Now that the draft is over, I’m going to grade each area of the Niners offense, starting with the pass catchers.
Before: Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Delanie Walker, Kyle Williams, Ted Ginn Jr., Brett Swain and Joe Hastings.
Grade: C-
Why: Vernon Davis is a stud, so this group couldn’t have a failing grade. But everyone else is ordinary at best. Swain and Hastings probably won’t be in the league this year. I don’t include running backs Frank Gore or Kendall Hunter on this because they weren’t much of a factor in the passing offense last season – they didn’t even catch 40 passes combined.
Now: Subtract Brett Swain and Joe Hastings. Add Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James.
Grade: A
Why: The additions of Moss and Manningham ensure defenses can no longer double team Vernon Davis every play, which is a big win for the Niners. Manningham lost his starting job in New York to Pro Bowler Victor Cruz last season, but when he was the Giants starting flanker in 2010 he scored 9 touchdowns. In Moss’ last full season (2009), he scored 13 TDs. LaMichael James has better hands than Frank Gore or Kendall Hunter, so he should give the Niners a screen game. And A.J. Jenkins gives the Niners a quality WR backup. This is an excellent group.
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I’m not counting on anything from Moss. If he makes a contribution that will be a bonus but not expected. He is a world class quitter and a cancer. He was dropped by 3 different teams in 2010 and after a year away from football I’m doubting he got any better.
Even without Moss though Crabtree, Davis, Walker, Manningham and Jenkins will put a lot of speed on the field for the 49ers. It’s going to be different than 2011, that’s for sure.
Moss is hungry for a title, the only thing that he needs to solidify his HOF career. People keep calling him a cancer which is a complete asinine statement. If you read up on him he was always very liked by coaches and teammates. He got in trouble with the law a couple times but that doesnt make him a team cancer.
I say he has 8-10 TD’s.
Ask the Raiders about his attitude and professionalism. Hungry for a title? My guess he’s found you can’t just go out and find another job that supports the lifestyle he’s been living that pays as well as the NFL. I hope that’s enough for the Niners to get atleast one good season out of him.
I am hoping he only gave up on the raiders when he realized they were going nowhere . But I am skeptical and will need to be shown he is for real.
He wasn’t well-liked by Brad Childress during his last days in Minnesota.
Brad Childress wasnt well liked by anyone in Minnesota, ever.
Im not worried about his time in Oakland. He went to New England after that and had his best seasons ever. Hes not nearly the money hungry headcase you guys are making him out to be. Harbaugh and Baalke brought him in here because they know a lot more than all of us, a lot more.
If Moss makes it through training camp I think he’ll be okay, but that’s a big IF. I don’t buy that he’s hungry for a title, I don’t think he’s wired for that. The way he was dissed by Chris Carter could be a prime motivation. Regardless, if he does not measure up the pieces are in place to move on without him.
I agree about Moss He is a cancer
I agree with the fact that the Niners were C- last year with the pass game, but now with Crabtree on notice that he can be replaced, we should have a great passing game which will complement our running game, and keep our defense of the field to rest.
Crabs was already our leading pass catcher,so he must have been on notice already ? lol
Says more about the ability of our receivers that a plodder like Crabtree was the best we had…
Crabs made a lot of great catches and dropped a few too many,but he was a very good target imho,and will be better with more weapons around him drawing coverage away from him . He is pretty fast imho ,not a plodder at all. Not a speed burner but a very good #2 or #3 receiver on any team.
@Tim
Whatever MC is/was, he didn’t get separation. JR said it. And Aikman said it at the title game. If you want to call him fast, go ahead. But the idea is to get open, and MC didn’t.
Crabtree is not going anywhere. He will be a STARTER this year. Kyle Williams, bring me your playbook. I’ve been waiting for it since last November!
I would much rather keep williams as a WR over Ginn. I hope James blows the coaches socks off in preseason punt returns and makes Ginn expendable.
Yeah, Moss might not even be around as the season gets into full swing.
Top 5 offence next , 1 defense.
I think playing for Harbaugh is like riding with Sonny Barger. You gotta man-up.
I’d probably place them B+ or A- at best. Until Moss / Manningham / A.J show what they have it’s incomplete, especially with Moss.
If each of these guys play up to their potential (and the coaches estimate), it’s an A+
if laMchael can bring us a viable screen game he could be in on second down a lot as a deturrant to the crazy amount of blitzes we get.
I truly believe there are enough skilled varied weapons to actually have a offense that’s hard to predict. If they stay healthy I expect a huge improvement this year
I’d say WAY too high a grade on a unit that hasn’t even been on the field together yet. Moss is a BIG question mark in my mind. Manningham, as you said, lost his starting job in N.O., which probably isn’t all that good a sign. Jenkins and Jones are unknowns. Williams, Walker, Ginn? I don’t see an A receiver there. The only A player I’m confident of in this group is Vernon Davis. The rest leave me …well, hopeful.
Might there be a hidden agenda here, Grant? If you rate the receivers A, then any mistakes in the passing game have to be Alex’s fault, right? That seems to fit your bias.
Don’t get me wrong: I’ll read or listen to almost anyone who’s talking about the Niners. But when you’ve got a clear bias against the QB, and when your powers of prognostication are shown to be well, not really that good (See: prediction for New Orleans game last year, prediction for Giants game last year, see draft predictions, and reactions to actual predictions this year), then “Grading” units of the team seems a bit of a reach. Fun to talk about, fun to think about, but the level of discourse in this case goes from intelligent conversation to mere off-the-top-of-your-head comments. Entertaining, but hardly illuminating.
If I’m right about that hidden agenda, Grant, you’ll grade the running backs A, and you’ll probably grade the O line A or B+. That way, ANYTHING that goes wrong offensively will be Alex’s responsibility.
Lets see…
he lost his job in new york not NO first off. second off to victor cruz… If he lost his job to victor cruz he must be terrible lol. And he definietly didnt hurt us in the championship game lol
Rusty, you said “Jenkins and Jones are unknowns.” You’re absolutely correct with respect to Jones, I have absolutely NO idea of whom you speak…
Don’t read much of a rambling, “bias” comment.
Yawn.
Anyone can see that the receiver group has solid promise & that the past few years have been a barren desert.
We shouldn’t leave out oswu, until he gets another concussion he is a viable contender to play some snaps, really I think his singing is the nail in the coffin of kyle williams
Kyle Williams is a better receiver than Chris Owusu. Kyle Williams is a pretty good NFL slot WR. He’s quick like Welker and he can really block.
Owusu might end up on the practice squad. He is an upgrade over the guys they had their last year.
This. Too bad so many idiots cant let the NFC championship game go.
Grant,
I agree with you, although the guard spot has me concerned.
If Alex Smith can’t pass because of protection then it will be a long year for the upgraded receiving corps.
Just my thoughts
Doc
It’ll be a long year for the WRs if Alex retains his spot. The Niners have better pass-catchers, collectively, than the Packers. Alex is on the last few millimeters of his extraordinarily long leash!
I disagree, I see Alex Smith flourishing this season as long as the O line holds up.
In my opinion he is an excellent QB with tremendous skill, mental discipline, leadership qualities and will be in the top ranked 5 at his position for 2012.
Doc
Doc,
You’ve had entirely too much to drink! Poor fella. I hope you’re not a real doctor. Please get your head examined!
Jordan,
Maybe you need to move out of your parents basement.
Doc,
How can 23j move out of his parents basement he can’t afford too.
Pork>
The Packers have a better receiving core than the niners for one thing. I wonder where did you get your information from?
Why are you so adamant that Jenkins is a career backup? He caught 90 balls last year and ran a 4.31, and has ginormous hands that catch everything. He’s at least as good as Crabtree. Grant, buck up and explain why you loathe Jenkins (other than he’s not Fleener).
I’m not saying he’s a career backup – just that he’ll be a backup this season and probably next season too.
Do you think Jenkins or Stephen Hill will be more productive this year?
Stephen Hill.
At least as good as Crabtree? Yay? Nay?
Academic All-Conference. Smart. Humble. Hungry. Thankful. Lightning. But Crabs is #1?
You’re nuts. Stephen Hill is a big time project. Why do you think Harbaugh would pass on Hill for Jenkins? There are simply no measurables that Jenkins can claim superiority, right? I bet you they looked at his production and paid heed to his interviews and decided he’s a smarter, better player than Hill.
So you say Hill. How shall we measure production? Number of catches? TDs? Yards? We should wager.
If anybody knows receivers it’s Coach. He’s thrown to so many he has a great perspective on what it takes. Hill is someone that will take time to develop. This 9er team is a right now team, they want to plug someone in that produces right out of the gate. Hill gives off a Heyward-Bey vibe. A.J. comes into a perfect situation. My take is if Moss produces Crab is history.
I don’t think he is saying that Jenkins is a career backup. I think he means to say for this upcoming season. That’s all.
Right. Catching the ball will not be a problem for Jenkins. Being on the active 46 and getting into games ahead of Moss, Manningham, Crabs and kick returner Ginn will be the problem. However, I do not think JH drafted him just to sit for a year. Harbaugh will find a way to give him his chances. Just might not be as many as Hill will get.
All I can say is, Moss, Crabs and Manningham in the slot, with James, Jenkins and Williams rotating in has to be an upgrade over Crabs, Ginn, Williams And Swain (which was the core group in last years NFC championship game last year). This coaching staff will not be caught putting all their eggs in one basket I.e. Braylon Edwards, again. Better to have multiple options and roll into the season with Ginn as a returner only an 6th. Option WR then roll the dice like last year. I predict that Moss will start the season as our #1 and be replaced by Jenkins, with Crabs as the Flanker, witch based on what we were trying to do last year with BE leads me to believe I where the Coaching staff sees Crabs as the best fit. Smith has got to be giddy like a school girl knowing that his #2 option(Ginn) is not going to see/drop any passes as a WR thus year and his #1 option Crabs will still get his 500 as a #2 and, well you get the picture, much improved. Vernon will become the guy to solve our Third down issues this year because he won’t have as many defenders blanketing him like last year. Much improved, can’t wait!
I would not give them an ‘A’ yet. More like B-ish, with the potential to grow into an ‘A’ over the course of the season. Depending on Moss’s productivity, Manningham’s integration into the offense, and how steep Jenkins’s learning curve is.
Prisco of cbssports comments of SF draft.
“Best pick: Most draft analysts ripped the pick of A.J. Jenkins in the first round. I liked it. The kid can fly. He just needs a little polish. Just keep him away from the knucklehead receivers on the roster — and there are plenty.
Questionable move: Why did they take LaMichael James in the second round? Don’t they have a glut of backs? Didn’t they take Kendall Hunter last year? I like James, just not here.
Third-day gem: Safety Trent Robinson has the range to play free safety. As a sixth-round pick, I think he has chance to make the team and do even more in a year or two.
Analysis: I liked the Jenkins pick to start the draft, but taking James in the second really didn’t make a lot of sense. They bounced back with some decent picks after that, but not a great weekend for the 49ers.
Grade: C-
Plenty of knucklehead receivers?
Moss for sure, but “plenty” means at least 2. Don’t know what’s Prisco’s view on Manningham, Ginn or Crabtree.
…
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/18883097/draft-grades-bengals-haul-gets-high-praise-saints-flunk-the-weekend
Funny, I liked the James pick much more than the Jenkins one.
LaMichael Jordan is a friggin superstar! He’s going to shred the NFL! I can’t wait for the return of the 1,000/1,000 Niner RB!
Moss and Crabtree.
Williams has great character, as does Manningham.
Ginn is not a receiver.
Great draft for the 49ers. LaMichael James will be our feature back down the road.
Prediction: Moss 300 yards 4TD, Crabs 550 yds 3TD, Manningham 400 yds 4TD, Jenkins 500 yds 5 TD, James??? (depending on how they use him in the passing game), Williams?? Still better than what we got from this group last year. Let’s not forget Vernon and Walker!!
I will definitley be watching the Jenkins vs. Hill, Randle, Fleener and Quick comparisons for the next 3 yrs. As these were all guys predicted to go ahead of him and still on the board when we picked.
@Pork Bun, I really think Moss will start as our #1 and Henkins will ultimatley fill that role. Last year Harbs seemed to like Crabs as the flanker but couldn’t pull it off because Braylon fizzled. I don’t think Crabs will ever be a #1, Just a hunch but that’s one fans opinion.
With you 100%. Moss is the best WR talent to ever strap on a helmet. I hope he’s all in!
I hope Moss likes the team’s food service.
Jenkins!!! Maybe I should comment from my PC a this damn Iphone always screws me up!!
Same goes with my Android phone.
Wait didn’t you give them an F 2 days ago for picking AJ ?
Jenkins as a backup seems a little too farfetched. We could have gotten a backup in any round, with our pass game roman will find a way to get thy guy in there for alot of the passing downs
They wanted him too much as a first round pick to be a project. With his intelligence, he should be able to pick up the offense quickly. He’ll be productive this year.
A.J. Jenkins will be a contributor this very season on his skill set alone. The kid is a natural quick off the line receiver who creates separation and great on slant routes. He’s an easy target to find. Moss and Manningham are more straight line receivers. You need a four receiver set in this league to put immediate pressure on defenses now. Also the upgrade in receivers may very well turn the Q.B. equation in one way or another, there will not be the status quo of seasons past.
So you’d play A.J. Jenkins over Vernon Davis because you like four wide receiver formations?
nah, but there’s enough plays and offensive sets throughout the game for both.
One of the main reasons Harbaalke drafted Jenkins was he was very productive on a lousy team. He has huge hands and blazing speed. Whether he’s a starter or not is a weak issue…he’ll get on the field plenty, he’s too good to sit on the bench. This kid’s got it all, skill, speed and a great attitude. Anyone doubting him will find out why Baalke drafted him soon enough.
I don’t see Jenkins getting much playing time this season unless he beats out Moss – which I think he is capable of doing if Moss isn’t his old self – or if there is an injury. I don’t see Jenkins beating out Crabtree or Manningham. 49ers 4th WR won’t see a lot of playing time – they’ll get some snaps a game, but not many.
Just weighing in:
> I like the Jenkins pick. Of course I think he’ll be a part time player his rookie year, but still make plays in late season. I’d guess he starts his second year unless Moss has a big time 2012; which would be……….good for us. Moss is the starter, just as he would be if we’d selected Fleener/Randle/Hill.
> Moss will have at least a decent year, maybe better. Enough to play again in 2013.
> Crabtree & Manningham will find their roles in the new offense and make winning plays when we need them.
> I’d agree that Kyle Williams is a pretty good slot receiver. Today he’s ahead of Jenkins, but not assured to make the team. I think Jenkins is his competition, unless Moss melts down (highly unlikely).
> I see Owusu as Ted Ginn’s competition. Owusu could make the Practice Squad with Ginn on the final roster, but if he shows enough as a Kick Returner, he might be a cheaper, younger replacement for TG Jr.
>LaMichael will be an asset as a receiver, a la Sproules, I’d guess. Screens?
IMO, a team has to practice screens to be good at them. Does SF care enough to dedicate practice reps? SF personnel on OL not all suited to mobility of screens. Maybe not our sweet spot.
> K.Hunter an ok receiver, should be more productive this year.
> Frank will be more reliable in 2012 because he can’t be much worse. Terrible year in ’11 for FG as receiver, he’s better than all those drops.
>Delanie is better than his 2011 also. C’mon now, a broken jaw? That ain’t a small thing. He’ll contribute in ’12.
>Vernon will be our rock. He looks to be going through some distracting family issues for the next year or so, but I’m betting he’ll have full focus and is gonna get ‘er done.
My uptake on the “pass catchers”:
1) locks to make the team: TEs Davis, Walker, and Byham (Byham included as a “pass catcher” only because of the position he plays) and WRs Crabtree, Manningham, and Jenkins.
2) “on the bubble”:
(A) Moss: I’m very much “wait and see” and “put up or shut up” on Moss. He didn’t catch a pass in 2011, only caught 28 in 2010. Does he still have enough left in the tank as far as physical skills? And, over his career, he’s demonstrated a lot of “quit”… is he willing to give 100% effort 100% of the time? I’m going to reserve judgement on him and give him a chance to prove to me that he belongs…
(B) Kyle Williams: has enough talent to stick, but is he tough enough mentally to put the miscues in the championship game behind him, or will they weigh heavily on his mind and affect his game?
(C) Ted Ginn Jr: if he makes the final roster, it will be as a returner. As a receiver, he’ll be the last one off the bench.
3) Practice Squad: TE Konrad Reuland, kept as insurance in case of injury or if they can’t re-sign Delanie Walker after this season. WR Chris Owusu.
4) Gone: WRs Brett Swain, Joe Hastings, and John Matthews.
5) Others: we signed a TE and 2 WRs (not counting Owusu) as undrafted free agents. Let’s see what they have…
I don’t see this receiving corps as an “A”. Sorry Grant. They’re better than last year’s, but that’s not saying a whole lot. I’d give them a “B-”, but with our defense and running game, that’s good enough…
Jenkins was drafted to be our #1!!! Who cares what he does his rookie year, hopefully he will get some time to develop behind Moss, Crabs is a flanker and will contribute at about the same rate as last year, but won’t be the #1, Manningham is a slot reciever that can line up at several differen spots and Williams is a back up that should make the final cut and Ginn is strictly Special Teams. It’s obvious the rest are PS or Camp fodder, as TB stated at the Combine “we only have 2 WR on our roster”, he was referring to Swain and Hastings not really even being considered. Anyone who thinks the same QB that posted career stats last year with a group of WR that aren’t even going to be considered as backups on ours or anyone elses NFL rosters this year can’t improve with the likes of Manningham, Moss, Jenkins and James are just not smart. We have to improve, because we are improved!!!…
I think with Jenkins the niners went after a guy with a very high floor and some upside. He produced very well in college in spite of having terrible qb’s throwing him the ball. He did this by consistently getting a lot of separation out of breaks. This is crucial for us because Alex doesn’t like throwing into tight windows even if the player is open. He was also very good at finding soft spots against zone coverage which is also part of getting the separation needed for Alex.
The other receivers available for us didn’t display this ability as consistently, Fleener wasn’t even the number 1 targeted TE by Luck according to espns blog. Hill was a shot play guy with all the tools but didn’t show the production and didn’t appear to have the same lateral quickness. Brian Quick is the only other guy that really appears to have these traits and he needs more polish.
The question with Jenkins is can he beat press man coverage but I believe they can hide him from that in first year with their alignments and the other receivers provided moss still has something left in the tank.
@John
I hope you meant “high ceiling” not “high floor”.
DS, not wanting to speak for John, but I’m pretty sure he meant high floor. As in, at worst you get a decent player. Much like Kevin Zeitler was described.
Yep, Jenkins may not be a star but he’s a low bust risk.
Which is actually really good for a wide receiver. They bust almost as often as defensive linemen.
@Scooter
I’ve never heard that expression before. And from a literal stand point, the floor is always the same height. Ceilings may be lowered or higher. But the floor is the bottom.
DS, you’ve clearly never been to Queensland, Australia! The old Queenslander style homes that are raised up on stilts to avoid effects of flooding.
But anyway, “high floor” is a term used generally to mean a player is a pretty safe pick.
DS,
“Higher floor” = Higher lower bound of expected outcomes.
Thanks Rob/Scooter
I guess to me it doesn’t translate well to meaning something. No matter what, you are always the same distance from the floor in any room (high ceiling or not). And your position never changes unless of course you climb or jump which I am assuming is not a factor in this expression.
And you are correct Scooter. I have never been in Australia. Though I think I would like it. Knew some Aussies once. Great people they were.
Just six months ago, A.J. Jenkins got shut down by Minnesota’s CB Brock Vereen (4 catches for 33 yards), and then again by Wisconsin’s CB Antonio Fenelus (4 catches for 30 yards), who just signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent.
Guess it’s a good thing they don’t play the Colts this year ; )
Grant,
Was it because of scheme or bad QB play, or was it AJJ’s fault? The numbers alone don’t necessarily tell the story.
Grant, AJ Jenkins accounted for 90 of the teams 226 total receptions on the 2011 year (40%), and over half of the team’s total receiving yards. He was the only playmaker on offense for Illinois last season, and was defended accordingly. The games you have used to show how Jenkins was ineffective, you should also note that:
- Against Minnesota, there was only 15 completions in total, for 78 yards. Jenkins accounted for over 1/3 of the receiving yards for Illinois in this game
- Against Wisconsin he was the second leading receiver for Illinois accounting for 1/5 of their recieving yards in the game.
I dont think that AJJ has to beat out Moss to play on a semi regular basis. Provided that there are about 70 offensive snaps a game, not counting jumbo packages and 2TE1wr sets Moss would probably figure in to about 50 a game. I dont want Moss playing 50 snaps a game. Given his “i play when I want to” history , the fact that he mostly runs just 2 routes (Deep post, fly/fade) and the fact that he is 35 We could maximise his value when he is in there by actually targeting him. Get him in there in Red zone but on a random 2nd and 8 from the 50 id rather see AJJ in there to see what he can do. A hungry AJJ and a rested RM is IMO better that moss dogging it on 30% of the snaps that he is in there
Is A.J. Jenkins this good? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNo-AznJ73I
Yes he is ! He’ll be a good receiver for years to com..
Grant, Those Jenkins highlights look like Crabtree 2.0.
Most everything is underneath, with minimal YAC, and every once in a while he gets deep. Not very impressive.
@Jack
If so Jack. They why do you want an unimpressive MC 1.0, but not MC 2.0? You want to keep version 1.0, but not get 2.0. Even though 1.0 lead us in receiving as you always point out. If anything 2.0 is better (newer upgrade).
And would you grade Jenkins harder than MC based on his draft position?
Your position of being all in with MC and not Jenkins is fading fast.
*Then why*
I am not all in with Crabtree. When you are short on receivers you don’t cut the one good one you have unless there is a replacement. Like i have said numerous times when they have someone better then replace him. Unfortunately, right now they don’t.
Something is wrong with this picture Jack.
You say MC is a good WR.
You say you are not all in with MC.
You say that Jenkins is MC version 2.0
You say you want more good WR’s.
If you call MC a good WR and Jenkins is basically MC, then we have 2 good WR’s. That is a good thing Jack. If MC was our only good WR last year (or even if he wasn’t) and we add another good WR, that is a good thing. How can you be all in with Grant’s grade of an “F” if we drafted a good WR?
Nothing to be upset over. We want good players. The more we have the better we are.
And the thing you always say is true for everybody everywhere. Especially pro sports. So, it essentially says nothing. The best ever JM and JR were dropped because the Niners thought they found somebody better than them. They thought the new players production could equal or be greater than JM/JR at that time. So they cut the greatest ever. If that statement of yours is true (it is) for the best ever, it is true for everybody (AS/MC). Thus it conveys nothing.
Your displeasure of the Niners drafting Jenkins is all about the Niners not drafting Fleener. That is hardly fair or objective.
P.S. Nobody had to trade up to get Fleener. Which is what you said the Niners would have to do. He was available for every single GM, and they passed him over. And my idea of the Colts having to trade some picks to get back into the mid 1st to pick Fleener was not needed. They got him by staying pat.
That means that you were wrong by the way.
Crabtree is good. I wanted great. With Jenkins we now have two slot possession receivers. If Jenkins proves me wrong I will gladly admit it.
As for Fleener, you are right, I would have preferred him. I never stated that they needed to trade up to get him. I simply answered Grant’s question that I would if necessary.
@Jack
You never know if you have to trade up. If you really want a player desperately, you will to ensure you getting him.
And an “F’ is not good. “F” sucks. Like Reggie McGrew. Good is at least a “C” likely a “B”.
The selection of Jenkins deserves an F. He doesn’t upgrade what they already have.
As for the player, if Crabtree is a C as I said yesterday, then Jenkins is a D at this point.
@Jack
This isn’t going to go anywhere.
The Niners have a top 5 TE in VD. The Niners don’t have a top 5-10 WR. Fleener would not be an upgrade over VD. He would be adding to VD.
Just like (if you are correct about Jenkins) Jenkins is adding to MC.
There is no difference then between adding a TE (Fleener) over adding a WR (Jenkins). Except Jenkins is a pure WR (our worse performing position by far in the playoffs). Fleener is not a pure WR. At best he is a hybrid TE who would hang around outside of the formations a lot. Between the two, we need a WR more than we need a TE. Thus we have Jenkins and not Fleener.
Yes, Davis is a top 5 TE. Fleener is a better receiver than Walker, and with the amount of 2 TE sets they use he would be more significant than a #4 receiver who will hardly see the field in 2012.
Fleener would have been more of an impact. Jenkins is simply an upgrade over Kyle Williams at the bottom of the receiving corps.
@Jack
Consider this possibilty.
Perhaps having Fleener on the field tips off the defense as to whether it is run or pass. In the MS days, defenss went on record saying that they just had to look for Moran Norris. If he was on the field, it was defintiely a run. If he is not, it is likely a pass.
The chess match was easily won by the opponent play after play game after game.
If Fleener is like Moran Norris in tipping off what the play will be, then a good part of the chess match is lost. And yes. I know Fleener could learn to block. Just as VD and DW have. But JH knows Fleener better than any person in the entire NFL. If he felt that strong about Fleener over Jenkins, he would have made a lot of noise for Fleener. He did not.
I would have been fine with Fleener. I am fine with Jenkins. I said all this time I would cheer for whomever, and I kept my word. I know I don’t know anything next to the guys who pick players (GM’s). I do know I know something next to the guys who post here though. I understand those boundaries quite well. You seem to have gotten yourself lost in the borderlands somewhere.
Like I said, if Jenkins proves me wrong I will admit it, and give him and the FO their due props.
@Jack:
Not that I want to step into the middle of this debate, but I think that Jenkins is going to get on the field more than you expect. I think that Harbaugh/Roman will, at a minimum, devise packages and plays that exploit Jenkins’ skill set. Not that I am comparing Jenkins to Aldon Smith, but I would imagine something like what Fangio did with Smith last year.
Of course, if Jenkins comes in and blows everyone away, then he will be on the field a lot more than that.
@Claude,
Your input is always appreciated. If it plays out that way and he proves me wrong, I will gladly admit it.
@Jack:
I know you will. I was just trying to provide you with a basis for having more optimism about Jenkins.
Here’s one we need to nip in the bud immediately:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1166727-should-san-francisco-have-taken-a-chance-signing-undrafted-wr-chris-owusu
According to David Shaw (during the draft and sitting on the set with the NFL Net guys) Chris Owusu has had two concussions, not three. The third injury was a shoulder injury.
Unless Shaw was being less than truthful (or just doesn’t know) then this is a case of lazy journalism (or quasi-journalism in the case of Bleacher.) One media outlet not doing its own homework. Have to give Bleacher a pass because it’s an amateur outfit but the big fellas need to research this.
Shaw specifically stated Owusu did NOT have three concussions.
Could probably be cleared up (and corrected if appropriate) with just a few phone calls.
@Adam:
The only thing we need to nip in the bud is the idea that bleacher report articles have any value.
I think it’s probably fun for the guys who write for it but yeah, not a lot of value there. Essentially all BR does is regurgitate stuff.
This is the common reportage on this kid though, it would be a good thing to correct.
Maybe it’s a good thing for us that the info was incorrect, kept him from being drafted and gave us a chance to check him out. :)
Has anyone noticed that the Seahawks took 4 guys that the 49ers had in for visits leading up to the draft – including 3 of their first 4 picks? Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, Robert Turbin and Jeremy Lane. I guess Baalke and McCloughan value players in a similar way.
For all you HATERS…(Lol) anyhow for everyone who thinks moss will dog it this year, you have another thing commin. If moss gets balls his way he is gonna show out. He is motivated to win a title. Thats why he is here. And with an incentive heavy contract, look out. AS Long as hes givin the opprotunity, moss is goin to shine
@steel
I/you can easily figure out a way to see how every Niner WR will either be great or stink.
Not that hard. TC determines pecking order. Who stays/leaves. Salary cap hit is not a factor as long as the team has the space.
Plus if MC were dropped, that would free up another million or so for next year when we have 13 picks. So, that extra million might be needed if we trade up a lot (need more to sign a pick closer to #1), or to sign these 13 guys to contract.
Crabs is in camp. This is a GOOD thing. The more chemistry he builds, the better off he is.
@Adam
No disagreement from me there.
The last thing we need is a repeat of the 2010 season. Where the chemistry between the two was horrendous to start the year and the Niners went 0-5.
Linked to that is the fact that MC and AS got something going as the season wore on after that, and not coincidentally, the Niners finished 8-8.
Opps.
I think it was the 2009 season when the Niners went 8-8. That was the one I was talking about.
Steel, agree. He has everything on his resume but a title. JH alluded to adding to his HOF credentials this year. Looking forward to seeing him shine in the RZ.
http://www.49ers.com/news-and-events/article-2/Crabtree-Makes-Offseason-Strides/4d8677ed-f962-4b4e-8d2d-c2ac14b263b9.
Very good read on Crabtree. Seems he really has his head together this offseason and has a team first mentality. DS i suggest you read this.
Adam, thanks for posting. Very positive and great to hear. Too bad he didn’t take the approach he has currently with RM with JR a couple of years ago. I’ve been saying all offseason since the Championship game he should have a great year but it’s up to him. Also great to hear his foot has healed. Adding more WRs will also help MC as well as the others and he noted that in the article. Good read!
I took alot out of this. It shows he’s growing as a pro. I will probably repost in newest thread because it wont get the reads it deserves in this one.
Already got it Adam707 : ).
Fantastic read.
@Adam707
“Crabtree said all he wanted to do is “take notes, learn, and get better” from working with a respected veteran like Moss.”
MC had the same chance when he was drafted. To be Issac Bruce’s lapdog. If he had taken the opportunity then, he would not have had to wait 3 seasons to learn it.
As I told you before, MC is not going to prove a thing to me until he shows up big in big plays in big moments.
It is often a topic of conversation on this blog “How can you compare players of different eras (HOF type talk) when the rules/game/conditioning of players has changed so much?”
It is true of all HOF players that they make big plays in big games in big moments. That is how you judge how good a player is. Stats and all that won’t tell you the story. Big plays win games. Winning is the purpose of pro sports. Great players win games. The greater the player, the more wins they will be responsible for.
MC has not done that after 3 years. He needs to do that if he is still here come opening day if he wants to be here come year 5. I could care less if he has 20 catches for 350 yards against some crappy team near the end of the season. He needs to make that 1 catch (or 1 of several key catches)that gets us over the hump in the playoffs. If MC’s one catch in the title game put won that game or put the Niners in position to win, then I forgive all the rest (drops, not getting open, etc. I did with VD who had a bad regular season and a spectacular playoffs. Playoffs are the measuring stick). Until then, he is on serious probation, if he is a Niner at all.