forced to push his edge man up.
Grant – In my opinion your comment regarding the 49ers not drafting Frank Gore’s replacemment this year is incorrect. It is obvious to me that Frank is just about done as a featured back. If I can see that obviously both Baalke/Harbaugh can also.
Look for the forty-niners to draft Doug Martin as Frank’s replacement.
I love the bold prediction.
Can you do a little comparison of:
Doug Martin
David Wilson
Lamar Miller
Three running backs who will be starters eventually but will never scare any half decent NFL defense.
In my eyes Martin is the most complete RB and the closest thing to Frank Gore 2.0. Wilson is Probably the most explosive and Miller Probably has the most potential to grow. If you’re looking for an every-down banger who can catch, pass protect and even play coverage on special teams that’s Martin. Niners won’t get him unless they draft him at 30 or trade back a couple of spots.
I think you’re overrating Martin. He rushed for 57 yards on 24 carries against Georgia in 2011. He’ll never be on Gore’s level.
speaking of the draft McShay’s mock 4.0 is just out he has the 9ers taking Hill at #30 the Colts grabbing Fleener at #34 and the 9ers taking Kelechi Osemele a OG from Iowa St. at #61. and the Steelers taking Martin at #56.
Frank Gore had 22 for 59, 20 for 47, and 17 for 42 his first three games last year. You can’t judge by just one game. Martin has had back to back 1200 yd seasons the last two years(his only as feature back)
Against NFL defenses. Lamar Miller rushed for 50 yards on 20 carries against South Florida just a few months ago. How many future NFL players were on that South Florida defense?
Look what Frank Gore did in 2001, his freshman season: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/frank-gore-1/gamelog/2001/
And look at his 2003 Sophomore year before getting hurt: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/frank-gore-1/gamelog/2003/
He was a dominant college RB. The Niners need to draft another one to eventually replace him, and the only dominant college RB in this draft is Trent Richardson.
Auburn RB Michael Dyer would be a good first round pick for the Niners next year. He averaged 6 yards per carry as a freshman in the SEC.
Grant,
NFL scouts don’t judge players based on one bad game, they look at a players whole career or at least a season. Yes these guys run against college D’s but they also run behind college O-lines. How many great Linemen are there coming out of Miami or Boise?
I challenge you to find me one scout or pseudo scout who’s willing to dub Wilson, Miller or Martin a future Pro Bowler.
Grant, You need to stop using logic and facts.
“Martin solidified my belief that he’s an every-down back in the NFL. He showed he’s fast enough to run off tackle, strong enough to run inside, and he can catch — all things you need a back to do to be successful. He made it look effortless.”-Marshall Faulk
“Boise State RB Doug Martin has created quite a buzz in scouting circles with his performance this week. He has impressed evaluators with his versatility and toughness as a playmaker in the backfield. An AFC college scouting director compared him to Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice, and envisions him blossoming into a productive feature back in a zone-based scheme. In watching Martin during team drills, his balance, body control and burst stand out. He has a knack for slithering through cracks and flashes surprising power at the end of runs.”- Bucky Brooks (NFL.com)
“An every-down back” and “a productive feature back in a zone-based scheme” is not “a future Pro Bowler.”
Martin averaged 4.9 yards per carry as a senior in the WAC. Ray Rice averaged 5.7 yards per carry as a freshman. Drew rushed for 322 yards in a game as a sophomore.
Who thought Gore was a future pro-bowler coming out of college? He was drafted in the 3rd round. Not everybody makes crazy predictions like you Grant. You can take major risks and be wrong and it won’t matter. NFL scouts can’t. Also Brooks compared Martin to Ray Rice and MJD 2 pro-bowl RB’s.
Gore was a top-tier talent who fell in the draft due to two knee surgeries in college.
Gore was one of the most sought after high school prospects in the nation. Eli Manning tried to convince him to come to Ole Miss and Gore turned him down to play at the best program at the time, Miami. He was the best running back on a team that included Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee.
grimey, the 49ers don’t run a scheme based on zone blocking, instead it is based on Power’s, Iso’s, Counter’s, plays that have definite tracks. You are proving that Martin’s skill set does not fit the 49ers offense/needs.
Martin ran power, iso and zone at Boise. They have a Pro-style running game with a few wrinkles of course.
Debating a players potential is futile. Here’s some highlights we can all enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4yCMXMK-bY
Grant, scouts can’t predict the future especially if a drafted player will be a pro-bowl type player. It’s all speculation of course.
Some of the top RBs rushing last year and rounds selected:
MJo-Drew – 2nd round
RRice – 2nd round
AFoster – Undrafted
MTurner – 5th round
FGore – 3rd round
LMcCoy – 2nd round
The 9ers could easily draft a RB in the 2nd round such as DMartin and he could be a top back in a few years. I’m sure absolutely no one though AFoster or MTurner would be “pro-bowl” RBs.
Here’s your Georgia game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB0CUgzUtJg
@grimey9er: you asked “How many great Linemen are there coming out of Miami or Boise?” As a grad of The U, I can give you just the OL to get into the NFL that played during Frank Gore’s tenure. Perhaps you will recognize some of the names: Bryant McKinnie, Rashad Butler, Eric Winston, Chris Myers, Brett Romberg, Joaquim Gonzalez, Martin Bibla, Carlos Joseph and Joel Rodriguez. Again, that’s just 2002-2005. I’d say the answer to your question is “quite a few”. It’s all about The U.
I was writing in reference to Lamar Miller, and actually trying to defend the kid’s ability. So who are their great linemen this generation and when do you think they’ll be drafted?
Because the Niners could use a guard.
The Niners should sign a veteran guard who gets cut after the draft to a one-year deal and let him compete with Kilgore.
I shoulda put a ;) after that last post. It was a joke, Grant. I don’t have the advantage of being able to edit my posts after the fact.
My bad, I misread the comment. I get the joke now ;)
@grimey9er: Not much coming out of The U this year except for guys coming out early like Streeter. The Canes are super young, lots of FR and SO, a few JR and even less SR. I like Lamar Miller but doubt Baalke will pull the trigger on him. I can see Streeter getting picked up if he’s available to Baalke in the 4th round. I agree with several posters here that something is brewing in form of a trade on draft day. Perhaps our late picks packaged with a veteran will get us the OG we are looking for to compete with Kilgore and Chisolm.
Lamar Miller is a poor man’s Darren MacFadden in both good (running style, home threat, 2nd gear) and bad (durability) ways.
Sup Grant?
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“The Niners should sign a veteran guard who gets cut after the draft to a one-year deal and let him compete with Kilgore.”
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Is this called a ‘split-infinitive?’
No.
Whoa!! Afte this signing?!? That is a very BOLD prediction! Like A-1 bold!! Nice!!
Something IS brewing. One guarantee about these Niners, they’ll surprise people. From taking Aldon first round last year to Moss, Jacobs, and the Manning chase this year. Surprise, surprise, surprise.
good thread… thanks for the game clips grimey. I like Martin too and it’ll be interesting to see which way they go with their draft strategy…
Only thing I would add in reference to J.Hammer’s point that Martin, being a zone oriented back, wouldn’t fit into the niners’ scheme (beside the fact that boise does run a lot of power also, as grimey stated) is that the niners do run a lot of outside zone with Gore (usually weak.. whereas their strong-side outside play tends to be toss – usually with Hunter).
Although it is not inside zone, per se, the reads and cuts for outside zone are similar for the running back.. I think a good outside zone running back, who can also run power would definitely increase the versatility in their backfield.
I would like to see a late rounder have the chance to compete with one of the guys already on the roster…
Jacobs helps boobie to become better in long run. Bet he is also used in jumbo packages (fullback) ? as well as goal line. anutha great move by the harbaugh baalke campaign :) cnt wait for dft let alone reg season :) glad to see the 9er fans back even if some are bandwagoners, the more the merrier :)
@tim the questions regarding crabtree are’nt about character. they are about his hands, his ability to seperate and the biggest concern about him is how physically fragile he is especially his foot problem. take it from me feet issues are usually chronic
This is one of those moves that has to play out. I dont think at this point Dixon is the answer. I dont know if Jacobs the answer either. I would still keep hunting for a RB in this draft or next years draft. They seem to be a dime a dozen in the draft but if a good one happens to fall in their lap at two or three they need to jump at it. Players drafted in the fifth slot on are going to have a hard time making this team.
Jacobs is cheap insurance.
i think jacobs mediocre 2011 stats may have alot more to do with the giants inability to open hole than jacobs talent. the 2011 ny giants did’nt have one back avg more than 3.9 per carry
I don’t think the Niner running backs averaged even 2/3 of that on 3rd downs.
Old coach:
We can argue about Crabs performance on the field(which I think was very good, considering who was TRYING to get the ball to him), but him being called a diva has little or nothing to do with his playing style but is just a bad rap he got for his supposed off the field behavior.He is not a Diva .
i agree i dont think he is a diva either and i think his performace [untiil the playoffs] had been solid. my question about him is will he ever develop into a true # 1 and i feel with he being so prone to injury it will be hard for him to reach his potential
I never thought of him as a stud #1 receiver after I saw him play. I do think of him as a stud #2 or #3 receiver who can be a 1st down making machine.
Call me crazy, but I like this signing. I feel that Jacobs is a better option than any other RB draft choice, well … with the exception of one falling in our laps, at the 30 spot. Grant, it appears you were right about the 9ers not really targeting a RB in this years draft. Also, I would like to add that I find it hard to believe that Jacobs will resist the comraderie in the locker room and Harbs’ blue collar/players coach approach to football. Gore and Jacobs is a great one-two punch and tossin a little Hunter?! We may have ourselves a triple threat. And imagine Fleener falls to us ….. WOW!! Things just got interesting.
I would love Fleener falling to us, but he ran too well at the pro day. Maybe the Niners will go and get him. Another guy the niners might do that with is David DeCastro, supposedly he’s pro bowl guard waiting to happen. That would be awesome.
I also think the Jacobs signing is good. Dixon’s butt just puckered right now. I bet the guy is going to be pouring over his playbook and assignments. Jacobs is a great compliment to what we have, but he needs to run tough.
yeah buddy!!
…Oh and I agree Oldcoach, the foot thing has me worried as well.
Giants fans are sad:
http://www.bigblueview.com/2012/3/28/2908504/report-brandon-jacobs-signs-with-san-francisco-49ers
i’m curious how much harbaugh really likes kilgore. his preseason last yr was outstanding but it was against lower talent. what worries me is JH never thought enough of him to move him past rachal on the depth chart last yr
@old coach:
I cold be wrong, but I think Kilgore spent the past year putting on weight. If so, the team may have believed he wasn’t big enough last year to be effective against NFL starters.
*could be wrong
Good Job Grant.
You do a good job of diffusing the doubters.
Brandon Jacobs is a GREAT addition to our team.
And Yes, we will show the NFL how to win a super bowl.
#Niners.2012
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It’s smart to sign a player who’s performance is so poor that it won’t upset Gore????
That makes no sense.
It would be a lot smarter to sign or draft someone that spurs Gore to new heights.
I think that’s called competition. You know, the thing that’s supposed to make the team better.
i do’nt think gore needs competion to get him to play his best. i think he is one of those special athletes who are self motivated
@claude now that you mention it i think i heard that too. i hope he is ready for camp.
I like this signing. Even though Jacobs always says he wants to be a starter he runs better when he splits carries. This guy weighs more than most linebackers and is a terror when he gets to the second level. I guess I should say IF he gets to the second level. It’ll be really interesting to see who sticks on this team after training camp and who doesn’t.
….good signing…..he should be effective running behind our pro bowl Guard in the sweep play………
interesting comment by miaocco today. he thinks that the 9er 5th, 6th and 7th round picks might have a difficult time making the team this yr so they might bundle a couple of late picks to move up. if thats true and maybe they add a pick from the 2013 draft they might move into the middle of the first. is michael floyd reachable?
That makes sense.
Grant, will you be adding a question-answer topic anytime soon?
Pardon? I don’t understand your question.
Something like MM does with a live chat.
During pre-season I hope they run a few plays with Dixon and Jacobs in the same backfield. They way they both dance behind the line we could see the first Tango during an NFL game.
I’m not sure why the 49ers are putting nearly a million bucks into an older version of Dixon… (vet minimum for Jacobs would be 900K I believe).
Frank Gore has averaged 4.6 yards per carry for his career and almost matched that in 2011, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. For a back that many on here say slowed down as the season went on, the numbers don’t bear that out. He had the 6th most yards in the league and while many say he slowed down at the end of the season he didn’t. In games 12-15 his numbers were:
21 – 73
10 – 72
18 – 65
23 – 83
Then in the playoffs he went:
13 – 89
16 – 74
@Jack,
Greg Roman needs to get better, he can call a great 1/4, then a couple of inconsistent ones. I wished he got the Penn State job, this year with the better offensive players he needs to step up his game, he kind of missed the opportunity in the Giant game. A couple of first downs with Gore could of done it.
@Neal, Roman isn’t so much quarter to quarter, as drive to drive. He has trouble deciding on the rhythm he wants. When he gets in rhythm he is great, but otherwise it is a struggle.
It is hard as a fan though to know where that comes from. Maybe the right play was called but the back cut too soon, or a receiver slips, or the QB checks down instead of hitting the open man deep down the middle. Does that make sense?
Hey Fellas
It could be that the playbook was too limited. Stanford did okay on offense under the steady hand of Luck and the powerful blocking of that O-line.
G-Ro will be fine. I’m glad he didn’t go to the petting zoo.
The only example I can give for Gore slowing down is long TD runs. He had 11 20+yd runs with a long of 55 but I don’t recall him finishing any of those for TDs. Gore used to outrun guys in the secondary,but not last year.
grimey, you are correct. There were a couple that he might have finished off in years past that he didn’t this year. He has 2 years left on his current deal, and I think he will be done at that point.
Agreed. Last season Frank was up against 8 men in the box most games. In the Championship game there were 9 men in the box on occasion. Here’s a player that gave everything during his career. He’s a classic example of the Bill Walsh theory of getting rid of a player a year sooner rather than later. Joe used to say that Coach had a very sharp knife, I think Harbaugh has that same quality.
Grant what’s the date for the start of OTA’s?
I don’t believe the dates have been released yet.
Please keep us informed when you get them> Just want to be in the action
You got it.
The official team workouts are set to start on April 16, according to MB.
Thanks, Jack.
D’oh!!!!!
(scooped again)
Grant, before you get too far into this selection let’s take a look at the contract first and make sure that this isn’t just another one of Harbaugh’s tactics to inspire some motivation in the three backs he already has.
If Jacobs has a low or no guarantee then there’s nothing saying he’ll even be on the roster come week #1 but I promise that Dixon and Hunter both hit the gym and/or the film room this afternoon.
Mr Dixon,that was is cannonball across the stern-time to get serious about your craft!
HUH?
So far all I’ve seen is that it’s a one year deal. If there is no bonus or guarantee then my bet is he’s not even on the team come September.
I think Marshall Faulk is the best RB who ever played.
Baller. Debatable whether he’s G.O.A.T.
Can’t tell if you are being serious or not but if so I’d love to hear your reasons why you think a running back that was part of the one of the most prolific passing offenses of all time even belongs in the conversation of best RB ever? A quick glance at his career numbers and how they rank with other top RB’s would suggest otherwise:
Career yards: #10
Career TD’s:#7 (finished with 100, top is 164…not even close)
Career YPG: 69.8 #38
I understand if you simply have a man-crush on him but to suggest he’s the best RB of all time is simply laughable.
Not joking. Yes man crush. Not laughable in the slightest.
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You must not like Roger Craig.
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Stats are pretty important, I guess. Since you believe in stats you probably don’t think too highly of Joe Montana.
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Now for the rationale:
Faulk is smart. He played every down. He was a sublime runner with explosion, jukes, & power… and, most importantly in this discussion, he is by far the best pass-catching RB ever, and it’s not even close. So, why did I just throw this out on the Niners blog? Because I firmly believe that the team needs to more fully utilize its RBs as pass-catchers on designed plays (not just outs for Captain Checkdown). Oh, also, and Harbaugh would love this, Faulk’s blitz pickup and communication in the backfield were also supreme.
I loved Roger Craig but I’m not silly enough to try and say I think he’s the best RB to ever play. Joe Montana doesn’t have the best stats but his comparison numbers are much closer to his peers then Faulks.
You say a lot of good things about Faulk but most of the great RB’s were great at doing something the only difference is the other ones also put up great stats as well.
I wholeheartedly agree with your assertion that the Niners need to utilize their Backs more effectively in the passing game.
Faulk is a baller but debating all-time greats is pointless because of the difference in eras(Except for Jerry Rice of course).
It’s impossible to compare players from different eras in any sport, but it’s still fun to try.
Sounds like we need to bring back Terry Kirby!
Roger Craig is the 2nd best in the Marshall Faulk mold, but Faulk was SO much better than Craig, and his contributions to his teams SO hugely important to their winning, that I think the Marshall Faulk mold, when perfected, supersedes the typical RB, say Walter, Emmitt, or Barry. Tell me, of those 4 RBs, what are your rankings? And do consider their abilities all over the field, not just in terms of ypg. Thanks.
As great of a receiver as Faulk was, I’d take Barry Sanders in his prime as my RB over him.
@Faithful
Here’re some stats for you on total yards from scrimmage all-time:
1. ???
2. Emmitt Smith – 15 seasons – 18,355 yds rushing – 3,244 yds receiving – 21,579 total yds
3. Walter Payton – 13 seasons – 16,726 yds rushing – 4,538 yds receiving – 21,264 total yds
4. Marshall Faulk – 12 seasons – 12,279 yds rushing – 6,875 yds receiving – 19,154 total yds
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for the bonus, who resides at #1?
@PBL:
Jerry Rice.
@Grant:
You talking prime, for one game?
If you needed one RB for one game to take all the marbles, you take the most unique athlete to ever wear cleats, you take Bo Jackson. Hands down, the best offensive football player (in his prime) in the history of the sport.
Interesting, tough to argue with that.
Payton, Sanders, Smith and Faulk. Payton was a do everything back that played on a run first team, I’ll take the pepsi challenge that if you put Payton on the greatest show on turf he wouldn’t even be having this conversation.
Barry Sanders although not known for his blocking might be the best RB to ever play but we’ll never know because he played on the worst teams to ever play and ran behind one of the worst offensive lines ever put on a field.
I’d almost put Smith and Faulk in a tie simply for their overall contributions to their team but when you factor in just how many more yards Smith rushed for then it’s really not even close. Faulk would have to play for nearly 6 more years to match Smith is yards!!
I wont disagree with you in anyway that Faulk wasn’t a huge part of his team. But unlike Payton and Sanders the team wasn’t relying on him every single game to simply have a chance, Faulk like Craig was surrounded by one of the best offenses every created and his teammates had as much to do with his success as he did with theirs. Payton, Sanders, Brown these guys carried their team because there wasn’t anyone else to do it.
Lots of good choice here, but I would take the Tyler rose (Earl campbell) anyday.
Jackson might have been the more gifted athlete but I’d still take Sanders first. Jackson had the speed to out run ya and was damn hard to take down if not impossible once he had a head of steam but if you caught him changing directions or dancing he went down. Barry’s ability to stop, change direction and accelerate is unmatched as far as I’m concerned and he was a harder back to tackle then Jackson.
@Faithful
Well-argued. I don’t know what kind of football YOU like, but I can’t argue with your logic…
until you make those snarky comments about Bo Jackson. The guy was absolutely unstoppable. You don’t run a 4.19 40yard dash if you’re not quick. He was everything you said and everything you said he wasn’t. Sanders was great fun to watch, but not in Jackson’s league, if you’re going for the single game for all the marbles theory.
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Like what you said about Payton.
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Smith, though? C’mon Man. You said he’d have to play for another 6 years???? Smith played for 3 years more than Faulk, yet Faulk gained only 2,000 yards fewer. If Faulk had continued playing for another three years he would have retired with 4,000 more yards from scrimmage than Emmitt. Emmitt is a Cowboy, and a slow, plodding runner who lived off his immaculate vision and ability to run behind the behemoths of Dallas for all those years. Really not a very good runner though. One case where the stats really DO lie. (Tut tut: a guy named Faithful giving it up to a Cowboy!!! – you should be ashamed of yourself)
My own personal bias thrown in here but if we had a better QB then there would be no arguing IMO: Gore > Faulk.
(Tut tut: a guy named Faithful giving it up to a Cowboy!!! – you should be ashamed of yourself)
——————————————————–
Harr, you got me there! OK I’ll say 10 sourdough sams and kiss the turf next fan day….not that I don’t anyway.
When I spoke of Faulk catching Smith I was referring to pure rushing yards. Smith had the benefit of one of the best run blocking OL’s ever but the Rams line didn’t exactly suck either. I just don’t put Faulk in the same category as the other names we’ve discussed and that’s what I meant by a philosophical difference. The hybrid backs that are on pass happy teams just dont belong in the conversation with the between the tackle grinders, or in Sanders case just pure ability to run with the ball.
I think you are giving to much to Bo’s speed. Yes he was fast as hell but only if he had the straight shot to build up the speed. If he had to stop in traffic or if he wasn’t at full speed and had hands on him he would go down. Barry would simply make you miss, Barry had far more ability as a running back then the sprinter that Bo Jackson was. I get it Al, you love speed and when you run your team you can draft all the speedy guys you can get your hands on but i’ll take someone that can dip his hips and juke a LB out of his shoes.
Your all on drugs. Kijana Carter. Best ever! Right behind him was Walter Peyton, followed by “my personal fave” John Riggins
md, whaaaammmmp, crank up that diesel!!! ; )
As amazing as Barry Sanders was, I always thought Emmitt Smith was the better RB at the time. The most successful teams are usually the ones that can control the clock and get consistent yardage to pick up 2nd/ 3rd and shorts and move the chains. Barry Sanders would get some huge gains, but consistency in picking up 3-4 yards was not his strong point
Not to suggest he wasn’t great – he was – I just prefer a RB that picks up yardage more consistently.
Did I miss something? Any of you guys ever heard of a guy named Jim Brown?
@drsgrosse:
See Streetglide’s comment from 4:20 PM yesterday. For now, it’s the comment immediately below this one.
I’m old enough to have gone to Cleveland Stadium as a kid to see Jim Brown play. We would sneak down as far as we could to the best seats. When Jim Brown hit someone you could hear it all over the stadium, despite the fact that 78,000 people were there.
.
Jim Brown is hands down the best back to ever play the game and if he was a kid coming out of Syracuse today he would still be the best back of all time…
Nice story, Gramps! Wish I could have seen him in person. And Earl Campbell too!
Nice story, Gramps! Wish I could have seen him in person. And Earl Campbell too!
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@Streetglide: Good call.
@PBL: You can see them in person. They are still alive.
kind of like watching Faye Dunaway acting in a movie made in the 2000s… ?
heh good one. been trying to figure out if that’s a metaphor or similie. the ‘like’ is throwing me.
Barry sanders at 5’8”the greatest running back ever!!! the biggest legs, double jointed could stop and change direction on a dime, ran against 11 defender alone every game. If he had O line’s like everyone else especially Emmit smith, he’d be the first 3000 yard and only 3000 yard rusher!!! emmit smith was getting 4 yard per carry before he was touched. The holes were bigger than the suez cannal…..Give him the room and his juking ability and he’d be gone at least 3-4, 80 yard runs per game. And it doesn’t matter if you stacked the box. just ask warren sapp and the vaunted tampa defense!!!! His only downfall would be short yardage and goal line situations but other than that……….nothing.
I’ve never seen any running back juke more guys out of their shoes than Barry Sanders. Easily the most electrifying moves for any runner I’ve ever seen. And he played on some very bad teams. When the Niners of the 80′s played the Lions, the whole deal was containing Barry Sanders. Their entire defensive scheme would be based on that.
I saw Jim Brown play on a number of occasions. Anyone that saw him would say he was the best of all-time. Don’t take my word for it. Played 9 years led the league in rushing 8 of those years. Averaged 104.3 yards rushing per game, 5.2 yards per carry, didn’t miss a game. He stood 6’2”, weighed 230-235 lbs, had a 32″ waist and could fly or run over you. Great lacrosse player at Syracuse. Super cool attitude.
Jim brown was a real beast. He played in a time where most lineman weren’t as strong as him. Barry was a small guy that struggles for everything. Jim was like Wilt chamberlain, a freak of nature during a time where he was the one and only. barry was just a gift for all of us to watch. Not big, strong or freakish speed, but just soooooo talented.
Sanders, Barry
In the days of Jim Brown they put all the best athletes on O and let the timys and jimys play on D. the reason he was such a beast is that in those days at 6’2 230 he was bigger than half the D ( the average O lineman weighed 260) and as fast as players are today. he has the same specs as deuce mcalister, eddie george except he played vs 170 pound db’s. Not to slam the guy but if he played in this era he vould be good but not great
lil timmuh thinks crabs is great….but then agin he thought nate davis had the it factor…totally valueless opinion there
Mark:
I never said Nate Davis had the “it” factor,I just said the obvious,that Alex didn’t and doesn’t have it.
Grow up child !Adults are trying to talk football here !!!
…yes you did say Nate Davis has “it”
Three questions about Brandon Jacobs:
1) Can he pass protect?
2) Can he be humble or at least keep his mouth shut?
3) Yesterday there were many comments on Frank being almost 30 and many here were weary of what that means to a RB. Today we hire a 29 year old and I see no one making any comments about Brandon’s age? What gives?
Jacobs hasn’t taken near the wear and tear that Frank has. I agree with you but I think this is what Baalke and Harbaugh are thinking. I can see us having 5 Backs on this team. 2 of them playing Special Teams almost exclusively (Cartwright & Dixon) and 2 Backups/Change of Pace Backs with Frank as the Starter. As long as the money is reasonable I don’t have a problem with Jacobs getting some of the workload Frank Gets. I know Jacobs hasn’t slowed down, he just seems to have a problem with contact. Stick him in the Back field with the Jumbo I package in the Red Zone and the guy should do pretty well. :)
Ceaderman,
So you think they will carry 6 backs total, including HB and FB?
no way they carry 6!! they’ll need another Db and wr, so that will most likely come through the draft. They can’t keep that many, won’t happen. They need multi purpose special teams player that can fill in a spot role to start or be an extra body. Let’s not get caught short handed like we did last year, it caused us a superbowl!!
big niner, I agree, which is why I was asking the question to Ceader. It is pretty obvious so far that they are filling a lot of holes through free agency, which is why I think they will doing some trading of picks leading up to the draft.
Do you think they’ll trade up in the first or the second round?
Grant, That’s a tough call, but my guess is that they will trade up in Round 2 to get the DE Curry from Marshall or Crick from Nebraska. Both are said to be good 5 technique DE’s.
You don’t think they’ll trade up in the second for a guard? Amini Silatolu specifically.
If they were to move up for a guard it would be in the first I would believe and hope.
If they don’t truly see Kilgore as the starter then they need to grab first round talent to be have a chance to start him this year. You wouldn’t trade up to draft a guy that you don’t think can come in and start and I don’t see anyone that they would grab even moving up in the second that wouldn’t be a one or two year project. If Kilgore is their man then you wouldn’t take someone before the third and you wouldn’t move up for him.
I don’t understand drafting a right guard in the first round.
Amini Silatolu is only listed at 311.
He’s an O-lineman from a small school – Baalke’s favorite.
If they are as high on Kilgore as it seems I say no. You are there, what do you sense on how they view him?
I always got the impression he was their center of the future, but he might be just as good at right guard in ’12 as any second round pick. It would be good competition though. Either way, I expect the Niners to sign a veteran guard to a one-year contract after the draft and he’ll probably win the job in training camp.
Jack, so you suggesting they should draft a guard? Which round? What would you do with the other 6 picks?
Grant, Center in the NFL is difficult for a young guy because they need to make all the adjustments at the los. Kilgore will battle with the veteran guard they bring in at that spot, and will be the replacement for Snyder as the guy who can do both.
Do you think Beeler is coming along enough to make the regular team, or will he be back on the practice squad.
I understand. i think they’re grooming Kilgore slowly for the C job once Goodwin leaves. In the meantime, Kilgore may play right guard.
It sure looks like they may trade up, but the question, how far? My take, 1-10 no chance, 11-20 do they have enough ammunition, 21-25?????, 25-29 doable. Da Bears have 5 picks in the top 150 including the 19th pick in the first. Swapping firsts plus adding a 3rounder may work.
Grant
Niners do well with linemen with names ending in “olu” “ati” or “aga”
i like the idea of another olu
Thank you. I thought it was pretty good myself.
Yeah I know it sounds hard to believe they will but with THREE of them in their late Twenties, it would be a smart move to carry 6. FB doesn’t really count here. And with Walker(TE) you might as well say 7 Backs if you’re gonna shave that C-hair any more than you already are.
So yeah I think they go into the Season with 6 Backs. Should have gone into LAST season with 6 Backs to be quite honest. We lost Costanza and filled that spot with Cartwright. A Veteran of 10 years. One who is 32. can’t be too much wear left on his tread. So yeah I think we’d go into next season with an insurance policy of 6 Backs.
Ceaderman,
Most teams only carry 5. So if they decide to carry 6 RB’s which position do you take the depth away from.
Tim Ryan also mentioned today that Kilgore is penciled in as the future C not RG which would definitely put us in the market on day 1.
If we were a passing team I’d understand your hesitation to use a first round pick on the right side guard but we’re about stuffing it down peoples throats and that means you need a top flight RG. We don’t currently have a long term answer or maybe even a true starter at that position. We need the best RG we can get, I wouldn’t rule it out that we make a huge splash and move up for DeCastro, seriously.
Coach Rathman will whip Jacobs into shape or Jacobs will be gone. Pretty simple. A big man like Brandon Jacobs shouldn’t fear contact. I bet he’s happy he won’t have to face our Defense for awhile. :D
Is there a chance we start the season with the following RB depth: Gore, Jacobs, Draft Choice?
You want to cut Hunter?
Do “I” want to, no. I’m not inside the coaches head though.
I’m puzzled by the Jacobs signing IF he is intended to be anything other then camp motivation. The one year deal suggests he isn’t but at the same time given our current crop of backs I don’t see the fit. Even if Dixon is on the outs Jacobs isn’t his replacement to be sure, so let’s say we keep Jacobs and cut Dixon, Jacobs isn’t going to play for more then a season or two max so we still would need to replace Dixon.
So we go ahead and draft a young back, now we have Gore, Jacobs, Hunter and the draft pick…who’s on the bubble in that situation?
Jacobs I guess, but this draft pick would have to be a good short-yardage back right away which is doubtful.
Maybe Jacobs is a “band-aid” till they draft a RB next year.
Definitely looks that way. Do you remember Michael Dyer as a freshman vs. Oregon in the 2011 championship game? 22 carries for 143 yards, winner of the offensive player of the game award over Cam Newton.
I am a fan of Dyer. He’s really explosive. But he would need some coaching up in a pro running scheme. He also doesn’t have a lot of protection assignments in that offense. Niners have great coaches though including Rathman.
@Grant
Randy Moss
Brandon Jacobs
Mario Manningham
Josh Johnson
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Of these 4, Manningham is the safest bet to take a starting position. The other three (and I think Manningham as well) have huge doses of swagger. Jacobs & Moss have manifested this in many ways over many years. Johnson’s interview was very telling, in that he was comfortable enough in returning to Harbaugh to actually speak his VERY confident mind.
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I wonder if the team is bringing all of this attitude into camp to not only create competition, but to up the level of confidence that the entire team goes into next season with.
It must have irked Harbaugh somewhat to have to stroke Alex’s balls to the media last year, and now he is bringing in real Mighty Men who, though they might act like diqwads at time, absolutely CANNOT stand losing.
Jacobs HATES it!!!
Moss HATES it!!! (and quits on pathetic teams; Niners will not be pathetic, but if they do struggle at times, Moss will have swagger that Crabs could never show [crabs is a whiner])
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Good move by the FO & the HC. Bring in guys who get vocally pissed off at the prospect of losing. Change the culture. The surprising upstart’s balls drop and he becomes the menacing bully.
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Let’s go! 19-0!!!
Pork bun – Your credibility took a hit by saying Manningham is a safer bet to start over seven time Pro-Bowler Randy Moss.
Not that you any cred to begin with.
I like Manningham and Crabtree but let’s keep it real, Moss is our best WR and he is motivated to get a ring.
Moss does not want to retire (again) and be in the “no-ring club” like some of these former NFL greats.
1. Eric Dickerson
2. Dick Butkus
3. Dan Marino
4. O.J. (allegedly butchered two people) lol
5. Barry Sanders
I must have missed several others.
@crab15,
Whats up dude ! excellent move by the niners, getting B. Jacobs to back up for F. Gore..
Manila – Yes it was a good move. Low risk, high reward potential. Kendall Hunter is really the back up though bro, but Jacobs will be a good situational guy.
So how long have you been a Niner fan “Thrilla in Manila”? :-)
Crab15
Don’t hate on a dude’s cred. I know enough about the Niners and the game to talk with anybody. But that’s not your main point.
I already said Moss is the most talented WR ever to play the game. When he entered the league in ’98 and scored 17 TDs as a rookie, all the pundits were ready to say he was going to give JR80 a run for his money. Best WR? JR80. Most talented? Moss.
But start? I’d give it to Manningham over Crabtree, not over Moss. I like Crabs’ skills as a supreme pass-catcher (often compared him to Chris Carter), but his attitude needs a serious adjustment. He’s a whiney little baby. Let’s see what happens!
Pork:
You say Crabs is a whiner??? Example please ??? He works hard ,he blocks on every play downfield ,his team mates like him and he is a very good player. When Alex throws it over his head and at his feet and behind him,so that he can only get his fingertips on the ball,and everyone gripes about him “dropping” the ball,he never gripes or whines at all but just goes out and plays the next down. When he is wide open and Alex doesn’t see him and throws the ball to his check down or out of bounds,you never see Crabs whining and throwing his arms up in the air,like I fear we may see Randy Moss doing this year if Alex continues to be Alex.
Why the hate for Crabs ?
Tim
I got no hate for Crab. Just want him to man up. Quit being such a lil bich and make a play. Example? After NFCC, head hangin low, whining about his role…
Re: TIM’s comment
Haters gonna hate.
Pork:
After the NFC Championship game every Niner had their head hanging down and every fan too. Doesn’t make us whiners. Crabs never whines ,you just don’t like him and are making stuff up now.
He played great all season long and had a bad day in the one game ,where the QB couldn’t get him the ball,like he couldn’t get the ball to other receivers either. I have never heard of him whining and even during his lockout he handled himself with class and just kept quiet and didn’t whine about the team not giving in or about his agent screwing him etc.
So far Crabs has been a class act with the Niners. (we are not talking about his play anyway,that is another discussion,we are just talking about if he is a “whiner” as you call it. The answer is NO !
Now if he doesn’t re-sign with us after his rookie contract is done and goes to another team and starts whining about how Alex ruined the first 4 years + of his career,then I will take it all back. But so far he has been a great TEAM guy and has not complained about his QB ,as many other WR’s who ARE Divas ,would have done.
… He WANTED to complain (whine) about Alex several times,you could tell by his guarded answers to questions during Camp Alex etc,but he bit his tongue and kept the faith with his team and his QB.
Tim
Whatever you say, man. I like Crab. I think he’s a top-notch receiver with exceptional hands. Still, I’d like to see him play in a preseason game and hold onto a ball that’s thrown way too high right before he takes a spine crushing hit. If he did that, I’d be fully convinced.
Pork:
Playing in a preseason game may be too much to ask ,(LOL).
But I have seen Crabs go up high and catch many passes from Al;ex that most players would have let go. He then held the ball and got blasted when he came to Earth,because Alex also threw the ball late and the DB was there waiting for Crabs to land to knock the snot out of him.
After all that ,no whining was seen !!!
Pork – You said “@Grant
Randy Moss
Brandon Jacobs
Mario Manningham
Josh Johnson
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Of these 4, Manningham is the safest bet to take a starting position”
Pork – You get challenged and now in your second post you say that you would not start Manningham over Moss. Then you throw the “Crabtree card” out there.
Which answer is it? Your first post or second post?
So I’m crystal clear, answer this question Pork.
If one starting WR slot is open, is it Moss or Manningham?
Crabtree is starting bro, so don’t even go there.
Tim was spot-on, Crabtree is not a whiner as you say he is. He may be a loner (his business) but he’s definitely not a whiner.
You’re certain Crab is the starter? Okay.
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Manningham is more likely to start than Moss because Manningham is a 25 year old SB winning clutch WR who blazes and has a crystalline work ethic. Moss is still 10x as talented, but the fact that his contract is not guarantees indicates that Harbaugh & Co. are taking the proverbial flyer on him. Check out Harbaugh’s comments at NFL meetings this morning. Pretty much admits that he doesn’t know what he’s getting in Moss.
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Back to Crabs. Whiny dude after the game, blaming Alex. To be clear, I believe in Crab’s talent much more than Alex’s, but I wish Crab could show some contagious enthusiasm for the game. It’s not just me. No preseason games. And VD almost whooped his arse. Not that I blame Crab (or Alex) for his disastrous production under the Fraud Sing, but he should grow up. Whether that includes not being shy is semantics. If you are a #10 WR, you need to produce like Megatron or Andre Johnson, not like Braylon Edwards. Crab needs to explode. Quit being such a whiny introverted weirdo.
The addition of Jacobs has very little to do with Frank Gore, and plenty to do with Anthony Dixon. He was primarily a short yardage back last year and we didn’t do so hot in that category. With Jacobs signed Dixon’s job is on the line.
Exactly Roc !
I’m leaning toward Grant on this one based on an old NFL draft adage (I just made up) … “Just because you want one, just because you need one, don’t mean there is one.”
I would love a stud running back or guard/center at #30 (or anywhere else), but if he ain’t there, draft BPA or trade the pick back/forward.
I’m rooting for Fleener to drop to #30. If Harbaugh nabs him, great. If Harbnaugh skips him for another player, that player must be pretty dang good too.
RB is not an area of need at this point. The only true areas of need are at WR, RG and S. other than that the team is set. RB isn’t a position that you draft someone to develop. Running is all about vision and feel. They either have it or they don’t.
@Jack:
I would add pass rusher, CB and DL to that list.
Claude,
I said need, not want.
Jack, they have 7 picks in this draft so if they don’t select a RB, you are saying WR, G, and S. What would you do with the other 4 picks and which rounds would you choose the WR, G, and S?
Jack
Safety?
You mean for depth, right?
Goldson’s the man! Whitner’s the man!
(I personally think CJ Spillman is gonna push Goldson out)
So, presumably, when you say “S”, you mean the team “needs to draft a backup SS?”
@Jack
You need to define “need”.
Last year the Niners needed a QB. Because they had none on the roster. This year we do have a WR, G, S. In fact we have more than 1 sub if needed in all but Guard I believe (matters if Boone is a Guard).
The Niners don’t “need” anything. They cold “want” some.
@hof
The Niners could trade picks to move up with only 3 (according to Jack) needs and 7 picks.
PBL, yes for depth. They need to fill the spots of Williams, and Smith.
I think Spillman will win one of the backup spots.
DS, they need a right guard (only 1 on the roster), they need to get a WR (or TE like Fleener), and they need a safety (only have 3) to replace Williams and Smith.
The WR is debatable, but I think they look to add one more to develop a replacement for Ginn and Moss in 2013.
@Grant
Spillman in limited time has shown skills DG simply lacks. Mainly the ability to tackle in the open field. DG is not good at it. Spillman is. In Baltimore, he stopped a RB from scoring with a great open field tackle, then did the same to a NO WR.
Don’t be surprised if DG is not signed to a long term contract if his stats are down next year and for them to give Spillman the chance to become a starter.
Hofer, the Million Dollar question is what the Front Office thinks of Kilgore. If they feel he can start, OT compete to start, they may forgo drafting a guard entirely.
If not I say go BPA round 1 (Fleener?), trade our 2nd, 4th, and 5th to get Zeitler from Wisconsin in Round 2, WR Marvin Jones from Cal in Round 3, SS Eddie Pleasant from Oregon in Round 6, and BPA in Round 7.
I like it.
Thanks Grant, From what you have seen at practice, etc, does it look like Beeler might be able to move up from the practice squad?
I don’t think so; he’s tiny.
@Jack:
I know you said “need”; my reading comprehension skills are top notch.
With so many teams devoting additional offensive resources to passing, the 49ers need another pass rusher and they need another CB. Last year, J. Smith played >90% of the defensive snaps. McDonald played > 85% and broke down towards the end of the season. The team needs depth on the DL.
Tomsula is a big Tukuafu fan, I believe.
@Claude, there are already 7 defensive linemen on the roster, not counting Smith and Brooks who come down to rush ends in the nickle. How much more depth do you want?
@Jack
Bill Walsh always said you could never have enough good DL on a team.
That is a good source of who says more DL are always needed if ever there was a source.
DS, Understood, but they have 7 already on the roster, and can only carry 53 men. Which position would you like to run short so we can add DLinemen?
They may have 7 on the roster, but Claudes numbers are not too far off.
The Niners staring DL players played a ton of snaps and rarely were relieved all last season. The only time it seemed that the Niners had a non-starter in the game was to play for an injured starting player.
Dobbs (?) had a great TC last year. Hopefully he can have a larger role in subbing in this year.
Also, the website I use for player salaries is listing both Aldon Smith and Ahmed Brooks as DE.
Other DL include:
Ian Williams (1 year contract for basically min salary)
Ricky Jean Francois – our most common sub
Demarcus Dobbs
Note: they have Miller as DE as well, so maybe things are not perfect with how they label positions.
That hardly seems like a lot to fall back on. I only know Ricky to be a sure sub. The other 2, I don’t know anything about.
Seems to me that a little more vet good DL or young DL would not be out of the question for the draft.
@Jack:
… there are already 7 defensive linemen on the roster, … How much more depth do you want?
It’s not about quantity, but about quality. None of those guys were good enough to get any real playing time last year. There was no rotation to speak of. Justin Smith is an iron man, but he will wear down eventually. The team needs someone to spell him and McDonald and step in to play at a reasonably high level should one of them go down for an extended period of time. There are several of those guys in this draft.
@Grant: Does Tomsula/do you think Tukuafu is ready to play major minutes?
Don’t forget Will Tukuafu. He had the first turnover of the season, but then was injured and missed most of the season. As Grant and MB have pointed out, he is a favorite of Tomsula.
@Claude, I you take the time to read through the comments you will see that I also like both Curry from Marshall, and Crick from Nebraska. Both are highly regarded 5 technique DE’s that would fit well.
Wouldn’t surprise me is they go DE, but it would be because they want him, not because there is a large need.
@Jack:
I hope the 49ers do not draft for need in the 1st round, but instead take the best player available. If that happens to be a player at a position of need, all the better. I just don’t want them to reach for a player because of need.
@Claude, I agree. If you scroll up in this thread I even said that myself.
@ Jack Joe Adams would be a fine replacement for Ginn. He is fast, better hands, creates seperation and is the best returner in college ball last year. I know I have mentioned this before but I would thought I would say it again.
We have three TE. Ginn is awesome returning kicks. BPA
I am sure TB and JH have a master plan but we really need to add depth by adding:
1) G
2) WR
3) S
4) CB
5) ILB and OLB
6) DE
7) RB
Is it me or has this blog gotten avery slow, how much can you say that Alex Smith sucks, too bad the draft is still a month away.
@Neal…LOL !
Neal
Almost at the bottom of the page, and here it is! The first Hater comment, by Neal. Well done, Neal. Good job dragging this page down! Awesome.
Porky
If my presence and comment really drag you down you must lead a very pathletic life. You seem very tightly wound porky, perhaps a bowel movement might be in order. Breath deep and blow up.
Love ya Neal. I’ll throw you a shout on the Zone when I see you over there … didn’t mean nothin. Got diarrhea most days anyway.
ok Porky, no harm done, might need to get your stomach checked out, hate to have the runs.
Zito,
Whats up dude ! Hope A. Smith get the niners to the SB and win it all..
He will be alot better than last year, having a full preseason with harbaugh’s offensive scheme and the offense should gel together comes 2012.
The acquisition of B Jacobs will help the niners in the long haul. Because F. Gore is injury prone and if he spend a good amount of time in IR, Jacobs would be an every down back..
I trust Harbaugh and Rathman to get the most from Jacobs. I’m loving the way though that players are being added on the basis of prove your ability or you’ll be released. I thought at the time that cutting Braylon Edwards was sending that message – there will be no passengers on this team.
I’m not convinced they won’t draft a rb this year either. My main concern with Gore is that he’s not hitting the line fast enough anymore. There is something wrong with him that we are not being told – no fully healthy rb in the NFC champ game runs for 7 yards on the first play of a drive and then takes himself out for a breather! There is no way a fully fit Gore is on the sidelines in the same Champ game whilst Dixon try’s to seal the game on 2nd and 3rd down and relatively short!! I love Frank but the evidence says there is something amiss and I see Jacobs as ‘part insurance’ and a replacement for Dixon.
Grant, I’ll play. Martin will be a pro bowl rb. I’ll call it now before the draft.
Fleener for me in the 1st. To address another question about which area will the niners address in the draft (other than WR, RG and back up S) OLB! You can never have enough pass rush and my big fear for the 2012 season would be what happens if Aldon Smith was out injured….The drop off would be huge and as great as J.Smith is that’s too much on him and Brooks. I would not rule out another Baalke surprise with a pass rusher in the 1st to bookend at OLB with Aldon. Chandler Jones perhaps?
Good point we need another pass rusher to back up the two we have now. It would be a drop off. Its hard to find pass rushers. No replacing Aldon he is the man. We have been looking for pass rushers as long as a QB.
Grant, I don’t buy it, let’s take boxing, Mike Tyson stood 5’10” tall, if he had fought in Jack Johnson’s era we’d say today he was too small. Jack Johnson was about 6’2″, the man he beat, Jess Willard was almost 6’7″. These guys could have fought in any era.
Baseball, Smoky Joe Wood could bring it at over 100mph way back when. Ruth could have made the Hall as a pitcher. They had the size Grant they could make it today. Oh well, let’s summon the spirit of Bert Sugar and he could give us the finer points.
Bert Sugar would compare eras, but Jack Fiske would not.
I wholeheartedly concur.
You’re willing to call Martin a Pro Bowler before you find out which team drafts him? Why?
Grant, from what I have seen on film. He runs hard, hits the hole quickly and decisively, cuts extremely quickly and leaves defenders grasping for air and has a low centre of gravity. I like him as at least the 2nd best back in the draft (I,ve not looked at Richardson but presume he’s no.1 and will be gone too high so I’ve passed on him for the moment).
I agree he needs to land somewhere where he can start but i think he’s excellent and could be perfect for the 49ers. I’m willing to back my eye and say he’s pro bowl talent level now rather than wait and then state the obvious that RB so-and-so is a possible pro bowler because he has been drafted by New England or Green Bay.
Martin is the 2nd best back in this draft.
On another positive note, CJ Spillman and I are now PS3 friends. We play Madden against one another.
Do you kick his butt and then tell him to get away from the tv? Or does he school you? What team does he chose?
He’s really good. And i let him be the Niners
nice but how do you really know?
How do i know what? that its him?
Yes Adam707
Does he tell you he is CJ Spillman and does he detail what the Niners plan is for the next game?
Oh. By the way, I’m Madonna. Online, we are whomever we want to be and can change that anytime we want. Don’t take anything anybody claims seriously.
Well i follow him on twitter and he asked for people to play with. Then i sent him my name and we play. I mean it may not be him, if someone made a fake Twitter pretending to be him then went and made a fake ps3 name also. Seems like alot of work for someone that isn’t really known out of the bay area.
@Adam707
Ok.
Maybe one of these days you can tell him that one of these fans who you sometimes deal with on a local blog thinks that you (Spillman) have a really good shot at becoming a great safety and hopes to see you starting and doing well very soon.
: – )
But you are right. May not be him and someone could be pulling a joke on a gullible fan
@Adam707
If he sucks at tackling a punt returner and at safety, we best hope it not be Spillman himself. lol
Adam 707
OMG!!!!
You are SOOOO cool! You play video games? Rad! Whoa, you play video games with a real life athlete? That is totally unbelievable!!! THERE IS NO WAY THIS CAN BE REAL!!! I NEED TO BE AS COOL AS ADAM 707. MAYBE IF I TAP MY TOES TOGETHER THREE TIMES I CAN GET TRANSPORTED INTO ALEX SMITH’S CLOSET AND WATCH HIM WHILE HE SLEEPS! Right On Adam 707! You are an absolute Stud!
See Adam707′s post earlier at 8:19PM. It still applies.
HAHA you beat me to it DS.
Pork Bun i understand your bitterness. Please try and control yourself from being an absolute tool all the time
DSL
Where’ve you been, you pansy sheila? Oh that’s right, having a toe tapping contest with your boy Adam 707…
Your avatar is always changing, makes me wonder how many Pork Bun Tools there are
@A707
I always wondered who the “D” was in DSL. Now I know. It must make it fun for you when you guys find yourselves together in that closet!
@Adam707
Pork is always trying to correct other peoples grammar and such.
But, even though I post here more than most, he still doesn’t know my name. Weird. I know. Yet he expects others to respect him while he disrespects the regulars on here (myself, you and Crab15 on this blog alone, from what I have seen so far).
DSL
There’s no disrespect for Crab15 on this page. Only Adam, who dug at me first, and then you, who in a stunningly unexpected turn, mounted your boy and joined the attack. DSL. Are you not familiar with the term? How ironic!
Porky
Go away. Find yourself a nice ham and leave.
Bye-bye.
DSL
Not going anywhere. If you’d rather not have these unpleasant exchanges with me, then keep the godda.mned Pork out of your mudderfuqin mouth! Got it? I’ve told you before, and yet you keep misbehaving. You’re just like a child. You know what you should do, but you just can’t help yourself. Take the Pork out of your mouth. You already have your mouth full of Adam707′s D.
Stay classy Pork, stay classy
Thanks for stopping by, Dam707.
@one
Why you too? Never had any beef with you. Oh well, guess it was inevitable given your prominent place in Alex’s closet.
If your team is not spending up close to the cap, your team is not trying very hard to win.
Are you all forgetting Rock Cartwright? I hope I spelled it right, he did a good job as a short yardage back as well. He’s got some Gas left in his tank, and is a very good returner. Ted Ginn, Rock, Hunter and Williams on the kick return unit can be dangerous.
returner? not!!!
This is kinda off the subj, but I came across this pretty bad a$$ vid of VD going through a TE gauntlet in “Sport Science”. Thought I’d share for those who miss out!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4ssVDE-5Vo&feature=g-vrec&context=G274dfc2RVAAAAAAAACQ
Oh snap!! Here’s your relevency! Does he still got it?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4ssVDE-5Vo&feature=g-vrec&context=G274dfc2RVAAAAAAAACQ
ARGHHH!! Ignore above link, tis is the correct one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqoQ3rwHZuU&feature=related
Thanks for the post ElGuapo, I am excited about BJ signing despite some of the negitive. I believe JH is going to demand for players to compete and if they do not show up then they will not play! GO NINERS
Catch the Jeremy Newberry interview on KNBR Fitz and Brooks show. He talks about the reality of life after football and discusses the 49ers and moving up for David Decastro. Great interview.
Grant: Your statement that it is impossible to compare players from different eras is an old saw that provides an easy way out of thinking through how to make the comparison. It’s not that hard.
@dr
The way I do it is to compare that athlete (say JR) with others playing his position at that time. That way you balance out differences in the game (rules, games played, etc.) and you see how much better that player is (JR) compared with other WR’s.
When JR was still playing Steve Largent set the WR TD record at 100. JR ended up more than doubling it. If a WR scored 10 TD’s a year, it would take 20 years to just equal JR. Much less double JR’s record (20 TD’s for 10 years) as JR doubled Largent’s.
So, compare that player to others of his time. Then compare the different eras and see who did what next to one another. How much better is that player next to one who played in a different era was better than those who played his position at his time?
The key factor is year round training and diet. This makes the players bigger. There are standout players that played 50 years ago that could play today. In basketball, to use another sport, the best match-up I ever witnessed was Chamberlain-Russell. They would undoubtedly dominate in any era.
No, you can’t compare them. How do you compare Rocky Marciano to George Foreman? Babe Ruth to Barry Bonds?
I told you.
You look at how they competed with others of their time. Keep in mind that athletes in general now are in better shape. So the advantage a tall guy has now is not as great as it was 50 years ago. Genetics has taken much more a back seat than in the past.
Look at what Babe Ruth did next to those who played at his time. That includes the Negro league as well. And the same for Bonds.
Babe Ruth wasn’t a cheater. There you go Grant. ;-)
There were years when Babe Ruth hit more home runs than some teams. I think that translates pretty well across eras.
Rocky Marciano is the best example. 180 lb heavyweight who was undeffeated. Probably couldn’t have beaten a huge heavyweight like Foreman, but there weren’t huge great fighters in Rocky’s era. How can you knock him for that? Where do you rank Rocky all time?
He only faced white players, he never faced relief pitching, etc.
Try to keep it to football Grant.
And since 180lb guys don’t fight heavyweights now either, I don’t get your comparison at all. You want to compare eras along with guys who would never actually fight one another…can’t do that.
Huh?
@Grant:
Don’t even try to deny Babe Ruth. It’s an argument doomed to failure.
Ruth spent the first four years of his career primarily as a pitcher. His first few years as a batter were in the dead ball era. He didn’t have access to weight training, nutritionists (not that he would have listened), steroids, HGH, or any other performance-enhancing substances, Given how many times he played hungover, you could argue that Ruth achieved what he did often while taking performance-inhibiting substances.
And did I mention that there were years in which he hit more home runs than some teams? Actually, after doing some research, please allow me to amend that. With the sole exception of 1925 (suspension, illness), Babe Ruth hit more home runs than at least one team every year from 1918-1932. In three of those years, he hit more home runs than at least 10 teams. In 1920, he hit more home runs than every team in MLB except for the Phillies.
Source: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/01/18/by-the-numbers-baseball-in-the-classroom-teaching-sabermetrics/ (I have multiple sources for the assertion about the 1920 season, but this site doesn’t allow multiple links in a comment. I can provide them if anyone doubts me.)
No one has ever dominated his era like Babe Ruth did. No one.
Can we go back to talking about the 49ers now?
That was an argument for why Babe Ruth was great, not why you can compare eras. He was the best of his era, but his era included inferior players. The talent pool for baseball back then was a fraction of what it is today because it only included white people. You can’t compare players from different eras.
@Grant:
Please allow me to rephrase my final sentence. No player in any era has ever dominated that era the way Babe Ruth dominated his era.
As for your talent pool argument, your point is well taken, but also offset by the fact that there are many more teams today, which dilutes the larger talent pool. In addition, although statistics are not readily available, Babe Ruth’s barnstorming tours included competitive games against Negro League teams and teams from Cuba and Central American countries. He had no trouble hitting home runs in those games either.
What about the relief pitching argument? Starters went the whole game and pitched on four days rest back then. Bonds had to face superior pitching pretty much every at bat.
@Grant:
What about the relief pitching argument?
It’s a valid one when comparing baseball in the 1920s to baseball in the 1990s or 2000s. But the point I am not trying to make transcends the comparison of raw numbers or even the comparison of eras.
The point I am trying to make is that Bonds did not dominate his competition in the 1990s/2000s to the extent Ruth dominated his competition in the 1920s. Everyone in the 1920s faced the same “inferior” pitching, yet Ruth was so much greater than his competition that he regularly hit more home runs than many teams. Bonds did not do anything like that during his time.
I agree with your point. No one was more dominant than Babe. Sort of like no one was more dominant than Rocky Marciano. But could George Foreman and Ali beat him? Probably. Does that make Rocky any less great? Of course not.
If you sent a 25-year old Bonds back in time to he 1920s, would he be as dominant as Babe was? Probably.
If you brought 25-year old Babe to the 90s and 2000s, would he have been as good as Bonds? Babe never faced relief pitching or advanced scouting reports or pitchers who watched film of him every day in the clubhouse or a media that would constantly talk about his drinking.
If you’re going to compare players from different eras – which isn’t a serious endeavor anyway, it’s more silly and fun – that’s another way you could do it.
*But the point I am trying to make
Grant: I’ve only done the comparison for Quarterbacks. It took a bit of time, but it wasn’t that hard to come up with a methodology.
How do you compare QBs from different eras when the rules have changed?
I have done a great deal of work on this, so I would not subject my efforts to the superficial analysis that often happens here.
You have my email if you are interested in learning about it.
Ruth didn’t have P.E.D… Bonds doesn’t belong in the same sentence as Ruth, or Aaron. The guy is a cheater. As far as your other points of comparing era’s. I agree. The PED and advantages athletes have today take away all natural skill sets from the greats in the past. Rules and media attention have also. Totally different now a days. They say you should never argue religion or politics. I think this argument falls in third place.
Marciano, Dempsey and Tyson had one thing in common, dynamite in their fists. When Ali went up against Marciano in a computerized face-off, they spent time in the ring and let loose with some punches. Ali said he was black and blue after the sparring. Marciano hit so hard that when his punches landed on your forearms the arms went numb and could no longer be held up.
That punching power takes precedence over height and weight as Tyson, Frazier, Dempsey and Marciano’s careers attest to.
Thanks for putting Rocky’s greatness is perspective, but there’s just no way he could have beaten Ali or Foreman.
Grant take a look at Marciano’s style it was similar to Joe Frazier’s. Frazier put Ali down in their first match with left hook, also, Henry Cooper did the same twice with a left hook. Rocky had heart and he could knock you out with one punch. He had a great left. I think Ali would have won.
Just a note, I was never an Ali fan until after that first fight with Frazier. Within a few days after the fight two high school students came to Ali’s home and asked for an interview. Equipped with movie camera they held an interview for over an hour. Ali’s face was swollen and you could see he’d been in a brawl. The film never went national but was shown on Public Broadcasting in the early morning hours.
I’m thinking here’s a champ that just lost one of the great fights in history and he’s joking around with two high school kids. What kind of person is this? I guess that’s why they call him the “Greatest”. Been a huge fan ever since.
A warning to my fans..If I win the lotto..I might retire as blog poster. That trout farm in New Zealand here I come!..
Maybe you can become part owner/investor of the Raiders and put them into their final demise with your football IQ input.
Super Stan you are a genius!!!!
Thanks! (bowing with sweep of the Stan arm…)
You don’t have to go that far, Stan! I’ll be fishing the North Fork of the Smith River out of White Sulphur Springs, Montana in about two months – and, yes, I will bring back to the kitchen 15 to 20 inch rainbows. And Stan you know damn-well that you can still post your comments online from New Zealand. You’re just tryin’ to scare us . . .
Harbaugh is still pissed about the moronic referee calls in the NFC championship game (Bradshaw fumble etc). Here’s a clipping from todays nypost.com.
The Giants took the lead in the fourth quarter thanks to a muffed punt by Kyle Williams on a bouncing ball that glanced off his knee. The play was initially not ruled a turnover, but Coughlin threw the challenge flag and the call was reversed.
Nine weeks later, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh is still steamed about that.
“You can’t reverse a call unless there’s indisputable, irrefutable evidence,’’ Harbaugh said at the owners’ meetings. “What’s the opposite of irrefutable? Refutable? There was doubt in my mind that ball hit Kyle Williams’ knee. Of course, you start talking about that and people think it’s sour grapes. But those are my thoughts.’’
Harbaugh also remained miffed about a Bradshaw fumble deep in Giants’ territory late in the fourth quarter that wasn’t called because officials ruled the running back’s forward progress had been halted.
“Oh, you mean The Fast Whistle?’’ Harbaugh asked. “The fastest whistle in the West? That one?’’
Here’s the full link of that story, mostly about Jacobs signing with Niners. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/jacobs_joins_mario_on_west_coast_7OJkmrsBsZjbhgzZXqZ0nO
First, he’s completely correct.
Second instead of complaining about something that cant be changed how about figuring out a way to score more points so that we’re not in close games that can be affected by such terrible calls.
@Crab15, i have been a niner fan since the J. Brodie and G. Washington Era.. D Wilcox, Tommy hart, Charlie Krueger, Cedric Hardman, Skip Vandervundt
Manila – Cedrick Hardman, oh yea! 18 sacks one year! Gene Washington was my favorite player when I was a little squirt.
True goofball story, I grew up in Anaheim (So Cal) and here’s how I became Niner fan at age 6 or 7 . My dad always took me & my brothers to our local high school football games and their uniforms/colors were identical to Niners except the helmet.
I actually thought the H.S. team was the same team as Niners, even when the Niners were on TV. :-)
I was hooked ever since.
I attended every Rams/Niner game at Anaheim stadium (with Niner gear on). I clearly remember watching Steve Deberg play while Montana will still the backup QB. I hated the Rams (still do).
Here’s what my old H.S. uniforms look like today. Still similar to Niners (except helmet).
http://images.onset.freedom.com/ocregister/lead/lsk516-b78858707z.120111004130102000g0r12fvks.1.jpg
Grant…help me out with your opinion. I watched NFL Live on ESPN the past few nights and in particular was listening to the comments made by Jerry Rice. I’m sorry but the guy sucks. He brings nothing to the discussion and frankly, its embarassing to hear him speak. I know he is one of the all time greatest but please.
Great players rarely make great analysts. I didn’t hear JR on NFL Live, so I can’t comment.
But find me a list of great players who became great analysts. Only one I can think of off the top of my head is Terry Bradshaw. Average players just tend to do better with this type of a job.
Steve Young
Steve Young is awful! One of the worst, complete garbage as an analyst. It couldn’t be more clear that he’s simply talking out of his heiny and just saying the first thing that comes to mind when he’s out there.
God it hurts to say but I’ll list to Rich Gannon before I’ll listen to Young.
I don’t think Steve Young is all that good an analyst. I think Trent Dilfer brings more.
We can agree to disagree on that one.
Howie Long isn’t terrible, I used to like to listen to Len Dawson.
He’s more of a color commentator I guess but I have always liked Daryl Johnston calling games.
@DS, I Strongly agree that Dilfer is much better analyst than S. young.
Troy Aikman, Dan Marino, Phil Sims, Boomer Esiason, Chris Collinsworth … all good analysts
Interesting Ds….. Dilfer said that in the championship game and in the season Alex smith had recievers open and didn’t pull the trigger. Hmmm I wonder if he saw what I saw? :-)
@RonnieLott
Jerry Rice is not bad. He just needs more experience. If he sees this as a challenge and something he’s passionate about, I wouldn’t bet against him trying to become the best analyst out there.
Ronnie Lott not a good analysis, lasted only a short time on National TV. Find him absolute bore on KNBR on Friday mornings.
JR does not have a handle of the English language
Trade down into early 2nd round and take Jared Crick while acquiring another 3rd rounder?
trading down into the early 2nd rd will net the 9ers a mid 4th rd pick according to the nfl trade value chart
i forsee them trading up rather than trading down
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/feature/madden2013cover
All niner fans should vote for patrick for the Madden cover.
No way Freddy! Too risky, the “Madden curse” will strike again. Can’t afford to lose P-Willy.
i think they might move up to get fleener, floyd or decastro
Oneplayerfan:
Nate had “it”in college and had great natural ability in college and with the Niners. But natural ability is not enough in the NFL ,as I always said Too bad Alex doesnt have “it”.Hopefully Kaep has what it takes to bring his “it” to the NFL,unlike Nate or Alex !
@Tim,
Alex has the why factor, why is he is still here.
I just do not see them trading up for DeCastro because the cost does not match the positional value. I am in the minority that thinks Fleener will be available when our pick comes up. No way we trade up for a WR. I think Crick would be the perfect guy to take over for Cowboy when he’s done.
we would only draft decastro if harbaugh is’nt sure about kilgore. i love fleener wether we have to move up or not. i think they might move up to get floyd if its not to far he is a perfect fit for harbaugh
Why get Fleener when we still have an untried Konrad Reuland on the practice squad..? Reunions?
also i dont think the 9ers need extra picks i think the lower picks this yr are going to have a tough time making the team
Razor:
Do you think that after a year starting at rg that DeCastro could beat out either of our starting Tackles in 2013? If so he would possibly be worth trading up to get ?
Don’t think so Tim. Davis came on strong last year and I think he and Iupati improve greatly this year. Staley is a stud so…
They’ll probably draft one of the top DL that may fall in their laps or may need to trade up a few spots in the 1st to draft FCox or DStill.
@tim nate davis had the”it” factor in college because he went to ball st. lots of QB’s in the MAC seem to have the “it” factor cause they do’nt play any D in the MAC
OC:
He had “it” with the Niners too,in that he had a natural talent to make plays ,he was a natural . But in the NFL that is not nearly enough if you cant read defenses and cant learn a playbook and wont work hard etc.
That is why ,no matter how much I loved him at Ball State and how much he showed his natural ability with the Niners, I always said he was no guarantee to make it in the NFL. And his learning disability really hurt his chances. Too bad because we still need an upgrade at QB.
Neal:
:)
@tim with smith, CK and johnson competeing this yr i predict who ever ends up at QB there will be an improvement at QB
I like what the Niners have done this offseason so far. As for the draft I say let the players come to you so we don’t lose any draft picks in this draft or next years. The tough choice for the Niners in the draft if Fleener,WR, and a top guard is available at 30.
Below is my latest 9er mock mainly for Hightop, but feel free to critique…
Mock 3.0:
1. Coby Fleener, TE (Speaking with my heart, otherwise draft SHill in this spot)
2. Chris Polk, RB (Runs inside, good blocker, catches well out of the backfield)
3. James Brown, G (Major upside with quickness and strength)
4. Tramain Thomas, S (Attacking turnover machine fits 9ers D style)
5. Jerry Franklin, ILB (ST guy and potential backup)
6. Sean Cattouse, S (Best of the rest)
7. Mason Cloy, C (Best of the rest)
My gut tells me the 9ers go DL and DB the first two picks but I’m going with what I’d like them to draft. Maybe I go back to my gut feeling for Mock 4.0. lol
My gut tells me the Niners do not draft Sean Cattouse.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4_w-puInqY
Grant, agree. Just didn’t want to put the default BPA.
I was just giving you a hard time. I need to make my own full mock.
Grant, your mock would be a good read as one of your blog articles until the OTA’s.
Hofer, If they draft Polk as you suggest, who will he replace? Same thing with Franklin at ILB. They already re-signed Gooden who is on all ST, and it looks like Grant will be back as well because the LB market is so soft this year.
I’d say the only RBs that are safe are FG, KH, and BM. The others will be fighting for spots.
Interesting
and with that improvement and hopefuuly good health will come a super bowl
@hofer like your picks but i see the niners moving up in the 1st or 2nd rd and having fewer picks later in the draft. i just do’nt like the chances of our rd 4-7 picks making the team
Coach, I could see them trading some of their picks for 1st and 2nd round picks next year. For example, when Indy selects AL, they need talent so the 9ers give them their #30 this year for their 1st and 2nd pick next year. The 9ers need to get young on the DL and they’ll need a safety to eventually replace DG because I can’t see them paying him a long term big bucks contract. Interesting to speculate though…
Despite signing Jacobs, don’t be surprised to see Baalke take a RB…Harbaugh was close to Bill Walsh the last year+ of his life. He picked his brain a lot…one of the things Walsh did was draft replacement players a year early as opposed to a year too late. In Gore’s case, he’s definitely shown signs of slowing down. Six years of tough hits do that to RB’s. It’s become a case of not if he’ll get injured, rather when. Understand, it may not be as likely they’ll draft a RB now, but it still wouldn’t surprise me.
OC:
I actually agree that whoever is playing qb for us out of those 3 , the position will provide more production than the poor production it gave the team last year.Alex should improve in his 2nd year in the system. But we still need an upgrade over what I think Alex will ever be able to provide,although he should improve I doubt he will improve all THAT much.jmho .Will he improve enough to help win a SB ? Its possible if the defense and st’s lead the way again and everything goes just right.
I do not see Mr. Baalke drafting Hill in the 1st Round.
@tim i believe if alex does’nt improve enough to get us to the super bowl he will not be starting weeks 12 through 16
OC:
I dont know,Alex didnt get us to the NFC Championship game last year, the defense and st’did…and Alex didnt lose his job then . But maybe you mean because Kaep is a year nearer to being ready and JJ is experienced ?
@tim its semantics as to wether AS got us there or not, he certainly did’nt blow it for us. i just expect a big improvement in QB play this being the 2nd yr in the system for AS and CK and the first full off season. i think AS will throw for approx 500 more yards and 6 to 8 more TD passes while throwing less than 10 ints and that will get us to the SB. if he is not able to make that improvement i think we will see CK
@old coach:
You are trying to reason with the unreasonable. Good luck.
@claude i enjoy a good exchange i just wo’nt argue with any one here because unless we are differing about todays date we are offering our opinions and mine might just be wrong
@old coach:
It’s March 29, 2012.
Your turn.
I agree OC,that Alex should significantly improve this season(I have said that all along Claudie).If not he will be replaced,as they tried to do already.I expect a better offense and if the D and ST’s remain the same then we have a good shot to win it all. If the O was just a little better in that NFC Championship game we would have easily overcome the fumbles etc and would now have #6. I hope we get back to that spot again ,if we do I think we can win this time because of a better O. (and a better QB,even if that QB is Alex.).
…And Claude:
It depends on where you are on the Globe doesn’t it ? :)
…And Claude.OC:
Old Coach was the one who said Alex would lose his job if he didn’t improve,not me(of course we all agree with that ). I was countering his remark by saying Alex didn’t lose his job last year,so why should he lose it this year if he plays the same as last year(doesn’t improve). I supposed he meant that with CK having a year in the system and with the experience of JJ that maybe HE thought this year would be different because the backups were better this year. It was a question.
So get off it Claude and try to respect the other fans ,even when YOU THINK they are disagreeing with you .
@TIM:
As I have stated many times, it’s not that you have a different opinion. It’s the way in which you express it.
…Any tips on how I can improve my personality ? (but wouldn’t that be like the pot calling the kettle black ? lol ).
I just write my opinion and sometimes it conflicts with your opinion and then you attack.
Sorry if I am not subtle and don’t always come off like a diplomat.I just try to say it like it is IMHO and it should be received that way.
…Or more like the blind leading the …well you get the point. I try to be reasonable and act like an adult but YOU don’t seem to want this to be an adult forum.
I don’t ask you to change your OPINIONS or change the way you relate those opinions. Why not try to do the same ?
If you don’t like another posters opinion then try answering back with a reasonable opinion of your own and not just going on the attack with childish remarks about the other persons character etc.
OK ?
Any tips on how I can improve my personality ?
Yes, don’t write like Richard Simmons speaks.
TIM:
Perhaps you could try reading my comments before responding. I do not care that your opinion differs from mine. You haven’t given me any reason to value your opinions (see, e.g., Nate Davis), so in a way, it actually validates my position that you disagree with me.
It’s the insincere, backhanded golly-gee-I-sure-hope-Alex-Smith-gets-better-but-we-all-know-deep-down-that-he-isn’t-good-enough way in which you express your opinion that grates on my nerves. That and the presentation of your opinion as if it were established fact and/or the firm consensus of all right-thinking people. And the mindless repetition of the same opinion over and over and over and over. And the continual assertion of that opinion on unrelated topics.
Those are the things that I do not like.
Aaron Rowand cut…180 ba. for the Marlins.
And for that he also gave the Giants attitude. What an ass.
Is Zito next?
neal i would rather pay zito not to play than pay him to play. i would rather watch petit
@Old Coach,
I could not agree more, in the real world, this bum would of been kicked to the curb 3 years ago.
@stan but he’s an ass that the giants are still paying 10 million not to play
And,it appears ,Zito too!
getting ready for trip south….
as i suspected and implied the niners have followed a script i espoused….address and accomplish the FA tasks so that the draft becomes a tool they can control….they followed their script very well providing a bit of leverage in the WR arena with the randy ‘don’t seven step drop me’ moss and super bowl manningham signings, providing a good healthy backup in brandon ‘motivate me’ jacobs for an injury prone gore with a less beat up option, as well as keeping that top 5 defense intact and providing something more than lip service to special teams by bringing back ginn and signing cox, cartwright etc….and yes they brought back AS for a second year in the system which i am in total agreement on….even though it was peyton i was not very enamored with the idea of bringing him on….way too many questions…kind of like the devil i know (AS and JH system) vs the devil i don’t (peyton’s neck and peyton’s system)
going forward into the draft (barring any real significant signings in FA) niners still need to address the RG situation, the impending loss of TE/WR walker, a backup plan if the moss experiment staggers and even if it doesn’t going forward into the future training a new WR…need to address the near future (2 yrs) replacement of justin smith ….. and possibly an opposite side complement to aldon smith QB rushing DE
the niners can control this draft with respect to themselves because they can trade up or down packaging picks to target their needs with best player available this year and next year…so with this in mind i have the following inputs
rd 1 targets….G decastro even considering recent chatter it seems quite a stretch to obtain unless this will be essentially a one man draft by giving this draft away
….G corby glenn if he falls close enough to #30 for the niner to package a lower pick or two
….WR hill….if he falls to them
….TE fleener … if he falls to them or same scenario as corby if corby is gone
if none of these are available i would tend to move down for picks or maybe trade it for a first round pick next year (stretch)
rd2….CB johnson of montana because i still see the secondary as a softness in this defense
….WR streeter if WR or TE is not taken in the 1st round
rd3….if OG not taken in first two rounds may look for one in 3rd round like a silatolu (sp)
….or if need to address the center of the defense my look at a ta’amu as a DT
rd4….if RB has not been addressed if turbin is still there may choose to give up the rest of their draft picks this year to move up to get him
….CB minnifield may still be there as well since he has a pedigree may be worth a look depending on his special teams skills if he has any….
after this i can’t even guess (yes the above are guesses) but if still have these picks left would probably focus on WR, position-flexible OL men, CB but as suggested these picks are very long shots especially after the FA signings the niners have pulled off to date..
good luck to baalke …. i will check in from time to time or not during the fall, i.e. meaning south of the equator
JG, I like your read and thoughts on the 9er draft! It will be interesting. Good travels south…
@claude you a funny man
I try.
…now try to respect those that have opinions that disagree with you and we can all have an adult conversation.
alexsmith4mvp says:
March 29, 2012 at 8:42 am
I was wondering what you guys think about this? I have been thinking lately that the dolphins will not take Tanehill with their first pick. I see them letting them slide because the only real threat is the Browns, and i see them bolstering the offencive skill positions with the 2 first rounders and taking Weeden in the 2nd. For this reason i was thinking the Dolphins were likly to replace Marshal with Floyd with their first pick and then trade back into the late first with us to take Tanehill before letting him slide to the Browns in the 2nd. We would get their 2nd and 3rd rounders (9-10th both rounds). How likely is this to happen?
wow you have given that alot of thought. you should call baalke
Yep, it would scare me to thave those detailed thoughts at 2am when I can’t sleep. It’s like a sign the grim reaper is close…
I’d prefer to trade the 9er first this year for a first next year and a 2nd this year – forget the 3rd. But again, fun to speculate.
Although- a true story- I did wake up in the middle of the night a few months ago,and THE SOLUTION to a plumbing problem for a rental home I have came to me. I could hardly wait until the next morn to go over there and fix it.
It Worked!
I don’t think Tannehill is a first round pick, however given the value of a (potentially) good QB, the Browns would take Tannehill if he falls to 22.